AMA MX 450 Class Preview
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The Top GunsThe favorite going into Hangtown has to be Ryan Villopoto. Ryan is notoriously fast outdoors and with the help of his new trainer, Aldon Baker, he’s in the best shape of his life. He is riding a wave of confidence after claiming the 2011 Monster Energy Supercross Title and if he clicks off a couple wins in a row things could start to snowball for him. He went through a slump of sorts after failing to qualify for the Jacksonville supercross but he rebounded, big-time, with a win in Salt Lake City.
Ryan Dungey is known for his consistency and that is exactly what wins championships. When Ryan was getting thirds and fourths during the supercross season people were writing him off. It wasn’t until he got a win in Toronto that everyone noticed he was only a handful of points out of the lead. The motocross series is constructed of 24 motos and that is a lot of racing. If Dungey stays consistent and gets a win here and there when the opportunity presents itself he could very well hang onto the red number one plate.
Can Dungey hang onto the number one plate?
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
Chad Reed has shown a lot of character and heart this year. When he started his own team even his idol, Jeremy McGrath, questioned the decision and warned of the distractions and hurdles that come with owning your own team. Chad never commented on the warnings. He kept his head down and put good people in place within the team. His operation was professional and moderately successful at first. During the first few supercross rounds it was apparent Chad didn’t have the time to prep like others did. But they kept working and then a podium came. And after more testing they got a win in San Diego. And as Chad built momentum and other riders faltered the championship became a reality. After a valiant effort Reed would finish second in one of the most competitive seasons ever. Chad has won this AMA Motocross Championship before and he knows the challenge that lies before him. The thing he has going for him now is the knowledge that he can run with these guys, and beat them, on the equipment he has. And I’m sure Honda will continue to support his efforts. As always, Chad will be a threat.
Brett Metcalfe is flying way under the radar right now. As the manager of the Troy Lee Designs/ Lucas Oil/ Honda team last year I had to deal with him on a weekly basis in support of my rider, Ben Townley. Metty is strong and gritty and his work ethic shines in outdoor motocross on a 450. Metty was riding a good bike last year but there is no question that the Rockstar Suzuki RM-Z450 he is equipped with now is an even more lethal weapon. He did take a hit to the head a few months back and although he says he’s ready to go, time will tell. If he can find the rhythm he was in last year he will find himself at the front of the pack again.
What will Pourcel bring to Hangtown after missing the entire SX season?
Photo: Studio129/MotoConcepts
Christophe Pourcel is a hard man to read. He pushed off offers and decided to sit the 2011 supercross season out. But despite his unorthodox approach to racing, he is one of the most talented riders on the starting gate. The time off may have even done Chris well, as he is still recovering from a serious injury that affected his ability to walk two years ago. If he is healthy and ready, which I believe him to be, Pourcel will race for wins this summer.
Which Kevin Windham will show up in Sacramento? Will it be the guy who raced the Anaheim opener or Kevin from Las Vegas who damn near won the whole thing? If the first one shows up he’ll run inside the top ten all day. If the second one shows up you could see the number 14 bike out front. Let’s hope for number two. Wait, that doesn’t sound right.
Mike Alessi could be a factor in this series. He is back on the 450 that he was so successful with years ago and he is back outside where he is more comfortable. It hasn’t been the best year for Mike but he is capable of winning this race [remember moto two last year?] and building momentum.
Alessi is back on a 450, how much will it impact his season?
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
In a rabid pack behind the leaders there is a group of guys scrapping to get to the front. Some of them are coming off of injury and others are simply trying to step up their game. Andrew Short should be near the front of this pack. As the men in orange continue to shake down the 350 Shorty should find himself back near the lead pack.
Jake Weimer has a lot to prove. After missing most of the supercross series with a broken arm he wants to show Mike Fisher and himself that he is for real in the premier class. If Jake’s head is in it he is fast. Top fives shouldn’t be a problem for Weimer.
He's back.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
Jason Lawrence. I wasn’t sure if I should even include him here. He has the skills to be a contender. Will he use them? I’m getting tired of asking that question. We’ll see on Saturday.
Tommy Hahn could have a great series. He has a teammate in Pourcel that could help elevate his game and the level of equipment he’s on. Hahn is a rocket outdoors, so don’t be surprised to see him up front.
Christian Craig could surprise people this summer. He has some 450 experience already and a good bike underneath him [Remember, Townley very nearly won motos on that bike last year] and if he gets some confidence he can be magic outdoors. I hope we see get to see it this weekend.
Other notables include Kyle Chisholm, Ricky Dietrich, Davi Milsaps, Justin Brayton, Michael Byrne and Nick Wey. All of these guys have speed and we will see it at times this summer.
Get ready. Hangtown is on the horizon.
Photo: DC
It’s going to be a wild ride, folks. The 2011 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship has all the ingredients to be just as delicious as the supercross series has been. Who will be champion? In what is sure to be a crazy and unpredictable series there’s no way to know for sure. Buckle up and enjoy a great summer of racing.
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"The favorite going into Hangtown has to be Ryan Villopoto" That has to piss of RD... But I agree 100%!! RV is the man IMO.
Does the points leader get to run RED back grounds or will RD get to use them all year like in SX?/ Why did this change anyway?/
@BillC
If i'm not mistaken RD will run red plate in the first race. If he wins the overall he will run it, if not who ever wins and is in the points lead will run it and RD will run White backgroung and black #1.
Thats how it was in 2010 but RD Never had the points lead in SX this year but ran the Red all year. I hope outdoors the points leader gets to run Red.
So I take it Canard is not ready yet? Anyone know how he's doing?
This will definately be a 2 man battle only this year. I pick RV to be faster but
RD will win some and be there in the points. This is not supercross and these
two dudes are better honed then the rest to get it done.
PIngree is a D O R K... keep sculpting your FO HAWK
he broke his femur a couple weeks ago, there is no way he is going to be ready yet
yes, outdoors the red # plate is adorned by the person leading the points, so they better get a lot of photos of RD's at Hangtown b/c he'll never have it again after this weekend! RV Park going Perfect Season.. write that down!
RV could never have a perfect season. He is really good, but not consistent enough
Jason Lawrence? Really? He still has an AMA PRO License? What a friggin joke!!! His two biggest rivals now have a SX championship to themselves and all he has is a bad rep and no team wanting him. Hang it up J-FLAW. Your career is done.
I am ready for the RV show!!!
@dc99 I would love to see that but I Don't think it will happen. If he did it would be bigger than either of RC's or JS IMO.
Ricky D watch out.
It should be a great season for as stacked as the field is. RV and RD wil now start a new season of cat and mouse, just like their lites days. I think Alessi might have something to show riding a 450, as well as Metcalf. All these guys are strong and healthy right now and hopefully will finish out the season this way. I give JLaw credit for wanting to take a stab at this. As the season goes on we will see if really
has the heart for this, unlike some people who have not been metioned so far. If he needs a ride, I have an old 01 sitting in my garage that he can use! So for everyone that suits up and gets on the gate "Good Luck"
I dont want to down play Reeds team and their success because they did a great job..no more privateer nonsense anymore as that statuse ended at A1.....but the keyword in this article was "other riders faultered".. Had Jacksonville had a different outcome, Reed would have been battling for 3rd/4th in points.... Yes, its a part of racing, but you cant take all the credit for other riders bad luck.....just saying...on the track he was consistent as always....but it wasnt enough and it would have shown more so if Jacksonville wasnt a disaster.....
In response to the number plates, Feld runs supercross and they do it differently than MXsports(Coombs family) who run the outdoors.
You could say that Key but you could say the same thing about Stewart blowing Reed off the track coming out of the whoops, or RD losing his chain, etc. That's just racing and I think as long as you have the most points at the end of the series, you're the best that season. All that matters is that #1 plate and the check cashing, which means RV was the man for this SX season.
I'm glad to see Jlaw back. Say what you will about his personal life but the guy has some real skill on a bike and is fun to watch. Good luck to him.
Stewart will be back for round 2 on aSuzuki , He has been testing , and really likes the bike .... He is funding his own team , and has said he will win the title for his fans .... The final touches are being done , and his mechanic , will surprise you ....
It is amazing watching the all time greats like Jeremy, Ricky, Stefan, Antonio etc. dominating races and entire seasons but am I alone in the opinion that the 2011 SX season was completely exciting........by far the most captivating right down to the wire than any series I can remember, mostly because it wasn't all about one rider........and the 2011 MX series is shaping up to be just as exciting....and then some !!!!!!!!!!! Lordy lordy lordy it's great to be alive ;-)
thats good jlaw is back i hope he takes a villpoto
Hey tommy2tone, interesting information based on what? It sounds good!
@tommy 2 tone ... 867-5309 !!!
Where did you get that information.....his twitter update the other had me thinking because he indicated a big change....and I saw him and Brian Lunnis at taco bell the other night, soooooooo who knows...
SCBD: Like him or not, Lawrence is a former lites champ. How many of the 450 guys that will be riding around the track at Hangtown tomorrow have ever won a championship in any pro class?
I hope he does well!
JS7 will not be as lucky as Reed was when Kawasaki and 22 parted ways. Reed and Kawasaki's just voided the contract and that was it....JS7 will most likely face breach of contracts and all that jazz if he skips out on the Yamaha or lose money in the deal......
1) talking RV having a perfect season this year? get off the crack pipe 2) who the F set up tv to show 1 moto one day and the other the next day?? COME ON> show one class one day the other class the next if you have time limits. and yes i am happy to at least be able to watch on tv, but think people. 3) jlaw showing more heart than JS? who woulda thought....
i heard stewart&the; san manual band are building an indian dirt bike for him to compete on,thus reviving an old honorable cycle name
law is back,,i wonder if he will last longer than 10 laps a moto this season !
@ Keyword- Hey, do you remember when Chad Reed was taken out by James Stewart at Dallas? What about when Stewart took him out at the holeshot for Houston? What about when that tough block was in the middle of the track and Reed landed on it? What about when Dungey's change fell off? You wanna say that Dungey would have won the championship if it wasn't for that? What about if Stewart wasn't taken out at Jacksonville?
That stuffs happens to everyone, quit it with the bias......
@ Keyword- Another thing, Villopoto possibly could have qualified at Jacksonville if he would have got up after his crash but he thought the LCQ would be a cakewalk. That's different then what happend with Reed, Dungey, Stewart this season. Yes Villopoto was taken out but he could have tried to qualify in his heat race. Reed was taken out by Stewart at Dallas and the holeshot in Houston. Dungey lost his chain. Stewart was taken out at Jacksonville. For Trey Canards 3 wins- Dallas- Stewart and Reed crash, Houston- Stewart and Reed crash, Jacksonville- Stewart and Villopoto crash. What do you have to say about that? Did he earn those wins or get 'lucky' like Reed?
By the way, after that first turn crash at Houston, Reed had the fastest total time from laps 2-20......
Quit it with the bias......
JS7 Third on the all time win list ....40 wins a counting .... Pretty impressive for a guy that some think is washed up ...lol.. Five wins came just this year ,name one other rider that has more besides MC and RC ...cant do it can you ....
James Stewart , will be on a Suzuki for the rest of the outdoors . He new this a month ago ... Cant wait to see this
Heard the same thing , Pretty good source says its true
F*** You So Cal Baja Fag !!! J-Law is back!!!!! Like It.
Don´t write off Christophe Pourcel. The frog is seriously talented and will win races this year, on merit, and not just when the other hotshots hit trouble. He also comes into this championship without the spotlight trained on him, which should be in his favor. He was kicking RD´s rear-end until his season went tits up in 2009, and if he reproduces that form, watch out RV and RD.
@Lawlz - yes I get that dude....not challenging the " If's" of racing....I was just speculating on how one race (jacksonville in this case) could have changed the entire outlook on the season this year.....Reed wasnt going to win any of those races you mentioned Dallas or Houston....
JS7 couldnt get the contracts and other issues settled with Yamaha before Hangtown, so technically he isnt ready.....Hope this pans out as Stewart needed a change....Also, JS7 probably is loosing money to get out of Yamaha.....buying out his contract.....
Man do i hope the Stewart rumors are true and he will be riding a zook!! I think that bike will suit him well!! Something must be up cuz this was on his twitter a couple days ago........."It was a tough decision and you have no idea how hard it was. It's easier 4 me 2 go racing then 2 go thru what I'm about to go thru but...We aren't ready and we have work to do. I want to say sorry 2 my fans as U wanted me 2 race as I did but trust me when I say..That the next time I race, U will see a different person racing. I hope u understand that & if U don't I'm sry don't know whatelse 2 tell ya. Lookin forward 2 what the future holds 4 me & our race team. Thanks 2 all my sponsors, family & fans. U have been supportive thru everything".........we'll see i guess!!
Anybody remember Jason Lawrence was actually better at MX than SX (and he won a 250W title).
Remember his 450 performance at Daytona? That was an eye-opener!
If he can bring that speed back and still have fun, he should do well. Messing with RV and RD would be icing on the cake! You want drama? This kid can bring it!
If his fitness is where it needs to be and he has competitive equipment, I think the only thing holding him back would be himself. Good luck J-Law.
Stewart on a Suzuki? Where will the $ come from? Suzuki doesn't have Stewie bucks, they don't even have Dungeybucks!
I would be VERY upset if I were Dungey to find out they made a deal with JS and all the while couldn't pay my bonuses, salary, etc, etc,
That would probably be all the motivation in the world for RD to go primeval on their a**es and crush everyone on his way to the title...........or ram #7 on every start.........
This could be hillarious. Suzuki sweeping top 3 in 450's w/
1) #1
2) #7
3) #54
I'll believe it when I see it........................
Have seen others comment about Jacksonville and a couple other races where the points shifted a lot. Haven't seen anyone say anything about Dungey throwing the chain early in the year. Dont have the specific points count in front of me, but pretty sure if that dnf hadn't happened, and RD would have finished say 3rd or 4th in that race. He would have been very close if not in the points lead come Vegas... Consistency is a good thing, Dungey was waaay under the radar this year. He still deserves a lot of respect in my opinion. All these guys do.
Wow a piece on the 450 class review & whatever turns it into a JS statement page. He's not racing why bring him up everytime?
Yeah J FLaw will be back for about three rounds until he either screws up and the AMA puts him on probation or he realizes he doesn't have the stamina and endurance from not racing in a year. And who wants a former convict out their representing this sport? This isn't football or baseball. His ego will take him out like it always has.
i didnt even recognize j law wow he looks like he should put on a hockey helmet and hop on a short bus, i wish we could watch the whole race on tv oh well, when you love mx as much as all of us two two in a tu tu said it its great to be alive! villapoto is going to crush the competition i think ahhhh cant wait.
Not one word about Kyle Regal? He had 2 second place moto's on a privateer honda out of a van! He's happy with the yamaha. Will he get to ride one?
Alessi needs to be on a makita suzuki if he wants to win. RV is good but POURCEL is the man to beat. CP will smoke RV. RD will be a threat. When canard returns he will win some.
The only thing Stewart will be riding during the MX season, is an infirmary gurney, as the jailhouse doctor tries to stitch his asshole back together.
Giddyup!
It will be interesting if CP has what it takes to compete at the front of the 450 class. I assume that most fans want to see some competition between the riders instead of another one-man-show. And who knows, pehaps there will be some action in the 250 class as well. We could be in for a good season!
Jlaw and Stewarts are teaming up! Just read it over at MXXlarge.com
CR, CP, RV, RD will all be fast and trade wins. RV is definitely fast but I don't think he can run away with it. This may be just as exciting as the SX season was. I can't wait...I've always said that SX was just something to watch until the real motorcycle racing starts. Outdoors just rocks!...it is the history of the sport and motorcycle racing in a pure form. I think we all are in for a good time.
Jlaw will come back swinging this summer, believe me.
@dgizzy... Are you crazy?? LOL What title has CP ever won over RV?? You care to make a BET on this one?? PLEASE!!!!!
Great to see J-Law back to racing!!! Hope he's ok and capable to focus on racing!!!
As said above, don't count off Pourcel!! He will have RD speed from the start, don't know where that will put him though...
I just hope j-law finishes a moto for once, IF not I hope we never hear the name again.
There is no way in hell that Jason Lawrence will be a factor in any outdoor national this year. He hasn't raced in over a year, and has repeatedly demonstrated that he lacks stamina and common sense.
I hope Jason Lawrence comes out swinging all of you up. He has some fun, gets in some trouble, takes a couple of people out.. big deal? Bob Hannah is looked upon as one of the best riders ever, and he did the same kind of stuff. Personally, I think it's great to see another rider who will do and say what he wants. I'm tired of seeing all the super clean, politically correct podium interviews.. At least Jason Lawrence has a personality.
Hey "dd4130"......STFU dude!! I dont bring the guy up every time and it wasn't me that brought it up this time jerk!! I was commenting on what other posters were saying about the suzuki rumors.......get over it fella!!
Don't get the J-Law stuff. He won 1 (250) moto outdoors, is that right? On 450s he led Daytona for a few laps by cutting the track and then faded. Wow. Outside of the RV, CR22, RD safe calls, it's gotta be CP that worries people; if they are honest.
@T_Hampton: Being and A-hole isn't a personality. J-Law is an immature punk who can't handle pressure. He's as much of a threat to win as Stephen Hawkings is.
LOL!!! I hope RacerX catches that and quotes it in their mag!
Saw the Suzuki ...Its all Black ,just like James ...Hes gonna smoke the field , and make them look silly ..He put a pic up on his website JS7. 23&0
I wrote: about 1 hour ago
@T_Hampton: Being and A-hole isn't a personality. J-Law is an immature punk who can't handle pressure. He's as much of a threat to win as Stephen Hawkings is.
Hahahaha..........gunna roll up on them like Christopher Reeve.
Villopoto appears healthy, hungry, and fit, so stand by for domination.
Short, Metty, Reed, Dungy, Alessi, and Windham all seem like top 5 guys, so sorting out 2-7 and RV's ability to stay healthy and fast are the show, I predict boredom.
Yeah.....boredom.....LOL...well at least some people out there weren't surprised today!