by Aaron Hansel
Bench Racing Ammo: The Elusive Three-Peat
Wednesday, January 2, 2013 | 2:25 PM
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Winning three-straight supercross championships is very, very tough, so tough that only three riders have ever have even done it. But a look at the record book shows winning three-straight season openers is even tougher. Jeremy McGrath is the only rider in history to actually accomplish the feat, doing in from 1994-1996. But that could all change this Saturday, as Ryan Villopoto could join McGrath in that (very) exclusive club with three-straight opening wins.
But that’s not the only interesting stat we can pull from the list of opening round winners below.
| Year | Rider | Brand | ||
| 1974 | Pierre Karsmakers | Yamaha | ||
| 1975 | Jim Ellis | Can-Am | ||
| 1976 | Tony DiStefano | Suzuki | ||
| 1977 | Bob Hannah | Yamaha | ||
| 1978 | Jim Ellis | Honda | ||
| 1979 | Jim Weinert | Kawasaki | ||
| 1980 | Mike Bell | Yamaha | ||
| 1981 | Kent Howerton | Suzuki | ||
| 1982 | Donnie Hansen | Honda | ||
| 1983 | David Bailey | Honda | ||
| 1984 | Johhny O'Mara | Honda | ||
| 1985 | Johnny O'Mara | Honda | ||
| 1986 | David Bailey | Honda | ||
| 1987 | Jeff Ward | Kawasaki | ||
| 1988 | Jeff Ward | Kawasaki | ||
| 1989 | Rick Johnson | Honda | ||
| 1990 | Damon Bradshaw | Yamaha | ||
| 1991 | Jeff Stanton | Honda | ||
| 1992 | Mike LaRocco | Kawasaki | ||
| 1993 | Mike LaRocco | Kawasaki | ||
| 1994 | Jeremy McGrath | Honda | ||
| 1995 | Jeremy McGrath | Honda | ||
| 1996 | Jeremy McGrath | Honda | ||
| 1997 | Greg Albertyn | Suzuki | ||
| 1998 | Sebastien Tortelli | Kawasaki | ||
| 1999 | Ezra Lusk | Honda | ||
| 2000 | Jeremy McGrath | Yamaha | ||
| 2001 | Jeremy McGrath | Yamaha | ||
| 2002 | David Vuillemin | Yamaha | ||
| 2003 | Chad Reed | Yamaha | ||
| 2004 | Chad Reed | Yamaha | ||
| 2005 | Kevin Windham | Honda | ||
| 2006 | James Stewart | Kawasaki | ||
| 2007 | James Stewart | Kawasaki | ||
| 2008 | Chad Reed | Yamaha | ||
| 2009 | Josh Grant | Yamaha | ||
| 2010 | James Stewart | Yamaha | ||
| 2011 | Ryan Villopoto | Kawasaki | ||
| 2012 | Ryan Villopoto | Kawasaki |
With five wins at the opener, Jeremy McGrath has won the first round more times than anyone else.
Interestingly enough, McGrath started his run of three-straight season-openers in 1994. Heading into that race, Mike LaRocco had won the previous two season openers (1992 and 1993). In that 1994 race, LaRocco finished a close second to McGrath.
RV looks to join McGrath as the only riders to win three-straight season openers.
Simon Cudby photo
A surprising and conspicuous absence on this list is Ricky Carmichael, who was never able to take home a win at the season opener.
Honda is the first manufacturer to win three straight, as Johnny O’Mara won the opener in 1984 to follow up Donnie Hansen and David Bailey. O’Mara would win again the following year, followed by Bailey in 1986 to give Honda five consecutive years of opening round victories.
The only other manufacturer to win five opening races in a row is Yamaha. They did it in 2000 through 2004 with McGrath, David Vuillemin and Chad Reed.
If Ryan Villopoto wins this Saturday night, he’ll hand Kawasaki their first opening round three-peat as well.
Take a look at the list above. What other interesting notes and stats do you see? (And don't steal “How often does the opening round winner go on to take the title?” You know we're going to be crunching the data on that next week!)
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A Suzuki rider has only won it 3 times and no rider has ever won it on 3 different brands. OK here we go.
I think he'll get the championship but I just have a feeling about Saturday night... I don't think it will be his. Methinks a great race is in store...
That would be 9 out of 21 that one the first round went on to win the SX championship.Way less that 50% win it.
MY bad,That would be 9out 21 riders that won the A1 opener.
I say stewy comes in the first turn late and bowling balls everyone down ! MA 800 WINS !
Same story 5 years from now will be AC-92 !
Carmichael never won the opener at A1--which shows how unimportant single race wins are over the big picture.. Its why I think Dungey will be very dangerous this year.. You win the title by riding well on days you dont win..
Suzuki on has a few 1st round wins and none for KTM wins obviously....Could this be the first for KTM?
A1Main like every year will have an incredible amount of anticipation from the couch for us bench racers....I will have a hard time sitting still and keeping my heart rate down....what a thrill!!!
I was a rv2 fan, tell he went out like a straight heezoe at the munsta cup! rd5 won me over at that race with pure heart. end o story...
Im not a betting man...but you cant go wrong with RV for the 3-peat opening round victory...but its so HARD to predict..anything can happen...I see many of these guys pulling out the W.......When things go right, JS7 is more than capable same goes for Reed....For one of these 3 not to win, I think some drama would have to go down....If RV and JS7 are within striking distance and if Dungey is out front, they will take it from him....If RV is out front, he will runaway.....JS7 out front could go either way.....
has anyone seen the new "7"gear?
yall better hope dungey and ktm dont win the title that will mean that 2013 went worse than 2012 as far as injuries go say what you want but he is not the fastest guy in SX
Can-Am has more first round wins than KTM. That must be the stat they are going for.
Interesting that everyone seems to think Reed has Dungey covered. We'll see.
time for KTM
Any round that RV starts in top 5 and doesn't tip over he wins! Stamp it
@meankx not to burst your bubble but that happened numerous times in the last few years and he didnt win. even got a third at oakland.
Why do so many people think it's such a big deal that Dungey shifted his bike by hand at the MEC? Have they never seen freestyle? There are people doing a lot more over a big jump than just shifting their bike.
My money is on RV leaving the field in a cloud of dust and disappointment.
Either RV, JS or bam bam for me.
CR22 and RD5 will be playing it safe.
I think JS7 will want to come out and make a statement and bam bam will be trying to upset a few people.
RV will see how it plays out, if he starts top three he will be after the win.
What the hell do I know.
Anyone of 6 guys could win A1 with a good start.
Just looking forward to being there.
It could be a crazy season of different winners.
bd200: I agree.
KilloMoto: I wish Dungey's competitors were dumb enough to underestimate Dungey like you do.
jeramey: finish your homework and get in bed boy.
redrider24: Golly gee you must be a real good freestyler! But kid you sure had better not take your money to Vegas judging by your last comment....
^ sure thing mrs. dungey
Looks like maybe Reed and Bradshaw are the only ones to win the opener in their first full (aka rookie) 250/450 SX season? BAM BAM might have to join that list!
its going to be a block passing crazy race with all these top guys someones going to crying after this weekend. not me cause ill be there! lets get this startred!
oh ya. die hard honda rider. but my moneys on poto.
A1 always rocks but with this field ............ OMG !
JimM
Pala374
dungey won me over cuz he just keept on going and poto pulled out!,and most freestyle guys are moto boys that can grind it out and become somebody. so redrider24 u mouth piece keep to ur self or get hushed!
With 6 possible contenders (considered "legitimate") on the line, maybe we will see some derbying for the win rather than a flat-out speed, who-lays-down-the fastest-lap, parade line. I'm all for the handelbar banging.
Either way, it's A1!
my bad cant grind it out
I am a RV fan first but can anyone truthfully say that RD5 doesn't have the speed he is fast and determined as are all of these fellas. JS7 and JB51 will definetly be going all out. I just watched the press conference and it seemed like Reedy didnt care what happened but hes always chill so who knows. Ready for SX2013 !!!
Villopoto might get the three peat for A1- but I dont think he can do it for the whole season. I predict he will be very fast and even lead the series at times- but in the end I see someone else winning it. Whoever does win it will have the most meaningful and legitimate supercross championship ever- that is if they are all still standing at the end.
Villopoto might get the three peat for A1- but I dont think he can do it for the whole season. I predict he will be very fast and even lead the series at times- but in the end I see someone else winning it. Whoever does win it will have the most meaningful and legitimate supercross championship ever- that is if they are all still standing at the end.
WFO_UFO stuuuuuddddder muucccchhh!!!!!!
You are correct I bet RV could do A-1 but I think KTM will take the title.....They have alot on the roll ! old # 7 HAS no real time against comp so he is out of the championship at the end !!! It may be a bamm bamm thing if he gets rollin !
@ jgbvr
guessing RV had a pretty good reason to PULL OUT! So did your dad!
Ya poto pulled out cuz he biffed if tryn to ride over his head,and thats rite where i busted on your momma last nite. DungeyPoto nice original name homo.