by Aaron Hansel
Morning Report: A2
Saturday, January 19, 2013 | 3:40 PM
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PrintThe bikes have yet to even hit the dirt for practice here at Angel Stadium in Anaheim we’re already looking at a crazy night of racing. In the 450SX class, there are so many storylines to follow right now that it seems as if the race itself is merely a small slice of the legend that this 2013 Monster Energy Supercross season is quickly becoming.
James Stewart admitted to us in this video that he does indeed have a torn ACL, reigning champ Ryan Villopoto has yet to finish a race without crashing and Chad Reed’s inability to come completely to terms with his new air fork setup has, so far, produced a pair of mediocre (by Reed’s standards) fourth place finishes. And speaking of suspension, Ryan Dungey’s KTM is once again sporting the trick new WP air shock that the team experimented with at A1 before removing it for Phoenix. Then there is Justin Barcia, who streaked to what looked like an easy career first 450SX win last week, and Trey Canard, who is currently authoring one of the greatest comeback stories our sport has ever seen. Last but certainly not least, we have our points leader Davi Millsaps. Nobody expected him to win the opener and few expected him to still be wearing the red plate, but so far he’s proved the doubters wrong on both accounts. Can he keep the magic alive tonight?
In the 250SX ranks, there are far fewer question marks. Eli Tomac has established himself as the king of the class. Nobody has been able to run with him so far, and his closest competitor, Ken Roczen, has been unable to get the starts he needs to battle it out with Tomac. Right now, Tomac is holding all of the cards.
The track here at A2 is interesting. There are three rhythm lanes, all with multiple options, and it’s going to be really fun to see what lines start popping out in practice. One of the sections features a pretty big exit option, which consists of big gap (at least 70 feet) with a precise tabletop landing. It looks gnarly, but as is the case with most ridiculous rhythm options, it’s only a matter of time before some comes out and makes it look easy on the first or second lap. The track also features a nine-whoop whoop section, which is preceded by a speed killing single jump with a three-foot face that’s nearly straight up. There’s also a long sand section with a couple small jumps worked in, but unless they maintenance it constantly, it will quickly break down into a super rough and nasty segment. The dirt is also harder and more packed, thanks to the monster trucks that ran in Angel Stadium last week.
Be sure to check back here frequently and follow us on Twitter, @racerxonline, for updates from the third round of supercross, all day long.
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So pumped!
Cough*holeshot*cough.
Hey Aaron keep up the good work. Your writing is getting really good and you keep the reader interested for sure. Go Dungey!
They wouldn't have to "maintenance it constantly" if they better preperated it in the first place :)
Lets just hope everyone stays safe and healthy = great racing and let the best man win
Stanton must have been smiling when Shaggy won.
He was on the other end of the stick when MC passed him for the lead in '93.
Redemption in some sort of form for him
can any one help me with playing vid clips problem?
brightcove hosted clips are not playing for me, have latest flash player, everything else plays fine?
EVERYTHING IS GREAT EXXXCCCEEEPPPPTTTT
CBS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
shaggy? thats funny. shaggy is gonna whip some butt tonite
i agree with you on that byrner99 like emig said if they better preparate it would help with the huck a bucks !
Pfft. Shaggy will be an also-ran from here out. Big 4 are back at the top, and Millsaps has 6th-10th covered if he can get a little more fitness for the last third of the race.
@jimmyc261--CBS hasnt even broadcast their show yet, and already you are ripping them?? Speeds wasnt that great the first night.. Lets see what they do first..
My buddy at our MC club breakfast this morning called Barcia 'Spicoli', for those of us that are old enough to remember Fast Times . . . made me laugh. Just watched the first practice, JB51 was 1.2 seconds off of RV's fast lap of 53.984, we'll see how they look after the final in a bit, should be good racing tonight, verbals that Stewart, Weimer and Alessi battled the flu this week, don't know who else isn't 100%.
@chowderhead--Didnt Millsaps come back on the last lap and pass Canard at A1?? I say his fitness seems fine if he can do that dont you?? And I seriously doubt that Barcia is done.. He has always been an animal in supercross..
Ain't gonna be the same without KW14 out there. Wish he would at least finish the '13 SX season.
what happened to K Dub ? No show in any practices..
final qual times:
1. RV 52.976
2. RC 53.653
3. JS 53.991
4. DM 54.057
5. CR 54.205
6. TC 54.326
* 2. RD not RC . . . wishful typing . . .
Wonder if 'Has Been' Hansen will make the main - thats without pull'n a hissy fit and taking out a innocent racer....
@tz - KW tweaked his back, he was out on the track for the non-timed practice, but not for the qualifying practices so no racing for him tonite, which means he has to be hurting to not even try to qualify and see how he feels in a couple hours before the heat. Bummer.
@motodog77
Whats the lowdown on KW?
Spicoli is funny, ( the pool scene stole the movie.)
slow at typing. Thanks for info.
KW retiring.
@blackjack - Racerx just tweeted that at this point KW is out for tonite only, but there will be an announcement at opening ceremonies tonite, so we'll know more in a few hours. So close to breaking Larocco's all time start record, if KW doesn't break it, it will stand forever.
@tz - yep, Hansen made the fast 40 . . . in 39th with a 59.619, and as luck would have it, Alex Ray is in 40th with a 59.713, so they won't be in the same heats and if I had to guess i'd say neither will qualify directly, which will put them both in the LCQ again . . . if I was Ray i'd attempt to line up to the left of Hansen . . .
I want KW to squeeze everything he can out of his career. Back pain can be so debilitating. He seems to have doubts creeping in and perhaps things are pointing towards the pasture. Hope I am wrong and the time is premature unless were talking about his party in the pasture gig.
Thanks motodog 77