10 Things to Watch: A3
Friday, February 1, 2013 | 9:30 AM
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PrintBy Aaron Hansel and Chase Stallo
Down But Not Out
After dominating the first three races, GEICO Honda’s Eli Tomac had a terrible night in Oakland. He crashed twice, with the second crash, a nasty get-off in the whoops, resulting in a DNF. It’s eerily similar to the situation that Tomac found himself in last year after a big crash in the San Diego whoops erased a big points lead. Now, with five races to go, Tomac faces a 15-point deficit behind Ken Roczen, who has yet to finish lower than second place. Both riders are championship-caliber, and their intensity and determination is unquestionable. Further complicating matters is Cole Seely, who is hitting a mid-season surge and now sits second in points. Who will win the battle of A3 in what has suddenly become the war of the western guns? - Aaron Hansel
Still Got It
After four rounds of Monster Energy Supercross, Rockstar Energy Racing’s Davi Millsaps still has that big, beautiful shiny red number plate bolted firmly to his motorcycle. When asked after Oakland if that was empowering or if it just added pressure, Millsaps responded that, “It’s just the color of my graphics.” With a 7-point lead over Trey Canard and just one race off the podium, a fourth at A2, Millsaps clearly has a few things figured out this season. Will that translate into another red plate-clad motorcycle after A3? - Aaron Hansel
Tomac looks to bounce back in Anaheim.
Simon Cudby photo
Sooner or Later
Considering Trey Canard’s strong riding this year, it seems only a matter of time before he lights the torches and pulls in his first win of the season. In fact, if not for a few small mistakes late in the races, there’s a good chance he’d already have that win. Had he won Anaheim 1, it would have been a surprise. If he wins Anaheim 3, it won’t look that way at all. - Aaron Hansel
Knocking on the Door
If you followed the Driven to Ride series last year that chronicled privatees Derek Anderson and Tucker Saye on a Nationals road trip, then you’ve probably been following Anderson’s quest to make a supercross main this year. He’s come close on several occasions, and in Oakland he turned faster laps in the LCQ than anyone else after getting a lousy start. Had he not crashed on the final lap, he would have been in a position to challenge for the final transfer spot when Scott Champion made a last-ditch effort to make it into the main by attempting a big block pass on Killy Rusk. Anderson is going to make it one of these weeks. Will A3 be the race? - Aaron Hansel
Privateer Battle
Vince Friese, Matt Lemoine and Weston Peick have been logging great rides and making in into main events—but they’ve also been getting into each other. At A2 Peick and Lemoine had an altercation that spilled over into Twitter and in Oakland, Peick and Friese (whose rivalry predates the 2013 season) got into it. If they keep finding one another on the track, things are going to get ugly. Will the situation lie dormant at A3, or will things boil over in Angel Stadium? - Aaron Hansel
Millsaps looks to continue his hot start in Anaheim.
Simon Cudby photo
The High Road
When I talked with HRT Honda’s second-year pro Austin Politelli after Anaheim 1, he told me all he needed was a good start to run up front. “I think if I’m able to get good starts and run up front, I’ll be able to stay there.” Well, the southern California native didn’t need a good start (15th after lap 1) in Oakland to achieve a career-high eighth. Politelli has qualified for three of four rounds this year (missed the main at Anaheim 2) and is in the midst of a breakout season. Will the upward trend continue at Anaheim 3? – Chase Stallo
Unhappy Camper
Mitch Payton is not happy right now. “I don’t really know what to say,” Payton told Racer X’s Steve Matthes after Oakland. “It’s just like I really expected more from Tyla and I really expected Martin to have the speed to run with those guys with the right circumstances. And right now he just needs to dig down and find that speed.” Can Tyla Rattray or Martin Davalos find it? – Chase Stallo
Canard has been knocking on the door, can he get his first win at A3?
Simon Cudby photo
Last Stand?
When Chad Reed darted sideways in the whoops at the start of last week’s main event, it set off a chain reaction and one of the biggest pileups we’ve ever seen at the start of a supercross races. And, of course, Reed ran into James Stewart, because they two have been magnetized to each other for over a decade now. Trouble is, both haven’t had the seasons they were expecting so far, and the big points hit in Oakland only made it worse. Can the two old warriors of the former-champions set mount one more run to the front, or has the torch officially been passed? - Jason Weigandt
Bam Bam Bruised
In the two rounds since capturing his first career 450SX win, Muscle Milk Honda’s Justin Barcia has scored just two points, has not finished a race, and has slid from second in points to ninth. There’s no denying the speed is there—see his win in Phoenix—but Bam Bam needs to regroup in a hurry before his rookie year gets away from him completely. – Chase Stallo
Oh, BTO!
BTO Sports KTM’s first season with factory support is off to a roaring start, thanks to Matt Goerke, who is quietly having a career season. With two top tens through three rounds—including a career-high seventh in Oakland—the reigning MX1 Canadian Nationals Champion is making his mark on a loaded field. He’s showing legitimate speed, too, mixing it up with the top stars in both his heats and the mains—and no doubt gaining confidence each time. Can Goerke keep the good times rolling into Anaheim 3? – Chase Stallo
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# 11
Can Dungey get a start in the main?
I love Pro Circuit but unfortunately I'm not surprised at their results. I'm not sure what Mitch was expecting from these two. And with Blake out on injury again... it's probably not the peppiest tent after the races. Hopefully they are more competitive for the win on the East coast.
@Chopper-- I agree totally, they arent winning, and they havent won before.. Not sure what Payton expected, Tyla has ridden for him forever, and didnt win in his younger days after coming over.. Not sure why he was suddenly expected to beat Tomac all of a sudden..Martin is the same, they havent won before, not sure why they were suddenly expected too now..
1. RV
2. TC
3. RD
4. JB
5. CR
If Bagget wouldnt have hurt his hand/wrist, it would look alot different right now i'm betting.
bd200, The guys are not doing as well as they have in the past. Hell Tyla had the red plate at one point last year or the year before now he can't make top7?? I would be pissed if i was Mitch also and Martine has shown lots of speed over the years but in the mains is not getting it done other than one race. Again If i am Mitch i am not happy. Did he expect them to be winning every race?? No I don't think so but they are not doping well at all.
I am not a Stewart fan by any means but I would love to see him get a great jump in the main and start to walk away from the pack. RV could/would reel him in the latter laps but that battle could be the best of the season. Give it time it will happen.
1. TC
2. JB
3. RV
People will have to start talking about the RV vs. RD points battle that's going to start up in a few rounds. Dungey is just getting started and villopoto is already making up for his usual slow start. The Ryan's are the new guard and anyone that wants a title has to beat them all year, week in and week out... Not gonna happen
I'm baffled that Mitch is surprised by his riders. Is Mitch losing his golden touch? Has he lost so much money from teams doing their own engines that he can't get riders he really wants? Dean is his best bet this year and he is there by weird circumstances.
Good article.
The torch has been passed to the Ryan's last year with them both winning SX/MX.
Fan of both CR & JS, good for a couple more wins. Championship??
I never understood how teams paid PC to do engines for them. The top teams not using PC engines are beating them more than ever now. If I was PC I would of made my competition's engines slow so I could win. Now PC doesn't get paid by their competition and they also can't deliver slow engines to Tomac anymore. Everyone thinks PC is so great but I think Mitch is an ass and his employees have major stuck up problems not found at FC!
The Ryans have won all the 450 titles the last 3 years, so that torch has already been passed IMO. I still see Canard as a player to the end too. Millsaps is showing consistency I've never seen from him this year, so he may be there until the end also.
I hope I'm wrong but last week's crash may the start of a downward spiral for Reed.
Even if they got hot, it's going to be tough for Stewart or Baricia to get back in to the championship mix, unless guys start dropping out.
Reed is not done
I hope DM18 can keep the red plate a few more rounds to gain him some clout. The guy is on top with all of the players in the game (No asterisks!) I honestly don't see him winning it, but it is awesome to see someone who never gets much media attention (even with the red plate), taking care of business. I definitely see TC pulling off a win or two this year if he can keep it upright. RV is gonna be tough to beat, but he won't walk away with it hopefully.
Lemoine and Friese would be better off not to scrapping with Peick.
Welcome to the 450 class JB, now stand in line and pay your dues like
everyone does.
JimM
Pala374
Between having the best riders and ah..........the best motors no wonder PC was dominant.
Now......they have neither.
Welcome to parity in the 250 class PC, now stand in line and pay your dues like
everyone does.
JimM
Pala374
1-RV
2-RD
3-DM
Here ya go:
1) Trey C.
2) Justin B.
3) Ryan V.
Justin B. will regroup and recoup...a good start....and he will be on his way.
RIDE HARD, RIDE SMART and HAVE FUN Justin!!!
Remember...PERSISTANCE PAYS.
IBCNU...ON THE EAST COAST.
Escozoo: I agree and I think the other riders who pose a serious threat to the Ryan's in the next few years go in this order:
1) JB: Too young for now but that much talent will makes him a current threat and possible favorite in the future.
2)TC: Has everything to do it but will most likely suffer a really bad crash riding over the edge trying to beat Dungey or RV on a night when they're a bit faster.
3) CR: Proven veteran and former champ who can get things right all the sudden and ride with anybody but getting older..
4) DM: Always had great talent and now has his head on strait. He is as determined as ANYBODY. (Could flip 3 & 4)
5) JS: Blazing speed and extremely talented but lacks the toughness and consistency needed because he's been spoiled and has never gotten out of the "look mom, no hands", show off mentality of a kid. Or maybe he finally has this year? I think that injury may be finally teaching him patience and humility.
@escozoo - quick history review: RV2 started 2012 with a 1-3-4 and 2011 with a 1-2-1. That would be considered a usual fast start.
Motodog77 Right on. I was going to say that. I don't know where people come up with some of the stuff they say.
I don't know Mitch would have thought Tyla would have done so well in SX, it never has been his strong point. But we will know for sure when we go to the outdoors. I don't expect anything less from RV, but thinks happen which may give TC an advantage. Looking forward to going to A3 and I'm sure I will see some of you there, just won't know it though. Is this the weekend that we see Bam Bam and RV dance the tango to the candles?
I hope to see Stewart turing things around this week. He is putting in the work and seems more patient and in control...The knee seems to be better and Oakland had that fluke crash that ended the night for him- he was looking his best so far...
.A3 - I see RV pullling out another dominant victory while James finishes a distant 2nd after another mediocre start and passing a few guys......3rd I think will go to Canard while Reed , Dungey and Barcia battle for the 4-6 platce.....or it could be completely different !!! Love this stuff!!!
Gotta love that there are 7 guys that could be on the podium (yes, I'm counting Stewart, please don't hate me for it). Hopefully, it won't turn into a 6-way battle for 2nd. I like RV, and he deserves everything he gets, but runaways aren't as exciting.
James Stewart wins this weekend. I'm laying it down now.
#11
Will Davalos keep the "Yard Sale of the Year" award or will someone else earn it? LOL Can't believe the kid came back for 3rd after that bail.Sarry Martin, luv ya kid, but that one is with Reedy's 40 ft window washing on the highlight reels.
Nice list RCRDDW, can I ask why no Dungey, Tomac, or Wilson?
The Reed and Stewart show can't go on forever can it?
I see you said Ryan's, that covers #5, Tomac and Wilson still going to be in the class by then.
@pitbull, no trolls - just The Truth. 30 or so hours and I'll be saying it ... wait for it.
@RCRDDW
Nice list. Over the next few years? That is more like a list for the rest of this year as Reed may be all done when 2013 comes to an end.
Where is Tomac, Roczen, Wilson? All 3 may be in the 450's next year.....Tomac and Wilson for sure. Laughable that you would put down that Milsaps is as determined as anybody. When you are talking about RV and Dungey, it can be guaranteed that Milsaps has never even thought about putting in the work they do. That isn't a knock on Davi either, especially considering he admits he has not worked very hard in the past. RV and Dungey work at a legendary level right up there with the all-time maniacs. Davi is doing great but that comment about "determined as ANYBODY" is straight rhetoric.
don't agree with some of the predictions...Davi M will be on the podium with Villipoto...not sure who else but it won't be Barcia, he's still too scared since his mistake on the triple, might have him scared all season if not forever!!!
IT's the factory teams that get all the attention when Davi Millsaps should be getting way more press than anyone!! Bottom line , he is leading the series!!! GIve this guy more press...Otherwise it makes the sport look like a joke! And he is leading the series on a NON FACTORY BIKE.....
to be clear about this...DAVI MILLSAPS IS LEADING THE SERIES ON A TEAM WITH MUCH LESS SUPPORT!
Justin BarCIA, mabey you should get a haircut...cause look what happens when some hair gets in your face!! IT distracts you and you make mistakes!! And get hurt...nothing wrong with long hair unless it can get you hurt!!
This is my 1st post in about 2yrs. I've followed racerx for about 8yrs religiously and I have read probably about 90 percent of all the threads on here. MX, SX and Enduro are my #1 passion in sports! I just couldn't stand not participating in the bench racing anymore. I like to pull for the underdogs alot, and I can't help but notice that many seem to have put Dungey in that category. I must say I totally disagree. I think the Dunge is about to start shining. I remember the preseason interview where Dungey said he wanted to win with all the big players in the game. He couldn't help in the past who was there and who was injured. I just think many are selling this champion short. I also love it when a guy like Millsaps reaches way down inside and shows the world what he's made of.. Congrats to Davi thus far!!! Keep up the awesome job!!!
@escozoo you mean the torch has been passed to ryan. 1 ryan,because the other ryan is just a top 5 guy and has yet to win a title with a stacked field..
Careful donkey don't put too much crow on your plate you may wind up eating it!!! Still alot of "racin" left (thats how Dungey says racing) LOL....
1. JS
2.RV
3.CR
4.RD
5.DM
Please don't stamp it.