By Chase Stallo and Jason Weigandt
Jason Anderson | Rockstar Energy Husqvarna | 3-3 for second overall in 450MX
Racer X: Your wild-child sort of riding style, this one looked like it could have been sketchy to do that. You were one of the only guys who were doing that tunnel jump up towards the top, maybe turn three. What made you pull the trigger on that one almost every lap?
Jason Anderson: Today definitely that first moto me being a little bit wild kind of bit me in the butt, but for the most part I felt pretty good out there all day and was able to do some lines that I think helped me out. Especially in that first moto, I crashed and had to catch back up and battle some guys. Some of those lines helped me out to get by them. But there were a couple jumps out there that I was able to do and it was cool, but still not good enough.
I want to rewind two weeks ago to the altitude sickness. Is that something that you recover from as soon as you’re down by sea level or is this something that you battled with through the week before we got here?
Obviously you deplete your body doing two 30-minute motos and then with that I came in and it was something I’ve had issues with before. But I’ve been able to salvage points and get through the motos and stuff like that in some other years. And this year, after I got home and I was in Florida so that drains your body, the humidity and not being used to it quite yet. I got a little cold this last weekend. But I felt good today and felt pretty recovered from everything. I’m just looking forward to trying to get back up and get closer to those guys up front.
Are you happy with the way that you performed on the track today?
Yeah, for sure. We’re riding our dirt bikes and any day on the podium is a pretty killer day. It’s not as killer as winning, so you definitely want to be up front. But I feel like I’ve been progressing. I’m better than I was last year. Just going to try and keep getting better and hopefully be closer to Kenny [Roczen], be closer to Eli [Tomac]. We’re up there, but I think we’ve got it in us to battle them and not let them have it so easy.
Do you think your fitness level has changed or do you think it’s having more years on a 450 you’re just making better and wiser choices?
Yeah, I think just all around better. Obviously from year to year you get more fit. You keep trying to do different things and keep upping the intensity level and stuff like that. But for the most part I think we’re good to go and really fit. Being in the humidity in Florida definitely is not easy.
How important was it to bounce back with two podiums after scoring zero points at Thunder Valley?
For sure. Scoring no points was kind of a bummer because I was 14 behind Kenny but at the same time you still want to finish really good every day and you want to get max points. Anything can happen. It’s a bummer that Ryan [Dungey] got hurt but something like that can happen. At any point it can be anyone’s game, especially if you’re in it every single race. And to have two non-point scoring motos, it’s not cool. We can’t have that in the future. We’ve got to fix the problems.
How is training in Florida different now without Ryan there?
The one thing about Ryan training in Florida is there are days that we’re all battling and stuff like that but he’s the same dude every single day. He’s just like a robot. So those days where we’re like, it’s super hot out, and you feel like you’re human, he’s not. He makes it tough on us, but it’s good. It makes us get to that next level. He’s a champion for a reason. I’m just trying to learn off of him as much as I can and try to hopefully make his tough days even tougher. But at the same time we’re good buds and we have a good crew out there. Just trying to get better.
Will he still be around and helping you guys out? Do you even know yet?
No, he went back to Minnesota. For that dude he’s been at it for ten years and really not missed a summer. So I feel like if you have a little bit of time off and with his injury it’s not like he’s restricted. He doesn’t have to do therapy or anything. He gets to go home which is really cool. I would do the same thing. Ten summers is gnarly. So he went back and I think he’s going to come back in like four weeks, six weeks or so, and then he’s going to start riding towards the end of outdoors and stuff like that. So he can get back on it a little bit towards the end.
Was that the roughest track of the year today?
Yeah, it was the deepest track for sure. But what was cool about it was it was really rough but it was slow. It’s not like you’re at Glen Helen where you’re fifth gear wide open through the choppy stuff. It’s rough but worst comes to worst, you’re going fifteen miles an hour. It’s a little bit safer. –Chase Stallo
Marvin Musquin | Red Bull KTM | 2-4 for third overall in 450MX
Racer X: Tell us about your day. We saw a performance from you that we sort of have expected since you’ve on the 450, the second place in moto one. Talk us through that.
Marvin Musquin: Well, first of all, at High Point it’s a really nice track. I really like here. I’ve won twice on the 250 so I was really excited to come here and ride on the 450. It’s a really technical track. It was really rough, bumpy. We had a weekend off and I think it was good. We’ve been working hard. I was feeling good this weekend. I think it paid off. At the end I got my first podium on the 450 so it’s a good thing. Obviously there are a lot of things to work on still, always. You always want to get better, but at the end you always want to do progress. So it’s been a good weekend.
Your style has always been very smooth and very finesse riding. Did this track actually play into that where it was better for you being this rough or did it actually hurt your finesse style that you’re accustomed to?
No, it’s important to have rough tracks like this where you can have different lines and where you can show your technique. Like Denver [Thunder Valley] was a really rough track but it got pretty dry and it was a difficult track. But today it was really soft and it stayed really soft. The moisture was really good all day. I was very surprised. Last year we got some rain in maybe the morning or something and it made the track nice but this weekend I thought it was going to be a little drier because it was hot. But the track crew did a really good job and I really enjoyed riding today.
We asked Jason [Anderson] how weird it was without Ryan there to be training. If you can, I’d like to know your feelings on that. And also how weird was it being the only rider out of the KTM rig? Do you almost see that like as an advantage? You’ve got the whole team. They’re basically working for you.
It was definitely different. It’s a bummer when someone gets hurt and he has to miss races, especially when it’s the number one, Ryan Dungey, and it’s my teammate. So this weekend I knew I was going to be by myself. Actually it felt good. Not much pressure. You think about the pressure because there’s two semis, there’s like ten people only for you today so you better do good. But at the same time it was good pressure. I was really happy. Unfortunately Frankie [Latham, Marvin’s mechanic] was not here this weekend. He had to do a personal thing. Jade Dungey was my mechanic. I’ve worked with him at Motocross of Nations last year. It was a really smooth weekend. Everything went great. The bike is amazing. The team is amazing. I can’t complain. And then when I get on the bike it’s my job to do what I do best.
Was that hard without Frankie and Ryan, two people that have been with you for years, or at least in the same area?
No, like I said, it was different but in my mind I was really relaxed. Like I said, I have the best team so I know everything is going to be smooth with the organization, with the bike, with everything. Those people are really professional. Everything is going really well. So I really didn’t stress about it, which is good.
What was your biggest challenge this weekend?
My challenge was, obviously like I said, you want to improve and I just wanted to be smooth and consistent and just put in two good motos. First moto obviously the guys in front of me went down, so I was second but the last half of the moto I was really happy about my riding. I was not getting tired, I was smooth and getting good lines. I was really happy. Then second moto the fitness part, it’s tougher so you’ve got to keep doing that. Be smooth and consistent. So that’s exactly what I did. So I’m really happy. That was the goal.
How much are you able to rely on your GP experience at a track like this?
I’ve heard a lot of things of I come from France or GPs. It’s kind of like GP style because it’s rough. But it’s been six years now, so I’ve been racing in America for a long time. There are some GP tracks where now it’s what I’ve been racing. It was technical and rough but not really like here. It’s difficult now to really compare both because I’ve been racing here for so long. But the technique part, I just really have to do my best and do what I can do.
What is it about this track? You went 1-1 here last year, 2-4 this year for your first 450 podium. What specifically on there suits your style?
When you watch the track it’s very, very bumpy and there’s many lines, which is good. That’s what we need. Those tracks are the best where you can go all the way outside or in the middle or inside. It was really rough, deep ruts. It was good. That’s what I like about it. It was a lot of jumps. The dirt is really nice here. They always do a great job. I really enjoy riding here. –Stallo
Zach Osborne | Rockstar Energy Husqvarna | 1-4 for second overall in 250MX
[Osborne missed the post-race press conference due to USADA drug testing after the event. He sent us this via text message to sum up his day.]
Today was good. I had some issues in the first practice and it fired me up! I went out and got pole in the second practice and it felt really good. First race I got off to a good start and made some quick passes. Once I got into the lead I started to open it up a bit and then Alex's bike stopped so I had like 10 seconds. Then with four to go I hit a lapper and had no front brake so I was nervous I was going to get caught. It's not easy to ride this track with no front brake! Second moto I got another good start but made some mistakes right off the bat. It cost me some spots and fourth was all I could manage. I just missed the overall, but still a solid day and a huge step in a positive direction for me. I'm really looking forward to Muddy Creek as it’s my home race. Should be fun. – Jason Weigandt
Cooper Webb | Yamalube/Star Racing Yamaha | 3-5 for third overall in 250MX
Racer X: You didn’t look happy with yourself at all on the podium. Can you tell us what you were bummed about? Third overall, a lot of guys keep jumping up and down, but I didn’t see that in your face at all.
Cooper Webb: Yeah, I just rode like shit all day. It’s nice to be up there but we got work to do. These guys are hauling. So, going to keep grinding.
The competition between your teammates, it seems like the blue crew are 1, 2, 3, 4, or lined up in that position somewhere. Is that training together really sort of helping progress the whole team? Do you find it a help or a hindrance?
It’s good for a lot of things but I feel like it’s hard to say. I feel like in supercross when you’re the best guy you’re helping out quite a bit, but it’s been good. The bikes are good and we’re all talented guys. I think that’s the toughest thing about it. We’re all in shape and everybody gets typically better starts than me, so it’s just tough. But it makes it fun. I’ve been racing with Jeremy [Martin] since I turned pro so I’m pretty used to the little rivalry. I think it’s good. It’ll be good for the future and that’s all I really care about.
In moto number one Alex’s bike had problems. He had to drop out. Jeremy had it in the second. Mentally does that affect you at all?
No. My bike holding up—I feel like the way I ride it isn’t too hard on it.
Is the wrist still bothering you?
The wrist is healed. It’s good to go. I suffered from it earlier but now it’s just me.
You’re back at training during the week full-time?
Yeah, full-time training.
What was the vibe under the team after that second moto? You guys went 2, 3 and 5 but then the bike problem as well and then Alex’s bike problem [in the first moto].
I wasn’t there. I was getting a piss test. –Stallo
Justin Bogle | GEICO Honda | 6-7 for seventh overall in 450MX
Racer X: Seeing some real progress here, am I right?
Justin Bogle: Getting better every weekend. This weekend was another good step in the right direction. Went 6-7 for seventh overall, obviously best race of the year. I was finally able to ride during the week for the first time this outdoor season. I think you’re supposed to do that? So that was good. Track was gnarly, but we’re getting things worked out. Felt good, bike is good.
First moto, you were in a real battle there. I think Seely, Tomac, a few other guys.
[Justin] Barcia. Me and Barcia were locked together for thirty minutes. It was good. I had that pressure for the whole moto and was just hanging tough. I was practically into the top five at one point so that was really good. Same deal, just keep pushing for more from here. -Weigandt
Adam Cianciarulo | Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki | 10 – 11 for tenth overall in 250MX
Racer X: How were you actually feeling coming into this? Were you messed up from last race?
Adam Cianciarulo: Yeah, I got a little banged up. I got a contusion on my shoulder. It’s just a bone bruise. It kind of sounds like a sissy deal, but it kind of hurt. I don’t really know how, but it kind of pinched a nerve in my back. So when I’m in my proper position on the bike and I hit a bump or something, kind of a square edge or something like that, basically it’s like a pressure point. My arm wants to drop. So I’m holding on really tight with my right side. That second moto my right tricep and bicep were, and still right now, it’s still kind of spazzing up on me. On Instagram this week, it looked like I was just putting in a lot of good motos with Kenny and everything. So I accomplished what I wanted to on there. But on Tuesday I did two motos like at 60 or 70 percent just to try to get something. And I didn’t do any riding the week before. Of course doing a little bit of interval work on the bicycle and some lower body stuff in the gym but other than that… I tried to ride on Monday this previous week and I almost had a tear running down my eye because it hurt so much. At that point I just really hoped this would be okay by Saturday. But thankfully it’s just one those things. I kind of just got to push through it and not be a sissy about it. Of course I would have liked to build. I had a really good feeling after Colorado body-wise for the first time in a while. I would have liked to build off that, but I’m just happy to be here. Of course I crashed again. I swear, one day I’m going to come to a race and stay up the whole time!
Is there anything you can point to, any similarity or connection in any of these crashes?
The thing with me is I cannot stand getting my ass kicked. It’s not even that I’m riding over my head; just I think every now and again it comes into my head like, man, what are you doing? You don’t belong back here! I feel like when certain guys are passing me—not taking away from anybody because all those guys are gnarly and I have plenty of respect for all of them—but I feel like they’re not really passing me. I’m just not there yet. It just kind of bums me out and maybe I lose focus for a second. They haven’t really been big crashes. Colorado was pretty big but other than that it’s just like a tip over here, a tip over there.
Last year too.
Yeah, the same thing last year. So I was happy to get a start in the second moto. Mitch and my dad had been on me about that, especially since I’ve gotten bigger. I’m like 165 pounds now, which is not crazy big, not Malcolm Stewart, Tyler Bowers big, but a lot of these guys are like 140, 145. But they’re like, Dude, you’re a good starter. You need to step it up. First moto I actually hit the gate. The gate falls really slow for some reason here. I just kind of backed it up and was able to pull the start in the second moto and lead some laps. Joey [Savatgy] passed me. I saw that he passed me and I was like, Okay, I think I’ll just let Joey win this one. No, just kidding. I faded back to tenth or eleventh. I was kind of riding at 80 or 90 percent. At first I think maybe I was a little bit spastic but I kind of calmed it down. I knew I was going to be freight trained—eventually those guys were all going to go around me. I wasn’t going to ride over my head and I was not going to crash that moto. I’m like, Dude, it is not going to happen. I am not going to crash! I pulled the parachute for sure. But with kind of what we’re dealing with coming into this race and to have two consistent motos, it was a decent weekend.
Those first three laps though, you fought for it. You were like, I’m leading. I’m not just going to roll over. You were in the ruts. There was like two times you were feet off and just kept it pinned.
Totally. When the feet come off in the ruts here they’re so deep sometimes you go in and you just kind of bury the front wheel. It was able to stay kind of soft all day because they kept kind of turning it over. You would just kind of sink down. It was like quicksand. I would sink in and I would catch a boot, I would just be like, Screw it, I’m in the lead. But at the same time I felt like compared to the past I was riding pretty within myself. When I was out front I was conscious and present-minded enough to know that, hey man, you are not going to win this race. Don’t do anything stupid. On the line I was like, dude, I need to get this start because I don’t have any energy. I didn’t, really. I didn’t ride last week or the week before really. I was like, dude, get a start and lead some laps so you can take some positives out of today. So in that aspect it was good. –Weigandt
Jordon Smith | GEICO Honda | 14-13 for fifteenth overall in 250MX
Racer X: Well, you were up there early in the first moto. Then what happened there?
Jordon Smith: I got off to a good start and was up there but I went down in that turning roller section. It was tricky, and I tried to change up my line from what I was doing in practice. I just messed up. Once I got back going I was struggling a bit just trying to come through. Ended up fourteenth. Second moto, it was so weird. The gate kind of bounced a bit after it dropped and my foot got caught in it. I was stuck back there in mid-pack range, and some guy took me out. It was an accident, he cross rutted and went down and I had nowhere to go. But no excuses. I have to put myself in better positions. I’m glad to be out of here healthy and ready to go to the next one.
How tough was the track?
The track so was gnarly—by far the gnarliest track I’ve ever ridden. Last year Thunder Valley after the rain, I thought those ruts were bad, but this was like the ruts of Thunder Valley combined with the bumpiest track I’ve ever rode. In the second moto with that start, I was like dead last, and there were some sections that felt like a GNCC. It was just single track, all the way off to the side, just trying to find some sort of smooth line. It was definitely tough out there today. -Weigandt