Lot’s to discuss this afternoon in Monster Energy Supercross, with Chad Reed, Andrew Short and Dean Wilson returning to the series, and the SX class title still up for grabs between Ryan Dungey and Ryan Villopoto. Plus, Houston always presents the riders with great dirt and big obstacles.
One was a little too big, though, as a massive quad jump, similar to the big one in Atlanta, was removed before practice started today. Reed was a bit vocal about it, but the riders who jumped it on Thursday’s press day said it was way, way big. Sometimes you need to err on the side of caution, you don’t want anyone getting hurt.
The track also features a deep section of whoops, it’s tempting to jump through them because they’re so tough, but it’s obviously much faster to skim over the top.
That seemed to be the dilemma for SX points leader Dungey, who seemed to be more comfortable jumping through them. Dungey also crashed at one point during the first timed session, and didn’t log a real hard lap until the very end of the session, where he ended up third. But things weren’t much better for his title rival Villopoto, who also went down in the first session.
Reed looked really strong out there, but his fast time was actually edged by Justin Brayton on the Muscle Milk/Toyota Yamaha. Yes, Brayton was fastest in practice. He said he made some progress over the week off, and it’s apparently true.
But the times are so darned close in the SX class that things could change quickly. Another timed practice awaits, don’t be surprised if the rankings change.
In Lites, no surprise that Christophe Pourcel had the fastest time. But look out for Ryan Sipes, who has revenge on the mind after just missing a main event win in Dallas and then missing the main altogether in Jacksonville. He was second fastest, ahead of the rejuvenated Martin Davalos, Wilson and Kyle Cunningham.
Austin Stroupe crashed with Cunningham in practice, and he didn’t get back onto the bike. Steve Cox is reporting that Stroupe seperated his shoulder and will be out for the night, and possibly the rest of SX (which, for the East, ends next weekend in St. Louis).
That’s the word for now. Don’t forget to check out our video interviews with Short, Reed and Wilson, and check out the live Webcast at www.supercrossonline.com
One was a little too big, though, as a massive quad jump, similar to the big one in Atlanta, was removed before practice started today. Reed was a bit vocal about it, but the riders who jumped it on Thursday’s press day said it was way, way big. Sometimes you need to err on the side of caution, you don’t want anyone getting hurt.
The track also features a deep section of whoops, it’s tempting to jump through them because they’re so tough, but it’s obviously much faster to skim over the top.
That seemed to be the dilemma for SX points leader Dungey, who seemed to be more comfortable jumping through them. Dungey also crashed at one point during the first timed session, and didn’t log a real hard lap until the very end of the session, where he ended up third. But things weren’t much better for his title rival Villopoto, who also went down in the first session.
Reed looked really strong out there, but his fast time was actually edged by Justin Brayton on the Muscle Milk/Toyota Yamaha. Yes, Brayton was fastest in practice. He said he made some progress over the week off, and it’s apparently true.
But the times are so darned close in the SX class that things could change quickly. Another timed practice awaits, don’t be surprised if the rankings change.
In Lites, no surprise that Christophe Pourcel had the fastest time. But look out for Ryan Sipes, who has revenge on the mind after just missing a main event win in Dallas and then missing the main altogether in Jacksonville. He was second fastest, ahead of the rejuvenated Martin Davalos, Wilson and Kyle Cunningham.
Austin Stroupe crashed with Cunningham in practice, and he didn’t get back onto the bike. Steve Cox is reporting that Stroupe seperated his shoulder and will be out for the night, and possibly the rest of SX (which, for the East, ends next weekend in St. Louis).
That’s the word for now. Don’t forget to check out our video interviews with Short, Reed and Wilson, and check out the live Webcast at www.supercrossonline.com
