Welcome to Racerhead, home of the world's worst NCAA bracket. I had Duke and Wisconsin in the Final Four. Whoops.

If it seems like it's been a long week since last Saturday night's crazy Jacksonville race, you’re right. The masses and the media have been waiting to hear more about James Stewart's undisclosed injuries after that frightening crash off the start of the main event. It happened in a section that basically knocked four top riders out of the points: Stewart finished eighteenth based on his qualifying time, which was better than Matt Goerke (nineteenth and a broken wrist) and Weston Peick (twentieth), who also went down with him. Then of course series points leader Ryan Villopoto failed to qualify, as did Justin Brayton and Daytona SX Lites winner Blake Baggett. Was it a flaw in the track design? In my personal opinion, yes. Having a rhythm section that close to a start (and a right-handed one at that) was asking for trouble, and the series got it.

The view from inside the Rogers Centre.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson

But from an entertainment standpoint, it was good for the 450 class—Chad Reed is suddenly in title contention after picking up 22 points on RV—but obviously bad for RV and Stewart. How they bounce back this week is the thing we've all be waiting to see, which is why this week just seems longer than normal!

You can watch the Toronto SX on Sunday on Speed at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. But if you want to save the suspense, you might not want to get anywhere near Racer X Online, because we will be covering the event from early tomorrow to late night, long after all of the riders and teams end up in the hotel bar that overlooks the Rogers Centre. You can follow lap times here, or follow us on Twitter (@racerxonline).

While most of the teams would probably rather do without the hassles of a trip across the border (especially so many foreign-born mechanics that probably worry about not having their visas in order to reenter the country), I think it's pretty cool to have a round outside the U.S., and I have floated the idea of going to Estadio Azteca in Mexico City for years. The “international” aspect is still a leftover from the Jam Sports/AMA/Live Nation/FIM fiasco of several years ago, so it's a must-do. But here's the thing about Toronto that I don't get: there is exactly one Canadian rider who signed up for the AMA Supercross class. Seriously. So root for #926 Josh Snider, Canada—he's a hero for even showing up and trying.

Ryan Villopoto is not only on the cover of Racer X, but he made the cover of Moto X in Germany as well, shot by our own Simon Cudby.

One thing I want to point out about Ryan Villopoto: I was really impressed that he stepped up on the podium before the main event and faced the music of the Speed TV cameras by doing a pre-race interview with Erin Bates. It had to be horrible for him to be there watching, and he even said he expected to lose 25 points to Stewart, which of course did not happen. But standing there and and answering a reporter's questions on your worst day of the season is the mark of a champion in my book.

So will Chad Reed carry his momentum into Toronto? His late-race battle with Trey Canard was almost overlooked as a result of all the drama off the start. Both Reed and Canard were flying, and it only added to the element of excitement that makes it feel like it's a brand new season. If Reed somehow gets his TwoTwo Motorsports/Bel-Ray Honda into the points lead, it will be one of the biggest stories our sport has seen in some time. Six rounds to go and yet it seems like we're starting a whole new deal beginning this weekend!

We've been talking about the Lead Law for about two years now, and the thing is coming to a head in May in Washington, DC. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has a hearing scheduled then to review a motorcycle exemption, and the AMA and MIC are working the phone hard to get some traction in our nation's capital with lawmakers. I also took a moment to write the State Journal newspaper here in West Virginia to hopefully get the attention of some my state's policymakers. This is an extremely important issue for the future of motorcycling, so write to your congressmen, senators, newspapers, and anyone you can to get the word out about stopping the ban on minicycles for children under the age of 12.

I will now admit that I am honestly getting excited about the GPs starting up next week in Sevlievo, Bulgaria. With Zach Osborne an honest title contender in MX2, and Michael Leib possibly making a run on his new factory Husqvarna, it could mark the first time since 1995 than an American has won a world title, though they will find huge competition from Ken Roczen, Jeffrey Herlings, and the returning Tommy Searle and Racer X columnist Max Anstie. Plus with Ben Townley coming back (though currently on the injured list) and Clement DeSalle going after Tony Cairoli's #1 plate (well, #222) the action should be interesting in MX1 to say the least.

I'm also looking forward to the late-April Grand Prix at Valkenswaard in the Netherlands. I was there back in 1992 when Donny Schmit, Bob Moore, Trampas Parker, Tallon Vohland, Bader Manneh, and Mike Healey were all racing the Grand Prix tour, but I understand the place has undergone huge changes. And I haven't been to a GP in Europe since Ryno was racing there, so I look forward to seeing all of the changes the series itself has undergone. (And yes, Klaus, I am stopping by your shop for a visit!) Round three will be the U.S. Grand Prix at Glen Helen on May 15, and with more top AMA riders talking about entering, it's shaping up as a good race too.

Check out this great Ken Roczen cover shot for England's Moto magazine, shot by Hoppenworld.

Speaking of Townley, the guys at Vurb Moto got hold of BT101 at a British race over the weekend for this update.

If you want to follow the GPs beginning next weekend in Bulgaria, Youshtream is offering its new MX-LIFE.TV site. You can watch the live on www.mx-life.tv. You can sign up for free and get instant access to the exclusive free content and the 2009 and 2010 archive footage. The events this year will have a small fee, or you can order a season pass.

Finally, I discussed Ian Trettel at length last Friday. Here is an update on the rider who was injured at Daytona that we spotted over on Vurbmoto.com. Bracelets and T-shirts are also being sold at store.vurbmoto.com with all proceeds being donated to Ian and his family.

Okay, let's move it over to our resident Canadian, Steve Matthes...

Welcome to round twelve of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series, otherwise known as the “Absolute Best Round of the Whole Series.” We’re in my home country!

Okay, it actually hasn’t been voted on as the best round or anything, that’s just my opinion. I don’t think you could get very many others to agree with me, but that’s just because maybe they don’t like the weather (it is rather frosty up here) or maybe they don’t like the strange money or customs that Canadians have, like saying thank you and being overtly friendly.

As I type this, I’m in my hotel room getting ready to head out on a fun day of visiting the Hockey Hall of Fame, buying a whole bunch of Toronto Maple Leafs crap (that’s the hockey team, in case you’re wondering), and just generally soaking up all the Canadian-ness I can. I even headed out here a day early, which should show you how serious I am.

Here's last week's winner Trey Canard, on the cover of Germany's revamped Cross Magazine, shot by the Hoppeworld crew.

Some of you may remember Toronto having insanely soft dirt with ruts everywhere and riders singling the jumps, but the folks at Feld have found a better spot to store the dirt and it was great last year and should be fine this year. I personally didn’t mind the rutty, soft dirt from years past, as it made the guys really struggle out there and added a different feel to the race. But last year and this year should be more like a traditional supercross as far as dirt goes.

The other thing you may remember was the lack of entries last year as just twenty-three 450 riders showed up and everyone made the main event in an unprecedented move. That shouldn’t be a problem this year, as there were over 50 riders pre-entered for this weekend.

James Stewart is in dire need of a win after six straight weeks of not winning.
Photo: Garth Milan

The racing should be great this year as well. James Stewart needs a win bad—he’s never gone this long without winning a race. But despite being carted off last weekend, he made up three points on leader Ryan Villopoto. RV is coming off his second-ever DNQ and is no doubt feeling the heat as his double-digit lead has shrunk to single digits on Chad Reed.

Really, after last weekend, only Reed and winner Trey Canard have to be happy. RV didn’t qualify, Stewie was hauled off, and Ryan Dungey, although he got third, can’t be pumped the way the 22 and 41 pulled out on him. All of this should make for an impressive cocktail of racers wanting to go out and make statements, which should reward all you fans who are there this weekend.

Pro Circuit’s Dean Wilson has to get to the top of the box, as GEICO Honda’s Justin Barcia is pulling away in the points race. Barcia won this race last year and Wilson had some problems getting back into the USA afterward, so I would say Toronto would bring out the best and worst feelings for those two guys.

It's a photo from last year, but that's Dean Wilson on the cover of Japan's Dirt Cool, No. 1 2011.

Don’t forget about Star Yamaha’s Ryan Sipes. he’s been really fast this year and I really want to see what he can do with a start.

I still say, though, that no lead outside of 20 points is going to be safe going into Vegas, because with what is normally the heat races being the main event for the final round, things are going to get crazy. Think about how much they water the track in Sin City, and normally the heat races see some dudes hitting the deck. The 250 finals in Las Vegas are definitely going to be ridiculous.

Over on Pulpmx.com, I did a Classic Commentary with Jeremy Albrecht as we watched Daytona 1995 250 main event. Good times! I have fun doing these with guys, because as a fan I think you can learn a lot about what happened back in the day. Check that out right here.

If you’re not into that one, there are plenty more races on the Classic Commentary page for you to check out. Thanks to Swizcore for the help with these—he’s the man.

Justin Barcia is way out front in the Lites East.
Photo: Garth Milan

We had the Pulpmx Show on Monday with Nick Wey talking about dirt track, Trey Canard filling us all in on Ronnie Mac, and Matt Boni informing us all about gator hunting. Then Eric Sorby called in and things got weird. There was also some moto talk in there, so make sure you check out myself and Kenny “MTV Superstar” Watson each and every Monday at 6 p.m. Pacific and you can laugh with us and at us.

I got a bunch of tweets and texts that Watson was on the MTV Real World show as they are filming in Las Vegas. Kenny actually talked about this on the show a few months ago but like a lot of things with Watson, I didn't know if it really happened or if he just dreamed about it.

It appears that it really did happen and I think that's cool, I didn't see it because I stopped watching the Real World after the first time they were in Vegas and that Trichelle chick hooked up with half of the male population of Vegas but it appears the cast was put to "work" by the H&H Racing crew.

God help them if Kenny was the boss.

Hey if anyone is in Toronto and wants to bench race about how Ferry was only a few race wins away from being considered the greatest racer ever, come down to the Loose Moose on Front Street (right by the Dome) as I'll be there with the Directmotocross.com crew hanging out and talking moto. Chances are you'll see more than a few industry people there as well.

Okay, here's the Weege:

And once again my Uncle Lord Alfred Weigandt has sent a letter in via Royal Mail. He is of course very excited since this weekend's race is not taking place in the United States. Here's his letter:

Oh ‘ello! It’s me favourite race of the American stadiumcross season, the internationally flavored Canadian Stadiumcross! Yes, Yanks, you may call yourselves Americans, but you live in North America, and only one nation within it properly recognizes Queen Elizabeth II on its loonie (that’s buck or dollar to you Americans, er, sorry, United Statesians). O’ Canada, we stand on guard for thee!