Three-time AMA Motocross Champion and 1997 AMA Supercross Champion Jeff Emig recently sat down with Fox Sports to discuss the 2015 Monster Energy AMA Supercross an FIM World Championship. Emig, a 2004 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductee, has been with Fox Sports since 2006, and will call the action this year alongside Ralph Sheheen. The entire season airs live on FOX Sports family of networks, with round one from Anaheim airing live on Fox Sports 1 January 3. We can also catch the action on Fox Sports GO.
FOX SPORTS: With defending Monster Energy Supercross champ Ryan Villopoto leaving the series and popular former champ James Stewart suspended for 2015, what do you expect the early "on-track" stories to be about?
EMIG: Depth of field. I feel like there is a tremendous amount of exceptionally talented racers suiting up for this year’s championship. Plus, they are all working with some of the best physical trainers in the world of sport. They know that with two of the most highly decorated champions the sport has ever seen out, it can be anyone’s title come round 17. We will be using the Hashtag #WhosNext all season long to follow the action.
FOX SPORTS: Which riders are ready to make the step from strong racer to title contender in 2015 and why?
EMIG: Ken Roczen, Trey Canard, Justin Barcia, Davi Milsaps, Eli Tomac, Dean Wilson, Blake Baggett, Cole Seely, Justin Brayton … and that’s just a list of riders who haven’t already won the title. Chad Reed and Ryan Dungey are favorites, too. So, that’s eleven, and we still have to wait and see how riders like Will Hahn and Broc Tickle perform after coming back from injury.
FOX SPORTS: Who are the young riders in the sport to keep an eye on in 2015? Who could be a factor sooner than expected and why?
EMIG: I believe this year’s crop of rookies in the premier class is going to make an impact early. Dean Wilson, Jason Anderson, Cole Seely and Blake Baggett all have race wins on their resume. Only time will tell if we have the next Jeremy McGrath on the line or not.
FOX SPORTS: Supercross enjoyed great year-to-year growth in younger TV audience numbers in 2014 (up 35% with Males 18-35; median viewer age dropped from 45.7 to 40.7). What is it about SX that attracts that audience?
EMIG: Dirt bikes, great race action, crashes, professional athletes, music, pyro, killer pit parties Monster Girls … Did I miss anything?
FOX SPORTS: Which active racer would you most like to race against and why?
EMIG: I’m not sure I would like to race any active racer. They are all so well prepared this year. I feel it would be very difficult to beat them in a 20-lap main event. That being said, I would like the opportunity for Ricky Carmichael and I to get out of the FOX Sports broadcast booth and go at it … just one more time.
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