Racer X Online - Motocross & Supercross NewsRacer X Online

  • Subscribe Now
  • Latest
  • Features
  • Breaking News

Racer X Online - Motocross & Supercross NewsRacer X Online

  • One Click Sign-In

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    OR

    Sign in with your username and password

    • Sign In
  • Features
    • 10 Things
    • 30 Greatest AMA Motocrossers
    • 3 on 3
    • 250 Words
    • 450 Words
    • Between the Motos
    • Breakdown
    • Deals of the Week
    • GNCC Report
    • Great Battles
    • How to Watch
    • Injury Report
    • Insight
    • In the Mag, On the Web
    • Lockdown Diaries
    • Longform
    • MXGP Race Reports
    • My Favorite Loretta Lynn's Moto
    • Next
    • Observations
    • On This Day in Moto
    • Open Mic
    • Privateer Profile
    • Race Day Feed
    • Racerhead
    • Racer X Awards
    • Racer X Redux
    • Rapid Reaxtion
    • RX Exhaust
    • Saturday Night Live
    • Staging Area
    • The Conversation
    • The List
    • The Moment
    • Things We Learned at the Ranch
    • Unphiltered
    • Wake-Up Call
    • Where Are They Now
  • Multimedia
    • Podcasts
    • Photo Galleries
    • The Weege Show
    • Racer X Films
    • Video
    • SX Preview Shows
    • Factory Tech Tip
    • MX Preview Shows
    • Behind The Bars
  • Races
    • Series Schedules
    • TV Schedules
    • Results
    • Champions
    • Teams
    • 2021 Numbers
  • Results
    • Points Standings
    • Race Results
    • Riders
    • The Vault
    • Loretta Lynn's Vault
  • The Mag
    • Customer Care
    • Digital Magazine Bookstand
    • Current Issue
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletter
    • Free Stickers
    • Store Locator
    • Sell Racer X
  • Shop
  • About Us
  • Table of Contents
  • Subscribe Now
  • Latest
  • Features
  • Breaking News
Results Archive
Supercross
Houston 1
Articles
450SX Results
  1. Justin Barcia
  2. Ken Roczen
  3. Marvin Musquin
Full Results
250SX East Results
  1. Christian Craig
  2. Austin Forkner
  3. Colt Nichols
Full Results
Supercross
Houston 2
Articles
450SX Results
  1. Eli Tomac
  2. Dylan Ferrandis
  3. Justin Brayton
Full Results
250SX East Results
  1. Jett Lawrence
  2. Colt Nichols
  3. Christian Craig
Full Results
Supercross
Houston 3
Articles
450SX Results
  1. Cooper Webb
  2. Ken Roczen
  3. Adam Cianciarulo
Full Results
250SX East Results
  1. Colt Nichols
  2. Christian Craig
  3. Jett Lawrence
Full Results
Upcoming
Supercross
Indianapolis 1
Sat Jan 30
Articles
Upcoming
Supercross
Indianapolis 2
Tue Feb 2
Articles
Upcoming
Supercross
Indianapolis 3
Sat Feb 6
Articles
Full Schedule
Staging Area: WW Ranch
Jason Thomas

Jason Thomas

Staging Area WW Ranch

September 24, 2020 4:45pm
by: Jason Thomas
  • Home
  • Staging Area
  • Jason Thomas’ Preview of 2020 WW Ranch National - Motocross
WW Ranch Motocross Park Jacksonville, FL WW Ranch (Florida) Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship

Three rounds to go! This weekend’s WW Ranch Motocross Park round should be the toughest physical test on the 2020 calendar. It won’t be the brutal June sauna that we saw last year, but it will still be a warm day on a rough track. For a series that hasn’t seen heat or humidity, maybe this will be a round where much is asked of rider fitness. The track could very well be the roughest of the series, too. After a mild day on a well-manicured Spring Creek track, motocross reality will be waiting in north Florida.

WW Ranch is two hours away from the training facilities that most of the riders spend their summers at. That holds true for the Orlando based facilities like the Baker’s Factory, El Chupacabra Ranch, The Moto Sandbox, and Red Dog Academy but also southern Georgia camps like Millsaps Training Facility, Georgia Practice Facility, and Justin Barcia’s facility. In short, it’s a very convenient round for most of the riders. That means they will be home Saturday night in their beds and wake up Sunday morning at home. For the racing, this means nothing but it’s a cool, rare aspect for this round.

Dirty Little Secrets

The WW Ranch track is sandy. No, it’s not Lommel level sand but it’s still the sandiest track on the calendar aside from the usual stop at Southwick. Coming from Spring Creek, riders won’t have to change their bikes all that much. Last year, riders were at Thunder Valley the prior weekend and would require huge changes in ECU (altitude) and suspension (hard pack to sand). If they do make changes, it would likely just be a clicker change to stiffen the suspension for the heavier dirt. For those that were not using the “scoop” tire at Spring Creek, they will certainly be switching to the most aggressive option for WW Ranch.

For most, riding sand is nothing new. Even those who grew up in areas where sand is scarce, learning to ride sand is a prerequisite for motocross success. Learning to reposition body weight (sand riding dictates being a bit further back than hard pack) is a lesson that takes time to perfect. It’s also a learned technique to let the front tire float across loose sand instead of the “planted” feel that hard pack provides.

WW Ranch requires more energy to ride because of the sand and also the fast pace of the layout so watch for who’s strong at the end of the moto’s. With only three rounds left, it might be an uphill fight for those who are feeling the burn with 10 minutes left to go. Not only will they be hotter than they have been so far this season, they could also be facing a deterioration in motivation knowing that the season is almost over.

Fantasy Talk

I will be leaning towards the more reliable riders for WW Ranch. Where Spring Creek was an opportunity to take some chances, I think this weekend is the opposite. The tougher conditions will highlight the most prepared riders and machines. The one caveat to that could be a local advantage as a few Florida riders could sneak in as high handicaps. Overall, though, I think safer is better for Saturday.

When talking about safer picks, think about riders like Hunter Lawrence, Jarrett Frye, Brandon Hartranft, and Mitchell Harrison in the 250 Class. They are all on factory bikes and should have every resource at their disposal to deal with the conditions. The upside is certainly lower than riders like Jesse Flock or Derek Kelley, but some of their value was also lost from good days in Minnesota. With Thunder Valley next weekend likely being mild, I think I will be cautious this weekend and ramp up the volatility in Colorado.

For the 450s, I will follow the same strategy. I used my Benny Bloss card at Spring Creek, and he came through with a great day. He still has value at a five handicap if you are so inclined and rides the sand well. Similarly, Justin Bogle is lurking at a six handicap but I am still not sold on Bogle’s fitness after a long spring layoff. Max Anstie could be sneaky good here, though. Remember, he rides at a winning level in the sand so he could breakout into a top five finish this weekend. He is a boom or bust play for WW Ranch. Another home run swing could be made on Alex Ray. Last weekend marked the first time all season that A-Ray finished both motos, so maybe he is due for a big day.

  • Brandon Hartranft
    Brandon Hartranft Align Media
  • Jarrett Frye
    Jarrett Frye Align Media
Benny Bloss earned both the FMF Privateer Power award and the Battery Tender RC Hard Charger award for his effort at the Spring Creek National.
Benny Bloss earned both the FMF Privateer Power award and the Battery Tender RC Hard Charger award for his effort at the Spring Creek National. Align Media

Bold Predictions

Jason Weigandt’s first glimpse of the first 250 moto is around 15 minutes in.

Zach Osborne races WW Ranch with government issue RunFlat tires.

Bam Bam goes to Gas Gas but his relationship with a certain publication goes boom boom.

Monster Energy/Star Racing Yamaha announces that they will be absorbing the FLY Racing TPJ team and fielding a 47-man roster for 2021.

Gavin Newsom announces that all new motorcycles have to be emissions free by the year 2300.

My Picks

250

Jeremy Martin
Dylan Ferrandis
Alex Martin

450

Zach Osborne
Adam Cianciarulo
Chase Sexton

Don’t Miss a Moto!

 

Sign up for our newsletter to get headlines, info, and scoops as soon as they break. As a bonus, you’ll be entered into our weekly giveaways too!

TGI Freeday - Newsletter Giveaway
By subscribing, you agree to our privacy policy
Forms on this page are protected by reCAPTCHA, its Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
  • Injury Report: WW Ranch Injury Report: WW Ranch 2:45pm
  • How to Watch: WW Ranch, Burr Oaks GNCC, and MXGP of Lombardia How to Watch: WW Ranch, Burr Oaks GNCC, and MXGP of Lombardia 11:30am
Read Now
March 2021 Issue Now Available
Get Racer X on your iPhone
Check out all the exclusive content this month on any device!
Read Now
The March 2021 Digital Issue Availalbe Now

Motocross & Supercross News - Racer X Online

122 Vista Del Rio Drive, Morgantown, WV 26508 | 304-284-0084 | Contact Us
©1999 - 2021 Filter Publications LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy
designed at: Website DesignImpulse Studios