ANAHEIM Supercross made a welcome return the Golden State and its capitol building, Angel Stadium of Anaheim, after two COVID-forced years off the schedule, and the fans came out in droves. While the track was on the more difficult side for a season opener, the general vibe was pleasant as everyone was glad to be back in the welcome shadow of the Big A.

JOAQUIM Remember the Portuguese import Joaquim Rodrigues, who moved to the U.S. in the early ’00s to race SX/MX? He finished fourth at the ’03 Spring Creek 125 National on a KTM, then reached the 125SX podium at Pontiac ’04 with Factory Connection Honda. Now a 40-year-old rally racer, J-Rod got himself a stage win at the Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia aboard the India-made Hero Motorsports rally bike.