CAN CHAD REED RETURN?

photo credit to usatoday.com

Two time Supercross Champion Chad Reed was on a tear at the start of the 2014 Supercross season . Winning two of the first five races of the season, he had all the momentum he needed for a win coming into his favorite stadium (Qualcomm). He crashed into the back of Ken Roczen on the last lap while battling for third. He broke three bones and was out for the rest of the season. Just like 2012 when he was riding better than ever, injury would strike again. Chads MX season hasn't gone as well as he (or everyone else) had hoped; but if you compare this year to his season last year 2013 was far worse. I think Chad has two more years left in him, if he can get back on track I could see him picking up where he left off winning and running up front. But if his season is anything like his outdoor season I think 2015 could be his last.

OLD BATTLES NEW DAY

photo credit to geicohonda.com

  When 2013 MX Lites Champion Eli Tomac got hurt three weeks before the opening round of the MX series at Glen Helen it was a game changer, to say the least. From the start it has been a KTM showdown between Ken Roczen and 2010 & 2012 Champion Ryan Dungey. Through the first eight rounds they have won ten out of the sixteen Moto's, with Roczen winning seven to Dungeys three. At Round Five Eli Tomac would return to the series- and return he did.  With a string of podium finishes, including sweeping the Moto's last weekend at Spring Creek, Eli has shown the speed and strength to finish in the top three every Moto.  This leads to the question of what could have been if he had started off this season healthy? Eli ran down Roczen in Moto One and I can't think of a time that has happened all year to Ken. With eight rounds to go, I see Tomac winning half of the remaining Motos, with Roczen winning two and Dungey winning two as well.

Dungey VS Roczen

Ken Roczen vs Ryan Dungey

In 2010 Ryan Dungey had a year most riders could only dream of: winning the SX and MX titles in his rookie year. It's now 2014 and Ryan Dungey has 1 SX title and 2 MX titles to his name. When the defending champion pulled out of the season due to knee surgery, everyone had to have Dungey picked as the title favorite, and I have to say I had those thoughts as well. I had strong hopes for Eli Tomac, the defending 250 champion, but a late SX injury put those flames out.

The only other person I could see in the running with Dungey was Ken Roczen-former world MX champion. I knew he would be strong at the outdoors after seeing him ride a 250 for the last couple years (and at times posting better times than Dungey on a 450). 

Ryan Dungey (the 2010 and 2012 champion) came into this season with lots of confidence after finishing second in the 2013 Supercross season, and knowing Ryan Villopoto would be out for the season. He came out at round one going 3-1 and taking first overall. He showed that he is the guy to beat if anyone else wants a chance at this title. Ryan's finishes in the first six rounds are 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 2nd and 3rd. He is doing what Dungey does, which is to stay on the podium as much as you can. He has all but done that to this point, and it would be working if it weren’t for Ken Roczen who is pulling away little by little every race. Dungey needs to start making these wins happen and not just wait for the right time.

Roczen came out strong and was a corner away from winning both motos at Round 1 at Glen Helen. In his first 6 races he has placed 2nd, 1st, 1st, 2nd 1st and 1st. He is on his way to his first MX championship in America. Roczen has been the man this year and his results can back that up. I see no reason Kenny can't win this title he is proving that he does not just have speed, but also the consistency to do it.

photo credit (promotocross.com)

Noren to Factory Honda Muscle Milk

Twenty two year old Swedish Motocross rider Fredrik Noren is getting a great opportunity, as he will be filling in at Factory Honda Muscle Milk for the remainder of the 2014 season. Noren, the 2009 JR champion and 2010 Swedish champion, first came to America in 2011 as a privateer and competed in the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Series. One thing that makes Fredrik stand out is that his team consists of him and his girlfriend who happens to be his mechanic. I am happy to see Honda give a hard working privateer a chance and hope he makes the best of his opportunity.

Photo credit to Norenmx.com

2015 Silly Season Update

Four rounds down in the Motocross series, one thing I look forward to every year is the so called "silly season". It's a time where riders with expired contracts can resign or switch to new teams/gear company's. Whether it's money catching a riders eye or just lack of confidence in the bike and team. During the Supercross season rumors start flying around about who's unhappy and who is being shopped around by there agents. Over the last couple years more top quality riders seem to be coming up threw the ranks. Along with 250 riders pointing out to the 450 class just makes contract years for riders that much more important to have a solid season. There are only so many spots available for riders with top teams but the amount of riders to top teams ratio isn't on the riders side.  


Obviously the top riders are a top priority for teams because a team getting a top rider benefits the teams in many ways. From sponsors wanting to sign on to be apart of a team to the classic "what wins on Sunday sells on Monday" Saturdays now days. But with lack of spots is where the dilemma lies. With riders vying for spots mid range riders are a lot of times forced to wait to see what teams and top riders agree on. A team will want to start at the top and work there way down the line but team budgets is key in those signing. Even with one of twelve rounds down a lot of riders are already signed for next year or close to it. This is just my opinion of where riders may end up for the 2015 season.


Start with Monster Energy Kawasaki- Even though Ryan Villopoto's contract goes through the 2015 season he has an option to opt out of his contract at the end of this year. Will it happen? We will find out in the next couple months but even if he races in 2015 I see that being his last year as a professional racer. I see Davi Millsaps being the second rider for monster energy Kawasaki. After very successful 2012 and 2013 seasons, finishing 2nd both years, one would think he would be a top contender in the 2014 season- but a torn ACL would put a stop to that. He has missed all of the Supercross season and was scheduled to race round one at Glen Helen, but a nagging knee injury wouldn't allow that but I see a dislike of the KTM being the problem. Will he race at any point this year? If he does, it will be in the second half of the season.

Discount Tire Two Two Motorsports- There is no secret that Chad has wanted to add a second rider to the team for the last couple years. One thing Chad has always said is he doesn't want just some average guy he wants a rider to contend for wins. Chad first went after RV then Dean Wilson but neither panned out. Now I see just about 100% that Chad is going to have another rider under his tent next year. My thought is Josh Grant is the front runner for this ride based on pure speed and talent, not to mention his moto 1 win at Glen Helen. But you can't leave out Justin Brayton, Wil Hahn and Brett Metcalfe; all have a good chance to be selected.

Red Bull KTM- Ryan Dungey isn't going anywhere anytime soon. With one year left on his contract expect to see him there through next year.  The second spot is all but done and it belongs to Dean Wilson. He's had a tough couple years, but you can't argue his speed and talent are up there at the top level )plus leading 3/4 of the Daytona Supercross is going to get you a lot of interest).

Honda Muscle Milk- Trey Canard will be returning to Honda next year. Trey has had a great relationship with his team and that has allowed him another year on the team. If he doesn't have a successful season next year I see that changing. Honda is going to bring on Cole Seely from the TLD Honda team. Cole finished second this year in the 250 west series and had a podium in the 450 class as well. I'm expecting big things next year from him.

RCH Suzuki- The biggest news has to be Ken Roczen leaving KTM and signing with Rch. It's obvious that Ken hasn't been happy with his bike all year and if a rider isn't happy the results are going to show. So look for the 94 to return to the brand he had so much of his success on.
His teammate has to be the hardest pick this season. Right now Weston Peick is contracted to them for the summer and Ivan Tedesco is filling in for Brock Tickle for at least the first half of the season. But I put this between Peick and Tickle and it may come down to both riders in two different ways. Peick needs results to secure that spot and if Tickle wants it it may take a pay cut.

JGR- I never would have thought I would see Justin Barcia go blue, but that's exactly what happened. I had him pegged for the second spot on Kawasaki, but no one is right all the time. I'm excited to see what he does next year though. As for his teammate, I would have to say Justin Brayton would be first choice because he's from that area, he loves the Yamaha, and he gets along with the whole team. But Brayton wants to double his courant salary for him to stay.

Yoshimura Suzuki- James Stewart re-signed mid Supercross season for 2015. Him having a teammate is based strongly on Suzuki's budget, but if they have the funds I see it being his younger brother Malcolm or another year as a one rider team.

Geico Honda- Geico has decided to go with just one 450 rider this year. Eli Tomac is signed for next year but the rumor is he may be looking around for other openings. Is it going to happen? I don't I see him leaving but 2016 could be a different story.

BTO Sports KTM- Andrew Short has re-signed with BTO and it is a great fit fit for him.  Matt Goerke has had a string of bad luck over the last year so his spot is in question. He may be back at the halfway point this season
so only time will tell.

Motoconcepts- Mike Alessi is locked for the next year which isn't a big surprise.

Rockstar  Husqvarna- This deal is signed and done for Jason Anderson. The 2014 250 West Coast Champion is set to make is 450 debut on this new machine. One thing he has going for him is the bike - it's just about identical to the KTM he's been on, seeing that it's owned by KTM.

These are my predictions for the 450 class for 2015. Should be a solid season with lots of questions waiting to be answered. Thanks for reading.

James Stewart- Press Release

Press Release:

CHINO, CA (June 19, 2014) – Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing’s James Stewart has reported that he received notification from the FIM on June 17th, 2014 that a WADA test administered to him on April 12th, 2014, after the Seattle AMA/FIM Supercross, showed a positive result for a substance on the WADA 2014 Prohibited List. The medication in question is and has been prescribed to Stewart by his physician to treat a long-term condition.

Stewart, with the full support of Yoshimura Suzuki Racing, is willingly communicating with WADA and taking all appropriate steps to resolve this matter and plans to be at the starting gate at the Tennessee National in Blountville, TN on June 28th, 2014.

After the official press release on Thursday about James Stewart's positive test results the motorcycle industry has taken quite a turn. As of this time he has been put on provisional suspension from the FIM(Federal International De Motocyclisme) which, along with Field Motorsports, is the sanctioning body of Supercross. Whether the suspension will translate into the current Motocross series is not yet known. James, along with Yoshimura Suzuki, has been in full compliance with WADA and have filed an appeal on the ruling. There will be a second test, and James can attend the reading of the results of his second sample.   

I've been thinking a lot about this press release since I heard about it last Monday. Thinking of who it could be was one part of it, and the other was what substance was used and what penalty would come with it.

A first time offender could be subject to suspension from the series along with fines. When I heard it was James Stewart my first thought was "there is no way he is not going to be racing the 2015 Supercross series". If you are Feld Motorsports how can you have one of your biggest riders out of the series?  I can't see this happening, but we can get a better idea of what is going to happen after the B sample results come in along with the Lakewood test results.

(photo from motocross.transworld.net)