2017 Monster Energy Preview: The Pack Part 2 continued…

Supercross

December 13, 2016

This year is exceptionally exciting as more top riders changed teams or bikes than any other year in recent memory. As I continue my breakdown of riders in “The Pack” I will admit math was never my specialty, and it doesn't take a genius to see I have almost 20 riders featured as top 10 contenders. Bad math calculations or not, some heavy hitters will be on the outside looking in this season.
Blake Baggett, from what I hear, has been the fastest KTM during the offseason. Yes, faster than Dungey and Marvin! He seems to enjoy his new bike. I don't think this will translate to a title contender or even winning races, but I do think he will give other riders in 4th through 10th trouble. Also, don't be afraid to add him to your fantasy SX lineup at A1 as I imagine he will have a good handicap and might end up being a double pointer (using Motocross Fantasy). Baggett is my breakout pick for 2017, and yes he wears Fly Racing gear!

Davi Millsaps, another Fly rider, will be entering his second year with the Butler Brothers KTM Team. He will be fast, but with extended main events he will also need focus on his fitness. Davi lost a kidney in 2010 and while I am not a doctor it seems like he is sick more than other riders. If he has his health dialed in he could easily be a podium contender, so if you have a cold or the flu please avoid Davi!!

Next on my list is Malcom Stewart, while I have no idea what or who he will be riding for, I am sure he will not back down or give an inch. Malcom believes he is a top guy and will not be bullied by veterans like Barcia (Barcia slammed him hard in Geneva, but Malcom gave it right back). If I knew his program I would love to say he could contend for podiums. All I know is if he lines up, it will be exciting.

Dean Wilson has been plagued with injuries during his 450 career and has not produced the results expected from him. This left him searching for a team during the off season. Nothing has been officially announced, but it looks like he will be with Factory Yamaha. I expect him to be inside the top 10 and finish ahead of many riders who got the rides he was looking for. This is a career defining year for Deano, if he gets hurt or has poor results this could be the end of his shot at big time racing.

One of the most controversial riders on the list is Justin Barcia. While he is still with the JGR Team, they have switched to Suzuki’s. Rumor has it they took less money to ride the yellow bike due to lack of support from Factory Yamaha, along with Factory Yamaha stealing Cooper Webb. Barcia has looked less than spectacular during the offseason races at Geneva and Lille (Bercy). I heard he looked great at the JGR test track but his results were below average which I normally use as a gauge to determine how he will ride this year. During the WPS/Alpinestar launch he told me a story about literally having to break out of the hospital a couple years ago after he crashed and Tomac landed on his head. He laughed while telling the story but I got the feeling he never wants to see the inside of a hospital overseas again. This leads me to believe he rode smart and conservative (other than trying to kill Mookie with a block pass). Also Brayton is really fast on tight tracks, Marvin had a full Factory bike and Mookie had nothing to lose and everything to prove. Barcia will be a 5th to 10th place guy unless he has a breakout ride and gets confidence.

The other JGR 450 rider, who also happens to wear Fly Racing gear, is Westin and by default I am pulling for him. He will be top 5 and have a few shots at podiums. Last year his season was derailed after beating the hell out of Friese at A1. Neither Westin nor the team, admitted anything about a hand injury from punching Friese’s helmet but as an avid MMA fan I don't see how those punches didn’t cause a hand injury. I think he tried riding through the injury and never got back to the speed he showed in 2015. As a Fly Rider I would love to see him get up and fight (not literally) at the front and a podium spot. He is familiar with the Suzuki, as he rode one a few years ago and they haven't exactly changed much, so I don't expect any trouble adapting to the yellow bike.

Justin Bogle is debuting on the RCH Suzuki team that came dangerously close to folding. I don’t think much of Bogle as a 450 rider, so I don't expect anything from him. Maybe some hole shots and a few cool whips with leg swag but he will be lucky to finish inside the top ten. I don't understand why his services were so coveted during the offseason. He did overplay his hand and barely ended up having a ride at all. Cool whips as he wins a couple semi’s but that will be his biggest highlight.

This is it for the pack, all these riders have major team support except Stewart. I don't want to call this the most stacked field ever, because Feld says that every year, but if most of these riders stay healthy…Damn! Next up is outside the top ten, riders who hope to make Main events.

CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE DISCUSSION

User Feedback

0 Comments

Recommended Comments

There are no comments to display.

This is now closed for further comments

Similar Content
- Dual Supercross Championships Powered by Core Manual TorqDrive | Rekluse
  By Spider Tech
  
  In its seventh season running, the Rekluse and Star Racing Yamaha partnership finished a historical double Championship season with Christian Craig and Eli Tomac.
  
  The reputation of the Star Racing team precedes itself. With roots in Supercross racing dating back before the turn of the millennium, the Star Crew has built what is now a powerhouse in both 250 and 450 Supercross racing. After some off season testing and development, the Star Racing Yamaha team began officially running Rekluse clutch components in the beginning of the 2016 season.
  
  Christian Craig entered the '22 season not only building off his last, but motivated from a long professional racing career full of highs, lows, and everything in between. His long-awaited, first Professional Championship came down to his final career 250SX Class race, where he rode smart and maintained his impressive points lead held throughout the majority of the season aboard his TorqDrive-equipped Yamaha YZ250F.
  Over in the 450SX class, Eli's recent 2022 Supercross Championship exceeded the expectations of many, originally influenced by the concerns of switching to a new motorcycle. ET3 proved those concerns moot, riding his TorqDrive-equipped Yamaha YZ450F to seven main event wins, five of which occurred consecutively.
  Learn more about TorqDrive clutch technology.
  
  “This feels like a dream right now,” Craig commented after the race. “I wrote on a whiteboard in November with my wife a picture of the number one plate and what it’d take to do this. And it’s real. I got it and I can’t be prouder. I love this feeling.” - Christian Craig via SwapMoto Live
  
  The entire Rekluse crew is extremely proud to have the opportunity to work with factory-level race teams such as Star Racing Yamaha. The team behind the Rekluse doors remains made of up of core enthusiasts of the sport, sharing the same passion as the fans in the stands and the riders in the pits.
  Find Rekluse components for your machine.
  
  Star Yamaha has played a pivotal role in the development of Rekluse's Core Manual and TorqDrive clutch components. Performance and durability has been proven in Christian and Eli's Championship-winning race engines.
  
  Working with Star Yamaha and other partners has helped evolve the same exact Rekluse clutch components available to any rider out there. Whether it's TorqDrive helping getting the power to the ground or the RadiusCX auto technology helping riders navigate demanding conditions, riders, racers and Champions choose Rekluse.
  Photos: Star Racing Yamaha
- KTM JUNIOR RACING SX Program Announces Schedule and Registration Dates for 2022
  By ThumperTalk
  
  MURRIETA, CA – October 17, 2021 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – The KTM JUNIOR RACING SX program, presented by Wells Fargo is ready to conduct its 23rd year of racing alongside the AMA Supercross Championship with the announcement of an exciting schedule in 2022. Continuing to lead the charge in innovation, participants will once again race aboard KTM’s potent electric minicycle – the KTM SX E-5 – on the global stage under KTM’s solar-powered semi. The 3.9-kilowatt powered KTM Junior Racing semi is equipped to power the entire semi on race day, including the 15 purpose-built charging stands, thanks to its 30 rooftop solar panels.
  For the upcoming season, applicants will be randomly chosen for the KTM JUNIOR RACING SX program and treated to a once-in-a-lifetime experience throughout the day, including a track viewing like the pros, two practice sessions, participation in Opening Ceremonies and a three-lap exhibition race on the very same tracks as their Supercross heroes. The 10-round schedule will kick off at the series opener in Anaheim, California on January 8, making stops at many of the nation’s premier stadiums before concluding in Denver, Colorado on April 30. At the end of the 10-round schedule, the winners from each individual round will be selected to participate in the ultimate “Championship Round” at the series finale in Salt Lake City, Utah on May 7.
  In support of the 2022 program, KTM is pleased to continue its partnership with Wells Fargo, who enters their second year as the program’s Presenting Sponsor. To further add to the excitement, longtime brand partner and Official Gear and Helmet of the KJSX program, Troy Lee Designs, has stepped up to offer all participants a free helmet, in addition to a full set of gear and a special race bib for race day. Alongside Troy Lee Designs, many of the program’s supporting partners return for another year, including Dunlop, Nihilo Concepts, 100 Percent, Ogio, Zingg, Leatt, Matrix Concepts, Motion Pro and Ethika.
  Registration is now open for the 2022 KTM JUNIOR RACING SX program, presented by Wells Fargo. Interested applicants must be 7-8 years old and meet the full requirements listed in the official rules. All rules and registration deadlines can be found at www.ktmjrsx.com.
  Source: KTM North America, Inc.
- McAdoo
  By mxaniac
  
  This short clip gives some insight as to why he tries so hard. Contrast it with someone who doesn't take accountability and blames something else for failure and I can see why getting fired would affect people much differently.
- Feld survey about SX and MX
  By TDW
  
  Anybody else get emailed a survey from Monster energy supercross/Feld? I got it yesterday and filled it out and sent it back.
  One of the most interesting questions on the survey I thought was asking for input on the idea of combining both SX season results and MX season results somehow (guessing by total points) to get or recognize an "overall champion". I like that idea.
  Most of the other questions were what you would expect a fan to be asked about, some about SX and some about MX.
- 2022 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Schedule Released
  By ThumperTalk
  
  Tickets Go on Sale This October as Fans are Welcomed Back at Full Capacity
  ELLENTON, FL – July 20, 2021 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – Feld Entertainment, Inc., today announced the schedule for the upcoming 2022 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship season. The 17-race schedule returns to its traditional weekend routing format as the series visits 15 cities spread across 13 states including California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Michigan and Washington. Tickets go on sale this October as partner stadiums welcome back fans at full capacity.
  Anaheim has become synonymous with the opening round of the Supercross series and Angel Stadium of Anaheim will excitedly host the opening round on Saturday, January 8 as well as subsequent rounds on Saturday, January 29 (Round 4) and Saturday, February 12 (Round 6). Remaining on the West Coast, rounds two and three will take place on Saturday, January 15 at RingCentral Coliseum in Oakland and Saturday, January 22 at Petco Park in San Diego, Calif., while round 5 travels to State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. on Saturday, February 5.
  
  Opening ceremonies at the sold out 2020 Anaheim Opener at Angel Stadium of Anaheim.
  Photo Credit: Feld Entertainment, Inc.
  Round seven picks up in the middle of the country on Saturday, February 19 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. before heading south to AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Saturday, February 26 and then travelling east to the famed Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. for round nine on Saturday, March 5.
  Missing from last year’s schedule, rounds 10 and 12 will mark a return to Ford Field in Detroit, Mich. on Saturday, March 12 and Lumen Field in Seattle, Wash. on Saturday, March 26 with a visit back to Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, March 19 in Indianapolis, Ind. for round 11.
  
  After a weekend off, the final five rounds will crisscross the country beginning in St. Louis, Mo. at the Dome at America’s Center on Saturday, April 9, then return to Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton, Ga. on Saturday, April 16, followed by a visit to Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. on April 23 and Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colo. on April 30. The championship will conclude in Salt Lake City at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday, May 7 as Utah, the State of Sport, once again hosts the finale.
  Storylines abound for the 2022 Supercross season as the 450SX Class continues to feature what has become an ever-expanding, deep array of talent. Three Supercross champions will be competing for another title – 2x champion Cooper Webb, 2020 champion Eli Tomac and 2018 champion Jason Anderson as both a domestic and international “who’s who” list of competitors vie for their first title – Ken Roczen (Germany), Marvin Musquin (France), Dylan Ferrandis (France), Adam Cianciarulo, Justin Barcia, Aaron Plessinger, Malcolm Stewart and Chase Sexton, all from America.
  The 250SX Class will see a return of both reigning champions – Justin Cooper (Western Regional) and Colt Nichols (Eastern Regional), while Australian super-star brothers Jett and Hunter Lawrence and Japan’s Jo Shimoda seek their first title.
  
  Red Bull KTM athlete Cooper Webb winning the 2021 Supercross Championship in Salt Lake City, Utah, his second title. Photo Credit: Feld Entertainment, Inc.
  Another welcomed highlight will be the return of FanFest which is currently planned for all rounds except Minneapolis, Minn. (Round 7) and Detroit, Mich. (Round 10). The expansive outside footprint will feature the race team rigs, Monster Energy exhibitions, photo opportunity set ups, food and beverages, plus the comforting Race Day Live Lounge and red-carpet styled Ride of Fame.
  
  Fans attending FanFest at the 2020 Anaheim Opener at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Photo Credit: Feld Entertainment, Inc.
  
  Monster Energy Kawasaki athlete Adam Cianciarulo riding through the red-carpet styled Ride of Fame at the 2020 Anaheim Opener at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Photo Credit: Feld Entertainment, Inc.
  Ticket information, Eastern and Western Regional 250SX Class race designations, Triple Crown and Dave Coombs Sr. 250SX East/West Showdown events will be announced later in the year. Stay up to date with all of the latest news and updates by visiting SupercrossLIVE.com.