Monster Energy Cup: New Frontier

Leave it to Ricky Carmichael to bring new life to a sport trapped in its own groundhog day.  The Monster Energy Cup is quickly becoming the most thrilling preview to American Supercross.  The track this year was undoubtedly the highlight of the whole evening and we owe it all to the Great Equalizer: the Joker Lane.

Supercross has always taken strategy and when asked the answer is always the same; get a good start, consistent laps and go fast.  I can't remember a time when these strategies were not enough to get you across the finish line first.  The Joker Lane adds a whole new dimension to racing and more importantly it keeps the audience engaged like never before.  Prior to the Joker Lane, we had to wait for a mistake to see some sort of shake up in the order.  With the unbelievable skill of these riders, mistakes are few and that's why you have riders dominating motos.  The Joker Lane is what Supercross has been missing, it's too bad that we'll never see this type of thing during the regular season.  Sponsors are counting on consistency and with the sizable investments in these teams, anything that could disrupt the predictability of racing would not be in their best interests. 

The split start was another intriguing component to this years Monster Energy Cup.  Ricky must have put a lot of thought behind his track design because he had to know that a split start should not give anyone an advantage and that the variable would be at the confluence of the two lanes.  This concept I can see gaining traction because it's at the very start of the race and should not affect the flow of the race, we'll see if anything comes from it.  The Talla-Vega turn was irrelevant I thought.  The high bank turn looked cool but I didn't see anyone really use that to any advantage.    

Given the unusual track design, the racing was extremely exciting to watch.  I knew Barcia would shake things up and I believe he will give Villopoto more competition than Dungey because Barcia rides with more aggression.  It was great to see Chad Reed back on the bike and he was posting some pretty impressive track times; I don't doubt he'll be ready to compete when A1 comes around.  Alessi and Grant also showed some consistency.  I think Mike Alessi can run with the top riders but he just can't seem to finish strong.  I don't believe it's his fitness, it has to be in his training.  As for Grant, I think he'll do well back with JGR but I don't see him taking any race wins this season as long as the Ryan's, Justin, Chad and James are at the gate-Canard, Short and Millsaps will be the wildcards.  Jake Weimer is still trying to find his rhythm and was unimpressive.  Kyle Cunningham was very consistent but it's hard to judge his chances with a condensed lineup.  Ricky's new team will be interesting to watch and with Broc Tickle on the bike they might be able to make some noise.

The Lites class was not well represented this weekend but Eli Tomac was competing and he's certainly a favorite for another championship.  We rarely have the chance to see the next generation of riders on the national stage and the field of amateurs in attendance this weekend leaves us with much hope for the future of this great sport.  

Stay tuned because I'm working hard on a new fantasy racing game.  I have over a hundred Supercross and Motocross races recorded and I have been logging in a bunch of hours testing my concept.  I'm getting close and when it's ready, you'll be able to enjoy racing from a different perspective.  A1 is just around the corner-I can't wait.

AR

2012 MX: Retrospective

So the 2012 motocross season has wrapped up, the Lites providing all the excitement while the 450 class fizzled to an end, again!  Anytime the title is secured before the season ends race fans like me are disappointed.  As a student of the sport I am much less focused on any individual rider and more interested in a good race and close competition.  Motocross has evolved and the skill of the riders elevated by advanced technology coupled with track design have made motocross racing more cerebral.  Ricky Carmichael says that lap times are so close that racing has become a business of track position; a profound observation on the competitive parity that exists in the sport.  If this is the way it is then the TV viewer deserves more from the networks than watching the same guys run up front every week.  So let’s take a quick look back on the 2012 Motocross season.    

The Lites have been the class to watch ever since Carmichael left the sport.  James Stewart does keep the 450 class interesting because you never know if he’ll finish and his wipeouts are usually quite spectacular and his aggressive riding style is always “fun” to watch.  Villapoto, Canard and Reed, and the fierce competition between them, were missed this year.  Without these guys, Dungey was an easy pick for the title.  Sure, you have to be in it to win it and he deserves all the respect of a champion but the guy needs some real competition.  Mike Alessi in my opinion was the most improved this season.  On an inferior bike he proved he still has the talent to make a run.  Sometimes long-winded but I felt he was genuine on every interview.  Veterans like Short, Millsaps and Grant have some “splaining” to do.  It’s like Big Bad Bill is Sweet William Now.  I didn’t see the kind of competitive spirit we’re used to from these guys.  I like these riders but if they can't rise up they'll certainly disappear into obscurity.  Too bad we don't have someone like Jason Lawrence to stir up the 450 class, maybe Barcia shows us some gutsy maneuvering when he moves up to the big bikes. 

In the Lites class the Honda boys were on fire this year and Pro Circuit’s Blake Baggett finally finished as he strategically defended an early points lead.  Dean Wilson would have made a good showing I’m convinced, moving up may be a mistake but it should be interesting to see if he can make a statement at Anaheim.  KTM showed up every week and gave those guys a race.  With an improved motorcycle and world class riders, KTM will continue to be a contender.  Some rookies showed flashes of brilliance; let’s hope they can make an impact in the seasons to come.  In the Lites class, for now, it’s Geico Honda’s world and Pro Circuit just lives in it.  Without question the Honda riders made the greatest impact this year. 

I was surprised to see Barcia drop off towards the end of the motos.  I like Justin but he didn't seem to dominate like I thought he would.  He made some noise on the 450 before, lets hope he can reignite that spark.  Tomac on the other hand was racing like a rider possessed.  He carried that eye of the tiger all the way to the finish line like he had something to prove-he is going to be hard to beat next year.  Baggett kept us on the edge of our seat with his come from behind victories; now that’s racing.  If he keeps riding like that, he'll be a lock for the title next year-place your bets.  Roczen and Musquin will have their day; unfortunately it won’t happen until the aforementioned move up to the 450 class.  Dean Wilson moving up should bring some added excitement to the Supercross class this season.  Martin Davalos riding for Pro Circuit-they'll miss Wilson.  I hear Christophe Pourcel wants to come back and may be riding with his good ole buddy Dean Wilson on the Jeff Ward Racing team-look owe't!  

The riders are great but my biggest criticism about the current state of Motocross is the commentary.  I’ve been watching the races on TV for quite some time and the network broadcasting crew leave a lot to be desired.  I think it's critical to have a racers perspective and we’re lucky to have Jeff Emig and from time to time Ricky Carmichael providing additional color to the commentary.  For a lot of us who’ve never raced, they add a lot of insight which makes watching that much more interesting.  The broadcast crew’s knowledge of the sport is spot on so kudos to them on this point.  What our current broadcasting crew needs is unbridled enthusiasm.  There are two audiences at the races, those lucky enough to attend live and the TV audience.  Jason Weygandt and Jeff Emig have proven ineffective at delivering the race experience to their TV audience. You may ask if it’s possible to convey the kind of excitement from the field on to the TV viewer and I would answer with an emphatic yes.   

In 2008 SpeedTV broadcast the 2007 season of the Canadian Motocross Championships (CMRC) with Marc Travers handling the play-by-play, Brian Koster and Ryan Gauld adding color commentary.  This team made you feel like you were track side and their quick wit added an element of humor fitting for such a sport.  Brilliant exchanges came fast and furious and kept the viewer engaged throughout the race.  They were masters of race pace on the microphones and the track side comments by Ryan Gauld as speeding bikes passed was a fantastic compliment.  They also made it a point to highlight the battles behind the leaders, reminded us that there are 40 guys laying it all on the line for even just a little recognition.  Jason and Jeff here in the states could be caught at moments nursing dead air during the race-if they aren’t fired up then either Motocross is losing its mojo or we have the wrong guys behind the mics.  Their primary focus on the leaders also made it hard to tell one race from the next.  Jason’s noble, yet misguided attempt at Motocross prose felt a bit awkward for a dirt sport.  And finally, the podium interviews are so predictable race after race we rarely learn anything new and the winners mind as well memorize their responses.  It’s not their fault; they’re only answering the questions being asked.  Interviewing takes skill and the crew needs to learn how to lead their subject.

Supercross next!  The racing should be fantastic and Ralph Sheheen will be an improvement although they can all learn a little something from their Canadian counterparts.  Stay tuned to The Roost'r for more news and commentary....