2013 Supercross | Vegas Finale | 250SX & 450SX Predictions

Photo: supercross.com

"Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war."  Get ready, the battle descends on Vegas this weekend.  By now you've seen or heard about the gross miscalculation by the Red Bull KTM rider Ken Roczen.  Equally disastrous was the mental collapse of Geico Honda's Eli Tomac.  Kenny served up the greatest gift Eli could have hoped for and all Eli could do was survive.  He did close the gap to 5 points and now we, the audience, will be treated to a glorious battle of speed, skill and frenzied emotion the likes of which we will not soon forget.

Amidst all the drama in the 250 class, yes a 450 champion was crowned.  Ryan Villopoto has joined a small yet elite list of riders to win 3 titles in a row.  Davi Millsaps gave a valiant effort but when it counted most the Rockstar Makita Suzuki rider came up short.  Ryan Dungey turned it up in the second half of the season but in the end he just wasn't able to match the intensity of those in front of him.  Both Davi and Dungey should feel great about their season, they've earned the title of top contenders next year.

Since the 450 class has been decided, how will the race for 2nd play out.  Clearly it will be Millsaps and Dungey in the ring for silver and I predict Villopoto will let them have their day.  Millsaps has been most consistent at the start and Vegas will be no different.  This weekend I see a fierce battle between the #5 and #18 with Davi ultimately pulling out the win.  In the 250 East I believe Musquin steals the title.  The 250 West will require more thought.  Musquin, Hahn and Wharton have not been off the bikes for that long so momentum may still be on the side of the KTM rider.  In the West, it's a tough call. 

I think mentally Tomac has the edge.  He undoubtedly choked last week but he was still in the race and had to overcome a tense and adverse situation.  Roczen did not have the same opportunity.  He will certainly prepare for this weekend but he has two things working against him; he's in the position of defending his lead and he has self imposed pressure to redeem himself.  If it's close early, I believe Tomac will win if he's racing from behind forcing Roczen into a mistake.  Eli is still 5 points behind so he needs a least one or two riders between them.  If they chase each other from a position of 1st and 2nd then Roczen comes out on top.  The heat races will be very important this weekend and these races could be the game changers.

So what about the 250 East/West shoot out?  The East has the edge because the ultra high emotions out of the West may rob the top 2 of their intensity.  My bold prediction for the 250SX Shootout is Marvin Musquin, Eli Tomac and Ken Roczen in that order.

This weeks predictions will be late but I didn't want to miss them either.  So here is how I think Vegas turns out...

450SX

1. Davi Millsaps (- 1)
2. Ryan Dungey (+ 1)
3. Justin Barcia (+ 1)
4. Chad Reed(- 1)
5. Trey Canard (+ 1)
6. Justin Brayton (- 1)
7. Andrew Short (- 1)
8. Broc Tickle (- 1)
9. Jake Weimer (+ 1)
10. Josh Hill (+ 1)

250SX West

1. Ken Roczen (- 1)
2. Eli Tomac (+ 1)
3. Martin Davalos (- 1)
4. Jason Anderson  (+ 1)
5. Cole Seely (+ 1)
6. Zach Osborne (+ 1)
7. Kyle Cunningham (+ 1)
8. Malcolm Stewart (- 1)
9. Joey Savatgy (+ 1)
10. Ryan Sipes (- 1)

250 SX East

1. Marvin Musquin (- 1)
2. Will Hahn (+ 1)
3. Blake Wharton (+ 1)
4. Tyler Bowers (- 1)
5. Lance Vincent (- 1)
6. Gavin Faith (- 1)
7. Cole Thompson (+ 1)
8. Vince Friese (+ 1)
9. Daniel Herrlein (+ 1)
10. A.J. Catanzaro (- 1)

There you have it, late but they're in.  It's 5:38pm MST and I don't think there have been any main events yet.  Looks like a weird schedule but who cares, this is what we've all been waiting for - start your engines.....

The Roost'r