2013 Motocross | Millville Predictions

Photo: allisports.com

"There is nothing impossible to him who will try."  

It's been a while since we've seen Chad Reed in the top 10.  Knowing him he's not satisfied but it's progress so he has to feel good about his performance.  On the other hand, the Ryan's were slinging this weekend but only one can win the overall.  I picked James Stewart to have a strong showing and he did just that.  Just a couple of years ago James was the fastest man on the planet, not sure what happened to that guy but he's fast enough these days to keep them on their toes. While we weren't looking, a couple of veterans have started to make some noise; Andrew Short and Josh Grant.  Great rides from these two guys the last couple of races and looks like they're for real.

Photo: allisports.com

In the 250's it was the Eli Tomac show as he seemed to glide through to a 1-1 overall win at Washougal. Roczen was giving him a race early on but just didn't have the speed to keep up with speed racer. Cianciarulo had his second top 10 of the season and this time out did his rookie counterpart, Cooper Webb. A bit of a shake up this week in the 250 class as a couple of the usual suspects failed to break the top 10 like Blake Baggett although bike problems aren't typically the riders fault.

I had my best week last week calling 40% in each class, three of which were spot on in the 450 class.  High Point was my best so far in the 250 class with 4 spot calls and last week all were with a handicap.  In any event, my best week ever.   Four races left, then the Monster Energy Cup before Supercross, but I digress.  The task at hand, Spring Creek; here you go Millville!

450 Class

1. Villopoto (- 1)
2. Dungey (+ 1)
3. Stewart, J (+ 1)
4. Canard (- 1)
5. Barcia (+ 1)
6. Weimer (- 1)
7. Alessi (+ 1)
8. Grant (+ 1)
9. Brayton (+ 1)
10. Tickle (- 1)

250 Class

1. Tomac (- 1)
2. Musquin (- 1)
3. Roczen (+ 1)
4. Osborne (+ 1)
5. Baggett (+ 1)
6. Anderson, J (+ 1)
7. Cunningham (- 1)
8. Bogle (+ 1)
9. Martin, J (- 1)
10. Webb (- 1)

I'm trying not to use the handicap as a crutch but the unpredictable is, well too unpredictable.  My methods aren't working as well as I've hoped however they have helped me make 24 spot calls compared to 20 by handicap for the season, that has to say something.  Forty four and counting.

The Roost'r

2013 Motocross | Washougal Predictions

Photo: allisports.com

Better late than never as they say.  RedBud was full of surprises but who would have guessed Ryan Dungey's machine would malfunction and send his points standing plummeting. This is Villopoto's championship to lose but anything can happen, which makes this exercise so difficult.

In the 250 class we had the makings of an epic struggle between the top two guys but in the end the track monster had the last say as Eli Tomac continues to claw his way back from minor setbacks.  It's still close and 'anything can happen.'  How about Jeremy Martin, great to see him on the box.  Cooper Webb is still the rookie of the year and I expect him to steal more attention from Cianciarulo.

Another short post this week but do sweat it, the meat and potatoes are served up; here are my predictions for Washougal.

450 class

1. R. Villopoto (- 1)
2. R. Dungey (- 1)
3. J. Stewart (+ 1)
4. J. Barcia (+ 1)
5. T. Canard (+ 1)
6. M. Alessi (- 1)
7. J. Brayton (+ 1)
8. B. Tickle (- 1)
9. J. Weimer (- 1)
10. P. Nicoletti (+ 1)

250 class

1. K. Roczen (- 1)
2. E. Tomac (+ 1)
3. Z. Osborne (- 1)
4. M. Musquin (+ 1)
5. J. Anderson (- 1)
6. J. Martin (+ 1)
7. K. Cunningham (+ 1)
8. B. Baggett (+ 1)
9. C. Webb (- 1)
10. W. Hahn (+ 1)

A couple that surprise me too but hey, take a position or move aside.  Weather looks like it's going to cooperate so no great equalizer this week; here they come Washington.

The Roost'r

2013 Motocross | RedBud Predictions

Photo: MX 338 website

Ryan Dungey is stealing the momentum from Villopoto and he doesn't seem to be slowing.  It looks like it could come down to these two guys and he who makes the least mistakes will most likely 'take' the title.  James Stewart is having a lot of trouble and can't seem to shake the bad luck.  Justin Barcia is on the verge of breaking out but he'll need to disrupt the momentum of the Ryan's to do that it that's no easy task.  Trey Canard is having a great season, these teammates must be great motivation on the practice track.  As for Mike Alessi, he had a bad week last weekend but that won't last, he's been one of the most consistent riders this season. 

Eli Tomac looked great and has all the momentum heading into RedBud.  Roczen, Musquin and Baggett can stop it so look for the racing to become more intense as the season rolls on.  I've been really impressed with Zach Osborne and Jason Anderson.  These two guys appear to be just as fast as our leaders, they just need to be able to finish strong.  Cianciarulo had a great showing last weekend with a top 10 overall proving that he is the rookie to watch.  Tough luck for Will Hahn, mechanical problems won't keep him out this week.

My results stunk last weekend; who would've guessed Andrew Short and Brett Metcalfe would show up on this knarly track; I guess we know who can step up in the sand.  In the 250 class, where the heck did Alex Martin come from and Seely, he's been MIA all season.  Once again, making predictions in motocross is no easy task.  It was great to hear from Doug Henry last week, he is one of my all time favorites.  

I still have a lot of work to do to improve but I'm having a blast.  So here are this weeks pick; drum roll please.....

450 Class

1. Villopoto (- 1)
2. Dungey (+ 1)
3. Barcia (+ 1)
4. J. Stewart (+ 1)
5. Canard (- 1)
6. Rattray (- 1)
7. Alessi (- 1)
8. Tickle (+ 1)
9. Nicoletti (+ 1)
10. Weimer (- 1)

250 Class

1. Tomac (- 1)
2. Roczen (+ 1)
3. Baggett (+ 1)
4. Musquin (- 1)
5. Osborne (+ 1)
6. J. Anderson (- 1)
7. Hahn (+ 1)
8. Durham (+ 1)
9. Cunningham (+ 1)
10. J. Martin (+ 1)

So long to Moto-X 338, sounds like the riders will miss you.  Let's hope the replacement has the same impact.

Adios,
The Roost'r