On the Eve of the 2015 Monster Energy Supercross Series

Over the last two weeks we’ve had to endure some serious bouts of anticipation surrounding a number of pretty special events. Last week we had Christmas Eve to deal with; the day prior to Santa arriving is always a busy and sometimes stressful one. Then this week everyone got the chance to reflect on the past year as we eagerly awaited the arrival of 2015 on New Year’s Eve. Now, with another new calendar year upon us, we slowly move to the edge of our seats on the eve of the 2015 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series.

As you’re reading this all of the riders and teams have converged on Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California to set up for Saturday’s big race. While the teams construct their pit area outside the stadium, a few selected riders will sit inside Angel Stadium for the traditional Friday press conference. This PC is always such a cool precursor to the opening round as it gives the press a chance to speak to the top riders about the past few months of preparation and their all-important outlook towards the next few months. The only problem with this gathering of media and riders is that you never really learn anything new. The riders know the questions that are going to be thrown their way so they have all the right answers on the tips of their tongues. You can only hear “I feel great” and “the bike is great” so many times before you think everything is just staged and scripted. However, the opening round press conference is a formality in every sport and everyone knows that the real answers won’t come until after the first pitch is thrown, or the first puck is dropped, or in our case, the first gate is dropped.

Heading into the 2015 Monster Energy Supercross Series it’s almost about who isn’t there as it is who is there. Sitting at Angel Stadium waiting to race on the first SX track of 2015 are the likes of Ken Roczen, Ryan Dungey, Davi Millsaps, Trey Canard, Eli Tomac and Chad Reed. Not in attendance are a duo of riders who will miss the opening round for two very different reasons. Both James Stewart and the 2014 Monster Energy Supercross Champion, Ryan Villopoto, will not be lining up for Supercross in 2015. Stewart, of course, will miss almost all of the 2015 indoor and outdoor season due to a suspension for failing a drug test last season. One of most popular riders in the sport for a number of years, it will no doubt take a few rounds for fans to get used to not seeing the big #7 on the track. Other than missing the 2015 series and all the money that comes with it for James, you have to wonder how or if this will affect his legacy in the sport.

While everyone appears to agree that he got a raw deal with the harshness of his FIM imposed suspension, this situation just adds to the list of missed opportunities James has had over the course of his career. Miscues off the track, crashes on the track, bad luck, and really just some poor decision making have slowly erased James’ ‘fastest man on the planet’ title. In recent years, he’s gone from the favourite to win each race to just one of the riders on the gate who is capable of winning. Maybe it’s just his age and the natural evolution of every great superstar in sport. Still, it will seem strange not seeing Stewart on the gate tomorrow in Anaheim, especially considering why he won’t be there. Imagine Roger Federer not being able to play tennis this year because he didn’t file the paperwork for a prescription? Let’s be honest, it just wouldn’t happen.

The other mentioned rider who will be absent from USA racing this season is multi-time champion Ryan Villopoto. After so many successful years racing stateside, Villopoto has deservedly chosen a different path for 2015. As you all know, this year he will contest the MXGP Championships for Kawasaki. While he has said on numerous occasions that this will be his final year of competition, you have to wonder that if he really enjoys himself on the GP circuit will he just keep rolling in 2016. Who knows, with his credentials I think he’s earned the right to do whatever he wants, and he appears to be completely happy with his decision. As they say, the gate will drop at Anaheim tomorrow night regardless of who is behind it. So, of the riders that will be on the gate, which ones have the best chance to win?

Ken Roczen

Without defending champion Villopoto there Ken Roczen has to be one of the favourites to win both the opening round and the 2015 title. However, after a few very successful years at KTM, King Kenny has moved to the RCH Suzuki Team. Even though he’s completed hours and hours of pre-season testing on his new Suzuki, once the real racing begins it may take him and his team a few rounds to adjust as he‘s not only on a new bike but he hasn‘t raced since late August. If Roczen can get off to a good start in this series then I believe he will be a title favourite without a doubt. If he struggles during the first month of the series and his confidence bubble bursts, he’ll be playing catch up until the final round in Las Vegas.

Ryan Dungey

Since the Monster Energy Cup back in October, Ryan Dungey has been quieter than a mouse in a room full of cats. Other than getting married, it’s been just another typical off-season for the 2010 SX Champion. Is he riding well? Is he hungry to win? Does he even have the speed to win? I think there are a lot of questions surrounding Dungey as we head into 2015, questions that only he can answer as the 2015 series unfolds. The one thing that is certain is that Ryan Dungey is a professional in every sense of the word and he’s has undoubtedly prepared himself physically for a run at the 2015 title.

Trey Canard

As he’s been in the past few season, Trey Canard has to be considered one of the favourites to win tomorrow night and beyond. While Trey’s race speed has never been in doubt, his ability to remain healthy for any stretch of time is his nemesis. Can he handle the pressure of being in the title hunt as the series gets into March and April? Can he stay on two wheels week in and week out on the ultra-technical tracks that make up the Monster Energy Supercross Series? My prediction is that while Trey may win more races than anyone else in 2015, he will not be a factor for the championship when the fireworks go off in Las Vegas in May.

Davi Millsaps

After having a shot at the 2013 Supercross Series title, Davi Millsaps has been out of action due to a number of injuries. Now on a factory Kawasaki, Millsaps is coming off a popular and hard fought win in October at the 2014 Monster Energy Cup. Millsaps has to be feeling confident heading into tomorrow night. His speed, his fitness and his determination have probably never been higher. He may not win right off the bat, but I think he’ll be one of the riders going for the championship in May. With no Villopoto on the starting line and Millsaps not getting any younger, this could be his final and best chance to win his first Supercross title.

Justin Barcia

Of all the top riders entered in the 2015 Monster Energy Supercross Series I think Justin Barcia has the biggest X Factor, as you never really know what you’re going to get each night. Riding a JGR Yamaha now Barcia is no doubt motivated to make a serious run at the 2015 title. To make sure he didn’t leave anything to chance he even hired Johnny O’Mara during the off-season to train him, so there’s little doubt that JB51 will be ready for 20 hard laps heading into tomorrow night. Also on his resume is the title of the most aggressive rider on the circuit, this should serve him well in the early rounds of the series; although it may hurt him in the long run as other riders begin to pay him back once they’re out of the points chase. I think Barcia will be a serious factor each and every race of the series, however I think the errors he’ll make will cost him any shot at the 2015 SX title.

Chad Reed

I saved Chad Reed for the end simply because he is the sport’s elder statesmen, and hands down the fan favourite. There aren’t too many people in this sport that don’t want to see Chad Reed win races in 2015. After getting on an abbreviated run at the beginning of last year’s series and bringing the fans of supercross to a frenzied hype, Reed crashed on the final lap of the San Diego SX (while trying to pass Roczen for third) and was out for the remainder of the series. It was a crushing blow for Reed, his team and his global legion of fans. As quick as Reed was back on top, he was out once again! As we head into 2015, there isn’t a rider on the starting line who “gets it” as much as Chad Reed does. He’s always seemed to have the uncanny ability of knowing when to push and when to back down. He knows his body and he knows his machine better than any rider on the track. Over the years, Reed’s unique desire to keep coming back is reminiscent of the Rocky movies we used to watch. Just when you think he’s done, Chad Reed gets back up. I feel that Reed’s biggest competitor in 2015 is gravity itself. If he can stay on two wheels and remain healthy through the Daytona SX in March, then he will be your 2015 Monster Energy Supercross Champion.

So there you have it, so much anticipation on the eve of yet another Supercross season. I feel extremely fortunate to be getting on an airplane tonight to head west to Anaheim so I can witness all of this hype first hand. With no Supercross on television in Canada (except for Shaw Cable), getting to watch a race live has become more of a cherished event than ever. I already have chills as I think about sitting in the stands getting ready for the first gate drop of 2015. I’m sure I am not alone! As Randy Collins from Hully Gully Raceway used to say, Pitter Patter let’s get at ‘er! I couldn’t agree more Randy.