With Anaheim 1 and the opening round of the 2017 Monster Energy SX Series now part of sports history, we must look ahead to the all important second round. We say ‘all important’ simply because in the 7 days since round one, riders have had a chance to reflect on how they and their machines felt at Angel Stadium. Since then they’ve had the chance to make the changes needed. And while there hasn’t been enough time to fix everything, there is no doubt that every rider will be better prepared this weekend in San Diego.
As we’ve seen on more than one occasion over the years, even after just one main event there appears to be one rider who was hands down better than everyone else. Ken Roczen’s dominating 16 second victory in Anaheim definitely served notice that 2017 may be his year in Supercross. Riding with a butt patch that confidently reads ‘Bring It’, Roczen was clearly in statement making mode as the gate dropped last weekend. Although he claimed he made a small error off the gate in the main event, he was the only one who noticed as he immediately rocketed to the lead. What followed was 20 minutes of absolute perfection, a riding clinic actually, a precise tutorial on how to ride a SX track. What a great way to start the season, and I’m sure the entire day played out exactly how Roczen envisioned it.
With a shorter and much more technical track instore for the riders this weekend in San Diego, what worked last weekend may not work this weekend. As we witnessed a year ago inside Petco Field, the whoops were huge and the track was cramped. In the end, Ryan Dungey, Chad Reed and Cole Seely found their way onto the podium. All three got off to great starts on the tight track and rode well from there. It will take the same strategy tomorrow as passing will no doubt be tough. If a rider like Chad Reed hopes to do well in 2017, it will be on tracks like San Diego that are tight and technical. Will Ken Roczen be able to paint the same work of art this weekend, but on a different canvas? Will Ryan Dungey once again be happy with a podium finish? All of this and more will be answered tomorrow as the riders celebrate Military Appreciation Day at round two. As we get ready for the San Diego SX, let’s take a look back at last weekend through the lens of James Lissimore.