2012 Lucal Oil Pro Motocross champions Ryan Dungey and Blake Bagget lead 2 stacked fields into the 2013 Motocross Championship. Lets take a look at how the fields stack up as we head into Hangtown.
450 MX:
2012 Champion Ryan Dungey still has to be considered the favorite. After winning 10 of 12 races in 2012 he showed his dominance in the outdoor circuit. Which we all know seperates the pretenders from the elite when it comes to endurance. 30 minutes plus 2 laps is unbelievably hard. Then you have to do it twice, during the hottest time of the year.
The biggest difference for Dungey this year will be the return of 2011 Motocross Champion and 2013 Supercross Champion Ryan Villopoto. RV missed 2012 outdoors because of a knee injury and he has yet to lose a championship that he has finished.
Another X factor is James Stewart, who boasted 1 of Dungey’s 2 losses in 2012, and he looked really fast doing it. But as always he has yet to show a consitent string of races. Stewart did sit out the last few rounds of Supercross to prepare for the outdoor season. An interesting fact that may only interest me is that Stewart and Villopoto have never faced off in an outdoor series.
Unfortunately we won’t see the newly resurgent Davi Millsaps as he sits out due to leg surgery. But Honda rider Justin Barcia had a moto win in 2012 and rode really well during the Supercross season. Trey Canard who has been riddled with injuries is always a threat as he rides really well outdoor. Another rider returning to the outdoor field is Chad Reed. Reed had what he would consider a disappointing Supercross Series in 2013 but he always rides really well outdoor.
Mike Alessi was the runner-up in 2012, and if he can work on his endurance he should do well because he is always leading the race after the start. Josh Grant is healthy as was getting his speed back in supercross, and joining the already deeply talented field will be Dean Wilson. This is going to be an extremely exiting 450 class.
:: UPDATE ::
It looks as if Christian Craig will be out for the outdoor season after a crash in the final round of the supercross series will require him to have surgery on his wrist. It looks like Malcolm Stewart will fill in for him and race along side his big brother James for the 2013 motocross championship.
250 MX:
Blake Baggett had what he would consider a disappointing Supercross season, but I find it hard to think he won’t be a contender. But his job will be much more difficult this year with 2013 Supercross champion Ken Roczen and runner-up Marvin Musquin. Both riders are multi time world motocross champions out of Germany and France respectively.
Baggett will also have to content with runner up Eli Tomac who look sharp in the supercross season and has to be a favorite to win it all. Lets not forget veteran talents like Martin Davalos, Nicco Izzi, Blake Wharton and Jason Anderson who can make things interesting.
Honestly this class is a little harder to call because so many riders are so close in speed and really don’t have a template for their outdoor speed over a long Motocross season.
The one good thing about the 250 class is that every year there is a new comer, or rookie that impresses and puts pressure on the veterans. There is always a kid in each hometown that can fly. But this year rookie amateur sensation Adam Cianciarulo will line up at hangtown, along with Justin Hill and surprise newcomer Joey Savatgy.
One thing is for certain there wont be a lack of drama in both classes through the 2013 Lucas Oil Motocross Championship. Looking forward to it.
2013 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Season Preview
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