Anaheim 1 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series Round 1

It’s “Go Time” for the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series, as the supercross elite make last minute preparations for Anaheim 1, the opening round of this year’s 17-round series.
Thursday’s press conference at Angel Stadium gave local and national media a chance to talk to a few of the top contenders to find out just where they think they’ll fit into the 2013 pecking order. On Saturday, however, it’ll be time to put up or shut up as it all plays out live on the floor of Angel Stadium in one of the most highly anticipated series openers in years. This year’s series sports one of the most competitive fields in ages, as all of the top contenders are back and enter the first race healthy and rarin’ to go.

Ryan Villopoto accepts his championship ring from FELD’s Dave Prater. The Monster Energy Kawasaki tider is going for his third straight 450 SX title. Photo by Shan Moore

Heading the list of riders vying for the 2013 title is Ryan Villopoto, who is attempting to become just the fourth person in history to win three 450 titles in a row. The Monster Energy Kawasaki rider has dominated the series over the course of the last two years, winning last year’s championship, amazingly, with four rounds remaining on the schedule. Only Jeremy McGrath, Bob Hannah and Ricky Carmichael have won three SX titles in a row, and McGrath did it twice in his career.
For Anaheim 1, RV makes his return to the series after a devastating knee injury at the Seattle round last year ended his year prematurely, although he did race the Monster Energy Cup in October, where he ran away with the first moto before crashing out the of second one.
“I set a goal this season and that’s to win the championship three years in a row, that’s what’s driving me to keep doing what I need to do,” Villopoto told the media.
Villopoto and Monster Energy Kawasaki teammate Jake Weimer, who grabbed five podiums last year, return on proven machinery, basically running the same setup as last year with the addition of Showa’s new air forks in place of the KYBs they ran for years. So neither rider should have setup issues at A1.

Ryan Dungey will be among the riders pushing Villopoto for the top spot. Photo by Shan Moore

Among those pushing Villopoto for the top spot will be 2010 SX champ Ryan Dungey, riding a new “Factory Edition” 450 KTM for Red Bull KTM. With the help of team manager Roger DeCoster, Dungey gave KTM it’s first-ever 450 AMA Supercross win last year and they hope to add a SX championship to that list in 2013. Dungey is usually “Mr. Consistency”, so will he take it easy at the series opener? Or will he go for broke and try for the win?
“It’s definitely going to be a tough year, there’s no hiding that,” Dungey admitted.
“We’re just trying to keep making the bike better and better, keep making history, and achieve the goals we’ve set out to do.”

Justin Barcia (left) and Chad Reed share a laugh at the press conference. Photo by Shan Moore

Team Muscle Milk Factory Honda brings a brand new bike plus two solid contenders into the series, with Trey Canard (who is making his return from injury) and Justin Barcia (who recently won the Monster Energy Cup). Both riders are potential A1 winners, as well as solid title contenders. Canard won three rounds as a 450-class rookie, while Barcia won this year’s Monster Energy Cup.
The general thought process for most of the top riders is to “just get through Anaheim one in one piece” and see where it goes from there. However, Barcia will be one of those throwing caution to the wind. If Dungey is Mr. Consistency, then Barcia is the anti-Dungey and will be going for broke every time he’s on the track. I think Bam Bam raises the excitement level of this year’s series one full notch!
When asked about his aggressive style, Barica says that “being aggressive is one thing, but being dirty is another. The last couple years the way I’ve raced I think is fine, so I’m going to keep doing that.”
Chad Reed was very upbeat at the A1 press conference and says he’s ready to win races in 2013. He too is returning from a knee injury, one that he sustained in a nasty crash at last year’s Dallas Supercross in April. At 30 years of age, Reed has seen more than his share of action and has the speed AND the experience to get the job done. He has a solid team behind him in team manager Dave Osterman, mechanic Lars Lindstrom and engine guy Goose Gosselaar, so there should be no excuses for a poor performance in the TwoTwo camp.
“It’s a long season, so it’s important to start off consistent and not crash out like last year,” admitted Reed. “When you grow up and you’ve been to these a time or two, I think it’s funny to hear that the bikes are the best they’ve ever been and the riders are more prepared than ever. I just want to drop the gate and go racing. You have to be there every weekend and have to be in it to win it. I’ll just try to do my thing as always and be there in Vegas with a shot at this thing.”

James Stewart is coming in as somewhat of an unknown for A1. Photo by Shan Moore

Coming in as somewhat of an unknown is James Stewart, who returns as Yoshimura Suzuki’s lone entry. Stewart rode only half of last year’s outdoor series due to a hand injury he sustained during the supercross season, which also caused him to miss the final four supercross rounds. James, who is now in his ninth season of 450-class supercross racing, is reportedly healthy and ready for A1, and for sure, he’ll be fast. But lately, consistency has been an issue for the man who in 2008 won every moto of the outdoor national motocross season.
“We’re all trying to accomplish one goal and that’s to win the championship,” said Stewart. “Last year is in the past and if I just focus on what I’m doing and keep doing things right, everything will be good.”
A couple of riders enter the 2013 season with new teams, including Broc Tickle, who jumps from Mitch Payton’s Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki team to Carey Hart’s RCH/Dodge Suzuki Racing team. According to team mechanic Tony Berluti, Tickle looks really good on the Suzuki and should be a consistent “top-five-or-six guy.” In addition, Josh Hill is healthy and back with JHC and looking to regain the form that saw him grab five consecutive podiums in 2010.
Also changing teamsis Davi Millsaps, who joins Dave Gowland’s Rockstar Energy Racing team on Suzukis. Millsaps is a former Supercross main event winner and gives Rockstar Energy Suzuki a podium threat.
Not to be forgotten, GEICO Honda’s Kevin Windham enters his 17th season of supercross racing and can never be counted out. Windham is the wily veteran of the group and, especially when the conditions are right, has the potential to still win races.

2013 Supercross Teams and Numbers

Monster Energy Kawasaki
Ryan Villopoto #1
Jake Weimer #12
Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing
James Stewart #7
Two Two Motorsports
Chad Reed #22
Toyota/Yamaha JGRMX
Justin Brayton #10
Josh Grant #33
Red Bull KTM
Ryan Dungey #5
Marvin Musquin #25
Ken Roczen #94
RCH/Dodge/Sycuan Suzuki
Broc Tickle #20
Josh Hill #75
Muscle Milk Team Honda
Trey Canard #41
Justin Barcia #51
Team Chaparral Honda
Andrew Short #29
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki
Blake Baggett #4
Dean Wilson #15
Tyla Rattray #28
Martin Davalos #40
Darryn Durham #44
Justin Hill #317
GEICO Honda
Kevin Windham #14
Eli Tomac #17
Wil Hahn #19
Justin Bogle #34
Zach Bell #167
Zach Osborne #338
Rockstar Energy Suzuki
Davi Millsaps #18
Blake Wharton #13
Jason Anderson #21
Nico Izzi #30
Ryan Sipes #35
MotoConcepts
Mike Alessi #800
Jake Canada #23
Gavin Faith #67
BTO Sports/KTM
Michael Byrne #26
Matt Goerke #62
JDR Motorsports/JStar KTM
Malcolm Stewart #32
Troy Lee Designs/Lucas Oil Honda
Jessy Nelson #36
Cole Seely #43
Christian Craig #59
Star Racing
Kyle Cunningham #38
Jeremy Martin #77
Valli Yamaha
Travis Baker #31
Velocity 3 Racing
Kyle Chisholm #11
Rob Kiniry #39
Munn Racing
Ivan Tedesco #9
Dakota Tedder #72
River Rock Powersports
Ben Lamay #57
Chris Johnson #354
Seth Caldwell #335
Joey Peters #535

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