AMA Pro Motocross rolls into the site of the 2007 Motocross des Nations at Budds Creek. The Maryland facility is scenic, challenging and offers excellent racing. Father’s Day weekend signals the quarter-mark in the professional MX series, and there are some trends starting to develop. One consistency this year, is inconsistency. The 250 class in particular has seen some ups and downs, but so has the 450 class. Sometimes it’s impossible to tell which is harder to nail down.
450 Class
A-Riders
Sure Thing
Dungey has won the last four motos.
Ryan Dungey – Rockstar Makita Suzuki’s ace 450 rider has collected four consecutive moto victories. Dungey swept his way through Freestone and then High Point. After a slow start in the opening race at Hangtown, the 2010 Supercross champion has made it a point to prove it was nothing more than an off weekend.
Chad Reed – Speedy Reedy is one of the most consistent riders on the starting gate. Last weekend sure didn’t look like it after problems plagued the Monster Energy Kawasaki rider, but they were mechanical issues with his KX450F that he had little control over. Last year he won this event which clinched his title (the date has been moved up in the season schedule for ’10).
Maybe
Mike Alessi – Mikey was out of action last year at Budds Creek with a busted knee, but his lighter machine could offer an advantage on the technical circuit. He’ll bomb down those hills and still find the inside line. What Alessi really needs to do is focus on minimizing mistakes. A lack of focus compounds into a poor weekend for someone who should be winning motos.
Josh Grant – The JGR Yamaha rider is finding his speed. Grant has shown that he peaks and then falls off. After running toward the front at High Point, is this the upward surge for the season?
Andrew Short – Factory Honda had something to celebrate with a runner-up in Pennsylvania. Shorty is catching up with the leaders.
Scratch
Andrew Short nailed down second overall last weekend at High Point.
James Stewart – Still waiting on doctor’s release for his wrist. Better slow than never, James.
Ryan Villopoto – Shooting for an August comeback if everything goes well with his broken leg.
B-Riders
Sure Thing
Brett Metcalfe – This is a guy who proves that hard work will get you results. Metcalfe has finished no lower than seventh in a moto and fourth overall. He found the podium last week and is clearly adapted to the big-bike class.
Maybe
Kyle Regal – Budds Creek was a coming-out for the Yamaha rider last year. If he’s going to tap the winning energy there’s no reason it won’t be at this race. Regal has already been on the podium once this season.
Scratch
Ivan Tedesco – Still sidelined with the collapsed lung and sore ribcage.
Michael Byrne – Burner is hoping to return at Millville after surgery to repair a broken left hand in the opening moto at High Point.
250 Class
A-Riders
Sure Thing
Sure Thing should be Christophe Pourcel's middle name.
Christophe Pourcel – Budds Creek has big jumps that get rutted out, the perfect scenario for a precise rider like Pourcel. He also knows when to play it smart, which makes the championship leader double dangerous. Unfortunately, he’s really the only rider who has proven week after week (ever since coming to America, actually) that he’s a sure thing.
Maybe
Jake Weimer –It’s been a long season for Jake Weimer already and we’re only one-fourth of the way into it. The 2009 winner at Budds, Weimer just needs a good start in order to get up where the West Coast Supercross Lites champion should be.
Tyla Rattray – Another Monster Pro Circuit Kawasaki rider who is destined to be at the front. The South African won the overall last weekend, a major mark for the imported rider. Now that he’s tasted overall victory, Rattray needs to back it up with moto wins. His 2-2 at High Point was overshadowed by speedy brilliance from Pourcel and Justin Barcia.
Justin Barcia – Going 1-21 is just like this kid. He’s a safe bet to win an overall at some point this season, but so far the sophomore rider has yet to put it all together.
Scratch
Austin Stroupe - A separated shoulder knocked out Stroupe.
B-Riders
Sure Thing
Wilson is a solid top-five rider at any track.
Dean Wilson – Kawasaki’s rookie is right there with top-five finishes. He’s tied as the leading point scorer for the 250 B-Riders. Every race adds experience for this young gun and soon enough it will accumulate to podium levels.
Maybe
Blake Baggett – This RM-Z250 rider just missed the podium and is looking like he’s figuring out how to put together a Saturday program at the Nationals.
Tommy Searle – KTM’s 250 star had a great performance in single motos, but it’s a long day outdoors and the SX-F rider has yet to put one into the books.
Scratch
Ryan Morais – The Suzuki rider is healing from surgery on his thumb.
