With the 4th of July weekend and the Red Bud National right around the corner, it’s time to breakout your score cards and make your picks for
fantasy motocross. The Buchanan, Michigan track has been the host of motocross racing on Independence weekend for the last three decades now, and this weekend is sure not to disappoint as Ryan Dungey and Christophe Pourcel attempt to maintain their lead in the
AMA Motocross Championship series.
450 Class A-Riders
Makita Suzuki's Ryan Dungey has managed four straight wins heading into Red Bud.
– This weekend Makita
Suzuki’s Ryan Dungey is aiming for his fifth overall win, and with each successive race it appears his speed and endurance can’t be matched by any other. After taking his fourth straight win in Colorado last week, Dungey is coming into Round 6 of the series full of confidence and with the knowledge that few can keep up with his pace. With his winning record so far this season, ‘Ryan Dungey’ should be a name at the top of everyone’s list.
Josh Grant –Having a big weekend at
Thunder Valley last weekend was JGR’s Josh Grant. Although the
Yamaha rider struggled in the second moto finishing 10th, he passed Dungey in the first moto and took the win ahead of the championship leader. One of the few riders who’s managed to outpace the #5 bike, Grant has shown the world he has the speed needed to outrun Dungey.
Maybe
Chad Reed – Pro Circuit
Kawasaki’s Chad Reed had yet another upsetting performance last week in Colorado. Although we haven’t seen a lot out of the current champ, it’s still too early to count him out of the running – and the
Budd’s Creek round proves this as he went 4-2 during that weekend. Time is ticking though for TwoTwo, and every time Dungey wins his chance of coming back gradually dwindles.
Mike Alessi - Jagermeister
KTM’s Mike Alessi is another rider who has experienced some ups and downs this season. In the season opener at
Hangtown, Alessi took second overall behind Reed and scored a second moto win. Last weekend at Thunder Valley, however, he took eighth overall after a 12-5 score. With his erratic performances Alessi is hard to count on, but nevertheless he may still come up with the win.
Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Chad Reed has been hot and cold this season and is running out of time to catch Dungey.
Sure Thing
Ben Townley – Red Bull
Honda’s Ben Townley has been having quite the season so far. Last weekend he took second-place overall after a 6-2 result, and he’s currently seventh in the championship. With numerous podium finishes and a moto win under his belt, Townley has been pretty consistent so far in the ’10 season and is fully capable of more wins if he gets some decent starts.
Brett Metcalfe – Taking third-place overall last weekend was Geico Powersports Honda’s Brett Metcalfe. His 4-4 result at Thunder Valley and his consistency in the ’10 season have made Metcalfe the runner-up in the championship, and as a result he is one of the safest bets to make in the 450 class.
Maybe
Kyle Chisholm – MotoConcepts Yamaha’s Kyle Chisholm may not always be in the top-three, but if he gets a good start he usually is able to keep it and can run with the best of them. He is eighth in the championship currently after his most recent seventh-place overall finish at Thunder Valley. While the Canadian youngster still doesn’t have any pro MX wins to his name, you can be sure he has one coming in the near future.
Tommy Hahn – After Rockstar Energy Suzuki’s Tommy Hahn took 35th in Moto 2 at Thunder Valley it may seem inappropriate to include him on this list. However, Hahn’s first moto performance is evidence to the contrary as he took third-place in Moto 1 behind Grant and Dungey. As with Chisholm, if Hahn manages to get a good start he could very well take a victory.
Red Bull Honda's Ben Townley finished 6-2 at Thunder Valley and has been pretty consistent in the '10 season.
- Still off the roster is Red Bull Honda’s Davi Millsaps, who’s out with quite the list of injuries. While his return to the ’10 season of motocross is doubtful, the most recent reports state that Millsaps has been released from the hospital and is expected to make a full recovery.
250 Class A-Riders
Sure Thing
Christophe Pourcel - Pro Circuit Kawasaki rider Pourcel is currently leading the 250 class and has consistently been at the top of the standings. While he’s been flat out beaten a few times this season, he is more often than not dominating in his class like he did last weekend at Thunder Valley with his double victory. Similar to Dungey in the 450s, Pourcel is a top rider and one of the safest bets in the 250 class.
Trey Canard - GEICO Powersports Honda’s Trey Canard finally put himself into the mix last weekend at Thunder Valley when he finished second overall and was close to taking a Moto 2 victory before Pourcel flew by. Ice-Trey mentioned that he’s getting back to feeling good on the smaller bike, and it really showed in his speed at Colorado. There’s a good chance we’ll be seeing more of Turbo Trey on the podium if he manages some decent starts.
Maybe
Tyla Rattray - Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Tyla Rattray has put in some good runs this season, including his performance last weekend at Thunder Valley. While he continues to consistently run in the top-five, he has recently faced tremendous competition from riders like Canard and Dean Wilson rising to the challenge. If Rattray gets the holeshot he can easily take a win, but it’s the mid-pack starts where we’ve seen him struggle.
Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Tyla Rattray went 4-4 in Colorado and is currently third in the championship behind teammates Christophe Pourcel and Dean Wilson.
- With Red Bud featuring the largest jump in the series known as LaRocco’s Leap, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the “Wild Child” Justin Barcia make the 120-foot uphill leap ahead of the competition. While he struggled in the last round, Barcia has managed some strong rides, including his second-place overall finish at Budds Creek. With the added element of LaRocco’s Leap, Barcia could easily gain an advantage over the field and make it to the podium, or perhaps even take a win.
B-Riders
Sure Thing
Dean Wilson - Pro Circuit’s Kawasaki’s Wilson took an overall result of third at Thunder Valley after a 2-3 score. Prior to that, he took the overall win at Budds Creek ahead of Rattray and Pourcel at Budds Creek. Needless to say, Wilson has both the speed and skill to match the top riders, and as a result he is easily seen as the best bet for 250 B-Riders.
Maybe
Eli Tomac - Recently Geico Honda’s Eli Tomac has been struggling, finishing 10th at Budds Creek and eighth at Thunder Valley. Despite his recent performances, the Honda rider has managed strong rides earlier this season, including his second moto win in the season opener. Tomac has the tendency to get bogged down during starts, but when he gets in front of the pack he can stay in front and hold his own.
Scratch
Blake Baggett - Still out and recovering from his broken left humerus which he sustained at Budds Creek is Rockstar Energy Suzuki’s Blake Baggett. The young rider underwent a successful surgery to mend his break, and his return date has yet to be announced.
Will Hahn - Troy Lee Designs/Lucas Oil/Honda’s Will Hahn is still in recovery after having a successful operation to repair his separated shoulder. As of June 28th Hahn reported that his shoulder is healing well, and that if his healing continues at the same rate he should be back on a bike within 2-3 weeks.
Get your Fantasy Motocross picks in now!
