Features 16 Jan 2014

Q&A: Early look at 2014 American Supercross

Steve Matthes' take on the opening two rounds of Monster Energy Supercross.

There are plenty of questions after two rounds of the 2014 Monster Energy Supercross series and you readers are lucky, you’ve come to the right place because I have the answers!

Image: Simon Cudby.

Image: Simon Cudby.

What’s the early trend in supercross?

Well there are a few things, but one trend is that early on there are some serious grudges going on out there, which is weird because we’re so early on in the year.

Vince Friese has already been DQ’d from a main and put on super-secret probation, Kenny Roczen wrote out an epitaph on Instagram where he says he’s going to get Justin Barcia (pictured above) for his move at Phoenix (which I didn’t think was too bad), Josh Hill went after Matt Moss at Anaheim for something that Matt’s brother did down in Australia (for the record Hill denied his pass had anything to do with that, which no one really buys) and Matt Georke is pissed at Moss for breaking his finger in an aggressive pass at Anaheim.

Calm down everyone, it’s too early for this stuff. ELE bro… everyone love everyone.

When does a victory equal out to be more than a victory?

When you come from 10th or so to pass all your championship rivals and win the race. That’s what Ryan Villopoto did at Phoenix and it’s a scary notion for the rest of the pack when the three-time SX champion does that. He looks to be on point this year and I think we’re going to see a run of wins here by the angry ginger.

Who’s been the most disappointing in the 450SX class?

Has to be Justin Barcia so far. A couple of fifths to start the year isn’t so bad, but he looked to be in position to win Phoenix when he mysteriously went backwards and in Anaheim he looked great but got a bad start. It’s a prime example when results on paper don’t look as good as it actually is. Barcia was my pick to challenge RV for the title this year and so far, it’s not happening.

Image: Simon Cudby.

Image: Simon Cudby.

Who’s been the most surprising so far in the 450SX class?

Probably another rider with the initials JB, and that would be Justin Brayton (pictured above). It would be close with Roczen, but we thought Roczen would be pretty good. Brayton was sixth in the opener in a good ride from the back and led 13 laps in Phoenix before eventually finishing a close second to Villopoto.

Brayton’s happier on his bike than he’s been in a while and he’s getting more comfortable up front each year. I don’t think he can be a challenger for the title week in and week out but maybe some podiums and perhaps a race win are in his future.

What’s going on in the 250SX Class?

Well, it’s been the exact same race two weeks in a row with Jason Anderson snatching victory away from Cole Seely. Seely’s led 25 out of 30 laps after two races and has two second places after getting passed for the lead by Anderson on the last lap. I seriously can’t think of anything ever happening like that before. The good news is that Anderson and Seely appear to have a big edge on everyone else in the class.

Recent