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6/8/2014 5:54pm
6/8/2014 5:54pm
Edited Date/Time
6/8/2014 10:15pm
Ken “KROC” Roczen – Grade A+
Currently, he is the fastest motocrosser in the United States. His technique, speed, and fitness have improved from his 250F career and I expect him to grow from Year 1 to Year 2 and Year 2 to Year 3 in the 450F class exponentially. Hence, his competition better explore their programs or they will be left behind. One of Ken Roczen’s greatest strengths, is to venture out of his comfort zone, to explore his program and make change – working with Aldon Baker and Ryan Villopoto have helped significantly. On round 1, 2 and 3 (moto 2) Roczen had the fastest lap. With 9 races to go, he is the favorite to win the title.
Ryan “The Diesel” Dungey – Grade B+ (he was the favorite to win the title before Round 1)
Ryan Dungey is one of the greatest motocrossers of all time. He is the Wardy to Johnson in the present era. Dungey has sound technique and fitness. Unlike Roczen, Dungey stays within his comfort zone (he finally hired a trainer for 2014 Supercross – attrition assisted Dungey in the final points). Unfortunately, this will limit his growth in the sport. Both Ryan Villopoto and Ken Roczen are faster than Dungey and its product of their program. Dungey has the fitness, technique, and talent to race any rider in the current era. At the quarter, he has one moto win and overall at arguable the most challenging race in the circuit. However, to beat Baker’s riders for titles, he will have to make changes to his program.
James “Bubba” Stewart – Grade B -
Arguably the most talented rider in the history of the sport, James Stewart was struggling to keep up with the top riders at Rounds 1 and 2. At round 3, Stewart proves to the industry, fans, and competition he still has the speed and fitness when he wins moto 1 at Colorado. If bike set-up is truly the issue (he had months to set up for Supercross and came out blazing fast Round 1 supercross), Suzuki needs to hire a test rider to assist James in his quest for titles. He has the speed, fitness, technique to race any rider – does he have the health and team infrastructure to compete against KTM (did I really say that?)
Trey Canard – Grade A -
Trey Canard is returning from numerous injuries that would have ended the majority of rider’s motocross careers. From broken back to broken femurs, Trey Canard has the will to compete at the highest level in motocross. It is “will” that makes him extremely dangerous to the competition. If he can limit the big injuries (everyone will have small injuries during the season), he has huge upside. He has speed and technique - example, Round 3 he had the fastest practice lap (faster than Stewart, Roczen, and Dungey – no easy feat). During the race in Colorado (Round 3), he lost concentration, which allowed Dungey and Roczen to pull away from the factory Honda speedster. Canard needs momentum (health), improve his concentration and he will be racing for overall wins – potentially the title.
Currently, he is the fastest motocrosser in the United States. His technique, speed, and fitness have improved from his 250F career and I expect him to grow from Year 1 to Year 2 and Year 2 to Year 3 in the 450F class exponentially. Hence, his competition better explore their programs or they will be left behind. One of Ken Roczen’s greatest strengths, is to venture out of his comfort zone, to explore his program and make change – working with Aldon Baker and Ryan Villopoto have helped significantly. On round 1, 2 and 3 (moto 2) Roczen had the fastest lap. With 9 races to go, he is the favorite to win the title.
Ryan “The Diesel” Dungey – Grade B+ (he was the favorite to win the title before Round 1)
Ryan Dungey is one of the greatest motocrossers of all time. He is the Wardy to Johnson in the present era. Dungey has sound technique and fitness. Unlike Roczen, Dungey stays within his comfort zone (he finally hired a trainer for 2014 Supercross – attrition assisted Dungey in the final points). Unfortunately, this will limit his growth in the sport. Both Ryan Villopoto and Ken Roczen are faster than Dungey and its product of their program. Dungey has the fitness, technique, and talent to race any rider in the current era. At the quarter, he has one moto win and overall at arguable the most challenging race in the circuit. However, to beat Baker’s riders for titles, he will have to make changes to his program.
James “Bubba” Stewart – Grade B -
Arguably the most talented rider in the history of the sport, James Stewart was struggling to keep up with the top riders at Rounds 1 and 2. At round 3, Stewart proves to the industry, fans, and competition he still has the speed and fitness when he wins moto 1 at Colorado. If bike set-up is truly the issue (he had months to set up for Supercross and came out blazing fast Round 1 supercross), Suzuki needs to hire a test rider to assist James in his quest for titles. He has the speed, fitness, technique to race any rider – does he have the health and team infrastructure to compete against KTM (did I really say that?)
Trey Canard – Grade A -
Trey Canard is returning from numerous injuries that would have ended the majority of rider’s motocross careers. From broken back to broken femurs, Trey Canard has the will to compete at the highest level in motocross. It is “will” that makes him extremely dangerous to the competition. If he can limit the big injuries (everyone will have small injuries during the season), he has huge upside. He has speed and technique - example, Round 3 he had the fastest practice lap (faster than Stewart, Roczen, and Dungey – no easy feat). During the race in Colorado (Round 3), he lost concentration, which allowed Dungey and Roczen to pull away from the factory Honda speedster. Canard needs momentum (health), improve his concentration and he will be racing for overall wins – potentially the title.
Josh Grant has already exceeded anyone’s expectations with his amazing ride at Round 1, Glen Helen. He led every lap, moto 1, at arguably the hardest track on the circuit - winning Moto 1. Grant is blazing fast and on an extremely sound team and bike. However, Round 2, Grant runs into the Grant black cloud and has a dismal race. Round 3, Josh Grant is back in the mix racing right behind the lead pack. Grant needs to stay healthy so he can build on his speed and determination. If Grant had a solid Round 2, I would grade him B+ (no one, but maybe Grant and JGR thought Grant would be racing this pace).
The Shop
Canard is on it - currently has more upside and has exceeded most fan's expectations.
These are quarter grades and could be radically different at half time.
Pit Row
Shaken not stirred
RIDERS' careers. Plural possession, motherfucker.
p.s. I lean towards 'Turbo Trey' myself
Post a reply to: 2014 450F US Outdoor MX Nationals Analysis - Quarter Grades