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Edited Date/Time
4/24/2017 10:21am
Well, I didn't expect that...
Christian Craig to Fill in for Team Honda HRC During AMA Motocross Series
TORRANCE, Calif. (April 4, 2017) – Team Honda HRC is happy to announce that current GEICO Honda rider Christian Craig will fill in for the injured Ken Roczen throughout the entire 12-round AMA Pro Motocross series. Craig will pilot a factory CRF450R alongside Cole Seely beginning with the Hangtown season opener on May 20.
Craig is not new to the premier class, having campaigned 450s during the 2009 ’11, ’12 and ’14 Pro Motocross seasons. The Californian has a career-best 450 outdoor finish of seventh and is hoping to improve with help from the factory squad.
“Honestly, when I got the call that factory Honda wanted me to fill in, I couldn’t stop smiling,” Craig said. “To have this opportunity is an honor. Obviously, everyone including me is so bummed Kenny got hurt, and I’ll do everything in my power to make the team and Kenny happy they chose me as the guy to ride his bike while he recovers. I’ll be going into the season open-minded and as prepared as I can be. The 450 class is more stacked than ever, but hopefully after the first couple rounds I’ll be able to learn the pace and see where I fit in. Thanks to the entire Team Honda HRC and GEICO Honda crews for allowing this to happen, and to Kenny for letting me borrow his bike for the summer. I’m beyond grateful.”
“We’re really excited to have Christian riding for us in the AMA Pro Motocross series,” said Team Honda HRC manager Dan Betley. “He’s shown notable speed in the 450 class in previous years, and I think he has the potential to deliver solid results. GEICO Honda is our extended family; we have a great relationship, so we appreciate them allowing us to have Christian for the season.”
Christian Craig to Fill in for Team Honda HRC During AMA Motocross Series
TORRANCE, Calif. (April 4, 2017) – Team Honda HRC is happy to announce that current GEICO Honda rider Christian Craig will fill in for the injured Ken Roczen throughout the entire 12-round AMA Pro Motocross series. Craig will pilot a factory CRF450R alongside Cole Seely beginning with the Hangtown season opener on May 20.
Craig is not new to the premier class, having campaigned 450s during the 2009 ’11, ’12 and ’14 Pro Motocross seasons. The Californian has a career-best 450 outdoor finish of seventh and is hoping to improve with help from the factory squad.
“Honestly, when I got the call that factory Honda wanted me to fill in, I couldn’t stop smiling,” Craig said. “To have this opportunity is an honor. Obviously, everyone including me is so bummed Kenny got hurt, and I’ll do everything in my power to make the team and Kenny happy they chose me as the guy to ride his bike while he recovers. I’ll be going into the season open-minded and as prepared as I can be. The 450 class is more stacked than ever, but hopefully after the first couple rounds I’ll be able to learn the pace and see where I fit in. Thanks to the entire Team Honda HRC and GEICO Honda crews for allowing this to happen, and to Kenny for letting me borrow his bike for the summer. I’m beyond grateful.”
“We’re really excited to have Christian riding for us in the AMA Pro Motocross series,” said Team Honda HRC manager Dan Betley. “He’s shown notable speed in the 450 class in previous years, and I think he has the potential to deliver solid results. GEICO Honda is our extended family; we have a great relationship, so we appreciate them allowing us to have Christian for the season.”
The Shop
This made my day, seriously, I am grinning ear to ear. I cant think of a better person to fill in other than Mookie.
Craig will be so good on a 450 outdoors. He has style for days and he is on HONDA baby!
If they would have put Noren on that bike I would have been super disappointed. Nothing against Noren.
...I mean I guess...
Christian Craig has eight top ten 450 MX finishes in 23 starts.
Christian also has seven top ten 250 MX finishes in 12 starts, three of which are top five.
I like Freddy, but it's not a bad choice for HRC Honda to bring up Christian, he's done very well on a 450 outdoors...
Jeremy Martin
Chase Sexton
Cameron McAdoo
RJ Hampshire (may miss the first few rounds)
Running five guys outdoors is a pain in the butt for a 250 team. Also, Jimmy's only been inside the top 20 overall at 11 nationals of the 30 he has attempted...with his best being 16th overall at his home race in Southwick. Last year on a Geico Honda, he only managed two 19th overalls and a 21st overall in the three rounds he did...
If they need another person on the bike, I could see them trying out someone else to evaluate bringing that person on to the team in the future.
Pit Row
I'd be curious to see the top 5 and top 15 finish comparisons.
I certainly agree that they are probably fairly equal on paper if you are HRC. I feel if you are going to pick a guy with a ride already, then maybe his ride should get filled. This basically equates to one less factory bike on the track this summer.
Seriously, I like Freddy but he's not on the same level as Christian. Freddy is that guy everyone wants to see do really well but honestly he is a 14th-20th place finisher in this field. Christian will probably be a consistent 7th-12th place finisher.
Tomac, Dungey, Musquin, Anderson, Webb, Baggett, Canard, Brayton, Millsaps, Grant, Seely, Wilson, Bogle, Tickle and Barcia. He's not beating any of those guys without them having issues. Freddy is in the next group of guys, somewhere outside the top 15. Typically every race there's a few guys who have issues so I would say on average Freddy would finish 14th to 20th.
No, i would like to see Freddy on a stock 450 beat these half-ass factory riders, and im sure i will.
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