News Blog

Wow. After 18 weekends in ’08 (with one weekend off for Easter), there’s finally a two-week break before the Nationals. That’s something the teams had been pushing for with the AMA Toyota Motocross Championship for quite a while, and they finally got it. But that doesn’t mean that things are quiet on the tracks of So. Cal., no way. Especially at Glen Helen, where they’re already tooling up for the start of the National season on May 25th.

Nico Izzi. Click for a larger image.

Speaking of that, have you had a chance to check out the new NPG MX Nationals web site, www.mxnationals.com?

While there’s actually weekend off (which mothers everywhere will appreciate), we stopped by Glen Helen yesterday to check out how the teams are prepping for the ’08 outdoor season. Honda reportedly had the track rented for a couple days earlier this week for a private session. But on Thursday, it was wide open.

Austin Stroupe. Click for a larger image.

Yamaha Factory Racing’s Grant Langston was hanging out, watching everyone prep for the ’08 season with a thick padding of gauze over his right shoulder. He now has matching scars over his collarbones, having had both of them surgically repaired in the last year. He seemed most bummed with the idea that his National Motocross title defense was over before it started. But at least he got the souvenir video…Sean Hamblin videotaped the surgery for him.

Speaking of Hamy, he’ll be on a 450 for the outdoor season, on a Yamaha with help from Tuf.

Broc Hepler was also out there, working on dialing in his YZ450F, after a decision to switch to the big-bore class after Las Vegas. You can check out that shot here.

Josh Hill was also getting dialed, and was having fun in at least one section of the track. For a minute here, we thought he was channeling Stefan Everts. This outfit wasn’t as fashionable as what he was equipped with at the Supercross Awards Banquet (which was all picked up in a mall in Vegas), but we do like the riding style.

We also liked the aluminum tank on Hill’s bike, and the plug in for a…headlight? Turn signal? Two-way radio? MP3 player? We’re not sure.

Josh Hill's YZ450F. Click for a larger image.

The Boost Mobile Yamaha of Troy guys were also working on their setups, and it looked like they were trying out a bunch of different bends of Easton EXP handlebars, clamps, and other goodies.

Checking out new Easton hardware with the YOT guys. Click for a larger image.

Alpinestars has a truck in attendance, and had outfitted two of the Rockstar Makita Suzuki riders (David Vuillemin and Michael Byrne) with their neck brace. We hadn’t seen DV wear any neck protection in the past so that was a bit unusual. It was also cool to see Michael Byrne back on the track after he’d missed the entire Supercross season with an ACL/MCL rebuild. He’s been back on the bike for about three weeks, working his way back up to speed, and…yep, still thinking twice about dabbing a left foot in the corners.

David Vuillemin. Click for a larger image.

Michael Byrne. Click for a larger image.

Some of the shots above are available in a full wallpaper size, and there are even more available in the photo gallery. Click the following link to check out more Glen Helen practice.