RJ Says: Defending a Supercross Championship and season review

After watching the first three supercross races of the 2011 season, I'll share with you what I see at this point.

Two riders that have really impressed me so far are Ryan Villopoto and Trey Canard. Looking at their fitness, their riding technique, their ability to get thru traffic on the race track, both are far beyond what I thought they would be.

I knew Ryan would be fast. But when a rider has been away from racing for a while, as he has, sometimes it takes a while to knock off the rust. Ryan has looked great after his heat races - obviously the training with Aldon Baker has helped him a lot. I can see his fitness, how much he is sweating, and his ability to retain his breath and breathing after both his heats and main events. It's visible that Ryan has leaned down together with Aldon, and he's in awesome condition.

I thought it would take Trey Canard at least half a season in the premiere Supercross class to where he was really comfortable. As I watch Trey in these first three races, there are certain section of the different tracks where he is faster than either Villopoto or James Stewart. Once Trey puts together the whole track, and an entire 20 laps like that - look for him to win some races this year.

Joël Robert Ken Roczen Stephane Roncada Gerard Rond Jean Sebastien Roy Alex Salvini Donny Schmit Fritz Schneider

Behind the scenes: Team USA for 2010 Motocross of Nations - together for the first time

I was back out at Pala Raceway for something very special. I had already been there for four days for the Finale of the 2010 AMA MX season and the Awards Banquet.

But, as I mentioned, this was something special - the first official get together of Team USA for the 2010 Motocross of Nations. Team Manager Roger De Coster, racers Ryan Dungey, Andrew Short, Trey Canard, and all the support staff needed for an effort like this.


Ryan Dungey, Roger De Coster, Trey Canard, Andrew Short and Mitch Payton

I felt very privileged to be invited to such an event. I soon came to realize that the most unique and moving part of the day was seeing the look of real happiness, the feeling of true honor, and the comraderie for each person involved, as 'The Team' came together for the first time. It was contagious. They seem to be a real 'team' already, working together well, and have great things to say about each other. Again, it was contagious!

Broc Hepler Rob Herring George Holland Jeremy van Horebeek Kent Howerton Neil Hudson Ryan Hughes Georges Jobe

Travis Pastrani engaged

Daredevil motocross rider Travis Pastrana performed his best trick yet last weekend ? he pulled a ring out of his pocket. The star of MTV’s Nitro Circus proposed to longtime girlfriend Lyn-Z Adams Hawkins in Las Vegas during an exhibition Nitro Circus Star Travis Pastrana Is Engaged Travis Pastrana Proposes to Girlfriend at Nitro Circus [...]

Jonathan Barragan Andrea Bartolini Willy Bauer Jean Michel Bayle Pit Beirer Christian Beggi Mike Bell John van den Berk

WMX Rider Insight: Sayaka Kaneshiro

At the 13th annual 'A Day in the Dirt' I got a chance to talk with Sayaka "Teriyaki Sauce" Kaneshiro, WMX Pro #15

How was your racing today?

It was good, I thought we had a practice first, I went out and it was actually a race. I was just racing and riding around, I felt like ... WOW!


Photo by Heather Majcherek

What did you think of the event overall?

It was to difficult racing for me, because I didn't ride my pace. I rode about 6th place, less than I wanted to. I got the same number as last year, I just tried to do my best.

Jorgen Nilsson Graham Noyce Carl Nunn Johnny O Mara Zach Osborne Trampas Parker Travis Pastrana Gautier Paulin