MXA’S WEEKEND NEWS ROUND-UP: GOOD FOR KENNY, BAD FOR THE FANS

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ARE RUNAWAY WINS A GOOD THING? IT DEPENDS WHO’S DOING IT

Jeremy-Mcgrath-Anaheim-1-2000_0002Jeremy McGrath could do no wrong in the eyes of the fans.

Supercross has almost always been populated by one dominant rider after another. Bob Hannah won three straight titles (1977-1979). Jeff Stanton won the Championship in 1989, 1990 and 1992. Jeremy McGrath was the title holder in 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2000. SuperMac was followed by Ricky Carmichael in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005 and 2006. Ryan Villopoto took the crown for four straight years (2011-2014) and Ryan Dungey won in 2010, 2015 and 2016. There were four two-time Champions—starting with Jeff Ward (1985 and 1987), Ricky Johnson (1986 and 1988), Chad Reed (2004 and 2008) and James Stewart (2007 and 2009). In fact only 9 riders won single Supercross titles.— they were Pierre Karsmakers, Jimmy Ellis, Jimmy Weinert, Mike Bell, Mark Barnett, Donnie Hansen, David Bailey, Jean-Michel Bayle and Jeff Emig.

Sometimes a win streak captures the fascination of the fans and they root for the current champ to keep right on winning. The most notable of these fan favorite champions was Jeremy McGrath. Jeremy won 7 Supercross Championships and 72 individual races. He was a polite, friendly, outgoing rider who had a zest for life that the fans picked up on. So they wanted him to win. Ricky Carmichael started out as a fan favorite during his five Championship, but some minor incidents, one with Travis Pastrana in particular, and his get-out-of-jail-for-free escape from Fuel-Gate that saw other riders severely penalized for the exact same offense, made him more reclusive as he got older. Jeff Stanton won three Supercross Championships, but never built much of a fan following—largely because he never said anything during his racing career.

And sometimes, the fans hate a win streak. They want to see racing, and when you are paying 2017’s exorbitant ticket prices you don’t like it when the races turn into a Shriner’s Parade. In these cases, they often turn their venom towards the rider who is winning—and start rooting against him. Just ask Ricky Carmichael about the pain of being booed for doing your job better than anyone else.

a1-pits-6657Kenny, Ken, K-Roc.

Ken Roczen’s domination at Anaheim 1, on the heels of his rout of the 2016 AMA 450 Nationals, brings the subject of win streaks to the forefront. The last time there was a one-time Supercross Champion was 20 years ago. In the ensuing 20 years since Jeff Emig’s 1997 victory, all the titles were won by 6 riders. So, there is a statistical possibility that Ken will be a multi-time Supercross Champion. And, if he is, will he be immensely popular like Jeremy McGrath or greeted with admiration for his skill, but yawns for his personality — which is sparkling but egotistically over the top? Time will tell  if he’s a one-timer or a potential eight-timer.

As for Anaheim 1, many fans left the stadium bored by the runaway nature of a track that didn’t challenge the riders enough to separate the great from the simply good. In fact, after timed qualifying a team mechanic looked at the jam-packed time sheet, with 7 riders on the same second, and said, “Whoever gets the holeshot will win every race tonight.” Guess what? They did.

FOREIGN RIDERS WHO MADE THE MAINS AT ANAHEIM

a1-pits-6635Cha Reed’s start to the 2017 was less than stellar, but it was through no fault of his own. He is always at his best in Saan Diego.

These are the top foreign riders who made the main events at Anaheim Stadium last Saturday. Although Australian Chad Reed is officially an American citizen, and Dean Wilson can’t make up his mind where he’s from (Scotland, Canada or England), the foreign riders acquitted themselves well with Roczen and Musquin on the 450 podium and Martin Davalos third in the 250 West

TOP FOREIGN RIDERS IN THE 450 CLASS
Ken Roczen (Germany)………………1st
Marvin Musquin (France)…………..2rd
Dean Wilson (Scotland)……………..13th
Chad Reed (Australia)……………….20th

TOP FOREIGN RIDERS IN THE 250 WEST
Martin Davalos (Ecuador)………….3rd
Dan Reardon (Australia)……………7th
Killian Auberson (Switzerland)….15th
Hayden Mellross (Australia)………21st

2017 SUPERCROSS WINNERS AT A GLANCE

a1-winners-9326Troy Lee Design KTM rider Shane McElrath won his first-ever AMA Pro race at Anaheim 1.

Date           Venue                                450                       250
Jan. 7……..Anaheim, CA………….Ken Roczen…….Shane McElrath
Jan. 14……San Diego, CA
Jan. 21……Anaheim, CA
Jan. 28……Glendale, AZ
Feb. 4………Oakland, CA
Feb. 11……..Arlington, TX
Feb. 18……..Minneapolis, MN
Feb. 25……..Atlanta, GA
Mar. 4……….Toronto, ON
Mar. 11………Daytona, FL
Mar. 18………Indianapolis, IN
Mar. 25………Detroit, MI
Apr. 1………….St. Louis, MO
Apr. 8…………Seattle, WA
Apr 22………..Salt Lake City, UT
450 Points leader...Ken Roczen (H0n)
250 West points leader…Shane McElrath  (KTM)

SATURDAY NIGHT’S SAN DIEGO TRACK MAP

sandiegosupercross

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MXA PHOTO SEQUENCE OF THE  WEEK

debcrash1tallShot by Debbi Tamietti at Glen Helen’s “Day After the Night Before” race on Sunday after Saturday nbight Anaheim Supercross. This Talladega first turn crash was started with North Carolina’s Dean Sarver ran into the back of Jon Ortner (10). This sent Ortner careening up the hill and Sarver’s buddy Scott Highland (39) zeroing in on the fallen rider.

debcrash2tallBut Highland’s number 39 Suzuki gets hit by the KTM below him (63) , which enables him to miss ramming his buddy. As Highland lays his Suzuki down, the KTM hits the fallen bike in the rear wheel.

debcrash3tallIn this frame the KTM rider is catapulted into the air, Scott Highland’s Suzuki is sliding towards the fallen Honda and Jon Ortner (top) is thrown over the bars.

debcrash4tallThe Honda without numbers on it centerpunches the fallen KTM, while Dan Alamangos (24) runs over the legs of the KTM rider. Meanwhile, Jon Ortner (10) hits the deck. When it was all sorted out, Dean Sarver suffered a broken collarbone and six broken ribs. Everyone else restarted after the red flag.

A1 FLASHBACK: WESTON PEICK THROWING PUNCHES A YEAR AGO

MXA’S AD OF THE WEEK: IF THIS WEEK WAS 30 YEAR AGO

1986huskyautonewThe 1986 Husqvarna 430 Auto was the last year that Husky produced its creative automatic transmission enduro bike. Raced to great effect by Terry Cunningham and Bob Popiel in offroad racing, the only notable Husky Auto motocross racers were Bo Edberg in the 1982 500 GPs and Arlo Englund in the early 1970s.

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SAN DIEGO SUPERCROSS ON FOX SPORTS 1 ON SATURDAY

tvschedulesandiego2017Check you local listing for times in your region.

BIRTHDAYS OF THE STARS:

mikekiedrowski
Jan. 13…Mike Kiedrowski 1969

Jan. 13…Pauls Jonass 1997
Jan. 14…Rob Salcedo
DSC_0693_Brian Converse_MArtin Davalos_Muddy Creek_2016
Jan. 15…Martin Davalos 1987

Jan. 15…Alessandro Lupino 1991
Hakan_Carlqvist
Jan. 15…Hakan Carlqvist 1954

Jan. 15…Austin Squires 1973
Jan. 15…Brent van Donink 1996
Jan. 16…Ryan Mills 1986
Gooddavebickers
Jan. 17…Dave Bickers 1938

Jan. 17…Loic Larrieu 1991

SCHMIT22
Jan. 17…Donny Schmit 1967

Jan. 18…Mike LaRocco Sr.

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CLASSIC MXA TEST RIDER CRASHES

garyclarkjonessuperbowlThis is a two-for-one MXA test rider crash. Ammex’s Gary Jones (right) and brother-in-law Clark Jones (41) are captured together at the 1982 Superbowl of Motocross. Well, Gary is captured along with Clark’s Pro Circuit Husqvarna. If you remember last week’s “Rumors & Gossip” column, Clark was shown endoing a Mugen 360 on the cover of MXA.

DAKAR UPDATE: RICKY BRABEC WINS STAGE 7

rickybrabechrcrallyAmerican Ricky Brabex won Stage 7 of the 2017 Dakar Rally. It was Brabec’s first-ever stage win.

DAKAR STANDINGS (AFTER STAGE ONE)
1. Xavier De Soultrait…Yamaha….00:28:20
2. Juan Perdo Garcia….Sherco…00:28:22
3. Ricky Brabec…Honda…00:28:3

DAKAR STANDINGS (AFTER STAGE TWO)
1. Toby Price…KTM…02:37:32
2. Matthias Walkner…KTM…02:40:54
3. Paulo Goncalves…Honda…02:41:23

DAKAR STANDINGS (AFTER STAGE THREE)
1. Joan Barreda…Honda…7:36’30
2. Sam Sunderland…KTM…+10m20s
3. Paulo Goncalves…Honda…+13m42s

REVISED DAKAR STANDINGS (AFTER STAGE 4)
1. Pablo Quintanilla…Husqvarna…12:54:02
2. Matthias Walkner…KTM…+2m07s
3. Stefan Svitko…KTM…+5m52s

DAKAR STANDINGS (AFTER STAGE 5)
1. Sam Sunderland…KTM…15h22m05s
2. Pablo Quintanilla…Husqvarna…+12m00s
3. Adrian van Beveren…Yamaha…+16m07s

DAKAR STANDINGS (AFTER STAGE 6)
Stage 6 was canceled due to inclement weather

DAKAR STANDINGS (AFTER STAGE 7)
1. Sam Sunderland…KTM…17h28m53s
2. Pablo Quintanilla…Hus…+ 17m45s
3. Adrien Van Beveren…Yamaha…+ 22m10s

DAKAR STANDINGS (AFTER STAGE 8)
1. Sam Sunderland…KTM…22h01m08s
2. Pablo Quintanilla…Hus…+ 20m49s
3. Adrien Van Beveren…Yamaha…+ 28m49s

DAKAR STANDINGS (AFTER STAGE 9)
Stage 9 was canceled due to landslide

DAKAR STANDINGS (AFTER STAGE 10)
1. Sam Sunderland….Honda…28:07.59
2. Matthias Walkner…KTM… + 30m01s
3. Gerard Farres Guell …KTM… + 38m43s

THE LIFE OF AN MXA TEST RIDER

dancrfmufflerWhen the right muffler of MXA’s 2017 Honda CRF450 was damaged in a crash, the test rider apologized and said that he was sorry, even though it wasn’t his fault. Always unflappable Jody Weisel told him, “Don’t worry, it has two mufflers, so it’s still good to go.”

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HOW TO SUBSCRIBE & GET MXA FOR FREE: ACTUALLY, WE PAY YOU

febmxa2017coverInterested in getting a new bike this year? The Febuary 2017 issue of MXA is on the news stands now and includes the long-awaited 2017 MXA 450 Shootout. You should be reading MXA, and if you subscribe now you get a $25 gift certificate from Rocky Mountain ATV/MC which more than pays for your subscription.

Do you subscribe to MXA? You should. We know that you think that print magazines are dead and that the internet will fill the void, but most of the stuff in the current issue of MXA won’t appear on the web for several months, if at all. Luckily, you can get all of MXA on your iPhone, iPad, Kindle or Android by going to the Apple Store, Amazon or Google Play. Better yet get the Digital desktop version at https://hi-torque.com/product/motocross-action-digital-edition/ for $9.99 a year.

The MXA test riders prefer the print version and not just because it is delivered by a uniformed employee of the U.S. Government, but because right now you can get 12 issues for $15.95 and a free $25 Gift Card from Rocky Mountain ATV/MC. That means that there is a profit to be made in this deal for you. For the Print magazine go to: https://hi-torque.com/product/motocross-action/

MXA MOTO-PHOTO: THE WAY WE DRESSED IN 1973

joelrobertlevisLet’s start at this rider’s feet. He’s wearing all-leather Sidi boots with his socks rolled over the top. His pants are 100% goat skin. His gloves have rubber strips on them to protect his knuckles. His chest protector is a Hallman GP. His helmet is an open face Bell with  duct tape on the visor. Can you name him? The answer is at the bottom of the page.

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HOW IS YOUR TWITTER GAME GOING? UP IT BY FOLLOWING MXA

mxactiontwitter1Follow us to see fresh content every day at www.twitter.com/MXAction or on twitter at “MXAction”

SPECIAL EVENTS YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS

adelantogp2017poster1For more info go to www.adelantogp.com

husqvarnaworldchampionshipThis news probably doesn’t effect you unless you own a Husqvarna (and we aren’t talking about just vintage Huskys, but new ones, old ones and pitiful ones. The race will be held at SoCal’s Cahuilla Creek track on March 5-6.

worldtwostroke2017Just in case you need a little extra time to get your trusty, but rusty, two-stroke ready to race, the 2017 MTA World Two-Stroke Championship is a little over three months away. It will be held on Saturday, April 15, 2017, at Glen Helen Raceway.

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2017 MOTOCROSS SCHEDULES: WHERE TO BE & WHEN TO BE THERE

a1-aftermath-0601
2017 AMA SUPERCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP

Jan. 7…………………………Anaheim, CA
Jan. 14………………………San Diego, CA
Jan. 21………………………Anaheim, CA
Jan. 28………………………Glendale, AZ
Feb. 4……………………….Oakland, CA
Feb. 11………………………Arlington, TX
Feb. 18………………………Minneapolis, MN
Feb. 25………………………Atlanta, GA
Mar. 4………………………Toronto, ON
Mar. 11………………………Daytona, FL
Mar. 18………………………Indianapolis, IN
Mar. 25………………………Detroit, MI
Apr. 1…………………………St. Louis, MO
Apr. 8………………………..Seattle, WA
Apr 22……………………….Salt Lake City, UT

2017 AMA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
May 20……………………Hangtown, CA
May 27.…………………..Glen Helen, CA
June 3..………………….Thunder Valley, CO
June 17..…………………Mt Morris, PA
June 24.………………….Muddy Creek, TN
July 1.…………………….Red Bud, MI
July 8..……………………Southwick, MA​
July 22.…………………..Millville, MN​
July 29.…………………..Washougal, WA
Aug. 12..………………….Unadilla, NY​
Aug. 19..………………….Budds Creek, MD​
Aug. 26.…………………..Crawfordsville, IN

2017 FIM MOTOCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Feb. 25…………………….Qatar (Saturday)
Mar. 5………………………Indonesia
Mar. 19…………………….Argentina
Apr. 2………………………Mexico
Apr. 16……………………..Italy
Apr. 23…………………….Holland
May 7………………………Latvia
May 21…………………….Germany
May 28…………………….France
June 11…………………….Russia
June 25……………………Italy
July 2……………………….Portugal
July 9……………………….San Marino (Cancelled)
July 23……………………..Czech Republic
Aug. 6……………………..Belgium
Aug. 13…………………….Switzerland
Aug. 20…………………….Sweden
Sept. 3………………………USA (Monday)
Sept. 10……………………Holland
Sept. 17…………………….France

2017 MOTOCROSS DES NATIONS
October 1…………………..Matterley Basin, Great Britain

2017 SMX RIDERS & MANUFACTURERS CUP
October 7………………….Gelsenkirchen, Germany

2017 AMSOIL ARENACROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
Jan. 7-8…………………….Cincinnati, OH
Jan. 13-15…………………Grand Rapids, MI
Jan. 20-22…………………Baltimore, MD
Jan. 28-29…………………Nashville, TN.
Feb. 4-5…………………….Louisville, KY
Feb. 18-19…………………Kansas City, MO
Feb.y 25-26……………….Tampa, FL
Mar. 3-5…………………….Southaven, MS
Mar. 11-12…………………New Orleans, LA
Mar. 18-19…………………Portland, OR
Mar. 24-26…………………Reno, NV
April 1-2…………………….Sacramento, CA
April 21-23…………………Denver, CO
May 5-7…………………….Las Vegas, NV

2017 WORLD OFF ROAD CHAMPIONSHIP (WORCS)
Jan. 6-8…………………….Taft, CA
Jan. 27-29…………………Primm, NV
Feb. 17-19………………….TBA
Mar. 10-12…………………Lake Havasu, AZ
Apr. 1-2…………………….Las Vegas, NV
Apr. 21-23…………………Hurricane, UT
May. 19-21…………………Cedar City, UT
Jun. 9-11…………………..Adelanto, CA
Sept. 8-10…………………Glen Helen, CA
Oct 13-15…………………..TBA

2017 ITALIAN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Jan. 29…………..………..Riola Sardo
Feb. 5………………………Malagrotta
Feb.12………………..……Ottobiano

2017 MAXXIS BRITISH NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Mar. 12……………………Culham
Apr. 9………………………Lyng
Apr. 30…………………….Canada Heights
May 14……………………Hawkstone Park
June 18……………………Desertmartin
July 16…………………….Blaxhall
July 30…………………….Preston Docks
Aug 27……………………..Foxhill

2017 BELGIAN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Mar. 12……………………Moerbeke-Waas
Mar. 26……………………Kruishoutem
Apr. 2……………………..Genk
Apr 10…………………….Mons
Apr. 18……………………Axel
Apr. 30……………………Wuustwezel
June 11…………………..Comines
June 18………………….Genk
July 22……………………Axel
July 23…………………..Hasselt
July 30…………………..Gooik
Aug. 15…………………..Balen
Aug. 20………………….Wachtebeke
Aug. 27………………….Orp le Grand

2017 CANADIAN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
June 4……………………Whispering Pines, BC
June 11………………….Blackwater, BC
June 18………………….Wild Rose, AB
June 25………………….Moto Valley, SK
July 9…………………….Gopher Dunes, ON
July 16…………………..Ulverton, QC
July 23…………………..Pleasant Valley, NS
July 30…………………..Riverglade, NB
Aug. 6…………………….Deschambault, QC
Aug. 13………………….RJ Motosport, ON

2017 DUTCH NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Mar. 26…………………..Oss
Apr. 9th…………………..Harfsen
May 14……………………Emmen
July15-16t………………..Lichtenvoorde

2017 ADAC GERMAN MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIP
Apr. 9……………………….Muhlberg
Apr. 30…………………….Jauer
May 14…………………….Molln
June 18……………………Bielstein
July 16…………………….Tensfeld
Aug. 27……………………Gaildorf
Sept. 24…………………..Holzgerlingen

2017 AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
April 1-2…………………..Wonthaggi, Victoria
April 23…………………..Appin, New South Wales
May 7……………………..Connondale, Queensland
May 21……………………Horsham, Victoria
May 28……………………Murray Bridge, South Australia
July 2……………………..Nowra, New South Wales
July 16……………………Shepparton, Victoria
July 30……………………Port Macquarie, New South Wales
Aug. 13…………………..Toowooba, Queensland
Aug. 19-20………………Coolum, Queensland

2017 AUSTRALIAN SUPERCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
Sept. 9…………………..Queensland
Sept. 23…………………Queensland
Oct. 14…………………..TBA
Oct. 26…………………..South Australia
Nov. 4…………………….Victoria
Nov. 11-12……………..New South Wales

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Photos: Brian Converse, Daryl Ecklund, Massimo Zanzani, Debbi Tamietti, MXA, KTM, Honda.

ANSWER: Joel Robert won six FIM 250 World Championship.

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