MXA Mid-Week Report: DeCoster Speaks, Des Nations Riders & Meet Jarred Jet Browne, Dungey Signs With Who?!

On Sep 24, 2008

MOTOCROSS ACTION MID-WEEK REPORT

By: Zap

FIRST LOOK: Tim Ferry’s des Nations Gear

PRESS RELEASE: EVS Teams With Team KTM

KTM, the company that’s Ready to Race and EVS, the Original Protective Gear Company, have teamed up to bring our riders some authentic, KTM inspired EVS gear. With the coined orange and black color scheme, EVS has given two of its greatest products a facelift and handed them off to KTM.ÿThe WEB knee brace, one of the industry’s leading products, is now a KTM original and featured in its 2009 PowerWear Catalog. The WEB, which features a newly designed TM5 hinging system, is a sure winner both on and off the track.ÿ It provides ultimate protection and stability without limiting mobility.ÿIn addition, the BJ22, part of EVS Ballistic Jersey line, is also in the product lineup for KTM’s lightweight, cool ballistic fabric with mesh stretch panels ensure a superior fit. With an easy to adjust double-closure kidney belt, the BJ22 is the ultimate all-in-one piece of upper body protection. These two products have been made exclusively for KTM by EVS.ÿFor more info, Click Here.

MXA MINI-VIEW: Roger DeCoster

When we first arrived at Glen Helen we saw some guy in a funny hat waving to us from the Suzuki truck. Xakota asked if the factory team had brought out a gardner for the day. No, it was just Roger DeCoster who was opting to wear some very unfamiliar head gear.ÿThe Suzuki pit was full of activity as a gang of engineers swarmed over Chad Reed’s bike. We sat down with “The Man” for just a few minutes before Chad Reed rodeÿoff withÿsome new suspension settings.

ÿ
The hat: We’ve been out testing just about everyday so I figured I better start wearing a hat. This is my tennis hat when I go and watch my son Mika play.

Mike Alessi: His surgery was delayed until this week. He was going to go in the day after he was injured, but he had a fever and they won’t do anything if the patient has a fever. The initial estimate fo him being off the bike was four months. I don’t think he’ll be racing at Anaheim, but we have to wait and see.

Chad Reed: He’s really, really good on the Supercross track. He’s been going out three times a week on the Suzuki track and I’m impressed with how hard he is working. He knows what he wants and that’s helpful for the team. He’s seems to be happy.

Ryan Dungey:ÿHe’s at the Suzuki track today and things are going good. He’ll be racing the west coast 250 class and when that series is over he’ll start doing some races on the 450. For outdoors he’ll stay on the 250.

2009 Supercross: Yeah, I hear they want to let less restrictions on the 250 and 450 guys being in the same race on the different size bikes.ÿ That might make it easier for some of the guys from the opposite coast to get in, but it won’t change who wins. I guess it could be a safety issue having 450 guys setting up on jumps they can jump with 250 guys who might not try a big jump, but of they keep it to the best guys out there it should be fine.

Motocross des Nations:ÿThe American team should get two good rides each out of Stewart and Villopoto and I’m pretty sure Ferry can get at least one good moto in. It’s always a race and things happen so you never know for sure. I’d say the Australians also look good and the Belgians are always in there.

Up & Comers:ÿEven though he had his share of problems, Nico Izzi did good for his first year on the circuit. Even though he has had problems with his fitness he has shown good signs of speed. If he does what he’s says he’ll do over the winter with his fitness and starts hanging out with good people instead of the losers, he should work out.

PRO-CIRCUIT PRICE CORRECTION:

Two weeks ago we showed the Pro-Circuit new factory Showa kit for the KTM. The actual price for is $6750. In the time since then we’ve seen Pro Circuit still testing the orange bike parts with Chris Gosselaar. Bones said they’ve already found even better settings and that we can expect our own set to start testing soon – sweet! For more info, Click Here.

QUOTE: “As far as I know he is still a contracted Kawsaki rider.” Yamaha Team Manager Jim Perry when asked if James Stewart will be on a Yamaha at the U.S. Open…if he does race, he’ll be wearing Fox.

PRESS RELEASE: Cycra Hoodie

Plenty of style, plenty of camo. Get your Cycra hoodie in five sizes for $60.ÿÿFor more infio, Click Here.

JUST A NORMAL DAY AT GLEN HELEN

Michael Byrne: “I’m confident with the Australian team at des Nations. We’ve all been riding a lot andÿwe’re healthy. I just hope it doesn’t rain. You know, because there’s rain and then there’s the type of rain they get in England – that won’t be any fun!”

Team Motosport/Xtreme team manager Bill Keefe points out some lines and track conditions to their new Pro class prospect Hunter Hewitt. The 2009 Motosport/Xtreme team is coming together with Hunter, P.J. Larsen, Tommy Hahn and Kyle Cunningham.

Brett Metcalfe: “Right now I’m just getting ready for the MX des Nations…I really don’t want to talk about any team stuff until after the race. I think the Australian team has a really good chance to crack the podium. As for the U.S. Open, I’m not sure right now. Like I said, I just wanted to focus on des Nations.”

Jake Weimer: “I just got the bike this week. I think this is the third time I’ve ridden it and I have to say it’s amazing. For sure the frame feels more forgiving on the KX and it corners better. I’m not sure if that’s a KX or Pro Circuit thing, but I noticed it a lot. The change to a new bike and team is big, but it isn’t all that difficult. There is a a lot of excitement about everything when you make a change like this.ÿRight now I plan to work on my conditioning and get ready for the Supercross season.”

QUOTE: “Yeah, I’d say we were really surprised, but try-outs, no not this time. We’re just gonna pick somebody and go with it.” Mitch Payton on losing Brett Metcalfe and finding a replacement.”

MXA RUMOR MONGERING: It sounds like former Yamaha of Troy rider Ryan Morais may be the guy that Pro Circuit is going to run with to take Metcalfe’s place. Inÿfashion news, we’ve heard that despite a late hour, high (as in very high) dollar offer from Fox, Ryan Dungey has indeed signed a new deal with One Industries for gear and helmet. Addionally,ÿthere’s word that Fox might beÿreplacing Troy Lee Designs as the gear sponsor for the Joe Gibbs team.

MXA MINI-VIEW: Jarred Jet Browne

Twenty year old Jarred Jet Browne has been on aÿmotocross roller coaster the last few years. We first ran into him at the Hangtown National where he barely arrived due to a wild story of car trouble. Since then Jarred has suffered from injuries and sickness, but he’s kept his head up with the sort of assurance of “making it” that helps define those who ultimately do and those who don’t.ÿ

MXA: What’s your racing background?

Jarred: “I’ve been racing since I was six years old. I’d say 2005 was my best year ever when I won two classes at Mammoth and two classes at Ponca City. That was my first year on the Suzuki factory amateur squad so I was full of confidence and I got a lot of good starts. The best thing that happened to me in 2006 was beating Trey Canard at the Mini O’s in Florida. Right around the same time I hurt my knee but kept riding. In March of 2007 I blew out my left ACL so I ended up having surgery on both knees. I missed out on the rest of the season and it was really hard to be off the bike for that long.

MXA: How would you describe your season so far?

Jarred: It’s been tough. I broke my back at Red Bud, but got a got top ten at High Point. Then I got sick and missed Colorado. I tried to race at Southwick, but it just didn’t work out. It’s hard because I think I can do the job, there’s just been a lot of hurdles.

MXA: What was the highlight of 2008?

Jarred: The Glen Helen National this year was my first race since 2007. In the first moto I got up to 17th, but ran out of gas on the last lap. I pushed my bike in and ended up 26th overall. For the second moto we heated up my gas tank and used a hammer to massage it a bit and get some more capacity. I finished 13th in the second moto for 16th overall which made me pretty happy considering how long I’d been off.

MXA: What are your plans for the coming season?

Jarred: I don’t have any deal yet for 2009. Just in case a Lites team needs a rider I’ve been riding my 250 more often than my 450. I called Mitch at Pro Circuitÿand he said he heep me in mind, but I also just got a call from a team the other day so I’m hoping something comes together. If not I’ll be racing the west coast rounds regardless. I think I have the speed and dedication to do well so I all I can do is keep trying.”

MXA: Who are your current sponsors?

Jarred: Suzuki, Answer, One Ind, Pro Taper, Dragon, Vance & Hines, West Coast Motorsports, Schmidt Performance

MXA FIVE STAR RATINGÿFOR THESE GUYS????

Remember Justin (l) and Branden from Loudmouth MX? They came out to Glen Helen a few months ago and started pestering the MXA crew with a new air filter system thatÿJustin hadÿdesigned. Though the Loudmouth system was head slapping simple in concept, it delivered the goods andÿlo & behold the brothers were able to walk away with a highly covted five star rating in theÿNovemberÿissueÿof Motocross Action. What made the filter so good? Better check out the latestÿissue yourself to find out. For more Loudmouth info,ÿClick Here.

SPEAKING OF TESTING…

Last weekÿat REM marked the first weekendÿfor the CRF450 to begin its MXAÿtesting schedule. In one day the much ballyhooed bike endured at least six different motos with riders switching back and forth between the 2008 and 2009 bike for comparison purposes.ÿHere MXA’s John Minert and the ’09 chases down MXA’s Willy Musgraveÿon the ’08. Look for the test in the December issue of MXA.

BY THE WAYÿ

Flattrack racing is still one of the coolest sports in the world.ÿ