Justin where are we at and what’s going on today?

Justin Bogle – Out at Comp Edge gettin some riding in, some motos. Not really testing today, we got that all figured out the last few weeks. So just kinda finalizing everything, putting in time trying to prepare for Hangtown.

What’s the game plan now that you’ve had almost a full season going into outdoors?

Well i’m not a rookie anymore, the way I look at it is I’ve raced outdoors before so I have some experience there and I did pretty decent last year at the end. So looking to come in and shoot for podiums and top fives. I’ve been putting the work in, got some good people helping me out so I think I can do it.

How many tracks have you rode on in the AMA Outdoor National series, even on Amateur days or whatever?

Other than the last four I raced last year the only ones that I’ve ridden on would be, Freestone, I’ve raced Millville a couple times, and Redbud.

Do you believe not riding all the tracks before will be a steep learning curve coming in?

Not really, I like new tracks and it wasn’t that big of a deal last year. So I’m looking forward to it and it’s always exciting to do new tracks and stuff like that, so yeah I don’t think it will be that big of a deal.

As far as Redbud, how do you feel about Larocco’s Leap?

Larocco’s Leap was scary the first time I jumped it. But Wil actually dared me do some of those turn back things, I don’t even know what you call them I don’t know. But those whips an I was throwing them on Lorocco’s Leap and it was pretty sweet. So I like the jump, I just hope that it’s you know, not too deep and i can  actually jump it at the race.

Hangtown is a couple days away, what do you feel is a realistic goal going in and coming out of the race?

Um, you know my goal going in I don’t really have a set place, it’s hard to say. Haven’t ridden outdoors in, you know a year or so, so I mean, right off the bat I wanna be shooting for top fives and podiums. Think I can do it, been feeling good, so I know my teams ready, i know my bikes good so that should be a good goal.

Does it seem to help a little bit because you guys have Justin Barcia which already has a couple years under his belt for outdoors. Does that help you for settings, or do you have your own settings and you’re running your own way?

It’s having those guys for a good base setting I guess, but my stuff is pretty different than everyone else’s most of the time. So it takes me a little time to get my bike figured out but once I do, it’s a little bit different.

Thanks Justin for the time, see you at Hangtown.

See you there!

Its time. Time to head to what many call the great outdoors. Time to separate the men from the boys and the weak from the strong. Time to sweat it out in the hot summer sun and watch man and machine push the limit for 60+ minutes of moto. Outdoor season is upon us and we are going to take a look at some contenders going into Hangtown.

The series took a blow before it even started earlier this year with many major players getting injured. The latest being Villopoto. He is out for the summer and will take a much deserved breather this summer and will focus on healing his knee. But things weren’t going to be a snoozefest for long as leading into this year’s outdoor season the latest buzz is surrounding James Stewarts return to the series…and most importantly on a brand new machine. (Not uncommon for him to steal the internet and industry attention, and we won’t turn this into a Stewart article-but hey its major news!)  See Cody’s article we posted earlier this week about the news here: http://insidermx.com/2012/05/james-stewart-the-switch/ The real question that lingers here is does he have the old mojo somewhere in him from back in 2009 when he swept all 24 motos? Will he look rusty? Will he have sub par results and have everyone point fingers at him and not the machine? Oh to be James Stewart…it is all pure speculation until the gate drops. All speculation aside, he just poured about 20 shots of espresso into this season with this announcement. And for the most part the response seems very positive.

How will James Stewart fare in his return to outdoors this summer?

Photo Courtesy of Red Bull

Another big buzz going into the outdoors is Mike Alessi, coming hot off the heels of one of his best showings in Supercross in a long time. He is healthy, confident in bike setup, and loves outdoors. He also notoriously throws down fast laps at Hangtown. Will he surprise everyone with a win at round one? Well you will have to wait and watch.

Mike Alessi enters this summer on a bike he is comfortable with, and confidence coming off his best Supercross in a while. Look for the 800 to turn heads this summer.

Photo: Nicholas Cade

Obviously Ryan Dungey is primed and ready to go outside with his brand new KTM 450 and understandably so. He is rock solid outdoors, and showed year after year what solid consistency,raw speed, and always being there will get you. Championships, or one heck of a championship battle. The only wildcard is that this bike has never been raced outside and we have yet to see it compete on rough, nasty terrain. Will the steel frame be an advantage?

Ryan Dungey has already brought success to the KTM camp indoors, and hopes to show everyone what the new bike is capable of outside.

Photo: Mike Emery

Other notable players coming into this summer are obviously Davi Millsaps, Jake Weimer (who showed great speed at the end of 2011), Tyla Rattray (who recently inked a deal to fill in for the injured Villopoto at factory Kawasaki), Ryan Sipes who is making his 450 class debut, Kyle Regal who is filling Stewart’s newly opened up spot at the JGR truck. Brett Metcalfe always shines outdoors and maybe with a heavy hitter under the same tent he will be even more inclined to step up his game. How will Brayton fare outdoors on his factory Honda? And speaking of Honda will Andrew Short find his old holeshot ways again with 450 power underneath him?  Josh Grant has been riddled with injuries the past few outdoors seasons and is coming into Hangtown healthy and building. Will his luck finally turn around and allow him get some results? This list goes on and on. So much talent in this field, and you also have wildcards like Ryan Hughes who just announced he will be on the gate at Hangtown under the Rock River Yamaha tent. That is surely something to keep an eye on at round one.

Metcalfe looks to put the Supercross season behind him and focus on what he does best…outdoor nationals.

Photo: Mike Emery

Perhaps more amped up for round one is all of the young gun talent that is spewing from the gate in the 250 class. Obviously Dean Wilson has his last go at the 250 class outdoors and would love to repeat his championship. Barcia has one last chance to snag a 250 class title outdoors and you can surely bet he will be hanging it out to achieve that goal. You also have his teammate Eli Tomac who showed such great speed at the end of last years season after a less than stellar beginning, and rode phenomenal indoors this winter.  He has great momentum and looks very aggressive this year…an easy pick for a title contender.  Add to the team a rookie Justin Bogle, and a healed up Wil Hahn and Geico looks like they have a good chance at turning this summer into a red one.

These boys have quite a head of steam rolling into outdoors and we would be foolish not to consider both of them title contenders this summer.

Photo: Mike Emery

Last season it was all green, and Mitch Payton was all smiles. He nearly won every moto of the season and they did it with such authority. Will Blake Baggett show the same ridiculous speed he had earlier last season and keep it together long enough to win his first title? How about Darryn Durham who comes into this season in the most heralded teams rig after pitting out of a black van all last summer (sidenote: he is nursing some sort of shoulder injury so we may have to wait). The factory backing surely stepped his game up in Supercross, and it is unlikely it won’t do the same outdoors.

Blake Baggett showed everyone how much speed he had last year, and if he finds that same speed his competition should be worried.

Photo: Austin White

Lets talk about KTM. Two world champions under the same tent…need we say more? Roczen and Musquin have all the right to come into this summer confident and ready to attack some natural outdoor terrain and show the Americans how they can ride outside. Add to that the fact that Musquin’s season was cut short last year and he didn’t even have a chance to show us what he had (although coming from about dead last through nearly the whole pack at Hangtown last year was a pretty nice showing of speed). Roczen skipped out to go win his world title, and wants to rip some American soil.

After a disappointing injury for the World Champion Marvin Musquin last summer, he looks to come back and show everyone just how fast he can be outdoors.

Photo: Austin White

Team Rockstar Energy Suzuki has been going through their share of troubles the last few seasons and surely they want to solidify their position as contenders in this series. With the addition of Blake Wharton, and a re-energized Jason Anderson, they should have no problem getting up there and shaking up the results , turning it into a multi color battle for the podium.

These guys carry the torch for Suzuki’s 250 effort and hope to add some yellow to the podium this season.

Photo: Mike Emery

Will Dean Wilson be spraying champagne as much as last summer? Your reigning champ is obviously a favorite going into Hangtown.

Photo: Austin White

How about team Rockstar Yamaha with rookie Kyle Peters hoping to show off that speed he had coming from amateurs last year. Surely Kyle Cunningham wants to get in there and shake things up. Add in other riders like Malcom Stewart, Cole Seely, Alex Martin who all are guaranteed to shake things up and are looking for consistent good results. What a year it should be, and I know we are ready for the gate to drop at Hangtown on Saturday, May 19^th. The question is, are you?

Uhhhhhhhhh…..
Welcome to Vegas, where I guess they assume everyone is drunk! I just closed my eyes and walked until I hit something.

Photo: Mike Emery

If you think a live broadcast is anything but a cluster of confusion, take a look at these wires.

Photo: Mike Emery

Red: “Man, Pops is trippin. He wants me to ask for my bike back, You know I wouldnt trip.”
Debo: “What bike?”
Red: “The beach cruiser, the one I let You borrow three weeks ago.”
Debo: “Oh yeah, it’s right here homie, I didnt know you wanted it back. *turns around and uppercuts Red in the face* BahLamm! Thats my bike now punk!”

Photo: Mike Emery

Hot Vegas day + sun = lots of track watering…

Photo: Mike Emery

…and all the hardcore fans were taking a breather and finding comfort in any shade available.

Photo: Mike Emery

Caught Ryan Sipes doing a little Scott photo shoot behind the rig. These guys work a lot more than some think.

Photo: Mike Emery

Factory Honda’s pits looked sort of like a ghost town, here is to hoping for an injury free 2013!

Photo: Mike Emery

Close up of Weimer’s Vegas frame, check out the blinged out name.

Photo: Mike Emery

This was in the Kawasaki tent. One of Villopoto’s many trophies, a championship plaque to cap off a crazy run of wins and championships.

Photo: Mike Emery

Your East coast champ eats championship level tasting go fast foods…

Photo: Mike Emery

…hmm maybe not. Whatever he ate seemed to work for him!

Photo: Mike Emery

Your Las Vegas television studio. No railings for these wildboys.

Photo: Mike Emery

Close up of Mr. Dungey’s factory footpeg. Now that is sharp.

Photo: Mike Emery

Wil Hahn’s bike had an oxygen sensor mounted up. Other bikes did not. New testing or just personal preference?

Photo: Mike Emery

Jessica Patterson’s new Suzuki was on display in Vegas, will she beat Fiolek this summer?

Photo: Mike Emery

This is what the flame thrower looks like that shot flames up every lap on the start straight.

Photo: Mike Emery

These two machines pretty much obliterated the field in Vegas. Well done Geico Honda.

Photo: Mike Emery

Guess who’s foot this is.

Photo: Mike Emery

Those are bees pretty much making a swarming nest near the front row of the stadium. I say cheers to Feld for using new tactics on crowd control.

Photo: Mike Emery

Vegas was a perfect time to announce their new addition to the Factory Honda squad, Bam Bam Barcia. 2013 Supercross is for sure going to be exciting!

Photo: Mike Emery

Close up of Bret Michael’s Rock Hard Ride Hard award guitar he gave to Brayton. The older broads in the crowd damn near fell over the railing to get to this rockstar. Get-a-your-ride-owwwn!

Photo: Mike Emery

]]> http://insidermx.com/2012/05/behind-the-curtains-las-vegas/feed/ 0 http://insidermx.com/2012/05/vegas-supercross-finale-gallery-2012/ http://insidermx.com/2012/05/vegas-supercross-finale-gallery-2012/#comments Wed, 09 May 2012 02:41:11 +0000 NCade http://insidermx.com/?p=21169 ]]>

As most of you have heard by now, James Stewart is yes indeed riding Suzuki’s now. How did this come about or fall in place so easily you may wonder? Well, we don’t quite know exactly either, but we have some reasonable suspicions that may help explain why Stewart would make such drastic changes in a short amount of time.

James Stewart signing with JGR
Photo: JS7.com

Not long before the Monster Energy Cup last year, Stewart signed with Joe Gibbs Racing. There were mixed ideas on where people thought Stewart may end up, before he signed with JGR. Many had assumed he would stick with Yamaha, but there had rumors floating around that Stewart had been testing on Suzuki over the summer. This would makes sense because with Dungey moving to KTM and Metcalfe being the only Suzuki rider there would be a big spot to fill, one of which calling Stewart’s name. Almost out of the blue, Stewart announces that he is signing with JGR and immediately set the bar high by saying he went to JGR to win championships. Finally we had hope in us that we would see the old Stewart again and that he would truly impress us.

Stewart struggled to get the ball rolling this season. The lack of testing on the JGR bike and low confidence played with him for the 2012 Supercross season.
Photo: Austin White

Well those high expectations were soon crushed. James was not having good luck and wasn’t getting the results had promised. While Villopoto seemed to start to pull away in points, Stewart struggled to keep it on two wheels. We had heard that he was struggling with set up and just wasn’t comfortable on the Yamaha at all. As the season progressed we seen Stewart almost just give up, most people thought it could have been from injury but you could tell he was extremely frustrated with not only himself, but the bike as well.

Immediately following the Vegas Supercross, Stewart and JGR announced their separation as a mutual agreement. You can only begin to assume that Stewart didn’t want to deal with the bike anymore and that JGR was upset with his performance and parted ways. Then obviously came the question of “where does Stewart go now?” Some were hoping he would go back to Kawasaki where he dominated for so long, but why would they hire that expensive of a replacement rider for one year when they sill have Weimer? Honda has Brayton and TwoTwo Motorsports and KTM has Dungey. So the most logical place for Stewart to land would be Suzuki.

James announces he will be riding for Yoshimura Suzuki.
Photo: JS7.com

One day after Stewart announces his parting with JGR he announces he will be riding Yellow? Seems a little fishy that he would make that move so fast. But considering the rumors last fall you have think that James and Suzuki have had a relationship throughout the Supercross season and that he had to be doing some kind of testing on the Suzuki while he was with JGR.

James out riding on his RMz450 before the start of the 2012 season.
Photo: JS7.com

Stewart had used most of his off season testing the Suzuki and setting his 2012 sights on racing it, that it seemed like it would be the best logical reason to go with that team. Rumors had been swirling around the pits long before the 2012 Supercross season was over that he was already back home riding a RMZ450. Digging deeper into everything you will noticed that all the pics on JS7 along with the video were shot way before 2012 season even begun. James wanted Suzuki and now he’s got it.

Stewart looked very comfortable in the Red Bull video posted on Monday. http://youtu.be/D-ZQU4YW0sE
Photo: JS7.com

Regardless of how long he has really been riding the Suzuki, he did look extremely comfortable on it. You can tell he really enjoys riding the Suzuki and it almost seems that its a lot easier for him to ride compared to the Yamaha. It almost looked like he was always trying to fight the Yamaha to make it do what he wanted. I think if Stewart can find his groove again and really just focus on racing and keeping it on two wheels, we may be seeing the old Stewart that was untouchable on a Kawasaki. Considering he has been under Supercross only contract for the past 3 years, he could be a little rusty to the outdoor scene. With Villopoto and Reed out, Stewart is obviously going to be under the pressure to win, and win a lot.

James Stewart hopes to do well at Hangtown on his Suzuki.
Photo: JS7.com

Yoshimura Suzuki signed Stewart for a “Multi-Year” contract, don’t know exactly how long that means, but things are starting to look positive for Stewart. All I know is that I’m extremely excited for outdoors to start and hope to see Stewart up front. All we can do is wait and see how everything starts to pan out at Hangtown in a two weeks.

Barcia again grabs the Nuclear Cowboys holeshot with Davalos right in tow. Tomac who now has the number one plate on his bike is running in third on the rear wheel of Davalos. One lap later Wilson, who had a bad start, finds himself flying off the track and trying to keep himself from hitting the deck. Roczen, your last years shootout winner, has now worked his way into the fourth place spot and pushed to catch up to the top 3.

Barcia makes a mistake and can’t jump the finish line. This causes Davalos to get right up on Barcia. Davalos hitting the back section runs Barcia wide and gets the pass for the lead. Now it just turned into a three-way battle for the lead, with Roczen coming up quick.

Barcia who is under some serious pressure from his teammate some how finds a way to get an inch on the leader Martin Davalos. They go triple triple triple, and Barcia slides up the inside causing Davalos to screw up letting both Geico Honda riders by.

This is where the race starts to get interesting as Barcia and Tomac start to push the pace from the rest. It comes with a price as both riders are starting to make some risky moves, and it brings mistakes and close calls. As there battles go on, another one is erupting behind them with Roczen receiving some serious pressure from his teammate Musquin. This causes a three-way battle for third, but in the end nothing changes and Barcia gets the win with his team mate in tow. Davalos will come in third, Roczen right behind him in fourth followed by Musquin in fifth. Full results by clicking here.

Barcia gains the Nuclear Cowboys Holeshot and takes the win but not without a few slip-ups and battling with his teammate for first most of the race.

Tomac third right off the gate is in tow on Davalos for a while until Barcia makes a mistake and Davalos slips by for first position but looses position to Tomac and Barcia.

Not a good night for Wilson, with a bad start and flying off the track giving him 11th place over all in the shootout.

Just like the teammates Barcia and Tomac battling for first position Musquin battling with Roczen for fourth but Musquin could not keep the momentum to take the position from Roczen.

Davalos stuck between two team battles managing to hold Roczen off keeping third to get a spot on the podium.

Alessi grabs another one of his patented holeshots, not far behind is Dungey on his Red Bull KTM.  Dungey doesn’t waste any time and takes the pass for the lead, not to long after Metcalfe does the same. Alessi thinks he can make a move and goes for a block pass and the only thing that happens is Alessi looses the position right back. Weimer notices the dead fish in the water and makes quick work of Alessi a section later in the whoops.

Through all the commotion Millsaps is making his way from a mid-pack start and a close call with a tuff block. Next thing you know Millsaps is barking all over Weimer and Metcalfe. Wiemer makes the pass on Metcalfe and so does Millsaps.

Millsaps is on fire and the only one making this race exciting to watch while he is trying to work Weimer as if he is a safe and Millsaps is the thief. After multiple attempts Millsaps cracks the safe and takes over second place.

Quietly behind them Brayton is cruising by all the same exact riders and setting his sites on Weimer, who is running in third now. Lap after lap Brayton hunts his prey and finally at the end of lap 14 he is rewarded with a mistake from Weimer and makes a block pass to take over third place.

Five laps later and Dungey grabs himself another win to finish up the 2012 Monster Energy Supercross series. Millsaps will go on to finish in second with Brayton in third and Weimer in fourth.

Alessi not only gets the Nuclear Cowboyz Holeshot but pulls away extremely quick but was unable to hold up for even one lap and quickly got pushed back few positions.

Millsaps Pushing from the center of the pack all the way up to second position having to deal with close calls with tough blocks and other riders pulls of 2nd place.

Weimer with a decent start moved from fourth to second for a few laps until Millsaps was hot on his tail and eventually pushed him back to fourth position and Metcalfe battling him for fourth position but Weimer was stronger in the end.

Brayton coming all the way from 9th position pushing through all the way up third pushing Metcalfe and Weimer out of the chance for third position.

Dungey staying in first position all twenty laps with a safe distance away didn’t really have anything to worry about except where to put his first place trophy.

The Nuclear Cowboy’s holeshot goes to Eli Tomac, your 2012 Lites West Coast champ. Martin Davalos in the second spot, with his Rockstar Suzuki teammate Jason Anderson. Right behind them is a pack of spread with Marvin Musquin, Dean Wilson and Will Hahn. Before the second lap can finish Wilson makes the pass on Musquin and takes over the fourth position.

Anderson isn’t waiting either and puts an aggressive pass on his team mate for the second position, but it only goes backwards a lap later. Anderson a few laps later messes up and can’t jump the triple and has to go double single. This gives room for Davalos to fly overhead and slam the door, back for the second position he just lost. Wilson sees this and puts a pass just moments later for the third position.

Anderson, who is slowly going backwards, takes Musquin into the bails. Around lap eight Wilson puts the moves on Davalos on the same back triple that Anderson started his campange backwards at. In closing laps Hahn is starting to creep and it pays off with a pass on Davalos for the third position.

In the end it was an all Tomac show as he would go on to take another win, Wilson would take second and Will Hahn rounding off the box. Get the full results by clicking here

Right as the last firework blasted off so does the start of the East main. Justin Barcia on Geico Honda grabbed the Nuclear Cowboys holeshot. Baggett in second, Roczen third, Stewart fourth. Roczen makes quick work of Baggett and makes the pass before the first lap is completed. It looks like make he is pulling in on Barcia half way through the second lap, but as the third lap rolls around Barcia starts to pull back away. Now Baggett sets his sights on passing Roczen back and is hounding him like a dog on a bone.

The race starts to spread as they his five laps. Barcia really pulling away from Roczen who is holding down a strong second as Baggett has seemed to back off a little bit. Lap nine roles around and Barcia gets some big wheel spin right before the triple and has to go double, which is a ripple effect and makes him go double double for the rest of the section. Roczen see’s this and puts the hammer down, comes with in striking distance. One lap later Roczen gets caught up on a lapper and looses all the ground he just made up on Barcia.

With a clear track in front of him for the closing laps; Barcia your 2012 East champ goes on to show us why he really is the best and grabs another win in the 2012 series. Roczen will hold on to second, with Baggett rolling his wheels over the finish line in third. Get the full results by clicking here.