Fortunately as I write this we’re solely two extra sleeps from altering the calendar to February and which means our first indicators of spring can’t be far off. February is a brief month after which in March, it is going to hopefully be time to fireside up the bikes and hit the observe. Often I would like time to decelerate, however throughout this time of the 12 months I want the passage of time would simply be vast open. Anyway, I hope everybody had an amazing weekend and I hope you’re ready to deal with a brand new month!
So what does everybody consider the Triple Crown format within the Monster Power Supercross Collection? My feeling is that whether or not you prefer it or not it’s laborious to argue concerning the leisure worth that it brings to us followers. Since Supercross started this format just a few years in the past, the three shorter fundamental occasions have at all times delivered pleasure that at occasions has been borderline chaos. This previous Saturday in Anaheim was no completely different as we noticed just about every little thing all through the night time. We noticed some unimaginable battles as the highest riders have been making an attempt to maneuver ahead shortly after a foul begin. Additionally, it appeared that sure riders have been keen to place up extra of a combat understanding that they didn’t have a 20 minute fundamental occasion in entrance of them. We additionally noticed some crashes, each massive and small all through the day and night time at Angel Stadium. Most notably was Cameron McAdoo throughout qualifying, RJ Hampshire within the second 250 fundamental occasion, and Eli Tomac within the last 450 fundamental occasion. All three riders had large crashes and have been fortunate to get again up and proceed. McAdoo’s and Hampshire’s crashes have been each brought on by considered one of their fingers blowing off the bars in a essential spot on the observe. McAdoo’s had his left hand come off the bars whereas he was getting into the difficult whoop part, whereas Hampshire had his proper hand blow off within the tough sand part. I do know we’ve seen this earlier than, however I can not consider a time when it occurred to 2 of the highest riders on the identical race. It’s truly fairly scary as a result of while you see the replays of their crashes, there may be nothing irregular occurring previous to their fingers coming off of their grips. Fortunately, each riders continued, however clearly they have been extraordinarily sore.
As for Tomac, it’s been a very long time since we’ve seen him get that impatient and make a giant mistake. Within the laps earlier than his crash he was throughout Cooper Webb and I really feel like if he may’ve gotten by Webb, he would’ve pulled away. Tomac’s nook and whoop velocity have been a bit quicker than Webb and he had the rhythm sections discovered higher. Nevertheless, like Barcia Cooper Webb is a grasp at preserving riders behind him as he does an amazing job at studying the place these riders are at and the place they may be quicker. In Supercross, it’s a bit simpler to combat off riders as there might solely be a few first rate passing spots on the observe. Tomac was sitting in a great spot to complete on the rostrum even when he didn’t go Webb, so different than simply getting caught up within the second it’s a bit stunning to see Tomac push that onerous. However racers are racers and I’m certain a part of Tomac getting impatient stemmed from merely being aggravated that he couldn’t get previous Webb. Ultimately, Tomac paid a heavy worth and like everybody I’m glad he’s okay and good to go for Houston.
In order I discussed above with the Triple Crown format offering a lot pleasure for the followers however a lot additional danger for the riders, is there one thing else that Supercross may deliver to the present that might make everybody glad? It’s a troublesome query to reply because it’s a balancing act between making an attempt one thing new with out utterly altering how the game has operated for years. In my humble opinion the one factor that I’ve witnessed at different massive indoor occasions that has followers on the sting of their seats is a Superpole. That is the place you are taking the highest two or three riders from every 450SX warmth race and have them come again out midway by means of the night and one after the other they hit the observe and attempt to do their quickest lap. They do that function proper after an intermission so the observe is groomed and also you let the highest riders free to see who can do one of the best lap time. It’s positively gimmicky and in addition dangerous, however for no matter motive after I’ve been at occasions the place it’s accomplished, it’s at all times thrilling! I additionally suppose that if accomplished correctly with the correct amount of hype and data supplied to the viewers at residence that it could be thrilling to observe on tv. I’m certain this has been advised as one thing that may boost the night time present, so maybe sooner or later we’ll see a Superpole or one thing prefer it. As I stated, I just like the Triple Crown format to observe as a fan, it simply appears so laborious on the riders every time they do it. After the entire ups and downs of Saturday in Anaheim it was good to see some new winners as Chase Sexton and Levi Kitchen took their first victories of 2023. Now the Monster Power SX Collection strikes to Houston and the opening spherical of the 250SX East Collection.
Our Canadian riders had a tricky night time in Anaheim as each Parker Eales and Julien Benek didn’t qualify for the night time present. That is one other unfavorable to the Triple Crown format as they don’t take as many riders to the night time present as they usually do. This retains a superb variety of quick privateers from getting in entrance of the cameras and showcasing their sponsors. Anyway, Parker and Julien got here up simply wanting making the night time present so Cole Thompson was the one Canadian rider within the 250SX West fundamental occasion. Though Cole rode properly all night he wasn’t in a position to get the great begins that he’s been getting to this point in 2023. With the shorter fundamental occasions, coming from behind was tougher that it usually is so Cole struggled to get inside the highest ten. Within the third and last fundamental occasion on Saturday Cole transferring up and with just a few laps to go he was round 11th. However then he had a giant crash on the ultimate lap and dropped additional again. Cole doesn’t crash fairly often, particularly like that so it was good to see him remount and end. I’m scheduled to meet up with him later at this time so search for that interview tomorrow afternoon.
In different Canadian moto information we certain have had an thrilling foolish season this 12 months, particularly up to now few weeks. After Jacob Piccolo and Ryder McNabb principally switched locations earlier than the brand new 12 months there was a brief lull in signings till final weekend when Dylan Rempel introduced that he had signed with the Partzilla PRMX Workforce for 2023. When that occurred the Walton Kawasaki Workforce wanted a 250 rider so in keeping with my sources they provided Marco Cannella a contract to race within the 250 class for this season. Marco had additionally been speaking to the TLD/GASGAS/SSR workforce so he did have just a few irons within the hearth so to talk. The contract supply from Kawasaki had a deadline connected to it so Marco had ample time to weigh his choices and determine what he wished to do. Sadly, he determined to not take the Kawasaki or to proceed his talks with the TLD/GASGAS/Workforce. In order of now Marco Cannella won’t be racing in 2023. I used to be so shocked at this information that I known as him instantly on Tuesday morning and he was straight up and trustworthy with me. He principally informed me that he had a superb supply from the Walton Kawasaki Workforce however that to be truthful to everybody concerned, together with himself, he simply determined to show it down. He stated that proper now he couldn’t commit and he didn’t need to waste anybody’s time. I imply, it’s important to respect Marco for standing agency to how he feels about going racing and placing himself on the market. It’s his danger and if he seems like proper now it’s simply not price it, then you possibly can’t actually blame him. Marco is an efficient man and a proficient rider and I’m virtually constructive that we haven’t seen the final of him on the race observe.
So with that stated the Walton Kawasaki Workforce continues to be in search of a 250 rider for 2023 and as of proper now there isn’t quite a lot of choices. Tyler Gibbs continues to be out there, TJ Scott hasn’t signed with anybody, though I hear he might need one thing cooking. Jeremy McKie is at the moment using a KX450F down in Florida so I don’t suppose he needs to race within the 250 class this 12 months. Tanner Ward had the choice to maneuver again right down to the 250 class however my sources additionally informed me that he’s all signed and able to go as soon as once more because the Walton Kawasaki Workforce’s prime 450 rider. We should always know extra this week because the Walton Kawasaki Workforce finalizes their 2023 race workforce and in addition which gear model they are going to be sporting. Additionally, I discussed the TLD/GASGAS/SSR Workforce as I spoke to Steve Simms on the weekend and he stated that he will probably be able to announce one thing very quickly, perhaps even this week. As I discussed earlier, we haven’t seen this kind of thrilling foolish season in Canada for a while!
Nicely, that’s it for me this week. I hope the primary few days of February go properly and let’s hope that that the little rodent doesn’t see its shadow on Groundhog Day. Please have an amazing week and thanks for studying. In case you have any questions or feedback please e-mail me at chris@mxpmag.com.
