Motocross of Nations Preview

The 2013 Motocross of Nations may be a month away but things are already shaping up something fierce. Teams are slowly coming together, with host nation Germany looking particularly strong with a team that includes Ken Roczen, Max Nagal and Dennis Ullrich.

However it is the French who are being touted among the early favourites for a podium finish, with a line up that features Gautier Paulin and Jordi Tixier. Team USA were left scrabbling last week when it was announced that Ryan Villopoto would miss the event through leg surgery, but with Justin Barcia taking his spot alongside Ryan Dungey and Eli Tomac – they could well be the team to beat. Likewise the Dutch team is still struggling to fill their spots after star man Jeffrey Herlings pulled out due to a broken shoulder blade. 

With so many new stars coming through and injuries opening spots to talented youngsters, this should be a great year for the MXN. We’ll be reporting news of the course and final team line ups in coming weeks, so keep your eyes peeled like potatoes.

2013 Red Bull Pro Nationals Round 1: Landrake

All photos courtesy of Nuno Laranjeira (www.nunophoto.co.uk)

Last weekend saw the first round of the 2013 Red Bull Pro Nationals in Landrake, Cornwall. In front of an audience of 4000, 300 riders competed over the weekend of April 20th and 21st. Take a look at the gallery to see what went down. You can find out more at the Red Bull Pro Nationals Site

RESULTS

MX1:
Kristian Whatley - 1st
Milko Potisek - 2nd
Nico Aubin - 3rd

MX2:
Steven Lenoir - 1st
Graeme Irwin - 2nd
Neville Bradshaw - 3rd

Rookies:
James Harrison - 1st

Big Wheel 85cc:
Jay Hague - 1st

Small Wheel 85cc:
Tom Grimshaw - 1st

65cc:
Gary Ashley - 1st

125cc 2-Stroke Expert:
Lewis Gregory - 1st

125cc 2-Stroke Junior:
Rob Holyoake - 1st

Open 2-Stroke Expert:
Robert Hamilton - 1st

Open 2-Stroke Junior:
Chris Povey - 1st

Ryan Dungey Wins Round 5 Of 2013 Supercross At Anaheim III

Photo: Speed TV

People have been comparing this year's Supercross to the 2012 F1 season and its easy to see why: after five rounds there have been four different riders standing at the top spot of the podium. Back-to-back wins from Ryan Villopoto had us fearing the start of another RV whitewash Anheim III saw Ryan Dungey emerge as the winner.

Dungey had an appalling time in the qualifying heat races, but the main event looked like a walk in the park. Even with Justin Brayton picking up the Holeshot and Mike Alessi leading the first lap, Dungey had established a place out front by lap 2, made easier thanks to Alessi falling on a corner sortly after he was overtaken. It was a lead that he carried through to the checkered flag without much in the way of a threat from the riders behind him.

While Dungey will be pleased with his solid performance, Chad Reed seems to be continuing his run of back luck, thanks to another multi-rider accident on the third corner of the first lap that took both Brayton and Ryan Villopoto out of contention. Reed managed to salvage 16 points by the end of the race but Villopoto had to settle with an 8th place.

Fans of James Stewart finally had something to cheer about with his best performance of the championship so far, who was riding in 2nd place until lap 13 when he had to give up places to a determined Davi Millsaps (who keeps the red plate and now boasts a 14 point lead) and Justin Barcia who snatched a place back on the podium after a couple of races sat out thanks to accidents.

We're just under a third of the way through the 2013 championship and we still don't think anyone could confidently pick who will be champion. Roll on San Diego!