On to Oakland

USA Supercross 2014

maddix park mx

www.racerxonline.com    By Andy Bowyer

On to Oakland.

Click here for the Oakland Animated Track Map.

Havoc in the first turn at Oakland a season ago.Photo: Simon Cudby 

A year ago, this race was practically over when almost half the pack went down in the second turn. Ryan Villopoto had a seven second lead on lap three, and carded his second win in four races. The champ will have the opportunity to repeat that effort, but there is a pack of riders carrying enough momentum to disallow such a feat. As peculiar as it sounds, a rookie has been the most consistent racer through 60 laps, and Ken Roczen will carry the red plate to the starting line. He continues to impress and look for him to not only grace the podium, but serve as a threat to stand atop it. Providing fireworks last week uncharacteristic to his demeanor was his Red Bull KTM teammate, Ryan Dungey. If you include himself, he put three riders on the ground at A2 and it will be interesting to see if that banter carries into Oakland. Speaking of momentum, JGR/Toyota Yamaha mounted Justin Brayton continues to charge. He made up his mind to assert himself in the top five, and he will be racing for another podium and the first win of his career. I expect to see the softer soil of Oakland produce some ruts and different track environment, which should play into the hands of the biggest question mark of the 2014 season, Justin Barcia. A holeshot for #51 could instantly change the complexion of his season. This leaves veterans James Stewart and Chad Reed to think about. Stewart has been painfully close to winning twice, and I mark him as the strongest candidate to become the fourth different winner in as many weeks. As for Reed, what more can be said about him? I’ve always called him “The Thunder,” and typically when you hear it rumble you know there is only a short span of time before it shakes the windows again.

What may come of the ongoing battle between Cole Seely and Jason Anderson? Will Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki be denied another podium? Something tells me a shake up is on the horizon with the 250SX group. Zach Osborne, Justin Hill, Cooper Webb and Dean Wilson can turn things around with a win, but they have to strike now as time is short in the divisional series. It’s hard to imagine a more sensational beginning to the season, and believe it or not the best may be yet to come. Round four of 17 cannot arrive quickly enough. Things were really crazy at this event a year ago and it’s two more days until our eyes meet the next shot of amazement in Oakland, California!

 
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