Let's Dance.

Well the curtain is about the come up on the 2008 AMA Supercross series and it looks to be a stellar year in two-wheel competition. The Supercross class boasts some fast new talent as well as being stacked with some of the usual suspects with the exception of one certain #4 bike but it just may be that absence which serves to make the series interesting.
So why don’t I dig right in with the big bore class and see what you all think.

There is no doubt about the fact that Monster Energy/Kawasaki’s James Stewart is the odds on favorite to repeat as the SX champ in 08, last year the only rider to consistently give Stewart a run for his money was that #4 guy. Now there are many who say that it was exactly that pressure which caused the bobbles that Stewart had and others that insist it was Carmichael’s presence that drove Stewart. One thing is for sure the upcoming title is James to lose and we are going to get to see if the time spent off after his abbreviated Motocross season training with Aldon Baker gives James the edge he needs to keep that number one plate. There were plenty of races last year where Stewart and Carmichael brought out the best in each other but there was one rider on the track who clearly didn’t feel like taking part in the love fest.
Which brings us to the #22, team San Manuel/Yamaha’s Chad Reed. The last couple of SX seasons have not exactly been what Chad was looking for results wise. Even though there are plenty of people that wouldn’t mind having the skills to run his pace, myself included, that hasn’t been good enough to get it done for the championship. Reed took a lot of flak on the message boards and in the bench racing sessions for his decision not to run the outdoor series but if you saw him racing at the US Open it may very well have been the best thing for him. That night in Vegas was the unveiling of Chad Reed 2.0 and if you ask me it is a whole different rider piloting that 08 YZ450F, Reed was riding hungry and not afraid to shake things up to get what he wanted. I think the fireworks are going to start early and continue throughout the year, Reedy has decided that consistency is nice but the man who rolls the dice is the one who comes up a winner.

Another rider who has had a stellar year is fellow Yamaha pilot Grant Langston, fresh off an outdoor title and looking better than ever it may very well be GL8 who throws the monkey wrench into everybody’s plans. Langston is one of those riders who just thrives on the pressure and is also definitely not afraid to get aggressive to make a pass when it counts. Grant has had a lot of success in the lites class and now that he has had a taste of the top spot in the big bore series you can bet he won’t want to stop climbing the steps of the podium. Joining Langston in the Team Yamaha semi is very capable young Josh Hill making his step up to the SX class as well. Not sure what to expect out of Hill as of yet but if his past result are any indication we should be seeing him under a factory tent for some time to come.

Moving on to the Makita/Suzuki camp brings us to a team that is in transition, the last few years have been pretty good for Roger DeCoster and his crew but this year is going to be one for rebuilding. Bringing it to the line for 08 with a brand new EFI powered RMZ450 Suzuki has a one-two punch of young rider and crafty vet. David Vuillemin is bringing his considerable bag of knowledge and testing expertise to the table which when combined with the factory equipment he has been sorely missing in the last couple seasons should add up to some podiums. DV12 is a guy you just cannot count out no matter what and with the weather predictions for A-1 leaning towards the moist end of the scale we just might see the always personable Vuillemin scoring a spot on the box. Then you have the number 800 ride of Mike Alessi making his AMA debut in the Supercross class. Personally I think Alessi is another rider who you are going to have to watch because you just never know what will happen with him once the gate drops. Alessi struggled in the Lites class during his first outdoor season and then to make matters worse he had to spend last season battling with his long time nemesis Ryan Villipoto. Mike has always seemed to be more comfortable on the big bikes and there is absolutely no question about his desire to win so I will go ahead and say it now, you will definitely see Mike Alessi on the podium in 08.

Team Honda is due for some good luck this year as the past couple SX/MX series have been sorely lacking in red bikes on the podium. Hopefully Davi Millsaps can put the bad luck behind him and deliver on his extremely promising talent. The Duke has recovered from some inner ear problems that sidelined him for the end of 07 and I am sure he would like to shake the bad luck and let his riding do the talking. Ivan Tedesco will be bringing it hard as he makes his SX debut for Honda and is another guy that has to have been frustrated by his recent spate of injuries and looking for redemption. Hot Sauce showed his skills at the outset of last year but the gremlins hounded him right off the bat and he never found his rhythm. Then there is Shorty, the man with the biggest smile in racing Andrew Short. The outdoor season was pretty good to Andrew and he continues to build his skills and comfort on the big bike, when Short is on he is a threat to win so here’s to hoping he keeps it all moving in the right direction.

The era of the SX only contract has come for one of the smoothest riders in AMA history as 08 will see the Torco Race Fuels/Planet Fitness Honda of Kevin Windham beginning to wind down his career. K-Dub is unfortunately a little too hot and cold to be considered a threat for the title but you can bet he will be consistently in the top 5 and with his superior skills in the mud you just never know he may just repeat his winning ways from the 05 opener.

So those are the major players in the Supercross class, yea I know there are many more dogs in the hunt but these are the big dogs and they are bound to make the most noise.

The kids are alright.

So far everyone seems the think that the real action is going to be in the Lites class and since A-1 kicks off the West Coast series lets take a quick look at the contenders.

Team Yamaha’s Broc Hepler has endured a couple of rough years due to injuries and if he can avoid the problems that have sidelined him in the past it may finally be his year to walk home with it all. Broc is a smart and patient rider with all the bike skills he needs and some great factory equipment under him so keep your eyes glued to the blue.
For my money though Makita/Suzuki wunderkind Ryan Dungey is looking like the odds on favorite to take the West Coast title. His debut season was marked by some incredible ups and downs and if not for some bad luck he could have spent a lot more time on the box. Dungey is a quiet, determined, smart rider and when you add the fact that Johnny O’Mara has been coaching him in the last couple months that spells trouble for anyone lining up next to Dungey.

Speaking of trouble….The Yamaha of Troy ride of Jason Lawrence will be bringing his unique brand of excitement to the gate for the West series and is another rider with the skills to shine on any given night. The only drawback to the 338 is his tendency to lose focus on the task at hand. Jason has blazing speed, reads the track well and is certainly not afraid to rub a little paint if need be but just doesn’t seem to have the consistency to take a number one plate. Maybe this year will showcase a newer more mature J-Law which is all he needs to put him over the top.

The dominant force in the last few seasons for the Lites class has been the venerable Pro Circuit crew and this year they are going to be a threat again. Brett Metcalf had been having his issues with injuries in 07 but if he is healthy then Metcalf is another rider that has the skill, desire, fitness and attitude to go all the way. Joining him under the PC tent will be rookie SX Lites rider Austin Stroupe and if his amateur career is any indication you can expect big things for Austin. I am not sure how well he will adjust to the hectic pace of the Lites class but you should certainly see him on the podium this year.

Running out of the Torco/Planet Fitness Lites rig this year you have Aussie phenom Daniel Reardon and returning alumni Jake Wiemer. I really haven’t seen very much out of Reardon yet but his reputation precedes him and after speaking with Factory Connections Ricky Z I have to say watch him this year because he may be the dark-horse contender. Jake Weimer is fresh off a great ride in Vegas and looks poised to run at the front of the pack on any given weekend.

So those are my picks for the major players going into 2008, I am not going to run down the East Coast Lites yet as they have a little time before the first gate drop so we will wait on that.
No matter how you slice it we should be looking at some great racing this year out of both classes and with the possibility of rain I can’t wait for Saturday nights racing to get underway.
Add to that the live broadcast on Speed for round 1 and you have the makings of a great way to kick off the fight. So set the Tivo, chill some beverages and rain or shine get ready for the fireworks…….crank up the music boys and let’s dance.