MX2
Ken Roczen leads the World Championship but there are only ten points between the top three in the championship. Jeffrey Herlings moved into second place in the series after a decimating the opposition at his home GP in Holland. Roczen was left reeling at Herlings’ speed after the race, after admitting before hand he wanted to beat Herlings there, Roczen has stated since he wants to dominate at the US GP, and with the rivalry in the KTM team threatening to ruin their previous friendship, there could be fireworks between the teenage wonderkids. Ken loves America and loves the GP series so a US GP is probably the perfect mixture of both cultures for him to put on a show, but Herlings will want to prove he can beat Roczen outside of the sand tracks too.
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| Herlings will be looking for a better showing in American than he had in 2010 Pic : Paul McCready |
It shouldn’t be a two horse race however with Tommy Searle only ten points back in third in the series. Searle has experience of racing at Glen Helen in the AMA series, and after two solid podium performances at the opening two rounds Tommy needs to show he can win against the KTM duo and there is not a more perfect place for the CLS/Pro Circuit Kawaski rider than Glen Helen to do that.
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| Can Musquin repeat his GP win of 2010? Pic: Paul McCready |
Making a one off return to GP competition is 2009 and 2010 MX2 World Champ Marvin Musquin. Musquin is returning after a knee injury and this will be his first race back as he prepares to race the AMA series. After his total domination of last years event Musquin will be motivated to show he has lost none of his speed and will want to show the GP and AMA riders that he is still the best. The prospect of a Musquin, Herlings, Roczen rematch - three of fastest MX2 riders in the world, is truly a mouth watering prospect.
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| Zach Osborne wants to win his home GP Pic: Paul McCready |
Representing America’s best chance of a win is Zach Osborne. Fourth in last year’s GP series Zach is giving the USA their best GP results in ten years. He has been steady so far in 2011 but he needs to start getting some wins or at least on the podium if he wants to remain in contention for the World title. It is the biggest race of the year for Zach, he will no doubt be kitted out in red white and blue and hoping to have the USA national anthem being played at his home GP as he stands at the top step of the podium. One thing is for sure Zach will give it everything he has to win this weekend.
Zach Osborne’s team mate Arnaud Tonus nearly got on the podium in Holland and will be hoping to achieve that goal in the USA. The Swiss teenager is stylish and smooth and has been the most improved rider in 2011 so far.
Rinadli Yamaha title hope Gautier Paulin has not quite shown the speed everyone knows he is capable of so far this season. Paulin has all the technical skills to run at the front but he needs the starts in order to give himself a decent chance, the huge jumps at Glen Helen should suit the former BMX world Champion’s style.
Max Anstie is arguably having his first home GP of the year, living in the USA for the last few years and riding regularly at Glen Helen should give Max the best opportunity to break the top five. A podium is not out of reach for the fast but fragile Brit who is still trying to put it all together over a GP weekend, but when he does he will be a contender.
Also look out for riders such as Nicholas Aubin, Christopher Charlier, Joel Roelants, Harri Kullas, Jordi Tixier and Nikolaj Larson all capable of mixing it in the top ten, as is US wild card Travis Baker who flies at Glen Helen.
With motivation at 100% for a lot of different riders with something to prove the MX2 class promises to be a classic race at a stupendous speed, especially if they all get out of the start at the front.
MX1
World Championship leader Steven Frossard has been the revelation of the 2011. The Rinaldi Yamaha rider showed he is for real with his speed in the sand in Holland and took third in the MX2 class at Glen Helen last year, so he should be looking forward to challenging for the podium and wins in the MX1 class.
Last years winner was the 2010 World Champ Antonio Cairoli, Cairoli is suffering from a knee injury but he was still able to win the last round in Holland to haul himself up to fourth in the standings and into title contention. Cairoli will be disappointed at the lack of US entries but will remain focussed on taking another US GP win. The Italian legend is hoping to equal Roger DeCoster’s haul of 5 World titles in 2011.
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| Cairoli won the US GP in 2010 Pic:Paul McCready |
Clemant Desalle won round one of the World Championship in Bulgaria but struggled to make the top five in Holland, so it will be interesting to see if the determined Belgian can re-align himself at the front of the field in America. Still third in the series and right in the championship hunt, Desalle rode well at the venue last year, beating Cairoli in race two so he should be eyeing a USGP win.
2008 World Champ David Philippaerts got his first podium of the year at Valkensward and the tough Italian will want to repeat feat at Glen Helen despite having a terrible round there last year after a huge crash down one of the famous Glen Helen hills.
Other riders to look out for include Russian Evgeny Bobreyshev on the Honda. The young rider has scintillating speed at times and could be a player this weekend. Teammate Rui Goncalves has surprised many this year too and will be a solid performer. Two time World Champion Steve Ramon has had a slow start to the series but the factory Suzuki rider has his blood disorder sorted and will be looking to get back in the mix, however Ramon may find the Glen Helen track a bit to fast for his smooth and technical style. Another rider to keep an eye on is Jonathan Barragan, Barragan is strong and fit and a podium in Bulgaria showed he is getting back to the form of a few years ago.
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| The famous Talledaga first turn Pic: Paul McCready |
Dark horses for a top five run include TM’s Tanel Leok as well as Ken De Dycker, Kevin Strijbos, Davide Guaneri, Greg Aranda and Xavier Boog as well as Shaun Simpson who rode well in America in the MX2 class last year.
Add in wild card rider Christian Craig and the class is stacked with talent. Craig, who has shown the speed for top ten placings in AMA competition, will no doubt be hoping for something similar or better at the US GP. Mike Alessi was due to race but is rumoured to be out with injury after his get off at the Vegas supercross, but with $100,000 on the line for a US winner, maybe some US riders will creep out from under the woodwork and take on the GP stars.
With 14 GP winners on the line MX1 is always a frenetic race the whole way down the field. The depth is incredible and without a good start it will be hard for any of the top riders to pull through, but it always makes for some sensational racing in the premier class of GP competition.
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