A1 lookback, Phoenix Preview

The hype, the intrigue, the speculation, the unknown, all set A1 2012 up as one of the biggest races in years, and then the gate dropped.

Ryan Villopoto laid down the guantlet like never before at Anahiem. " The toughest field ever" was the pre-race cliche but Villopoto just didn't care.

On a one line track, Villopoto yet again delivered when he needed, getting the all important holeshot in the main, and checking out. He showed in his heat race however that he could also come through the field after a blistering ride through the pack in eight short laps to be on the back wheel of leaders, Reed and Alessi.

The odd track may have suited RV, his corner speed was fantastic, but he was also extra aggressive into the singles compared to the other riders. This week at Phoenix will be the first "regular" supercross, so will Villopoto be just as dominant or can the rest of the big five close the gap?

James Stewart did it again. He crashed. But this time it was different. On a new team, who could build the bike around him like no other, James was expected do what Villopoto did, and put a marker down for everyone else to aim at. He had the fastest lap in practice ( with dubious help of a rear dunlop tyre while contracted to Pirelli) and won his heat ( back on Pirellis front and rear) But, in the main, it just didn't happen. A bad start left Stewart riding around on his own in fourth until Dungey and Reed went down. This seemed to breath new life into the Floridian, but, as we have seen before, when he tried to ride that bit harder he went down.

Usually James crashes when in the lead, or at least on his way to the front, this time he was off the pace, and was only up with Reed and Dungey because they had crashed themselves. Stewart brushed his sixth place off and said he wasn't worried. In the aftermath and inquest into his poor performance, it was stated that a lack of practice on the hard pack of California, and the irregular track design could be the reason for the poor set up. With Phoenix going to be equally slick it will be interesting to see if Stewart is more comfortable this weekend.

JGR has invested a lot of time, money and effort into getting James unto their team. They expect results and by results that means victories and championships. Even though it was only the first race, it must be hugely disappointing for everyone involved, and the pressure on JS7 will only increase with every race he doesn't win.

Ryan Dungey made history at Anahiem. He became the first rider to ever give KTM a podium in the Supercross class in his first Supercross race for the brand....not a bad start! For all the changes and the doubters, it looked like not much had changed. Dungey was fast all night, and, despite a small fall in the main, was able to repass Stewart and almost got Reed at the end. Ryan hinted at changes that need to be made for Phoenix, so I would expect Dungey to be really shooting for the win this Saturday night now that they have the first race, and first podium out of the way. If he wins it will be a HUGE story, and he looks ready to challenge if last Saturday night was any indication. KTM are finally a major player in supercross.

Chad Reed did a Chad Reed. Struggled a bit in practice, didn't like the track, yet won his heat and hung on for second in the main event. "I'll take that." was his summation of the evening on a track he made public his dislike for. Reed tweeted yesterday that this week was the first time he put twenty laps together at the test track since his broken foot and thumb in the off season, making his result on Saturday with crash, on such a long track, even more impressive.

Best of the rest was Justin Brayton, the factory 450 Honda rider must have had his heart in his mouth as the sat on the line for the LCQ following a first turn crash ended his heat. He won the LCQ and rode strong in the main through the field, inheriting fourth when Stewart crashed. A good debut for Brayton, but he still needs to find the pace of the big four. Can he get a start in Phoenix and show them what he has?

The big news coming into the second round is the return of Trey Canard. Canard decided to sit out the opener and only rode supercross for the first time on Sunday since his broken collarbone. He says he feels good and you wouldn't bet against him running with the top guys straight away on Saturday...add another potential winner in the mix!

With so many good riders the question is who won't make the main event. At Anahiem it Austin Stroupe was the biggest casualty. Sixth in practice, Stroupe crashed in turn one in his heat and got a dreadful start in the LCQ and missed out. Speedwise though, he seems to have the stuff. Nick Wey also missed the main, as did poor Josh Hill. The Hart and Huntington rider only  made it to the first turn of his heat before getting taken down and suffering a broker tibia. He will be on the sidelines again for another six weeks, after spending a year and a half coming back from crippling injuries sustained in that infamous backflip, this was the worst case scenario for Hill.

It seems that after Anahiem some questions have been answerered but many more have been asked. Yes, RV is hauling, yes, Dungey is just as good on KTM,  and yes, Chad Reed is still solid. But the biggest questions are still there, will RV still be that much faster at Phoenix, will Stewart find his set up and his speed, how will Canard do at his first race back, Can Dungey get KTM's first win?

Phoenix may begin to answer these questions...let's just hope all the top guys all get out of the gate together!