California dreamin'
By TMX Archives on 13th May 15
With the 2015 Monster Energy SX series done and dusted attention Stateside now switches to the great outdoors with the opening round of the Lucas Oils AMA Nationals on Saturday (May 16) at Hangtown in California.
On the back of his dominance indoors Ryan Dungey (Red Bull KTM) starts favourite to regain the 450 title he last won in 2012 but it's not that simple.
Although James Stewart is still serving a ban and Ryan Villopoto is racing GPs there's no shortage of opposition for Dungey.
Defending champion Ken Roczen (RCH Suzuki) was forced to sit out a big chunk of the SX series with an ankle injury but the extra outdoor testing time could hand the German the advantage heading into the series opener.
And he's not the only former world MX2 champion who'll be lining up on a 450.
Christophe Pourcel will ride a Rockstar Energy Husqvarna on his return to the big-bike division after an aborted assault on the class in 2011.
Eli Tomac (Geico Honda) underlined his status as a fierce competitor indoors this season and is a serious threat for wins alongside Cole Seely (HRC Honda) whose rookie 450SX campaign was a revelation.
If he's fully fit Trey Canard (HRC Honda) is also capable of winning and Weston Peick (JGR Yamaha) isn't the kind of rider to take prisoners and his aggressive style translates well to the outdoor series.
Chuck in seasoned Aussie Chad Reed (TwoTwo Kawasaki) and holeshot king Andrew Short (BTO Sports KTM) and it's a seriously stacked field.
FOR MORE MX DIARY STORIES SEE TMX NEWS, THURSDAY MAY 14, (ISSUE 1971)
A Red Bull KTM rider will also start favourite in the 250cc class with Frenchman Marvin Musquin hoping to carry his indoor form outside.
After winning the East Coast SX title and then dominating the East/West Shootout the two-time world MX2 champ is going to be a hard man to beat.
Defending champ Jeremy Martin (Star Racing Yamaha) ran away with the title in 2014 and won't roll over this time around.
Other contenders include Justin Bogle (Geico Honda), Cooper Webb (Star Racing Yamaha) and former British MX2 champions Zach Osborne (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna) and Arnaud Tonus (Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki).
FOR MORE MX DIARY STORIES SEE TMX NEWS, THURSDAY MAY 14, (ISSUE 1971)
