Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Broc Tickle (Photo: Steve Cox)

We’ve also seen the emergence of Broc Tickle as a formidable 450 rider throughout the first five races of the 2012 season, and last Saturday he was rewarded with the best finish of his career, period. For years Tickle has appeared better suited to the technicality of Supercross, winning a Lites title in '11. However, the tables have turned since making the switch to the bigger bikes.

After a tumultuous campaign indoors, Tickle is now hitting his stride outdoors and with continually-growing confidence, should be a regular presence challenging for the podium. That would give us at least three riders battling it out for the spots behind Dungey -- Alessi, Tickle and Jake Weimer -- not to mention riders like Davi Millsaps, Brett Metcalfe, and Andrew Short who are bound to start dialing in their efforts as well.

While there may not be a lot of close competition for the win, we could be in for some incredible battles for second and third moving forward.

While the parity in the 250 Class has taken a bit of a hit with back-to-back repeat winners, it has done little to take away from the intensity of the racing going down between Blake Baggett, Justin Barcia, Ken Roczen, and Eli Tomac.

From one week to the next, a rider looks ready to take control as the division’s true leader, only to have his momentum dashed the following round. Tomac boasts two wins, but continues to struggle out of the gate and it’s hurting his results. Baggett has been atop the standings since the opener and even extended his lead this weekend, but he’s also had trouble with his starts and all too often has been forced to put forth remarkable rides just to get close to the front. That's not a good way to try to win a championship on a consistent basis.

Ken Roczen has arguably been the most consistent of all the contenders, but he’s yet to break through for a moto win despite leading the majority of several motos. His late-race fades have done him no favors, yet he’s still the only rider to finish on the podium at each round. That's the sort of consistency that will prove to be valuable when it comes to the championship.

As for Barcia, he’s been consistent as well, particularly out of the gate, but for the past two weeks he’s failed to back up strong first motos with equally impressive second motos. As a result, he's given away two potential overall wins.

The on-track action in this class is entirely unpredictable. Each contender has his strengths, but they are manifesting in such a way to keep things up in the air each week. As the points leader, Baggett has control, but his lack of reliable results has negatively impacted his chances of opening up some breathing space. With his latest win at Budds Creek, the momentum is back in his favor, but by no means is he running the show -- at least not until he finds a way to dominate over consecutive weekends.

Now that we’re nearly halfway through the 2012 season, the title races have taken shape and we have a good idea how things will play out, at least generally. As long as Stewart remains sidelined, the 450 Class will be dominated by Dungey, who looks well on his way to a second title. Meanwhile, the opportunity still remains for a rider to emerge as the leader of the pack in the 250 Class, but to this point no one appears ready to grab the reins just yet and because of it, we’re being treated to the best racing the class has seen in many years.