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Supercross & Motocross
WEIGANDT: Three To Tango
Three-rider title fights are exceedingly rare in AMA Motocross history. And this season's Reed/Villopoto/Dungey rivalry is elevating the competition to new heights.
(Photo: Suzuki Racing)
For once, it takes three to tango.
Motocross is labeled as an individual sport. And that’s a proper assessment. Anyone who has ever strapped on a set of MX boots will tell you these races are more rider than bike. In that sense, a motocrosser’s performance often improves not through a push from new parts or new team personnel, but from a competitor.
Tradition says 40 riders line up on the gate each weekend, but history shows the great battles in this sport have come down to two riders. Why only two? The only theory that makes any sense at all is that only two men can really force each other to raise their game.
The numbers don’t lie. The current AMA motocross points structure has been around since 1974, and in 37 seasons of racing in the premier 450 (formerly 250) Class, only twice have three riders truly had a shot at the championship heading into the final round. Twice. In 37 years. Back in 1982, Rick Johnson, Donnie Hansen, and Broc Glover took it down to the wire. Johnson came in as the points leader but busted his front wheel, leading to a DNF and allowing Glover and Hansen to close in. Hansen won the championship, with just six points separating him from Johnson and Glover.
In 2007, Ricky Carmichael was off to his usual dominant start, winning every race through the first half of he season. But RC maintained all along that he would retire on top, and would not race the entire championship. True to his word, he retired from AMA Pro Motocross racing by winning his final race, at Millville, Minnesota. He still held a massive points lead, but elected to forfeit the season. His career was over.
Motocross is labeled as an individual sport. And that’s a proper assessment. Anyone who has ever strapped on a set of MX boots will tell you these races are more rider than bike. In that sense, a motocrosser’s performance often improves not through a push from new parts or new team personnel, but from a competitor.
Tradition says 40 riders line up on the gate each weekend, but history shows the great battles in this sport have come down to two riders. Why only two? The only theory that makes any sense at all is that only two men can really force each other to raise their game.
The numbers don’t lie. The current AMA motocross points structure has been around since 1974, and in 37 seasons of racing in the premier 450 (formerly 250) Class, only twice have three riders truly had a shot at the championship heading into the final round. Twice. In 37 years. Back in 1982, Rick Johnson, Donnie Hansen, and Broc Glover took it down to the wire. Johnson came in as the points leader but busted his front wheel, leading to a DNF and allowing Glover and Hansen to close in. Hansen won the championship, with just six points separating him from Johnson and Glover.
In 2007, Ricky Carmichael was off to his usual dominant start, winning every race through the first half of he season. But RC maintained all along that he would retire on top, and would not race the entire championship. True to his word, he retired from AMA Pro Motocross racing by winning his final race, at Millville, Minnesota. He still held a massive points lead, but elected to forfeit the season. His career was over.
SX Seattle
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