-
Home
- TV Shows
-
TV Schedule
-
SPEED Showcase
-
- NASCAR
-
Latest Headlines: NASCAR
-
-
Formula 1
- Auto Racing
- Moto Racing
- Cars
- Bikes
- Store
- Social
- Games
- Mobile
- Deals
- Videos
- Photos
- Home
- TV Shows
-
TV Schedule
-
SPEED Showcase
-
- NASCAR
- Formula 1
- Auto Racing
- Moto Racing
- Cars
- Bikes
- Store
- Social
- Mobile
- Deals
- Videos
- Photos
Supercross & Motocross
SX: Monster Energy Cup Teases Season Ahead
Last Saturday's Monster Energy Cup provided more than a few hints of what the 2013 Supercross season has in store…
Red Bull KTM Factory's Ryan Dungey (Photo: Hoppenworld.com)
In addition to being one of the most unique and exciting races ever conceived, the Monster Energy Cup has a bit of additional buzz about it because of its timing. Come October, new contracts are signed for the upcoming season, meaning that this particular event serves as a coming out party for new faces in new places, new bikes, new gear some two months prior to the official start of the 2013 season.
By all accounts, last Saturday’s sophomore effort of the Monster Energy Cup was a huge success. The track was more challenging, the format was more exciting, and while no one was able to walk away with a million bucks, we still saw a tremendous race for the win and an impressive $100,000 check to go along with it.
The crew at Feld Motor Sports deserves considerable credit for the progression of this event -- particularly the addition of the Joker lane -- and has to be considered a must-attend for all riders in the years ahead. At one point, #MEConSPEED was the highest trending topic on Twitter, which says a lot about the incredible growth and exposure of this event in just one year.
There is simply too much that can be gained from participating, and at the very least, teams and riders will be forced to think long and hard before passing on it from here on out. Testing is great, but there is no substitute for the sort of information that can be gathered in competition, particularly one with high stakes and yet no pressure associated with it.
And with the Monster Energy Cup serving as somewhat of a preview of the season ahead, what did we learn as we near 2013?
The obvious first answer is probably one that we thought all along, but didn’t receive confirmation until Saturday night -- Justin Barcia will be a factor as a rookie. 'Bam Bam' has already shown his prowess on a 450, but this time it actually meant something. As the most highly-touted rookie in the coming season (along with Dean Wilson), Barcia seized the opportunity and made a statement to his new rivals. He rode great all night, making impressive moves and -- perhaps more importantly -- did so without ruffling any feathers by being overly aggressive.
Last year we saw a more mature Barcia emerge, and it looks like he could carry this mentality with him as he transitions to the big bikes. I think it’s too early to consider him a title contender next season, but wins aren’t out of the question.
As if his past success wasn’t enough, Ryan Dungey showed the world that he’s an immensely talented rider and the hashtag “BOSS” became a popular item after the reigning AMA Motocross champ hand-shifted his KTM in mid-air off the big double that led outside the stadium.
In two of the three main events, Dungey was forced to “suicide shift” his bike after suffering a bent shift lever – once after making contact with a tuff block and again after somehow bending it on his own. Despite his shifting nightmares, Dungey still posted third and fourth-place finishes while riding virtually the entire track in second gear.
Moreover, the KTM ace climbed his way from seventh in the first main event and fifth in the second main event to achieve those finishes. Many considered Dungey to be the fastest rider at Monster Energy Cup, but in true Vegas spirit, Lady Luck simply wasn’t on his side. Entering the third and final main event, Dungey still had a chance at the overall, but didn’t show the sort of pace he had earlier in the evening. Whether he was caught off guard by the speed of Tomac and Barcia, made a strategic error with the Joker lane, or still had some lingering mechanical gremlins is unknown, but Dungey still left as the likely title favorite heading into Anaheim, and perhaps with a few more fans in support.
By all accounts, last Saturday’s sophomore effort of the Monster Energy Cup was a huge success. The track was more challenging, the format was more exciting, and while no one was able to walk away with a million bucks, we still saw a tremendous race for the win and an impressive $100,000 check to go along with it.
The crew at Feld Motor Sports deserves considerable credit for the progression of this event -- particularly the addition of the Joker lane -- and has to be considered a must-attend for all riders in the years ahead. At one point, #MEConSPEED was the highest trending topic on Twitter, which says a lot about the incredible growth and exposure of this event in just one year.
There is simply too much that can be gained from participating, and at the very least, teams and riders will be forced to think long and hard before passing on it from here on out. Testing is great, but there is no substitute for the sort of information that can be gathered in competition, particularly one with high stakes and yet no pressure associated with it.
And with the Monster Energy Cup serving as somewhat of a preview of the season ahead, what did we learn as we near 2013?
The obvious first answer is probably one that we thought all along, but didn’t receive confirmation until Saturday night -- Justin Barcia will be a factor as a rookie. 'Bam Bam' has already shown his prowess on a 450, but this time it actually meant something. As the most highly-touted rookie in the coming season (along with Dean Wilson), Barcia seized the opportunity and made a statement to his new rivals. He rode great all night, making impressive moves and -- perhaps more importantly -- did so without ruffling any feathers by being overly aggressive.
Last year we saw a more mature Barcia emerge, and it looks like he could carry this mentality with him as he transitions to the big bikes. I think it’s too early to consider him a title contender next season, but wins aren’t out of the question.
As if his past success wasn’t enough, Ryan Dungey showed the world that he’s an immensely talented rider and the hashtag “BOSS” became a popular item after the reigning AMA Motocross champ hand-shifted his KTM in mid-air off the big double that led outside the stadium.
In two of the three main events, Dungey was forced to “suicide shift” his bike after suffering a bent shift lever – once after making contact with a tuff block and again after somehow bending it on his own. Despite his shifting nightmares, Dungey still posted third and fourth-place finishes while riding virtually the entire track in second gear.
Moreover, the KTM ace climbed his way from seventh in the first main event and fifth in the second main event to achieve those finishes. Many considered Dungey to be the fastest rider at Monster Energy Cup, but in true Vegas spirit, Lady Luck simply wasn’t on his side. Entering the third and final main event, Dungey still had a chance at the overall, but didn’t show the sort of pace he had earlier in the evening. Whether he was caught off guard by the speed of Tomac and Barcia, made a strategic error with the Joker lane, or still had some lingering mechanical gremlins is unknown, but Dungey still left as the likely title favorite heading into Anaheim, and perhaps with a few more fans in support.
SX Seattle
LATEST HEADLINES: MOTO-RACING
-
WSBK: Donington Park Superpole Ticker
Notes and quotes following Tom Sykes' 15th career Superpole triumph.… -
PHOTOS: WSBK - Donington Park Superpole
Tom Sykes claimed the 15th Superpole victory of his career today… -
WSBK: Sykes Strikes Up Fourth Straight Superpole
Kawasaki Racing Team's Tom Sykes is now tied for sixth all-time in… -
AMA SBK: '13 Schedule Finalized
The late-season 'TBA' has officially been scrubbed from the 2013… -
AMA SBK: AMA Pro Invests In Airfence
AMA Pro Racing officials announced today that the company will be… -
PHOTOS: WSBK - Donington Park QP
Local favorite Tom Sykes was quickest in mixed conditions on the… -
WSBK: Donington Park QP Ticker
Notes and quotes following a wet opening day at Donington Park. - More News
