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Supercross & Motocross
SX: SPEED Broadcast Team Talks ‘13 Storylines
Ralph Sheheen, Jeff Emig, and Erin Bates talk about the upcoming Monster Energy Supercross season, which will kick off live on SPEED on January 5th.
SPEED's Monster Energy Supercross broadcast team of Jeff Emig, Erin Bates, and Ralph Sheheen
Coming off a season of double-digit ratings increases, SPEED looks forward to the 2013 Monster Energy Supercross Series kick-off on Saturday, Jan. 5 at 9:30 p.m. ET, live from Anaheim. Super-sized coverage includes an extended, live pre-race show beginning at 8:30 p.m. ET. Last season, Supercross saw significant ratings increases in several key demographic categories, including households (+11%), Men 18-49 (+30%) and in Men 35-54 (31%), according to Nielsen Media Research.
Now in its seventh year together, the SPEED broadcast team of host Ralph Sheheen, analyst and Hall-of-Fame rider Jeff Emig and pit reporter Erin Bates -- joined regularly by Supercross legend and SPEED analyst Ricky Carmichael -- takes on this year’s storylines heading into the opener:
What do you consider the biggest story heading into the 2013 Supercross season?
Sheheen: "The biggest story is whether or not Ryan Villopoto returns to top form from a serious injury yet again. He did it after his horrific crash in St. Louis in 2010 to win the title in 2011. He won everything there was to win all the way through 2011 and 2012 including a second Supercross crown, only to suffer another major injury."
Emig: “The level of competition. It is projected that we will have 10 riders on the gate for the Anaheim opener who have won at least one Monster Energy Supercross main event. In addition, we should have Justin Barcia, who just won the Monster Energy Cup on a 450. So, I look at it as a pretty stacked field with three groups of riders contending for the title. You have veterans like Chad Reed, James Stewart and Kevin Windham, established champions like Villopoto, Ryan Dungey, Trey Canard and Jake Weimer in the middle of their careers, and finally first- and second-year racers Justin Barcia and Broc Tickle, who have 250 titles to their credit. And that’s just a few racers in the 450 class; the 250 is just as exciting!”
Bates: “That's the beautiful thing about Supercross ... we have a handful of BIG stories coming into the 2013 season. Personally, I'm looking forward to seeing riders returning from injury showing up Jan. 5 ready for battle. Defending two-time SX champ Ryan Villopoto coming back from trials ... and former two-time SX champ Chad Reed returning after a bittersweet 2012 season. I think the new generation entering the SX field is filled with hunger and could play a factor in this year’s championship as well.”
Who has the edge in this year’s championship hunt? Pick your top three finishers in this year’s points race.
Sheheen: "Until somebody steps up and beats Villopoto, it's going to be hard to bet against him. My top three are 1. Ryan Villopoto 2. Ryan Dungey 3. Chad Reed.”
Emig: “Villopoto is the champ until some takes the No. 1 plate from him.”
Bates: “It's way too early to tell at this point. I'm going to have to see a few laps of practice first and then witness the gate drop at Angel Stadium before I can give my prediction. For me, it’s a good indicator of who's done their homework during the offseason and is coming in fully prepared. They're all extremely physically fit, so it could boil down to who's tougher mentally.”
Which rider will surprise fans this year? Why?
Sheheen: "I think there are two guys who will surprise people in 2013. First, I think two-time champ Chad Reed will be back stronger than ever and a title contender once again after a very serious injury in 2012. I also think Justin Barcia will have a great rookie season, and I think he will win a race or two."
Emig: “Oh, that’s Justin Barcia. They don’t call him ‘Bam Bam’ for nothing! He has a tendency to muscle his way past other riders. But he isn’t in the 250 class anymore … the ‘Big Boys’ will do some pushing back.”
Bates: “I think that Justin Barcia, aka ‘Bam Bam,’ will surprise a lot of people this year. He's a two-time SX Lites East Champion moving up to the 450 class. He's known for his aggressiveness and incredible talent on track. He never concerns himself with making friends while racing and is clearly not intimidated by the competition. It will be interesting to see if he'll be able to manage the power of the 450 and duplicate his performance at the Monster Energy Cup.”
Now in its seventh year together, the SPEED broadcast team of host Ralph Sheheen, analyst and Hall-of-Fame rider Jeff Emig and pit reporter Erin Bates -- joined regularly by Supercross legend and SPEED analyst Ricky Carmichael -- takes on this year’s storylines heading into the opener:
What do you consider the biggest story heading into the 2013 Supercross season?
Sheheen: "The biggest story is whether or not Ryan Villopoto returns to top form from a serious injury yet again. He did it after his horrific crash in St. Louis in 2010 to win the title in 2011. He won everything there was to win all the way through 2011 and 2012 including a second Supercross crown, only to suffer another major injury."
Emig: “The level of competition. It is projected that we will have 10 riders on the gate for the Anaheim opener who have won at least one Monster Energy Supercross main event. In addition, we should have Justin Barcia, who just won the Monster Energy Cup on a 450. So, I look at it as a pretty stacked field with three groups of riders contending for the title. You have veterans like Chad Reed, James Stewart and Kevin Windham, established champions like Villopoto, Ryan Dungey, Trey Canard and Jake Weimer in the middle of their careers, and finally first- and second-year racers Justin Barcia and Broc Tickle, who have 250 titles to their credit. And that’s just a few racers in the 450 class; the 250 is just as exciting!”
Bates: “That's the beautiful thing about Supercross ... we have a handful of BIG stories coming into the 2013 season. Personally, I'm looking forward to seeing riders returning from injury showing up Jan. 5 ready for battle. Defending two-time SX champ Ryan Villopoto coming back from trials ... and former two-time SX champ Chad Reed returning after a bittersweet 2012 season. I think the new generation entering the SX field is filled with hunger and could play a factor in this year’s championship as well.”
Who has the edge in this year’s championship hunt? Pick your top three finishers in this year’s points race.
Sheheen: "Until somebody steps up and beats Villopoto, it's going to be hard to bet against him. My top three are 1. Ryan Villopoto 2. Ryan Dungey 3. Chad Reed.”
Emig: “Villopoto is the champ until some takes the No. 1 plate from him.”
Bates: “It's way too early to tell at this point. I'm going to have to see a few laps of practice first and then witness the gate drop at Angel Stadium before I can give my prediction. For me, it’s a good indicator of who's done their homework during the offseason and is coming in fully prepared. They're all extremely physically fit, so it could boil down to who's tougher mentally.”
Which rider will surprise fans this year? Why?
Sheheen: "I think there are two guys who will surprise people in 2013. First, I think two-time champ Chad Reed will be back stronger than ever and a title contender once again after a very serious injury in 2012. I also think Justin Barcia will have a great rookie season, and I think he will win a race or two."
Emig: “Oh, that’s Justin Barcia. They don’t call him ‘Bam Bam’ for nothing! He has a tendency to muscle his way past other riders. But he isn’t in the 250 class anymore … the ‘Big Boys’ will do some pushing back.”
Bates: “I think that Justin Barcia, aka ‘Bam Bam,’ will surprise a lot of people this year. He's a two-time SX Lites East Champion moving up to the 450 class. He's known for his aggressiveness and incredible talent on track. He never concerns himself with making friends while racing and is clearly not intimidated by the competition. It will be interesting to see if he'll be able to manage the power of the 450 and duplicate his performance at the Monster Energy Cup.”
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