SX: The Burning Q - Now What?
Ryan Villopoto has locked the championship up and yet four victories are out there for the taking. Could someone new step up and steal a win before the year is out?
Team Honda Muscle Milk's Justin Brayton (Photo: Honda Red Riders)
Brayton might be the sneakiest of the group, and he gained considerable experience attempting to hold off Villopoto for the win in Indy and was forced to try to track the champ down in Toronto.
Brayton’s biggest obstacle has been grabbing consistent starts. He simply needs to be at the front of the field from the start in order to really have a chance. As the lead Team Honda Muscle Milk rider, there would be nothing greater than to see this underdog rider claim a checkered flag, especially considering the injuries he’s dealt with for the majority of 2012.
Weimer has the advantage of training alongside Villopoto, which in theory already gives him an leg up over his competitors. He understands firsthand how to establish a torrid pace and if things were to play out right, being a close friend might play in his favor. By no means will Villopoto make it easy should his buddy and teammate be in position to win, but if there was a rider to give a legitimate challenge to Villopoto right now, it very well might be Weimer because he’s working alongside the best in the sport. It would also be a
huge feather in Kawasaki's cap should they hold the distinction of being the only team to put each of its riders atop the podium this season.
Each one of these riders has earned his chance at victory. Villopoto still stands in their way on the path to success, but they're motivated in their own ways to take full advantage of the opportunity that will be presented to them over the next month.
Who knows, maybe all three will find their way to the top. This is Supercross, after all, where anything can happen.