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Supercross & Motocross
SX: The Holeshot - A1
The outstanding performance of Davi Millsaps at the 2013 season opener has left the Supercross world in shock.
Rockstar Energy Suzuki's Davi Millsaps (Photo: Suzuki Racing)
PROGRAMMING NOTE: Round 2 of the 2013 Monster Energy Supercross Championship from Phoenix, AZ will air LIVE on SPEED on Saturday, January 12th at 9:30 ET.
It's easy to point to the difficulties of the preseason favorites, but Davi Millsaps was quite simply the most consistent rider last Saturday night in Anaheim, and that’s why the veteran rider walked away with his fourth career victory in what was his most impressive performance to date.
Millsaps flew under the radar entering Anaheim, as he's done for so most of his career. He switched from the Joe Gibbs Racing team to the new 450SX effort at Rockstar Energy Suzuki. And with so much uncertainty surrounding this new relationship, despite his runner-up ranking in 2012, it was with little surprise that his name was rarely mentioned in the conversations that typically included Ryan Villopoto, Ryan Dungey, Chad Reed, James Stewart, Justin Barcia and Trey Canard.
However, Millsaps did what any rider in his position would. He was motivated, he was excited about his new team, and he rode like a man out to make a statement. From his heat race to the main event, it was a collectively impressive effort. And while his win was regarded as an upset, when you look at the course of the evening it’s not all surprising that Millsaps was at the front of the field.
What was surprising was that none of the five riders who were most frequently touted as the season's title contenders were even a factor in the battle for the win.
Millsaps’ underdog victory sent shockwaves throughout the paddock, leaving many wondering if the Suzuki rider is an overlooked contender this season and what exactly happened to the 'Big Five' in Anaheim.
Reigning champ Villopoto looked poised to make a run at another Anaheim victory after a very impressive climb through the field in his heat race to almost steal the win. However, after being caught sleeping on the gate in the main event, Villopoto found himself buried in 15th place off the start and needing the work his way through the most decorated field of riders in history.
Perhaps Villopoto was trying to rush his way forward a bit too impatiently, understanding that the longer he waits the further the front pack pulls away. However, in that attempt, he experienced what has to be one of the worst nights of his racing career in arguably the highest-profile race of the season. Three separate incidents, including a scary crash after landing on a tuff block, relegated the back-to-back champ to a 16th-place finish. He will now have his work cut out for him to get back to the top of the standings.
If there was ever a moment to serve as a blow to Villopoto’s mental psyche, Saturday night would have been in it. However, as mentioned in the preseason Top 5 Countdown here at SPEED.com, Villopoto does not seem to let anything phase him, and following the event, he had a smile on his face joking with his team, simply chalking A1 up to a bad night, something that happens to the best of them.
It's easy to point to the difficulties of the preseason favorites, but Davi Millsaps was quite simply the most consistent rider last Saturday night in Anaheim, and that’s why the veteran rider walked away with his fourth career victory in what was his most impressive performance to date.
Millsaps flew under the radar entering Anaheim, as he's done for so most of his career. He switched from the Joe Gibbs Racing team to the new 450SX effort at Rockstar Energy Suzuki. And with so much uncertainty surrounding this new relationship, despite his runner-up ranking in 2012, it was with little surprise that his name was rarely mentioned in the conversations that typically included Ryan Villopoto, Ryan Dungey, Chad Reed, James Stewart, Justin Barcia and Trey Canard.
However, Millsaps did what any rider in his position would. He was motivated, he was excited about his new team, and he rode like a man out to make a statement. From his heat race to the main event, it was a collectively impressive effort. And while his win was regarded as an upset, when you look at the course of the evening it’s not all surprising that Millsaps was at the front of the field.
What was surprising was that none of the five riders who were most frequently touted as the season's title contenders were even a factor in the battle for the win.
Millsaps’ underdog victory sent shockwaves throughout the paddock, leaving many wondering if the Suzuki rider is an overlooked contender this season and what exactly happened to the 'Big Five' in Anaheim.
Reigning champ Villopoto looked poised to make a run at another Anaheim victory after a very impressive climb through the field in his heat race to almost steal the win. However, after being caught sleeping on the gate in the main event, Villopoto found himself buried in 15th place off the start and needing the work his way through the most decorated field of riders in history.
Perhaps Villopoto was trying to rush his way forward a bit too impatiently, understanding that the longer he waits the further the front pack pulls away. However, in that attempt, he experienced what has to be one of the worst nights of his racing career in arguably the highest-profile race of the season. Three separate incidents, including a scary crash after landing on a tuff block, relegated the back-to-back champ to a 16th-place finish. He will now have his work cut out for him to get back to the top of the standings.
If there was ever a moment to serve as a blow to Villopoto’s mental psyche, Saturday night would have been in it. However, as mentioned in the preseason Top 5 Countdown here at SPEED.com, Villopoto does not seem to let anything phase him, and following the event, he had a smile on his face joking with his team, simply chalking A1 up to a bad night, something that happens to the best of them.
SX Seattle
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