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Supercross & Motocross
SX: The Holeshot - Arlington
The cream is rising to the top as the 2013 Monster Energy Supercross title fight is taking shape as a three-man fight.
Monster Energy Kawasaki's Ryan Villopoto (Photo: Kawasaki Racing)
PROGRAMMING NOTE: Round 8 of the 2013 Monster Energy Supercross Championship from Atlanta, GA will air LIVE on SPEED on Saturday, February 23rd at 7:30pm ET.
Despite leaving the western region for the first time in 2013, the Monster Energy Supercross race in Texas ultimately proved to be more of the same. For the third time this season Ryan Villopoto made it look easy as he romped to victory, while Davi Millsaps and Ryan Dungey again cemented themselves on the podium.
As the season continues to progress, these three riders have repeatedly proven to be the ones in control at the top. Both Millsaps and Dungey have the total package -- the ability to win and to be consistent -- while Villopoto stands as the odds on favorite to win each weekend barring any misfortune, which unfortunately has been his biggest problem thus far.
While he gave up some ground to the champ in the standings, Millsaps still walked away from Dallas with an increased margin over the man in second, Dungey. At this point, it’s going to take a bad night from Millsaps to really make things interesting any time soon. With 21 points in hand, Millsaps has earned the luxury to play it safe if he thinks he needs to. Last Saturday, he maintained a pace that was comfortable for him, allowing Villopoto to pull away in first and Dungey to rapidly close from third at the end of the main event. Nevertheless, Millsaps was calm, cool, and collected. Not at any point this season has there been the slightest hint of nervousness or pressure from Millsaps. He’s supremely confident in his program, and his non-factory Suzuki is more than up to the task of running alongside the million-dollar budgets of the OEMs, particularly out of the gate.
Sure, with 10 rounds remaining, either Villopoto or Dungey could conceivably go on a huge winning streak that simply chips away at that deficit. However, if you assume Millsaps is going to continue to be a podium guy like he has been, it’s going to take time for them to get within striking distance, especially with no more than five points changing hands in such a situation.
We all know that winning is harder now than it’s ever been, as evidenced by the fact that both James Stewart and Chad Reed haven’t even come close to scoring a victory this season. No one has been able to take this championship by the reigns and dictate what happens, although Villopoto did come close early on.
The only thing we’ve been able to count on is a strong start by Millsaps and the resultant strong likelihood that he’ll end up on the podium -- six finishes inside the top three in seven races with a fourth in the other. That gives Millsaps all the momentum until someone manages to take it away and actually put some pressure on the Suzuki rider. That or he suffers from some bad luck of his own. He’s the only contender this season who hasn’t had to pick up his bike off the ground in a main event.
Millsaps now heads to his home race in Atlanta, which is bound to put a little more energy into his riding. Dungey has been very successful inside the Georgia Dome as well, while Villopoto has a complicated relationship with the building. These are the three riders to watch from here on out, so keep an eye on how their night unfolds.
It's also worth noting that Eli Tomac will make his move to the 450 this weekend aboard Kevin Windham’s bike. Consider this as the sneak preview of what lies ahead in 2014 when he likely graduates to that same bike full time.
Despite leaving the western region for the first time in 2013, the Monster Energy Supercross race in Texas ultimately proved to be more of the same. For the third time this season Ryan Villopoto made it look easy as he romped to victory, while Davi Millsaps and Ryan Dungey again cemented themselves on the podium.
As the season continues to progress, these three riders have repeatedly proven to be the ones in control at the top. Both Millsaps and Dungey have the total package -- the ability to win and to be consistent -- while Villopoto stands as the odds on favorite to win each weekend barring any misfortune, which unfortunately has been his biggest problem thus far.
While he gave up some ground to the champ in the standings, Millsaps still walked away from Dallas with an increased margin over the man in second, Dungey. At this point, it’s going to take a bad night from Millsaps to really make things interesting any time soon. With 21 points in hand, Millsaps has earned the luxury to play it safe if he thinks he needs to. Last Saturday, he maintained a pace that was comfortable for him, allowing Villopoto to pull away in first and Dungey to rapidly close from third at the end of the main event. Nevertheless, Millsaps was calm, cool, and collected. Not at any point this season has there been the slightest hint of nervousness or pressure from Millsaps. He’s supremely confident in his program, and his non-factory Suzuki is more than up to the task of running alongside the million-dollar budgets of the OEMs, particularly out of the gate.
Sure, with 10 rounds remaining, either Villopoto or Dungey could conceivably go on a huge winning streak that simply chips away at that deficit. However, if you assume Millsaps is going to continue to be a podium guy like he has been, it’s going to take time for them to get within striking distance, especially with no more than five points changing hands in such a situation.
We all know that winning is harder now than it’s ever been, as evidenced by the fact that both James Stewart and Chad Reed haven’t even come close to scoring a victory this season. No one has been able to take this championship by the reigns and dictate what happens, although Villopoto did come close early on.
The only thing we’ve been able to count on is a strong start by Millsaps and the resultant strong likelihood that he’ll end up on the podium -- six finishes inside the top three in seven races with a fourth in the other. That gives Millsaps all the momentum until someone manages to take it away and actually put some pressure on the Suzuki rider. That or he suffers from some bad luck of his own. He’s the only contender this season who hasn’t had to pick up his bike off the ground in a main event.
Millsaps now heads to his home race in Atlanta, which is bound to put a little more energy into his riding. Dungey has been very successful inside the Georgia Dome as well, while Villopoto has a complicated relationship with the building. These are the three riders to watch from here on out, so keep an eye on how their night unfolds.
It's also worth noting that Eli Tomac will make his move to the 450 this weekend aboard Kevin Windham’s bike. Consider this as the sneak preview of what lies ahead in 2014 when he likely graduates to that same bike full time.
SX Seattle
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