2003 US Motocross Championship Preview
Published: May 8th, 2003
Share
Here is a nice preview of the 2003 Outdoor Motocross Championship, including schedule info on Round 1 at Glen Helen.
GLEN HELEN MARKS BEGINNING OF 2003 AMA CHEVY TRUCKS U.S. MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
Season opens amid much drama
PICKERINGTON, Ohio ~ The 2003 AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Motocross Championship arrives in San Bernardino, Calif., and Glen Helen Raceway on Sunday, May 11, for the season kickoff. Anticipation is high in the 250 Championship with the Ricky Carmichael and Chad Reed rivalry carrying over from the just completed AMA Supercross season.
Additionally, the 125 Championship, which many expected to be a cakewalk for defending champ James Stewart, is suddenly wide open after the news of Stewart breaking his collarbone in the Las Vegas Dave Coombs 125 Shootout. With Stewart temporarily sidelined it will give other 125 riders an opportunity to gain the spotlight and try to get enough of a head start in the championship point standings to keep Stewart at bay upon his return.
By far the biggest story coming into Glen Helen is the emergence of Yamaha's 21-year-old Australian sensation Chad Reed. Reed polished off the AMA Supercross season with an impressive six-race winning streak. Even though he came up short in his quest to dethrone Carmichael in Supercross, Reed has certainly established himself as the hottest rider on the circuit. Now Reed will face three-time defending AMA 250 Motocross champ Carmichael in his favorite element - the motocross nationals.
"I think most people know that I'm not as talented in Supercross as I am in motocross," said Carmichael, who became the first rider in AMA Motocross history to go undefeated through the entire 2002 series. "The outdoor nationals come a little more naturally to me and I'm looking forward to the challenge of defending my title."
Reed views the upcoming motocross series as his greatest challenge yet. "I know Ricky has been dominant in motocross so if I could beat him in his favorite environment it would mean a lot," Reed said. "I'm looking forward to the summer season. I injured my shoulder last year and don't think I truly showed what I was capable of." Reed added that he still hasn't decided for certain if he will ride Yamaha's new YZ450F four-stroke motocross machine or the proven YZ250 two-stroke he rode during the AMA Supercross season. "I'm leaning towards the 250 because of the success I've had on it this year."
Another big story coming into San Bernardino is the return of most of the factory 250 riders who were recovering from injuries suffered in an especially unforgiving Supercross season. Suzuki will be back to full strength with the return of Travis Pastrana and Sebastien Tortelli, who will join Sean Hamblin in the 250 class. Pastrana is hoping to fulfill the promise in the 250 series he showed earlier in the 125 class, which he won in 2000.
Others on the long list of riders returning from injury include KTM's Grant Langston, Kawasaki's Ezra Lusk, Yamaha's David Vuillemin and Honda's Mike LaRocco and Nate Ramsey. All five are very capable of winning nationals. LaRocco, Tim Ferry and Tortelli join last year's winner Carmichael as former 250 victors at Glen Helen.
Perhaps never in the history of AMA 125 Motocross has a rider been such a heavy pre-season favorite as Kawasaki's James Stewart. The landscape of this year's championship changed dramatically in one fateful moment last Saturday night in Las Vegas when Stewart suffered a hard crash and broke his collarbone. It's not certain when the defending series and Glen Helen winner will return, but four to six weeks are typical for that type of injury. That means that Stewart could miss anywhere from three to five rounds of the series. Also missing from the season opener will be Suzuki ace Branden Jesseman, the 125 East Supercross champ and last year's 125 motocross runner-up who broke a thumb in practice a few weeks ago and who may return to action about the same time Stewart does. It's ironic that the motocross season begins with both 125 AMA Supercross champs sidelined.
With Stewart and Jesseman temporarily out, that suddenly leaves a huge void in the class, which points towards a golden opportunity for the rest of the 125 series competitors. Without Stewart there is no clear-cut favorite in the 125 series. Perhaps the moniker of pre-season favorite will fall to 2001 champ Mike Brown, another Kawasaki rider. Brown, a 30-year-old veteran racer from Tennessee, certainly has the credentials to be the frontrunner.
A host of other 125 riders are looking to step up in Stewart's absence. One hot rider in the class coming into Glen Helen is Suzuki's Andrew Short, who won the Dave Coombs 125 Shootout last weekend in Las Vegas.
Stephane Roncada was slated to race 250s this year, but Suzuki asked him to ride in the 125 class at the last minute. He could be a big factor.
Others to watch for in the 125 class include Yamaha's Ivan Tedesco, Honda's Michael Byrne and Christopher Gosselaar. Exciting additions to the class this year are KTM's Ryan Hughes, returning from retirement and fast newcomer Josh Hansen, son of 1982 AMA Motocross champ Donnie Hansen.
Glen Helen presents some of the most unique challenges to riders in the 12-round AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Motocross Championship. One of the circuit's hills, nicknamed Mt. St. Helens, is the steepest and most intimidating climb and descent on the tour. The circuit has been a regular on the series schedule since 1993.
For ticket information call (909) 880-1733 or visit the track's website at:
www.glenhelen.com.
For immediate post-race results, points, live transponder scoring, in-depth series and rider information, regular columnists and much more, log onto www.USMotocross.com.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS GLEN HELEN RACEWAY PARK, SAN BERNARDINO, CALIFORNIA
SATURDAY MAY 17, 2003
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Semi Truck Parking
10:00 AM - Paddock open to all National credential holders
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM Registration and Tech at track for all professional riders
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM Will Call
1:30 PM Riders Meeting
2:00 PM 125 Non-Seeded riders practice
2:20 PM 250 Non-Seeded riders practice
2:40 PM 125/250 Seeded riders practice
3:00 PM 125 Non-Seeded riderspractice
3:20 PM 250 Non-Seeded riderspractice
3:40 PM 125/250 Seeded riders practice
4:15 PM Pre-Qualifiers
SUNDAY MAY 18, 2003
8:00 AM - 1:00 PM Will Call
8:30 AM Riders Meeting (mandatory)
8:45 AM Chapel Service
9:00 AM - 9:20 AM 125 National riders practice
9:20 AM - 9:40 AM 250 National riders practice
9:45 AM - 10:00 AM 125 National riders practice
10:00 AM 10:15 AM 250 National riders practice
10:30 AM - completion Qualifiers
12:30 PM Opening Ceremonies
1:00 PM Moto 1- 125 National- 30mins, plus 2 laps
2:00 PM Moto 1- 250 National- 30mins, plus 2 laps
3:30 PM Moto 2- 125 National- 30mins, plus 2 laps
4:20 PM Moto 2- 250 National- 30mins, plus 2 laps
5:30 PM Victory Circle
About AMA Pro Racing
AMA Pro Racing is the leading sanctioning body for motorcycle sport in the United States. Its properties include the AMA Supercross Championship, the AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Motocross Championship, the AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship, the AMA Progressive Insurance U.S. Flat Track Championship and the AMA Red Bull Supermoto Championship. Nearly 2 million race fans attended AMA Pro Racing events during the 2002 season. For more information about AMA Pro Racing, visit www.amaproracing.com
Get Motorcycle.com in your InboxGLEN HELEN MARKS BEGINNING OF 2003 AMA CHEVY TRUCKS U.S. MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
Season opens amid much drama
PICKERINGTON, Ohio ~ The 2003 AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Motocross Championship arrives in San Bernardino, Calif., and Glen Helen Raceway on Sunday, May 11, for the season kickoff. Anticipation is high in the 250 Championship with the Ricky Carmichael and Chad Reed rivalry carrying over from the just completed AMA Supercross season.
Additionally, the 125 Championship, which many expected to be a cakewalk for defending champ James Stewart, is suddenly wide open after the news of Stewart breaking his collarbone in the Las Vegas Dave Coombs 125 Shootout. With Stewart temporarily sidelined it will give other 125 riders an opportunity to gain the spotlight and try to get enough of a head start in the championship point standings to keep Stewart at bay upon his return.
By far the biggest story coming into Glen Helen is the emergence of Yamaha's 21-year-old Australian sensation Chad Reed. Reed polished off the AMA Supercross season with an impressive six-race winning streak. Even though he came up short in his quest to dethrone Carmichael in Supercross, Reed has certainly established himself as the hottest rider on the circuit. Now Reed will face three-time defending AMA 250 Motocross champ Carmichael in his favorite element - the motocross nationals.
"I think most people know that I'm not as talented in Supercross as I am in motocross," said Carmichael, who became the first rider in AMA Motocross history to go undefeated through the entire 2002 series. "The outdoor nationals come a little more naturally to me and I'm looking forward to the challenge of defending my title."
Reed views the upcoming motocross series as his greatest challenge yet. "I know Ricky has been dominant in motocross so if I could beat him in his favorite environment it would mean a lot," Reed said. "I'm looking forward to the summer season. I injured my shoulder last year and don't think I truly showed what I was capable of." Reed added that he still hasn't decided for certain if he will ride Yamaha's new YZ450F four-stroke motocross machine or the proven YZ250 two-stroke he rode during the AMA Supercross season. "I'm leaning towards the 250 because of the success I've had on it this year."
Another big story coming into San Bernardino is the return of most of the factory 250 riders who were recovering from injuries suffered in an especially unforgiving Supercross season. Suzuki will be back to full strength with the return of Travis Pastrana and Sebastien Tortelli, who will join Sean Hamblin in the 250 class. Pastrana is hoping to fulfill the promise in the 250 series he showed earlier in the 125 class, which he won in 2000.
Others on the long list of riders returning from injury include KTM's Grant Langston, Kawasaki's Ezra Lusk, Yamaha's David Vuillemin and Honda's Mike LaRocco and Nate Ramsey. All five are very capable of winning nationals. LaRocco, Tim Ferry and Tortelli join last year's winner Carmichael as former 250 victors at Glen Helen.
Perhaps never in the history of AMA 125 Motocross has a rider been such a heavy pre-season favorite as Kawasaki's James Stewart. The landscape of this year's championship changed dramatically in one fateful moment last Saturday night in Las Vegas when Stewart suffered a hard crash and broke his collarbone. It's not certain when the defending series and Glen Helen winner will return, but four to six weeks are typical for that type of injury. That means that Stewart could miss anywhere from three to five rounds of the series. Also missing from the season opener will be Suzuki ace Branden Jesseman, the 125 East Supercross champ and last year's 125 motocross runner-up who broke a thumb in practice a few weeks ago and who may return to action about the same time Stewart does. It's ironic that the motocross season begins with both 125 AMA Supercross champs sidelined.
With Stewart and Jesseman temporarily out, that suddenly leaves a huge void in the class, which points towards a golden opportunity for the rest of the 125 series competitors. Without Stewart there is no clear-cut favorite in the 125 series. Perhaps the moniker of pre-season favorite will fall to 2001 champ Mike Brown, another Kawasaki rider. Brown, a 30-year-old veteran racer from Tennessee, certainly has the credentials to be the frontrunner.
A host of other 125 riders are looking to step up in Stewart's absence. One hot rider in the class coming into Glen Helen is Suzuki's Andrew Short, who won the Dave Coombs 125 Shootout last weekend in Las Vegas.
Stephane Roncada was slated to race 250s this year, but Suzuki asked him to ride in the 125 class at the last minute. He could be a big factor.
Others to watch for in the 125 class include Yamaha's Ivan Tedesco, Honda's Michael Byrne and Christopher Gosselaar. Exciting additions to the class this year are KTM's Ryan Hughes, returning from retirement and fast newcomer Josh Hansen, son of 1982 AMA Motocross champ Donnie Hansen.
Glen Helen presents some of the most unique challenges to riders in the 12-round AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Motocross Championship. One of the circuit's hills, nicknamed Mt. St. Helens, is the steepest and most intimidating climb and descent on the tour. The circuit has been a regular on the series schedule since 1993.
For ticket information call (909) 880-1733 or visit the track's website at:
www.glenhelen.com.
For immediate post-race results, points, live transponder scoring, in-depth series and rider information, regular columnists and much more, log onto www.USMotocross.com.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS GLEN HELEN RACEWAY PARK, SAN BERNARDINO, CALIFORNIA
SATURDAY MAY 17, 2003
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Semi Truck Parking
10:00 AM - Paddock open to all National credential holders
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM Registration and Tech at track for all professional riders
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM Will Call
1:30 PM Riders Meeting
2:00 PM 125 Non-Seeded riders practice
2:20 PM 250 Non-Seeded riders practice
2:40 PM 125/250 Seeded riders practice
3:00 PM 125 Non-Seeded riderspractice
3:20 PM 250 Non-Seeded riderspractice
3:40 PM 125/250 Seeded riders practice
4:15 PM Pre-Qualifiers
SUNDAY MAY 18, 2003
8:00 AM - 1:00 PM Will Call
8:30 AM Riders Meeting (mandatory)
8:45 AM Chapel Service
9:00 AM - 9:20 AM 125 National riders practice
9:20 AM - 9:40 AM 250 National riders practice
9:45 AM - 10:00 AM 125 National riders practice
10:00 AM 10:15 AM 250 National riders practice
10:30 AM - completion Qualifiers
12:30 PM Opening Ceremonies
1:00 PM Moto 1- 125 National- 30mins, plus 2 laps
2:00 PM Moto 1- 250 National- 30mins, plus 2 laps
3:30 PM Moto 2- 125 National- 30mins, plus 2 laps
4:20 PM Moto 2- 250 National- 30mins, plus 2 laps
5:30 PM Victory Circle
About AMA Pro Racing
AMA Pro Racing is the leading sanctioning body for motorcycle sport in the United States. Its properties include the AMA Supercross Championship, the AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Motocross Championship, the AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship, the AMA Progressive Insurance U.S. Flat Track Championship and the AMA Red Bull Supermoto Championship. Nearly 2 million race fans attended AMA Pro Racing events during the 2002 season. For more information about AMA Pro Racing, visit www.amaproracing.com
More by Sean Alexander
Comments
Join the conversation