Members of the media got the chance to catch up with some of the top racers of tomorrow’s Monster Energy Cup at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas. Chad Reed, Ryan Dungey, Davi Millsaps, Eli Tomac, Justin Barcia, Trey Canard and Blake Baggett took the stage and were all on hand to answer questions and, for some, show off their new team colors for the first time.
Chad Reed says he’s not sure yet whether or not he’ll race tomorrow. The one-off yellow tires highlight a new tire model from Pirelli. Photography by Kit Palmer
TwoTwo Motorsports/Kawasaki’s Chad Reed got things started, admitting right away that he’s not in the best shape right now and might not compete tomorrow.
Reed said that he’s been on vacation and hasn’t been riding a whole lot and is still recuperating from his crash a few weeks ago at the Motocross of Nations. The Monster Energy-sponsored rider said he probably shouldn’t even be here but he “has” to, but when he and the rest of the riders took to the track for a couple of demonstration sessions, Reed still looked pretty good on the bike.
“I’ve been on vacation for the last couple of months,” said Reed. “If everything feels good tomorrow, I won’t second guess it and I will be out there on the track to give it a shot. We will see.”
Ryan Dungey is an MEC veteran that wants that first win.
Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey, who must be considered as one of the favorites to win, had to live down his blunder last year when he forgot to ride through the joker lane (which every rider must do at least once in each race) in one of the motos. Dungey admitted that he got so involved in the race last year that he forgot to take the section; he joked that he’ll have a flashing light on his handlebars that will remind him.
“I was caught up last year in trying to catch Villopoto and missed the joker lane during the first main event,” he said. “It was embarrassing, but it didn’t feel so bad after [Ryan] Villopoto missed it in the second main event. I will not be missing it this year.”
Eli Tomac says he’s never stopped riding during the “off season” and is ready to go tomorrow.
Eli Tomac hopes to improve on his fourth-place finish last year. The GEICO Honda rider says he’s feeling good and ready to compete.
“We haven’t had much of an off-season and I feel good right now,” he said. “My body feels good. I feel like I’m in a good racing mode. I’m ready to go out there and do some fighting.”
One of the challenges of the MEC, Tomac says, is that with the race’s unique three-moto format (10 laps each), it makes for different racing. “Everyone can go fast for 10 laps and the Joker lane makes for a different strategy.”
Trey Canard is anxious to compete in his first Monster Energy Cup tomorrow.
Muscle Milk Honda’s Trey Canard will be competing in his first MEC. “I’m excited,” he said. “I’ve never done it; I’ve watched it on TV and it looks cool, so it feels good to be a part of it. You have to get a good start, that is very important—this race has a lot of intensity.”
This will also be Canard’s first time racing for $1 million, which all goes to one rider if he can win all three motos. “You definitely think about it [the money], it’s in the back of your mind for sure.”
The overall winner, no matter what, will at least pocket $100,000.
Three of the riders—Davi Millsaps, Justin Barcia and Blake Baggett—will be making their debuts on their new teams. The MEC will be Millsaps’ first race on the factory-backed Monster Energy Kawasaki and it will be his first race since 2013, the final Supercross round at Las Vegas that year.
The MEC will be Davi Millsaps’ first race since the last Supercross race of 2013. He looks strong and fit, and also comfortable on his new Kawasaki.
“We don’t come here to lose,” Millsaps said. “I would like to win. It’s been a long time since I’ve been behind a starting gate. My biggest expectations are to do my best and see what I need to work on coming in to Anaheim. Coming here on a new team and a new bike, everything has been great so far. The guys at Monster Energy Kawasaki are great and I’m looking forward to tomorrow and to see what we can push for.”
Justin Barcia looks like he’s adapting well to his new JGRMX Yamaha.
Justin Barcia, who won the MEC two years ago, will be making his debut on the JGRMX Yamaha YZ450F. The long-time Honda rider was also proud to show off his new sponsor, Monster Energy.
“I’ve had a lot of changes, but all for the good,” he said. “I’m feeling pretty good on the bike. I’m happy with my bike and I am getting more and more comfortable.”
This will also be Barcia’s first race since having ankle reconstruction surgery.
Blake Baggett will make his 450-class debut on the Yoshimura Suzuki.
This will also be Baggett’s first race on a 450 and the first on his new team—Yoshimura Suzuki.
“Everything has been going good so far,” Baggett said. “I haven’t been on the bike all that long and I’m still getting used to the 450. I have to be steady on the bike and see where we are at. We’ve been working on starts, and just getting my feet wet with it.”
Noticeably absent was defending MEC Champion James Stewart of the Yoshimura Suzuki Team, though his number-one clad bike was on display. Stewart is still dealing with the World Anti Doping Agency and many other agencies regarding his failed drug test after the Seattle Supercross. He has a hearing coming up on October 22 that should decide his fate. Technically, he could race tomorrow but that might only anger people he doesn’t want to anger right now. A spokesman for the team would not confirm or deny the chance of him racing tomorrow.
Also absent was former MEC Champion and $1 million winner Ryan Villopoto who is still recovering from knee surgery and announced two weeks ago that he’s going to Europe to compete for the MXGP World Champion in 2015.
Some of the Amateur All-Stars and Super-Mini riders got the chance to speak, as well, including last year’s Super-Mini Champion Austin Forkner who has since moved up to full-size bikes and was hoping to compete in the Amateur All-Stars division but has chosen not to race.
“I’ve been dealing with some injuries and haven’t gotten it completely dialed in on the new bike,” said Forkner. “Unfortunately, I have decided to sit the race out and focus on the future. I wish I could be out there racing with everyone but I am excited to watch.”
Chase Sexton will compete in the Amateur All-Star class.
Chase Sexton, who finished second in the Super-Mini class last year, has graduated to the Amateur All-Star class for this year’s Monster Energy Cup.
“Last year I was a little nervous on the track,” said Sexton. “So being bigger on the bike this year, I will be more comfortable. It’s exciting to go out during opening ceremonies and seeing all of the fans cheering. It’s such a great experience for a Super-Mini Class rider.”
Hannah Hodges will be the first female to compete in the MEC in the Super-Mini division.
“I’ve been working hard and I am excited to be here and get good exposure,” said Hodges. “I cannot wait to get the track dialed in. This is my first big race and I am very excited to be the first girl to race it.”
The 2014 Monster Energy Cup features an all-new track design inspired by 15-time AMA National Champion Ricky Carmichael. It is made up of both supercross and motocross obstacles, including the MEC’s unique split start where 11 riders from each side will blitz down a long straightway to large 180-degree bowl turns, then converge into one lane.
