2017 Monster Energy Cup Press Day Update: Today was Press Day for the Monster Energy Cup, which, depending on how you look at it, is the start of the new supercross season, or the end of the 2017 AMA MX/SX season. In the USA, Supercross Season is pretty much from October through May. And it starts now, for most of the field.
2017 Monster Energy Cup Press Day Update
Eli Tomac is the defending champion of this event, and nobody has ever won it twice. After nearly snatching the 2017 Supercross title and successfully becoming the 2017 AMA 450cc National Motocross Champ, Tomac is looking to become the first guy to repeat as the Monster Energy Cup champ. PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEVE COX
2017 Monster Energy Cup Press Day Update
One of the coolest stories at this year’s Monster Energy Cup is the arrival of 2016 MXGP World Champ Tim Gajser. Gajser wanted to race this event last year, but injuries kept it from happening. This year, he’s out here to see how he stacks up against the supercross regulars, though. The original concept of this event was to provide a supercross-like stage with less-intense obstacles in the hope of drawing some racers from Europe to compete. Gajser is here to do just that. He’s only had two days of testing at the Honda test track in Corona, but he says he has no expectations. He also says he wants to race here full-time in the future. PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEVE COX
2017 Monster Energy Cup Press Day Update
Former 250cc SX champ Broc Tickle showed up on his new steed today. The new Red Bull KTM rider looked pretty comfortable on the bike, and in his new Alpinestars racewear. PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEVE COX
2017 Monster Energy Cup Press Day Update
It’s been a while since we’ve seen Justin Barcia smiling like this. A happy Justin Barcia is a fast Justin Barcia. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to see fast Justin Barcia today, as he misjudged the traction on the track’s downhill, metal starting grate on everyone’s first run out of the gate and was sideways by the time he hit the bottom. The resulting high-side bent his bars and left him with a few scrapes, but this photo was taken after that happened, so judge for yourself. PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEVE COX
2017 Monster Energy Cup Press Day Update
Jake Weimer was due to make his Motoconcepts Honda debut at the Monster Energy Cup, but although he’s here, he’s healing up from a big-time crash a few weeks ago that left him with a myriad of injuries. The bike looks good; it just needs its rider back. PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEVE COX
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