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****OAKLAND SPOILER****
A fun attempt at pj style....
Lots of micro stories within an event, but the day was all about James Stewart and how his miserable day turned into an excellent night. Shortly into the first SX class free practice(untimed), James cased a triple and couldn't save it. He was already on two feet and walking towards his bike while it was still busy cartwheeling onto the adjacent section of the track. Though free practice is only 8 minutes long, Stewart managed a spectacular crash followed by a bike inspection, and a few decent laps.
The long walk with merciless cameramen and journalists all too happy to document the errors of a professional! I suppose I'm guilty as well.
Shortly into the second SX class practice session (first timed practice - 10 minutes) James cased the triple after the start and again went down in a spectacular fashion with tuf blocks running for their lives. Unfortunately, JS7 was left looking a bit rattled and in pain. I figured he was done for the session, but after another bike inspection he was off again (his 450 seems exceptionally durable by the way!). Stewart put his head down and proceeded to set the fastest qualifying time in this session, the man is a machine. Those who are not JS7 fans have a warped perception of his being due to 'Bubba's World', but I assure you, many would have been in the fetal position crying like a baby after two diggers like those. His tenacity throughout the day would become very apparent.
This one stung a bit.
Minutes later...
Stewart opted out of the second timed practice, knowing his first session lap times would be good enough to get his foot in the door. With Stewart resting in the trailer, Canard would steal the spotlight briefly. Canard was absolutely flying in practice, riding with speed and style. His aggressive riding would bite him unfortunately, as he launched over the finish jump and landed flat. The impact was too much and he hit the deck. Slow to get up, he returned to practice only to fall again in the sand section. I couldn't help but feel his confidence took a small hit this session.
It should be noted that many riders are having difficulty judging landings, quite a few riders going too long or coming up short. The peaked landings aren't very forgiving, there's more than one frame pattern embedded on the top of these landing.
Laying it down while ripping tearoffs in the second timed practice.
Opening ceremonies were fun, though there were no funny skits as seen in the past. Also missing was the freestyle during intermission, two minor disappointments. It's nice to see Canard as a part of the opening ceremonies, his stunter wheelie was good for a chuckle!
The first SX class heat would see Stewart and Stroupe out front, with Regal, Alessi, Canard, and Millsaps to follow. Stroupe fell back after nearly endoing into the face of a triple, but managed to save it, and would end up finishing fourth. Stewart would win convincingly, with Canard and Millsaps taking second and third, Regal would have to be content with rounding out the top five in such a deep class.
The weather had been iffy all day without much more than a heavy mist, which turned into a light rain just as the riders were sitting on the gate for the second SX class heat. The track held up well, but enough tear offs were pulled to anger even the most conservative environmentalist.
Brayton and Metcalf pulled out of the gate first, with Short, Peick, Reed, Dungey, Boni, Windham, and Villopoto close behind. Brayton checked out and would win convincingly, leaving 19 other rider to fight for 8 more transfer spots. Villopoto would pick his way to third, while Reed would settle in at second, leaving Windham and Dungey to round out the top five.
Picking through the pack.
Another impressive heat win for Brayton, when will he break out in the main?
Alessi has been in a funk lately, having to ride the LCQ again. With a second place start just behind Chris Blose, I was certain he was in tonight. After falling to fourth, he was out again. Almost like a light switch, his performance has been off ever since he stepped foot on the 350 (save for Hangtown).
Put Alessi back on the 450 already.
The SX class main event didn't quite have the excitement of LA, but there was still plenty of entertainment to be had! Another light rain before the lites main left the track in iffy condition, but it held up well for the most part.
Reed almost took the holeshot, absolutely maxing out the available traction on the sidewall of his Dunlops, I might have even seen a leg or two flailing about, but who can say for sure. Villopoto quickly shot past Reed, with Stewart smashing past Dungey for third, and that brings us all the way to the second corner on the first lap! The stage was again set for an epic battle, how can we be this lucky?? Stewart quickly passed Reed and was slowly closing in on Villopoto, and then RV lost the front! Didn't we see something like that last week?? Stewart, Reed, Dungey, and Stroupe squeezed by before RV could recover.
Stewart pulled away and rode solid for the rest of the race, end of story, now you know who wins. BUT!! Reed, Dungey, and Villopoto gave us our moneys worth in entertainment all the way to lap 20. Reed appeared to ride tight as Dungey and Villopoto closed the gap, the group of three continued to tighten up until Dungey got by and stretched out, which seemed to help Reed relax a little. RV set his sights on Reed, but another tip-over and an improved Reed kept RV in fourth for the rest of the night.
The most exciting part of the night came as Reed reeled in Dungey. With the laps winding down, a pinch of disappointment set in as it looked like Dungey would take second without challenge. A couple small mistakes allowed Reed to fully catch up with only a one corner to go, the crowd was going nuts! A very uncharacteristic mistake from Dungey on the last corner was just enough for Reed to push past as the checkered flag flew! It doesn't matter who you love or hate in this race, it was damned exciting! There was mention of a lapped rider hindering Dungey on the last corner, but I disagree, he absolutely botched it. Watch it again and decide for yourself.
Reed pulling a great start.
RV losing the front.
Yes, it was this close!
Dungey putting on the pressure.
Reed turning it on after being passed by Dungey.
Great riding from Stewart after a dismal day of practice.
Edited on Feb 02, 2011 at 12:21 AM · View previous versions
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I'll be shooting at least two of the MX events next summer though. 
