Frankly, the west coast left us a bit stranded in terms of suspense, with the injury of Jett Lawrence even before the season, then that of Colt Nichols from the first event. We therefore find ourselves with a weaker plateau than an analysis by Pascal Praud and a few poor surviving factory pilots who are martyred by Christian Craig every week like Italian rugby players in the Six Nations.
Fortunately, new ball this week, with the start of the east coast in Minneapolis. A good opportunity to start from scratch, with a brand new field that believes in it. It won’t last, so enjoy it. So, who in front? We take stock, quietly.
Already, Jett Lawrence! The reigning outdoor champion has passed several stages this summer by dominating the most difficult championship to win in the category, and with style. Already explosive in SX last year despite some early mistakes, we can bet that the Jett is more than ready to take off this time, especially with these few extra weeks to prepare. Well advised, equipped with a good bike and always full of confidence, he is in my opinion THE favorite and the man to beat on this east coast.
But they happen to be a bunch to disagree with me, mind you. In particular the experienced Jeremy Martin. Less comfortable in SX than in MX, the veteran is still quite a customer in Supercross. With five victories in the final, he is the most “ranked” in the category. It remains to be seen if he will finally succeed in overcoming this tenacious bad luck which has deprived him so many times of an SX 250 title, he who has already accumulated two outdoor titles and two places as vice-champion. A gold-plated track record, which would become massive with an SX title… A fortiori when switching to 450. Because by signing with Star Racing, J-Mart was clearly aiming for a 450 handlebar in stride. However, with the season of his teammate Christian Craig on the other side, let’s say that the balance is not really tilting in his favor at the moment… A decisive year of SX, therefore, for the future of J-Mart. Hoping it does more than a straight line like last year…
And what regarding Austin Forkner’s? Remember, the guy who allowed himself to fight with Ferrandis, or who made circles around Chase Sexton! The multiple accumulated injuries slowed down the trajectory of the one who was for sure “the next big thing”, as they say. Today, for its last year in 250, AF is also back to the wall. Entangled last year in family problems in addition to heart problems with his fiancée, Austin once more hurt himself very badly, before finding a semblance of outdoor stability, far from his old standards. But if you lose confidence, you can’t lose talent. Technical, fast and strong in the whoops, Forkner is a top SX rider. He will have to prove it this year, before it’s too late!
Already three strong contenders for the podium, and we have not yet spoken of RJ Hampshire. A driver capable of winning every time he is behind a gate. But who sometimes confuses speed and haste and ends up more often in the SSV of the medical service than on the podium… RJ, like AF and J-Mart has everything he needs: machine, entourage, training… He still has everything end to end. This year ? We’ll see.
Spectacular last year, Cameron McAdoo was placed for the first time in his career in the position of a potential title. We saw how it ended in Atlanta, with two catastrophic races and more falls than a stuntman from the Remy Julienne Academy. The youngster says he learned from his mistakes, and we tend to believe him as his progress is obvious every year. What is the title aiming for? It might be tough given the competition, but he’ll be in the conversation.
Beyond these few pilots installed in the hierarchy, the depth of this coast on paper greatly exceeds that of the west. With names like Max Vohland, for his second pro year, like Stilez Robertson, or high-potential rookies like Jett Reynolds at PC or Levi Kitchen at Star. Not to mention the regulars like Pierce Brown, Jarett Frye, Mitch Oldenburg (very good in 450 on the west coast), Jordon Smith, Phil Nicoletti, Jace Owen, Kyle Peters, Enzo Lopes, Josh Osby… Or some new ones with long teeth like Jack Chambers, Cullin Park or Preston Killroy. Finally, it will also be interesting to follow Brian Hsu’s US debut. Roll on Saturday night!
Par Rich’.
