Dungey and Baggett lead the way into Hangtown

Simon Cudby

Following months of anticipation, the 2013 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship kicks off this Saturday, May 18, in Sacramento for the 45th running of the Red Bull Hangtown Motocross Classic. This weekend’s opener sets the stage for an epic season of racing in both the 450 Class and 250 Class, as the reigning champions of each division – Ryan Dungey and Blake Baggett – respectively return to defend their titles. In addition, Hangtown will host the inaugural round of the Women’s Pro Motocross Triple Crown. The iconic Hangtown track, constructed by the Dirt Diggers North Motorcycle Club, features a vast array of elevation changes and highly-technical obstacles, set in a natural amphitheatre which provides race fans with spectacular viewing from almost any vantage point.

After a highly successful season in 2012, during which he claimed 10 of the 12 national victories and his second 450 Class Championship, Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey returns this season to defend his title. Dungey’s nearly flawless performance proved to be a breakthrough season for KTM, securing the Austrian brand’s first-ever championship in the 450 Class. However, this season presents an all-new set of challenges for Dungey, as a deep field of superstars will line up next to him. Returning to Hangtown is the 2011 Series Champion, Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto, who was forced to sit out last season due to a knee injury. Since then, Villopoto scored his third consecutive AMA Supercross Championship, giving him a boost of confidence heading into Outdoors. Yoshimura Suzuki’s James Stewart also returns to the mix after missing most of last year’s season due to injury. However, a healthy Stewart could pose a threat to the rest of the field this weekend as the Floridian swept both motos at last year’s Hangtown opener to defeat Dungey. Coincidentally, Stewart and Villopoto have never faced off against each other in motocross while racing in the same class, which shows the unprecedented depth of competition featured in this season’s 450 field.

Another rider returning from injury this season is 2009 Series Champion, TwoTwo Motorsports’ Chad Reed. A knee injury forced the Australian to the sidelines last year, but the Honda-mounted rider is back in action and ready to challenge for another championship. And then there’s Team Honda Muscle Milk’s Trey Canard, who has been plagued with injuries over the course of his career but still continues to demonstrate great resilience in both recovery and race results. Canard will line up at Hangtown this weekend for the first time since his 250 Class Championship-winning season in 2010.

Familiar contenders from last season’s championship will also be in the hunt, including 2012 series runner-up, MotoConcepts Smartop Racing Team’s Mike Alessi, as well as Joe Gibbs Racing Yamaha’s Justin Brayton and Josh Grant.

In addition to the return of several 450 Class veterans and past champions, a couple of familiar faces will also be joining the 450 Class title chase this season. Team Muscle Milk Honda’s Justin Barcia and Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Dean Wilson will both make the jump from the 250 Class to compete against the nation’s most elite 450 motocross racers. Barcia proved his merit amongst the talented field by finishing inside the top five in the 2013 Monster Energy AMA Supercross season, and was also a threat to win during guest appearances on a 450 in previous seasons. And Wilson, the 2011 250 Class Champion who is a native of Scotland, will enter the 450 Class for the first time this summer, alongside his teammate Tyla Rattray, a former World Motocross Champion who hails from South Africa.

Other riders to watch this season include Monster Energy/Kawasaki’s Jake Weimer, BTO Sports KTM’s Andrew Short and Michael Byrne, and RCH Racing’s Broc Tickle.

This season’s 250 Class Championship should boast one of the most exciting championship battles in the series’ history, as Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Blake Baggett returns to defend the #1 plate he earned in a hard-fought season of 2012. Baggett is a past winner of Hangtown, who many consider to be the fastest 250 Class racer on the planet, though he has struggled to stay healthy since earning his first professional title last year. The Californian will face the same onslaught of competitors that made for a memorable 250 chase last season.

Red Bull KTM teammates Ken Roczen and Marvin Musquin are fresh off a successful SX season, with Roczen taking his first-ever 250SX Western Regional Supercross title, and Musquin finishing a close second in the Eastern Regional. Both Roczen and Musquin are former World Motocross Champions hoping to show their mettle on the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship.

GEICO Honda’s Eli Tomac, who finished third in the 250 Class in 2012, also returns this summer with a championship on his mind. He will be joined by younger teammates Justin Bogle, Zach Bell and Zach Osborne. There’s no counting out veteran riders like Rockstar Energy Racing’s Blake Wharton and Nico Izzi, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Martin Davalos, or Lucas Oil/Troy Lee Designs/Honda’s Cole Seely, as all four racers have proven to be serious contenders in the past. Even rising stars like Rockstar Energy Racing’s Jason Anderson and Lucas Oil/Troy Lee Designs/Honda’s Jessy Nelson must be counted in the mix in this talent-packed division.

And then there’s the next generation of future stars that will add even more excitement to the competition. The recent confirmation of amateur motocross sensation Adam Cianciarulo to line up at this weekend’s Hangtown Motocross Classic for Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki has garnered much attention already, while Cianciarulo’s longtime amateur rival Cooper Webb also debuts his Pro Motocross career this weekend with the MyPlash Star Racing Yamaha team.

Star Racing Yamaha’s Jeremy Martin and Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Justin Hill both showed great promise during the 2013 SX tour and are expected to be top-five challengers. And yet another rookie contesting the Nationals for the first time ever is FMF/Orange Brigade/KTM rider Joey Savatgy. All of these young athletes have enjoyed great success in the amateur ranks and will look to make an immediate impact at the Red Bull Hangtown Classic.

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