1. Who would’ve thought that both Ryan Villopoto and Kenny Roczen would put on such dominant performances? I mean I always say it’s hard to beat a guy with a head full of confidence but those were some solid performances! Especilly when you think RV didn’t race a single national last year and Kenny didn’t win an overall last year. These guys set the bar pretty damn high for the 22 motos left this summer.

2. The gossip was heavily based around the rookies coming into hangtown. Would cianciarulo live up to the hype that has been set on him? How would Cooper Webb finish? Then there was Joey Savatgy and the newly formed Ktm/Fmf/Skullcandy ride. Well AC292 had the flu and didn’t ride. Cooper was top five in his first moto and reminds me of an early Dungey and Joey finished ninth overall. Both super consistent rides for the rookies and I have a feeling they will only get better as the summer progresses.

3. James Stewart went 3-3 on the day he looked good but was no match for the likes of Dungey or Rv2. He stated that he was happy with his ride and is still learning about the motorcycle. In other words he had nothing for Villopoto no one did for that matter. But I would rather see Js7 finish out the season 3^rd  in every moto than on the ground and not racing at all.

4. Trey Canard rode to a quietly consistent 4-4 on the day. He was just a tick off of the podium in both motos. He is another one I just want to see ride the whole season strong. If he can grab some confidence land on the podium here and there and build himself up for next year than I would say 2013 was a complete success!

5. How about the fact that Weston Peick put a hurting on Broc Tickle?! I don’t care what setup you have to complain about or which excuse you want to use. You do not let a privateer beat you when you are the one rider on a factory Suzuki effort with Ricky Carmichael as one of your bosses. Now with that being said Weston you are an absolute bad ass. Keep up the good work a solid ride is in your near future!

6. Dean Wilson finished a lackluster 14^th overall considering he has an outdoor title to his name in my eyes this is just plain unacceptable. He truly looked to be riding with no urgency or any of that raw speed that he was known for in the past. Hopefully Deano can figure it out at the next couple rounds cause his mid pack performances aren’t going to cut it.

7. Justin Barcia went 5-5 on the day and was the fastest qualifier going into the day but suffered a couple bad starts and had to work his way through the pack. Justin will without a doubt be in the mix for race wins at the next couple races he just needs to start with these guys.

8. The live feed on Alli was just a joke. I’m sorry but I heard of more people not being able to watch it than those that were able to watch it. Yet another screw up from the group at alli sports. One that I can’t say that I’m not all that surprised by. Hopefully they can figure it out and get it fixed for the next round.

9. I have been hard on Malcolm Stewart in the past but Mookie rode really well at the opener aboard his new TLD Honda 450. He was inside the top ten for the majority of moto one till his bike expired. He came from close to dead last in the second moto to 15^th he will definitely be inside the top ten more this summer. Keep an eye out for him.

10. This is for every rider behind the gate. The 2013 outdoor season is absolutely stacked and just to make the top 40 is an accomplishment in of itself. Every rider is going for it and you should be proud to be a part of what could be the best year ever.

Hangotwn ramp up 13

Here we are the night before the pro motocross kick off at the history rich Hangtown raceway. Over the years we’ve seen career firsts rookie debuts and championships lost before they even got underway. With almost an entirely health field of riders for the first time in as long as I can remember this outdoors season may very well shape up to be the best in as many years. We also have some rookies lining up as well as some veterans who’ve found some newfound speed and confidence.

450s

Of course everyone will want to know how Stewart looks. Well he’s been looking good at the local tracks but then again does this guy ever look bad practicing? Didn’t think so. Let’s see if he can keep it on two wheels for 24 motos. It will be cool to see his brother lining up with him as well. Mookie should have been on a 450 outdoors his entire career. He’s a big kid! Then we have Barcia who has been looking magnificent on the 450 outdoors and will definitely be a factor this summer. Most have already put their money on Villopoto as the man that will take the title but I wouldn’t count anyone out at this point.  Granted RV2 is a straight bad ass outdoors but he has some fierce competitors this season. The returning champ Ryan Dungey was straight on the gas the two times I saw him in the last week and was making it look effortless. Then we have guys like Wilson, Rattray, Canard, Grant and Alessi among others who will be a factor.

250s

Well this year is going to be STACKED! That’s really the only way to put it. We have Baggett coming back as returning champ. Roczen coming off a championship in supercross and he knows what to expect unlike last year. Musquin and Tomac will both be lining up and wanting revenge after finishing runner up in the supercross series. There will be the highly anticipated rookies of Adam Cianciarulo and Cooper Webb lining up.  Adams times have been a bit off at the practice track whereas Webb is going to open some eyes this summer. Let me throw a few names at you now that can and may very well win this summer, Bell, Bogle, Izzi, Davalos, Nelson, Anderson, Durham, these are guys who have been flying at the test track and are not on the so called radar at the moment. These aren’t all of them whatsoever but I surely can’t wait to see everyone rip!

We will be on the twitter machine and Instagram both are @talkmx

Also look for our essentials on Saturday morning.

Late update Adam Cianciarulo spent a bit of time in the hospital and is most likely going to pull out of the race.

Feld Motor Sports Announces 2014 Monster Energy Supercross Schedule and On-sale Information

2014 Season Features First-time-ever Race at New York Metropolitan area’s MetLife Stadium

AURORA, Ill. (May 3, 2013) – Feld Motor Sports^® announced today that the 2014 Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, season will feature 17 races inside North America’s most renowned football and baseball stadiums. For the first time ever the Monster Energy Supercross checkered flags will drop inside the greater New York Metropolitan area’s MetLife Stadium. In addition, Detroit’s Ford Field will be returning to the Monster Energy Supercross schedule.

Tickets for the 2014 Monster Energy Supercross season will once again be offered first to Cross Club Members, beginning on Monday, May 6 and Tuesday, May 7 following the 2013 season finale in Las Vegas. The Ticketmaster pre-sale kicks off on Wednesday, May 8 and concludes on Thursday, May 9. General public on sale begins on Friday, May 10. For more information and to become a Cross Club member for free, log onto http://www.supercrossonline.com/crossclub/.

“Monster Energy Supercross is in the midst of the most competitive eras of racing we’ve ever seen,” said Charlie Mancuso, President, Feld Motor Sports. “With 40 incredible seasons behind us, we look ahead to continue bringing the best racing on the planet to new markets and new audiences across North America. The sport is at an all-time high in terms of attendance, popularity, and media exposure, so it’s only natural that we continue to expand to the largest media market in the world – New York.”

The state-of-the-art MetLife Stadium, in the greater New York Metropolitan area, is not only one of the newest venues in the country, but it sits on one of the most iconic pieces of land in the history of major sports competition. For over 30 years, The Meadowlands, which was torn down a few years ago and replaced with the beautiful MetLife Stadium, has been the site of some of the biggest events in sports and entertainment, including a five-year period with Monster Energy Supercross in the late 80s and early 90s. MetLife Stadium will play host to the penultimate stop of the 2014 Monster Energy Supercross season on April 26.

“I’m looking forward to the new stops during the 2014 Monster Energy Supercross season,” said newly crowned three-time defending champion Ryan Villopoto. “I think it'll be good to race in some new stadiums. There's a big racing community in the Northeast, which should draw a big crowd. Just like in Seattle, being that far north in the winter, the weather will likely play a part in the dirt and temperature. It'll be cool to go somewhere new with no expectations. Every stop we go to is unique, but I'd say the racing tends to get better on the East Coast because the dirt allows us to push a little harder.”

The “Motor City” has not hosted a Monster Energy Supercross race since the 2008 season. The stadium will once again serve as the host site of the Detroit stop for the fourth time, as the 11^th race of the season on March 15. Monster Energy Supercross has raced in the Detroit area for 32 years, dating back to 1976. The first 29 years were hosted in nearby Pontiac, inside the legendary Silverdome.

Continuing from a timeline that spans across four decades, Angel Stadium, in Anaheim, Calif., will once again host three races, including the season opener on January 4. The proverbial home of Monster Energy Supercross has hosted a total of 60 races in the 40-year history of the sport and will extend its legacy as the most visited venue of all time.

"Every year Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, keeps us on our toes," said FIM President Mr. Vito Ippolito. "The 2013 season was an interesting and hard fought one with some very nice surprises. Monster Energy Supercross racing is tough! One cannot but admire the valiant riders who go out there and fight it out every year, and 2014 should not be any different. It will be a long summer and winter before we start racing again. The 2014 season opener in Anaheim will be here sooner than we think."

In total, the 2014 Monster Energy Supercross schedule will challenge the fastest riders on the planet with 17 races over the span of 18 weeks on the most intricately designed and physically demanding tracks ever conceived. The Monster Energy Supercross schedule will open in Anaheim, Calif., and conclude the first weekend in May inside Las Vegas’ Sam Boyd Stadium.

“As it has in 2013 with the thrilling on-track battles between Ryan Villopoto, Ryan Dungey, Davi Millsaps, Justin Barcia and others, each year Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, delivers amazingly competitive and entertaining racing," said AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman. "Our AMA amateur racers strive to make it to this level and achieve worldwide recognition. The quest for the coveted AMA No. 1 plate begins in Anaheim, Calif., in January 2014 and we are extremely pleased to be working once again with Feld Motor Sports to produce another world-class season of championship racing."

At the conclusion of the 450SX Class and 250SX Class Western and Eastern Regional Championships, a total of three champions will be crowned, with each title winner overcoming the deepest and most talented field of competitors ever assembled.

Date Venue City

January 4                                 Angel Stadium                                      Anaheim, Calif.

January 11                               Chase Field                                          Phoenix

January 18                               Angel Stadium                                      Anaheim, Calif.

January 25                               O.Co Coliseum                                     Oakland, Calif.

February 1                                Angel Stadium                                     Anaheim, Calif.

February 8*                              Qualcomm Stadium                               San Diego

February 15                              Cowboys Stadium                                Arlington, Texas

February 22                              Georgia Dome                                      Atlanta

March 1                                    Lucas Oil Stadium                                Indianapolis

March 8** Daytona International Speedway            Daytona Beach, Fla.

March 15                                  Ford Field                                            Detroit

March 22                                  Rogers Centre                                      Toronto

March 29                                  Edward Jones Dome                            St. Louis

April 5                                      Reliant Stadium                                    Houston

April 12                                     CenturyLink Field                                 Seattle

April 26                                     MetLife Stadium                                  East Rutherford, N.J.

May 3                                       Sam Boyd Stadium                              Las Vegas

* Qualcomm Stadium will not be going on-sale with the National on-sale.  On-sale date TBD.

** Not a Feld Motor Sports Race

For more information on Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, please log on to www.SupercrossOnline.com, the official website of Monster Energy Supercross. To follow Monster Energy Supercross on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, log on towww.facebook.com/supercrossLive www.Twitter.com/supercrosslive and www.instagram.com/SupercrossLive.com. Subscribe to our YouTube Channel at www.youtube.com.SupercrossLive. For all media requests, please contact Denny Hartwig  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 630-566-6305.

About Feld Motor Sports^®

Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is the world leader in specialized arena and stadium-based motor sports entertainment.  Feld Motor Sports productions include Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam^®, Monster Energy Supercross, AMSOIL Arenacross and Nuclear Cowboyz^®.  Feld Motor Sports is a division of Feld Entertainment, the world’s largest producer of live family entertainment.  For more information on Feld Entertainment, visit  www.feldentertainment.com.

Observations slc

1. Well I didn’t see that coming at all. Who would’ve thought the most consistent guys of the entire series would both have their most inconsistent night of the entire series. We would see Roczen watching from the sidelines and Tomac struggling to stay in the fight for the top ten.

2. Tomac is mortal and that is certain. There have been rumors swirling (when isn’t there) that he is hurt etc. We wont know for certain I’m sure till after vegas. But one thing is for sure Tomac wasn’t the same man we’ve seen all season. He also road tripped to the event. He may very well have an injury to his lung or something? (that’s a total guess by the way.) The series is at its closest point going into vegas we’ll see if Tomac is up for the challenge.

3. Villopoto goes 3 for 3. What an incredible feat this guy has accomplished. He is one of an elite club now. Even the goat hasn’t accomplished this indoors and if that doesn’t say something nothing does! Gotta say a big congrats to him and the team they earned it this year that’s for sure!

4. Reedy had yet another off night. He was lapped by the nights end, riding to a tenth place finish. He has been extremely vocal that he’s not happy with his bike setup.  Although he has everything at his disposal he cant seem to find the “front end feel” that he is comfortable with. Lets hop they can get the bike worked out for the outdoor series. Otherwise its going to be a very long summer for the twotwo camp.

5. Jason Anderson rode like a man possessed! He went to work early assuming the lead in the first few laps than absolutely checked out riding incredible on his way to a win and the first of his career. Stoked for this kid thats for sure!

6. Cole Seely took redemption on the SLC track and left the night with a solid second place finish. You could tell he was ridiculously relieved making it through the night after what was a night he’d rather forget at last years race. Props to him!

7. We finally saw a bit of the Christian Craig we’ve all been waiting for. He rode strong and rode himself into a top five finish with fifth on the night. He was riding smooth and collected throughout the night and it’s good to finally see him getting closer to where he belongs.

8. Millsaps rode the wheels off his dirt scooter trying to reel the champ in. He was unsuccessful but it was another ride that proves Davi is a whole new man. RV Davi And Dungey rode at speeds unfathomable to 99.99% of most riders and they did it for 20 laps with practically zero mistakes. Davi is once again a contender and is here to stay.

9. What about the privateers of Peick and Lamay? They both had respectable performances. Peick in ninth and lamay in twelfth. So what is it going to take to get these guys a good bike and see them consistently hovering around the top ten?

10. The 250 title will be decided in vegas and what a hell of a season it has been. Either way whomever takes it it will be well deserved. See y’all in vegas.

Ride In Peace…

Tragedy has struck again with news of the passing of yet another Freestyle Motocross rider. Australian rider, Tyrone Gilks

Words: John Bahr – Bahrstool Creative Media

19 year old up & comer, Tyrone Gilks of Cardiff Australia sadly passed away last Wednesday 20^th March 2013 at 8:00pm local time at John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle.

Tyrone was practicing for an upcoming world record attempt at the Maitland Showgrounds in what he was calling “Operation 330.” He was attempting to break the 250cc distance record of 310ft set by fellow FMX’er Ryan Capes. Details are still not clear of how or what happened but it is said Tyrone came up short on one of his practice jumps, Frame Casing the landing at around 280ft plus mark. The impact was so severe that his bike fractured and split in two apon hitting the ground. He suffered critical chest injuries and his passing was the sad result of this.

Tyrone already held quite an impressive resume in the FMX scene having a stack of records to his name in his short 19 years. He set the 65cc record at 112ft, the 85cc record of 169ft, He had beaten Robbie Maddison’s 125cc record by almost 6.5m in 2010 and was the youngest rider to land the backflip at 12 years old.

Tyrone was known throughout the industry as a lovable larrikin with a heart of gold who was always happy and joking. He was also described as one of Australia’s next exports on the international scene. He will be deeply missed by everyone and our prayers and wishes go out to his family and friends.

Ride In Peace Mate.

Tyrone Gilks 1993 - 2013