2013 Monster Energy Cup Wrap Up

photo: amasupercross.com

It was a night of brilliant pyrotechnics, recurring malfunctions, dramatic finishes and spectacular crashes.  The 2013 Monster Energy Cup was once again the fall spectacle so many of us have been waiting for.  It began with a little hiccup but ended in explosive fashion.

Who would have guessed the Joker Lane would have provided such a game changer.  I’ve been a huge fan of the Joker Lane the first time I saw it because I knew it had the potential to really mix things up and no one would have guessed the top 2 riders would miss the lane in the last lap – WOW!

I predicted the Monster Million would be safe again this year but I didn’t figure James Stewart would take the overall.  I knew he’d have a great showing but I didn’t think he’d have enough to beat Dungey and Villopoto; boy was I wrong.

I also predicted that Ryan Dungey would take the overall and had he not made that fatal mistake in the last lap in the first main he just may have proved me right.  Villopoto for the second year failed to complete all 3 of the main events and if not for the mental mistake and the subsequent crash it would have been the Stewart, Dungey, Villopoto show.

I expected more from Tomac but Roczen and Musquin certainly lived up to my expectations.  I thought Josh Grant would be more competitive, turns out Broc Tickle was the wild card.  As for the defending champ Justin Barcia, well maybe next time thanks to bike malfunctions.

The Amateur All-Starts was another highlight of the evening.  The next generation of SX rider’s looks promising and the spirit of competition in these riders is alive and well.

This was our first glimpse into the upcoming SX season and with all the moves it’s sure to be on heck of a year.  I’ll be offering my predictions again this year and soon I’ll be rolling out a project I’ve been working on, you won’t want to miss it.

January just can’t come soon enough but my time will be well spent so check back.. Thanks for clicking in.

The Roostr

2013 Monster Energy Cup | Opinion and Prediction

Photo: monsterenergycup.com

The Monster Energy Cup is the ultimate in entertainment because you almost have to toss all the usual stats out the window.  Reviewing the list of riders it’s hard for me to go against conventional wisdom.  Villopoto is clearly the favorite but winning all 3 races is no easy task.  A lot has to go right for that to happen and I think everything just fell into place for Villopoto in 2011.  Last year was the complete opposite and it seemed like everything went wrong.  It’s a brave new world in SX this season and it will be very difficult and dare I say impossible to repeat that success with this current lineup.

James Stewart has never challenged for the Cup and he’s on the list this year.  He had a rough SX season this past year but he’s had some time to get healthy and clear his mind a bit.  More seat time on the new bike will also help him compete and this track is ideally suited for a rider of his style. 

Justin Barcia was Villopoto’s closest competition last year and even though Villopoto didn’t compete in the 3rd main I think Barcia would have given him some problems.  Eli Tomac was a big surprise.  I think we all felt he’d have a good showing but to take the top spot in the last race was a statement hard to ignore.  I also can’t wait to see the other Honda riders like Seely and Nelson, they were exciting to watch last season.

Ryan Dungey was another big story last year with all his bike problems.  Assuming he’ll not have that to deal with this year I believe he’ll have a legitimate shot Saturday.  Kenny Roczen and Marvin Musquin are like the KTM accelerators in this SX fire – we know they’ll light things up and if you don’t take care of them early they’ll rage.

Dean Wilson makes his way back from injury at this year’s Monster Energy Cup.  We all remember the dominance but his competition has been competing all summer and that seat time will be hard to overcome but I expect Dean to make a statement.  His fellow Kawasaki rider Jake Weimer has been off and on this year.  I thought he had a decent showing last year at this race but he was nowhere close to competing for any prize.

It’s been tough to form an opinion and even harder to make a call on a winner.  With this field of riders I believe The Monster Million is safe again this year.  As for the overall, I believe it will go to the smartest rider.  Consistency and speed, smart decisions and an ability to avoid collisions will be the key.  It pains me to say that the start will be critical to a successful race.  It will also be a rider with factory support, of course. 

So who do I think will take the overall?  Ryan Dungey!  He was competitive in every main last year despite his bike problems.  He showed unbelievable patience and intellect to make the right decisions.  He showed poise in the face of adversity and had everything gone right I believe he would be the reigning champ this year.  I realize Villopoto wasn’t at his best and James Stewart will prove a formidable opponent but Dungey is so close to breaking through and I think the Monster Energy Cup will be a defining moment.

I'm picking Villopoto second and James Stewart third.  It was hard leaving Barcia out of the top 3 but I think James is hungry and what an event to show off his true form.  Barcia and Tomac will round out the top 5 and Roczen won't be far behind.  My long shot this year is Josh Grant.  Josh was on a roll last season and he'll be one who could knock someone out of the top 5. 

I guess only time will tell and that time is coming up.  Have a great time and thanks for checking in.

The Roost'r 

1. Ryan Dungey

2. Ryan Villopoto

3. James Stewart

4. Justin Barcia

5. Eli Tomac