2019 Hangtown Motocross | Race Preview

May 17, 2019

2019 HANGTOWN MOTOCROSS | COMPLETE COVERAGE

The start of the 2019 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship has arrived and the first round, the 2019 Hangtown Motocross, looks like it will be a wet start to the summer. For the fifty-first time, the Dirt Diggers MC crew has organized an event that will set the tone for the entire season and we’re eager to see the gate drop at Prairie City OHV in Rancho Corvoda. Before that happens, let’s hit on a few topics and get ready for the day.

California in May is always hard to predict, weather-wise, even more so up north. We’ve been treated to mild days at the start of the season and endured some sweltering heat, but this year looks like it will be cold and wet. Rains have soaked Rancho Cordova over the last few days and even more is expected to fall today, which means we might be in for four muddy motos. Thanks to the work of the Dirt Diggers MC staff, thousands of yards of new soil (sand, dark dirt, rice husks) have been added to the top of the infamous hardpack, but a look at the Thursday amateur day and Friday press riding videos makes it look like the prime dirt has been pushed aside by the tractors and the slick base layer is now more exposed. If more rain comes and the hard pack shines through, it will be a challenge for riders that will require throttle control and patience. Don’t expect to see the high-speeds and big air that Hangtown is known for, but at the same time, the mud will keep the brutal chop from forming.

Hangtown’s layout has been the same for a while and we like going to the track, as you can see much of it from the bottom center of the valley or the top of hills. Here’s a look at what the layout will be like, via a digital preview lap.

Alright, on to the competition. Let’s start with the 250 class, which will have a first-time champion (the reigning number one, Aaron Plessinger, advanced to the 450 class for 2019). Of the forty riders that will fill the starting gate this summer at each round, the general consensus is that it will come down to Adam Cianciarulo and Dylan Ferrandis. The two diced for the 250 West Coast Region SX title just a few weeks ago, with Ferrandis faring better in that series, and they are the most well-rounded and healthy riders of the group. Although they have a friendly relationship now, it’ll be interesting to see if a tense rivalry develops as the motos go by.

Now, that’s not to discredit anyone else in the field, because there are a number of other fast riders, including 250 East Coast SX champion Chase Sexton, second-year pro Justin Cooper, Garrett Marchbanks, Christian Craig, Hunter Lawrence, Jordon Smith, RJ Hampshire, Shane McElrath, Alex Martin, and Thomas Covington. All of the aforementioned names are among the best in the world, have had their share of success, and will be in the mix for moto wins this summer. It’s possible (and hopeful) that one or all of them can break through to the next tier and make the series even more interesting. We’ll have to wait and see, as some are dealing with lingering injuries or are still waiting for that “breakthrough” ride that seems to unlock the door for moto wins.

As for the 450 class, well, there are seven riders that we expect to be battling for spots in the top-five. Reigning champion Eli Tomac is, of course, the incoming favorite as he’s the two-time 450 MX title holder and has found incredible speed on his motorcycle in recent weeks. Going after Tomac will be Cooper Webb, Marvin Musquin, class rookie Zach Osborne, Jason Anderson, Blake Baggett, Ken Roczen, and Justin Barcia. Webb, Musquin, and Baggett have momentum on their side, with new 450 SX champion Webb back at the top of the sport, perennial contender Musquin at full health from a knee injury late in 2018, and Baggett for his legacy as one of the most resiliant outdoor riders of the modern era. Osborne and Anderson are expected to win motos through the summer, something notable for rookie Osborne and “Supercross specialist” Anderson. But for Roczen and Barcia, it will come down to their ability to overcome recent health issues; Roczen’s stamina has been zapped by rounds of antibiotics from an infection he picked up from the San Diego Supercross lime and mud, while Barcia is on the mend from two busted wrists. If the two can make it through the first weeks unscathed, they are expected to be back in the mix.

2019 HANGTOWN MOTOCROSS | 250 CLASS ENTRY LIST

12. Shane McElrath | With two bulging discs in his back now sorted out, this will be the Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/KTM rider’s first race since the Seattle Supercross.
23. Chase Sexton
26. Alex Martin
28. Jordon Smith | After a wrist injury sidelined Smith early in the year, this will be the Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/KTM rider’s first race since the Atlanta Supercross.
31. RJ Hampshire
32. Justin Cooper
34. Dylan Ferrandis
36. Michael Mosiman
38. Christian Craig | Issues with a thumb injury kept Craig from racing almost all of the Supercross season; Hangtown will be the GEICO Honda rider’s first race since the Minneapolis Supercross.
39. Colt Nichols
45. Brandon Hartranft
49. Nick Gaines
52. Jordan Bailey
55. Kyle Peters
61. Garrett Marchbanks
73. Martin Davalos
77. Challen Tennant
83. Killian Auberson
92. Adam Cianciarulo
110. Yusuke Watanabe
112. Thomas Covington | After years in the MXGP circuit, this will be the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing rider’s first-ever Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship event.
122. Chris Howell
123. Mitchell Falk
139. Nathen LaPorte
153. Carson Carr
154. Chase Felong
156. Jacob Hayes | With a full ride at CycleTrader/Rock River Yamaha, this will be the first time since 2013 that Hayes has been set to run the full Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship series.
162. Maxwell Sanford
168. Cale Kuchnicki
186. Tyler Monks
194. Jerry Robin
196. Hunter Lawrence | After years in the MXGP circuit, this will be the GEICO Honda rider’s first-ever Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship event.
205. Todd Wilson
209. Jared Petruska
232. Dylan Bolinger
233. Derek Drake | This will be the Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/KTM rider’s professional debut.
259. Corbin Hayes
286. Brandon Sussman
291. Zane Merrett
310. Kai Aiello
321. Bradley Lionnet
345. Joshua Prior
356. Daniel Lippman
357. Kameron Barboa
407. Benjamin Nelko
427. Deegan Vonlossberg
461. Thomas Richards
554. Wade Brommel
583. Corey Ridel
614. Christopher Shenoy
842. Joseph Gerrior
898. Jack Fowler
906. Adrian Galamba
916. Jorge Rubalcava
923. Chris Moore
926. Ciaran Naran
936. Ty Masterpool | Thanks to a new rule that allows A Class amateurs the chance to race limited professional events, the Monster Energy/Star Racing/Yamaha rider will line up at Hangtown.
964. Mitchell Goheen
974. Brian Marty

MISSING FROM THE LIST

6. Jeremy Martin | GEICO Honda rider is still recovering from the vertebra burst fractures he suffered in the 2018 season; he is expected to return to competition in 2020.
24. Austin Forkner | Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki rider will miss the entire summer with torn ligaments in his knee.
40. Sean Cantrell | Lingering wrist injuries will keep the Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/KTM rider from the opening rounds of the season.
44. Cameron McAdoo | With his Supercross fill-in deal at GEICO Honda complete and no confirmed spot on another team, McAdoo will miss the opening rounds. He is still riding a bike from GEICO Honda as a way to stay sharp should the team need him later in the summer.
64. Jimmy Decotis | Due to a recent restructure at the JGRMX/Yoshimura/Suzuki Factory Racing team, Decotis will not be a part of the two-rider 250 team this summer.
66. Mitchell Oldenburg | Third-degree burns from a crash at the 2019 Las Vegas Supercross will keep the Monster Energy/Star Racing/Yamaha rider from the opening round of the season.
67. Enzo Lopes | Due to a recent restructure at the JGRMX/Yoshimura/Suzuki Factory Racing team, Lopes will not be a part of the two-rider 250 team this summer.

2019 HANGTOWN MOTOCROSS | 450 CLASS ENTRY LIST

1. Eli Tomac | As the two-time and defending 450 MX champion, the Monster Energy Kawasaki rider will run the number one plate through the summer.
2. Cooper Webb
4. Blake Baggett
14. Cole Seely
16. Zach Osborne
19. Justin Bogle
21. Jason Anderson | A practice crash resulted in a list of internal injuries and put the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing rider on the sidelines for almost all of the Supercross season. This will be his first race since January.
25. Marvin Musquin
41. Ben LaMay
43. Tyler Bowers
46. Justin Hill
48. Cody Cooper
49. Henry Miller
51. Justin Barcia | A list of injuries sidelined Barcia for the final races of the Supercross season; this will be the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing rider’s first race since the Nashville Supercross.
56. Lorenzo Locurcio
68. Braden Leith
74. Cade Autenrieth
82. Justin Hoeft
85. Dare DeMartile
94. Ken Roczen
101. Fredrik Noren
103. Dean Ferris | Will race the full season with the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing team.
140. Austin Kouba
165. Kris Keefer
169. Dylan Kappeler
173. Grant Wall
182. Mason Olson
195. Keaton Ward
225. Brett Stralo
227. Derek Kelley
229. Francisco Martini
231. Robert Wilson
234. McCoy Brough
246. Chance Blackburn
272. Rory Sullivan
286. Erki Kahro
292. Kolton Dean
309. Jeremy Smith
314. Tyler Stepek
329. Chad Gores
332. Dustin Winter
335. Jake Masterpool
383. Casey Brennan
402. Samuel Greenawalt
403. Keylan Meston
444. Caleb Tennant
446. Blaine Silveira
447. Deven Raper
477. Todd Waters
482. Riley Brough
526. Colton Aeck
553. Brent Rouse
565. Dominic DeSimone
577. Felix Lopez
588. Kurt Thomas
621. RJ Wageman
637. Bobby Piazza
647. Matthew Hubert
661. Noah Chambers
700. Justin Weeks
718. Toshiki Tomita
767. Mason Wharton
841. Jeff Walker
845. Bryan O’Neil
876. Chris Alldredge
892. Garret Ioppolo
909. Jacob Smith
917. Drew Thomas
929. Taiki Koga
934. Brian Medeiros

MISSING FROM THE LIST

7. Aaron Plessinger | A broken heel will sideline the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing rider through the opening part of the summer.
10. Justin Brayton | Through a Supercross-only deal with the SmarTop/Bullfrog Spas/MotoConcepts/Honda team, Brayton will not line up for the summer.
15. Dean Wilson | A shoulder injury from a crash at the Nashville Supercross will keep the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing rider through the opening part of the summer.
17. Joey Savatgy | A leg injury and shoulder injury from crashes in the Supercross season will sideline the Monster Energy Kawasaki rider through the first few rounds of the season.
29. Benny Bloss | A torn ACL in December kept Bloss from racing any of the Supercross season; although he is back on the bike, he is not yet ready to race. The Rocky Mountain ATV-MC/WPS/KTM rider is expected to return at High Point.
33. Josh Grant | A practice crash and injured leg at the end of the Supercross season has sidelined Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s original fill-in rider; there is no timetable for Grant’s return to action.

The 2019 Hangtown Motocross will be broadcast on MAVTV and NBC Sports, but we recommend just getting the Gold Pass (no, they aren’t paying us to say that). It’s the only way you’re going to see every qualifying practice and moto live and without interruption, and at sixty dollars for the whole summer, it’s money well spent. If not, here are the standard TV broadcast details (the times are Eastern Standard, so 4 PM East Coast is 1 PM West Coast).