2019 RedBud Motocross | Race Preview

2019 REDBUD MOTOCROSS | COMPLETE COVERAGE

Remember what we said last week about certain stops of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship having more prestige than others? Well, that’s once again the case this weekend as the series is set for the seventh round of the summer, the 2019 RedBud Motocross. Held each year on the Fourth of July holiday weekend, the race brings out a mix of dedicated fans of the sport and some local partiers that just want a place to put back a copious amount of alcohol. While the atmosphere of the race is what entices fans, the incredible track prep is what riders look forward to most about the trip to Michigan. An exciting layout complete with massive jumps, loamy soil and hauled-in sand, and a mix a high-speed/low-speed sections make RedBud a favorite for almost everyone on the gate and we’re sure to see four more thrilling motos come Saturday afternoon.

Last fall, RedBud had the honor of hosting the Motocross of Nations and small changes were necessary to accommodate the international event, many of which have been held over for this year. The most notable was the move made to the starting line, as the new gate is now a long, straight shot into a tight right-hand turn. This eliminates the chance of fast, vicious crashes that have claimed many over the years and makes it a little more even and less horsepower-influenced; we saw an even mix of stars and unknowns together at the start of the MXON. After that, the track runs its usual route around the Michigan hillside and iconic obstacles like the tricky uphill triple, infield tabletop, sand rollers, and of course, LaRocco’s Leap awaits the daring. As big as the jumps are, the size isn’t the issue many worry about; it’s the ruts that develop all the way around the track and rob riders of momentum. You have to be on your marks and not bury the bike in the soft soil. Have a look at the layout previews below…

After two tough weeks at sand tracks in warm weather, we’re in for some relief at RedBud, as temperatures are predicted to be in the low 80s with some cloud cover. Summer in the Midwest means that pop-up showers could come at any time and that’s part of the forecast, but odds are it’ll be a dry and clear day at the track.

Like High Point a few weeks ago, the race order is swapped for RedBud and the 450 class will line up first. This means that the premier riders will have a little smoother circuit and the developing riders will have somewhat rougher conditions to deal with. This’ll be more important for the 250 class, really, and a rider that can find the smoother and less energy-draining lines should come out ahead. As always, here’s what we’re expecting to see and what to look for come Saturday…

CAN MUSQUIN & FERRANDIS CONTINUE THEIR CHARGE?

We expected Marvin Musquin and Dylan Ferrandis to come into their own midway through the season and that surge seemed to start two weeks back in Florida. Musquin finally got over his early race issues and scored his first overall of the season, then backed it up with another solid day and overall victory a week later at Southwick. It came at a key time for the Red Bull KTM rider, because he scored crucial points and leaped from fifth in the series standings after High Point to second in the rankings as we head to RedBud. Musquin was the victor at the 2018 running of RedBud, so he knows his way around the track. The big jumps, braking bumps, mixed terrain, and ability to use unusual lines at RedBull is all in Musquin’s favor, so we could see a different sort of red, white, and blue on the podium.

As for Ferrandis, he seems to have overcome the poor starts that put him back in the pack at the beginning of the year. Speed is not a concern for the Monster Energy/Star Racing/Yamaha rider, because his lap times are often the fastest of the 250 class in any moto at any track; the problem is he doesn’t get in the lead early to and use that pace as a way to gap the field. Should Ferrandis nab a holeshot and run 30-minutes plus two laps without issue, it could be troublesome for the 250 class. Ferrandis needs to win a lot motos if he wants a shot at the title, because rivals Cianciarulo and Cooper are maintaining their slight gap thanks to his string of second and third place results.

If French riders win at RedBud this time, we could see just as somber of a mood as the MXON in October.

CIANCIARULO & COOPER’S BUDDING RIVALRY

Was this a rivalry you expected to see develop? There’s a lot of online discussion about how different Adam Cianciarulo and Justin Cooper are, mostly people assuming that Cianciarulo is so much older than Cooper, but that’s not the case. The two are very close in age and Cianciarulo is viewed as an old man in the 250 class because he’s been around since his teenage years, while Cooper only came on as a 20-year-old. There have been a few disagreements between the two already this summer (Thunder Valley mostly, and the fallout that came from it), but they manage to be complimentary of each other on the podium and in interviews. Will that continue as the points tighten and the series winds down?

Cooper is determined to make his mark on the sport, and it doesn’t matter to him who he beats or if fans don’t like him. The Monster Energy/Star Racing/Yamaha rider will bang bars with the best of them and with some wins to his credit, he knows he can come out on top on a routine basis. We would not be surprised to see him up the intensity against Cianciarulo in the coming weeks.

As for Cianciarulo, it’s now or never. A 450 contract is reportedly signed and he’ll have a spot under a factory tent in 2020, but this is his last chance to win one of the 250 titles many figured were his for the taking. The Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki rider has managed the championship incredibly well and his one bad day in Florida still meant a podium finish. Last week’s win at Southwick was very important because he handled the field in the first race and managed the second moto to secure the overall in sandy conditions he historically has not done well on. A string of wins late in the season would all but promise the title to the fan favorite, but there are a number of riders that want to and can keep that from happening. If AC can stay consistent in the remaining 10 motos, it can change the entire perception of his career thus far.

TOMAC TO MAINTAIN

Florida and Southwick weren’t great for Tomac, something he accredited to being out of sorts on both days despite one moto win of the four, but he continues to hold the top spot in the series and is in line for a third consecutive title. The last two visits to RedBud have been eventful, to say the least, as mechanical issues have saddled the Monster Energy Kawasaki rider both times (2018 National and MXON), but he and the team seem to have everything sorted out this summer.

To be blunt, Tomac cannot afford to have another “off day.” It’s understandable to have issues at the start of a moto or even tip over, but to see one of the best in the sport to have it happened on a normal basis or slowly get back into a flow after is strange. At least he doesn’t seem to panic when one mistake happens, so that’s something positive. A sweep of the 450 class at RedBud would be monumental for Tomac because he would be back in complete control of the series and would send the fans into a frenzy. Seriously, you’ll see a big display of drunken patriotism and things will get out of hand if ET3’s bike is in the center of the podium on Saturday.

OSBORNE ON THE RISE

That 450 Moto Two win at Southwick will forever be a top of the list moment for Zach Osborne. The Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing Rider has hung near the top of the board week in and week out, but to see him snag the lead and sprint away from the pack was impressive. If he can continue to do so, an overall win is destined to come and he could make it a three-rider bout for the title. There’s no rider that wants to win on the Fourth of July more than Osborne, trust us on that.

ROCZEN WOES & THE REST OF THE SUMMER

It’ll be interesting to see what happens with Ken Roczen through the rest of the summer. The Team Honda HRC rider started the summer with a bang and was often in control of the championship, but his energy issues really came to light in Florida and Southwick. Is this the start of something more serious or can he use to the mild weather forecasted to his advantage, maintain a solid standing on the day, and rest during the short break that follows? We really do not expect Honda or Roczen to pull the plug on the summer, because it’s important for Roczen to get through a full 29-race schedule without issue after so many tough seasons and there’s no one able to take his place on the factory bike. It sucks to see someone as dedicated go through the issue and best believe he’s doing everything in his power to get it corrected.

ARRIVALS & DEPARTURES

Dean Wilson will be back on the line this weekend after months of recovery from a Supercross crash and wounded shoulder. The Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing rider is eager to put in results through the final five rounds and is ready to prove to every factory team why he’s worthy of a ride in 2020.

Thomas Covington and Chase Sexton will be absent at RedBud, due to their energy issues (Epstein Barr for Covington, ongoing heat-related illness for Sexton).

2019 REDBUD MOTOCROSS | 250 CLASS ENTRY LIST

12. Shane McElrath
26. Alex Martin
31. RJ Hampshire
32. Justin Cooper | The Monster Energy/Star Racing/Yamaha rider is currently second in the point standings.
34. Dylan Ferrandis | The Monster Energy/Star Racing/Yamaha rider is currently third in the point standings.
36. Michael Mosiman | The Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing rider will return at missing Southwick.
39. Colt Nichols
44. Cameron McAdoo
45. Brandon Hartranft
52. Jordan Bailey
55. Kyle Peters
59. Nick Gaines
66. Mitchell Oldenburg
73. Martin Davalos
78. Ramyller Alves
89. Joey Crown
91. Zack Williams
92. Adam Cianciarulo | With overall wins at Hangtown/Fox Raceway/Thunder Valley/High Point, the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki rider leads the championship standings.
110. Yusuke Watanabe
139. Nathen LaPorte
151. Carter Gordon
154. Chase Felong
156. Jacob Hayes
161. Justin Thompson
164. Matthew Klann
167. Cody Williams
168. Cale Kuchnicki
173. Grant Wall
194. Jerry Robin
196. Hunter Lawrence
210. Jonathan Mayzak
223. Jamison DuClos
228. Donny Brown
233. Derek Drake
247. Brock Papi
249. Bailey Kroone
252. Collin Reinhart
269. Dalton Dyer
288. Parker Smith
291. Zane Merrett
294. Nicholas McDonnell
301. Jordan Jarvis
303. Michael Hand
337. Vincent Luhovey
340. Blake Taylor
345. Joshua Prior
346. Kevin Moranz
357. Kameron Barboa
367. Hunter Sayles
379. Conner Burger
407. Benjamin Nelko
426. Kein Denzler
432. Salvatore Colangelo
441. Scott Meshey
459. Austin Brooks
464. Branden Brill
509. Alex Nagy
516. Yeissen Rubalcava
520. Dennis Ponton
546. Tylor Skodras
583. Corey Ridel
597. Mason Kerr
610. Hayden Halstead
613. Nicholas Schnagl
622. Zac Maley
628. Parker Mashburn
631. Bradon Dickson
646. Harris Huizenga
657. Justin Wolf
668. Ryan Blanford
675. Kyle Dillin
691. James Justice
677. Billy Healy
702. Josiah Hempen
757. Tyler Gosnell
795. Aaron Leininger
821. Trevor Tate
824. Carter Stephenson
832. Brady Neys
841. Jeff Walker
847. DJ Christie
906. Adrian Galamba
916. Jorge Rubalcava
923. Chris Moore
931. Stephen Vuckson
936. Ty Masterpool
964. Mithcell Goheen
981. Curren Thurman
993. Austin Wagner

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.
23. Chase Sexton | After winning 250 Moto One at Florida, the GEICO Honda rider pulled out of Moto Two due to heat-induced illness. Sexton is undergoing tests to determine a solution for the problem and will not race until it is resolved.
24. Austin Forkner | Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki rider will miss the entire summer with torn ligaments in his knee.
28. Jordon Smith | The Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/KTM rider could no longer deal with the lingering tendonitis in his wrist from a crash in the Supercross season and will soon undergo surgery to correct the injury; Smith will miss the rest of the summer.
36. Michael Mosiman | The Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing rider is out for Southwick after a practice crash earlier in the week. 
38. Christian Craig | Despite a notification from WADA of an adverse finding for a prohibited substance in an anti-doping test, the GEICO Honda rider is cleared to ride until a final decision by the FIM. The ongoing issue has impacted his 2019 season and it sounds as though Craig will not line up until the matter is clear.
40. Sean Cantrell | Lingering wrist injuries will keep the Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/KTM rider from multiple rounds of the season.
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.
61. Garrett Marchbanks | The Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki rider is still sidelined from his High Point crash.
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.
72. Martin Castelo | Although on the entry list, Castelo sustained a concussion in Florida and has made the decision to hold off on riding until he is back to full health.
112. Thomas Covington | The Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing rider is out for RedBud in order to recover from an ongoing case of Epstein Barr that is draining his energy levels. 
123. Mitchell Falk | The Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/KTM rider is still out after breaking his collarbone at Hangtown.

2019 REDBUD MOTOCROSS | 450 CLASS ENTRY LIST

1. Eli Tomac | With five wins in the ten motos run so far, the Monster Energy Kawasaki rider leads the championship standings.
2. Cooper Webb
4. Blake Baggett
7. Aaron Plessinger
15. Dean Wilson | Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing rider returns to action after long layoff with a shoulder injury.
16. Zach Osborne
17. Joey Savatgy
19. Justin Bogle
21. Jason Anderson
25. Marvin Musquin | The Red Bull KTM rider jumped to second in the series standings with his Moto One Win and overall victory at the Florida Motocross, and a Moto One win at Southwick.
29. Benny Bloss
41. Ben LaMay
43. Tyler Bowers
49. Henry Miller
51. Justin Barcia
56. Lorenzo Locurcio
60. Justin Starling
63. John Short
69. Jake Masterpool
80. Heath Harrison
90. Jeremy Hand
94. Ken Roczen | The Team Honda HRC rider is currently third in the championship standings.
101. Fredrik Noren
116. TJ Albright
119. Issac Teasdale
129. Ryan Diezic
152. Ryder Hanninen
214. Vann Martin
228. Donny Brown
234. McCoy Brough
235. Tucker Cantrell
243. Hunter Braun
254. Cody Briner
257. Joey DeNeen
265. Nick Fratz-Orr
270. Jacob Runkles
279. Timothy Crosby
290. Denver Rigsby
319. Coty Schock
322. Trey Moore
324. James Cooper
332. Dustin Winter
351. Eric Grondahl
353. Jeremi Williamson
354. Matthew Toth
359. Edward Morris
383. Casey Brennan
405. Joe LaFalce
412. Jared Lesher
415. Brendan Grgurich
451. Klay Prager
475. Timothy Scouten
499. Dawson Chestnut
507. Nicholas Tomasunas
510. Travis Prier
528. Ryan Peters
545. Cody Siler
553. Brent Rouse
556. Taten Gilman
566. Jacob Rose
567. Christian Sessink
577. Felix Lopez
595. Michael Kitzmiller
609. Leo Demastry
637. Bobby Piazza
647. Matthew Hubert
694. Nicholas Inman
700. Justin Weeks
704. Christopher Akaydin
711. Tristan Lane
718. Toshiki Tomita
724. Jason McConnell
727. Bradley Esper
750. Gavin Chinn
809. Travis Thompson
811. Christopher Williams
837. Bryson Gardner
855. Jeffrey Shuck
861. Eric Montreuil
880. Conor Sheridan
881. Jerry Lorenz
891. Kyle Koosmann
893. Matthew Carpenter
929. Taiki Koga
940. Evan Talbott
962. Joseph Tait
967. Mateo Johnson

MISSING FROM THE LIST

14. Cole Seely | Team Honda HRC rider is sidelined for the remainder of the summer due to a torn labrum and broken shoulder socket, injuries that required surgery and a three-month recovery.
46. Justin Hill | JGRMX/Yoshimura/Suzuki Factory Racing rider is out for the rest of the summer after suffering a recent shoulder injury and necessary surgery.
54. Dylan Merriam | A hard crash at the 2019 Thunder Valley Motocross left the California privateer with a broken collarbone, fractured T1 vertebrae, fractured rib, bruised lung and pulled groin.
103. Dean Ferris | The Australian racer and Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing team have parted ways, effective immediately.