8 REASONS WHY U.S. MOTOCROSS THRIVES

This is a little dated but everything seems to be the same today.

Published in 2010 in MOTO

1.

Supercross. Say no more

It’s the world’s biggest dirt bike sport with thousands of fans crammed into stadiums the length and breadth of the country to see their heroes in action. Big money salaries, big money sponsors, big money TV deals. Replica rider action figures in every toy shop across the land. It’s big time. And is there any correlation between America becoming a powerhouse in motocross from the start of the 1980s, precisely when supercross was taking off? Well, it’s hardly a coincidence.

2.

The top riders are not all automatons

OK, we admit plenty of riders are. Especially when podium speeches turn into a list of sponsors and deities they seem contractually obliged to pay homage to.

Some of the most confident riders are still capable of being cocky, controversial and funny. Like Chad Reed, responding to Mike Alessi who said at the Hangtown national: “In the second moto I looked back and there was nobody even close.”

Winner Reed countered: “I won, right? I was almost as confused by that as Mike is…

“I almost didn’t break a sweat in the first moto. I have spent just one day on a motorcycle in the past two weeks. I came under the weather and won so easily. I absolutely expected to win.”

3.

The amateur classes produce winners

Unlike in the UK or Europe where you don’t see any AMCA-bred GP winners, the massively professional “amateur” scene has fully backed riders being put through their paces before they turn pro. Famous amateurs of the past include Ricky Carmichael, Travis Pastrana, James Stewart, Mike Alessi, Ryan Villopoto and Justin Barcia.

And this year they’ve been joined by Eli Tomac, the first rookie to win his pro debut in 38 years. “It definitely helped that I went testing with

Barcia and Trey Canard before the Nationals and I knew I was close to them. I had a top five goal in my mind and didn’t expect to win,” he said.

“As an amateur, I worked hard but not too much to get burned out as a pro. I have tried to keep it fun all through my career. But I still make rookie mistakes!”

4.

There’s lots and lots of room

Which means there are lots of tracks, especially
in the hotbed of motocross which is Southern California. There are 31 tracks in SoCal alone – Perris, Pala, Glen Helen, Competitive Edge, Gorman, Lake Elsinore, Piru, Starwest, Barona Oaks, Adelanto and more.

In a bid to get you to ride there, most are well groomed and watered, and several have supercross tracks, too. And many run night sessions under floodlights so you can ride after work. More people ride, so there are more tracks.

And more people own more land, which always seem to have room for a track. Or two.

5.

Ex-pats are welcomed

From Roger DeCoster to Jean-Michel Bayle to Seb Tortelli and loads in between, America has always been a welcome home for international riders looking to make a name and perhaps a new life and home for themselves.

And the current crop included Christophe Pourcel, Dean Wilson, Tommy Searle and MOTO cover star Max Anstie.

Brit Anstie loves his new home in the SoCal desert, including life with his Dad, ex-GP start Mervyn Anstie – and Merv’s new other half, American Devin.

Max, who challenged for supercross wins in his first season this year until he got injured, says: “It’s every young racer’s dream to come and race in the USA and I’m enjoying every minute of it.

“Every time I race in America, it’s great and I’m enjoying it more and more. The tracks are cool and the riders take different lines to European riders. The sun’s always shining, the bikes are fast and I’ve been made very welcome here.

“I’ve even got my Green Card to work here now, so I’m practically American!”

Soon he’ll be joined by Marvin Musquin, and eventually by Ken Roczen and Jeffrey Herlings.

6.

The No.1 domestic series

American Nationals are often mentioned as a great rival to GPs. But face it, the U.S. series is a domestic championship and the GPs are a world championship. They shouldn’t be on the same playing field, but they are. With the vast majority of American riders earning more and often being more revered than their GP counterparts. The Nationals pay great prize money but are one-day events organised by local organisers and aren’t a patch on the infrastructure of GPs. National tracks are often better than GP tracks, and the kudos is still greater.

7.

Heroes are honoured

From the soldiers who fight for them in wars around the globe to the riders who have given all for American glory, the USA way is to still show support and respect for the greats of yesteryear. Former champs are revered and never forgotten.

They are inducted into the AMA’s “Hall of Fame” and still get regular coverage in magazines and draw crowds at events, years after they retire. Take the curious case of people called Smith. Americans Malcolm Smith and Marty Smith get far more respect than our early heroes like Jeff Smith.

8.

It’s the centre of world motocross

From motocross riding holidays to the world’s biggest MX shop at Chapparal to the tuning houses and aftermarket suppliers like Pro Circuit and Troy Lee, California has it all. Plus the five major manufacturers not only have bases there, but supercross and motocross test tracks. But it’s not just about the West Coast, as motocross is big in the Mid West and Florida, with facilities like the Millsaps Training Facility in Georgia producing a crop of talent annually. America buys more motocross bikes than the rest of the world combined. Sell big in America, and you’ll sell big! That’s why KTMs now have a linkage – to crack the fickle U.S. market.

TAKEN FROM ISSUE 80, JULY 2010

WORDS BY ADAM DUCKWORTH