Cycle News Staff | January 7, 2016
The world’s top Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, racers discussed the 2016 season at today’s pre-race press conference from Angel Stadium. Defending 450SX Class Champion Ryan Dungey was joined by former champions Chad Reed and James Stewart, as well as Ken Roczen, Justin Barcia, Trey Canard, Jason Anderson, Eli Tomac, Cole Seely, Marvin Musquin, Justin Bogle, Davi Millsaps and Christophe Pourcel on stage to answer the media’s questions prior to the first gate drop of the season in less than 48 hours.
Saturday night’s race will air live on FS1 and the FOX Sports Go App at 10:00 p.m. EST/7:00 p.m. PST, including a 30-minute live Preview Show starting at 9:30 p.m. EST/6:30 p.m. PST.
Red Bull KTM’s Dungey was presented his 2015 Monster Energy Supercross Championship ring, while General Mills made the formal announcement that Dungey will grace the cover of the Wheaties box, which has already started to roll out in stores across the country.
“It’s great to be back,” said Dungey, who will chase a third title in 2016. “New year, new season. The past is the past and we’re excited to look forward to the new season. With our training [at the Baker Factory], we always seem to have race scenarios going when we’re practicing, so I feel comfortable coming into a new season. I hope we can match last year, if not top it. It’s not going to be easy, but if we execute and do our job like we practice, hopefully we’ll top the list.”
The return of Team Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing’s Stewart, who won 450SX Class titles in 2007 and 2009, has been highly anticipated after missing the entirety of the 2015 season.
“I’m excited to be back,” said Stewart. “As many years you come up here, the feeling is always the same. It’s tense and everyone is ready to get out on the track. And I could look at it as I’m one of the old guys or I could look at it as I’m the more experienced guy. This off-season was one of the best year’s I’ve ever had and I’m looking forward to all the positives as well as overcoming the negative this season. In the end I think the year off helped make me a better person.”
Following the fold of his TwoTwo Motorsports team in 2015, two-time champion Reed announced a return to his Factory Yamaha roots just yesterday with the formation of the Monster Energy/360fly/Chaparral/Yamaha Factory Racing.
“As one of the older guys up here [at the press conference], I’m able to learn and take away experiences throughout my career – including being a former team owner,” explained Reed. “I have no regrets and wouldn’t change anything about owning my own team, but it’s time to look to the future and I’m looking forward to this season.”
The riders, however, did not take to the track today. Three straight days of rain in Southern California has left the infield fairly saturated with water, but the track has been covered and seems to be in pretty good shape. More rain, however, is in the forecast, mainly for Saturday, but just how much rain we get is really the question. We’ll just have to wait see.
The entire 2016 Monster Energy Supercross Championship will air live on FOX Sports, including two races on the FOX broadcast channel. In addition, the authenticated FOX Sports Go app will live stream each race.