Ryan Sipes came to round 1 filling in for the injured Davi Millsaps for the 2013 MX season in the 450 class. Ryan was just racing a 250 two short weeks ago in Las Vegas. That means he had very little time to adapt and test on the larger bike. That is tough when racing at this level. Sipes exceeded all expectations anyone had for him given the circumstances. He simply rode amazing. Most impressive was his stamina. He came out on a very gnarly track with 200 more CC’s and was charging through the last lap. If round 1 is any indication, Sipes will be vying for top 5’s right away.

Ryan Sipes: “I thought it was a good weekend. I didn’t really know where I stood comin into this thing and I just wanted to come up here, be consistent, finish the motos strong and it worked out. Hangtown is one of my least favorite tracks but I just tried to grind it out and not slow down. 6th overall is the best I’ve ever done here so I’m alright with it.”

Unlike Jason Anderson’s teammates, he came in with nothing outside weighing on him but the pressure of being a podium guy. Jason’s results on paper, in no way tell the story of how great he really rode. In moto one he was involved in an incident that collected several riders. He came back from outside the top 30 to find himself cross the finish line in 12th. The second moto, he started out much better quickly moving into 3rd place. But then he unexpectedly began to move backwards. Turns out that was a result of the adversity that Jason came across on Saturday. He actually lost his rear brakes in both motos. On a track with massive braking bumps going down steep hills and high speed step-ups landing right into corners, what he did was beyond stellar. Anderson managed to salvage 7th overall by the end of the day and it is very clear that he really does harbor podium speed.

Jason Anderson: “Hangtown was alright. I lost my brakes. Got 12th in the first moto, 6th in the second moto, rode good but I’m a little frustrated. Going to come out swinging even harder next weekend in Colorado.”

Blake Wharton had been struggling with breathing throughout the entire Supercross season. After seeing a doctor it was discovered that he was suffering from a deviated septum. Not being able to pull oxygen in through your nose can cause multiple problems including muscle fatigue and arm pump. Blake had a surgery to repair this which will help him greatly as the season moves on but he was forced to stay off the bike for a while prior to the race. Round 2 will be much better for Wharton as he even made a substantial improvement from moto 1 to moto 2.

Blake Wharton: “Hangtown is always an interesting race. First round, takes me a while to get going sometimes it seems. I just back from my surgery on my septum. So it was good to ride my bike. I knew it would be tough in the first round after having some time off. The first moto was terrible for me to be honest. I had some issues for sure. The second moto I knew I could do better, and it was better. I ran up front for a while and I gotta race my way back into consistency. Gonna go into next round and try to improve.”

Nico Izzi had a weekend to forget. However, forgetting the weekend is exactly what Izzi needs to do. He spent a lot of time away from racing after having his knee surgically repaired. There is no amount of riding or training that can mimic actual racing. You can ride at a practice track every day for months, but nothing compares to lining up behind the gate with your toughest competitors. It will certainly take Nico a couple rounds to get the racing edge back and that is what was expected.

Nico Izzi: “First moto I felt ok for about 20 minutes. I had a minor tip over about halfway, I was in 8th when I did that. Got passed by a couple guys and went back to to 10th. Then I stalled the back and went back to 23rd. It kinda took a lot of energy out of me. The second moto I had about a 25th place start. I just need better starts and try to build up my intensity a bit. It’s the first race back and I just have to build.”

Rockstar Energy racing will head east of the Rocky Mountains next week to overcome the challenge of a track over a mile high above sea level in Lakewood, CO. Sipes will look to build on a successful round 1. Anderson will expect to find his way to a podium finish. Wharton and Izzi will try to improve on their performances getting back to form. The team will be joined by Clement Desalle and Kevin Strijbos of the Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1 Team out of Belgium. The duo will be coming fresh off a double podium in Beto Carrero at the GP of Brazil and will try to do the same against the best in the US.

Jason Anderson http://mx.rockstarenergy.com/rockstar-energy-racing-hangtown-motocross-photo-gallery-jason-anderson/

Nico Izzi http://mx.rockstarenergy.com/rockstar-energy-racing-hangtown-motocross-photo-gallery-nico-izzi/

Ryan Sipes http://mx.rockstarenergy.com/rockstar-energy-racing-hangtown-motocross-photo-gallery-ryan-sipes/

Nico Izzi http://mx.rockstarenergy.com/rockstar-energy-racing-hangtown-motocross-photo-gallery-blake-
wharton/

450 Results

Ryan Villopoto 1-1
Ryan Dungey 2-2
James Stewart 3-3
Trey Canard 4-4
Justin Barcia 5-5
Ryan Sipes 8-7
Andrew Short 6-10
Mike Alessi 12-6
Tyla Rattray 9-9
Weston Peick 13-8
Phil Nicoletti 11-11
Broc Tickle 14-12
Jake Weimer 7-24
Dean Wilson 14-14
Chad Reed 10-38
Fredrik Noren 16-17
Travis Preston 15-18
Justin Brayton 33-13
Michael Byrne 19-16
Malcolm Stewart 36-15
Vince Friese 18-39
Nick Wey 21-19
Gareth Swanepoel 22-20
Josh Grant 20-27
Chris Blose 27-21
Les Smith 23-22
Derek Anderson 38-23
Robby Marshall 28-25
Nick Schmidt 39-26
Lowell Spangler 26-28
Heath Harrison 24-29
Dalton Carlson 29-30
Austin Howell 25-31
Dustin Pipes 32-32
Ryan Huffman 34-33
Kyle Partridge 31-34
Ty Keenom 35-35
Tevin Tapia 37-36
Travis Sewell 30-37
Chris Plouffe 40-40
450 Points

Ryan Villopoto 50
Ryan Dungey 44
James Stewart 40
Trey Canard 36
Justin Barcia 32
Ryan Sipes 27
Andrew Short 26
Mike Alessi 24
Tyla Rattray 24
Weston Peick 21
Phil Nicoletti 20
Broc Tickle 16
Jake Weimer 14
Chad Reed 11
Dean Wilson 11
Travis Preston 9
Fredrik Noren 9
Justin Brayton 8
Michael Byrne 7
Malcolm Stewart 6
Vince Friese 3
Nick Wey 2
Gareth Swanepoel 1
Josh Grant 1
250 Results

Ken Roczen 1-1
Blake Baggett 3-2
Eli Tomac 2-3
Marvin Musquin 4-4
Zach Osborne 9-5
Kyle Cunningham 8-7
Jason Anderson 12-6
Jeremy Martin 7-13
Joey Savatgy 10-11
Justin Hill 13-9
Cooper Webb 5-18
Justin Bogle 19-8
Blake Wharton 17-10
Darryn Durham 6-36
Cole Seely 14-14
Dillan Epstein 11-23
Martin Davalos 38-12
Jake Canada 16-17
Alex Martin 20-15
Zach Bell 15-35
Nico Izzi 22-16
Jessy Nelson 18-24
Brady Kiesel 26-19
Kellian Rusk 21-20
Jackson Richardson 29-21
Jacob Baumert 24-22
Zack Williams 28-25
Ryan Zimmer 32-26
Todd Krieg 31-27
Jason Potter 37-28
Justin Starling 35-29
Trevor Ivey 30-30
Lance Vincent 27-31
Josh Greco 33-32
Kevin Weisbruch 34-33
Tommy Weeck 23-34
Gared Steinke 25-37
Drew Gosselaar 40-38
Brandan Leith 36-39
Austin Ullrich 39-40
250 Points

Ken Roczen 50
Eli Tomac 42
Blake Baggett 42
Marvin Musquin 36
Zach Osborne 28
Kyle Cunningham 27
Jason Anderson 24
Jeremy Martin 22
Joey Savatgy 21
Justin Hill 20
Cooper Webb 19
Darryn Durham 15
Justin Bogle 15
Blake Wharton 15
Cole Seely 14
Dillan Epstein 10
Martin Davalos 9
Jake Canada 9
Alex Martin 7
Zach Bell 6
Nico Izzi 5
Jessy Nelson 3
Brady Kiesel 2
Kellian Rusk 1

Davi Millsaps has had a season no one will ever forget. Accomplishing far more than any outside opinion could have dreamed of. From the beginning of the year when his results were considered a fluke to comments on the message boards now exclaiming that next year he will be #1. What a difference a year makes. Unfortunately next year is what Davi’s fans are going to be forced to wait for. Millsaps announced at the Vegas press conference that he will be going through a much needed surgery to repair his knee and femur. It’s a real testament to his commitment that he even completed the SX season. Certainly a tough decision to make when riding at such a high level, but it is the right one. It will extend his career in the long run and DM will be even better coming in next year. Maybe that is just what he needs to procure that elusive number 1 plate in 2014.

Although the Supercross Championship had been locked up by Ryan Villopoto a week ago in Salt Lake City, there was still 2nd place to be decided. Davi and Ryan Dungey were separated by a mere 3 points coming into Las Vegas. When the gate dropped for the main event the 3 top riders this season quickly found themselves in a familiar position. 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Millsaps did exactly what he needed to by picking up his incredible 12th podium of 2013. He eclipsed Dungey by 1 point, finishing 2nd overall in the championship for the second consecutive year.

Davi Millsaps – “Good Season. It’s over. 2nd overall. Not too shabby. Gonna come back swinging next year.I did the best I could. It was fun, exciting and I’m looking forward to what’s next to come.”

Blake Wharton also matched his season overall from last year with 3rd place in the East Coast 250 Championship. He just missed the podium in his main event with a solid 4th. He was also the top Rockstar Energy Racing rider in the Dave Coombs Sr. East/West Shootout with another top 5.

Jason Anderson picked up the first win of his young career one week ago. In doing so he had great starts all night. He rode good in Sin City but suffered from less than stellar results out of the gate in both the West Coast main and the shootout. He came through the pack good but just had too big of a deficit to make up in both races. He could only manage two 6th place finishes by night’s end. Jason finished 4th overall in the series.

Jason Anderson – “It was an alright day. I had bad starts. I’ve definitely had better starts. I ended up 6th in my main and the shootout and I just rode alright.”

Ryan Sipes is still racing himself back into shape after his long layoff. He was able to pick up a top 5 in the West main event however. His result in the shootout was not quite as good as he crossed the finish line in 7th place just behind Anderson.

Ryan Sipes – “It was better than last week I thought. Better than Salt Lake or Seattle. I felt like I rode a little stronger. I’m still not riding like I can but I’m working on it and getting closer. My starts are better so I just need to try to build off of it and take it to outdoors.”

The team now has a weekend off of racing so they can make the shift to focusing solely on the Lucas Oil Outdoor Motocross Championship beginning at Hangtown MX in Rancho Cordova, CA. Millsaps will immediately get his surgery out of the way and work to rehab for next season. Anderson who had a good SX season is very excited for MX as he is more comfortable on that style of track. Nico Izzi will be very eager to finally make his return to the race track after a knee injury sidelined him for the entire SX season. Sipes will enjoy the week off to work on returning to his top form. Wharton will also be working on some things to prepare for the much more physically challenging outdoor format.

450SX Overall
1. Ryan Villopoto Kaw
2. Ryan Dungey KTM
3. Davi Millsaps Suz
4. Jake Weimer Kaw
5. Justin Barcia Hon
6. Chad Reed Hon
7. Weston Peick Suz
8. Justin Brayton Yam
9. Andrew Short KTM
10. Broc Tickle Suz
11. Phil Nicoletti Yam
12. Robby Kiniry Yam
13. Kyle Regal Yam
14. Josh Hill Suz
15. Chris Blose Yam
16. Cody Gilmore Kaw
17. Kyle Partridge Hon
18. Nicholas Schmidt Hon
19. Tevin Tapia Suz
20. Trey Canard Hon

450SX Final Point Standings
1. Ryan Villopoto 371pts Kaw *Clinched title
2. Davi Millsaps 338pts Suz
3. Ryan Dungey 337pts KTM
4. Justin Barcia 277pts Hon
5. Chad Reed 239pts Hon
6. Trey Canard 221pts Hon
7. Andrew Short 214pts KTM
8. Justin Brayton 190pts Yam
9. Broc Tickle 176pts Suz
10. James Stewart 174pts Suz
11. Jake Weimer 157pts Kaw
12. Matt Goerke 139pts KTM
13. Mike Alessi 107pts Suz
14. Weston Peick 105pts Suz
15. Josh Hill 93pts Suz
16. Robby Kiniry 66pts Yam
17. Phil Nicoletti 58pts Yam
18. Eli Tomac 52pts Hon
19. Chris Blose 50pts Yam
20. Vince Friese 45pts Hon

250SX West Region Overall
1. Eli Tomac Hon
2. Ken Roczen KTM
3. Martin Davalos Kaw
4. Kyle Cunningham Yam
5. Ryan Sipes Suz
6. Jason Anderson Suz
7. Malcolm Stewart KTM
8. Cole Seely Hon
9. Tyla Rattray Kaw
10. Joey Savatgy KTM
11. Travis Baker Yam
12. Topher Ingalls Hon
13. Gared Steinke Kaw
14. Killy Rusk Hon
15. Dakota Tedder Kaw
16. Scott Champion Hon
17. Chris Plouffe Hon
18. Ross Johnson Hon
19. Austin Politelli Hon
20. Zach Osborne Hon

250SX West Region Point Standings
1. Ken Roczen 185pts KTM *Clinched 250SX West title
2. Eli Tomac 183pts Hon
3. Cole Seely 148pts Hon
4. Jason Anderson 139pts Suz
5. Martin Davalos 134pts Kaw
6. Kyle Cunningham 114pts Yam
7. Zach Osborne 112pts Hon
8. Tyla Rattray 99pts Kaw
9. Joey Savatgy 98pts KTM
10. Malcolm Stewart 88pts KTM
11. Christian Craig 87pts Hon
12. Travis Baker 80pts Yam
13. Austin Politelli 76pts Hon
14. Ryan Sipes 75pts Suz
15. Jessy Nelson 60pts Hon
16. Max Anstie 38pts Suz
17. Josh Cachia 29pts KTM
18. Jake Canada 28pts Hon
19. Scott Champion 28pts Hon
20. Dakota Tedder 24pts Kaw

250SX East Region Overall
1. Tyler Bowers Kaw
2. Marvin Musquin KTM
3. Wil Hahn Hon
4. Blake Wharton Suz
5. Gavin Faith Hon
6. Vince Friese Hon
7. Lance Vincent KTM
8. Cole Thompson Hon
9. Daniel Herrlein Hon
10. AJ Catanzaro Kaw
11. Brady Kiesel Yam
12. Levi Kilbarger Hon
13. PJ Larsen Yam
14. Ryan Zimmer Hon
15. Justin Starling Hon
16. Mitchell Oldenburg Hon
17. Adam Gulley Kaw
18. Jackson Richardson Hon
19. Landen Powell Hon
20. Steven Clarke KTM

250SX East Region Point Standings
1. Wil Hahn 198pts Hon *Clinched 250SX East title
2. Marvin Musquin 195pts KTM
3. Blake Wharton 171pts Suz
4. Vince Friese 118pts Hon
5. Gavin Faith 116pts Hon
6. Cole Thompson 96pts Hon
7. Dean Wilson 87pts Kaw
8. Lance Vincent 80pts KTM
9. Kyle Peters 78pts Hon
10. AJ Catanzaro 73pts Kaw
11. Jeremy Martin 71pts Yam
12. Justin Hill 68pts Kaw
13. Jimmy Decotis 66pts Kaw
14. Mitchell Oldenburg 66pts Hon
15. PJ Larsen 62pts Yam
16. Tyler Bowers 59pts Kaw
17. Levi Kilbarger 49pts Hon
18. Jackson Richardson 45pts Hon
19. Daniel Herrlein 43pts Hon
20. Steven Clarke 40pts KTM

Dave Coombs Sr. East/West Shootout
1. Ken Roczen KTM
2. Kyle Cunningham Yam
3. Marvin Musquin KTM
4. Martin Davalos Kaw
5. Blake Wharton Suz
6. Jason Anderson Suz
7. Ryan Sipes Suz
8. Cole Seely Hon
9. Malcolm Stewart KTM
10. Tyla Rattray Kaw
11. Zach Osborne Hon
12. Joey Savatgy KTM
13. Eli Tomac Hon
14. Tyler Bowers Kaw
15. Vince Friese Hon
16. Lance Vincent KTM
17. Cole Thompson Hon
18. Daniel Herrlein Hon
19. Gavin Faith Hon
20. Wil Hahn Hon