Press Day sets the stage for Anaheim 1

Edited copy courtesy of Denny Hartwig at Feld Motor Sports®

Defending champion Ryan Dungey represented his Rockstar/Makita Suzuki team and accepted the coveted World Championship ring. Joining Dungey on stage were

• Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto.
• San Manuel Yamaha’s James Stewart. 
• GEICO Powersports Honda’s Kevin Windham.
• TwoTwo Motorsports Honda’s Chad Reed.
• Red Bull KTM’s Andrew Short.
  

After a historic season that witnessed just the second rookie in AMA history claim the Supercross class title, the anticipation surrounding the 2011 championship is higher than ever before with three Supercross class champions and five Supercross Lites class champions in the lineup.

Ryan Dungey: Coming off the most successful rookie season of all time, is aware that his title defense will be the toughest challenge of his young career. However, the Minnesota native is ready for it.

"Last year was definitely one the best yet toughest years I've ever had,” said Dungey. "I just tried to give it my all at every given moment. Backing up that title this season I think is the hardest thing to do in any sport. I just need to do everything I can and control what I can control. There is a deep field this season and it's going to take everything I've learned to defend the championship and I'm looking forward to it.”

Ryan Villopoto:  Was in the thick of the title fight in 2010 alongside Dungey, capturing the most wins in the championship. However, a late season crash forced him to sit out the final three races and now he is more prepared than ever before to redeem himself.

"It was the most serious injury of my career last year and it took a long time to get back where I needed to be,” said Villopoto. "I was nervous I wouldn't be able to get where was at before when I got back on the bike but then things just started feeling better. It was as if my body had forgotten what happened in the past. I wasn't able to jump back on the bike as quickly as I had with other injuries, but now I feel as if I'm more ready than I've ever been coming into a season.”

James Stewart: After starting off the 2010 championship with a big win at Anaheim, Stewart found trouble the following weekend with two incidents that ultimately derailed his hopes of a third championship. With a long layoff and rejuvenated mindset, he's back to show he still has what it takes.

"I'm just excited to be back racing,” said Stewart. "We've made a lot of changes to the team and overall I think it's been a good offseason. What happened last year was an accident and I believe it will make me stronger. I'm not going to change how I ride for anyone. I'm going to be the champion I want to be because I can sleep better knowing I raced the way I wanted and gave it everything I had.”

Kevin Windham: Despite a slow start to his 2010 campaign, Windham kicked it into high gear the second half of the season, winning back-to-back races with some of the most dominant performances in the history of the sport against competitors as much as 12 years his junior. Ultimately, he posted his third runner-up effort in the championship and is excited about the possibilities of his 18th year of racing.

"For me it's about weathering the storm and getting ready for Saturday,” said Windham. "I need to do whatever I can (to win), but at the same time, keep the bike on two wheels. I really enjoy riding and being a part of this sport more than ever. I found what works for me and I'm going to stick with it. A lot of guys out there have the ability to win races and I think it's going to be a good year.”

Chad Reed: After taking Stewart down to the wire in the 2009 championship, Reed had high hopes in 2010, but instead experienced his worst season since moving to the U.S. in 2002. This year, Reed is taking a unique path to a possible third championship by funding his own race team without factory support. As a result, the Australian becomes the most successful and arguably the most talented privateer rider in history. Reed knows the obstacles that lie ahead, but he's ready to take them on.

"It's been fun (starting the new team),” said Reed. "I'm sure there will be ups and downs, but so far it's been good. I truly believe in surrounding yourself with good people and I've done that here. We have what it takes to succeed. The most difficult thing this offseason was finding out what was real and what wasn't. I was a true free agent for the first time but once it all came together I got to training and I feel ready.”

Andrew Short:  Short heads a list of well-known riders making the move to a new team, joining the revamped Red Bull KTM squad in 2011. After establishing a solid career with Team Honda, Short joins forces with longtime Rockstar/Makita Suzuki team manager and motocross legend Roger DeCoster, who helped navigate Dungey to the championship last season. Additionally, Short will lead the first ever supercross campaign for the new 350cc motorcycle introduced by KTM last year. The change of scenery excites Short and he hopes it leads to big things for himself and the KTM organization.

"Everything is exciting,” said Short. "A new bike, new team manager, new teammates and now I see all of my competitors. This is a great time of year for me. I think it'll be a benefit to have Roger help me grow from what I've been accustomed to in the past. The 350cc bike is very capable and I feel more nimble than a 450. KTM has put a lot of effort into making it competitive and I'm looking forward to the season.”

The buzz is huge and what could very well be the most competitive Monster Energy Supercross season of all time is just about here. It all goes down on Saturday night.

2011 Monster Energy Supercross Teams and Riders:

Rockstar/Makita Suzuki
#1 – Ryan Dungey
#24 – Brett Metcalfe

Monster Energy Kawasaki
#2 – Ryan Villopoto
#32 – Jake Weimer  (Weimer has suffered a broken arm and is expected to return later in the season. RacerXonline are saying that Australian Jake Moss will replace Weimer as early as Phoenix (Jan. 15).  There was talk of the replacement ride going to Josh Hansen, but Hansen will be competing alongside Broc Tickle and Tyla Rattray in the West Coast Supercross Lites series.)

San Manuel Yamaha
#7 – James Stewart
#30 – Kyle Regal

Hart and Huntington Kawasaki
#9 – Ivan Tedesco
#38 – Chris Blose

Muscle Milk/Toyota/JGR
#10 – Justin Brayton
#18 – Davi Millsaps

MotoConcepts Yamaha
#11 – Kyle Chisholm
#12 – Tommy Hahn
#45 – Vince Friese

GEICO Powersports Honda
#14 – Kevin Windham
#17 – Justin Barcia*
#19 – Eli Tomac*
#21 – Blake Wharton*
#31 – Wil Hahn*

Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki
#15 – Dean Wilson*
#20 – Broc Tickle*
#28 – Tyla Rattray*
#57 – Blake Baggett*
#100 – Josh Hansen*

TwoTwo Motorsports
#22 – Chad Reed

Rockstar Energy Suzuki
#23 – Martin Davalos*
#71 – Ryan Morais*
#77 – Ian Trettel*
#156 – Jason Anderson*

DNA Shred Stix/Star Racing Yamaha
#25 – Ryan Sipes*
#35 – Kyle Cunningham*
#72 – Nick Paluzzi*
XX – Gannon Audette*
#387 – Gareth Swanepoel*

BTOSports.com/BBMX/Palmetto Suzuki
#26 – Michael Byrne
#47 – Jason Thomas

Valli Motorsports/Rockstar Yamaha
#27 – Nick Wey
#75 – Austin Stroupe

Red Bull KTM
#29 – Andrew Short
XX – Marvin Musquin*
#194 – Ken Roczen*
#800 – Mike Alessi

Factory American Honda
#33 – Josh Grant
#41 – Trey Canard

JDR Motorsports/Motorex KTM
#34 – Dan Reardon  (Will miss A1 due to injury. The practice crash resulted in an injured knee for Reardon. Doctors estimate it will be a quick recovery. Reardon is hoping to be back in action for the second round of the AMA Supercross Series in Phoenix, AZ on 15 January.)
XX – PJ Larsen*
#942 – Tye Simmonds*

Troy Lee Designs/Lucas Oil Honda
#36 – Cole Seely*
#58 – Travis Baker*
#144 – Christian Craig*

Eleven 10 Mods/Renegade Fuels
#37 – Darryn Durham*
#46 – Alex Martin*
XX – Brandon Mays

Warthog Racing
#39 – Matt Goerke (word just in that he has an ankle injury that requires surgery)
#53 – Jarred Browne
#64 – Derek Anderson
XX – Spencer Dally
#801 – Jeff Alessi
XX – Mike Picone
XX – Justin Sipes

Honda of Troy/Kilbarger Racing
#42 – Nico Izzi*
#44 – Les Smith*
XX – Levi Kilbarger*

Rock River Yamaha
#43 – Weston Peick
#87 – Drew Yenerich*
#707 – Alex Millican*

Violation1.com/Shea Racing/National Switchgear
#70 – Tevin Tapia*
#94 – Ricky Renner*
#129 – Vernon McKiddie*
#804 – Jason Langford Jr.*

Experts-Exchange.com/Fly Racing
#73 – Topher Ingalls*

Red Seven Ride Co.
#76 – Kyle Partridge
#149 – Casey Hinson

Rockwell Fire/Police
#85 – Ryan Clark
XX – Cole Siebler*
XX – Landen Powell*

Weinert Racing
#89 – Taylor Futrell*

Inforce Technologies
#520 – Tony Gallo*

We have just been advised that Jimmy Albertson will be contesting on a Merge Racing prepared Donnell’s Honda. Co-team manager Gregg Albertson and Jimmy has put together an impressive privateer effort in a mere couple weeks. The older Albertson brother also handles other duties as mechanic, coach, logistics, and transport driver.