When the halfway flag flew in the 450SX class at Indianapolis we were officially at the halfway mark of the series. And so with that comes a little look at the 450SX series and what we’ve seen and what we’ve learned. You’ve got questions? Well lucky for you, I’ve got answers.

Image: Simon Cudby.

Who’s going to win this 450SX title?

Well it would’ve got really exciting had it been only Ryan Villopoto down in the first turn at Indianapolis, but second and third place in the points was also down with RV. So when Villopoto got up, the two guys that could have made up a lot of that nine-point lead that RV had were right down there on the ground with him! Villopoto rode a fantastic race to get up to fourth, James Stewart got to seventh and Kenny Roczen crashed out. So now that nine-point lead is 23 with seven races left. Yeah, Villopoto only has two wins this year, but he’s still the best rider week-in and week-out and who’s going to bet against him with Daytona this weekend? So I’d say get ready for the four-peat here by Villopoto. He’s looking very, very good.

Matthes, what’s the number one surprise for you both good and bad in the 2014 supercross series?

I think the number one surprise halfway through the series is Kenny Roczen. I didn’t think he would be this good, this soon. Roczen’s the real deal, he’s got terrific bike skills out there and the only thing he may have been missing was handled this past off-season when he hired Aldon Baker, moved to Florida and hunkered down with Villopoto. Roczen’s won two races, been in the top three in points and has been (save for Indy) very consistent this whole season. Great job by the German.

And the arrow points the other way down in terms of disappointments for Justin Barcia. The number 51 won a couple of races last year and looked good to challenge for the title this year in my eyes but it hasn’t worked out. Barcia’s got one lone podium on the year, has missed two races with injury and just hasn’t had the same look as last year. Barcia’s starts are a major problem for him as they’re usually his strong point but along with starts there have been some crashes. Barcia started the year being the fastest qualifier of the day at Anaheim 1, then came from behind to catch and pass James Stewart for a heat race win and… then I don’t know exactly what happened. I wouldn’t look for Barcia to stay on red for 2015 either.

What’s the best story from the 2014 supercross series?

Well hands down without a doubt it was Chad Reed’s resurgence this year. Two wins and two points back of the lead going into San Diego before he hit the dirt, Reed had something really special going on. But he’s out and we’re all sad but the show must go on. So after Reed I’d have to go with Justin Brayton. Last season, for whatever reason, Brayton was just ok. He wasn’t bad but he wasn’t that good either. Brayton’s got very good supercross skills and this year he’s showing them off on the somewhat-new Yamaha YZ450F. Brayton was very good to start the year and although he’s leveled off a bit here recently, he’s still having a strong year.

Image: Simon Cudby.

Best track of the year?

A lot of this has to do with the dirt and so I think when you include the quality and consistency of the dirt with an exciting layout, then Oakland would have to be number one. Decent size whoops, great traction, cool rhythms and even a quad jump that only a few guys could do add up to a cool track.

What’s the worst track of the year?

I bet you think I’m going to say Indy but nope, that was exciting to watch! Ruts and breaking down of the track adds up to the best riders making mistakes and that’s always a recipe for good racing. Nope, I’m going with Dallas because the dirt was basically concrete and the obstacles were fairly easy which led to a follow-the-leader type of racing. And if you tried to push it, the dirt made you pay. I didn’t like it one bit.

Best race of the year?

Without a doubt it was Anaheim 2. Reed’s first supercross win in a year and a half and he came from fifth to get it. Ryan Villopoto crashes while trying to pass for the lead. Dungey crashes in the whoops, Brayton hangs in tough inside the top five – Anaheim 2 had it all. On a night when the promoters celebrated retro night, it was a thrilling Reed/Stewart battle for the win. The fans went absolutely nuts when the number 22 took the chequers and it was a night that not many who were there will forget.