Now that the 2015 Monster Energy AMA Supercross championship is already four rounds deep (which means the Western Regional 250SX series has reached its halfway point), we’re starting to get a much clearer picture of how the season is shaping up. Rivalries are being born, controversies have erupted and we’ve seen some of the tightest racing ever. With so much action happening on and off the track, many questions have been raised. We’re here to answer some of them for you.

Image: Simon Cudby.

Q: Can Ryan Dungey keep the red plate?

A: Probably not. From what we’ve seen so far, RCH Suzuki’s new recruit Ken Roczen is desperate to stamp his authority all over championship and become the heir to Ryan Villopoto’s throne. Generally speaking his pace has been at a level above the rest of the class. The thing that does play into Dungey’s favour however, is his ridiculous consistency. Dungey is almost always on the podium and that could well set him in good stead in one of the most stacked 450SX classes we’ve ever seen.

Q: Who’s injured?

A: After only four weeks the injured list of riders is already starting to lengthen. Weston Peick (broken foot), Justin Brayton (AC separation and fractured vertebrae), Wil Hahn (arm and back), Jake Moss (leg), Dean Wilson (torn ACL/MCL) are all out of the premier class, while Adam Cianciarulo (shoulder) and Darryn Durham (bent screw in wrist) are scratchers from the SX 250 championship.

Q: Will black flags become more common now?

A: Much has been said, written and read about the Anaheim 2 incident between Trey Canard and Chad Reed that saw Reedy black-flagged (immediately disqualified from the race) when contact between the pair saw Canard crash into the tuff-blocks. Widespread opinion is that the flagging was a huge over-reaction by officials and there’s now concern that the incident has set a precedent and we’ll see more black flags in the future. We certainly hope that’s not the case; racing has always had an element of contact between the riders and we really don’t want that to change (and nor do the fans).

Q: What’s happened to Matt Moss?

A: After a great six-round trip to the US last year, Matt Moss has struggled big-time in the 450SX class in 2015. Four rounds in, he’s yet to make main due to bad luck, a practice crash that saw him miss A2, a stacked field and generally being slightly off the pace of where he needs to be. Mossy’s a talented, driven rider and you can guarantee he’ll want to turn these results around and get some solid finishes before the MX Nationals begins.

Image: Simon Cudby.

Q: What’s with Tyler Bowers and Cooper Webb?

A: One of the most fascinating new rivalries we’ve seen flair up in 2015 is between four-time Arenacross champion Tyler Bowers and hotshot rookie Cooper Webb. The pair always seem to find each other on the track and aren’t afraid to trade paint and plastic in order to get past. The hit that Bowers put on Webb at Oakland on Saturday night was a doozy, and the young Yamaha rider wasn’t too happy about being dumped to the dirt. “Payback’s a b-word, Bowers” was his quote from the podium. Kinda awkward that they both train together under Gareth Swanepoel – no doubt friendships are now officially on ice until the championship is over.

Q: Can Roczen rebound from Oakland?

A: Definitely. Roczen has already proved to be one of the favourites this year and he’s looked in devastating form early on. His huge case on the Oakland triple would’ve sent lesser men to the showers, but Kenny got back on and circulated to minimise the points he bled to Dungey. They say you win championships with your worst day and we might’ve just seen Roczen’s worst result of the season on Saturday.

Q: Is Reed still a title contender?

A: It’s a brave or foolish man who discounts two-time champion Chad Reed, especially this early in the championship. Sure, the TwoTwo Motorsports team owner has had a soft start to the season, but at Anaheim 2 (before the black-flagging) he was on a tear, then at Oakland he was back leading the main and on the podium. It’s like the fire’s been lit under him as he realizes he’s got to quickly dig himself out of this points hole if he wants to be a championship contender. Realistically, the championship is a long shot (40 points is a lot of points to make up in 13 races), but stranger things have certainly happened in racing.