In this latest edition of Rated, MotoOnline.com.au takes a look at select performances from both the 2016 250SX and 450SX Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship classes.

Image: Simon Cudby.

Rider: Ryan Dungey
Rating: A+
Rundown: Ryan Dungey really stepped up his game in 2016, the Red Bull KTM rider is on another level. No longer is he the guy who doesn’t push the limits, his former nickname ‘The Diesel’ has definitely been shaken off. In a 17 round series Dungey claimed nine main event victories and had an average finish 1.76 – that is impressive.

Rider: Cooper Webb
Rating: A
Rundown: Cooper Webb kicked off his season with three consecutive wins on the west coast 250SX circuit, many thought he could even put together a perfect season. The perfect season, well that didn’t exactly happen, but what did happen is a whole lot of hard fought battles leading to a championship win. The Yamalube Star Racing Yamaha rider suffered a mechanical DNF and then went on to race the final round with a broken wrist to clinch the title – Webb is one bad dude.

Rider: Chad Reed
Rating: B+
Rundown: Reedy never got that main event win that we all expected in 2016, which was surprising after his back-to-back podiums at San Diego and Anaheim earlier in the season. The factory Yamaha pilot looked comfortable and much like his normal self, but he just didn’t have that raw speed (or very good starts for that matter) to contend for race wins. Finishing up the season fifth overall amongst the world’s best supercross racers though? Not too shabby at all.

Rider: Joey Savatgy
Rating: B+
Rundown: The Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki rider really stepped up his game in 2016. Savatgy put it to Cooper Webb and really made him battle for that number one plate. Finishing the season just one single point behind Webb, although it’s not that elusive number one plate, he can certainly hold his head high as he moves on to the outdoor championship and beyond.

Image: Simon Cudby.

Rider: Christian Craig
Rating: B+
Rundown: Christian Craig’s story is quite incredible. Following an injury filled career, including a severely broken back where he lost feeling in his legs at one stage, Craig called it quits. After working a normal job, living a normal life, he decided he wanted to have another go at racing. Returning with the GEICO Honda team in 2016, Craig was an absolute standout rider, mixing it up with defending champion Cooper Webb and eventually winning his first ever main event. It’s awesome to see someone return, add excitement to the series and claim a win – top effort.

Rider: Ken Roczen
Rating: A
Rundown: The German import really came on strong in the latter stages of the 17 round series. He admitted he and the RCH/Soaring Eagle/Jimmy John’s/Suzuki Factory Racing team found some valuable settings late in the season which allowed him to click off multiple wins. But it was too little, too late for Roczen who couldn’t close the huge points gap Dungey had amassed throughout the season. Second overall obviously isn’t where he wanted to be, but it sure isn’t bad at all.

Rider: Malcolm Stewart
Rating: A
Rundown: Being the younger brother of James Stewart, Malcolm had a lot to live up to throughout his career, and although it’s not a 450 title, his 250SX east title has definitely proven he could have what it takes to make it to the top. Stewart did let the pressure get to him at one stage, but he reeled it in and cruised to his first professional championship in Las Vegas. 2016 saw a much more mature Malcolm Stewart and heading into 2017 as a full time 450 rider, he’ll be a guy to look out for.

Rider: Jason Anderson
Rating: A
Rundown: Why does Anderson get the same rating as Roczen? Because Anderson really did cement himself as one of the ‘top guys’ in 2016 – he was very impressive. Aboard his Rockstar Energy Racing Husqvarna, the former 250SX west champion claimed two main event wins and finished third overall in the championship. Anderson is the real deal and you can bet your bottom dollar he’ll be right there next season battling for that title.