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The Rumor Mill

Tuesday, 20 October 2009

Last weekend marked the unofficial end to the U.S. racing season.  The U.S. Open typically serves as a great way to wind down the very long season, while offering a hint of things to come.  Riders and teams often debut some new equipment, new rosters, and new sponsors.  Yet this year was certainly different.  Only a handful of the riders on hand already had deals lined up for next year, and really only two riders were even riding 2010 equipment, namely Ryan Villopoto and James Stewart.  Stewart, of course, was riding what is arguably the most technically innovative motorcycle to ever hit a motocross track and took it to two very dominating performances.  RV is again teaming up with the Monster Kawasaki crew in what will be his sophomore year in the premier class.  2009 saw the Washington native bring home his first two Supercross main event wins along with his first National win before being sidelined with a nagging ACL injury (which he has apparently had since his amateur days).

Other riders at the U.S. Open with ’10 contracts were Red Bull Honda’s Davi Millsaps, Hart and Huntingdon’s Matt Boni, Moto Concepts’ Matt Goerke, and…umm…hmm, well that’s about it.  Teams and sponsors are waiting very late this year in signing deals and getting budgets worked out.  While the U.S. economy is slowly stabilizing, the effects of the slump will surely be felt for quite a while.  Fortunately that is not stopping folks from going racing, but budgets are being cut, and lucrative contracts are now few and far between...

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Many thanks to Transworld Motocross...