Chad Reed (Kawasaki) is not only hopelessly behind on points after two rounds, he has a broken left hand that may require surgery. James Stewart (Yamaha), the defending Supercross champ, sits seventh in the points after two rounds with undoubted injuries sustained following a horrendous crash in his heat race at Phoenix (no press release detailing those injuries, yet).
At the front in Phoenix? Two young riders named Ryan Dungey (Suzuki) and Ryan Villopoto (Kawasaki). These two riders also sit first and second in the championship points following the Phoenix round. Dungey was already surprisingly quick during the first round at Anaheim (where he finished a close second to Stewart), but Villipoto seemed to find his speed in Phoenix as he rounds into shape after some time off to heal an injury. These young guys will probably get faster as the series progresses.
Reed is out, but what about Stewart’s chances at this point? Stewart dug his way out of a points hole last year following a disasterous first round. Can he do it again this year? Although he won’t have Reed to contend with, Dungey and Villopoto should have the speed to push Stewart. 16 points down on Dungey, on paper, Stewart ought to be able to catch the rookie and take another title if he rides smart. If Stewart is injured badly enough to slow him down for a few rounds (assuming he even races next week), Dungey might be able to increase the points gap. In the meantime, there is really no way to tell how fast Villipoto will get this year (he was already quick last year during his rookie season aboard the 450).
Any way you look at it, even with Reed out this year, the racing should be tight and interesting.
