Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1063250
VOL. 55 ISSUE 50 DECEMBER 18, 2018 P167 – Honda's Ken Roczen made a strong comeback from the devas- tating injury to his left arm that very nearly ended his career. The Ger- man's return has been called by some "The Greatest Comeback of All Time." Though he didn't score a victory, Roczen was able to score multiple podium finishes in both supercross and motocross races throughout 2018. It was definitely one of the feel-good stories of 2018 and no one is betting against victories for Roczen in 2019. 7. Kenny Coolbeth Retires – There was not a great deal of hoopla or fanfare about it, that's not his style, but it was significant nevertheless that three-time AMA Grand National Champion Kenny Coolbeth announced his retire- ment this year. A 25-year pro racing veteran, Coolbeth was by far one of the dominant riders of the second half of the decade of the 2000s and his fitness regimen changed the way riders in that se- ries had to prepare to race if they wanted to win. After Chris Carr retired, Coolbeth became the win- ningest active rider in the champi- onship and remained so up until this year. He was competitive to the end, scoring five podiums in his final season, including taking a victory (his 37th-career national win) at the Dixie Speedway Short Track National. 6. Dani Pedrosa Retires – Another retirement story was big news this year and that was Dani Pedrosa's July announcement that the 2018 racing season would be his last. "Pedro" was a three-time World Champion having won the 125 Championship in 2003, the 250 title in 2004 and 2005. He was also one of the most success- ful riders of all time in the premier class. In 13 seasons in MotoGP— all with the factory Repsol Honda Team—Pedrosa scored 31 wins, 31 poles and a remarkable 112 podiums. He was runner up in the MotoGP Championship three times and was a potential race win- ner throughout his career. 5. Indian Publicly Criticizes AFT Rule Changes – When In- dian put out a statement of its dis- pleasure of American Flat Track's rules changes for 2019, long-time American Flat Track racing fans had flashbacks to 30 years ago when Honda left the series in 1988 after the intake restrictors were imposed by the AMA to level the playing field. But after winning 17 of the 18 American Flat Track races in 2018, can Indian really be that surprised that AFT made moves to help the other manufac- turers be more competitive? 4. Jorge Lorenzo to Honda – Jorge Lorenzo was the latest in the line of MotoGP superstars who seemingly could not come to terms with Ducati's GP bike. Of course, as soon as the announce- ment was made that Lorenzo was switching to Honda, he suddenly started winning on the Ducati. Too late Jorge, you're going to be playing second fiddle to teammate Marc Marquez next year. 3. Brad Baker Injured in X Games – It was one of those things you'd never dream could happen. Racing on a tiny little short track inside U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, former American Flat Track Champ Brad Baker flipped over the high side of his bike in a crash where he was going maybe 50 mph and suffered a severe spinal-cord injury. And just like that, the career of one of the elite riders in all of motorcycle racing ended. Baker is a fighter and believes he will walk again. The entire racing community is pulling for him. 2. Jason Anderson Wins Supercross Title for Husqvarna – For the past eight years the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship was owned by a Ryan—either Dungey or Villopoto. This time last year we wondered who would become the first rider to win the Supercross title in the post-Ryan era and now we know— it was Jason Anderson. Not a lot of people saw that coming. It also marked the first premier-class Supercross title for Husqvarna. 1. Team USA Humbled at Home – The motocross world was abuzz with the Motocross des Nations coming to RedBud in Michigan. In spite of heavy rains during the weekend, a massive crowd packed the grounds only to see Team USA go down in defeat. It was the first time the Americans lost the prestigious international competition on home soil. Team USA finished sixth. Mud, crashes, flat tires, bad gate picks, you name it, the red, white and blue faced it. Does it mean America's domi- nation of motocross has ended? Well, France has won five in a row—you make the call. CN Subscribe to nearly 50 years of Cycle News Archive issues: www.CycleNews.com/Archives