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/128324
------------ - - - MOTOCROSS even want to ride the two-stroke any more. It's [the 4S0] a fun bike, plenty of power, turns well - there hasn't been one time since I've been riding the four-stroke where I said 'Dam n, I wish I had my twostroke.''' Says Windham: "I think that he has some things to prove about the bike and prove about himself. Two-stroke, fourstroke and whether or not it matters. It'll be interesting to see how it plays out. All of the tracks where I supposedly had an advantage by riding this four-stroke, now he has that same advantage - and chal lenges. To me it definitely levels the playing field at least between he and I." The undercard to this main event hardly takes backstage as Yamaha brings a t ea m packed full of talent In Tim Ferry - the only other rider to beat RC straight up in a rnoto last year beside Windham; David Vuillemin, the last rider (other than Windham) to beat RC In an overall (Mount Morris, 200 I); and defending supercross champion Chad Reed (on a four-stroke), who got inside RC's head big-time during the end of the 2003 supercross season. Add to this mix two former World Preview: 2004 AMA Chevrolet ' Motocross Championship Series Champions in Grant Langston (KTM) and Sebastien Tortelli (Suzuki) and you have the ingredients for the best top-five shootout in the 2SOcc class we've seen in recent years. The 12Scc class for 2004 probably won't have nearly the drama that it did last year, as long as Kawasaki's James Stewart enters the season at least somewhat healthy. "Bubba" was untouchable last year, winning 14 straight motos and seven overalls. And while his absence in the first four rounds led to a terribly exciting title race right down to the last National between Langston (the eventual champ) and his teammate, the fiery veteran Ryan Hughes, all eyes were on Stewart. So, the question is, given Stewart's success last year, can he duplicate Re's amazing feat of 2002 in which he won every moto of every race • an incredible 24·0 with 12 overall wins? Says Stewart: "That's a good goal to have . It's not likely, but I won all of them last year without thinking about it really. I think it can happen, but I'm not going to think of it like that. I'm really comfortable with my speed this year, and I think I can pull another Budds Creek if I have to ." 28 MAY 19,2004 • CYCLE NEWS Budds Creek was the most memorable moto last year, when Stewart wadded up at the start and blazed back - with lap times faster than the fastest 250cc lap times - and caught, passed and distanced himself from the entire 12Scc field with plenty of time left in the 30-minute moto. And there's another interesting side of the story this year in that, unlike Carmichael in the 250cc class, Stewart has chosen to stick with the I25cc two-stroke. This decision seems a bit odd as the 2SOcc four-strokes seem to have a dramatic advantage over the I25cc two-strokes on the outdoor tracks, and so many other riders have switched over from two- to fourstroke machinery. But not Bubba. "I'm a two-stroke guy," Stewart says. "That 's all I've really ever ridden, and my riding style fits the KX 125. Untili'm getting beat by a four-stroke, then I guess you won't see me on one." Stewart admits , however, that the fourstrokes do have their advantages. "On certain tracks and conditions, fourstrokes really have an advantage," he says. 'Y>.nd on long starts, there's no doubt that the four-strokes have a huge advantage. But we've been able to squeeze a lot of horsepower out of my Kawasaki to the point where I don't really feel like I'm at a 40th Anniversary disadvantage." Th is will be Stewart's last year in the l25cc class, as he 'll make his tong-awaited and highly anticipated switch to the 2SOcc class next year. Stewart wants to say goodbye to the 12Scc class with the numberone plate in hand . "T his year's outdoor title is the most important title to me, " Stewart says. "Even more so than the Supercross I won [this year] . I felt a little cheated last summer and feel like I have to leave my mark in my last year." Even though Stewart might be spending a lot of time way out in front this year; there should be a lot of good, close racing going on behind him. With Langston out of the picture now, fans should enjoy watching Hughes and Mike Brown of the Yamaha of Troy team renew their "friendly " rivalry. Pro Circuit/Kawasaki's Ivan Tedesco and Eric Sorby will also challenge for a spot on the podium , as will Suzuki 's Branden Jessemen when he returns from injury. Overall, the outdoor Nationals will again prove to be the planet's center stage for motocross racing· bar none! eN