Finally here. Opening round of the 2012 Monster Energy Supercross Championship at Anaheim.

After all the anticipation and talk about another great season ahead of us the time was here. I got out there the Wednesday before hand to visit the people at Oakley and Fox which is always worthwhile and great to see everyone. I also to attend the pre race press conference on Thursday before Saturday night’s event.

It was a great start to the weekend, weather was awesome and it was really cool to see all the faces of the sport and the great fans as well, it seems to me that every year the paddock gets more packed with big rigs, sponsors and of course fans which always refreshing to me to see the growth.

With all that said I want to get in to the good part and the part I been waiting for the most and that is race time. As practice got going it seemed that it took some time for the track to come to life, I don’t think it was best track that Anaheim has seen in years past but was still good to see the riders out there ready to race. I watched a few practices from down on the track while I was walking around and really got to see up close how guys looked and how their bikes were working so I think that really helped me on making my predictions for the race and who I thought would be race winning contenders.

Coming in to this first round I thought there was probably four guys, five max that had a legitimate shot of winning the race but in the back of my mind I really believed that only two guys could get the job done if they didn’t have a problem. And after practice it was clear that the little thought in my mind I kept having was right.

There was great racing for the most part all night in both the Lites and Supercross classes. It’s always a good time up in the booth commentating with my buddies Ralph and Jeff. Seems that we are on the same page on a lot of things and that makes for a good show especially when the racing is as good as it has been lately.

Looking back on the racing there were a few surprises and some who did just as I expected. I think if you want to win this Supercross Championship this year, and you are not Ryan Villopoto, you’re going to have to go out and get it. It’s been a while since I have seen someone put in that many solid laps and could sustain that pace all night with ease, and if he needed to have more he could do that. He looked so programmed and focused and hit his marks every single lap. If he keeps it up, which it is very possible; it’s going to be extremely hard to beat him.

I can’t wait to be back in the booth next week in Phoenix to call the race and watch these cats battle it out. I think some guys are going to work on some things for sure this week to give themselves a better shot at winning and to narrow that gap somehow on Villopoto and he is going to be doing the same to keep his advantage. Another reason I’m pumped to go to Phoenix is because I have had a lot of success at that dome, I got my first Supercross podium there back in 2000 and won my first Supercross race for Suzuki in 2005 along with a few other wins and some great battles.

Speaking of Suzuki look out for a cool promotion they are doing in trying to find Brett Metcalfe’s #1 fan. It is a fun promo and I helped out with the jumbotron spot. So if you are going to be at a race this season look for it during the show.

Thanks for the read and we will be back with you next week to give you my thoughts on how it went from my perspective.

RC