2009 Lites Outdoor Preview

What do you get when you mix hot sun, tons of skin and even more tattoos? The answer is the "AMA Pro Lucas Oil Motocross Championship."

This year int he 250 division might just be as good as it gets. There is a large group of riders who have not only potential to win races, but the championship as well. With the list of guys ready to do battle we will all bein for a little treat this summer.

My favorite this summer is going to be Ryan Dungey. Dungey is on a good bike and with the guidance of DeCoster he looks primed to finally step up and take it to the next level. The only problem he will have is the ten other guys with a title shot. Yes I said it, ten!

Runner up is going to be a close one. I do believe that when the final race rolls along both second and third in points will have a shot at winning the title that day. 2nd will be Christophe Pourcel despite the fact that this will be his first time around the circuit and will eventually be what keeps him just off the top step in the end. Pourcel is a world-class athlete and his story at this point should be up in the most prestigious sporting awards you can get. The question will be is Christophe fit enough to last the whole summer? I believe he will be close, but just short.

Third and just a few points short of his other rivals will be Tyla Rattray. I actually think that Tyla will lead the early part of the series, but a few mistakes mid way through will cost him. I have been following him since he was just breaking onto the seen back in 2000 and almost ten years later he is finally getting his big break. I will also remind you one more time that I believe that he will have a shot at the title at the last round.

Tommy Searle another Euro transplant looks to America for triumph in 2009. His weakness appears to be his team at this point. I am not sure about the current management structure, but something needs to change. They have the riders, they have the resources, but they still lack the discipline to mold their riders into champions. These two remind me of when Grant Langston and Mike Brown both came back from GP's, both being offered the same rides just off a championship GP battle to the end.

So I am sure most of you are now scoffing and laughing thinking about all the other guys that have a shot and who the surprises of the summer will be. Let's first start off with the surprise of the summer with Justin Barcia. The only thing is the closer we get, the more I hear about how it won't be much of a surprise. Barcia's teammate Blake Wharton looks primed for a win this summer and appears to have a early start to a good career.

Then you have the small enigma of the rest of the Pro Circuit team. How could I not consider them a threat? Simple, their teammates will be stronger mentally. I know Stroupe will be the fastest on the track most of the time. To win races and keeping it on the earth, both the wheels and his head, will be a test. Jake Weimer could have a head of steam if he wins the West Coast Championship, but I am not putting to much money if any on him winning the outdoor title.

This still leaves us with Nico Izzi and Jason Lawrence. Two kids who are supposed to be title contenders, but both had Lites seasons they would rather forget. I hope both rebound and have good summers. Lawrence has proved worth on the big bike so I am sure his drum is pounding a little bit. Izzi on the other hand needs to get going quick. There are a few younger kids ready to go and when budgets tighten up again he could be looking from the outside in.

We will stay with the theme of riders hoping to have a new start to a season and we can add poor Brett Metcalf. Brett has a new ride and a couple of rookies nipping at his heels. Brett has been primed to step up and take a championship and if he doesn't break a bone in his body he may have a chance. I think Brett will start off strong, but sputter a bit in the end. It is a long season and for a guy like him it always seems to catch up to him.

If we are going to talk about Brett then we must talk about another Honda, Trey Canard. Yet another rider who spent some time on his head, but for him it was probably a little hard to take. After winning the East Lites title his rookie year, it set the bar high and everything that comes with being a defending champion. If Trey can match the experience of some seasoned competitors he could be an outside threat for a win here or there.

Other honorable mentions for podiums could be Will Hahn the MDK KTM rider. Hahn's teammate Martin Davalos has shown the speed in the past, but his ability to keep it together is holding him back. He keeps referring to himself as a young guy just learning and it is getting kind of old.

Ryan Morais has had a good season so far in Supercross, but he himself admits he has a uphill climb this summer. The good news for him is that he has a Mitch Payton tuned missile and all the reasons to win. I grew up racing with Ryan so it would be great to see a Central California guy to well.

At this point I am sure I am leaving out at least five guys who should be top ten, but then my already top ten doesn't work so don't do like me and chase your tale. In all reality this seems to be the widest open a championship has been in a while.

There is some new changes to the series including the 250's running after the 450's and all the races going to Saturdays. The TV package has the riders on live national TV so all the ingredients are mixing well. When the gate drops this may in California one thing is for sure, the cream always rises to the top.

Lawrence to CAS Honda