Predictions: US National championships!

Jonathan McCready: The 450 class is basically is all about trying to stop Eli Tomac. The Kawasaki man has won 12 of the 20 races since back in September when he won the US GPs. He’s on form and is incredibly fast. Like supercross, it may come down to Tomac making enough mistakes to let the rest stay in touch in the points.

Blake Baggett, Cooper Webb and Marvin Musquin are the logical main challengers being former 250 outdoor champions (world or AMA). Baggett is brilliant outdoors and loving the KTM, so should be very strong this season and with Dungey retiring, Musquin is the number one guy now in the factory team and will be expected to fight for the title. Cooper Webb has experience on the 450 but he might take a round or two to rediscover the confidence he had on the 250 last year, I expect him to get faster as the season goes on.

Jason Anderson loves the hard pack, he sometimes has inconsistent moments but should be good at Hangtown, while Justin Barcia might just sneak into the top five by the end of the year. Don’t forget he finished third and fourth the last two 450 motocross seasons and knows he needs a strong performance to get a ride in America or MXGP for next season!

450 Hangtown
1. Tomac
2. Baggett
3. Musquin
4. Webb
5. Anderson

450 Title

1. Tomac
2. Musquin
3. Webb
4. Baggett
5. Barcia

In the 250s it’s wide open! But it’s hard to bet against the experience and motivation of Jeremy Martin, he knows how to win this title and after a poor supercross season he needs to win this title! Zach Osborne will have all the momentum and should be a title contender.

Adam Cianciarulo usually goes well at Hangtown but can be inconsistent especially if he gets a bad start and that might hurt in the championship. Austin Forkner had a great season last year and should be up there again while Dylan Ferrandis has got serious outdoor speed and a proven title winning machine, but can he stay healthy and adapt to the heat?

I think Joey Savatgy might struggle initially but he’s a hard worker and should be up there as the season goes and he might just squeeze into the top five in points by the end of the year. I feel like Aaron Plessinger should be in the top five but his starts as a consequence of his size might hold him back at times from the positions his speed deserves, if he gets the starts sorted he should be a potential race winner!

250 Hangtown

1. J Martin
2. Cianciarulo
3. Ferrandis
4. Osborne
5. Forkner

250 Title

1. J Martin
2. Osborne
3. Forkner
4. Ferrandis
5. Savatgy

Paul McCready:   Tomac. Do I need to write anymore?
What? I do! Um… well…

…. I’m thinking here hang on….

Ok … the depth isn’t so great this year in 450’s lets all hope Musquin and Webb can at least sneak a win or two so its not 24-0.
That’s all I have on this, sorry!

450 Hangtown
1. Tomac
2. Musquin
3. Baggett
4. Webb
5. Grant

450 Title
1. Tomac
2. Musquin
3. Webb
4. Anderson
5. Baggett

For me Martin comes in as the heavy favourite in this class even though there are more than 6 or 7 guys that can win races. He has won this championship twice already and has a point to prove to his old Yamaha team, expect him to come out of the blocks firing.

However, Osborne is high on life right now after his supercross championship where he found another level in performance and desire to win regardless of the odds against him. I think come the end of the year he will be holding the number one plate.

Expect lots of speed, crashes and some wins from Forkner and Ferrandis!

250 Hangtown

1. Martin
2. Osborne
3. Ferrandis
4. Cianciarulo
5. Forkner

250 Title

1. Osborne
2. Martin
3. Forkner
4. Cianciarulo
5. Ferrandis

Andy McKinstry: The great outdoors are back this weekend with the first round taking place at Hangtown and I can’t wait! The 250 class is super stacked with talent and it’s genuinely hard to pick a winner. The first few rounds could be vital if someone can build up momentum in the championship race.

Jeremy Martin comes alive at this time of the year as he is a better motocross rider than he is at Supercross. Zach Osborne comes into the outdoors very confident after his superb ride throughout the field to clinch his Supercross title. Joey Savatgy will be super motivated after throwing the title away and will want revenge on Osborne.

Dylan Ferrandis had an impressive Supercross season as a rookie and his speed won’t be a problem during the outdoors. He can certainly win and run at the front.

Pro Circuit Kawasaki duo Austin Forkner and Adam Cianciarulo should be at the front. Forkner was impressive as a rookie last year but has a bit of pressure on his shoulders this year to perform after an average Supercross season. Can Cianciarulo finally live up to his hype in the outdoors? It remains to be seen.

Add to that the likes of Alex Martin, Aaron Plessinger, Justin Hill, Shane McElrath and Jordon Smith (when he returns from injury) – the class is stacked!

250 Hangtown

1. Jeremy Martin
2. Zach Osborne
3. Joey Savatgy
4. Austin Forkner
5. Dylan Ferrandis

250 Title

1. Zach Osborne
2. Jeremy Martin
3. Dylan Ferrandis
4. Austin Forkner
5. Joey Savatgy

The 450 class isn’t going to be as exciting or as deep as the 250 class, especially after Ryan Dungey’s retirement! It would take an incredibly brave man to predict against Tomac for the title, am I going to be that guy? Absolutely not!

If Tomac remembers that it’s not important how far he wins by and stays smart then it should really be plain sailing for the Factory Kawasaki rider. Marvin Musquin is an excellent motocross rider and could be the next guy in line for the title. He could certainly run with Tomac and beat him in moto’s, the Frenchman should be pretty consistent too.

I am genuinely excited to see Cooper Webb race motocross again! He didn’t have a good Supercross season but I am convinced he will turn it around. Jason Anderson should be at the front of the class too – on his day he is capable of winning.

It’s a big year for Justin Barcia, he simply needs to produce the goods and if he isn’t a regular podium visitor then it won’t be a good year for him. The dark horse has to be Blake Baggett, he is looking good on the KTM and has even improved at Supercross.

450 Hangtown 

1. Eli Tomac
2. Jason Anderson
3. Marvin Musquin
4. Blake Baggett
5. Cooper Webb

450 Title 

1. Eli Tomac
2. Marvin Musquin
3. Cooper Webb
4. Blake Baggett
5. Jason Anderson