Whew. The break is over.
The 2014 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship series resumes with the Tennessee National on Saturday in Blountville, TN. Unlike the Supercross season which affords riders one break near the end of the season, Motocross gives riders two breaks and more or less divides the season in thirds.
The big news for MotoSport is the return of Davi Millsaps who has not raced in more than a year. Millsaps, who rides for the MotoSport sponsored Rockstar Energy KTM team, had surgery following the 2013 Supercross season and then re-injured his knee prior to the 2014 season. Millsaps, who placed second last year in Supercross to Ryan Villopoto, can shake up the podium which has been dominated so far this year by just four riders.
He is expected to ride but his status for Round 5 is not yet confirmed.
MotoSport sponsored Jimmy Albertson did not race in Round 4 at High Point because of transportation issues. His saga was documented in the second episode of the Albertson Bros. series. His van is fixed and he's traded in the Honda for a KTM. In Round 3 he finished out of the Top 20 so he's looking to change things up and see if he can improve on his time.
Weston Peick
Weston Peick, also MotoSport sponsored, hit a season high fifth in Moto 2 at High Point. He's in sixth-place tied in points with Josh Grant and both are just 11 points behind Brett Metcalfe. Now on a factory ride, Peick is in the mix for podium contention.
Finally, Tucker Saye has qualified in recent rounds thanks to some seriously fast lap times however he's struggled to translate that success to the Motos.
Tucker Saye
Rounding out the rest, James Stewart made headlines last week when it was reported that he failed a drug test taken at Round 15 of Supercross in Seattle. He's been cleared to ride in Tennessee despite a provisional suspension handed down by the FIM, which doesn't have jurisdiction over Motocross. Stewart tested positive for a banned amphetamine substance and his team is working to resolve the matter.
Stewart has won three straight Motos including a sweep and his first overall at High Point. Whether the suspension looms over his head and affects his riding will play out on Saturday.
Ken Roczen and Ryan Dungey, teammates on the Red Bull KTM team and first and second in points, respectively, can capitalize if Stewart is distracted. Roczen has won two overalls this year and holds a solid 16 point lead over Dungey who stepped off the podium for the first time at High Point. On their tails is Trey Canard who has taken third overall three times this year. He took second in Moto 2 at High Point his best finish of the season.
Jason Anderson
In the 250 class, Jason Anderson, who rides for the MotoSport sponsored Rockstar Energy KTM team, is beginning to show the dominating riding that propelled him to the 250 Supercross Championship in May. His teammate Joey Savatgy is bound to finish in the Top 10 after reaching the Top 15 in the last three rounds. See what adjustments both riders made during the break on Saturday.
Joey Savatgy
Points leader Jeremy Martin has cooled off a bit from his torrid start (five straight Moto wins) which he apparently passed on to Blake Baggett (three straight Moto wins). Keep in mind, the two week break is great for making adjustments but it can also slow down the momentum for those riders just getting hot.
Moto 1 for Motocross Round 5 starts at 1 p.m. (EST) Saturday at the Tennessee National. Buy tickets online or Muddy Creek Raceway, 450 Ridgeway Drive in Blountville, TN.
