It’s that time of the year again, time when things head outside and the hard work and training that these athletes put in really begins to show.  At each round of the outdoor nationals, the promoters put on an “amateur day” where local fast kids are able to go out and race the same race track that their heroes do battle on.  But it also serves as so much more for those who are looking to make that next step into a factory rig in the next few months.  

With so much talent in the amateur ranks it is a huge advantage for the factories and satellite teams to know your name. Amateur days are a perfect opportunity for these youngsters to showcase what they have to offer.  With only one amateur rider (Christian Craig) with a pro contract once it’s time to make the next step it is a big deal for each rider to be on their A-game all year long, but especially at these races. All of the team managers are on hand and are looking at the up and coming talent.

Coming into the year all the talk was about Justin Barcia, well, he is no longer in the amateur scene as he decided to focus on Glen Helen and the rest of the outdoor nationals. Once Barcia was out of the picture most of the talk turned to Blake Baggett.  To be blunt about it, Baggett just has not lived up to all the talk. He has shown speed at times, but has not been able to put it all together yet.  Baggett did win a moto on Friday, but did not look 100% comfortable throughout the day.  The big surprise as of late has been Tyler Sjoberg.  Sjoberg has been out west and really on the gas.  He came out to Glen Helen on a mission and opened a lot of eyes.  Tyler looked like the Tyler of old when he dominated the amateur national scene on an RM85.  He has really stepped up his program and looks to be re-focused and ready to make that next step into the big boy class.  The two Yamaha riders of Christian Craig and Travis Baker were both fast on the 450, but Baker had some bike problems with the 250f and Craig decided to sit the 250 class out after some bike problems of his own.

These boys have their work cut out for them as they continue to take the next step in their careers. These are some of the up coming stars of our sport and they are all getting ready for their debut in the big show at Unadilla.   All of these youngsters have their eyes set on August 15th when they will show what they have to offer and finally fulfill their life long dream of lining up with the 40 fastest riders in the world.