Isn’t it fun when there’s still a chance? That point in the season when, even though you might have a hunch as to who is going to win, there is still a chance for anyone to come off of the gate in the opening round and run up front. Sure, it may not be likely, but there’s still a chance.

That was the feeling as nearly 100 of the top men and women racers in the world hit the abbreviated (the back section was closed down) Glen Helen track for a short practice Friday afternoon. The idea for the story came about as Nick Wey railed by me through a right hand sweeper. I remembered hearing an interview on DMXS radio a few weeks back and the topic of Wey came up. I can’t recall the exact conversation, but it definitely gave mention that he had changed a few things with his program and that he was going to be a new rider coming into this year’s series. That’s the chance I’m talking about. Does Wey have a shot at winning the title? I wouldn’t put five bucks on it, but there’s still a chance.

There is no James Stewart and no Ricky Carmichael this year in either class. One may emerge after the first few rounds are in the history books, but as of today no one has singled themselves out as being the uncontested best rider on the track. The Lites class, oh, we mean, 250 class, (welcome to the sports umpteenth name change in the last decade) is completely wide open, something the sport hasn’t seen since before Carmichael. And even if Villopoto was back riding a 250 again, this is the point in the season when it’s fun to dream. Sure, most are calling on the likes of Trey Canard, Christophe Pourcel, Ryan Dungey, Tommy Searle, Austin Stroupe and Tyla Rattray to stake claim atop the podium, but there’s still a chance. There’s still a chance that someone such as Matt Lemoine, Justin Barcia, Darryn Durham, Sean Borkenhagen or PJ Larsen could find the pieces to the puzzle and make a run for the podium. The same serves true in the 450 class. Ryan Villopoto, Mike Alessi, Chad Reed and Andrew Short are on the tip of everyone’s tongue, but who’s to say a rider such as Wey, Jake Moss, Ivan Tedesco or Josh Hill won’t man up and find a way to win?

The coolest thing about the kick off to any series is that no matter how sure you are about who will win, there’s still a chance, and this year, above all, there seems to be a much better chance of that happening than in years past.

The hype heading into tomorrow’s event is as intense as we’ve ever seen it. It’s far from that mid season loll when everyone starts to grow weary of watching the same rider(s) ride around in the same positions. It’s a special time of year for motocross racing and one that we feel lucky to be a part of.