Every class has its favorites, and while some may be a little easier to pick out than others, there are always those chosen few to watch out for. With all the hype currently surrounding the World Series we’ll use baseball as a slight example. When A-Rod steps up to the plate you know there is a strong possibility he's going to get on base and maybe even take one to the yard. We know this because of his track record, the countless hours of video of him swinging for the hills, and of course the pages of stats he has accumulated (360 Batting Avg in Series). Well, here at Vurb we have a lot of the same things sitting on the shelf. I went into the vault and pulled out the stat books and dusted off the three month old film reels to pull together some heavy hitters going into Mini O's. Here is just a small taste of the who will be swinging away in the 85 (9-11) class. Note that we pulled each rider’s results from Mini O’s 2008 (if attended) and Loretta’s 2009 in order to give us a look into just how much each rider improved throughout the year and to give us a better indication of just how well they might perform in Florida.

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Name: Alexander Frye
Hometown: HUNTINGTOWN, MD

 

Everyone has their down times, but Alexander was able to overcome those rough moments with a few motos that would land him on the top step at Loretta's. His stock motos were quite uncharacteristic of what we usually see from the orange #28, but given he had a separated shoulder at the time it’s easy to understand. When he lines up at Mini O's expect solid rides moto after moto with a lot of laps led. Last year he was a bit timid on the tight supercross track but has had plenty of time to prepare for his ’09 campaign. From the 2008 Mini O's results sheet it looks as if Alexander is the next in line for titles this year as the rider's that were consistently ahead of him have now moved to the (12-13) class, a move young Frye will make himself following the Thanksgiving National.

After a week or so off the bike after a broken toe suffered during the Vurbmoto East Coast Ride Day, Frye is back to training. During a phone call this week he seemed more focused on his move to the bigger class than on the Winter Olympics. "I've been training a lot more, working out and practicing along with trying to get to the big races so I can be ready."

 

Name: Blake Green
Hometown: CORONA, CA

This Kid is probably the most exciting rider in the young 85 class. He almost seems impervious to bad starts and can pound out consistent lap times like no one else. Green can tear through the pack with great ease and feels at home in the middle of a knock down drag out battle. His consistent rides at Loretta's landed him a title, but Alexander Frye edged him out in the final moto of the modified class. As we all know, losses are not just forgotten by these kids. There are still a few things to be settled between these two and the 39th Annual Thor Winter National Olympics could be the perfect setting. Unfortunately, Blake did not race Gatorback last year and might not get the chance to square up with Alexander again this year.

"The question is if were going to Florida this year because there is a little trouble with Kawasaki and waiting to see what our deal is," said Blake over the phone. It seems everyone is up in the air until the final pro contracts are signed. "Im just getting back into training now after I took some time off after Loretta's." Green is going to step up his training program for the upcoming move to the (12-13) class in 2010. If the green #48 rolls through the gates of Gatorback this November look for Blake’s (9-11) farewell ride to be a great one.

 

 

Name: Chase Bell
Hometown: CAIRO, GA

There is obviously something right going on at the Bell camp because these kids were on fire at the 2009 Loretta Lynn National in August. Chase Bell was a stand out on the 65 and now it is safe to say he looks comfortable on the 85. During Loretta's he competed on both his big and little bike, winning a title on the 65 and proving he was going to be a threat this year on the 85 beating out Blake Green in two straight motos. Don't let the results above steer you in the wrong direction, when the (9-11) class steps into the "batters box," Chase will be out front with the Heavy Hitters.

 

Name: Mark Worth
Hometown: QUEENS CREEK, AZ

 

I'm sending out some love to Marky Worth here because I think it's time for him to be a front runner. He has spent much of the ’08-’09 season adjusting to the 85 and finding the pace of his older competition, but in our opinion is ready to lead some laps. His ’09 season can be looked at as nothing less than a success and he proved at Loretta's that he can handle the competition and land consistent finishes. If Mark gets the starts he needs look for him to turn those consistent thirds in to consistent firsts.

Name: Tristan Charboneau
Hometown: TENIMO, WA

 

I have to put Tristan on this list for the sole reason that he rides with his heart on his sleeve every time the gate drops. And if you look at the results, he has been the most improved rider of just about anybody in 2009. Anyone who can walk out of Loretta's with two 4th place finishes would be ecstatic, but to Tristan this must feel like a failure. The only reason I say this is because of the fashion in which he got two 4th's overall. To say he came through the pack in every moto would be an understatement. The #16 Yamaha made countless trips through the pack, showing his speed and stamina was above and beyond comparison toward the end of the motos. There is no doubt he left a lot on the table, so when the gate drops for moto one look for the Charboneau jersey to be up front.