Photos: Scott Hoffman
Today there was a lot going on at Anaheim Stadium. Because of the day the new year fell on, the powers to be were forced to not only let the teams set up but also conduct the annual press conference and mini track ride. It was pretty much business as usual except for the absence of the defending or should we say last year’s champion Ryan Villopoto and the rule breaker James Stewart. It took a few questions to get to the one everyone knew was coming. “What do you think of the James Stewart decision?” It was kind of silent for a moment while the riders kept looking at each other and waiting for one to utter their opinion. It was almost a game. “You go, no you go, you were looking at Chad, he should go.” In the end Trey Canard spoke and reminded everyone that this is a professional sport and we need to follow rules that are set and if they were too easy on a rider breaking the rules, then they should not have rules. He also said they will miss having Stewart on the line and that his punishment might not have fit the crime but rules are the rules and when they are broken there is a price to pay. Then Roczen said that they are athletes and they need to be aware of what they are putting in their bodies and if they are breaking rules.
The best part of the entire day was Chad Reed’s one liners. First Jamie Little asked about women racing supercross and he said. “I don’t think it is possible, sorry.” They they asked about Vicky Golden, who will be racing the East Coast 250 class, Reed said with a grin on his face, “We will see how that goes, good luck to her.” Then Reed was asked if they liked doing the press day. In a nutshell he responded that if the media had any good questions to ask we might look at little more excited. The room and the riders got a laugh. From there the top riders on six different brands of motorcycles headed to the track for a few promo laps.
