Slaw Dog
Welcome to Morning Espresso where we recap some news from around the world.
Dungey Confirms Rumors
Ryan Dungey was part of the NBC Sports Network broadcast at his home race at Spring Creek over the weekend and he confirmed what we’ve all been reporting: he is exploring options to return to racing in 2021.
“Strictly being transparent, I have been looking at some options here, knocking on some doors and seeing what’s available,” he said. “Kind of getting that fire back. 2020 obviously has been really interesting, budgets have changed and things are different. It’s not like there has been a lot of openings in our sport as it is. There are 450 guys fighting for spots as it is. If the right opportunity comes along and things look good, then we’ll seek it out. As of right now things are calm and there are really not a lot of opportunities out there. That is where we are at.”
Dungey hasn’t raced since wrapping up the 2017 Monster Energy Supercross Championship, his fourth premier class title. Since then, Dungey has worked with KTM, was part owner of GEICO Honda for a cup of coffee, started his own coffee company, invested in Intense Cycles, became a father….etc. From what we’ve heard, Dungey would be riding a Honda, running his own effort and leasing a works CRF450R from the factory team. This is far from a sealed deal, doggies, but them the rumors.
Barcia Gas Gas Back On?
Speaking of rumors, the on-again off-again Justin Barcia to TLD Gas Gas in 2021 is back on. It’s a complicated situation, but we’re hearing that Nate Thrasher, who was supposed to debut for TLD KTM at Spring Creek is going to Star Racing while Barcia will be moving to Gas Gas (run by TLD in 2021) on a 450. Yamaha initially matched the offer Gas Gas made, but now it appears that is no longer happening. Stay tuned.
Tickle, McAdoo Updates
We’re not sure how, but Broc Tickle is just “sore and banged up” after his insane crash in the second 450 moto on Saturday. Tickle appeared to clip his footpegs on the face of the triple step-up and went over the bars and the bike followed, slamming him to the ground. In a Yamaha press release, Tickle said he’ll take it day-by-day to see if he can race on Saturday.
“It was a tough day for me from the start. I struggled to get a flow on the track and it was difficult for me to feel comfortable. Millville is normally prepped differently. It was super hard and slick. We had a decent practice, I was 11th overall for qualifying. I knew it was going to be important to get good starts and stay away from people. I didn’t do that. I put myself in bad positions in both motos. I ended up 12th in the first moto and in the second moto, I was coming through the pack and had a moment over a jump and had a big crash. I’m super sore today and feeling banged up. I’m just going to take it day by day and see the progress heading into Jacksonville towards the end of the week to see where I’m at. I’m going to do what I need to do to try to get better and get back at the races.”
Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Cameron McAdoo was forced to pull out of the second 250 moto on Saturday after taking a handlebar to the stomach in a crash. He’s expected to race next weekend at WW Ranch.
“Millville was an up and down day for me. I had a pretty good start in the first moto and finished sixth. In the second moto, I felt really good for the first few laps. I was riding around fifth or sixth and was pushing towards the front, but I ended up crashing pretty hard and getting a handlebar to my stomach, which made me sick and forced me to pull in and unable to finish the moto. It definitely wasn’t the day we wanted but it was nice to get good starts. We’ll take that to Florida next week and give it our all.”
Thanks For Your Continued Support of Vurb
Main image: Kawasaki
