Supercross: Power Rankings heading into Atlanta
With two wins in his last three starts, Ryan Dungey has not only seized control of the Monster Energy Supercross Championship since moving into the points lead after Oakland, he’s done the same with the Power Rankings.
Each week, The Power Rankings will recognize the movers and shakers in Monster Energy Supercross.
1. Ryan Dungey – Red Bull KTM
(Previously: 1 / No Change)
With the way Dungey goes about things, he simply makes it hard on his closest rivals to really do any significant damage from a championship perspective. At this point someone is going to have to step up and take the points lead away from Dungey but, with six straight podium finishes to his credit, that task could be a lot tougher than it seems.
2. Ken Roczen – RCH Soaring Eagle/Jimmy John’s Suzuki
(Previously: 4 / +2)
It took Roczen a couple weeks to things back in order, but now he has back-to-back runner-up efforts to once again get the ball rolling. His consistency is still something that Dungey should take seriously, but until he wins again it’s hard to really feel like the German is on his way to reclaiming the points lead.
3. Trey Canard – Team Honda HRC
(Previously: 3 / No Change)
Canard had the looks of a guy that could win Dallas, but he didn’t quite get the start he needed to be up there with Dungey when it mattered most. He did well to keep pace with Roczen but it looked like one of those nights where a third was more than good enough. I feel like of the top three he’s the rider that hasn’t quite settled into his groove, which I look at as a good thing for Canard as he still has more to give.
4. Eli Tomac – GEICO Honda
(Previously: 2 / -2)
It’s been a rough couple of weeks for Tomac. The speed is there to at least contend for a podium finish, but mistakes are hurting him big time. He’s not a guy that can afford to give up free points like that given his slow start to the season, but I expect him to get things back in order pretty quickly. I think we’ll see Tomac on top of the podium again this season.
5. Cole Seely – Team Honda HRC
(Previously: 5 / No Change)
Dallas was about as arduous as night as you could ask for if you’re Seely, but he still managed to walk away with a top 10 despite finding himself on the ground multiple times during the night. Seely has been the most impressive rookie thus far, but his counterparts are stepping up their games.
6. Jason Anderson – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing
(Previously: 8 / +2)
To be one of just two riders to finish in the top 10 at every race this season is no joke. Anderson has had some up and downs in recent weeks, but he looked like the rider who got off to such a strong start to the season in Dallas. He, Seely and Blake Baggett have a great battle brewing in the points, currently sitting 5th, 6th and 7th.
7. Blake Baggett – Team Yoshimura Suzuki
(Previously: 9 / +2)
I don’t think many expected a lot from Baggett this season, which was no doubt influenced by James Stewart’s suspension, but the rookie is coming on really strong at a critical point in the season. He was a legit podium threat in Dallas and now Daytona is mere weeks away. If he doesn’t land on the box before they reach the speedway, expect that to be his breakout race.
8. Andrew Short – BTO Sports KTM
(Previously: Not Ranked)
Shorty’s big crash in Anaheim a few weeks back lingered for a couple rounds, but he was back in top form in Dallas by tying his season-best result in fifth. While he isn’t necessarily fighting for podiums each week, Short is about as solid as they come and he’s almost a sure bet for a top 10 each week.
9. Chad Reed – Discount Tire Racing/TwoTwo Motorsports
(Previously: 7 / -2)
Reed got a bit of a raw deal in Dallas when Tomac got aggressive with him early and got some payback for their incident in San Diego. Once he was that far back it was really just damage control for the veteran and unfortunately it resulted in his first finish outside the top 10 this season (the black flag in Anaheim notwithstanding).
10. Broc Tickle – RCH Soaring Eagle/Jimmy John’s Factory Suzuki
(Previously: Not Ranked)
Tickle has come back strong after taking precaution with his surgically repaired back and missing Anaheim 3. Back-to-back ninths is something to really build on, particularly when his teammate is running as well as he is. Tickle’s more than capable of sneaking in some more top five finishes.