The Latest on Tedesco

So far he's out and the hand is broken. At least thats the word from down the hall. (Pits)

Tedesco broke his hand when either Stewart's wheel or frame hit his hand.

What happened is Stewart and Tedesco were going up a short dragonback hill that goes into a 90 deg left. The obstacle was a little tricky and you could see rider's rear tires skipping around on the way up it.

There are two versions:

1) Stewart went off it too fast and just used the dragonback for a hill, and landed on Tedesco's wrist.

2) Stewart's rear kicked out just as he jumped it, and it swung over and hit Tedesco's wrist.

Stewart Leads First Ever Timed Practice

The first-ever "qualifying practice" just finished and the fastest was James Stewart.

RC was second, DV third, Reed 4th, Ferry 5th.

Ivan Tedesco may be the first casualty. He we down on the far side (opposite the mechanic's area) and was seen a bit later walking back holding his wrist. Several people saw that Tedesco was pretty upset about it and stayed on the floor long enough to flip Stewart off when he went by. He actually tried to get back on the back and then didn't ride.

There will be one more practice besides this one to determine the lineup for tonight. This is part of the format changes implemented starting this weekend. The qualifying practice seems to be a pretty popular move.

RC said a while ago this morning that he is riding about as much as previous years, even though the car stuff is taking his time and attention. He's getting mainstream attention big time over the car thing of course (like FHM Magazine), and its going to be a good way to introduce SXMX to a whole new crowd.

Good morning from Toronto, eh?

Things are busy in the hotel lobby this morning (Saturday) next to the Roger's Centre. Teams are meeting and planning the day. People are signing up the KTM Junior Supercross Challenge, which they do here as well as the US.

There are always some job changes between seasons, so this is the day we see people in new colors and shirts, more so mechanics and team folks, since we know about rider changes early. L&M Racing has a full crew here, and the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians (Reed/Ramsey's main sponsor) is here too. The story so far is the group wanted a sport and an athlete to organize around, and Reed/Ramsey and SX were a good fit. Jeff Gibson and Paul Carpenter are here in green, and Byrne is on a Rockstar Suzuki. Millsaps is here walking around on one crutch. He is still a maybe for Anaheim but his healing is at least ahead of schedule. Martin Davalos is here for KTM.

Yesterday was a "free practice," maybe the last one in supercross, because today they start "Qualifying practice" for the first time. Times will be used to determine the night show lineup. This was also the last Friday practice, unless one gets added one-at-a-time in the future.

Some buzz on fuel, a huge issue last season-the limits will relax so the "splitting hairs" problem won't ruin things like before. Good.

Also on the new format changes, which were more for live TV (eventually), they seem to be receieved pretty well. Semis are gone and the SX (450s) heats take nine to the main instead of 4.

You knew this already but RC is enjoying not having title pressure. And Stewart is going to be fast!

Films!

Today (Friday) is the first practice at Toronto.

Check out Racer X Films report from Yesterday's press day, and visit to SickKids. Cool stuff!

http://www.racerxfilms.com

Pics!

Photo report from Thursday at press, by Racer X Canada!

http://racerxcanada.com/news_update.php?id=2822

(Report and photos by Allison Kennedy)

Press Day at Toronto - and the Stars go Visit SickKids

Toronto got a unique press conference to kick off the Amp'd Mobile World Supercross GP this weekend. James Stewart (defending champion), Chad Reed, and Tim Ferry went to a local hospital called SickKids to talk to kids and meet bidders in the "Inside Line Experience," the second MX for Children fund raiser. Cool stuff!

They raised $32,500 for the hospital and got the weekend off to a good start.

Paul Gross, the organizer of MX for Children, said it was an "incredible experience." Donors got to meet the stars today, but they still have a big weekend ahead of them.

The day was a mix of press conference, schmoozing with donors, and meeting kids. Ferry even read them a couple of books.

Tomorrow (Friday) there is an un-timed practice that is not open to the public. Timed practice, now called "Qualifying Practice" is Saturday. In another format change, the semis are eliminated from the night show and 9 people transfer out of each heat. The news about no more semis made the message boards already there wasn't too much fuss.

(Thanks to Mario Marini for the photo and updates.)

Amp'd Mobile World Supercross GP - Its on!

Its on!

The Amp'd Mobile World Supercross GP kicks off this weekend at Toronto’s Rogers Centre, and the "Big 3" are fit and ready to go.

Defending champion James Stewart is in town already, and he's ready to go. Stewart was ready last year too when he showed up with "New Beginning" on his gear, and won! RC didn't want to make excuses, but he did say at the time early December was the beginning of his boot camp, and he was timing his training to peak in January.

This year things are different for RC, since now he is starting to split his schedule a little with the car business. People close to RC say he's actually riding better without the pressure of a full season ahead, so this weekend fans will see a different RC.

Fans are going to see a different Chad Reed as well. Along with his L&M Racing teammate Nathan Ramsey. The 2 are the latest to go for a well-supported team in a semi, just one step away from factory, which for some is a step up! Reed is said to be happy and feeling better about his surroundings and on the gas-and he's serious about winning.

Those are the top three to watch of course.