Motocross
4 Greatest Supercross Debuts in the 450 Class
We went through the record books to bring you the greatest 450 SX debuts of the modern era.
Ken Roczen blasting at A1
© Garth Milan
As competitive as the 250 class is in moto, the 450 category is where the big boys play. The engines, the budgets and the status are just a few of the things that are all bigger in the premier class. Think Major League Baseball versus the minor leagues. Continuing with the sports metaphor, the following four are the Yasiel Puigs of dirtbikes -- riders who all killed it once they made it to the 450s.
Before we begin, this list is populated with riders who may have raced in the 450 class prior to their "rookie debut." We're listing riders on their first performances as full-time big bike assassins in the premier class. Ok, on with the show:
Ken Roczen, 2014
We kick things off with Kenny. At a ripe 19 years young of age, he entered Anaheim 1 last weekend for the first time as a full-timer in the big-boy class. With the field as stacked as ever, against potential winners like Ryan Villopoto, James Stewart, Ryan Dungey, Justin Barcia, Chad Reed, and so on, he won. Roczen rode cool and calculated, and he won. Hey, do you like apples? How do you like them apples?
Josh Grant at Anaheim 2014
© The Medium Group/Red Bull Content Pool
Josh Grant, 2009
While Kenny’s win was certainly unexpected, Anaheim 1 in 2009 may have produced an even more surprising winner. Amidst a highly anticipated Stewart/Reed battle, both riders crashed with only laps remaining, handing the lead to 450 SX greenhorn, Josh Grant. With a Tuff Block cover nearly locking up his rear wheel on the last lap, JG crossed the finish to take his first 450 win in his maiden voyage as a rider for the JGR Yamaha team.
Chad Reed at Anaheim 2014
© The Medium Group/Red Bull Content Pool
Chad Reed, 2003
OK, Chad Reed’s 450 debut was technically his 250 debut. Whatever you want to call it, it was his first AMA race full-time in the big bike class. Against the greatest of all time, Ricky Carmichael, Chad won the race on his factory Yamaha YZ250. It cemented a position at the top of the sport that Chad still rides to this day.
Ryan Dungey at the Phoenix SX 2014
© The Medium Group/Red Bull Content Pool
Ryan Dungey, 2010
Ryan Dungey is the only rider on this list to not win his first race as a full-timer in the 450 class. He finished 2nd. However, Dungey took it down to the wire against none other than James Stewart. Then riding for the factory Suzuki team, Dungey's ability on the 450 was a question mark for some, but his ride at A1 in 2010 set off what turned out to be one of the most successful rookie 450 campaigns ever, winning both the SX and outdoor national championships.
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