Southwick, Massachusetts is set to host the next round of the AMA Pro Motocross Championship, and there are several key races and riders to watch out for. The Coenen brothers, Sacha and Lucas, are leading the MX2 and MXGP classes, respectively, and will be looking to continue their strong form. However, the brothers' success on sandy tracks in Europe may not translate to the sandy conditions at Southwick, which is more akin to the tracks they're used to in their home country. This raises an interesting question: will the Coenen brothers be able to adapt to the new conditions and maintain their lead? Personally, I think it's a tough ask, and we may see a shift in the standings as a result. Another rider to watch is Jorge Prado, who had a strong showing at RedBud and is looking to get his first victory in America. Prado's familiarity with the track and his strong performance at RedBud make him a strong contender for the win at Southwick. However, he'll need to be careful not to get caught up in the sand, as it can be a tricky surface to navigate. One thing that immediately stands out is the importance of starting positions in this sport. Riders like Levi Kitchen and Caden Dudney have struggled with poor starts this season, which has cost them valuable points. At RedBud, Kitchen went 4-5 for fifth and lost the points lead to Jo Shimoda, while Dudney holeshot the first moto and led 12 laps before finishing second. This highlights the importance of starting positions and the need for riders to improve their starts if they want to remain competitive. Speaking of Shimoda, he had a strong showing at RedBud and took over the points lead. His performance was particularly impressive, as he tracked down Davies late in the second moto and beat him to take the win. This is a trend we've seen from Shimoda in the past, as he typically starts getting stronger in the second half of the season. If this trend continues, Shimoda is in a strong position to start strengthening his grip on the red plate. In conclusion, the AMA Pro Motocross Championship at Southwick promises to be an exciting event with several key races and riders to watch. The Coenen brothers, Jorge Prado, and Jo Shimoda are all strong contenders for the win, and their performances will be crucial in determining the outcome of the race. However, with the sandy conditions and the importance of starting positions, there are several other riders who could surprise and make a strong showing. It's going to be an interesting race, and I can't wait to see how it unfolds.
