2006: The last time we see Chad Reed outdoors?
Broc Hepler: Going factory blue.
Dave Casella
MSR
Right now, we are knee-deep in the 2008 gear designs, so it is really hectic despite the races being over. The new gear falls right in between the end of the Nationals and supercross, so there is no end in sight! We just re-signed Nick Wey to a new three-year deal, and he is ready to come out swinging. He needs a bit of a break, so it will be great for him to take some time off. It was a great year, and we have some fun stuff in the works for next season. Stay tuned!
Mike Alessi: Lites runner-up, he's on to 450s.
Kevin Windham
Smooth as Always
Going into the off-season, first and foremost is a big fat vacation! Then, obviously, our riding changes as we are already getting our supercross tracks prepared. Now is a time to build a good base. I think we have been racing and riding so much that getting anything accomplished other than maintenance is kind of tough to do. It's kind of on autopilot right now. People have asked me what I did to train the week before Glen Helen. You know where I was? I was in a casino all week for a dealer convention. It was great, but it's not really conducive to winning races. There are so many races and so many laps. The off-season is the time to make advances in both training and riding. I am going to take my vacation, take everything easy for a few weeks, then come back real hot and heavy to build a good base for supercross and maintain it all the way through the outdoor season.
Ben Townley
Showing That GP Speed
I'm looking forward to next year a lot. We have been talking about the next few weeks and just planning what is going to happen. Hopefully, this winter I can do a race or two and just break the ice a bit and go from there. I'm looking forward to it, and I think it is going to be exciting. I'm looking forward to des Nations; it's going to be huge. With [Stefan] Everts retiring and RC wrapping it up, a lot of people are coming to that event. It's going to be a fun race. From then on, I'll take a little time off and just begin riding supercross to come back strong.
Team playerJohn Ruston
"Slow-mo"
work for the Great Outdoors Video shooting most of the slow-motion shots. This was my season in a nutshell: I got roosted a lot, and people threw beer cans at me when they wanted to be in the video. I'm not necessarily sick of the Nationals, but I wished there was a little more competition this year. The coolest thing was watching Andrew Short win, because he is a good buddy of mine. It was also fun watching [Ryan] Villopoto ride like he does. He came out and showed ungodly speed in his first full season. Hopefully, next year [Broc] Hepler will be healthy, and it will be fun to see Villo go in with his head full of confidence. It will also be interesting to see what will happen to Stewart if Carmichael wins the events that he decides to race. It's going to be a lot of weight on James if RC can still win without racing every weekend.
Davi Millsaps: He wants to be the next RC, but he rides more like the new Kevin Windham.
James Stewart
I feel strong now and healthy! I haven't practiced outdoors since Millville; it has been all supercross. People disagree with me on that, but it has helped a lot. The last few races I've been able to pull off the track without sweating too much.
Ryan Villopoto
New Champ!
It was a great season. I'm ready to go home and get in my pool!