Wish there was a way to get a better look at the race plans before the races. Thus far, it looks like you could predict who is going to win the races (within typical MX tolerances) based on track type. I COULDN'T, but it looks like there's a pattern here thus far. DV seems to do well & look the "smoothest" (King of smooth, IMO) on the "lofty" tracks with a lot of rhythm sections (forgive me guys & gals--I'm not trying to talk over my head here, I'm just making some observations). Perhaps the ones of "medium" technical difficulty. Obviously, technical tracks favor TP--IMO, he has the best "command" over the bike out there, and of anyone on two wheels.:) I would predict he will clean house in the east. These tracks tend to favor the 'ol wiley LaRocco (who'm I callin' old--I'm 35:( ) as well, particularly when brake checks, bumps & tricks n.o.s. are called for frequently.:) The last group is obvious: The Florida boys. The all-out fly-by-the-seat of your pants flat, long, & less technical tracks favor RC & JBS. ie, PHOENIX. At the beginning of the broadcast, when JH said the track was flat & fast, I had the feeling RC would clean house. I'm telling you. On that CR, RC is going to CLEAN house in the Nationals.
MC looks better. It will take time, but I see him being excellent in the east soon. I think (and have since San Diego) that TP is the best rider out there & will win the series, though. I think he's the only one out there that will be able to hang with RC by season's end--AND I think he has the skill to beat him in the tougher stuff.
Would still like to see Lusk do better. It bums me out when people say stuff like "All it's gonna take to beat RC is a little aggressive riding", & then come in 6-8th every race. I'd like to see him hang it out a bit more.