Red Bull Moto Spy 2020 | Episode Three

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Red Bull has dropped episode three of the Moto Spy series for the 2020 season and there’s plenty to see in the 20-minute plus video. Voiceovers from media members bring context to the clips and drum up the anticipation, but it’s the personal moments filmed at the practice tracks, in the gym, or at home that really reinforces what we see play out over the course of 17 weekends with defending 450 champion Cooper Webb, a rebuilt Ken Roczen, and the young roster of the Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/KTM team.

Not to read too much into things from a single video, but there were a number of things that caught my attention from episode three…

KEN ROCZEN

We’ve heard for years how intense and highly developed Ken Roczen’s program is. Yes, there have been dozens of videos that show a ripped Roczen doing reps in the gym, but this is the first big look at what happens when he turns his attention to recovery. With the help of specialists and therapists (likely directed his way by Red Bull), Roczen makes use of massage, stretching, and red light therapy to remain agile for the next race. 

To be honest, Roczen’s breakthrough win in St. Louis didn’t bring an outpouring of emotion that we all expected. Instead, he took a moment to relish in the accomplishment and then went right back to work on chasing the champion. One could argue that his sweep of the Glendale Supercross Triple Crown was an even bigger statement than the STL SX, because the Team Honda HRC rider claimed all three Moto wins and proved that he really is back to being one of the best in the sport.

After some cuts to other segments, we see his run-in with Cooper Webb on the last lap of the Oakland Supercross that left him with a small foot injury, his fire red hairstyle in San Diego, and the way he knows that every appearance and race day is a public event. Seriously, Roczen makes it a point to treat racing as a mainstream sport.

COOPER WEBB

Cooper Webb surprised many people with his slow start to his 2020 season. Instead of clicking off wins to defending his title, the Red Bull KTM rider steadily plugged away with podium results and other solid finishes, which kept him near the top part of the point standings. While some seemed worried that he would be overpowered by the Tomac-Roczen duo, Webb’s confidence at the test track (there was plenty of lighthearted trash talk about the PW50 class with RJ Hampshire) made it obvious that he wasn’t concerned, which the rest of the team clearly picked up on.

We often catch little snippets of riders and teams talking about the setup of a motorcycle, so these clips of Webb show how aware he is of what the 450 SX-F does on the track. By the way, it’s interesting to see how KTM doesn’t just stay at their new private facility in Murrieta but will go to other places, like the Tedder Racing track in Lake Elsinore, to get a more complete idea of how the bike acts on different terrain.

TROY LEE DESIGNS/RED BULL/KTM

Episode two of Moto Spy had footage of a practice day at the TLD KTM test track that showed Team Manager Tyler Keefe’s attempts to get more from Brandon Hartranft. The clips caused many to criticize Keefe’s attitude, as many found him abrasive and uncaring, but episode three might explain why he is the way he is. A former pro racer that has very close ties to the industry (Mitch Payton was the best man at his parent’s wedding, Troy Lee is a close relation), Keefe’s managing style is to hold rider’s accountable for their actions in order to get the most from them. It’s hard to argue against it because Hartranft has been on the podium already this year.

It’s absolutely heartbreaking to see the footage of Brian Moreau. With the help of the team and the Musquins, the young French rider certainly had figured out how to get around the SX track and was poised to be a big surprise in 2020, but his life took an unexpected turn when he crashed on the second lap of the free practice at the Tampa Supercross and suffered a fractured C7 vertebra and current paralysis. Seriously, if you have the means, please support Moreau’s Road 2 Recovery campaign. 

This episode shows some of the struggles that Pierce Brown faced in the offseason and a shoulder injury kept him from making the opening rounds of the East Coast region. Keep an eye on Brown this weekend when he makes his debut at the Atlanta Supercross.

JETT LAWRENCE

Jett Lawrence’s segment shows how the GEICO Honda rookie handled his collarbone break, including a trip to the doctor for the initial prognosis and his day hanging out at the San Diego Supercross. Since Lawrence is still very young, Dr. Kramer advised against plating the broken bone and said that the injury would heal just as well without a procedure. Props to the doctor for thinking longterm health and not just putting Lawrence under the knife to expedite the recovery.

I agree with Ricky Carmichael’s opinion that this injury could be a good thing for Lawrence. The teenager got plenty of hype in just a few weeks and this time off the bike will allow him to take stock of what he will need to do to be at the front of the pack on the track and how he will avoid getting caught up in the distractions that come with racing.