MOTOCROSS : Ward Back as Stadium Series Opens

The presence of an outstanding group of young riders, the return of seasoned veterans such as Rick Johnson, Jeff Ward and Jeff Stanton, and the addition of 1989 world motocross champion Jean-Michel Bayle of France should produce a competitive 1990 Supercross season.

The opener of the 17-race series of stadium motocross races is scheduled for 7:30 tonight in Anaheim Stadium, where Kawasaki factory rider Ward is hoping for a better start than he had last year.

Ward, 28, of San Juan Capistrano, broke his right foot during a practice session at Anaheim while attempting a triple jump. Ward’s foot caught under his bike’s foot peg, tearing ligaments and forcing him to miss six stadium races.

“I’ve done the jump probably 100 times before the same way,” Ward said. “It was a freak accident.”

Ward recovered in time to win the 500cc national title, becoming the first rider in the American Motorcycle Assn. to win a title in the AMA’s four major series: 125cc, 250cc, 500cc and Supercross.

Kawasaki will field its strongest team with the addition of veteran Johnny O’Mara, the series champion in 1984, and rising newcomer Jeff Matiasevich, last year’s Western Division 125cc champion.

“This is the best team we’ve put together in the 12 years I’ve been with Kawasaki,” Ward said. “The bikes arrived early, and we’ve been testing since November. Usually, we’re playing catch-up with some of the other manufacturers.”

Johnson, Anaheim winner the past two years, will lead Team Honda.

The gates will open at 5:30, with a one-hour autograph session on the stadium track starting at 6.