by Steve Cox
450 Words: Unadilla
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PrintIt was supposed to be the Clash of the Titans. The Rookie, Ryan Dungey, was supposed to face off against one of the greatest motocross racers of all time in James Stewart. What happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object?
It was going to be great!
Well, in Fantasy Motocross world, anyway. The reality is that no one really actually knew what James Stewart’s status was. I mean, we all knew Ryan Dungey’s status. His status was "winning". But Stewart’s? We knew he had been off the bike for quite a while, and that he’d been riding for a bit, but we didn’t know his fitness.
James Stewart returned to action, an he was fast, but he wasn't his usual MX self. He'll be back at Southwick.
Photo: Steve Cox
If you want an idea how hard it is to come off the couch and be at winning speed right away, ask Chad Reed, who tried to do it earlier this year in supercross.
On one side, we had the last man ever to go 24-0 in an outdoor motocross season, but his fitness was questionable, and on the other side, we had Ryan Dungey, who must have been completely and totally confident right now, having won the previous seven AMA National overalls, along with the supercross title.
But absolutely no one counted on the third side to this race, which was provided by GP star Clement Desalle. As a one-weekend teammate to Ryan Dungey on the Rockstar/Makita Suzuki squad, Desalle wasn’t just fast, he was flat-out flabbergasting. He spent most of moto one duking it out with James Stewart for second – a battle which he won – and then spent moto two duking it out for the lead with first Andrew Short, and then Dungey.
Clement Desalle (463) held off Stewart (7) to grab second in moto one.
Photo: Steve Cox
And while Desalle is obviously fast, he’s also obviously very smart. If you think about it, he has now raced two AMA Nationals. The first came last year at Washougal, which despite the dark dirt is actually quite slick. He got a podium in one moto there. Then, this year he chose Unadilla, which is very similar. In short, he has picked the two tracks that have a surface the most like what he’s used to in Europe. And he has been impressive both times. If he were still around for Southwick, chances are pretty good that he’d be really impressive there, too. He’s from Belgium, after all.
In the end, the argument seems always to be made that any dominant racer "isn’t facing so-and-so or so-and-so, and that’s why they’re winning everything." You can say that about literally any championship. Ryan Dungey won last year because Ryan Villopoto moved up. Chris Pourcel is winning this year because Ryan Dungey moved up. But the one thing this race proved is that all a racer can or should have to do to win a championship is to beat the guys who line up against him. Because really, the hypotheticals are likely frequently wrong.
In moto two, Desalle (463) held off Dungey (5) for a while, but he had to settle for second.
Photo: Steve Cox
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LOL "Chris Pourcel is winning this year because Ryan Dungey moved up" Ummm I believe he won more that RD last year Cox's.
Seem to be aloooot of people making excuses for James not winning and pulling off after the race. Before the race NONE of these excuses mattered and he was going to DOMINATE Dungey. Comical how quickly the thought process has turned.....
Flynbryan19,, I think if you go by past history, JS was favored over RD.. So its not really that unusual that some people thought that.. JS was clearly unprepaired...
Cox! Dungey won the his 250 outdoor championship because Pourcell's bike blew at southwick.
looks like the fastest man on the panet got a lil slower ha ha
cronepiece, I didn't know that last years championship was a 1 race affair. I thought all the races counted. You have to be in it to win it and several other cliche's go right here about Ryan Dungey. The kid flat out hauls the mail day in and day out which is why he wins championships..... and he makes it look easy which is why most people don't get it... yes he is that good!
mrwhirlwind,, I know what you are trying to say,, and I agree with you,,, but to win a championship, there has to be a little luck involved,, and I think thats what cronepiece was talking about.
The main problem with Stewart is RC destroyed his spirit at hangtown when Stewie was riding that 2 stroke and he has never been the same since. RC owned him and now it looks like Dungey will take over from RC and own Bubba from now on.
Blah blah blah Dungey, blah blah? blah blah blah Stewart, blah, blah blah.
Luck is starting gate wide... like the bad luck one always seems to have when you don't get holeshots or the good luck you have when you surround yourself with good teams and people. Bike issues are part of the sport. What goes around comes around and a bunch of cliche's can go here too.
Good one, bob. PatPipes, was James' spirit so destroyed that he went 24-0 two years ago? WTF? I'm with mrwhirlwind on the Dungey piece. Not that I think Cox's analogy there was the greatest, but cronepiece (and BillC, of course) come off sounding like Pourcel's DNF was the ONLY reason Ryan won last year. I'll quickly mention the 11th CP got in moto two that day and how if he really wanted to win the championship, he'd have tried a little harder that moto, but frankly, I lost interest in this BS argument a long time ago. Ryan Dungey: 2009 SX Lites, 250 National, and MXdN (individual and team) champ; 2010 SX, and soon to be 450 National champ. Period.
hey Flyin, wait until "whatever" the king of excuses gets on here to defend Stewart. Actually, I am starting to believe that this "whatever" knucklehead IS Stewart!!!
I was at the Dilla and It was great to see JS back on the track. Fastest lap times in practice and a pretty solid 1st moto. He said he wasn't in race shape yet, i guess folks didn't believe him. 1st or 40th it's great to have the number 7 back out there. it doesn't matter what he says or does, some will crap on it regardless. that being said, great ride Dungey, Go Stewart, See yall at the Wick.
Remember Guys, Stewart is a Super Cross Talent ! Out doors is totally different!
I agree, no MX or SX championship should ever be dimished because of the what if's because those same what if's can pose new what if's. LOL FanFreakinTastic ride by DeSalle. Would it be cool if MX tried a starting grid like Moto GP ??? I mean really, KDub would have been inthe mix up front and Short might not ever, no disrespect really. My point is that there is a huge reward for top 5 starts and an even larger dissadvantage for not. That being said, no I dont want MX or SX changed, jus wonderin. We all hear over n over about the confidence game that this sport plays. How confident must one feel battling back in eleventh, hhhmmm, lets ask Allesi, hahaha
OK Indian Casino Race Team, ( no dissrespect, thats just easier to type than San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Race Team owned by LMR ) you are going to a sand track in two weeks, I think the boys over at the DNA Shred Yamaha team might be willing to share suspension settings with you and this way JS cant throw your whole team under the bus again, man that had to hurt !
Sefer.... Don't put word in my mouth (again), I said "Ummm I believe he won more than RD last year Cox's." Who won more moto's and over alls sef? thats what "win's" means, At no point in that post did I say ANYTHING about the title. so don't start fishing
It is pure comedy to watch the arm chair quarter backing that surrounds Ryan Dungey. I thought Reed had a bad case of the woulda coulda shoulda's, but Dungey takes the cake. Just wait till JLaw comes back... Oh wait till Reed is back... RV2 would smoke him if he were here... Stewie is gonna whip... If Pourcel's bike hadn't....and on and on. I'll make it really simple for you- line up against him and drop the gate. "but so and so is hurt"- Oh really. And why is that? Because he's trying to run Dungey's pace and wadded himself up. No disrespect to anyone but JLaw; I don't give a crap about you.
You gotta be in it to win it..... MX/SX has always been a debate of "so-and-so" was hurt, or not 100% etc...etc...etc.... Dungey has remained healthy, that in and of itself is a testament to his riding ability. He may not have the pure talent of #7, or the flat out speed of the #2, but what he has is every bit as important to getting that #1 plate at the end of it all.....there is a good chance that if Bubba and RV were both 100%, the #5 would be sitting 3rd in the points.... But there is also every chance that the #5 would be right where it is. It has always been this way in MX, someone catches lightening in a bottle, and runs away with the title.... Right now, Dungey is out there, standing on top.....he's tested and proven....and he's 20 years old .....about to become the first rookie in HISTORY to win both SX and MX titles.... that my friends is an amazing feat .....that is not just winning the war of attrition, that is owning it......People need to stop calling it luck, we have a lot to do with making our own luck....
I dont see how a guy won more last year but no title. Oh yea, he got smoked at Washougal, Milleville, and the 2nd moto at Southwick he got 11th. And no bike problems in those motos. Looks like lack of effort to me. Winning motos dont mean crap without the title. Those are just excuses as to why he lost.. Like Stewie fans make when he loses. Its just insulting to the guy or guys who are doing everything right every single moto and win the titles. Like RD5 is doing right now and like he did in supercross. And like he did last season in the 250. He is doing all the right things, and kicking as@ doing it. He is ready to do something that Stewie, RC or Mcgrath has never done. And that is win both big bike titles in his rookie season. All the haters cant take that away from him. No matter how many excuses they try..
Your chance to be selected for MXdN starts at Hangtown, and motocross tracks have a habit of getting rough. The money is supposed to smooth the bumps out. Supercross only... what a joke, Windham comes back and does pretty good for an old guy. Dungey is that good!
but, but, but ............. that kid from the ghetto is the fastest man on the planet, just ask fuel TV. Who writes this stuff ??????????????
Well said ryan68. Did anyone catch Stewart's interview with Transworld before Unadilla where he was making pre-excuses and proclaiming that Short deserved the spot for Team USA and deserved to go- he said it multiple times. Now he's pissed that he didn't get picked? I understand his frustration- but he was coming back for the fans, right? Or was it the sponsors and the fans? Or was it the MXdN, the sponsors, and then the fans? The whole thing is flimsy.
four hundred and fifty words in Cox's write up........comment section well over one million words with the same fellas writting about the same thing over and over and over again!!!!!! lol
Hypothetically speaking of course, the "show" is cancelled, your stock is falling, people don't care to hear your rhetoric, you struggle to make the podium....in the first moto, there's a new breed of SXers coming hot & heavy, the economy isn't supporting your over inflated contract demands, the sponsors aren't seeing the return on their investment in you, fans are expecting to see you for a FULL SEASON, MXoN commitee expects the same, riders aren't letting you go like they used to or letting you through traffic like they used to either. Hypothetically speaking of course.
CP 377 had bad luck last year... like this year he had a bad day crashing, but he made a statement in moto 2 when he pass canard and took the lead.. if luck stays equaly for everybody its gonna be CP 377... but you never know in mechanicals problemsa heheh... dungey should slow it a lil bit so the 450 class goes a liltte bit more intresting.. its boring to see wininng the same guy!!
hypothetically gay. Show some respect. Stewart will be back. Can't wait. He sells more tickets then anyone, simple fact.
Batzmx,,, crashing on your own,, is not bad luck... Having problems with your bike that you have no control over,,, now thats bad luck.. I think TC has been the one making the statements,,, wouldnt you say ??? Why on God's green earth would TC try to battle with CP in the 2nd moto ?? Doesnt make to much sense to do that, now does it ???
ya .......... ya ............... show some respect, ya know, the same respect ole #7 showed to the entire MX community and his OWN fans when he so cry babyishly pulled out of moto 2. The hype sold tickets, he keeps that up and there will be no more hype.
bd200.... WTF!!! U say "I dont see how a guy won more last year but no title" Are you for REAL?? Who won more SX's this year?? RV!! But NOT title.. A few years back I think it was TF who won a 125 SX title but did NOT WIN 1 RACE!! See.. IT can happen!!
Halsey, I have to dissagree, imagine the enourmity of TC's confidence had he been able to repass CP. Granted he is confident in his ability and already knows he can beat CP on any given day, he would have rather had repassed CP !!
the extra tickets sold were to fans wanting to see how bad #7 would get beat. OK, that was mean, I'm sorry
Did anyone read the JS letter, he acts all butt hurt because he didn't have a shot at MXdesN. He has been out for 8 months and feels he should have preference over guys who have been racing SX and MX all year. He needs to take his ego back to his reality show where he can feel like the man again.
halsey, re "Why on God's green earth would TC try to battle with CP in the 2nd moto ??" Well how about if you are, with 2 laps to go, only 10 points behind the guy, but if he passes you, you will be 16 points behind? Thinking that would be a pretty good reason on any planet, though I haven't actually been to any others.... officially.
ElsinoreRacer,, I was thinking the winner of each moto got 25 points, and 2nd got 22,, so that would only be 3 points ,,, right ??? TC knew that CP had more energy in the 2nd moto,, because he didnt ride very much of the 1st moto...
"ElsinoreRacer,, I was thinking the winner of each moto got 25 points, and 2nd got 22,, so that would only be 3 points ,,, right ??? TC knew that CP had more energy in the 2nd moto,, because he didnt ride very much of the 1st moto... " Are you serious? You can't figure out that the difference would be 10 pts down vs 16 pts down based finishing first or second in moto 2? If I was in TC's shoes, I would choose to be 10 points down over 16 any day of the week.
Except for the math I agree with elsinore racer. The only way these guys can make it to where they are is because they are VERY competitive. If TC could have repassed CP he would have. CP may not always be faster in both motos for any number of reasons, but CP is straight up faster than TC.
The math isn't that difficult. There is a 6 point "swing" based on whether TC finished in 1st or 2nd. It's not rocket science.
Yes, the "swing" is 6 points.. I was assuming h was talking about the differnence between 1st and 2nd. TC is in a groove right now.. he knows what he's doing.. Plus,, if it gets HOT ( temp ) . he know CP will fade in the 2nd moto.
Here we go with the "swing" again. BillC? LOL
James, with a SX only contract why is MX and MXDN really so important ? I would be pissed and hurt to miss out on that MXDN TV money too. KW, my man! Racing and finishing fourth in M2 after ripping the handlebars off your bike in M2. Now thats a motocrosser ! Hang in there 800 , props to you for being at the gate and finishing every moto ! JimM CarlsbadCA
most of you guys are TOTAL MORONS,.........the blowing up of a bike cost pourcel.......so if he didnt blow up in the last race....and he did it with 5 races to go....dungey would of been leader going into the wick last year and would have won...who cares if the ****ty Kawai's waited to blow up til last race....im not sur ewhat race it was last year where ryan cartwheeled his brains out...got back up and finished like 5 or 6th....TRUE HEART of a champion...not to the stewart part....yea SX only talent...is that why he went 24-0 outdoors the other year and on his 125, he missed first few races and NEVER lost when he came back........and if he ISNT the fastest on the planet ANYMORE.....why did he lay down the fastest lap time at dilla....AND I WAS THERE>........so yes, not race shape yet AS HE SAID.....and before the race he said he WASNT PREPARED as he would like .......plus the BS with the MXoN pissed him off........ill LOVE both RD and JS........so lets say RD5 won fair and square.....fastest man thru 35+2........but he really didnt CRUSH james the first moto for his roll of confidance vs. james being off the bike....im sure if james continues these last 3 weekend.......i say he wins atleast 2 of them overall.....any takers......ill take the bets....bring em!
Tony C, James is bad** no doubt and has a huge amount of motivation now but winning two of the last three races OVERALL (if he shows) ? I'll take that bet and you can pay me at PALA. JimM CarlsbadCA
TonyC693" I wont some of that bet to how mutch do you wont to lose! I hate to say it but being that out of shape that you cant even finish half the 2 moto. That kind of conditioning is not going to come back over night or in a month. Just look at the second fastest rider this year he has road ever week and sill has nothing for RD5 after 20min. This is RD5's year and there's nothing any one can do about it. Just like last year and guess what next year to that's my prediction! DUNGEY RULES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Brap450, let's leave your sexuality out of the conversation, please. Second, I treat those with the same respect they show to others. Prima Donna'ing his way to a MXoN slot in front of more deserving (read: better) riders this year is NOT respect, if you think it is you're part of the problem and need a new set of role models. Third, coming to the rescue of someone whom has shown ZERO respect for their fans, the sport, etc. is a little more than hero worship. Gay? Maybe a Freudian slip on your part, eh? Lastly, Jimbo374, I'd like to get in on that bet as well, if I lose I'll pay in San Manuel chips, otherwise, I guess the payout line @ Pala's going to be long.
Did you guys hear CP's bike, it was on the limiter over every jump. They might need to lower it 200 so he doesn't blow it again... great ride for him. As far as JS is concerned he used to ride like a MX'er that does SX too. When he was on the 125 he was as fast as the 250 2stroke guys and no one could touch him, he'll come around, I'll stop there. BTW I'm a MX fan not a rider fan.
considering how many points hes gained in the past few weeks , is 6 points really that big of deal ? at the current rate tc should win the title by @ 50.
Guys,,, lets be fair,, and give JS another National or two to see how well he bounces back.. Imean,, he hasnt ridin' MX in almost 2 years.. Not sticking up for him,, its just the truth.. The "open letter" from JS was really bad IMO.. No one at that level should PULL OFF becuase the bike wasnt handling.... I think he was just flat-out tired.. But,, like I said, give him another National or two...
Sometimes you read these posts and you wonder whether people are kidding ... chromob?
halsey, I concur, he just needs more time to get back in form......I remember RC4 saying that he would never come back too early and try to compete at the level of the top guys as it would just be putting himself and others in danger.....Sef154, Sometimes???
No disrespect towards Stewart for making an unprepaired comback, he is his own guy.. I'm just saying...
Can someone that was at the race answer for me how long it took RD to gap Desalle by 10 sec. On TV it was hard to tell cuz it went to a break and when they came back he was like 9.8 sec. or something like that. RD had his fastest lap in that moto on the 10 lap. That there is one tough mofo.
I know a man should probably not feel this way about another man, but let me tell you what, DUNGEY RULES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have sweet dreams about him.
Classic photo of desalle and JS. Only JS, Barcia and cairolli can scrub like that.
Garjan111, 2nd moto?? Desalle lead for about 26 or 27 mins, After RD got by he slowed and RD was turing it up so it happen fast. There was only 3 or 4 laps left at that point.
Question on this bike breaking thing,.... Next weekend at Southwick if this happensd what will you say, First Moto JS holeshot, RD starts 10th when RD get to 2nd JS has a 10sec lead with 5 laps to go, RD passes JS on the last lap for the win, 2nd Moto JS again holeshot, RD passes him on lap 1 and builds a 30sec lead but with 2 laps to go RD's bikes blows and JS wins the moto and the over all. You go on line to read some JS fans declar JS is TFMOP and he is back, Smoked Rd and won Southwick. What will you say to that??
Well, the first problem with that would be Dungey getting a 10th place start. 2nd problem would be the Suzuki breaking.
Dungey was by DeSalle at no later than 22 or 23 minutes, and immediately started putting time on him. My take on it was that Dungey was his usual careful self in making the pass, and at that point, he turned it up (his fastest lap came shortly after the pass) and, perhaps, DeSalle had given it his all to hold Dungey off and lost some of his drive when he realized second would be his spot for the day.
In real world Suzukis don't seem to ever break, Dungey would not have to push the bike too hard after 30 sec lead, and JS could never catch Dungey on the last lap of the 2nd moto cause by that time he would already be having a drink with Sorby at the semi... HAHA!.. Just a bad joke I guess
BILLC, YES people will say that...the point is WE are all biased towards our own rider and we see things through that lens generally, I am just as bad as the rest(huge 7 fan)...but Unadilla opened my eyes a little bit...RD5 is a deserving champ and he deserves the chance to officially end stewarts reign with a passing of the torch that we fans always want to see. We all want to see the two on the same track with equal preparation and to see if he who is next can rise above...unfortunately, 7 crashes too much, if 5 is indeed the new RC, then wouldn't it be cool for him to have the chance to race 7 hard for a sx season and come out on top...not trying to discredit his amazing run he is on, but for bench racers around the mx world, it meant something when RC beat MC, the mx world changed. It is changing now with the emergence of 5, but as a 7 fan, it would still be cool to see next sx season be a knock down drag out for 16 rounds and the best man wins...RV being the spoiler...CR not withstanding...CP has potential...
What about MOTOCROSS?
Great riders need great riders, to be great. Just like boxing. muhammad ali was the greatest, because of his competition. He beat shavers, foreman, frazier, liston, etc. Tyson didn't beat anybody great, so he is listed as around 12th greatest. dungey needs stewart to reach the level of r/c, someday, if it happens.....
Wow hardly anyone wants anything to do with my question.... Hmmmmmmmm Thats tells me something.
halfe316, you are a big Stewie fan?? We would have never guessed.
BILLC. Its because you can what-if things to death.. Thats why, it menas nothing..
Billc... in regard to your question... it is a stupid question. It absolutely will not go down like that. Far fetched, hypothetical questions may have some merit in physics and quantum mechanics but as bd200 says, "it means nothing" in motocross
BillC, you've been hung up on WHY Dungey won the title last year since it happened. Your point is that Cox characterized it as if Dungey dominated Pourcel last year, which even Cox knows is not the case. He just used it for effect in the theme of this article. This is splitting hairs where it need not be done, probably why your question went ignored.
I am not surprize you don't want to answer, U are backed into a corner with the question so ya deflect.
billc.... really? backed into a corner? thats your repsonse? Again, it is a ridiculous question with no basis in fact so it does not warrant a serious answer.
I've yet to see you ask a question or present an issue clever enough to back anybody into a corner.
ELF846, I think Tyson is ranked so low because he fell off the deep end in the sanity department.
Ok billc I will answer your question with a question. The weekend after next at Southwick if this happened what will you say? First Moto J-Law holeshots, Villipoto comes back from injury and starts 10th when Villipoto gets to 2nd J-Law has a 10sec lead with 5 laps to go, Villipoto passes J-Law on the last lap for the win. 2nd Moto J-Law again holeshots, RV passes him on lap 1 and builds a huge lead but with 2 laps to go RV decides to ghost ride his bike into J-Law as he is lapping him. RV’s bike goes off the track and is unrideable. J-Law wins the moto and the over all. You go on line to read some J-Law fans declar J-Law is TFMOP and he is back, Smoked RV and won Southwick. What will you say to that?? That scenario is almost as plausable as yours!
BillyC,, your ? is very simple,, RD was clearly the fastest that day,, but had bike problems.. Thats exactly how I would look at it.. kwtriple,, I wouldnt say "it absolutely will not go down like that." Southwick is infamous for making bikes grenade,, just ask the Kawasaki Guys.
hypothetical questions have no basis of fact, It is something that could happen though and if u answer it it tells somthing about ya, . You act like I am crazy, People on here predict and make up hypothetical questions all the time. Either Way the point was to see if the people who think CP's dnf had nothing to do with RD winning the title would feel the same way if RD got beat because of a dnf But instead they deflect or don't post.But That answer it anyway I guess.
Halsey, Thats the point, I would say the same thing as U but others would say JS WON JS WON, The the RD fans would cry his bike broke!!! But some of them RD fans did not care that CP's bike broke. Many feel CP was the faster guy last year and lost the title because of a dnf, Others say the dnf had nothing to do with it. Kwtriple is going crasy instead of looking at the ?? for what it is. To answer your ?? Kwtriple.. Some whould say that but your ?? is very far out there wile mine is a little more believable i would say. it was all just to prove a point but you had to just try amd make me look crasy. What ever LOL
Like I said before,, winning a championship also requires a little luck ..
PS SEF, did U listen to the shorty intervieu?? Sounds like JS WAS mislead, Short said it, They were NOT going to pick the team at the Dilla. Hmmmmmmm, Guess I was right on that one.
People on here don't like the word "LUCK, be carful Halsey. LOL
Good one sef..LOL... just don't let HIM hear you say that...........
tc left red bud trailing by 55pts, 3 races later and its 16 with 3 more to go. what is confusing you sef ?
I guess reality is confusing me, chromob. "[A]t the current rate tc should win the title by @ 50"? At the rate of Stewart's fastest practice time last race, he should have won both motos. What happened? Your "rate" theory is seriously flawed, but if Canard wins by 50, I'll bow to you. (I'm not sweating it.)
ELF846, I don't travel in the same circles as "Iron Mike," so I should be ok.
I haven't heard the interview, BillC. I do break away from my computer from time to time. I'll try to squeeze it in. Does it indicate that Stewart was "lied to"?
winning practice doesn't count for much is what happened. ( winning races does though )
Even as bad as he looked in his last fight, he would still pound any of US into the ground like a tent stake. Now lets get back to moto...............................
BillC, if you're scenario plays out I'm going to ask you for the lottery numbers, first. Then I would simply say that Dungey was fastest in the first moto by FAR, but his bike broke in moto 2 while he was CRUSHING James. So what did you just prove? I just went back and reread your question that had us all backed into a corner and I have no clue what you are trying to prove with it. IF you're scenario played out, Stewart fans WOULD be declaring that Stewart smoked Dungey. So what exactly were you going for there???? Originally I thought you were making a comparison to Dungey vs. Pourcel last year when Pourcel's bike broke. If you are, I would say a bike breaking is part of the game. You can't win on a broken bike. I don't go by this win "straight up" nonsense because things happen and it is ALL part of the game. Crashing, bad starts, poor setup, over-training, under-training, broken bikes, rain, heat....all part of the game. Ya get beat ya get beat
Canard by 50, chromob? You're really serious with this?
Another nobodys thoughts on the stewert thing. I been into motocross since about 1974. I finished a moto with 2 brkn verts, why? becouse i didnt accept dnf's from myself. Ive seen a whole lot of "shoulda" guys. Theres one thing about motocross, and you can ask around on this one, "motocross waits for nobody". not even james stewert. You put your wotk in, and get your head in the right spot, you'll win again, the world will love you again. You fudge it, you'll loose respect and eventually get hurt. I dont want to see that bubba. Just "wanting to win"...or hoping ya can," doesnt cut it in motocross. Ya have to know. ya know by the work ya put in. Most of us know ya cant fudge it once the gate drops,.... the b.s. stops. That goes for any level of motocross, beginner to pro. Good luck, and I hope to see ya racing.
Wow Sef arguing about points again, chromob was making a point about the points based on what has happen the last 3 races. Kind of like You did with the 6 point thing, It's not real, but is what is or was happening. BKR if ya don't see my point to the question I will say it again. (sonmetimes I think U and Sefer are to close to the forest to see the trees) as i said above " but others would say JS WON JS WON, The the RD fans would cry his bike broke!!! But some of them RD fans did not care that CP's bike broke. Many feel CP was the faster guy last year and lost the title because of a dnf, Others say the dnf had nothing to do with it" see it now?? people like bd200, Sefer and other RD fans dicount CP's bike break and DNF last year right?? Sooooo will them same people say that RD got beat by JS or will they be hypocrites and say he only lost that race because his bike broke... Seeing how none steped up and said there answer I guess I know the answer. In stead of answering the question (for fun) it gets over analized so it does not have to be answered. Clear enough now?
ps. Sef, Yes Short said they were going to pick a 5 man team at the dilla then all of the sudden they picked the team so I guess that does means they lied to JS. He also said he did not want to go last year (I guess everyone should slam him now like js) because he did not feel good.
Bill, actually Short said he was hurt and it was iffy when they contacted him earlier in the season. That was taken into account when they made the decision, but Short was feeling better later but it was too late. Now this question issue...... Was Pourcel leading the moto he broke in? Did he win the moto he didn't break in? No and no. You're hypothetical scenario has Dungey running James down in moto 1 from way back, and then leading him by 30 seconds when his bike breaks. It is pretty clear who would be the fastest racer there. I think Pourcel finished 11th at Southwick the moto he didn't break in? So where is the similarity between the two scenarios???
I wonder if Stewart did something to piss off DeCoster leading up to the decision. I have to admit, I can't believe he'd want reality TV cameras involved with something as sacred as the MXoN. What is up with a 5-man selection anyway. Were they going to then wait several more weeks to actually announce the team? Weird.
There you go being foolish for the sake of an argument again, BillC. If by "arguing points" you mean I'm arguing how many points riders need/will earn/etc., than yes I am. Not ok with you? Too bad. Even chromob (among several others, in case you didn't notice) acknowledged the six point swing -- which was VERY REAL in the context I described. Sorry to resort to this, but you're just being an idiot on that one. At the same time, though, chromob is wondering if "6 points really (is) that big of deal" because "at the current rate tc should win the title by @ 50." That's purely conjecture, IMO, and I'm saying that I highly doubt it, and that the six points could be VERY important. As for the Short interview, I'll listen for myself when I have time. I sure don't need you interpreting it for me.
Well SEF u say u sure don't need menterpreting it for U But U did ask this " Does it indicate that Stewart was "lied to"? So witch is it Sef?? BKR....Please..... I said RD Ran him down so show he was the faster man that day and he still did not win, and like I said many felt CP was the faster guy last year, He did WIN more. So in this scenario CP's 11th in moto 2 really does not come into play. So as u say " It is pretty clear who would be the fastest racer there" OK then in that scenario would you say RD got beat or he got beat because his bike broke?? Thats the question.
BKR you asked " I wonder if Stewart did something to piss off DeCoster leading up to the decision." Hmmmm maybe but Either way Short said a 5 man team so if JS pissed of DeCoster that would mean DeCoster gave the shaft to the 5th guy because he was mad a JS?? Sounds like that would be childish on his part so I am guessing no.
50 is obviously an inflated number. The point is this, after pala it won't matter if it's 1 pt or 50. cp didn't extend his lead as much as he lost a little less of it and 16 pts with 3 to go isn't huge when you've lost more than twice that in the last 3. I hope cp's bike don't grenade again so there won't be another year of hearing how he was cheated. Maybe the ama should do away with the current system and go to fans votes on twitter to decide the champion or judges. That would be great to possibly have co-champions like the x games.
note sarcasm
BillC, interesting point. Who is this 5th guy and why is he not also pissed off? Every time you try to clear up this question thing you make it more convoluted and mixed up. I can't do it Capt'n.
I'm with you on both points there, chromob. One point or fifty won't matter (but my guess would be lower rather than higher), and hopefully Pourcel's bike doesn't break so we don't have to hear the shoulda, coulda, woulda....
BKR in the Short intervie he said they where not picking the team at the Dilla, They where going to pick a 5 man team. My guess is they pick the 5 then over the next few races cut it down to 3 but in the end Short said he was shocked to get the call on Friday before the dilla and that was it.
BUBBA WHO?