by Steve Cox
250 Words: Steel City
Wednesday, September 8, 2010 | 12:00 PM
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PrintClutch. Especially in motorsports, that is a word with dual meanings. Obviously, you have the clutch, as in what Tommy Hahn blew in moto two at Southwick that prevented a top overall finish. But it’s the other kind of "clutch" that legends are made out of.
A clutch performance is when someone absolutely has to perform no matter what, and then they do. It’s performing under pressure. And pressure almost doesn’t even describe what Trey Canard had to withstand in order to win at Steel City.
In both motos, Trey Canard (38) and Chris Pourcel (377) were rarely farther than this apart.
Photo: Steve Cox
First off, it’s one of Chris Pourcel’s favorite tracks, as he literally toyed with Ryan Dungey there last year. Second, Canard had Pourcel on his tail for nearly the entirety of both motos. And third, Canard absolutely had to pull through if he was going to have any sort of legitimate shot at the 250cc National Championship going into Pala, as he trailed by 13 points. Going 2-1 or 1-2 at Steel City against Pourcel would’ve left him still trailing by 13 points, allowing Pourcel to ride into the championship books with something like a 3-4 score.
But Canard was unbreakable. When Pourcel picked up the pace, so did Canard. In the end, they beat Tyla Rattray by 22 seconds in the first moto even though Rattray was right with them past the halfway point. And in moto two, they beat Dean Wilson by 13 seconds even though they didn’t even pass him for the lead until there were only three laps to go!
They were both on another level, but someone had to win, and Canard did it. However, at Pala, Canard is going to need to win both motos and have someone finish between he and Pourcel in at least one of them. Even though he has done his part, he still doesn’t completely control his own destiny.
Canard's performance was the absolute definition of "clutch". He needs one more this weekend at Pala to beat Pourcel for the title.
Photo: Steve Cox
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I wish people would stop saying Pourcel "toyed with" Dungey last year at Steel City. Dungey had NOTHING to gain by messing around with CP and EVERYTHING to lose; therefore, he played it smart and, after an initial altercation, kept his distance ... followed by celebration of the championship.
Thats true Sef but its also true that CP toyed with him so.
What do u guys think will happen?? I Just hope they both get clean starts, i don't care who win's it as long as its a good fight, i would hate to see one of them go down in the first turn or have a dnf. Man If TC win it CP will be crushed after what happen last year and If CP win's it TC will look back to the second moto's at the Dilla and Southwick anbd think about what could have been.
OK, won't say Pourcel toyed with Dungey. Will say that Pourcel was the faster rider and if not for a DNF at the Wick, Pourcel would have easily been champion.
LOL motojoel U just opened up a big one there. I agree with ya but some on here will flip over that post.
I agree with ya motojoel, even though I do not care for CP.. I tell ya what, those Kawasakis are faster than he!!....
A couple of GREAT pics here...
Pala! Pala! Pala! Pala! Pala! Pala!
Tomac sucks for taking out Seely like he did in the first moto. Canard will win the title at Pala!!!!
tomac needs to take pourcel out! who cares if its diry. everyone is so soft these days. why the heck hasnt wilson taken barcia out yet?!? barcia cleaned him out more than once!! get dirty!!!
"BillC' I agree, I hope it's a good clean race and the best man wins. My 1st 2 picks for the riders that could finish between Canard and Pourcel would be Rattray and Wilson and we know thats not gonna happen.
I don't agree with taking someone out as a spectator point of view. So here you are watching a good race and someone takes someone else out and now as a spectator the race is very boring, get it? Look how great Steel city was to watch.
Taking someone out not only makes the race boring but it could also tarnish someones championship if Canard or Pourcal were taken out by one of their team members.
good luck canard!! you can do it
Bayle would not ride in defense of Kiedrowski in '90 and was summarily parked. In '92 wouldn't do it for Stanton either and looked ridiculous behind Bradshaw sandbagging. The powers that be are the teams, not the riders. Times being what they are, riders would be foolish to not listen to team orders but, on the other hand, suffer tremendous black eye to personal career by going through with it. Finally, what's in their contracts? I would always default to the contract that is written & signed, that's binding. My guess is there will be no standing on the competitors bike this time around. Rubbin's racin' though gentlemen. Didn't "one punch" do it for somebody in the SX movie?
without taking anyone out , I say its a safe bet ( barring dnf's ) canard WILL BE the top finshing geico honda rider and pourcel WILL BE the top finshing pro circuit kawasaki rider and the "chips" will fall where they may. which is bad news for canard (hate to admit) because he needs someone else between him and pourcel and the only other riders consistantly at or near that level are pourcels teammates. I really hope canard wins, but whoever does will have definitely earned it.
Canard rides unbelievable under pressure. I guess he figures with the injuries he has had in the past, he has nothing to lose and a ton to gain. He is going for it no doubt.
It sure seems like TC uses pressure as motivation. He may have a ton to gain, but a late season injury could hamper his 2011 SX plans, so I wouldn't say he has nothing to lose! There will be no team ordered take outs, i don't beleive either team would take that road for a championship. May the best man win right???
PC does a LOT of motor work for the Factory Conection GEICO Powersports Honda team so i don't think they will be taking anyone out and I don't think The PC team is run that way either.
I agree, taking someone out would be career suicide. But imo the pro circuit guy's are gonna be a lot harder for Canard to pass then for CP and the same thing goes for CP passing the Geico guys.