by Aaron Hansel
The Moment: San Diego
Sunday, February 20, 2011 | 9:00 PM
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“A good start makes everything easy.” That was Ryan Villopoto’s outlook on Saturday morning as he stood under the Kawasaki canopy, talking about what would likely be a slop fest that night in San Diego. Hours later, in his heat race, RV would show how true his own words were, and in the main, he would demonstrate just how hard a race can be if a rider doesn’t get a good start.
If you were watching the live coverage on Speed, following Racer X’s tweets, or reading Racer X Online, you already know how RV did in his heat. Villopoto grabbed the holeshot, and with an open track ahead of him, laid waste to the rest of the field. His pace was so furious that his average lap time was nearly a second faster than James Stewart’s fastest qualifying lap. True, the whoops were probably a bit smaller for the night show than they were during practice, but the track was also much wetter during the heats. A good start makes everything easy.
Considering the domination RV laid down in his heat race, it was easy to imagine him checking out for the win if he was able to get another holeshot. But, that’s not how the start of the race shook out for Villopoto. Instead, the beginning of the main turned out to be the moment that RV’s night officially went south. As the pack was disappearing in the first few sections, RV was on the ground, picking his bike up out of the mud. A bad start makes everything hard.
It’s not exactly the end of the world for Villopoto; he was able to charge back to seventh place (minus a front number plate and rear fender) and maintain a three point lead over Stewart, but a win in San Diego would have given him a fair amount of breathing room in the form of a two-digit lead. Instead, he’s back in the thick of an intense points battle with Stewart.
If you were watching the live coverage on Speed, following Racer X’s tweets, or reading Racer X Online, you already know how RV did in his heat. Villopoto grabbed the holeshot, and with an open track ahead of him, laid waste to the rest of the field. His pace was so furious that his average lap time was nearly a second faster than James Stewart’s fastest qualifying lap. True, the whoops were probably a bit smaller for the night show than they were during practice, but the track was also much wetter during the heats. A good start makes everything easy.
Considering the domination RV laid down in his heat race, it was easy to imagine him checking out for the win if he was able to get another holeshot. But, that’s not how the start of the race shook out for Villopoto. Instead, the beginning of the main turned out to be the moment that RV’s night officially went south. As the pack was disappearing in the first few sections, RV was on the ground, picking his bike up out of the mud. A bad start makes everything hard.
It’s not exactly the end of the world for Villopoto; he was able to charge back to seventh place (minus a front number plate and rear fender) and maintain a three point lead over Stewart, but a win in San Diego would have given him a fair amount of breathing room in the form of a two-digit lead. Instead, he’s back in the thick of an intense points battle with Stewart.
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Glad to see you writing this Aaron. Good stuff. Hopefully they start giving you a bigger column.
Congrats REED. true privateer riding outa his pockets. Gotta love that ride. Like stewey said. He had nothing for reed, nobody did
No offense but this column could be called "Stating the Obvious"....or "Taking up Digital Space With What We ( and RV ) Already Know".
Good Writing ......what. What was stewies practice times......................uh 2 seconds faster than Potos. When the track is dry...........Stewie cannot be beat.....you people know this, way better style, and speed is above and beyond Poto's. Dont post crap unless is true, whats the point.
Hey Fan of the Sport, is it tough to type when you're so far onto Stewart's knob? You must have problems seeing the key board. If you were looking for "truth", how about your boyfriend hasn't won every race this year, and they have all been dry up to this weekend. I'm not hating on JS, just pointing out the obvious.
Hey, fan of the sport, I think you misunderstood. They were saying that Ryan's time in his heat race, on a soaked track, was faster than Stewie's best practice time on a fast track. Maybe you shouldn't call stuff crap unless you know what you are saying.
The Big 5 have pretty much delivered the season we hoped for so far, four different winners, hogging all the podiums, and only 23 points from first to fifth. Now they're heading east. Can't wait to see what happens at Atlanta.
Stewart has been the fastest in lap timed practice consistantly. He is the fastest rider out there. In the real racing, anything can happen, and it has. It is close between the top 5. I was happy for Chad. I like what he is doing. I like all the riders out there and respect their abilities on a dirt bike. It will be interesting as the series moves east. I'll be there in the dome! Favorites? I like Kevin Windham, Kyle Regal, and in the Lites, I'm pulling for Eli and Josh. East Wilson and Baggett.
i cant wait to see stewart actually try and be fast. you idiots dont notice he barely scrubs anymore? the inventor of the scrub is ahead of the rest. he doesnt need to scrub to be faster than his "competitors."
He didnt invent the scrub... he just perfected the whip
Good write up. RV finished 3 or 4 seconds behind Stewart and Canard on a busted up bike. Very good ride, amazing emig didnt use rc's line championships are won on your bad days to describe it (or did he).
@fan of the sport....wipe your chin...u missed some JS7 gizz
Practice means nothing except gate pick. Just set one fast lap. And yes JS is really good at that....that however is not a race (20 laps).
Let's keep the discussion to "racing" as that is the part that related to titles, not practice times.
Way to go 22, and this is the second chance RD1 had to pull a win and came up a little short. must be frustrating for him. Big props to RV for putting his head down and minimizing the damage.
rv shouldnt be to upset, after all he lost his big points lead the same way he got them . and he has the speed to win .
Stewart might want to quit exiting turns with a lazy leg, where he hits a bump and lets his boot heel land on the brake pedal, killing the engine.
I guess they're going to say they forgot to change his bent front rotor from last week to explain his tentative and gingerly ride.
His ride was about as inspiring as Barry Soetoro's performance thus far.
He might go fast in practice, but that's because he can't process the danger factors, and often crashes. Novices win practice. Nomesane?
Villopoto, in contrast, has the right stuff. Fantastic ride. Very inspiring. While most riders with no front number plate and a missing rear fender might look like goobers, Villopoto looked like a war hero with a battered and tattered war-ravaged machine, and he sure took it to the enemy.
continuing with the obvious theme.............
the nmber #1 plate is given out the series champion, key word, series.
tons and tons of battles and racing left.
rv showed grit, js showed restraint.
7 rounds down.......
@hondawings BUBBA SCRUB? are you that stupid. pick a new sport
JS7 may be the fastest man on the plant, on a track by himself!
This is not rally racing ( thank god ) he had a good point scoring ride.
IMO if he pulls the hole shot & the track is dry & technical no one can touch him.
I just hope that doesn't happen to many more times this season.
Congratulations Reedy I hope the boxing kangaroo is back & we get to see more races like this! Great TOUGH ride again by RV2. Would luv to get some pics of that beater bike.
You fags watch too much tv, oh bubba scrub, "oh I have some knowledge in motocross" now. Bc I watched his show. I didn't see much passing out there, other than RV, and when TC got CR. Stewart looked like he judged wanted to keep it on 2 wheel
And that's smart racing. Bc he closed in on points with 10 races to go, so why get messed up. Ride smart. But the man RV was still on fire passing 8 or 9 guys when not many ppl where passing.
RV2 vs JS7
Fastest Practice Lap:
Stewart 53.9
RV 55.2
Fastest Heat Lap:
RV 53.9
Stewart 55.9
Fastest Main Lap:
Stewart 56.2
RV 56.9
Pretty even in speed
They give out the Number 1 Plate at the end of the series dont they? So why are these comment pages full of people saying this guy is gonna win and that guy is gonna win??? If you can predict the champion so early in this season, anychance you can predict the Lottory Numbers for me while your there? hahahaha... idiots!
Well so far the JS (3 wins) is done he will never win a gain people are gone, The Reed ( 1 win)is done he will never win again people are now gone, The RV (2 wins) will never come back from that to win again people are gone, The RD ( 0 wins)will smoke them all people are gone..... RV IS AN ANIMAL!!!!! He looked like he was on a dry track the way he went by guys!!!
Villipotos' and Stewart seem pretty decently matched this year. Poto has made a lot of progress and will only get better. Stewart just doesnt have the "umph" he used to. Here's to RVillopoto and a 2011 championship plate!
I dont think it is fair to call Reed a "true privateer"... Sure he started his own team and used alot of his own coin to get things going and I think that is awesome, but a true privateer doesnt get fall the perks ree suspension, motor work etc. from Pro Circuit and you know Bel Ray is kicking in some cash to pay for that HUGE logo 22 is running. Not to mention the first folks he thanked in Oakland was the HONDA guys. The saturday they say Reed gets "some" parts from Honda..I doubt were talking fenders here....I believe the correct term would be "Satellite Team"....Ryan Clark is a true privateer....Reed was not sure what he wanted to do and HONDA didnt want to wait any longer and picked up Grant. Then Reed chose to ride a HONDA but they couldnt afford him too, so you know they cut a side deal of some kind..I do like what Reed has done, but not a privateer.....
I know what you are saying Redbeard, but just because he had money to start with doesnt mean he is enjoying factory perks either. He is getting those sponsers because he is showing results. He isnt a true privateer in the sense of a guy working a regular job and racing on weekends, but I agree with the satelite team term. But kudos to anyone who can pull off what he did, its cool. Now if he would hire Pourcel to race for his team outdoors, that would be cool..
"jairtime"....you saying that "nomesane" crap is like me saying RV won the race and afterwords the fair skinned caucasian had these words to say...."golly gee, i won the motorcycle race, how swell"!!!! Why don't you knock it off with your (yes i am gonna say it) RACIAL crap BRO??? ANd then pull your head out of RV's butt!! No offense to RV whatsoever either!!!
Chad Reed is NOT a privateer!! The factory team helping him out takes true privateer status away from him. I'm still impressed with what he has taken on, and with his win on saturday though. Also with what seems to be a much better attitude than what he has had the past few years. Not that it matters, but much respect returns for him this year!!
Championships are won on your bad nights.
D