Monday Conversation With... Ryan Villopoto
Monday, March 7, 2011 | 10:05 AM
Alpinestars has been delivering performance of the highest level on the motocross tracks of the world for almost 50 years. Racing on Sunday and developing on Monday is a way of life at Alpinestars. Welcome to the Racer X Monday Conversation.
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Another win for Ryan Villopoto, and now a bigger points lead. We caught up to him after the race in Daytona to get his take on the track, the season and holding on in the second half.
Racer X Online: How was the track compared to last year?
Ryan Villopoto: Way gnarlier, seemed like it got rougher, and it was longer than last year. It was physically demanding, for sure.
So was it so rough, and so long, did you ever think of backing it down or having to pace yourself this time?
The pace I was running was the pace I was willing to run, and go, for 20 laps. When he took off, I was like “Wow!” He was really on it. To me, I was just hoping it wasn’t going to last. And it didn’t. I was just hoping for that mistake, basically.
Villopoto outlasted the field en route to his second consecutive win.
Photo: Simon Cudby
So that’s the hand you were going to play?
Yeah because the lighting, it was hard to see some of the sections. You had dark sand, and the track was rough and had big holes. It was just deteriorating, the grass was coming through, it was nasty.
Did you know he crashed?
I didn’t see him crash, but I knew he was down, because I saw the red lights, and his bike.
At that point did you change your pace at all?
No I didn’t. I could see where Davi was, and then later it was Chad, and I could see where he was, and I knew if I just maintained the same speed I would be fine.
Compare this to last week. There you got into the lead on the last lap, this week you had a big lead, more of a dominant win. Does it seem different than last week?
Yeah, but I wouldn’t say I dominated it.
Yeah you’re right. Stewart crashed. But you ended it with a big lead.
Yeah it’s good obviously, I have a 23-point lead. But I need to win more races.
To go back to the 19th lap in Atlanta, when you had a small points lead or may have even lost the lead, and now suddenly you have a 23-point gap. That’s bizarre!
I know it’s pretty crazy! It’s weird how it is, I guess.
RV now holds a 23-point lead over Stewart.
Photo: Simon Cudby
Stewart was almost a lap down, did you see him.
Yeah I saw him in front of me yeah, but I was just watching the guys behind me. I wasn’t worried about lapping him, that wasn’t going to do anything for me. Hell, I didn’t know where everyone was. I was just riding.
How about the bike setup? You change anything for this track?
I only changed the fork. I took just two clicks out, softened it up a little so it would settle in the bumps. That’s it.
So you couldn’t soften it up anymore?
Yeah with the supercross jumps, you couldn’t go any softer. You had to just deal with it, like the rough stuff and that mogul section they put in, it was really hard on the stiff suspension. But you had to do it.
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WOW is right, WOW what a race, wow how fast was freakin js, wow bad crash, wow huge points lead ................ I dont pull for js but now I kinda have to so the points gap will close, we need the dunge n reed to win also and cannard
We are so lucky to have these races live and next day on TV ....... DAMMMMM
For all of the info Ryan gave you might as well have interviewed a broomstick? Ryan is ok and knows what he has to do. Good lick to all the rest of the season!
And with his comments, I will say it again. Smart ride, it is what will bring success. He could have went the same pace as Stewie, but he said he wasnt going to try to run that pace for 20 laps. And it looks like he made the right choice. He is running a very good season so far. But I look for Stewie to win in Indy. I will be there along with the family. I just hope its a close and exciting race, no matter who wins.
RV is getting some gifts from JS these past few weeks. There's plenty of time left for the points to tighten up. JS was on it in Daytona... I don't think anybody could match his pace.
Living in FL I got the chance to go to this race and I have to tell, not a JS fan, BUT he was killing it. The TV broadcast did not do JS justice. NO WAY RV could have run JS pace. NO ONE was jumping that "wall" 'cept JS. That move put three seconds EVERY lap on the field. All RV could hope for was a typical JS mistake and he got it AGAIN. In JS heat race after he crashed he and Reed were next to each other and JS pulled away and won the heat, not Reed. No one had anything for JS this weekend, he was tripling where others were doubling, but that "wall" jump JS was jumping made the rest of the field look silly. I know I know JS did his classic crash, but before that it was his to give away and he did.
He did not cross the finish line first and that is ALL that matters.
JS had an insane pace and also was jumping that huge wall no one else was even thinking it was posssible, the guy is incredible. He was jumping the wall two laps after being almost knocked out in that crash. So much respect for his determination. Happy that RV 2 wiwon the race and not CR 22. Daytona is unpredictable. Congrats also to Short on agreat ride.
thinkmx::: You're right, if JS7 had not crashed no one would have caught him. But it was mostly do to that wall he was jumping. He was saving like 2 seconds a lap by zooming over that wall that everyone else was "lofting" over the section... No way would anyone have made of that gap unless they started jumping that wall too. If that wall section had not been there RV2 would have had a chance to catch him but not with it...
#2 is doing what it takes to win and that's putting his bike on the box at almost every race. Stewart is amazing and fast but if you are laying on the ground all that speed doesn't matter. I'm sure people will bash RV for not matching Stewarts speed but why should he if he doesn't have to. It's shaping up to be one of the best SX seasons ever and we can only hope they all stay healthy and they carry this into the outdoors where I hear JS and CR will be racing!!
Go #2!!
Millsap was also jumping the "wall" no one mentioned that!
I hope RV@ maintians this SX title, but i REALLY hope he's gonna be there for outdoors.
A JS7 fan or not, anyone watching the dazed and confused athlete stumble and fall on the Daytona concrete only to finish Top 10 must have redefined their own definition of being tough. When the thought of pulling out of a local 6 lap winter series race crosses anyone's mind because they twisted an ankle in a first turn pileup or their pinky hurts cuz a wittle wock smacked it, think of Stewart doing his spinning top impersonation, slinging his meaty little leg over that sweet blue fender pointing north and finally raising a hand after getting the checkers.
But this a RV Conversation and credit is due. The guy may win the championship and there will be no asterisk.
no doubt JS is out to prove he is the fastest man on a dirt bike, and after daytona no one can question it, he is fast. JS beat JS, as always. I am not much of a JS fan, but got to give credit were credit is due. I can only say i am glad he was able to walk away from that..... I am a big fan of RV, i like his style on an off the track, and to JS he is always in his shadow, even when he wins.. We all should give RV credit for riding his race, his way, and at daytona it paid off in his favor. RV should of been champ last year, and all of you dunge chuggers know it! I think RV is doing a great job and this year is his....
That was a good interview. RV is always straight-forward. He was impressed with JS7's speed. Nothing really gets to this guy. He is very confident about his abilities and tips his hat if he gets beaten by a faster rider. I sure like this kid.
@ colorado kid,, its funny, you "give credit where credit id due," but you dont giv RD credit for his SX championship last year...... Maybe you should take some of your own advice !
RV is doing the right thing so far this season right ? not crashing too much and making sure he makes the best of every race. JS had it but crashed, well, last year, RV may have had it "BUT CRASHED". Please dont discount Dungey for not ending his own season like the others did. Nope, Dungey has not beat these guys yet but he too is trying to make the best of every race. RV is on top and deservidly so. So coloradokid, the same comment you make about Dungey could be made about RV right now right.
Anyway, isnt this season awesome so far!!!
JEMP_70 are you sure?
Just re watched the race and didn't see Millsaps jump the "wall"
Apparently, Stewart is still a slow learner. He has yet to master the MC approach to racing where you put in a few fast laps, gap the field, and then back it down to match the pace of the other top guys. Stewart is like Ezra Lusk was. Incredibly fast, but you knew that 8 times out of 10, he was going to crash. Consistency wins titles, not being blazing fast to win a couple races here and there, and then putting yoruself on the ground every other week. At this point, the title belongs, rightfully so, to RV.
I'm liking this kid more & more. Always liked watching him race a 250f. He has learned to ride smart when the occasion calls for it. This kind of maturity will help him go a long way in this sport!
Villopoto did exactly what he had to do. He didn't let Stewart's greed drag him into an unsustainable pace. Villopoto was seasoned and smart enough to know that (1) When the track has big jumps with hard landings, you set up stiff; (2) When the track has chop, you set up soft; (3) When you have both, you still set up somewhat stiff and deal with the punishment in the chop; (4) When you have to deal with that extra punishment, you have to slow the pace down a little bit so you can maintain the pace all 20 laps; (5) Stewart being a lap down in front of him didn't mean squat.
Stewart must only want people to idolize him for his "flash in the pan" first few fast laps, winning practice laps and other meaningless novice class moves. Villopoto deserves the title, and is the total package.
just watched it again. I didn't notice the first time but it looks like when JS7 hopped over to his bike he initially tried to reach for a red tough block instead of his blue yamaha! Man, his head must have been spinning. I just hope he doesn't Pastrana his way out of competition. He definitely is fun to watch.
Why does everyone always bring up and say RV should've won 2010 if he didn't crash??? Look, I did the math last year and the FACT is, if RV stayed up and went 1 and RD went 2 for the rest of the season, RD would STILL be champion. RV this year is a different animal than last year. He was heavier and started off slower back then. 2010, RD beat RV, no question.
Villopoto is looking more and more like Carmichael reincarnate. Fast little redhead that's not afraid to hang it out when needed but for the most part stays consistant for the championship and lets the other guy be the spectacle.
mxmofo, dunge only won because RV broke his leg, and RV DNF a race earlier in the season and that put him in the running in the first place.......RV made a charge the rest of the season and made watching the races fun, unfortunatlly he broke his leg or it would of gone to vegas......dunge DNF this year and has still be unable to catch RV in points, and stewart is here this year, making what RV is doing CREDITABLE......Think befor you post.... not hatten just let it go!
yea, your all right if RV went 1 the rest of the races and RD went second, i can do the math, but RV was in dunges head and there was a good chance dunge could of not finished 2 in the last couple making it a tie and RV had more wins......face it RV beats dunge no mater what year and no matter who is on the track...
I picked RV to win it back in Nov, I hope he pulls it off. Always like the guy, Rides hard and never crys.
colorado kid....you're a COMPLETE moron......every arguement you are giving right now.......THEN SAYS your praise for RV is NULL.....because ONLY way RV beats JS.......was apparently the ONLY was Dunge could beat RV, by a fall......why did RV DNF earleir last year.....oh yea, cuz he cartwheeled his brains out.......why did RV shatter his leg......OH YEA....carthwheeled his brains out because his LAST cartwheel put him behind in points and now he had to win all of them......sound familiar you idiot!
no too mention, JS's carsh this weekend had NOTHING to do with going crazy or any other thing......his bike wheelied coming out of corner......he slid back to far when trying to seat bounce that little double, and because his front wheel never touched the first jump it seat bounced him over the bars......certainly wasnt HIS CRAZY riding style that bit him there.......AND AFTER he crashed he CONTINUED to jump that wall jump flawless......and ride to an impressive 9th place after stopped for what seemed like a minute.....and probably not even knowing where he was for like 2 minutes......get off the JS hate wagon......
colorado kid- Your just making more if, and, or butts about last year. Which is entirely my point, YOU CAN'T! Dungey won. Thats all there is to it. RV crashed himself out. If you say RD couldn't have gone 2 all the rest of the way, how can you say RV would've gone 1 all the way especially when he PROVED he had a crash in him? Here's something else to think about since you like to speculate: what if RV walked away from his crash? Who'd win then?
hard to dis-like RV2! The guy is fast... It will be interesting second half of the series. Remember RC/Reed battling? All RC had to do was finish 2nd to Reed to win it all! RV needs to pay it safe, and smart. I'm pulling for Reed.
These guys are all animals for tackling that track like they did. Wow. I enjoy watching and analyzing every rider in every race, watching the battles all around the track.
Speed is simply one facet of riding/racing. James has it. No question. He is bad fast and an amazing rider. "Amazing" is overused nowadays, but his riding IS.
Staying on the bike for 20 laps is another. He didn't have it in Daytona.
If there were a trophy for fastest lap, then he should get it. He simply didn't earn the win. "Earn".... key word. Wins are earned, not granted for fastest lap, most amazing jump, nicest smile, coolest gear, etc.
Is that so confusing?
Yea JS rode fast and nobody can touch him when riding like that. But then again, you're talking 20 laps. Its a gamble, especially for JS since we've seen him choke so many times by his zealous love for speed on the track. Yea, JS rode fast but RV rode smart. JS could have easily backed it down and maintained. Along with speed, tact is essential.
Howrdhepone: "James won Daytona , RV just took home the Trophy, and the points."
I want some of what you are smoking Hoss. Seriously?
Trophy & Points for finishing First = Win
Crash & 9th place finish = Not Winning
...if that was the case the entire middle of the pack i.e. Alessi, Millsaps, Short, Windham, Tedesco etc. need to get back paid and Trophies for "Winning" every other race of the season......
@ cocorado kid,, see,, I'm not the only one that thinks you are saying stupid things.. Truth hurts, doesnt it ???
Good Race. Good Win. Bad Night for James. He was fast. 20 laps at Daytona is tuff when the track gets bad. I have been there and I don't think I would want to ride that track in the main event.
I think a few people could have done what JS7 did, ride over ur head till you crash. He seems to have that down.
JS was riding over his head at all.. He never once looked out of control until his crash. It was just a mental mistake.. Had nothing to do with him riding over his head...
Lol RV's championship dreams consist of him riding around with his fingers crossed hoping js7 wrecks. To anyone who says he deserves this championship, you are sadly mistaken
Bitesthadust - right on man. Exactly my thoughts. I love how everyone keeps referring to Bubba as the fastest man on the planet. Fastest means (as Charlie Sheen would say) WINNING! What good does it do you if you run a few fast laps, jump a wall, but then crash out of the race?
Dak446 - that strategy has worked more times than not when it comes to Bubba! Stewart is a fraud!
Love him or hate him, you can not deny that James Stewart has HEART! I can't begin to imagine what it takes to get up from a crash like that and then start passing dudes. I have always been a JS7 fan, but I just gained a ton more respect for him. If that was a boxing match, the refs would have called it a TKO. He could barely stand up and he still got back on that bike and rode hard. Don't give this championship to RV2 just yet....
When stewart raced against ricky for those 4 seasons, ricky did EVERYTHING that stewart was doing, at every race. How is villopoto any different? If he could do it, then why doesn't he? The 'quad', the 'wall', and whatever comes next. Ricky never failed, or refused to do ANYTHING that stewart was doing, even though the other riders, would not/could not do it.
Not an argument against rv riding "smart" (might work out for him in the end) just an argument that villopoto is no match for r/c, since people on here, are frequently bashing stewart, because he did not measure up to r/c status. We can say the same thing about villopoto. How many of ricky's records has villopoto broken? stewart has broken one. Even dungey broke one. But rv is so 'smart', that he may not never break one.
Nobody ever called rv 'the fastest man on the planet', so he has nothing to prove, does he?
Trick that is not 100% true, RC said in his last year that JS is doing things I don't want to do.
Anyone of the top 10 riders can go super fast in the first 5 laps at Daytona,but like Villomoto said he needed to run that pace for 20 laps and NOT self destruct. Smart rider will win the title and the nay sayers have nothing on him...everyones in it this year,Stewart, Dungey, Reed, no injuries, no excuses. Dungey last year had all the big players missing from the races...Villoppoto, Reed and Stewart were out and the championship was easy.And Its obvious because he hasn't won yet. last year was a lucky year for him.
DAKK 446 how does RV not deserve a championship when ALL of the main players are lining up on the gate? If #7 crashes and RV finishes the race with a win how is that not a win? And riding around with his fingers crossed? I seem to remember him putting down some awesome wins when #7 was still on 2 wheels.
I'm sick of all the cry babies on here, you guys can't just sit back and watch some great racing? This is not bench racing fellas, this is lame!!!
But billc, didn't he say that he didn't WANT to do them, that doesn't mean he wasn't doing them also. he just didn't WANT to. R/c elevated his game, in anticipation of stewarts moving up. in 2004, he won his last few outdoors, by over a minute. when asked about it, he said, "hey, i'm getting ready for bubba"
bubba's 'championship losing' injurys were not a result of him doing any of these 'un-do-able sections of the track. show me one that was.
why was bubbles able to get out-side help? can he do what ever he wants? if that was anyone else it would be bad.
RC was playing it safer his last season because he saw a future ahead of moto. When he was racing moto only he was waxing everyone out there, end of story. Stewie wadded it up several times trying to catch RC from behind. RC was the best ever, period. In RC's final outdoor season he completely smoked the field. Including Stewie by over 30 seconds at Southwick. The only time he backed off of anything was his farewell Supercross tour of 4 races. He wasnt going for a title then. Stewie clearing that wall was insane, it was saving him well over a second. Its were he was gapping everyone. And he made a sill mistake wheeling over that section and not setting the front end before the kicker. That is what got him. I look for him to win in Indy. He wont lose 5 races in a row, I dont see it. I just hope its close.
BD200, ponder this......
"However, at the season finale at Glen Helen Raceway, RC suffered a terrible crash while challenging James Stewart for the win and was unable to finish the race. Fortunately though, Carmichael had already clinched the overall championship at the prior round. In the crash, he sustained a shoulder injury and was unable to compete in the Motocross of Nations race in England. Ivan Tedesco replaced him on Team USA and helped lead the American team to victory."
What if r/c's luck would have had him doing this earlier in the season, it would have changed everything, wouldn't it?
sounds like r/c wadded it up too, when he was 'playing it safe' .
but no one remembers stuff like that, around here.
Thinkmx,
are you thinking? RV is not getting any gifts. The whole point of racing SX is to stay on two wheels and finish the race first.
It is like saying that anyone who crashes is giving the other guys a gift. That does not even make sense.
Focus on the guys going down and why. Then you can discuss where they should be finishing because they will.
Honestly, think it though people. Gift?
Isn't "trying to catch RC from behind" and "while challenging xxxxxx for the win" the exact same thing ?
So....That is at least ONE for r/c.
please do some homework yourself, and show me how many times stewart did it , in 2006 outdoors.
://www.motorcycle-usa.com/627/Motorcycle-Photo-Gallery/2006-AMA-Motocross.aspx
please add the http yourself, it wont let me paste it (hyperlink)
Everyone seems to bring up the past. As if this season isnt good enough. I dont understand that. If RV didnt crash, If stewart didnt crash. Its racing crashs happen. If stewie would have backed it down the race was his. But sometimes being smart wins races and this happens to be a prime example. No one hands wins over by crashing. The rider mad a mistake and that was his fault. Championships are won by both being smart and fast.
Having the fastest lap in practice and jumping "the wall" (JS7) are good for bragging rights. Trophies and wins are better, just ask Villo.
Simple as that.
Oh, and did anyone else find it funny that the Medic guys who were helping Stewart out just helped him back on his bike and sent him on his merry way? Yea, he put on a hell of a ride after his crash...
but at the same time, he could have had a concussion, broken bones, internal injuries, who knows what. And without being carted off the track and checked out, just helping him back on the bike, is not only dangerous to him, but dangerous to the other 19 guys out on the track.
RV's luck is going to run out, the crash that does him in is coming. Just like last year. The gifts are over. Something tells me Mr.Reed smells the trophy, he can taste it and he can be very dirty. Not mention a bitter taste lingers in Bubba's mouth also.
Bring it on!!!!!!! As they say in Canada's game- hockey "keep your head up"
Cheers
Poto will be a no show very soon ---the elder statesmen have had enough
2006 outdoors between ricky and bubba- what REALLY happened.
round 1. "we finally have a healthy James Stewart who not only runs with RC, but takes the Overall, ending RC's Overall win streak at 27, or just over two years. By the same token, Hangtown was wet and slippery, and when it rains, it's anybody's race, so we still don't know who is faster."
round 2. " It was on lap fourteen when disaster struck. James cross-rutted going off of a downhill double, which sent his front end diving and caused him to endo into the face of the second jump. His Kawasaki 450 was launched into the air and James did two complete somersaults before auguring back into terrafirma. And there he remained, not moving for quite a while as the Asterisk Medical Team make their way to the scene. This was one of the ugliest crashes that anyone has ever seen. Eventually James was able to stand up and make his way to the Asterisk Mule, but there were long tense moments as he lay motionless on the track"
round 3. bubba's motor locks up, while negotiating a downhill jump
://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYcOhRNs4Yo
r/c crashed in the first moto also, a bobble they said.
round 4. " After careful consideration, it has been decided that Kawasaki Racing Team rider, James Stewart, will not be competing at the fourth round of the AMA Motocross National Championship at Budds Creek MX Park, in Budds Creek, Md., this weekend. Stewart, who put forth an epic performance last weekend by posting a fourth overall finish despite a deep bone bruise in his left knee, began feeling recurring pain and stiffness early this week. Although Stewart remains determined to race, it was decided by the team that Stewart should not race until his leg has had the appropriate amount of time to heal properly according to his physician’s recommendations. “James has shown amazing determination and we appreciate that,” said Kawasaki Racing Team Manager, Mike Fisher. “However, we also know that if he continues to ride on an injured knee, he may likely be riding in pain all season and ultimately needs more time to recuperate.”
round 9. "Stewart had been running strong until Lap 5 when he had trouble and allowed Carmichael to gain a full lap on the Kawasaki rider. RC would eventually lap everyone. After taking almost seven minutes to complete that fifth circuit, Stewart could only muster an 11th and fourth overall. Reed fared even worse with a 27th in the closing race, barely making the top-10 overall, being saved by his first-moto third. "
SEVEN minutes to complete ONE lap!
Fastest Man On the Planet MY ASS !!! LOL !
no info of stewarts crash at steel city but this: "Thanks to a heavy dose of rain on Friday and Saturday, the Steel City course became loaded with treacherously deep ruts. "
Final round. "carmichael crashed violently today in the first moto of the Glen Helen National. He was leading the 450 race when he swapped coming down a steep hill, landing on his shoulder. He was x-rayed and treated at the track, then left immediately for the flight back to Florida, where he will see a specialist. "
he missed the mxon because of that crash, what if he had done it in mid season? Lucky SOB !
stewarts collarbone injury occurred one week before 2003 outdoors, that is why he didn't win that title. Un-Lucky SOB !
So, in 2006 outdoors, the only full season where they raced each other, stewart had 3 crashes.
a cross-rut, a motor, and no info of steel city.
It doesn't sound to me, like he was riding over his head, trying to catch ricky.
Carmichael had 2 crashes. a bobble where he fell over, and a shoulder injury, that took over 3 weeks to heal.
Sounds like stewart spent the season all busted up, too badly to even race some of the rounds. carmichaels injury was just as bad, but was not even a factor in the championship.
Good + Lucky = GOAT. that is how it is done folks.
2006 outdoors between ricky and bubba- what REALLY happened.
round 1. "we finally have a healthy James Stewart who not only runs with RC, but takes the Overall, ending RC's Overall win streak at 27, or just over two years. By the same token, Hangtown was wet and slippery, and when it rains, it's anybody's race, so we still don't know who is faster."
round 2. " It was on lap fourteen when disaster struck. James cross-rutted going off of a downhill double, which sent his front end diving and caused him to endo into the face of the second jump. His Kawasaki 450 was launched into the air and James did two complete somersaults before auguring back into terrafirma. And there he remained, not moving for quite a while as the Asterisk Medical Team make their way to the scene. This was one of the ugliest crashes that anyone has ever seen. Eventually James was able to stand up and make his way to the Asterisk Mule, but there were long tense moments as he lay motionless on the track"
round 3. bubba's motor locks up, while negotiating a downhill jump
://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYcOhRNs4Yo
r/c crashed in the first moto also, a bobble they said.
round 4. " After careful consideration, it has been decided that Kawasaki Racing Team rider, James Stewart, will not be competing at the fourth round of the AMA Motocross National Championship at Budds Creek MX Park, in Budds Creek, Md., this weekend. Stewart, who put forth an epic performance last weekend by posting a fourth overall finish despite a deep bone bruise in his left knee, began feeling recurring pain and stiffness early this week. Although Stewart remains determined to race, it was decided by the team that Stewart should not race until his leg has had the appropriate amount of time to heal properly according to his physician’s recommendations. “James has shown amazing determination and we appreciate that,” said Kawasaki Racing Team Manager, Mike Fisher. “However, we also know that if he continues to ride on an injured knee, he may likely be riding in pain all season and ultimately needs more time to recuperate.”
ricky had a bobble, and fell in the first moto, also.
round 9. "Stewart had been running strong until Lap 5 when he had trouble and allowed Carmichael to gain a full lap on the Kawasaki rider. RC would eventually lap everyone. After taking almost seven minutes to complete that fifth circuit, Stewart could only muster an 11th and fourth overall. Reed fared even worse with a 27th in the closing race, barely making the top-10 overall, being saved by his first-moto third. "
SEVEN minutes to complete ONE lap! fastest man on the planet MY ASS !!! LOL !
no info of stewarts crash at steel city but this: "Thanks to a heavy dose of rain on Friday and Saturday, the Steel City course became loaded with treacherously deep ruts. "
Final round. "carmichael crashed violently today in the first moto of the Glen Helen National. He was leading the 450 race when he swapped coming down a steep hill, landing on his shoulder. He was x-rayed and treated at the track, then left immediately for the flight back to Florida, where he will see a specialist. "
he missed the mxon because of that crash, what if he had done it in mid season? Lucky SOB !
stewarts collarbone injury occurred one week before 2003 outdoors, that is why he didn't win that title. Un-Lucky SOB !
So, in 2006 outdoors, the only full season where they raced each other, stewart had 3 crashes.
a cross-rut, a motor, and no info of steel city.
It doesn't sound to me, like he was riding over his head, trying to catch ricky.
Carmichael had 2 crashes. a bobble where he fell over, and a shoulder injury, that took over 3 weeks to heal.
Sounds like stewart spent the season all busted up, too badly to even race some of the rounds. carmichaels injury was just as bad, but was not even a factor in the championship.
Good + Lucky = GOAT. that is how it is done folks.
jesus christ, you guys should pay me by the hour.
but.. it is fun to look it up and refresh my own memory, at the same time.
The sad thing is, only a handful of them will read it on here, and tomorrow we will have to start all over again.
YOU ARE WELCOME.
BD200, "In RC's final outdoor season he completely smoked the field. Including Stewie by over 30 seconds at Southwick. The only time he backed off of anything was his farewell Supercross tour of 4 races. He wasnt going for a title then."
So, in 2007, he backed off in supercross (where stewart beat him at daytona), because he wasn't going for a title, but in outdoors, he completely smoked the field ?
he wasn't going for a title in outdoors either, why didn't he back off then ?
i dont understand your post.
sorry for that double post, it was long enough already. it sucks that i have to do all this work. why don't people educate themselves before posting.
learn how to use the fucxing internet.
Trick... your a tool.
Well, you folks sure have it in for me! ya know, I'm just gonna keep it up and keep it close and grab the championship because I've got game and stewart knows it and loves me to push him to the limit!
one missing stat. sorry, i missed unadilla!
"Stewart elected to sit this one out after earning himself a mild concussion in practice."
so, that one wasn't from 'trying to catch ricky' either.
If only you guys had as much respect for him as ricky does.
2005 r/c vs 259...
"The other buzz was, of course, the battle between Suzuki's Ricky Carmichael and Kawasaki's James Stewart. Nobody had forgotten about what had happened two weeks previously at High Point, where Bubba was the first rider in a long time to actually challenge RC on an outdoor track. The hope was that this would be repeated in the deep sands of Southwick and many a bench-racing session could be heard debating whether the 2-stroke of Stewart was at a disadvantage to the 4-stroke of Carmichael.
With Stewart's extremely ugly crash at High Point two weeks ago, nobody was really expecting him to be running at full race pace. But, even with a right knee that was painful enough to require Stewart to be helped on and off the bike and in and out of the factory semi, James brought his "A" game to Southwick.
Motocross has always been a sport that is all about guts and determination, and James Stewart proved that he has plenty of both. Stewart holeshot Moto 1 and held off a charging Ricky Carmichael for nine laps. While Carmichael was able to keep Stewart within striking distance right up until he made the pass for the lead, he was also having to ride at that same insane pace that both riders have been riding at all season long.
The Motocross Class has really become the Ricky Carmichael/James Stewart Class as both riders are running average lap times that are much faster than the rest of the field, and both are hanging it out over the edge. These are the two fastest riders, EVER, battling it out head-to-head, lap-after-lap."
you guys really should spend more time reading the stuff thats out there, and less time on here, calling each other names (thanks NotaTrickFan, i love you too).
these boards are suppoosed to be for bench racing, not emotional rants.
i'm going to take my riddlin now. goodnight.
or i should say
SEE YOU ALL IN HELL ! ! ! ! ! !
tool (tl)
n.
1. A device, such as a saw, used to perform or facilitate manual or mechanical work.
2.
a. A machine, such as a lathe, used to cut and shape machine parts or other objects.
b. The cutting part of such a machine.
3. Something regarded as necessary to the carrying out of one's occupation or profession: Words are the tools of our trade.
4. Something used in the performance of an operation; an instrument: "Modern democracies have the fiscal and monetary tools . . . to end chronic slumps and galloping inflations" (Paul A. Samuelson)..
5. A person used to carry out the designs of another; a dupe.
6.
a. A bookbinder's hand stamp.
b. A design impressed on a book cover by such a stamp.
7. Computer Science An application program, often one that creates, manipulates, modifies, or analyzes other programs.
v. tooled, tool·ing, tools
v.tr.
1. To form, work, or decorate with a tool.
2. To ornament (a book cover) with a bookbinder's tool.
3. Slang To drive (a vehicle): tooled the car at 80 miles an hour.
v.intr.
1. To work with a tool.
2. Slang To drive or ride in a vehicle: tooled up and down the roads.
Phrasal Verb:
tool up
To provide an industry or a factory with machinery and tools suitable for a particular job.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Middle English, from Old English tl, possibly from Old Norse.]
Synonyms: tool, instrument, implement, utensil, appliance
These nouns refer to devices used in the performance of work. Tool applies broadly to a device that facilitates work; specifically it denotes a small manually operated device: a box full of tools for bike repair.
Instrument refers especially to a relatively small precision tool used by trained professionals: sterilized the scalpel and the other instruments.
Implement is the preferred term for tools used in agriculture and certain building trades: rakes, hoes, and other implements.
Utensil often refers to an implement used in a household, especially in the kitchen: cooking utensils hung by the stove.
Appliance most frequently denotes a power-driven device that performs a specific function: a store selling toasters and other appliances.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
tool [tuːl]
n
1. (Engineering / Tools)
a. an implement, such as a hammer, saw, or spade, that is used by hand
b. a power-driven instrument; machine tool
c. (in combination) a toolkit
2. (Engineering / Tools) the cutting part of such an instrument
3. (Engineering / Tools)
a. any of the instruments used by a bookbinder to impress a design on a book cover
b. a design so impressed
4. (Engineering / Tools) anything used as a means of performing an operation or achieving an end he used his boss's absence as a tool for gaining influence
5. a person used to perform dishonourable or unpleasant tasks for another
6. a necessary medium for or adjunct to one's profession numbers are the tools of the mathematician's trade
7. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Anatomy) Slang another word for *****
8. (Military / Firearms, Gunnery, Ordnance & Artillery) Brit an underworld slang word for gun
vb
1. (Engineering / Tools) to work, cut, shape, or form (something) with a tool or tools
2. (Communication Arts / Printing, Lithography & Bookbinding) (tr) to decorate (a book cover) with a bookbinder's tool
3. (tr; often foll by up) to furnish with tools
4. (when intr, often foll by along) to drive (a vehicle) or (of a vehicle) to be driven, esp in a leisurely or casual style
[Old English tōl; related to Old Norse tōl weapon, Old English tawian to prepare; see taw2]
tooler n
tool-less adj
sorry bd200 i didnt maen that towards you.
Hey anyone see how alessi knocked out the flagger? This track is made to claim ppl.
@jairtime "you have to slow the pace down a little bit so you can maintain the pace all 20 laps; (5) Stewart being a lap down in front of him didn't mean squat."
I would think that stewart riding as fast as the 19th place guy, on that rough, poorly-lit track, would have been a huge feat in itself, considering that hit he took.
Trick, I know there are points to be made within your cut-and-pastes, but no one is reading them. Stop taking up bandwidth with those. After all of these, I'm still not sure what you are trying to prove, because I'm not going to read them. If your point is that James had something for RC outdoors, you'd be mistaken. If you don't think RC ever pushed James into a crash, your mistaken. If you think RC didn't chew Stewart up and spit him out, your mistaken. Here's a thought, did James ever force RC to crash (besides landing on him of course)? I see one point you made concerning RC backing off, I guess in defense of James? Anyway, was RC crashing his brains out? RC won those first 5 or 6 races in his final year and wasn't crashing, so why back off? RC did back off in SX at times, when he knew he couldn't run the pace. What does one have to do with the other when Stewart is crashing his brains out while enjoying a big lead?
Hey, I've heard this one as an excuse for Stewart "It wasn't even a hard obstacle, just bad luck". So, it makes the crash more palatable because it wasn't on a hard obstacle? To me, that makes it all the more worse. That seems like a lack of focus or concentration. I swear, being serious here, watching the replay of it over and over it looks almost like Stewart has episodes of blank thought that last for a split second. The way he came out of that corner looked like he just wasn't even there for a moment. Wonder if that is something to look into, as he wouldn't know if he blanked out for a split moment. But he looked like he had whiskey throttle as he wheelied over the lip of the jump. With all the concussions he has in the bank, stuff like this are a real possibility.
Trick, I guess I am saying this. RC was not a great supercross rider, but still worked his tail off and won 5 titles in the big bike class. He was struggling early in supercross and still won the big bike outdoor title at the Nationals. So during his farewell seasons, he showed that he is way more comfortable outdoors than is supercross. He has said this himself. And as much as we appreciate your hours of work, the stuff you put out on 2006, most everyone here knows that. But RC(GOAT) NEVER lucked into any title as your try to say. He won them straight up. Stewie crashing is Stewies fault. He was going over his head trying to beat the GREATEST OF ALL TIME. And we would respect him if he wasnt so egotistical and he even said RC shouldnt be called the GOAT. Respect is something you have to earn. RC was even booed before, but earned respect by working his tail off, NEVER making excuses, and showing respect first. Not sprinkler dancing at the finish line, and driving Ferrari's on the track.
I dont have to "do my homework" to know what happened, I watched every single race then. RC broke his collarbone at Glen Helen, and it wasnt really a bad crash. He was leading and fell over. He already won the title, it kept him from the Des Nations that year ..
Great flashback Trick, thanks!!!! One more Golden Era right there!!!
Difference between then and now... looks like it's called stupid to push the limits every time you race, James crashed a lot and even Ricky (re)started crashing to go with him, I just don't understand some of the critics...
All you guys saw Barcia for example, broken wrist and all pushing and pushing sometimes almost out of control to chase that top spot, it's racing!!!!!
Sorry, I've always liked Villopotto but that I'll go with my pace and wait for a mistake speech it's just not it!!!!
It doesn't really matter how fast James was running. The pace he was running was dangerous. You can only go so fast before you override the track. That's why Ryan didn't run that pace. Do you really think he couldn't run that pace? Those top guys can all run that pace it just comes down to what pace they think is necessary to win the race. Now if you want to say James Stewart is the fastest man on the planet you might want to consider the fact that Villopoto was running faster lap times outdoors on a 250 than Stewart was on a 450. The top three or four can run whatever pace they want. when they pick a pace that is a little too fast we see wrecks. If you pick a pace that is ridiculously fast and you make mistakes and go down, you aren't the fastest. That's why riders don't get points based on how fast they go. All that matters is who crosses the finish first.
No, I don't think Villopoto or the rest of the field could run James pace at Daytona. I also think his 10 points lead wasn't enough for that kind of speech.
I've never used the Fastest Man... nickname before...
I'm just noticing some details in RV speech that just don't sound all that great. I prefer to see hard fast racing pushing the limits!!! That's my opinion at least. ;)
There's no judges, they don't get points for being flashy and jumping crazy lines and there's definitely no points for having a hot lap time once or twice a night. The only thing that matters is crossing the line first like a few people have said. If RV is riding smooth like this past weekend then it's pretty clear he's got more in the tank. RV looks like a way different rider than this past weekend when he actually hangs it out. He just has a brain and didn't overdo himself on that track.
bravo retardcross. glad someone else gets the point.
Don't get me wrong guys... I'm just saying I miss the push to the limit to win style of racing opposite to the brain racing!!!!
Peace!!! ;)
RV is just a smart racer and has created the fastest pace to beat without riding over his head. Dungey did it last year but doesn't have that pace now. If RV stays healthy he will win the championship this year. "Insanity" is doing the same thing over and over again without changing or fixing the issue. This is what is happening with most of the racers, adaptability is key now. Crashing consistently and not adapting is all part of racing. Being the fastest is just being the fastest but this is racing.
BKR and BD200, i really dont care if you read my posts, or agree with me. I am not doing for you. It is for the newer fans, who are being constantly bombarded with inaccurate, idiotic statements, that seem to be the foundation for their knowledge of this sport. The truth is, i am out of work right now, and have a lot of free time on my hands. On the one hand, i know that i look like a cyber-nerd who doesn't have a real life, with all my stupid articles, but as i said, i do enjoy looking it up, and figuring it all out. it keeps my brain moving, for when i get a new job, ya know.
sorry if my persistence and tenacity is annoying to you, that is not what im tryng to do at all. In my opinion, it is the fault of racer-x, for not publishing relevant information, intertwined within the current article, to help educate all of these newer fans, and keep them abreast of what actually happened in history.
Again, i know i am a cyber-nerd for being on here in the first place. for anyone who doesnt want to read my researched comments, then please dont read them. But i hope that some of you will find it useful, even entertaining, since i have done all of the work for you. i am enjoying the refresher course myself !
no hard feelings to anyone. MOTO RULES !
... and he even said RC shouldnt be called the GOAT.
i have heard that mentioned on here before, and would like to read about it, do you have any more info? I do not recall stewart ever trash talking ricky, in fact i always considered them to be pretty good friends.
Not sprinkler dancing at the finish line, and driving Ferrari's on the track....
i have never defended or supported him for his 'off track' actions, and have been adamant that he will never be in the mensa club imo. all i have done is copy articles written by the people who were there at the time. i have expressed no favoritism or bias whatsoever. i dont give a crap if stewart wins this title, or crashes out next weekend, except that i want him to remain healthy so i can watch him ride, and continue this fantastic season.
I dont have to "do my homework" to know what happened, I watched every single race then. RC broke his collarbone at Glen Helen, and it wasnt really a bad crash. He was leading and fell over. He already won the title, it kept him from the Des Nations that year ..
"carmichael crashed violently today in the first moto of the Glen Helen National. He was leading the 450 race when he swapped coming down a steep hill, landing on his shoulder. He was x-rayed and treated at the track, then left immediately for the flight back to Florida, where he will see a specialist. "
i dont wanna argue with you guys, i just wanna talk moto ok?
Um... trick, are you single? : )
congrate to AS29 great ride. and for all you that still think stewart is still the greatest ever. ya stewarts fast but thats all he has. it takes more than speed to be a great. he just about landed on roczen in the heat because he crossed over infront of him. he's an idiot. he's gonna go down its just a matter of who he's taking with him.
find an mt room ill find u : )
Yes trick Stewie said that around 2 years ago in an interview right here with Racer X. That is the absolute truth.. Its his ego with things like that that really turned me off of him the last few years. That and his fantards who go crazy every time someone doesnt cheer for just him. (Not directing that towards you at all), and what about the hotel room??:)
if it was an interview with racer-x, maybe its in their 'archive section' somewhere. they must have a 'race results' article for every single race.
i had to start taking medication, after my last bout with the "racer-x archive section", so im not going in there anymore.