by Adam Wheeler
Racer X Race Report: Valkenswaard GP
Tuesday, April 26, 2011 | 9:50 AM
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Print“I get out of bed and I go riding on these tracks.” A simpler explanation couldn’t be offered as to how Red Bull Teka KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings decimated the MX2 class at the Grand Prix of the Netherlands – round two of fifteen - for the second year in succession.
The Dutch teenager brought back memories of Ryan Villopoto at the 2007 Budds Creek MX of Nations in the manner with which he departed from his peers around the endless ripples of the Valkenswaard sand, scorched by freak spring sunshine (three years previously there had been snow at the venue). Even Herlings’ nemesis in factory orange, Ken Roczen was powerless to resist the stomp in front of the biggest crowd the circuit has seen in recent memory.
For the second consecutive year Herlings dominated the field at Valkenswaard.
Photo: Ray Archer
The KTMs were in a different league and although CLS Kawasaki Monster Energy Pro Circuit’s Tommy Searle filled the final podium spot for the second event in a row (the same MX2 top-three as at the season-opener in Bulgaria two weeks ago) there were a couple of sub-plots going on behind as Herlings wildly dashed away to lap riders up to ninth and eleventh in both heats.
Monster Energy Yamaha’s Gautier Paulin managed fifth overall in spite of pain around his kidneys that had the Frenchman in tears during warm-up. Stylish Swiss rider Arnaud Tonus was the only rider – aside from Searle – in the leading sect that was constantly making forward progress and was denied a second career podium when he tipped over on the penultimate lap of the last moto. Max Anstie hit the deck a couple of times on his eighteenth birthday in what was a pretty violent introduction to Dutch sand at world championship level, and the USA’s Zach Osborne exercised caution for most of the day and was a little subdued with eight overall even though he sported a crater of a blister on his right hand.
KTM cleaned the floor in MX2 and then ‘polished the surface’ with another 1-2 in MX1. Fittingly, World Champion Tony Cairoli collected his third win at Valkenswaard on the day when he announced he would be a KTM works rider for another two years. The Sicilian – sporting a bizarre new haircut – also ignited his season in determined form after the lukewarm opening at Bulgaria and with strained knee ligaments after an incident at Sevlievo.
Roczen helped KTM to a 1-2 finish in the MX2 class, but never came close to matching Herlings.
Photo: Ray Archer
Cairoli shared moto spoils with Max Nagl. The German is looking increasingly at home on the 350SX-F even though he couldn’t sit down for long in the post-race press conference due to a sore back. Monster Energy Yamaha duo David Philippaerts and Steven Frossard where next in the classification and both were a big part of two gripping races as the MX1 ticket again provided the main entertainment bill on the day. Frossard’s fourth position was noteworthy in itself as a strained ligament on his collarbone meant that the Frenchman was almost on the verge of pulling out of the GP during warm-up, but two excellent starts again pushed him to the front. Only a late crash in the second race dumped him off the podium in favour of his Italian team-mate. The 23-year-old did however snare the red plate as series leader in his rookie campaign; the first time for France in the premier class since Mickael Pichon six years earlier.
Full props to Honda’s Rui Goncalves, a former winner at Valkenswaard, for a strong top five finish on the factory CRF while other riders such as Clement Desalle (wary of his 2010 crash in the sand), Steve Ramon (physical problems), Jonathan Barragan (lacked rhythm and confidence) and Ben Townley (completely exhausted after the first moto at his first GP appearance since 2005, and at the site of his first career podium as a meek 17 year old in 2002) faced their own travails.
MX1 podium. Nagl (2nd), Cairoli (1st), Philippaerts (3rd).
Photo: Ray Archer
Glen Helen awaits the world championship flock in three weeks for the second U.S. Grand Prix with rumours that Ryan Villopoto will square up to the GP field.
MX1 Moto1
1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 40:49.442; 2. Steven Frossard (FRA, Yamaha), +0:06.303; 3. Maximilian Nagl (GER, KTM), +0:10.631; 4. David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha), +0:34.320; 5. Clement Desalle (BEL, Suzuki), +0:43.305; 6. Rui Goncalves (POR, Honda), +0:43.485; 7. Ken de Dycker (BEL, Honda), +0:57.195; 8. Steve Ramon (BEL, Suzuki), +0:59.698; 9. Tanel Leok (EST, TM), +1:02.322; 10. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Honda), +1:23.387
MX1 Moto2
1. Maximilian Nagl (GER, KTM), 39:21.653; 2. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), +0:14.447; 3. David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha), +0:22.047; 4. Rui Goncalves (POR, Honda), +0:27.150; 5. Steven Frossard (FRA, Yamaha), +0:44.569; 6. Clement Desalle (BEL, Suzuki), +0:53.640; 7. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Honda), +1:09.411; 8. Ken de Dycker (BEL, Honda), +1:15.250; 9. Tanel Leok (EST, TM), +1:21.478; 10. Jonathan Barragan (ESP, Kawasaki), +1:25.000;
MX1 Overall Classification
1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 47 points; 2. Maximilian Nagl (GER, KTM), 45 p.; 3. David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha), 38 p.; 4. Steven Frossard (FRA, Yamaha), 38 p.; 5. Rui Goncalves (POR, Honda), 33 p.; 6. Clement Desalle (BEL, Suzuki), 31 p.; 7. Ken de Dycker (BEL, Honda), 27 p.; 8. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Honda), 25 p.; 9. Tanel Leok (EST, TM), 24 p.; 10. Steve Ramon (BEL, Suzuki), 22 p.;
MX1 World Championship Standings After 2 of 15 Rounds
1. Steven Frossard (FRA, Yamaha), 85 points; 2. Maximilian Nagl (GER, KTM), 80 p.; 3. Clement Desalle (BEL, Suzuki), 78 p.; 4. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 72 p.; 5. David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha), 63 p.; 6. Rui Goncalves (POR, Honda), 62 p.; 7. Jonathan Barragan (ESP, Kawasaki), 53 p.; 8. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Honda), 52 p.; 9. Davide Guarneri (ITA, Kawasaki), 45 p.; 10. Steve Ramon (BEL, Suzuki), 42 p.;
MX2 Moto1
1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 39:55.351; 2. Ken Roczen (GER, KTM), +0:37.452; 3. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), +0:45.031; 4. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, Yamaha), +0:47.152; 5. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Yamaha), +1:01.981; 6. Zachary Osborne (USA, Yamaha), +1:19.739; 7. Harri Kullas (FIN, Yamaha), +1:22.253; 8. Joel Roelants (BEL, KTM), +1:24.197; 9. Nicolas Aubin (FRA, KTM), +1:29.839; 10. Max Anstie (GBR, Kawasaki), -1 lap(s);
MX2 Moto2
1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 41:04.993; 2. Ken Roczen (GER, KTM), +0:11.010; 3. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), +0:31.875; 4. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, Yamaha), +0:42.303; 5. Joel Roelants (BEL, KTM), +0:58.448; 6. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Yamaha), +1:09.328; 7. Harri Kullas (FIN, Yamaha), +1:18.048; 8. Zachary Osborne (USA, Yamaha), +1:46.443; 9. Max Anstie (GBR, Kawasaki), +1:50.253; 10. Christophe Charlier (FRA, Yamaha), +2:00.631;
MX2 Overall Result
1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 50 points; 2. Ken Roczen (GER, KTM), 44 p.; 3. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), 40 p.; 4. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, Yamaha), 36 p.; 5. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Yamaha), 31 p.; 6. Joel Roelants (BEL, KTM), 29 p.; 7. Harri Kullas (FIN, Yamaha), 28 p.; 8. Zachary Osborne (USA, Yamaha), 28 p.; 9. Max Anstie (GBR, Kawasaki), 23 p.; 10. Nikolaj Larsen (DEN, KTM), 19 p.;
MX2 World Championship Standings After 2 of 15 Rounds
1. Ken Roczen (GER, KTM), 94 points; 2. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 86 p.; 3. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), 84 p.; 4. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, Yamaha), 67 p.; 5. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Yamaha), 65 p.; 6. Zachary Osborne (USA, Yamaha), 60 p.; 7. Max Anstie (GBR, Kawasaki), 51 p.; 8. Joel Roelants (BEL, KTM), 48 p.; 9. Harri Kullas (FIN, Yamaha), 46 p.; 10. Nicolas Aubin (FRA, KTM), 36 p.;
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why does the results only reflect the top 10? come on! is that much harder to show the whole field?
Man I hope RV goes to Glen Helen!! Stomp a mud whole in them RV!! But please be safe you need to clean house at the Nats too!!
Man Herlings must have been flying!! race time was almost the same as MX1 and in the sand on a 250 thats fast!!
That is one great shot of Herlings cornering in the sand. I used to practice standing in the corners in the sand never got to good at it.
Yes it would be good to show the total results I agreee shredcity.
Oh Yeah I hope a lot of our guys make the usgp the last one I was at was the mudder in Unidilla. It was still a great race.
Looks like KTM is cleaning house. a 350 sx winning the MX1 class!!! Someone tell Mike Alessi the bike can do it if you want to win. Good luck thinking RV is the man to win the outdoors. I think he will fall apart even if he has a shot at the championship but who knows for sure.
It's kind of hard to compare Herlings' ride with Villopoto's MXoN ride. Herlings' ride doesn't qualify.
Villopoto won by over a minute. Herlings won by 40 seconds.
Villopoto was racing a 250 against other 250s, as well as the big bikes...including Ricky Carmichael. Herlings was only against 250s.
When Herlings beats Roczen by over a minute, that's not even matching Villopoto.
I'd love to see Villopoto at the USGP; He'd do well there, at the worst he'd finish on the box. Any word if the KTM guys (Alessi and Short) will be there too???
BillC... Herlings is from a small place.. Not too far from the Valkenswaard circuit... (was at the race and have lived down there during my teen age years) And I hate to write this.. jairtime has a point.. One can not compare the achievement of Herlings to RV2... Herlings has access to the circuit through out the year.. Only similarity is they have is, they are both rednecks & hillbilly like.. Low education... Even though Herlings will most probably finish a higher education than RV ever had.. (As home schooling is something not done over here..)
But I was happy to se Cairoli do well.. Justifying the 350 program of KTM.. And KTM signed Cairoli till 2013...
Alessi and Short better pray they do well on a 450 this coming outdoor season... To justify the 450's credentials of KTM.
You can say what you want but when herlings on a 250f rides faster lap times then the 450's on such a sandy track,that's a big achievement
Cairolli's new hair cut makes him look like Robo Cop with his helmet off. What a goone. Cairolli just signed that deal with KTM cause he is scared to come to America and race the best in the world. Sucks, cause he could add some good talent to the field, but unfortunatley he knows that he cant win here, so he signed to stay in Europe where its safe.
RV2 at the USGP? Sounds good to me, hope those guys battling for the title will appreciate RV2 putting on a free clinic, too bad they will be so far behind, the lappers will be the only one's to see RV as he comes past them, a minute ahead of second at least
AAAMEEERICA! AAAMEEERICA!
didier basically you're saying herlings and rv are dumb?? come on dude
I think they're smarter than you think
It's obvious that the GP riders are faster than the AMA riders. Even Desalle almost won a national with a stock bike. AMA riders think they are going fast because they race on flat tracks. We as GP riders, ride on REALL mx tracks!
Let the "when is Herlings coming to America" rumors begin...
@daniel, sure body, ok. Just keep telling yourself that. We sent out "B team" the last two years to kick the trash out of the GP riders in the MXON. We win every race that the GP guys are mixed with the AMA guys. So please, if they actually beat us one day, then you can try to make that statement. Thats why the best Euro's come to america to try to win the hardest title to win
i like what Daniel says, haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa, so you had a dream that the GP guys were better than the AMA guys,..... yeah?........ then you woke up covered in your own poop and pee!!
you sir are not to bright and obviously have not been watching both circuits for the last 15 years
daniel.......... PLEASE tell me you were joking.
@Didierlotsyeng I know its his "home" track but either way he was flying!! No where near as good as RV's 07 MXD ride that I saw live!! That was SICK!!!
Has anyone here even BEEN to Glen Helen?
If the euros are so slow, why is everybody and their brother trying to sign every G.P. racer making overtures to riding the AMA circuit????
Let's not be so naive to believe the U.S. riders stand head & shoulders above the euros.
There's probably not a bigger flag waiving redneck, hillbilly, whatever than me but, I do realize there's talent to be found at all four corners of this planet....and you can count on KTM / Red Bull to bring them over on their trade student program to kick a little AMA azz, if Mitch doesn't sign them up first!
Also, it's MUCH easier for a G.P. rider to transition over here than an AMA racer to settle in over there.
I will give Desalle props for his Unadilla ride (on a FACTORY Suzuki, not a stock bike) handing the "FMOTP" a paddling and running Dungey ragged was quite a performance.
I was there too Bill C.What a trip getting there,the facilities were top notch,Tara Giger,taking a taxi then getting a ride from moto bros I didn't even know,to get to the track and RV just checking out.BTW made the trip from Cali by myself.
@mxsp17, i have riden Glenn Helen a few times and watch some AMA Nationals there as well. Do you have a question?
The U.S.G.P. will be a good litmus test for the AMA riders that show up. Monster energy is going to have to get some sponsored riders (RV, Weimer, PC, etc) there to keep the Red Bull boys from sweeping the podiums in both classes. Red Bull riders cleaning up in the Monster sponsored G.P.'s has got to be a kick in the nuts to them. Some Monster company hack is probably having nightmares about this scenario.
i have never read so much rubbish in my life lets look at facts americans winning the world motocross championship
i think you will only ever see two americans winning the reason for that is its all down to money
Europeans winning ama and non europeans well chad reed for one but the one that makes it look easy was the french man Bayle who done something not even any American has done and is win every class and the supercross in the same year And lets hope that all the americans turn out for the USGP
@si, you should really learn to use periods at the end of each sentence. I can barley understand what you are saying.
If you lucky, RV2 will show up. I wouldnt bet on a lot of AMA riders doing the GP cause the AMA supercross title is such a close points battle that none of those guys can risk an injury during a race that doesnt really matter to them. I hope some do show up, but i doubt they will
ps. Bayle was a bad ass & Chad Reed still is a bad ass
God i forgot last year was it not 2 europeans and a south african that finished in the top four of the lites class in the nationals
Was it not Ronzen who has came over in the winter and finished in the top 10 of every round he has rode in lites and the 450 class of supercross
and i forgot Herling is still 16 turns 17 in september
Check the age of RV he was not 16 when he won the Des Nations he was 18 lads got 2 years to go bet he gets just as quick
@Daniel, give it a rest, will ya!! You really do know better. Thats why Pourcel, Rattrey and Searle has never won anything here. And we sent 3 guys to the Des Natiuons the last 2 years who wouldnt have been on the team had eberyone been healthy, and still won. Get over yourself.
And I very seriously doubt many guys that are top AMA riders race the GP at Glen Helen. They have a title to race for, and alot of money at steak, to risk getting injured at a race that means absolutely nothing. I would love to see Stewie RV2 and Dungey all run that race and keep all the GP guys off the podium, but not likely that they will show up.
@si, nice list on runners up ya got there. Let me ask you a question, did they win anything? NO, i think Tyla Rattray got one race win and that is it. They didnt even challenge for the title. Pourcel has proved that when under pressure he will fold like a wet towel. So what is your point. The Euros come here and take a runner up spot every few years. WoW! the lesson i give to you here is, Nobody remembers second place a few years later..........
The only reason why top GP riders go to America, because you guys have SX. And obviously you can make more money over there.
GP RIDERS RULESS WFO!
AMA IS WIDE OPEN AT A FLAT TRACK!
flat track? the AMA national series has more jumps and bigger jumps than the GP series. how the hell do you come up with that. The GP tracks have about 1/3 of the jumps that the AMA tracks have. The GP tracks are mostly built on hill sides, if thats what you mean? but the fact is the GP tracks are over glorified trail rides with tiny jumps. They just go around the track, up and down the hills and through the turns. The AMA tracks are all out just like that, except they add in massive rythm & jump sections.
please daniel, DONT... DO.... DRUGS!!
Them guys come over have never rode you tracks get one practice then race
Oh forgot and they finish 2nd 3rd 4th but lets not forget all the other American riders behind them but you still forget to mention all the Americans that finished behind Bayle in every Class
He never done that in Europe Rode a 250 then jumped on his 500 and won that race as well must be easy because he could ride four races in a day
2nd, 3rd, & 4th. In reality, that is the 1rst loser followed by the 2nd loser and the 3rd loser. And you talking about the 250cc class. That is our childrens class. Chad Reed is the only rider in the last 20 years to take the AMA premiere class on and win.
ps, Reed is not a Euro
1bad dude your mad so winning the 250 500 and the supercross nationals in the same year is nothing
Well Dont tell Jeff Ward Ricky jonnson and all the other guys that you twat and did Greg Albertyn not win also think you will also see Grant Lanston won in 2007 you twat
bad dude you also want to ask Chad Reed why he started in Europe first not America because like all the other riders around the world they still see the GP s as the best run championship in the World
And all want that crown first then the AMA for the money that is all it is
The money is in America and i know that and so does every GP rider
@daniel.. I do not think so... Check out the how many times the US have won the MXDON...
@js.. They are smart when it comes to riding... Education wise, their level is pretty low..
@si... Well... Money is an important factor no?? Besides Karsmakers, Bayle & Reed.. (maybe throw in a Albertyn & Langston) Winning in the premier class in SX & MX.. That's it... The doors for the foreign riders has always been open.. Yet many champs in the MX GP scene chose not to come over.. Knowing that the level is inferior to what is in the US.
@scmm52.. As for Cairoli, signing a new contract to stay with KTM.. The guy is going on 26... He's earning good, real good, even compared to what the top riders earn in the US.. Why bother coming over to the US? He might try some nationals.. Pending how his season will turn out... Then maybe we can see what the level is between the euro/world level vs the US.. Outdoors then.
So far... Look at last year's MXDON.. US won with relative ease.. That shud say enough.
si.. Rubbish.. Reed came over to the GP scene at jan de groot kawi team as that was the best available offer... And lest not forget, he won the aussie sx championship in 2000 on a kawi as well..
Most riders participating in the MX GP scene.. Haven't got much of a choice, as that is the only available premier class on a higher level than where they are from.
Reed always wanted to go to the US to be the best in SX.
As for the money.. Cairoli's earnings will be the envy of many top riders in the US.. Difference is.. Combine the top riders in the US vs the MX-GP... Let's say, it will pay off being a US rider.
daniel.... Flat track?? Thats why at the MXD all the USA guys jump everything and You guys don't... hell one year they even cut down a jump because YOU guys were crying.... Yup your right LMFAO!!!
@Mxsp17 LOL took 5 hrs to get out of there!! even getting in early was a long time the place was packed!!! By yourself from CA COOL!! I drove down myself, Bro's son got real sick and could not go but met a bud there. Great time it was. I was there all day Saturday and Sunday.
Dumb americans, i don't mean the jumps. But the bumps etc, @billC explain about that jump? Don't come up with lies. You think GP riders are scared for some jumps? Americans are so pathetic. Just deal with it. GP riders are reall motocrossers. Wide open in Glen Helen. See you there!
This about the normal on these US mx web sites now, There is no mention of any of the regular US national riders in the report from the world Gp.
Can't you just read something without having to start comparing the US riders who were not there.
If you think the GP riders are that bad why read the report ?
Do the words arrogance & ignorance register in your chidlish mentalities.
Do you honestley believe that anyone other than yourselfs has any interest in your pathetic coments.
Toni Cairoli is probably staying in Europe to avoid the minority of you big mouthed Americans, & to be able to keep living in countries where we do still have a degree of culture.
@bad dude:
you are wrong about the GP tracks
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4R3pX--IbE
this track is a giant rythm section....the only difference that i see betwen the GP and AMA tracks is that the GP's are more about throttle control, if you see in the video except on the mechanic straight, the guys can't push full throttle for more than 25m...
I don't know what the tracks are like in Europe, but i am aware of what they are like here. The world olympics of motocross, MXDON, is the event that the best of the best are matched up against each other each year. Yes, some years there are injured riders who might be better than who gets sent, but if you look at the champions from the past it will give a very good idea who are the best riders in the world. Almost all of these events take place on tracks that the GP have been riding for years. Go ahead look at the past twenty years or so, then you will see who is best.
@DIDIER, very nice post, right on the spot, and classy! I just started with a funny comment and some internet warriors had to go off the deep end, i myself love a good laugh and cant help but play around with those type that get all worked up over a internet post. really? i am not loosing any sleep over it. Just having some fun.
@ANGRY EUROS - just sit back a relax, i bet your all just sitting there with fingers hovering above the key board waiting for a reply to jump on. The truth is in the record books, and America just dominates at moto. Motocross may have its roots in Europe, but today America sets the pace and the rest of the World tries to keep up. The thing about the cheep shots some of you are taking about the "american arrogance" is just pathetic in itself. Look in the mirror when you say that cause you are acting arrogant in categorizing an entire nation with your own opinion. Dont mistake confidence for arrogance, thats why we kick you butt every year and no Euros win the AMA MX title.
@Big Tree.. Easy my friend.. Racer X is a US managed website and i reckon, mainly geared to the US readers/fans of the sport.. which is SX & MX.
And there is a freedom of speech and opinion... So everybody is entitled to his or her opinions.
I think it's cool to read reports on racer x, or other US sites dedicated to the sport. Compare it to the frogs websites..(french).. It's pretty objective... And Davey Coombs made an effort to visit the race itself.
As for Tony Cairoli choosing to stay in Europe.. Well, whatever his reasons are.. I seriously doubt it is because of the culture.. And here again... It's so cliche for europeans to throw in the culture thing... Just shows how patethic we, europeans are clinging on to the past, and glorifying it.. yet, most of our cultural life of today is dictated by what the US have invented... Or shall i say culture? And we europeans embrace it.. We just hate to admit it.. ha,ha
@daniel.. There is no such thing as real motorcrossers reserved for one series... Whether you are a GP rider or a AMA one.. They ride the same bikes, and have the same passion... They are all motorcrossers...
ay DC, thanks for turning me on to the French/Belgian film Aaltra. My girlfriend even loved it. She learned all about Namur and the true beer break. Subtitles are never fun but Aaltra is worth it. It's comedy/drama at its best. Robert's line is classic.
#### my fellow mx fans. BillC, Daniel, calm down. It's just racen - no global conspiracies. You guys and gals need to see this flick. It's basically about an ex -gp racer who later in life becomes paralyzed and sets out to find a 1982 Husky automatic so he can go riding once again.
He finds it and goes for a long ride. Everts and Joel Robert make cameos. There is a lot of euro race footage and riding in general. If you have ever been to europe or argued w/your neighbor you'll like it even more. Truuust me.
I am very calm, I am not a Euro basher either, Hell I got bashed last year for saying 222 did VERY well at the MXD, If not for the heat and the 6,000 ft he may have beat RD. @daniel, Last year at the MXD there were LOTs of guys not jummping one jump but RD and Shorty did it every lap i believe but 222 only did it once of twice and most others were not doing it either. Come to Southwick, Milville or Unadilla if you want Euro rough. have seen a few come over and try them tracks. Who was the euro who came to Southwick a few years back and thought he could win but got like 6th but to his credit after the race said JS is not HUMAN!! I could not believe how fast he was he said.
oooop's one more thing The MXD is our best way to compare... and well we know how that has gone the last 20 years or so on all kinds of tracks too.
@Didierlotsyeng, Here mate I know Racer X is a US Magazine & web site, I have been reading Racer X for a good few years now, a great mag, I watch the US Supercross & the Nationals & there are with out a shadow of doubt some of the best in the world race in the US.
Motocross is a great sport which I have been doing on & off for nearly 30 years,
I hate to read such negative & disrespectfull coments about talented sportsmen giving 100%, on which my coments were related to.
I remember in the early 80's reading the race reports when Brad Lackey won the world 500 Championship, I was over the moon for him because he gave it his heart & sole. His nationality did not matter to me, I think Good Sportsmanship is about trying your best & giving respect where it is due, there does seem to be a lack of it now days.
My comments were not meant to be directed at Americans as a hole, just some of the dummys commenting on here & culture is a wonderfull thing & you can't buy it in the shops though, Freedom of speech !
BillC , it seemed that Cairoli's 350 didn't have the juice to pull that one jump from the inside and he was casen'the pooey out of it. Regardless, he prolly didn't have RD's number at des Nations 2010.
I disagree that the MXoN is the best measuring stick. The US has much more talent to pull from than the small countries of Europe. I mean if it were Europes best VS our best, spread out over several GP and AMA tracks, that would be the ultimate. In just the last couple years, Euro riders have won several motos at the MXoN. Cairrolli won on a 250f, Everts won a moto, some French dude won a couple years ago, Cairrolli won again on his big bike in an epic battle with Reed the same year the French guy won. The fact is, the US creates more talent than any 1 country in Europe, but Europe as a whole has a lot of talent also. I have lots of respect for the GP guys, but as a rule, the US creates better riders.
truetrue, Based on land mass and population we're gonna dominate. Belgium etc might have a tougher time getting it's 3 best racers all healthy and on the track on any given sunday.
The "World Champions" come to the US and race our 250 class against 16 year olds and still get beat. That would be like Carmichael going to Europe and racing MX2. There are a lot of fast riders in Europe but very few have won at the highest level in the US. Bayle was obviously the most sucsesful. Albertien and Tortelli went straight to the big boy class with ok results. Stefan Everts was a great GP rider but chose to be a big fish in a little pond. I have lots of respect for those who left the comfort of home to come here to race at the highest level.
On any given day a euro or an American can win a national or world class mx race. But overall the Americans are consistantly rising the bar and the euros are learning from us, and on occasion beat us. Who started rear brake tap? low fly jumping? scrubbing? jumping through the whoops?
If the euros had no contact with American motocross, they couldn't see a mag or a video or hear what the riders in America were doing they would be much further behind us then they are now. They are good learners.
Nagl , second in mx1, was not riding the 350 ... he was on a 450 ;)
In my opinion I think the AMA championship is more exciting because i follow the AMA riders. But I would like to see the AMA tracks in America become more like the GP's tracks..I find the GP tracks more interesting..THey are rutted out more often. And having been to America and Europe i must say this;., Europe is beautiful and rich with history and a very prestiges place...When I think about America I think of how dirty it can be and violent...IT's a violent place with no health care.CUBA has better health care.. Have you seen the news lately!!!! It must be the money that brings racers to the USA...
You guys are making so much more outta this than needs be.. American riders are gonna be faster on American tracks, Euros are gonna be quicker on european tracks.. it's simple! Let's go back to the 06 nations.. Everts vs Stewart.. Anyone remember what happend there? Cos I do. Don't get me wrong had Mr Carmichael been racing it wudda been a different story, but Ricky is a freak and they don't call him the GOAT 4 no reason. And as for the nations look at how many riders you guys get to pick from, if you didn't win there would be somethin seriously wrong! Other than France, U.S is the only country that has more than 3 established riders, the UK has Wilson and Searle,
Germany has roczen and Nagal, Italy has Cairoli and Philliparts, Belguim has Desalle and Ramon... They all have 2 use a weak link. The race should be changed to euros vs USA vs Rest of the World. I'm tellin ya now ya wouldn't win that...
looper148.. On the european tracks the US riders would still hand out a good spanking to all european riders.. Let's not even consider the rest of the world.
As for the 06' nation... Ha,ha.. I always have to laugh when I hear the Belges have multiple orgasme when talking about the so called "exploit' of their uber hero, Everts... The man himself, DeCoster, knew what for a dickhead Stewie can be.. Referring to the not so bright race strategist he is.. And asked Stewie to play it safe... Many riders in the past have done this... At the end, what counts is winning as a team. And I believe the USA won...
As for the GOAT.. He did his share of being part of the winning team when he participated.. But, where was he, between 01 to 04? Oh yeah... The fear of 9/11... Many riders did not dare to fly overseas... Bullcrap!
Never heard of renting a private jet, and let the AMA cover the expenses?ooohhh.. The terrorist might target the small private plane.... Pfew... Anyway... Europeans rejoiced during those years.. They could win the MXDON... But thankfully since 05'.. The record was set straight... And the nation winning it since then just proves the point.. They produce the best riders.
Even the slimmest chance that James Stewart will race the nationals is a deterrent for every foreign rider on the planet. Even if he doesn't race, then you still have to beat Villopoto. If he gets hurt, then there is Dungey, Canard, Reed, Windham, etc. It isn't a matter of having to just beat Americans, but in having to match the pace that is the AMA Nationals. Interviews with European riders usually state that what surprises them most is the fast pace at the beginning of the moto and the sheer aggression of the field.
I would like to see the top GP riders racing the nationals. It would take some time, but they would adapt to the fast pace, jumps, heat, and other variables to become competitive. Plus, they would add quite a bit of color to the series.
I think you'll find the U.S. did race 03, and lost. And I'm gonna ignore the rest of ya post cos your clearly an idiot.
Didierlotyseng, are you playing down the 9/11 attacks and the effect it had in this country?? If you are, you are a piece of garbage. the US had a few other things on our minds than a moto race, sorry to dissapoint. You are a fool if you dont realize that. Some things are just a little more important than going over a kicking Euro as# again and again. And the US vs. Europe in the Des Nations, so it takes an entire continent to try and beat one country?? Not very much faith in those countries over their. So Australia and New Zealand get left out or what?? That is just stupid. Those countries compete pretty good in the olympic games, but moto is suddenly different and they need an entire continent to compete against the USA. I have one answer--WAAAA!!!
Didierlotsyeng, dont play down 9/11 dude, if you wasnt here, then you dont understand.
jtkmx, one thing, Reed is not American. And I dont think that the Euros are worried about Stewie. Why?? He hasnt raced outdoors thats why. They wont beat Dungey, it already been proven at 2 Des Nations, so they wont touch RV2. But the last GP champs who came here couldnt win the 250 class, even with all thier age and experience, (older than Dungey, RV2, and Canard) so they arent going to get it done in the 450 class either.
I could of said north america but I dont think any Canadian or Mexican dudes would make the team.. And we'll see what happens at this year's MXoN. I think this will be your toughest test in awhile.. We'll see won't we. It's a long way off and anything can happen between now and then. If Cairoli went to america I don't think he'd beat RV but over 12 rounds he'd be better than Dunge, he absolutly destroyed him in the first MXoN race in 09 then got hurt in the second and he almost beat him last year on a 350 in america. The MXoN is just one race at the end of the day. A race that I look forward to every year, but just 1 race. We could argue till we were blue in the face, but it don't count for anything. This is why there should only be 1 MX series, to see who truly is the man.. untill then there will always be the B.S. that goes with this sport.
You can t train in valkenswaard because it s closed the hole year so herlings can t be training there. I think herlings is the fastest guy in the sand on the planet right now. But don t forget he s 16 years old and he has to grow on the hard packs tracks. You can t say he s faster than villepoto because they never raced together and herlings ride in europe and villo does the us. I think that some europeen riders could do good in the usa but the tracks are different and i think the us riders are a bit more agressiv. It s a pitty that the USA riders not riding at tracks like Lierop in the netherlands and that there should be the MXDN. But than what happens the netherlands just have herlings so they can t win there. I hope that herlings will do good at glen helen and that JS or RC will invite him to there homes to train with him and learn him to ride suppercross and give him some advice.
Didier is an ass.. Thanks for the comments. As for playing down the 9/11... Working at xerox at the time.. Some meetings were cancelled at their headquarters in Rochester... Trust me... I do not know where you guys were at... 6 months later, there were loads of jokes by my US couterparts at xerox who live around NYC & NY state on it. Euh... And these very same colleagues had to travel around the world.. Did they refuse because of 9/11? Yeah.. right... And the rest of the world was just asking questions on who was the real bad guy behind all those events.
Nevertheless... Only thing I sincerely regret are those people who lost their lives and those who tried saving them... And the not all too clear transparancy of the then goverment...
patjeja.... Euh... Valkenswaard circuit is open through out the year.. get your facts Straight.
Didierlotsyeng i m living in holland near the valkenswaard track and it is closed the hole year for mx training so get your own facts straigt looser
looper148. I have to disagree, we saw how Dungey handled Cairoli in the last Des Nations. In Italy, that was Dungey first race outdoors on a 450 ever, he did damn good. In Colo. Dungey handled him without much trouble. Dungey is the most consistant rider on the circut. Caroli would not beart him over the season. Much less Stewie and RV2. So the best in the GP's probably wouldnt finish 3rd in the AMA, and I say thats why he doesnt come to the US. But its just my opinion. But I am not playing down the GP's. there are some very fast young guys on their way up. I really like Roczen, and I hope he comes to the US full time. I just dont think Caroli is as great as HE thinks he is. Herlings is awesome too.
patjeja.. kerel... Jij gaat mij vertellen dat het motorcross gedeelte het hele jaar gesloten terwijl men wel gewoon kan rijden op de andere disciplines? Ik heb lang in Limburg gewoont, begin jaren 90 tot begin 2000... Horst heb je een circuit... En ik kan me herineren dat vrienden wel daar op hebben kunnen rijden... Nu jij...
pateja.. Ik neem aan dat het geen in heeft om lid te zijn van de volgende vereneging?
http://www.motorverenigingvalkenswaard.nl/html/circuit.html