Monday Conversation: Broc Tickle
Monday, May 9, 2011 | 1:00 PM
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In dramatic fashion, Broc Tickle and Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki claimed the West Region Lites Championship with a solid run at the Las Vegas finale. The race featured so much passing and action it was hard to even describe it all, but Tickle does his best for this week’s Monday Conversation.
Racer X Online: This was basically a whoever-finishes-in-front-gets-the-title situation, so what was the mindset coming in?
Broc Tickle: I was just trying to have fun. The last few weeks, I’ve been struggling, and you have seen that on TV or if you were at the races. I had a good week this week, but to be honest with you, it was a hard week. It was hard to keep my mind off of what was happening with things being so close, and I tried to go out there and not get tight. But this day was good, from practice on, everything felt good…until I started eighth in the main. That wasn’t good! So I just tried to ride my own race, I just sat back there and did my work. Then I passed three guys on the last lap, which is pretty unbelievable, actually!
After a hard fought battle, Tickle celebrates his first career SX Lites title with Kyle Cunningham and Cole Seely.
Photo: Simon Cudby
This race was so crazy. In your own mind can you even run down what even happened out there?
Oh yeah, I could replay it all together—especially the Cunningham part where I almost landed on his head! I tripled out, and he was doing table over two singles. When he landed his hand came off, so when I was in the air, he weaved underneath me. I swear, at one point he was directly underneath me! Somehow, I swear, God or something just moved him back in front of me, and I landed right on his back wheel. It almost looped him out, and then I got by because he lost all of his drive.
When you were in the air did you think it was over?
Oh yeah. I was in the air and I was like, “This is done right now. It’s done.” It was gnarly.
Take me through the battle with Tomac.
I was trying to be smart. It was tight, but I tried not to think about him too much. He was trying to get aggressive at the end and show me a wheel here and there, but I tried to ignore it, obviously what he wanted me to do wasn’t what I needed to do. I think he was just being a little too…you know, I think he kind of did what I did the last few weekends. And what can I say about this team, these guys are awesome. We did a lot of testing this week, and Mitch told me I just need to have fun and I can do what I can do. And here it is, 2011 champion.
So what are you saying made you struggle the last few weekends? The pressure, the broken collarbone? What was it?
It was a combination of both. I was putting too much pressure on myself. Obviously, that injury kind of breaks that roll you’re on, and I was riding really well before I got hurt. So it kind of messes with your confidence a little, even though I did get back onto the supercross track twice before Seattle. I’m just happy to be in the situation I’m in now.
Tickle claimed his first career SX Lites title at Vegas.
Photo: Simon Cudby
At one point Tomac was in front of you, dealing with Hansen, Seely, Cunningham. Did you see what was going on?
Yeah, I was just kind of waiting for things to happen. There was too much going on for something to not happen. Then I ended up passing all three at one point in one corner, which is amazing, and then all three got me right back so I went back where I started. I had to reset, and I was what, like fifth? I had gone all the way to second, and then I was back in fifth. Then Tomac was trying to make a move over the triple, and both of us doubled, and then on the last lap he tried to slam it in there, so I just said screw it, I’m going to jump this triple, and I did, and it was over after that. Then I passed Cunningham and Seely on the last lap. That was the best race we had all year, the funniest, most entertaining race. Had to be for you guys, too.
What’s this do for you career?
I definitely think this will be a stepping-stone for my career. I’m really looked forward to outdoors. Now I know I just need to keep having fun, because as soon as I start taking it too seriously, I put too much pressure on myself, and it’s too much. I just need to keep the fun factor there and we’ll see where it takes me.
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you wouldn't have won it without us!
Way to go Broc.....Congrats!
i think the pic says it all! nascar here we come
Thats why he almost landed on Cunningham?? I guess next year at the last race if your not in the points you don't get to race. we could have just has 2 guys out there going for it!!!
Congrats Broc. I've watched that race twice from start to finish and the last 4 laps 10 times. You definitely deserve the win. There wasn't one instance where I thought "team" play was a factor. Everyone was racing hard. Like you said, you went from 5th to 2nd and back to 5th in a few turns. There was even a few instances where I thought Cole could have "let you by" but he continued racing hard. Congrats to Tomac as well. That kid rode his heart out! With three to go I thought it was his race to lose. You both deserve a pat on the back for a very clean and entertaining race. That race will go down in history as one of the all time greats!
That first comment is AWESOME!! (& true)
Congrats Broc! I was glad to see you win. What exactly happened to Hanny? He was right in there at first, then he finished 10th! So he didn't even qualify for the E/W shootout and DNS'd the LCQ. What the hell?
hansen what a joke slowing down the race by like 2 sec just so tickle can get by tomac lol and then he finishes the race 11th lol get out of here you lights lifer. and you can sure tell cunningham play the game as well running tomac up on the burn but when tickle passed him he just let him go lol sorry but this race was not one of the greatest in all time.
Don't be idiots people. Every racer out there is racing for the win. There was no dirty tactics.
If ET or even BT want it they need to be faster than the rest of the field. Expecting people to pull over is absurd
I have watched this now 3 times and it is exciting each and every time. All 4 of these guys left nothing out on the track. They rode their hearts out and Brock flat out earned it.
Nice job Brock, and you too Tomac
Tomac could have won with three blockers.
Congratulations Brock Tickle. Just like Villopoto, you earned it with consistancy and determination. Congratulations, Eli Tomac on a tremendous rookie season. Congratulations Ken Roczen for waxing the field and giving us a taste of 2012.
I dont get it...I was at the race and didnt see Seeley or Cunningham do anything other than race...2 guys who wanted to win or get on the podium and happened to be racing Tickle and Tomac....Hansen got 11th on purpose so he didnt have to race the shootout...
I had a SX party...and everyone (even those who really don't care about SX) was jumping out of thier seats screaming and cheering them on. Great race!! The range of emotions that they went through in just 4-5 laps must have been nerve racking.
P.S. Last week I was defending Hansen...that went out the window. He quit!!! He gave up, and all the good will he might have earned this year went away.
Sick to death of the conspiracy theorists. Tickle won because he got to the line before Eli. Period. As for Hanny, I KNOW you guys love to hate on him, but I wonder how hard you would have ridden after your title chances were over and with a broken hand -- and a bent plate on it! Why would the rider who beat everyone but Weimer -- including Pourcel and Wilson -- in last year's event, want to go out there with a broken hand in the shootout?
congrats tickle, im glad i was able to hold off eli for you and once you got him i just let u both pass, it was a sick plan bro, im glad u got the championship it was good team racing hopefully mitch will give me and Seely a ride in Monster Energy Kawasaki now that we are such a good team!!
-Douchbags!
I was starting to become a Hansen fan because he was showing he had some grit. Even after the failed take out on Tomac, I was still rooting for him.... But after giving up in the West main, and not even lining up for the LCQ to get into the shootout, I'm over it. WTF Hansen? You let all of your fans down. Stewart ate SH!# in Daytona and got his ass up, and rode his heart out. Anyways, Congrats to Tickle! He stepped up.
what happened to JASON ANDERSON??
Not hatin' on Broc, I'm happy for you but...For those of you who "Don't get it" replay the telecast and listen to RC, the greatest all time, talk about Eli getting screwed. This was not a normal race, it was a winner-take-all for the Championship, and the etiquette is that you let THOSE TWO racers battles it out for the win, plain and simple.
@Johnny - Stewart got up because it was in the middle of the season and he was in a points race! By 'Vegas, Hanny was done and STILL racing with a broken hand! Perhaps his "fans" ought to try racing several rounds of SX with their hand plated up. That would be a lot of fun! Why on earth would he want to qualify to ride the shootout?
@Metta - BULLSH&T! RC is the GOAT, but his opinion isn't gospel. He also said Reed would get dirty, and Emig correctly opined that he would not.
My only response on Hasen...he got a 4th or 5th chance this year with this ride with PC. Go out and give them the effort they deserve....and possible more air time for the sponsors who are paying him.
2 little girls got in between 2 title contenders who were 2 points apart at the last race of the year....and then they proceeded to blow Broc after the finish........give me a break.
to see Seely and Cunningham on PC Next Year!!! REMEMBER THIS EVENT!! They probably have the contracts signed already...Hansen will not be back nor Rattray????Hmmmm???
@sef154: He should've wanted to race the shootout because that's his job, it's what he is paid to do. Matt Walker said it pretty good in on of the TGO videos a few years ago, something like: "When you're riding for Pro Circuit and you go down, you get back up a keep riding... because your riding for Pro Circuit." Lots of riders are racing banged up and wishing they could have an opportunity like he had.
@pizzacorner your right ! the taste of victory was sweet! I even included mitch just to secure a spot on the team next year. What a true champion !
Great season alot of fun. Boy, Hansen was giving this guy lip at the practice track?? He sure showed everyone he hasnt changed. He is eating crow now.
I totally agree that its racing and seely and cunningham were also going for the win, but if they dont want to give respect to the two guys that are going for the title I hope they dont get thier panties in a bunch someday when they are going for a title (i dont they will) and some other racer keeps them from winning the title. This is exactly why it sucks to bring the title down to vegas, get your points up early in the season so you have a buffer like barcia did. And i do think that picture is worth a thousand words, i can only imagine what tickle is saying to cummingham. i feel bad for you tomac, but keep your head up and come back even stronger. you will be a champion soon
told ya last summer that Tickle would win the west for Team PC. Now the crystal ball says Roczen and Tomac are going to go at it next year! Congrats to Tickle and Tomac on great seasons. What's next for Lil Hanny?
If Sealy &Cunnigham; "Didnt"get in Tomacs way Then there would'nt even bee a discusssion SO OBVIOUSLLY THEY DID YOU GOTTA BE A F*&%^# RETARD NOT TO AGREE Personally they both would have been picking up there teeth after the race if i was Tomac bcuz i would have DROP kicked them both in the Head after the race that was chicken shit!
for all you cunningham seely and tickle haters....didn't eli have an opportunity to pass and pull away from all those guys? he was in front of all them during the race. he messed it up for himself in quite a few different places...besides, cunnigham almost took out tickle! why aren’t you complaining about that? cuz yer guy lost!
oh yeah, and it just so happens that a guy who has hauled a$$ all year (cunningham), but not made it on the podium, and rides a yamaha, and came from back in 10th place, decided while on the track racing everyone, that he's going to mess this thing up for eli, all while trying to make it on the podium for him and his team....that's a lot of factors to calculate in your conspiracy....better get those area 51 people on it.
The picture with Seely, Tickle and Cunningham shows how this race and championship was won! I can only imagine what he's holding on to Cunningham so tight and saying to him, probably something along the lines of "Thanks Kyle if it weren't for you and Seely I would never have won because Tomac was gapping me until you guys slowed him down, then stuffed him for me." This reminds me of an old pit board slogan but for a different Broc, but anyone remember "LET BROC BY"!!!!!!!
TOMAC #1, Pro Biscuit and Boy Lee Disaster you stupid egocentrics people ...
I can't blame Tickle. (even though I can't say his name without giggling.) Sure Tomac would have one if there were a gate of two. But those two D-Bags Seely and Cunningham were prolly riding Broc's jock out of friendship and with hope of a PC future.
RX: "What’s this do for you career?"
Dick Tickle: "Dude, It's not going to get any better than this." I can ride this
championship into a B Team 450 ride in the future.
Prediction: Tickle won the battle, Tomac wins the war.
It's too bad the Alessi's and Millsaps weren't raised by John Tomac. A mini parent with the right idea. Barring injury, he'll go far. Plus, he's not as annoying as Barcia.
What would you guys be saying if Hanson qualified for the E/W shootout then didnt show up at the line to race? Then it would be all about how he took away someones chance to race.
@Johnny - Hanny is "banged up"? He's got HIS HAND held together with plates and screws and has been racing that way for several rounds. You can't even BEGIN to imagine what that feels like. The shootout is a trophy race, which he probably had no chance of winning. Your ridiculous assertion doesn't deserve to be taken seriously. Armchair quarterback.
@Sealy&CunnighamSuckAss; - "YOU GOTTA BE A F*&%^# RETARD NOT TO AGREE" with you? I can tell by your post (and even your "name") that you're going to jump all over me, but come on, dude, your debating style makes it impossible to seriously consider your position. Not to mention, your non-existent pro career would be over after you got done drop-kicking people. Have you and the others who are so convinced of "cheating" watched much racing? There was a battle royal between four fast riders (one who almost landed on Tickle ... cheater!), and afterward one friend congratulated another. Conspiracy! You guys need something else to do.
It was mentioned early this season that Cole extended his contract with TLD.
Unless your a top rider, most race teams don't pay much in the way of salaries. Riders like Broc, Cole and Kyle rely on bonuses that come from making podiums to make their living.
So it makes no sense to just move over at let guys by.
In a way it's good that Tomac lost. There is a lot to be learned from that night that I think will pay much bigger dividends in the future then if he had won.
Tomac has a way brighter future than these 3. He will be a contender on a 450 some day and these guys will be doing something else by then.
Well said Wade, that pic is all you have to see to get the real story. Tomac is a much better loser than I would have been. Seely would finish his Honda outdoor career on one of Tomac's clapped out practice bikes with a bald tire and caved in pipe if I were working for Honda. It's not all about the four fast dudes, the last race of the yr has something to do with a title and the amount of time and money these manufacturers put into this to get this close to winning it. You can't do much about Cunningham on a Yamaha, but Seely should of had a clue at what was about to happen.
Agree with sef154! What a bunch on losers that could not enjoy possibly the most exciting race of the year! Guess Tickle was not there Boy. Congrats Broc.
Love it, Everyone getting there riders back haha. I have no loyalties either way, But i agree with the tomac fans. Even ricky said in a round about kind of way he cant believe these fools arent letting the contenders battle. Put it this way.. Imagine the same situation in the 450s two contenders last round winner takes all and two other riders where jacking up the battle? they would be hated for ever. Why so different for 250's? its plain and simple to me really i mean race hard for the win by all means but when there is a championship on the line show some respect!!!!! Immaturity really.
Fencer
Good point - these guys are young and just learning and do have some maturing to do – that’s why they are in the lites!
Consider this – all these guys are on different teams and do live off of their bonuses first of all – they are not buddies just because they ride the same brand!.
Also Kehoe/Honda and Geico knew that Cole and Eli would be competing against each other and knew either one would not let up without being told. Why the heck didn’t they go over and discuss this possible situation and make a decision then to have Seely pull back if Eli needed it? I am sure Seely would have let him by if his pit board told him to do so. Even during the race all they had to do was radio Cole’s mechanic and it would have been a done deal. Good team management for Honda Kehoe!!!!
If Eli wanted it as bad as Tickle he would have done what Tickle did and went for a few more triples (Not the best thing for your health, but it worked for Tickle) and he would have won this thing. I also feel bad for Tomac because he is a good kid and a great talent but he didn’t go for it when he should have. Because he is smart he did not risk his career for it – but sorry that’s what it takes! As for Carmichael it was incredibly disappointing to hear his comments – especially about Reed! Too many are forgetting about how Carmichael was a freaking bowling ball on his 125 and took everybody out multiple times in his career much Like Stewart is doing now – he was hated for his style and immaturity – guess what, welcome to motocross and the lites. Carmichael needs to remember how it was for him before he opens his mouth and bags on people.
Looking forward to the outdoors!
Hi to my fans, and thanks for sticking up for me. My team manager Mike and my awsome dad have my back on this and that is good enough for me. Please understand I did everything in that race I could possibly do in each situation, believe I tried, but I will say congrats to Broc for that victory of the Championship. I do not believe any other riders did anything wrong. Again to my loyal fans, I will be back and I'll be back even stronger. See you all outdoors.
Eli lost the race and the championship, but he showed all of us how much talent he has and how bright his future is. It's not going to take him as long to win a championship as long as it has others. Way to go Eli, you might of started the season as a rookie but you finished it like a champ! Class act all the way. Watch out lites outdoors riders! Keep it clean on and off the track Eli, your a role model now like it or not.
Awesome Eli, class act all the way! good luck Outdoors.
This should be a good outdoor season for the 250's. Barcia, Tomac, Wilson, Cunningham, Sipes, Seeley, Tickle, Baggett, Morais, Wharton, Malcolm, Rattray. I will go with Tomac.
It's amazing to me that anyone can go on this site and impersonate someone!!! "Seely and Cunningham" is some idiot making them sound horrible using their names. Must be a coward! I watched this race and only saw great racing. The whole field congratulated Tickle after the race, but everyone only saw Cole and Kyle! Open your eyes people, what do you think they did? Wisper to each other, "you get second and I'll get third, then we'll block Tomac o.k.?." Some of you people are such fools!