by Davey Coombs
Saturday Qualifier Race Report from USGP
Sunday, May 15, 2011 | 12:50 PM
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PrintThe 2011 Monster Energy U.S. Grand Prix of Motocross got underway yesterday at sunny and breezy Glen Helen Raceway with some long practice sessions and qualifiers for starting gate positions. The track was nothing short of spectacular, with a wide array of deep sand sections, huge jumps, and the signature Glen Helen hills. The track, designed by Jody Weisel, had the riders clocking in close to the three-minute mark. And while there wasn't a lot of traffic out there -- they limit sign up to 40 riders per class, plus maybe 25 for the Vet race -- the track is getting rougher and bumper all the time.
The racing started with Vet World Championship action. Yamaha-mounted Doug Dubach led the way, using his jumping skills to outpace defending class world champ Matts Nilsson and a very game Darryll King from New Zealand. King started behind the two other primary contenders and was able to reel Dubach in to some extent, but the American held on for the win.
Winner of the MX1 qualifier race was Rockstar Suzuki rider Clement Desalle.
Photo: Carlos Aguirre
Photo: Carlos Aguirre
KTM rider Jeffrey Herlings was second on the Saturday qualifier.
Photo: Carlos Aguirre
Photo: Carlos Aguirre
Marvin Musquin's first race since last November started with a holeshot.
Photo: Carlos Aguirre
Photo: Carlos Aguirre
The Grand Prix starts today at noon local time (3 p.m. ET) and can be watched live online for about $7 on www.mx-life.tv
KTM's other German star is Max Nagl, who finished second in the MX1 heat race.
Photo: Carlos Aguirre
Photo: Carlos Aguirre
Troy Lee Designs' Honda-mounted Christian Craig is riding a 450 this weekend.
Photo: Carlos Aguirre
Photo: Carlos Aguirre
The very fast, very tall Russian Evgeny Bobyrshev led the MX1 race early.
Photo: Carlos Aguirre
Photo: Carlos Aguirre
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Okay, so you have to practice anyway: you might as well go out and take a shot at $105,000.00. I don't need any arguments about risk and reward. Nice try Christian Craig and the Troy Lee Team. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Hannah, LaPorte, Lackey, Bailey, Johnson, Ward Bradshaw Stanton etc etc. Real men of American MX would have raced this in a heartbeat without "outdoor" practice for a $100.000. Please correct me if I am wrong
In our own backyard on an off weekend none of America's best can show up to the USGP? It has all become way too corporate. We certainly proved our "best" have no heart.
I think alot of US riders would have raced this but the break in supercross and nationals is to short. Can't say I would risk injury for something less important either. Look at Canard, and he was just practicing. They need a two month break between to get ready. The series would run into cooler weather towards the end.
It's so stupid. Most of these guys are turning laps at practice tracks in the area anyway. If the concern is injury, they could just as easily get hurt during a practice session that pays nothing as they could kicking some butt and picking up $100k. That sounds like the best sort of practice to me. Last year James wanted to prove he should be on the MX of Nations team. Here was a PERFECT chance to make that case. If he would have shown up and smoked the field he could have made a case for being on the team even if he doesn't contest all the outdoor nationals. They should ALL be ashamed.
@Jimmy....look at Canard, Weimer and a host of others. Practice isn't any safer. They should have used this race as a tune-up for next weekend.
Can't blame the guys for not racing this race. The top dudes are all under contract to race in the American series, and if they went out and got hurt before it even started, sponsors would be pissed. The same guys that are on here giving our riders hell for not competing would be the same guys saying a guy was stupid for racing the GP, getting hurt, and missing the series that makes him money.
Seattle, do you REALLY think that practice isn't any safer? You're saying going balls out on a track as gnarly as Glen Helen with 39 other dudes is just as safe? C'mon man, get real. In any case, practice is a risk they HAVE to take, while racing the GP is not. Sooo sick of fans bagging on riders no matter what.
Seattle, Stewie couldn't race the GP because his wrist was still broken last year.
No u.s. star present at the GP race. Shame on you! Ha ha ha
The American racers(sic) should be ashamed!!!!!!!!!! Don't want to get hurt???? Need to take a break???? Just like the primadonna's in all of the "ball" sports....TOO MUCH MONEY!!!!!!!!
Hats off to Christian Craig and the TLD team for making an attempt.
Agree that the "so called stars" have to practice anyway, and there is no guarantee to not "get hurt" there either. Why not race, Thats the best practice there is!!!!!
All you others that stick up for them racers(sic, are not real racers, with the desire, fire, and committment to race against the competition whenever and wherever they may be, especially euros.
OLD SCHOOL MX RACERS NEVER DUCKED THE EUROS WHEN THEY CAME TO AMERICA. WHY ARE TODAYS????????????
As Gomer Pyle would say.......Shame, shame, shame......
I don't think some of you guys know what it takes to race one race at pro level. There's ALOT of people involved spending time before, during and after the race. To much time taken away from testing. Remember only two weeks are available to get it as close to right as possible. Then race testing will start with the season. And yes seattlemx testing is much safer.
If one were to say they were disappointed by the absence of top Americans at the GP, it would be quite understandable. But no, the same loose-lipped bashers have to come out and demonstrate their "intellectual superiority" by showing us they know better than riders who are actually capable of riding a GP ... as opposed to themselves, who would be better suited to sweeping the gates of those riders.
@Golfyoda Not ducking anybody, Have nothing to prove there. And their not practicing their testing. Setting up the bike to win a championship. We don't have to risk everything to prove nothing, we dominate and they know it.
Dano94.. You are correct.. RJ, hannah, Ward etc, would have raced. Even for less than a 100k.
Times have changed.... the younger lads of today believe that by focusing solely on the series they are in, which is the AMA nationals.. Will make them well prepared for the outdoors.
Shit for the spectators... wtahcing a bunch of riders wom most do not even know the names...
We used to have the Unadilla GP, the Carlsbad GP, Florida winterama series, the Golden State series, Trans Am. Training time was racing the local tracks, winning and leaving the pro purse for the local guy. The good old days of tough guys in box vans cooling off with a bucket of water and a wet towel. They seem a little to pampered these days. Now some guys have the nerve to take off the outdoor series because there rebound isn't set right. Bring the Nationals and may the baddest dude out their win this mutha.
I think the guys with SX only contracts should have shown..... whats the risk there? SX is over for what... 5-6 months? plenty of time to heal from an injury.
Stewart is either planning on racing the entire MX series or hes just a puss... no reason for him not to show. As for the other guys whom will commit to the entire series, Yea..... probably best if they didnt show..... but for guys like Stewart who run SX only..... i dont get it. Hes healthy.... Hes in shape.... perfect way to have a nice season ending event for him to go out and beat the world. Im not a stewart fan... i for one hate the guys guts.... but if he lined up at GH to challange the world id root for him for the simple fact that he is an American.
I used to love the coverage of the USGP in the 80s and 90s, when the US guys would race. I understand times have changed, but the world championship should have a US round, and for the sake of decent competition, bike brands should get their best guys out there. Surely RV or RD winning the USGP can only add to bike sales?
The brands can get around the noise/fuel differences if they were determined to be represented and with the outdoors coming up, there is nothing better than racing to get ready. imo.
With all the factory teams being based around 30 minutes or less from GH, you would think they would send a few guys to represent! But wait most of the riders will be there to watch instead?!
As far as today's US riders participating in GPs, if it is not a part of their contracts, it is not going to happen. It is more about $ and/or logistics. Today's US pros are not the same because MX/SX has changed. Get it? MX/SX is now a business. The "old days" are over. Enjoy MX/SX for what it has become.
Absloutely AMAZING........what a big surprise it is that the ONLY guy getting ripped on for not showing up is James Stewart!! Gotta give "chadley75" credit though, he's one of the few who will at least say he hates the guy. It's a sign of the times fellas, too much money on the line these days i guess....At least Alessi was planning on showing up, his Vegas crash took care of that though!! Quit bit-chin'!!
In the old days there was at least prize money, if not start money. It is not right for Youthstream to take away the prize money and say that the pros are paid enough by the teams. Plus the fact that they charge the riders to race ( a bunch). If Youthstream feels that the AMA purse is a joke, then they should pay out 10 times as much and make it a real pro sport. Plus, since the whole purpose of these races is for a place for the pros and their teams to present their presence to the public (according to Youthstream logic), they should let spectators in free. Is not the buying public the audience to which they want to present everything?
So good for the American riders not to fall for the Youthstream pitch.
Devils advocate here.... There is a lot of work to race this event. Fuel specs are different, as are sound limits, and it creates a great deal of prep to be ready and competitive for one race. Throw in the timing of it... hang town is six days away, and you have a pretty good reason to sit it out. I had to coordinate all of this stuff for Townley last year and it was a lot of hoops to jump through.
@Pingree About time, someone that knows what he"s talking about. to much for to little.
Since 1995 I have been bringing my Arizona dollars to Glen Helen and the city of San Bernardino, I have not missed one year until this year. The USGP is not the AMA Nationals. Huge mistake to replace the "BIG RACE" (AMA Nationals) on the hallowed SoCal soil of Glen Helen. See ya at Pala until Glen Helen smells the roses.
Coudos to "THE PING"
bubba could have really gained some fan base by showing up and winning this thing...then again...if he didnt..
IF Pingree is THE Pingree then, he knows what he is talking about...but hey....as an old racer I cannot see how a race with some very competetive riders could not be looked upon as a very good practice session before the Nationals....and shame on Youthstreem if they have removed purse money....it is sad when you see your sports being ruled by biz people who do not have the heart of a racer.
I imagine that the G.P. was the last thing on the minds of the top 4 who were battling for the SX championship, I think they all deserve a week off after going through that emotion win or lose, and none of the other guys, Brayton etc would wanna get smoked by the euros in America would they.. Especially with no prize money on the line. I would of thought someone like Jake Weimer would of wanted to race seeing as he's missed so pretty much of all the SX series, IMO he would of had the most to gain. But like Pingree(???!!!) says above the bikes are different and why do all that testing and that for one race.. Pretty pointless really en it. Don't worry guys, we still got the MXoN, which you lot will get to see june 2012 lol
I can see the point about the logistics and the cash needed but honestly, NO TOP RIDERS AT ALL? Man, just sad. I'm 100% red blooded american and its embarrassing to have a guy like Clement Desalle show up to Unadilla last year and go 2 - 2 with nothing on the line at all and we cant even have a top US rider race on our own soil. Pathetic.
Yeah...Not everything is reason and money in life !!. What about heart ?. If I think I´m the one of the fastest man on a dirt bike or "the fastest" as one claims, then why not racing a bunch of guys who are supposed to be slower than me ?. Specially if they are racing on my backyard. Why does the Euro show to race in America whenever they can, no matter if they are in the middle of the season, the biggining or the end. Looked at Desalle and Roczen for instance. Cairoli was thinking on racing supercross even when he had never ran into two whoops and got hurt at Paris trying. And what about Stewart ???. He has nothing to loss !. He might even get a bigger audience for Bubba´s world !. Shit, don´t understand this young guys. I hope there would be only two big championship for dirt bikes, Supercross and a real World Championship all over the world. In any case the Nationals are getting less of a deal with all the top guys sitting out year after year. Hope this year proves me wrong.
american mx'ers are a bunch of pussies, 100.000+ and the top guys even the so-called privateer passed...the main reason I dont go anymore to watch anymore. this sport has grown however the roots are gone..good luck at hangtown..thanx to the dvr I dont have to waste MY TIME. stupercross only contracts bla bla bla..bunch a pinkclams. you'll get no money from me. adios cabrones.
ping..its your job..you whinning little socal brat. go hold on the other guys firehose cause thats where your heading anyways..paramedick..
Love the American championship and a big fan of most of the riders but man, why nobody showed up??!!
I'm Portuguese and for many years I've seen MotoGP come to my door and saw all these Portuguese riders take some shitty rides just to be there at the starting line, they had to pay for it not the opposite...
All these factory rides, top stuff and all ... and not one on the gate...
Congrats to Christian Craig and Marvin Musquin!!!
PS: Marvin is supposed to be a championship contender isn't he?? Go race you all!!!
NOBODY CARES ABOUT THE USGP!!! Why can't you guys get that through your thick heads?
Where can the results for todays races be found??
Ernesto FOnseca crashed badly at the HOnda test track..No danger testing?.....Tons of riders get hurt practicing...Trey Cannard crashed testing!! Mabey the focus is different while they are practicing...The Euros at times have raced on American soil to practice...That shows heart..These are the best racers in the world, they have tons of confidence, why not race for their sponsors..THey would get way more attention.......I can see why James Stewart won't race, he knows that he has a chance a crashing big time!!! James has Rhythm, tons of it and in my opinion that makes him so good at supercross...NExt year he'll kill it if he matures....
bet your a junior from socal jimmy, as you can see there are many here whom care,,,ya we are old and we remember what makes a championship/champion a true one indeed. it truelly is a dirty shame that the top racers/ AMERICAN RACERS are'nt in it,,back in the day they woulda rode regardless...oh thats right its a long moto...they probably could'nt hang it out that long I mean after all they have been indoors riding around with the same bunch.
@wetto107 44 years under my belt, my comment was to the people crying because we didn't race today. We only have two weeks to get ready for something for more important. Pingree also said it's just not worth it. Hard to believe people just don't get it.
Roczen cleaned house!! Herlings in second both races in MX2!! Good day for KTM, in MX2!! Not so much in MX1.... Cairoli went 2-11....DeSalle sweeps both motos in that class!! Ok, on to Hangtown please!!
Brilliant move Youthstream. Stongarm the GP guys to cover the expense one week before the Nationals ? You might be able to force your self serving tactics in Europe. Take that 100K casino carrot and ..................... offer it to a GP team. See you at the MXDN Our guys did the right thing.
Dirt
i think M Alessi should not have raced the last 2 sx races and gotten an even earlier jump on outdoors where he really shines. it upsets me he got hurt at LV round and was not able to represent USA today and use it as a testing springboard for nats. oh well.
where is the pride? I beat everyone today! it may not be in the cards for the less fortunate ones but for all the top guys to not ride a race here in the states...no overseas travel,,,a home race...unacceptable period. jimmy you speak as you are one of the top level guys and its not in your cards to race? then say ping said so too..I aint buyin it. are you just here for the $$$$. I like to spend mine watching competitive racing,,,motogp and sx when it comes to town (SF) ..I have traveled the curcuit too and I know the BS you have to go thru to just get in as a privateer..I was there.
I am disapointed in the fact that todays pro's think its a waste of their time to compete in a race such as this. JUST SAYIN.
Mx is getting to expensive for even the factory teams ....Bring Back The Two Strokes ....Or its over
if no americans want to race in there backyard, they should cancel the GP[ altogether.also, if the top american racers have the opportunitty and decline,its because they have huge BE HY NAHS
@jimmy.....you come up with some pretty lame excuses. Excuses are the reasons lazy people are lazy. You sound as if you are a part of the travelling SX/MX circus. If you are, I assume you are a decision maker???
I raced in the 70's, Novice pro in '78. For all of my peers, and the past stars from this time, there were no excuses such as I'm tired...Not enough octane in my gas, the noise levels are too loud, etc.... If any of these were an issue, we would have come to a solution, and not use it as an EXCUSE not to race. The dedication level is more "money" related now, vs "dedication" to the sport. Shame, shame, shame.
Sorry jimmy, but, unfortunately you seem to be an appropriate spokesperson for today's racers.....
lol, it's a different time....A lot of the comments on here remind me of the tougher guys in the 70s and 80s. even though i was very young i remember...Modern times soften people up...Even the great ROman empire got soft!!! ANd Fell!! So is the USA, going soft... look at all the fat people in the USA! lazy and soft....sorry..sad...
Jimmy: I raced a handful of west coast nationals in the early 80's and raced professionally for about 6 years. I broke a foot practicing. It was a practice injury that ended David Baily's career and I believe it was a practice injury that ended Donnie Hansen's as well. Back in those days the top US guys had just as much to lose racing a GP as today's "big buck" stars. It probably isn't thier fault, as I'm sure it is thier teams that don't want to spend the money on a race that isn't in thier schedule, but the fans want to see our US boys show the world that they are the best and it just makes them looked scared to not show up for a race in thier own backyard on an off weekend. Scard to get beat, scared to get hurt, just plain SCARED. I just don't remember Bob Hannah being scared to go up against anyone, anywhere, anytime.
BOB HANNAH will never be duplicated..YOur right about that seatle....LIke someone else on here said it's an hour away or less...It's not like they have to deal with jet lag..These euros come over and have a lot to deal with just being on the other side of the world...THe noise issue, isn't that a silencer change? Gas? Mabey the riders sponsers would be in if they realized the attention it would bring...Most riders at the nationals will be invisible!!! Unless your top 3...Advertising is supposed to be agressive!!! Get the boys out on the track..Advertise your junk!
These boards still crack me up, all full of a bunch of know it all arm chair quaterbacks. There are a lot of different factors why the top US riders don't race this race. Timing is the biggest downfall of this race. First off, these guys just completed a 16 race supercross series, and now only having 1 week off between starting a whole new long, different championship, there is not alot of time for testing, final settings, etc. SX and MX are totally different settings, especially for the top guys in the SX series that were concentrating more on winning the SX championship. Maybe if the GP was held in an off weekend between national rounds more riders would show up, the guys would already be in outdoor mode and racing mx at the time. Then take into consideration the different sound requirements, different fuel specs, etc. and then throw that into the mix. At that level its just not about putting on a different silencer and throwing in different gas. There are a lot different rules now between the GPs and AMA Nationals, as far as bike specs, that were not around in the earlier years, so comparing the earlier decades is irrevelant as far as just showing up and racing. Then there is also the the fact that these guys do have racing contracts with their teams. The teams also have to be willing to spend the money to race this race. And considering the economic times with all race teams I'm sure it's not on their priority list, especially since they are spending a lot of money to have riders trying to win a different series that is only a week away. And yes, there is always the possibility of getting injured racing an off race the week before the Nationals start. Although yes you can get hurt any time you throw a leg over a bike, there are much different risks between testing and racing. And for the record, , our guys have nothing to "prove" like others are saying on here. We clean up at the MX of Nations almost every year we go (and while not always even sending our "top" guys), dont we? So you can put that in your pipe and smoke it.
@motohead, @jimmy, #ping(???) listen to what the fans are saying!!!!!! The fans want to see their stars compete. The sponsors are in this sport because the fans buy their product. Racers get paid because the fans buy the sponsors product.
Bottom line.....if it wasn't for the fans, the racers would not get sponsors, so therefore the racers have an "obligation" to the fans who purchase the sponsors products that pay the riders salaries.
Your agruments are not valid, and as far as "we dominate them anyway" That is a very arrogant statement, and not always true, especially in the last decade the US team did not win every MXdN.
Racers are in their profession because of pay nowadays, but, never forget that the fan base buys the sponsors products, who in turn pay the racers salary. Lets make sure you remember this. Ditch the arrogant attitudes.
I give up you just don't get it. It all comes down to only having a two week break, how many times do I have to say that. If they had more time I'm sure some would have raced. Remember Moto of Nations is coming?
@motohead279 Well said!
Most working people work lousy jobs with lousy pay!! Working out and riding and racing does not sound as bad as going to the construction site with a bunch of cranky guys...Call me selfish but misserable times are here for many and It's cheers me up to see my favorite racers race!!!! After the nationals don't the riders get a couple months off???? I can see the teams having a hard time financially, thats the best argument for not racing.....
Yoda, you are an idiot, no amount of common sense or reasoning will do any good with you.
Canadianmxfan, I for one would have liked to see them race this race, as my favorite race of the year is the MX of Nations becasue it brings the best of the best together. I went to the US GP back in 94 and it was awesome that Windham, Emig, Dowd, Stanton, etc all showed up and raced. But that race was also well into the AMA Nationals rather than the week before they started when teams are scrambling to get ready. Again, logistcally, you need to realize there is a lot more to it than just showing up and racing. If you really want to point fingers I'd point them more at the promoters rather than the riders and teams.
...it is just a logical biz decision, as stated b 4...u cannot get $$$ sponsors if u break yourself up doing things that make them no money---be that snow-skiing or racing the USGP. Period.
HOWEVER, this situation lends yet more fuel to my fire/argument that mx/sx would be better off for everyone, if it were ran with less emphasis on the championship and more on the event---screw points/consistency; the prize $$$ for win/place/show of an event would justify a rider hanging it all out for a given race, as the win would be worth the risk. No "series", no "final points". Just like horse-racing---"per-event"...
I am waiting for some new sponsor to get the bright idea to have a bike/team at each event, that has no set rider...they may keep a guy for the whole series if they like his results, or may swap riders like underwear. I used to ride with some truly pro-fast kids here in TX during the 90's, that would have made a dam' fine showing on a pro-caliber bike, and would have asked nothing for the oppurtunity=free advertising/hype for the team, golden oppurtunity for the no-name/local rider...
And while we are on the subject of sponsorship/biz side of mx, why in the he!! hasn't some privateer came up with the idea of marketing himself to local businesses, per event? Ex: say he is riding the Dallas SX. He sets it up with some giant car dealer to wear gear and biek graphics in that dealership's name/colors. Cost is freakin nominal to instantly look like Team Beltway Ford, and Beltway gets on national freakin' prime-target TV for a measley ~$3000...
Heck, the rider could swap sponsors moto-to-moto, even. The possibilities are endless. Wish I was 16 again.
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