Monday Conversation: Blake Baggett
Monday, May 23, 2011 | 3:00 PM
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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Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Blake Baggett was certainly a guy that people were talking about going into Hangtown, but it was more talk about how he was going to be one of the guys inside the top five. What Baggett did at Hangtown was simply phenomenal; he was on the move in the first moto when he went down. Not too worry, Baggett simply ripped through the pack once again to get second. In the second moto he battled with teammates Dean Wilson and Tyla Rattray to grab his first-ever national win. There was no doubt that Baggett was the fastest 250 rider on Saturday and we caught up with him afterwards to get his take on the day.
Racer X Online: Congrats on the win, Blake, I think you came in a little under the radar today, but great job. Take us through it.
Blake Baggett: Thanks. Yeah, I think I did come in under the radar today- I wasn’t on any Racer X polls or anything like that [glares at Weigandt and laughs], but I like it that way. I like to come in and get the job done and then move on to the next race.
Baggett got his first National win at Hangtown.
Photo: Simon Cudby
In that first moto you were moving up and fell down and managed to come almost all the way back for the win. What was your secret?
I really don’t know. I was taking some of the lines the other guys were taking. I guess I was taking the extremes, far right, far left, I would go high, go low--I don’t even know. I was just riding and I don’t think I took the same line twice! I was going for it and I knew I had to get back up to the front to be in contention for the overall. You know I got up to third there and crashed and didn’t even know where I was at that point. I just knew I had to get to the front.
What did you think of the track? Everyone I talked to says it was really rough.
It was definitely really rough and I think that was because it rained during the week. It was rough coming in and the ruts were awesome; it had braking bumps and I think it was one of the best we had.
Were you wishing for a few more laps there in the first moto because you were on the move?
Yeah, maybe one or maybe a half a lap! Maybe they could have put the checkers up on that step-up on the hill! No big deal, it is what it is.
Racer X's own David Pingree called Baggett for the win on the Racer X Podcast show.
Photo: Simon Cudby
You know, like you said, you came in under the radar but there was one man who called you for the win on Tuesday in the Racer X Podcast show- none other than David Pingree called you for the win. Weege and I said he was crazy…
[Laughs] I didn’t know about that, actually. I might have to shoot him a thank you text. I rode pit-bikes with him and Ping’s a good guy. If he has any advice to offer me I’d take it for sure. That’s pretty cool.
This is your first national win, Blake! What are your thoughts right now on your accomplishment?
I don’t want to have a big head about it. I got to go back and get back to work. I have to work on my starts a bit because those weren’t good today. It’s no fun to start in sixth and get blasted for a while until you get going. So I’ll go home, work on my sprints and starts and try to get better for Texas. I rode pretty well there last year until my bike broke. I’m looking forward to it and I like that place.
Baggett celebrates his first win with PC mastermind Mitch Payton.
Photo: Simon Cudby
In the pre-season testing, how did it go for you against your teammates because those are probably going to be some of the guys you’re going to battle with for this title.
Definitely. We rode with each other a lot during testing; some days I threw down and some days Dean-O threw down. Other times, it was Rattray, and it wasn’t like there was somebody that dominated all the time. It seemed to be different each day. We’ll just have to see here and it would be nice to keep it under the green tent and hopefully it’s me.
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I can only say "WOW".
Great job Blake! I'm sure you've made your competition thoroughly worried.
His speed in the first moto toward the end was insane! Great ride in both motos and a well deserved straight up win!!
congrats. no worries deano fans, he lacks any sort of consistency, he's win or fall, or in this case, fall and still win.
Congrats Blake! Captain Obvious called it too, not just Ping. BB is a worker, with his eyes on the big prize. Also, he's a mature kid and not very likely to get caught up with any Bam Bam on track nonsense. Go Blake!
And Dean-o is the poster-child of consistency? How'd his Supercross season go? Barcia was way more consistent, obviously, which netted him a championship. Unless I'm losing it, Wilson hit the dirt yesterday, too...
THis is outdoors people. Leave the SX stats out, they are meaningless.
Now, how about BB speed closing in moto 1. Like he was on another trrack!
How cool would an all PC Kawi podium be every week, with these guys swapping wins!
Yup, I hate Honda.
I love baggett but he's going to struggle next weekend in the heat. Wilson will have him handled, now that wilson really knows who's his comp is for the season he will deal with baggett more aggressively.
Hey haters. Please include your facebook, myspace page or whatever you use. So we can hate on you until you learn how to act.
now that Baggett has his first win out of the way he will only put more pressure on himself, we'll see how he can handle a championship title fight. We know his stable mates can go the distance.
There is no love lost between wilson and baggett. Deano will not settle, we'll see what baggett is made of. of course he is on home soil so he is at an advantage. Deano rode his 80 to perfection even before destroying the American's in their coveted amateur series in only a few seasons down south. All the americans and gp riders have way, way more rough track experience. Wilson is learning at a faster rate than everyone else. He is having to adapt the most out of all the riders on the gate to the type of tracks that are on the circuit. He has more upside than anyone in the field. Most talent, most heart. good luck americans, maybe more airplanes in your opening ceremonies, and huck a couple trained killers on the in field and your guys might get inspired for a couple laps like godfather windham.
I picked Dean to win it all this year but after seeing Baggett scarf him up both motos I know its all over. Barcia, Wilson, and a few others had their tongues hanging out in the second moto but Baggett was going faster.
You dudes need to attend races in person before posting. Baggett has wearing out the ProCircuit crew in practice that is why Ping picked him to win. Dean and Rattray are great riders but Baggett was smoking them and the hotter and rougher it is the better he likes it. Dean and Rattray were spent in the last moto and faded badly while the kid kept pouring it on. I hope its 110 this weekend in Texas then you will see.
Judging from this interview and his podium speeches, Baggett has an awesome attitude and personality. Saying he can't get a big head and needs to get back to work. That's the work ethic every rider should have. He's got the mental side of it figured out and he's only in his 2nd year. Very bright future for him. Dominated Daytona and Hangtown. That says a lot.
I love Wilson but he was the one seeing stars in the Texas heat last year. He pulled over and let Ratray and Tickle by in the 2nd moto.He threw away what should have been his first National win. He also didn't exactly handle the presure in SX this year. Don't under estimate Bagget or the other guys.
After seeing Blake's performance at the Daytona SX, I knew he would be a force to recon with in the Outdoors. The post race interview after the second moto at Hangtown, he didn't even look tired.. That kind of fitness and speed will win the OA for sure. Keep it up!
After seeing Blake's performance at the Daytona SX, I knew he would be a force to recon with in the Outdoors. The post race interview after the second moto at Hangtown, he didn't even look tired.. That kind of fitness and speed will win the OA for sure. Keep it up!
It's 1 race fans, don't start holding up the number #1 plate just yet, ya Baggett had a good ride, but there is plenty of racing yet, let's just wait a few rounds & see how this plays out, maybe that will change ur mind!
I seen this boy ride at steel city two years ago when he was riding a kawi (as a privatier) I believe. And I said then that "that baggett kid looks like he has it" Just his style, and the way he attacked that track, he really stood out to me. Blake my man, you got it! Like Lars said to Chad, Your a bad dude!
Hey motocists, why do those who use the word "haters" tend to have roots in places like Namibia, Zaire, Detroit, Atlanta, Kenya, Chicago, Washington D.C. and the Congo?
YO COOMBS-X, Feel free to hit the eject button on this racist clown named ''jairtime'', his bile is in every article.
Hey jairtime, what's an ugly word for someone uneducated and unworldly? Here are a few- ignorant, racist, jairtime.
Bagget's a Boss
I am convinced Baggett is the best out there in 250's, he not only whips them during the week but on Saturday as well. It was very apparent he is in the best condition or else he pushes the others until they fold. He has big time talent and he is all in so they better ante up or get off the table.
im so excited! yeshhhh!!!! i told everyone who went to supercross last year that baggett would be dangerous to a points title,no..dont say leave supercross out of this,supercross skills carry to motocross if you havent noticed,i mean come on,guys that run sx is most likely better at nationals than the guy that skips supercross..its all a mental game for one,supercross and nationals have differences but you cant be good enough to compete without doing both..baggetts the man,id love to see him head up to geico powersports with windham for sx...thats my prediction for some odd reason,well see
"Captain Obvious wrote:
3:45pm May 23, 2011
Congrats Blake! Captain Obvious called it too, not just Ping. BB is a worker, with his eyes on the big prize. Also, he's a mature kid and not very likely to get caught up with any Bam Bam on track nonsense. Go Blake!"
....Happen to remember what Blake did to Barcia in the heat race at Jacksonville? Kind of cost him a championship. And that was BLAAAAATANT. Easily one of the blatant moves of the year.