Racer X ReduX: High Point
Thursday, June 16, 2011 | 10:00 AM
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Back in December, we put together a Racer X Illustrated magazine story about Kevin Windham, who we called the “The Most Interesting Man in Motocross” and riffed off of those Dos Equis commercials. Kevin’s long career has made him a man of many stories, and he wrapped it all up by saying, “I do sometimes feel bad for the guys who had to quit early, and never got the benefit of the full cycle,” he says.
Indeed, the luxury of a little extra time goes a long way toward judging someone more accurately. A decade ago, Windham was burned out on the sport, and had he stepped away for good, today’s fans would have been left with a void they never even knew existed. Had Chad Reed really retired in 2008—as he claimed he would if he didn’t get a good deal going—his reputation would be parked far short of where it is today. In the last three seasons, Reed has claimed an AMA Motocross title, and also a large swath of respect from the fans. Good thing he gave us a few extra years to make some judgments (Most common phrase of 2011: “Didn’t used to be a Reed fan but he’s really winning me over.” Also, there were a ton of TwoTwo Motorsports shirts in the crowd this weekend. At least, until the High Point faithful started taking their shirts off, which seems to be a requirement at this track. But only for guys.)
"The Most Interesting Man in Motocross” went 6-5 for sixth overall at High Point.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
Anyway, time helped everyone judge Reed differently. Similarly, the first two rounds of the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship didn’t provide enough data for anyone to really, accurately know what was going on. That’s why last week’s Redux gave a positive/negative look at the field, because we just didn’t know which way the next ten rounds would go. Who was for real? Who was about to turn it around? Who was about to head south?
High Point provided some clues. For example, we now know that Ryan Villopoto is indeed as bad of a bad dude as we thought he would be when the series began. Rounds one and two were strange for him, but in 14 days, RV2 went from a non-player for the win in Freestone to a full on playa at High Point. His first moto win demonstrated the kind of scary speed Villopoto can bring outdoors, and if you’re anyone else who wants to win this title, it’s going to be tough if RV brings it like that every week. And didn’t he bring it every week like that in his 250 days? The second moto proved nothing because it was a slop-fest and Ryan was clearly trying to ride smart to win the overall. So further judgment must wait, but if RV brings it again at his favorite track, Budds Creek, we could be looking at the man for the rest of the season.
But we also know that the Reed of 2011 is not the Reed of 2010. Moto one was bad for him, and just like Matthes wrote in Observations, it looked a lot like Reed’s High Point ride last year, where he came in carrying the red plate but ended it down in the dumps. But the 2011 Reed is more determined, and he came right back to win the second moto in the mud. Did it by being smart, too, as Mike Alessi had pulled a massive lead, and Reed seemed to know that pace couldn’t last in those conditions. RV may have his speed back, but Reed is going to be one stubborn SOB to with that points lead.
Villopoto rebounded at High Point, taking his first overall of the year.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
Oh and how about Alessi? After he crashed out at Hangtown, I was left thinking that perhaps the Alessi experiment was finally over and done. Seven pro seasons filled with sporadic wins, zero success in supercross and untimely injuries (and of course the requisite Alessi drama) don’t really make for good leverage at contract time, and as Mike sat out Hangtown—probably the third or fourth “last best chance” for Mike—I was beginning to worry about his future.
Don’t think so. Mike was in the mix at High Point, much more than his 4-4 would indicate. Over the years, I’ve had team managers tell me that, first and foremost, they’re looking for two things in a rider: wins, or the potential for wins. Mike’s starts are going to get him up front this summer, and it appears he may have the speed needed to snag a victory somewhere. With that, it will be okay in the 800 zipcode again. Then he can struggle in supercross next year and line up, once again, on a 450 outdoors at Hangtown 2012 with the “it’s now or never for Mike” tagline running for the umpteenth time. I’m serious. I remember standing in the pits at Budds Creek interviewing Mike in 2007, he was barely cracking the top ten on a 450, and thinking his career was going nowhere. He rescued himself then and will rescue himself again.
I feel the need to write something about Ryan Dungey here, but he’s the one guy we don’t need to watch ride to know what we’re going to get. The Dunge is going to consistently be there every week. Stamp it.
Baggett has won on both coasts.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
But what to make of Blake Baggett after two weeks? His blazing win at Hangtown and struggle after a crash at Freestone made this decision obvious. How many times have we seen a kid show other wordly speed at the opener only to crash into championship irrelevance shortly after? Well, apparently, that’s not the case with Blake. He had Hangtown speed again at High Point, thus winning races on both coasts, in totally different conditions, with a bad race in between. That’s the kind of stuff that tells you a rider is for real. After the race, he explained to us during an extensive interview on the Racer X Motocross Show that he is not surprised, because he was going fast in testing. He told us that, yes, he does wait until the halfway mark to drop the hammer. He’ll also tell you how awesome his bike is, and he is training with Aldon Baker. So that’s the rational side of the story. These are the facts that are supposed to make these late-race charges believable.
But that rules out one thing: YOU’RE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE ABLE TO DO THIS!
Listen, we’ve all heard enough “really need to get a good start” interviews to know that in motocross, you don’t cruise in eighth halfway through the race thinking that everything will be okay. You’re not supposed to be able to just mow riders down and make up multiple seconds per lap. “Oh, Blake trains with Aldon Baker, that’s why he’s so strong late in the race,” is what I’m hearing. Yeah, well Tyla Rattray trains with Baker, too. Tyla is as strong and tough and fit as they come. And yet Baggett ran him down both times!
Wilson now trails teammate Tyla Rattray by two points.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
This isn’t pure fitness here. Baggett is running with some alien-level, otherworldly speed the likes of which we haven’t seen in this class since, well, maybe Villopoto? James Stewart? Ricky Carmichael, even? I guarantee you that even at his best last summer, Trey Canard wasn’t thinking he could just go FOUR SECONDS A LAP faster than everyone else and go from eighth to first because he felt like it. Nor was Dungey the year before. Baggett’s performances pretty much rendered Emig and me speechless in the TV truck. He even came back from a hard crash!
In the case of Baggett, we know he’s for real, but maybe we need more than two wins to know if he’s going to keep this up all year. Because what he’s doing right now doesn’t even make sense to me.
We didn’t need High Point to tell us that Rattray and Wilson will be there. If Baggett slips at all, these guys are waiting to pounce. Wilson has to be bummed to have narrowly missed the overall at the first two, and then to crash while leading early in moto two at High Point. At the first few races, you’re just glad to get points, but after awhile, you get sick of coming close but not getting the wins. But I’m going to go out on a limb here and call Wilson as my title favorite at the moment. I think he’s just a tiny fraction faster than Rattray when he needs to be, and I’m just not sure what to make of the alien wearing number 57 yet. My brain is trained to tell me you can’t just go as fast as Baggett is going every weekend. But my eyes would tell me otherwise (if they could talk).
Barcia has been diagnosed with mono.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
What’s up with the GEICO Honda guys? Eli Tomac is not logging the inspired performances we expected from him (after Vegas, stock was high on “Tomac will go 1-1 at Hangtown”). And Justin Barcia has now been diagnosed with mono, although he really doesn’t want to miss races and is going to give Budds Creek a shot this weekend. Since JB17 did so well in supercross riding through an injury, he thinks he can do it again outdoors. Not sure it’s going to work but you have to admire someone who wants to fight through this instead of just hit the lake for the summer.
Cole Seely rode well in the second moto on his Lucas Oil Troy Lee Honda. He’s come a long way outdoors. Malcolm Stewart showed some consistency—a huge improvement for him. And for the love of all that is right, will someone give Darryn Durham a factory ride? I’m still puzzled why Star Racing let him go after his first pro season a few years back. What did I say before about wins or potential for wins? Yeah, DDT is on that “potential” list, and that will be good in negotiations. And well done for Chad Sanner, who runs the Eleven10 Mods team Durham rides for. I’ve known Chad for a long time and he’s one of the good ones. Durham’s ride against the odds to lead High Point mirrors that of Sanner, who deserves just as much credit for building a good bike and team from virtually nothing. About ten years ago, Sanner broke his back in a crash and was done with racing. Years later, he qualified for the Kenworthy’s National, and that’s all anyone could talk about in the local races in Pennsylvania. He’s an inspiring guy, a mover and a shaker, and someone who is going places in this industry.
Seely has his best ride of the year at High Point.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
Bummer for Kyle Cunningham, who had a string of consistent rides going but missed his gate pick for moto two, leaving him with a bad start and an 11th-place finish. Durham had the same fate. Still, Cunningham has turned a page here and I expect to see him up front all summer. On the other hand, his poor teammate Ryan Sipes!
Finally, if anyone would have been judged wrong without the beauty of time, it’s Davi Millsaps. This guy’s career sure bounces up and down, for a few weeks he’s an underachiever who doesn’t try hard enough, the next time he’s about to win races. With Davi, the reputation seems to rise and fall with the sun and moon. At the last three races, he’s been darned good, and at High Point it had gotten to the point where he was trying to win the darned race. After taking third in moto one, you could tell in the second moto that he knew Dungey and Villopoto were behind him. He was pushing hard and going for the overall win. He crashed, yes, but that’s okay when it comes from trying to win races. A year ago at Budds Creek, it was feared Davi’s racing days were over. Six months ago, really, he was riding so badly that it seemed likely. Now he’s back and, if not better than ever, at least as good as he’s ever been. What does the future hold? We’ll need more time to figure that one out.
Tell me what you think. Email me: [email protected]
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Barcia racing with injury and sickness, still going balls out. Then you have other pro who pack it up for no good reason. Looks like #17 knows the economy is in the crapper and he's thinking long-term for his career.
sucks for barcia but he still goes out and races unlike some other riders
I think we are in for a very good season of outdoor motocross, and when Canard and Grant get back the top ten will be tough to get into !
Hadn't paid much attention to Josh Grant, but when was the last time he rode a full season of anything??? As far as Canard; I have seen two different riders in him; one is where he's a mid-pack guy and the other is when he is on his A game; and thats when he blows you away.
"His first moto win demonstrated the kind of scary speed Villopoto can bring outdoors, and if you’re anyone else who wants to win this title, it’s going to be tough if RV brings it like that every week. And didn’t he bring it every week like that in his 250 days?"
.Sef154 says NO.
I have been wondering for a wile about Aldon Baker, Back last summer it was said that RV hired him but now all the Kawi guys work with him. Who signs his check??
Having spent some time with Davi around his house a few years back I can assure everyone that he is as devoted as any racer has ever been. Each racer is an individual, living in their individual lives... Its a shame when someone is judged solely on results because the general public rarely knows all the factors with regards to real life. Im F*%$ing pumped to see Davi back up where he belongs and its super nice to see the media swing back in a "pro" Davi attitude!! Go Gettem Davi!!! Whoop some ass for your old Canadian buddy Bones EHH!!!!
If Baggett can get some consistency and ride that way at most tracks the 250f championship is his. I think we'll know by Redbud.
Josh Grant won't be much of a factor when he gets back. He won't be as good as Alessi has shown, thats for sure.
I see Red Dog is going to be testing for JSE??? hard to believe but I guess he always did like Yamaha.
Lastly, I am not convinced that Villopoto is a shoe in for this championship, I still need to see more from him and there are plenty of guys that can win motos this year.
Not that Les Smith is doing bad or anything, but when is Brayton coming back?
Go Kyle Cunningham!!!!
Did Baggett cut the track after his crash in the second moto? Somebody that day crashed off that triple during the day and cut across the grass and onto the start straight. I can't remember who it was though.
Rattray didn't jump that hip jump nearly the entire moto, wonder why?
I would like to see Malcom on a big bike.
You know they always say that the best man wins! So it is going to an interesting season because there is a lot of great riders out there. I would guess there is a least 7 guys who have win potentials. So no one is going to walk away with a championship. I see both Alessi and Millsaps giving 100%. Also when Canard comes back, I dont think he will just circle arond the track. Its been awhile since we have seen this championship come down to the last race. So maybe this will be the year. It will keep the fans on there toes and guessing. Also creating a
"Shitload" of bench racing!
I'm SUPERpumped on MX right now. I can't ride right now but this year of racing has been off the hook! So stoked to see Reed, Villamoto, Dungey, Windham, even Alessi and Millsaps...This year is all about the comeback. BBGun is GNARLY. Stewart and Pourcel...Obviously we don't need 'em....Canard, see ya soon!
"[D]idn’t (Villopoto) bring it every week like that in his 250 days?" To Weege and BillC ... not really. First, let's not forget that it was the 250 class. That said, in '06 his overall scores included a race outside the top ten, two fifths, a fourth and two seconds. In '07, he won five out of 12 overalls, and in '08 he lost three times to Dungey (in his second year out of the amateur B class) and once to Stroupe. A successful Lites career, no doubt, but can we get past this "invincible in Lites" or “invincible outdoors” idea that some of you seem to have?
sef didn't Poto win every outdooe lites championship he was in? Moto or overall losses aside, I would still call that invincible. You and others may not like it, but he is the favorite outdoors. Others are def fast and capable of wins. But I am def looking forward to seeing if RV can shut the doubters up
@sef154, ALL last year you would say RD was riding smart to win the title not every race, NOW you do a 180 on RV and tell us He did not win every race... Man you flop around like a fish out of water. RV WON EVERY lites title he entered!! Get over it sef154.
.SO if the gole is the title, Then... YES RV WAS INVINCIBLE IN THE LITES!!
RC was invincible ! RV is fast as hell and dominant , but you have to go go 24-0 to be INVINCIBLE. IMO
"Invincible" carries that impervious to all things notion. Outside of 24-0, invincible is too strong of a word.
However, the RV of 2011 is far better than the RV of years past; that statement is reason enough for anyone to be wary of his potential.
It's a pain in the ass to argue with someone who makes things up. Dungey won last year by 145 points! Why would I even NEED to say "ALL last year ... RD was riding smart to win the title not every race"? And that's not even my point! When RC was running outdoors, there was virtually NO DOUBT who was going to win the race OR the championship. Same with Bubba in '08. But BillC and others seem to think it's the same with Villo now that he's won ONE overall of the first three, ONE moto out of the first six in 2011! Never mind. Sometimes you just have to realize that you're wasting your breath arguing with some people. Rock on with your MANY posts per day, BillC. You're a legend in your own mind.
BillC... Aldon Baker has several riders he acts as a personal trainer. Kawi does not pay this.. The riders pay it themselves.
I reckon, Aldon spends most of his time with RV, as he most probably signs the biggest check... But damn.. This is THE best move RV did.. Gone are the days of this fat redneck kid.. And meet a slim, and muscular redneck... Who is on his way to become the national champ in the 450 class!
Cant you all just get along........Just let the races play out....its only round 4 of a 12 round series......In comparison to last year, RD went on a terror winning motos left and right and the overalls just a bout every week after round 1 with ease.......The guys that were Dungeys main competition after Reed quit, Alessi & Grant got injured aren't even top 5 this year so far and RV wasnt there at all and Tedescoe is out this year.........Nobody walked away from Dungey last year like RV did this past weekend.....so we'll just have to see what happens....Dungey will be up there, but will not have a repeat performance of last year where most the field gave up or was out halfway thru for the most part....
WOW sef154 you fly of the handle so fast, Were did I EVER say the title is over RV won it?? Talk about making things up!!
. And Yes I do believe you were one of the guys that said stuff like that about RD when he would get beat indoors or out.... But what ever.
.Also why does it bother you so much that I post more than you?? Stop trying to make everyone conform to how and when you think they should post.
.Its funny how pissed you get over stuff like this, You can argue both side depending on who its about. I judge them all the same, When RD kicked butt in moto 1 at round 1 and moto 2 at round two I said it was Very impressive but you still say I never say anything good about RD..... maybe because your not on here as much as I am you miss some stuff?? Try to talk about things without getting so POed. Bottom line is the title and RV won them all. spin it all you want and add RC in there too I wont get mad like you.
Word on the street is that Baggett was supposed to get an intravenous infusion of a full dose of James Stewart blood, but some suspect he only got 1/2 a dose. This might explain his speed, the lack of crashes, and the one fat lip instead of two (see photo, above).
Don't kill the messenger, nomesane...I'm just repeating the word on the screeps.
Mono is no joke. If any of you have ever had it...it sucks balls. Sucks your gas tank dry. Wish Barcia best of luck.
If you think RV is going to reck shop in the 450 class this year your crazy. Yes he is an awesome rider, but I don't think you understand the amount of talent out there...not to mention mistakes and crashes that DO HAPPEN. RV will be hard to beat outdoors no doubt and maybe im not totally understanding the conversation between you and sef154, but he still has to deal with at least 5 other riders. Dungey has matured a lot...Reed is faster then ever...Alessi will be up there getting some revenge....and not to mention when Grant and Canard come back. Especially Canard...oooo man people are going to be suprised. And there isn't just 5 other riders...the whole calss is stacked--- Millsaps-Craig-Windam-Metcalfe-(just to name a few) they are all capable of winning. I just hate when people say one person is going to kill everyone in outdoors, when it's not going to happen with the amount of talent in the classes this year. Goodluck to all.
I'm not trying to hate or dog anyone.....just simply explaining my theory and some facts. Thanks
yes there is alot of talent this year but rv is on another level as we will all see
This BillC guy is something else. Funny he was hibernating after the first 2 races then bamb he's on here like stink on shit. All I got to say is RV better win every moto from here on out and big time or you go home.
BillC I totally get where your coming from, everyone else who doubts Villopoto, well they probably never seen him run MXON Budds Creek in 07, or cares to think of this 3 outdoor titles on a lites bike, sure the other guys in the class are very very capable of winning, but I dont think anyone in there right mind would be suprised to see Villopoto win this series in a dominant fashion. IM NOT saying he will win by any means, but anything can happen outdoors and thats what makes this series the best and this sport so great. I am confident Villo will be on top at the end, Dunge a consistent 2nd, and Reed with a solid third. James Stewart, DNS.
Pretty surprised no one seems to recall that the only reason Dungey did not win the SX Title this year was because of Bike failure and as it stands right now would own first place in the points if it were not for a Bike failure. What does the kid have to do to prove to people he's fast enough to win titles again regardless of who's on the track with him? Do you have a clue or have you forgotten how incredibly hard it is just to be the 4th or 5th fastest MX rider on the planet? Are any of you even the 5th fastest rider at your local track? And yeah, Canard is going to up the pace quite a bit when he comes back and I am sure the big boys are talking about him in their sleep. Go Davi while I am at it too, how cool for MX that JGR is using some non-moto related ingenuity to make the backward bikes fast and give a big fella like Davi a real shot? I am just so happy for our sport that every week is this awesome. But for the broadcasts, get those guys out of the booth and in the pits more...quit giving me tours of the semi's, give some non-moto sponsors some air time so we continue to attract more and more business to the best sport ever.
RV this, RV that. He's good but.............he is not invincible. GOAT lost motos, JS lost motos (just don't bring it up to a stewtard) and RV will lose motos, of this I can assure you.
I think it's great that redheaded / rednecked good 'ole boys can be great at something in sports, not a lot of ginger stick & ball athletes out there ruling the games / stats / whatever. RC, Canard, Villo........the red mafia. Dominating through fairness........in complextion.
@Holly Cow ... Pull your head out, I was here after the first 2 rounds, Typical post through some crap out there thast not true. Go back and look it is EASY to see that your full of CRAP!! Go away chit starter!!
@To BillC , No probllem with what you say, But I never said RV was going to run the table. Hell before the start some guys where saying RV would go 24-0 and i told them they were CRAZY!!
.@Jerry White I agree RD is super fast but You seem to forget that he never passed RV to beat him in SX unless RV fell But RV passed RD a few times and beat him, Same for JS and Reed I think aswell.Oudoors this year so far He won when he started in front but also got dropped twice by reed and once by RV so far. RD is always there but not the type of guy who passes and pulls away for wins like RV or RC or JS (yes last year he did but the field was NOT like it was this year and we all saw the dif, 1 SX win... RV...6 wins). When RD is in the right spot he gets it done but is to slow to make passes and does not have the raw speed of some others IMO.
BillC your last sentence is unbelievable. What did RD do at Texas the last moto? Yeah if you looked at the lap times he was putting 3 sec. a lap on your boy. Actually the first 2 races he did. I know your going to say he was sick and what not but maybe did you think RD had some issues at Hipoint? And for the record I dig RV a lot. I bet RV wish you wasn't his fan because you make him look bad, ass hole.
On the lighter side,....I see J-law is entered again.......I think Hodaka should sponsor him.
You Bet, shut up. Your ignorant. Villopoto was sick whether you like to believe it or not, even if he wasn't, who knows, who cares what happened, happened and its in the past, REED won, Dungeys bike broke, and Villopoto did what he could.
You Bet you sound like a 12 year old girl.
go barcia hes gonna come back strong