5 Minutes with… Ken Roczen
Wednesday, July 6, 2011 | 1:10 PM
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By: Geoff Meyer/MXLarge
It was easy to look at German sensation Ken Roczen in the last month and think he had turned into the next James Stewart. The fastest MX2 man on the planet, but he was making too many mistakes. Many said it was because he was tired, or the others had found their speed and he suddenly felt the pressure. Now after the Grand Prix of Spain and the Grand Prix of Sweden he is back at his unbeatable best.
We caught up with the Red Bull Teka KTM Factory rider and asked him about his weekend and what it felt like to be back on track after losing out to Tommy Searle in France and Jeffrey Herlings in Portugal.
You had that period where you made a lot of mistakes, crashing many times. Why was that?
Roczen: Well, we did some testing with suspension and we had some downs, because it didn’t go as good as I wanted. Spain finally I started riding smoother and standing on the bike more. It’s always good to have another gear, I can see when somebody is coming and I can just shift up and go away from them. I see my speed is really good, and I try to get good starts in the race and not rush and not make stupid mistakes.
Roczen was domianant in Sweden going 1-1 for the overall.
Photo: Ray Archer
Roczen is planning on racing in the United States full time in 2012.
Photo: Ray Archer
It was easy to look at German sensation Ken Roczen in the last month and think he had turned into the next James Stewart. The fastest MX2 man on the planet, but he was making too many mistakes. Many said it was because he was tired, or the others had found their speed and he suddenly felt the pressure. Now after the Grand Prix of Spain and the Grand Prix of Sweden he is back at his unbeatable best.
We caught up with the Red Bull Teka KTM Factory rider and asked him about his weekend and what it felt like to be back on track after losing out to Tommy Searle in France and Jeffrey Herlings in Portugal.
You had that period where you made a lot of mistakes, crashing many times. Why was that?
Roczen: Well, we did some testing with suspension and we had some downs, because it didn’t go as good as I wanted. Spain finally I started riding smoother and standing on the bike more. It’s always good to have another gear, I can see when somebody is coming and I can just shift up and go away from them. I see my speed is really good, and I try to get good starts in the race and not rush and not make stupid mistakes.
Roczen was domianant in Sweden going 1-1 for the overall.
Photo: Ray Archer
In Sweden you looked totally in control. Can you explain how your weekend went?
It was a good day for me and the track was kind of nice, but also tricky, it wasn’t easy to ride. I had two good starts and that is a plus point on this track. The track was nice on Sunday. I wanted to push in the last two laps of the second moto and I got sweat in my eyes and it was difficult. I feel really confident, and a lot of things can happen and you need to keep a clear hear and a small mistake can finish your championship. All my friends will be in Germany and the last two years have been crazy, but I just need to focus on my riding and the fans make it even better for riding. I felt good today, and I kind of rode smooth and I didn’t make big mistakes. I still push 100%, but I try and be more focused and before I went out there and put the hammer down, now I try and be a little more careful.
Being clearly the fastest guy, does that add pressure?
Actually it feels good; I don’t have to be scared of anyone. Even if there is a little mistake in the start I don’t have to rush or anything, as long as I am top ten it’s all good and by the end of the race I am really fit and I can maybe ride a second or two faster than the other guys.
Do you think your injury helped you get your concentration back?
Sometimes you need something to hit you, because you kind of wake up again and focus a lot more, if everything goes good.
In that period you were making the mistakes there was a lot of talk that you were getting tired from all the racing you have done. What do you think of that talk?
I mean (smiling); I am probably the guy who hasn’t been riding as much as the other guys. Because of the Supercross I took it easy during the week, I don’t even ride sometimes during the week. I like to ride on the weekends and try and find a good middle thing so I don’t do too much.
Obviously you have mentioned for a long time that you would like to race in America and there was always a question mark over would you race in Supercross and Motocross and now you have finally decided to race both AMA series' in 2012. What made your mind up?
I love my team in America, they are really great people and I love to have them around, and once I am there I don’t really want to come back. I will try it for 2012 and see how I like it.
Roczen is planning on racing in the United States full time in 2012.
Photo: Ray Archer
A German in America, we don’t see that often, how will you deal with the different culture?
I have no problem to go there, I really like it there and the team I have around me and I have a lot of friends over there so it’s going to be really good and it should also be fun.
Let’s say you get a big points lead and can ride a National in America, would you do that?
I won’t do a National this year. I have something in my mind, but not going to the Nationals. I won’t move to the 350cc for a race, but I have something in my mind, but I don’t want to say anything right now.
Tommy Searle had picked up the pace (before losing it again in Sweden), are you happy about that?
I think it’s good. Also Gautier is going way faster than at the beginning. It would be good for me if some guys can get between me and Jeffrey, because it’s really tight at the moment. It’s almost half of the season and its going quick to the end, but also really slow, so we see what happens in a month or so.
As the Championship gets closer, will you feel pressure?
I actually know how to deal with pressure, but I can also ride better if I have a good points lead, it will make me relaxed, but really I don’t have trouble with pressure. It shouldn’t be a problem.
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Remains to be seen how he settles in for Pseudo-X next winter, but outdoors he and Bagget, and Marvin will have their own race out front.
I can see him winning a title in the states within the next couple years! GO ROCZEN!
I bet Roczen will racer the Monster Energy Cup!
I'm thinking Monster Energy Cup or X Games
I bet Red Bull would to win the Monster Energy Cup.
Roczen, we the US fans want to see you ride a national this year.We want to see how you stack up to Blake Baggett.No one cares if you come and run the Monster thing in Vegas this fall.I sure that was what you were leading up to in the interview.I guess you think you'll win that Monster race on a 250.Believe me when I tell you this.If all our top guys are there(JS7,CR22.RD1,RV2 plus Canard) you will get smoked and no one will care.But now if you win a outdoor national that would be a big deal to us.
Oops..I meant, " would LOVE to win.."
I want to see Roczen, Baggett and all the fast 250 guys run a series of races, to see who is the fastest. One race will not determine that. Too many things can happen. A series, so come and run the entire Natiuonals next season, I cant wait.. This kid is fast..
Roczen,it seems like every time a leading Euro comes to the US they always get hust (usually during SX) and we never get to see them at their peak during the outdoor nationals.I would also like to see AC222 on the 350 come run a national as well.I've always wanted to see the top Euro against top US riders.For some reason the top Euro and top US riders are big pussie's and won't ride in each other's one off series races.
We'll most likely see Baggett vs Roczen at the MXoN's.
des nations...roczen can def win nationals and even a title. cairoli on the other hand is more a top 5 guy. not in our top 3's speed outdoors. just from what I saw at des national last year
bagget vs roczen?baggett have no luck...
KTM/Decoster/Roczen
The Next Domination Force in American Motocross!!!
Fred - I think you'll find a number of top GP riders have flown over to the states to race one off Nationals for a bit of fun, Herlings will hopefully be at Southwick this year... but try and find an American, safe in the familiarity of racing in the AMA on home soil, who would take on the challenge of racing a one off GP. You wont find one.
I would hazzard to guess he's eyeing the X games (for Moto-X, not tricks) if he can get some points on Herlings. The Buzz on this guy is definitely there and I'm certain Red Bull would love to have him there representing the brand. He'd be an exposure mega-magnet. I'm pretty sure the whole blonde, good-looking thing isn't hurting his stock either. As this guys star rises, Red Bull's other star athlete (you know who) appearance fee falls like a lead balloon. It'll make for a great rivalry once they meet on track.
I'm with all of you guys on the Monster Energy Cup. I saw K Roc at the MXDN last year at Thunder Valley. I was amazed how he was waxing those guys on the 450s for a few laps before they finally caught up with him. I really dont feel this years SX really allowed to show his talents. Hopefully by next year he will have more time under his belt on the SX tracks and maybe back it down just a notch. I also wouldn't count him out yet as the next FMOTP. Its amazing the fan base K Roc has developed. But if you talk to anyone who was at Colorado last year and ask them how it was, the first things that come out of their mouths are 'Did you see that Ken Roczen kid".
I think more to the point of rocksen's statement "for fun", the euros have to come over here to prove themselves, while the American riders do not have to do that. They have nothing to gain & everything to lose.
No top tier U.S. riders emigrate the opposite direction but, you don't see them running away from Rattray, Musquin, Roczen, etc. on our own shores, either.
I'd really enjoy seeing some Roczen & Herlings ride Southwick......FINALLY!!! A team / riders capable of giving Payton heartburn.
"Let’s say you get a big points lead and can ride a National in America, would you do that?
I won’t do a National this year. I have something in my mind, but not going to the Nationals. I won’t move to the 350cc for a race, but I have something in my mind, but I don’t want to say anything right now."
I'm thinking maybe racing a KTM 125 or 150 two-stroke at the GP's if he clinches early.
Carlsbad, you have some good points out there. Roczen has already developed rock star status here. If Jeff Herlings comes out for Southwick that would be cool. He was home grown in the sands of Holland and was reported to have ran the fastest laps at their GP in April. As for Americans flocking to Europe, bottom line is there is no money it. You go to Europe to make a name for yourself and to add another notch in your gunbelt not to get rich. Thats why everybody comes here, despite the recession, there is more dollars to be made racing.
What K Roc on a KTM 150 two stroke spanking the rest of the field? Interesting!
So forward thinking yet backwards! Sounds like a Yammie info. But thats what it would be for KTM. I like the fact these guys at KTM are not afraid to evolve. Yet too many times I've heard people saying "Hey Japan, Wake Up". So lets see what K Roc has planned. There were some interesting points scattered around this web site on the whole 4stroke-2stroke thing and where do we go next. How about a 300lber in a thong, wouldn't that be cool?
c'mon guys theres no doubt that ken can win a supercross championship next year, infact hed probably be the favorite unless barcia or tomac or wilson was in it. but motocross is different and from what im seeing right now the only way your gonna beat baggett is if he crashes or gets a horrible start. i have a feeling youll see that at the mxdn when rv2 rd1 and bb57 go 1-2-3!
so guess we'll be seeing Rocky at the October RC invitational. told u there would be some heavy hitters. Hopefully Josh hill will be back 100%. Hanny, Milsaps, brayton. gonna be a cool race
So is there any news on Josh Hill lately?
Rocksen, Roczen is at a higher level that Herlings.I want to see the best.I know GP riders come and race nationnals for fun sometimes,but I want the best not just a top 5 guy.Maybe we will see Roczen and Baggett battle at MXDN but I don't ;ike the format for those.I think they should run the classes separately or at least put all the 250 on one side of the gate.
Carlsbad, I don't think they are running Super X at the Xgames this year.I thought they were going to run EnduroX this year?
I really like this kid alot and I think we're going to see great things from him and KTM in the coming years. Damn, he's only 17 and as he matures mentally and physically he's only going to get better.
I love how everyone talks about him coming over and challenging Bagget. Everyone said the same thing about Serle when he came over... You are not giving the top AMA guys enough credit.
Adam Cianciarulo and Cooper Webb will be pro soon enough. Next year will be his best chance to come over and try to win.
CH: "Roczen, vhat ist gud in life?"
Roczen: "To crosh herr enemies, see zem driven before you, und to hear de lamentations of der vomen, jah!"
Why not have an overlapping series with just the 450s? 4 rounds in a row in Europe than 4 rounds in the states. Have 2 sets of points, one for the 8 round WORLD MX championship and the other for there respective series. The top 20 from each series would be invited and the remainder could race at another veniew or in a seperate race altogether. Its this kind of nonsense of two seperate series that kind remind me of Indy/IRL or worse yet boxing. until theres a unified series this discusion will never end.
No cotton pickin way would he be able to check out at us national. Baggett has more speed and come up through the pack.. Kroq would have his work cut out for sure... He's a euro.. come on. He's racing a bunch of intermediates over there.
Braaaapppp!
smart kid....awesome racer...he will be here winning soon enough...let him win the GP's 1st, dont need to do it all...he is only 16...give him a break...
the monster cup is going to be sick,, the more racing events we have the better...
Been a MX fan for 42 years, what I saw at the beginning of the SX season compared to how he finished, amazing. Everyone knew he had to calm down, ride smarter to go faster. He aced the test, thats a heck of a sign with a young kid. Of course when you have DeCoster in the directors chair.......not suprising at all. Roger is moulding a force I believe will be lethal in the next few years, kids awesome!
Roczen, a healthy Musquin, and Hmmmm, Dungey on a 450sx next year? If all these moons were to align that would truly be Team Orange Crush
@bill............
Points standings
450- 1st and 4th- Not american
250 - 2nd and 3rd - Not American
Can we at least agree there is fast people from all over?
Or are we going to here how the USA is best at everything including underwater basket weaving?
Granted, as a whole, Id say the US has more fast riders. And your economy and vastness allows for that upbringing.
As a country to other countries, you would be hard to beat, like this Sept in France at MXDN.
But say, 10 top us riders against 10 top Non Americans, i wouldn't even bet on either. But if I had to, i would go the world.
Please don't go all USA USA USA on me. I live in the shadows of the GM building in the Big D, and was at RED BUD on the weekend. I am pro USA and would defend her when applicable. But this I thought needed some enlightenment.
czmark,
from what i hear josh hill is trying to race the washougal national this year.
Thanks for the update Washougalmx!
The biggest Problem for US guys and Euro guys are the diffrent Bike set ups.
Gp Factory Bike ... pretty much everthing diffrent Frame alot of carbonfiber ( tank Airboc etc. ) ... but an 92 dB muffler and normal 96 oktane fuel
AMA Bikes ... Frame and everthing closer to stock ... but louder muffler and racing fuel.
So there are only a few fectory teams who work on both sides AMA and GP
Suzuki ( send desalle last year ) , KTM ( will send herlings ), besides thos two ... for smaller teams its just to expensive to make a quick dip in the GP or AMA Pool ... even the CLS PC Team Pourcel is in now .. is just an sattelite team with factory support .. the biggest differnce is not being at " home " ... a new team differnt food ... no friends .. or why do you think pourcel went back.
Roczen is just a cool kid who always dreamed of riding in the USA ... he took extra english lessons from age 10 on ... or why do you think he speaks so good english .. he was the youngs factory rider of all times with age 12 ... he is a pro .. . it was always his dream to become the best motocross rider in the world. and in the USA is the only place you can become a legend ... and make big bucks.
i am pretty sad next weekend will be the last time i will see him ride in Germay for a long time.
Carlsbad, where do you suggest the American riders run to when the world championship guys come to America?
The reason the top Americans don´t do one off W/C rounds, is because they´d get smoked. It´s a different type of racing, and they are smart enough to realize that. Hell, they even get smoked in the USA by non Americans. Just remind me again who´s leading the 450 championship, and in Reed´s case, we are talking about a 30 year old privateer. LOL.
Roczen will destroy Bagget. The kid´s not bad, but is a class below the top 250 euro riders at present. Of course you rate him, because he´s the best you´ve got. Jeez, even Jeffery Herlings would smoke him, and he´s only 16.
Hey MIke, I think you are misinformed friend. There is a reason people from around the world want to come here to race and it's not because it's easy. I respect all the talent abroad but what you're saying is just foolish. Wake up!!!
@MIke, I disagree, They would NOT get smoked. I feel any top 5 guy from the Nationals has just as good a chance at winning a GP as anyone else. Reed is the ONLY guy beating Americans here. Wilson wont be the points leader very long. And I have a feeling Reed wont be either. The reason the Euro's come here is to race against the best in the world. And if they do a one-off race, its always Unadill(a very Euro-style track) or they do Southwick(If the guy is a sand specialist) so they dont get embarressed.. We havd two GP Champs come over and Pourcel, so I guess 3. And NONE of them has won a title. Searle and Pourcel are gone, and Rattray is still a 26 year old veteran trying to win a 250 class title. Its the same story over and over..
I think Roczen and Herlings would do well at Southwick, it would be great to watch them. I like Roczen alot, but I would love to see them ride a few different tracks, istead of just the sand track because they think they can compete there. How about Washougal, or MIlleville, that would be cool too.
Josh Hansen and Jason Lawrence are living in Mexico together. Surfing and doing what they do best ( Lets Party )
No, gents, the reason non American riders travel to America to race is for one reason and one reason only. MONEY.
Kenny is coming over because KTM want him to put their make on top of the pile, and are paying his a fortune to do so.
Ever asked yourself why they don´t hire an American? Easy really, because they want the best, and Kenny is the best. They also wanted Ciaroli to do the American thing, but he wasn´t interested. Why? Because, being Italian, the Italian mafia (Loungo and Youthstream) who run GP´s are paying him to stay.
It´s all about money guys, not measuring yourself against the best. Really, grow up will you.
@Mike Cairoli isnt coming over here because he would get his ass kicked, period. He couldnt touch Dungey, and lost a moto to Short, who doesnt get a top 5 here. RV and Reed would wax him too. Cairoli would be luucky to ever touch a podium here. And Decoster has already said he has his eye on a few American riders. And if he tried supercross, then you can throw Stewie in the mix, and Caroli would never see a podium, he needs to stay were he is if he wants to be a star. I think the Des Nations have told him that. Roczen would do well here, but he wont wax the field, every Euro thinks it will happen when thier stars come here, but it doesnt happen very often. Searle, Rattray, Pourcel, shall I keep going.
bd200 wrote: Blah blah blah.
Really bd, that post has to rank right down there with the rats and mice. It´s not really worth repying to, but as I´ve nothing better to do right now (it´s raining out and the track is a mess) I will say, you WILL learn respect when Kenny comes over and rules.
Toni would destroy your best. He didn´t get to be a 4 times WORLD champion because he sucks. BTW, Is America part of the world? It´s easy to claim you are the best when you duck the series which determines who is the best.
The rest is just talk. Yeah, we´ve heard it all before, blah blah blah. Why do you guys insist on making fools of yourselves?
Desalle, Unadilla, 2010.
On an American Suzuki RMZ450 - the Forks he brought with him did not fit. So, a completely different bike.
Results, 2 + 2, at a track he'd never ridden on.
At the time, he was being beaten by Cairolli, on a 350.
Not a bad effort, but, some people here will still call the Euros slow.
The World Championship are just that - The World Championships. And there is plenty of money to be made in Europe - if you can deliver the results. Young Euros grow up reading about SX and the US Nationals. They prove themselves in GPs (Anstie was effectively groomed for the US by his dad, so didn't do a huge amount in GPs - Searle got hurt - it happens to US riders as well) and some go to 'The Promised Land'.Many don't, they have no interest in the US.The ones that go to the US, have then just the one culture, one country to travel in. Many find this a lot easier than travelling Europe / the World, with all the difference that entails.
Many that go to the US do well.Better than a big of number of US riders. Pourcel gets 2 250 indoors titles, critics then say it's "only a regional series, it doesn't mean anything", not realizing they are then belittling the US racing scene. Pourcel gets 2nd , and then 3rd in the US 250 Nationals, Rattray gets 2nd last year. Yet many regard them as failures - once again, not realizing they are belittling the Nationals. Regularly, much of the top 5, or top 10, are riders from another country. Yet the US riders are the "World's Best". And the World Championships has no depth? Yet, Swanepoel, turned up 2 years in a row at Unadilla, and got in the top 10 each time. Whilst he struggled to get near the top 10 in GPs.
A GP is held in the US, few riders attend, few spectators go to it, when it is held in the "Centre of The MX Universe". The event now appears to have been lost from the US. Chase up quotes / interviews with David Bailey, and other riders from the Carlsbad / Glen Helen 500 GP era, and they say that it was an honour to represent their country, the thought of not doing the GP was anathema to those riders.
Think about these points, though I guess vitriol will flow. There's a big wide world of MX out there, that too many US fans have no idea about. Yet they dismiss it out of hand, whilst knowing little, to nothing about it. I watch both the GPs and US Nationals - both are great racing, but I see more depth in the GPs. And much of the depth in US racing, is formed by overseas riders.
Think about these points.
Weaw what Caroli can do at the Des Nations, easy enough. Dungey spanked him, and he is ducking the best. And its NOT a World Champ if you dont beat the best here in the USA. And I NEVER said anything bad about Roczen there genious, I said he is a great rider and cant wait until he comes here to race. I really like the kid. So its obvious you didnt even read my post.
Great points "B" !
Thumbs up!
Is Roger Decoster going with the 450's next year? I sure hope they do. I fuel Injected KTM 450!!!! What a Monster Power House that will be. Who will sign KTM???
I know a local pro who raced a GP and he said there was no depth over there. He said it felt like a local race. One fact for you "B" what country has won the most MXDN's???? When ever we make a effort that trophy has the best country in the world's name on it! haha
I don't know how you foos could say Roczen and Baggett wouldn't be good competition for each other.
Baggett really excelled at the motocross-style SX tracks (Daytona, Vegas). He likely would've outpaced Roczen easily at Daytona, but their times would've been REALLY similar at Vegas if Roczen hadn't crashed. He was learning fast at that point.
Outdoors, Canard was faster than Wilson last year, and people say Roczen was reeling him in at MXdN. Add to that stat all the SX Ken's done since then, all the riding in Europe, the extra maturation, and the added confidence of riding well AND finding fans in America, and you can see that Roczen is a force.
But this year it's Baggett who's faster than Wilson, and not by just a little. He'd be beating '10 Canard easily if he was riding like he is now. So obviously Baggett is a force as well.
I think it would be really close. I'd take Baggett to win, but...damn, I don't know. Hopefully we'll see them race in a few months.
@bd200 none of the gp riders have won a title? how about vuillemin, pichon, pourcel, jmb, albertyn, reed, langston and ben townley.
What title had Vuillemin won?? Or Pourcel--he was beaten twice, Langston got a depleated field title, Pichon and JMB?? --boy, you are going WAAYY back for those titles, Albertyn's was in 1999.. Is that all you got?? DV12 and Pourcel havent won anything..
Hey ALL you nationalist tools... Decoster, JMB and Everts are some of the fastest MXers ever to live, and they all came from Europe. JMB spanked our best American racers and then got bored and went road racing. Everts worked RC in his last race as a pro at the MX Des Nations and retired into the sunset. Roczen will also be a top caliber guy just like some of our fastest American stars from Hannah all the way to MC, RC, and now, Dungey, Villopoto and so on. Who cares where a rider is from!?! As long as they are fast, I want to see them race!
Proud American:
Give Us the name of your local Pro. I'll check how He went at said GP (s).
Chase up both Osborne's and Albertson's takes on the GPs, for factual,
available,information. Perhaps he was one of those fellows - that would be strange, as they have shown utmost respect for the GPs, and the GPs riders, after making the effort to go overseas.
But, to repeat : provide us with your local Pros name - it's not hard to find out his performance at whatever GP he went to.
MX Des Nations - the US team has certainly done well at it. Undeniable.
It's a one weekend event, where your team is hermetically sealed from the world around them (lesser so in the US - they, I would assume, would have made themselves fully available to media etc).
I love watching the MX Des Nations - it's a great event. And your team seems to really have someone up above watching over them - some call it luck - either way, it serves them well. Each year, disaster hits other teams - eg: Nagle crashing last year, when Germany was on it's way to winning. The year before, both Cairolli and CR being taken out on the first straight after going 1/2, and earlier, Guarnieri(?) and Byrne(?)hitting each other mid air over a jump. But, that's MX, it's a wild and wooly sport. The riders that the US sends each year, do a magnificent job, every time.
It is the riders that win the MX Des Nations - not a "We" - not you, a fan of the sport - well, perhaps only of your countries side of the sport. Living vicariously through others is a dangerous thing.
But highlighting bad luck as being to reason for defeat is just as spurious as claiming world dominance from one weekends racing - I put it there as an example of how another tack could be used. That's for the people that indulge in * 's. The results, are the results. Cairoli winning the 1st, Glen Helen GP , with a bike stuck in 3rd gear, against MA - written up by many journalists as being the fastest rider at Glen Helen, at any time (at that time in mags and on sites).And winning the GP outright. But, that would probably get *'s from some people, with excuses that other US riders were not there. They were not there - They had the opportunity, so it was their loss.
The World Championships is the World Championships.
The US nationals is a National Championship.
That some believe your nationals is somehow the real World championships, does not make that belief correct. It is an example of jingoism / xenpohobia that is noted by many around the world, that follow MX with open eyes and minds. It's a sad thing.
Think - the Euros usually compete in their own National series (and some others, if allowed by federations) whilst doing the GPs - plus many 'internationals', to make decent prize money - as that b*****d Lluongo continues to line his pockets by giving no prize money for GPs. Under the excuse that he puts that money back into the GPs. Another reason that Some Euros leave the GPs. Not so much for the money , but because of the insult of not being 'valued' by the Iron Fisted controller of GPs. Though, the SX series prize money is shameful, considering the money the promoters make. The US Outdoors, is not too bad for prize money, but still needs to be better - to Value the riders higher, as they should be, who take such high risks, to put on the 'show'.
Everts won a fair few Belgian National titles, whilst winning the 10 World Championships he earned. He, and the Euro press, never thought to add his national Titles to his list of World Champions. It was a seperate thing. Perhaps they should have, to further show doubters of his prowess. The Belgian Nationals, are a Very competitive series. Just with less hype than the US series. That are never put above the World Championships.
Go to MXLife.com, register, and you can watch the 09 and 2010 GP archives. If you have some money, they have a mid season price, of, I think 22 Euros, for the rest of this years GPs (plus archives of this year's earlier GPs, with access to Super Moto, Euro MX2, MX3, E125 2t races, and a Hell of a lot more). I watch the GPs and US nationals (I also go to a few each year of both, plus SX, and EWC etc), and find both series great. But, I have an open mind, unlike, sadly, many 'fans', who almost inevitably, never watch GPs. They just soak up the slanted US press / websites take on things - a slant that, fair enough, those sources have to take, or woe to them with regards to back lash from those who they have provided with that very same, one sided take. A double edged sword, for the US press, and fans.
And in posts above, we have the usual example of US 'fans' putting down non US riders, by saying that they did nothing, when winning either of the 'coasts' in 250SX
which denigrates the 250 outdoors as well, and then extends that, by logical succession, to your entire series. Think about that mindset, those of you that dismiss riders results. That mindset would tend to support that, RCs domination, especially his 2 x 24 -0 outdoors series, and 1 x 24 - 0 for JS, as being unimportant - as, by extension, many would see those results as showing just how bellow par the other riders in those series were. Series that could be seen as having a serious lack of depth. If you applied the thinking that some use to discount Euro / Foreign riders results in the US.
I Do Not hold that view, but, by some peoples justification for puting down other riders results / achievements, it mut be the logical conclusion one should reach.......
Think about it, before you carry on like a 'cranky' school child.
Cairoli wanted to do some SX races, this year - he has said he wants to improve his SX skills, and sees it as being both benefical to his riding, and a hell of a lot of fun. KTM vetoed that - they wanted him to do the job they hired him for - defend his MX1 title, which they knew was going to be a hard ask this year with so many riders coming on.
By the way - the Top Euros make a Lot of money - and there would be a larger amount of them making better money, deeper in the GP field, than is being made by US riders. Do some research into how much your riders make - it is depressing
the difference that is being made between the top few riders, and the rest of the field. Even with the higher amount of product representation sponsorship there may still exist, in the US. Though that is becoming very debatable - the GPs, Euro racing has ever increasing sponsorship, especially in the non industry side of things. That, they have always had far more of than the US.
I'd say Cairoli would eclipse a fair few of your top riders, in terms of earnings.
And the other World Champions in MX1, have made/ do make, a very good living in the GPs.
Cairoli has no need to go to the US to prove himself. He is a multiple World Champion.
Many would say the US riders should go to the GPs, to prove themselves - away from their easy life. It would be a valid thing for people to state. But, off course, that would attract a hell of a lot of squeals of hystrionic derision from those that believe that is not the case.
As the rest of the world markets expand, and the US contracts, it is looking very likely that the 'Big' money, will inevitably go elsewhere. Though, that is a Very good reason for the US scene to be so loudly hyping it's importance / level continuously - it will go a long way to keeping / bringing other markets attention to US racing. Very Good Marketing, on the US series owners parts - the way to keep things going.
I am an equal opportunity reader / critic:
Motokris:
If you are going to put a point - get it rght - when you get it wrong you'll only get shot down, and you will add fuel to the fire of the people with narrow views on racing.
Everts Did Not 'Work' RC in the 06 MX Des Nations. RC was out with a shoulder injury from the last US national at Glen Helen.
What he did, was thoroughly 'work' James Stewart, no matter what JS
said about riding 'conservatively' - JS being sideways, with the throttle pegged, whilst Everts passed him on the outside, standing up, feet on the footpegs, showed that. Plus JS crashing shortly thereafter.
Everts humbled Every rider on that track, that day. As he intended to do, in his final big race. I very much doubt Anyone could have withstood his efforts, that day. . And, in the press conference, when JS claimed he was taking it easy, Everts said to JS, that RC would have gone head to head with him, no matter what. That RC would Never have offered up any sort of excuse. I recall JS also being beaten in a moto by Pourcel's brother, Sebastion, at the next Brit MX Des Nations, in the year that he went 24 / 0, in the US. People will * that, in saying he stalled the bike (yes, that he did, but others managed not to do it), but he'd been hounded by SP, had tried brake checking him, then pinned it, which lead to his mistake (sound familiar?). He, (and his father and / his kawi mechanic, plus some of the US press) seemed very put out that a rider had 'dared' to race with him. They (his father and mechanic) even had a go at SP at the finish of the race. While JS himself would not acknowledge SP. For being a rider who pressured, and beat him, the first time that year, outdoors. A Euro 'couldn't do that'. But, a Euro did.
I see a few people in the previous posts above that Do have open minds with regards to MX - that is great to see, and I"m not having a go at you - well, I'm not really ripping very hard into those that are so blinkered, just encouraging them to open their minds, and look outwards. Hence my providing the MXLife info - I'm in No Way connected to them , just a Paying customer. And I'm never particularly happy about giving that mongrel Lluongo more money, at any time. He's a leach on our sport. But I fear DMG, perhaps even more, for what damage they can do to MX in the US. As much as people criticize DC's companies, and he / his certainly make a lot from the sport, I DO believe that he and his companies Do love the sport of MX, and off Road in general. Lord help us if DMG (AMA Pro) ever take full control of MX in the US.
This will generate a lot of hate, I'd say, By those who can't, won't think.
I love watching the US Nationals, And the GPs. I see riders, of immense skill and bravery in both series. To me, anyone who qualifies (or een tries to qualify) for either series / whatever capacity class they are in (SX too), are riders that derserve respect and appreciation for their talents as riders. but that, and only that. It just high level Motorcycle racing, nothing more, nothing less.
Chillout "B", I meant to write Everts worked JS7. RC worked Everts in Belgium but that's beside the point as Everts' prime was before RC's was. Fast riders are from all over but yes, both the US nationals and SX series are still the most elite, prestigious and competitive hands down. I think all top mx pros everywhere know this deep down, even if they won't admit it publicly.
Everts is one elite guy who never challenged himself by making the move to the US, too bad I would have loved to see him race against equal competition year in year out.
The best come to the US if they want to test themselves, that's why guys like Greg Albertyn, Tyla Rattray, Grant Langston and Chad Reed all made the full time move, and that's why Roczen is too, these top pros all know where the biggest challenge is, deal with it if you can't understand that. I'm not saying the Americans are always the best MXers, just that the best and most competitive series are here. Guys like Tallon Vohland, Donny Schmidt and Trampas Parker all won in the GPs back in the day, but it was a way to make a career, not the pinnacle of the sport, just like today.
If the GPs are the pinnacle, then why did all these guys come here and why is Roczen coming?
Cairoli and Pourcel are guys that are too scared to face the best of the best. Pourcel thought he could cherry pick a championship riding the best equipment in the game and racing against rookies and sophomores, he did great but in the end it still didn't work out for him. Cairroli doesn't want to leave the comfort of his home country and hates even training in Belgium, don't blame him but it doesn't show the competitive spirit of guys like Roczen and all the others that challenged themselves to see if they are the best of the best.
I root for guys that I like, doesn't matter where they are from unless it's the Des Nations event we are talking about. Albertyn was one of my favorites and Rattray is now. I like guys that charge hard and put full effort both on and off the track. I don't see that in a lot of the top guys these days, but Roczen seems to have the drive and motivation to test himself at the highest level, I like it! Go Roczen!
No need to chill out on my part. I was giving advice to someone I thought was more 'centred' in their attitudes to GPs.
Obviously, I misjudged you as being that.
I've given a fair few reasons why GP / other nations riders go to the US. Read the posts again.
Everts did some SXs in the US, finishing within the top 10 a few times. Not bad for a bloke who self confessedly said he was not, and never would be , a good SX rider. Good, by his standards of excellence. He did a couple of US Nationals - though I mainly remember Unadilla, he did OK at that. But, once again, not winning, is being useless to so many - that thinking makes all but one rider on the track all failures.
RC did not go to do any GPs. If Everts could at least go to some US races, why not RC?
Many thought he should have done at least a couple. As , he may have found some competition. 2 x 24 - 0 seasons shows a major lack of competition / depth of the field, many would think. Everts made an effort - RC never did. Yet, he is excused - very strange, very lopsided.
RC beat Everts in a couple of MX Des - Everts beat him in a few MX Des. 98 Foxhills MX Des was a formative event in RCs career, when he was made to look like an amateur by Everts. Though, to be fair, Everts made most of the riders look like amateurs that day. RC was inspired to never be that bad again in mud - he did much the same to riders at a US national in the last couple of years of his career.
Everts defeated JS, whilst he was in the twilight of his career, as some would say. And JS was just reaching his zenith. Not bad for a bloke that was 'past it. Perhaps JS might dig himself out of the position he has found himself in - but it will be very difficult to do with RD, RV, Canard and a couple of others, around, nowadays.
Selective memories, or just not knowing, is a way to cling to ones beliefs / nurture the wrong information. What's the saying about patriotism and scoundrels....... The last refuge of?
Langston and Albertyn won National Championship in the US, to go with their World Championships. Langston did better in SX than Albertyn - but, Albertyn had better SX results than many US riders. Despite not being particulary good at it.
Reed, grew up wanting to do SX (as so many riders do, with the attention it gets) - he's said it many , many times. He and his wife, went to Europe for one year, to prove themselves. They made a massive effort. and they still do. As many oveseas riders do, going to the US. Very few US riders ever leave their comfort zones.
Rattray - not setting the SX world on fire, but doing OK with it, between injuries. He got 2nd in the 250 Nationals last year. With Baggett in it this year, if Baggett doesn't axe himself, I doubt Rattray will win. But, currently you've a South African and Scots /Canadian in front of many US riders.
The 450 class has a few overseas riders, doing far better than the majority of US riders.
Americans are big on statistics when it comes to their sports. Well, do some sums - calculate the results of overseas riders, by percentage of their number, against the results of US riders, by percentage of their number. I think you will be quite shocked by the results as to which group performs better.
Cairoli wanted to do some SXs - vetoed by KTM.
Check the Cairoli video on this site. It's only a few clicks away. And Do listen carefully, to avoid making fools of yourselves, those who want to knock him. Training in Cali did his opening GP season no favours this year. He needed to be on rougher, more appropriate tracks.
Cairoli Lives in Belgium, for most of the year. To ride the GP level tracks. Belgium is perfectly suited to gain access to many types of tracks, but, very specifically, the Euro sand tracks. Tracks that make Southwick look tame. Chase up both Osborne's and Albertson's opinion on the Euro sand tracks compared to Southwick, before you 'spit the dummy'.
He Is The World Champion. Make an effort, and watch film of him racing sometime - 2009 and 2010 GPs are free to view, on MXLife.com, if you register. He rides with the fire of RC, and the precision of Everts.
Pourcel did well - better than the vast majority of US riders. But, the US series he did well in mean nothing - according to so many. Not very supportive of US claims to superiority. But that seems to escape many.
His S*******t with Valli - who will ever know the truth to that? I would not take anything DV said about CP as being reliable. And that team has gone through a fair few riders. CP would not take a check from the owner at a race, it has been shown. But, he certainly handled it badley, even if it were proved to be the oter parties at more fault than him.
CP came back from horrendous injuries - which so many whine that they are sick of hearing about. Only one US rider has come close to that level of injury / level of return, the Great Doug Henry - a true battler against the odds. I hope that his life has no more huge obstacles put in front of him, as they have done so over the last few years. A man of character and determination. And one justly praised for it.
CP showed exactly the same level of character and determination - indeed, coming back from a worse injury than DH did. Yet, few give him credit, and many childishly whinge when it is pointed out. He has a value on his health that he feels is what HE needs to justify taking even more risks with his health. People should understand and respect that, but, they are to biased to take that concept in. The Valli thing didn't work out - it was a big ask for both sides to come straight in to the US outdoors with CP not having raced since Pala last year. A mistake by both sides, I think. He raced this weekend in Germany, with lowly results. But, he was stopping for adjustments, through each race. Doing it as He needed to do it. And I'm sure that the team and he had been prepared for that. He may well not do that well in the GPs - they are not the 250 nationals in the US, and there are far more riders of achievement in the MX1 GPs than the 450 US Outdoors. But, that's only my, and a fair few others opinions - others will have different opinions. That's how it goes.
He endured endless criticism - and that took the form of blatant racism many times. Because he is quiet, did not know the language perfectly (Roxcen has prepared his dream for a long time, and well, being fluent in English. He saw the sort of vitriol other non english speakers have faced), and had to deal, very often, with racist jeering and comments at many podium ceremonies. And, he would then be criticised for not looking too happy about things on the podium. I read the attacks on him when he finally gave some idiots the finger who were abusing him. I think, that was the event where Canard had the character and decency to admonish the crowd over their behaviour. A great thing to do - Canard is a young man that does his family and nation proud. As do the vast majority of your riders. As the vast majority of overseas riders do for their own country, and the sport overall, whilst in the US, and anywhere else for that matter.
Everyone has a right to have their opinions on who the best riders are. But it might be wise to think a bit laterally. Just because you think the US is the best series, still doesn't make it so.
I don't think there were many OZ fans coming out with 'We are the Best in the World', on the one day, in Southwick, where the entire 450 podium was of Australian riders. But, hey, the US riders are the best in the world - our three riders beat them that One day, so Oz MX must be the best, right? Well, if that line is so relevant to the MX Des Nations, why isn't it relevant to a 1 - 2 -3 in a US National for OZ riders? If you don't get it, I'm giving you a lesson in the level of thinking, shown by so many, via the (admittedly, cruel) use of sarcasm.
The only World Championship that you have in the US, is the SX World Championship. Nothing more, nothing less. Look outside of your small world, there's a lot of things out there.
So many US fans base their claims, on nothing but information they have gleened by only looking at their countries race scene, knowing little, or nothing of what is happening elsewhere. The majority of overseas fans of our sport, look to all facets of our sport, and are far more knowledgable and fair thinking about it. We are able to give credit wherever it's due, to whoever it's due too.