Racer X Race Report: Southwick
Saturday, August 27, 2011 | 9:10 PM
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PrintSouthwick's Moto-X338 facility has generated quite a reputation for breaking bikes and breaking hearts, but for once the track giveth what it taketh away. A day of terrible racing luck for a variety of riders--Ryan Dungey, Justin Barcia, Chad Reed and others--ended up adding up to an overall win for a rider who had similar misfortune unfold at this track a year ago. Rockstar Makita Suzuki's Brett Metcalfe scored an emotional first-ever AMA win with solid 3-2 scores, erasing the bad memories of last year, when he ran out of gas within a few turns of winning the first moto.
"I'm a winner now," exclaimed Metcalfe. "This career has been a roller coaster. After everything I've been through, to finally get a win after eight years just feels good. The first moto was the worst I've ever rode at Southwick, but I still got third. We prepared my bike for the mud in the second moto and it rode like butter. It was perfect. I knew I had to beat Villopoto for the overall. I saw him ahead of me, dug deep, and passed him."
And even though others had trouble, make no mistake, Metcalfe earned this one. After his third-place finish in the first moto, he needed to beat Monster Energy Kawasaki's Ryan Villopoto in moto two to win the overall, and he indeed passed the series' leader to score the points needed to snag the race win.
Finally, Metty.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
Now a word on this year's receptors of the bad luck. Metcalfe's teammate Ryan Dungey won the first moto after taking the holeshot and opening up an early lead. Villopoto started about fourth, quickly passed Metcalfe and Honda's Justin Barcia and set out after Dungey. Late in the moto he closed up, but Dungey held on to end Villopoto's two-moto win streak from the previous round of the series.
Barcia was riding well in his second-ever 450 outdoor race, but his engine let go while he was running third. Moments later, TwoTwo Motorsports Bel-Ray Racing Honda's Chad Reed came to a hault on the track with engine problems, as well, while running fifth. Metcalfe hung in there for third, which would loom large for the second moto.
With Hurricane Irene about to make an impact, the fans simply put their umbrellas up and enjoyed the action. They're tough up here in New England!
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
Local boy Mike Sotille logged a fast lap on a smooth track in practice, just moments before it started to rain. As a result, he was the fastest 450 qualifier. Yes, faster than Villopoto, Dungey, Reed and the rest!
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
Barcia had a solid race going in moto one, hanging with Villopoto for a few laps and holding strong in third before his bike stopped running.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
The second-moto drama unfolded before the race even began. Dungey's bike quit running before he could make it to the starting line, and his team had to scramble. He lost his first-gate pick, and then looked to have lost everything when the moto started without him. Then his bike showed up, finally, and he raced onto the track about three-quarters of a lap behind the field. In fact, he was almost immediately in danger of being lapped by Barcia, who had somehow taken the holeshot from a bad gate pick of his own.
Mega moto two drama for Dungey.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
Barcia rode a superb race out front, holding on to win in just his fourth-ever 450 moto. And he's left to think of what might have been, because if his bike had not broken while he was running third in the first moto....
Ah, no reason to think that way. Metcalfe knows the heartbreak of Southwick in similar fashion, and he started fourth and knew he had a shot at the overall since Dungey was way back. He caught and passed Villopoto for third--Villopoto appeared to be riding conservatively perhaps making sure he didn't run into trouble and lose points like Dungey and Reed did. Then Metcalfe passed second-place rider Justin Brayton for good measure. Brayton took a strong third in the moto on his Muscle Milk Toyota JGR bike, and Villopoto took fourth. He made up huge points on Dungey, right?
No! Dungey stayed in front of Barcia the whole way and ended up an astonishing seventh, which means he only lost one point to Villopoto on the day. He even finished third overall behind Villopoto and Metcalfe.
John Dowd needed 22 points to keep his national number, and he scored 25.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
Villopoto stayed out of trouble in moto two and gained a point on Dungey on the weekend with 2-4 finishes.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
An absolutely horrible day for Chad Reed, who had bike problems in both motos and failed to finish either race. He also had a first turn crash thrown in for good measure.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
Metcalfe's long journey now includes a race win.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
The 250 class was comparatively drama-free, with Tyla Rattray delivering his second-straight Southwick win, this time with 2-1 scores. But, the first moto win went to DNA Shred Stix Star Racing Yamaha's Gareth Swanepoel, Rattray's fellow South African. Swanepoel led early, then Rattray made a pass, but then stalled, allowing Swanepoel to get him back. From there, the Yamaha rider actually pulled away a bit to the end to snag his first win in the U.S., and also the first win this year to not go to a Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki rider.
Behind Rattray came his teammate Dean Wilson, who maintained a solid series' lead. In moto two, Alex Martin grabbed the start on his Eleven10 Mods Honda and actually pulled away from Rattray and Wilson early. But eventually Rattray got him, and then Wilson. Martin was more than happy to hang on for his first ever moto podium, but he nearly got back into second when Wilson's bike started to steam. His team told him to back it down, so Wilson cruised the last few laps just nursing his bike home. It held on and he finished second.
Swanepoel had a brief fall and couldn't replicate his first-moto ride, he took fifth, which was good enough for third overall. Wilson's teammate Blake Baggett struggled in the sand and mud, going 9-6 in his motos and losing more points in the series.
Ratters ruled Southwick again.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
Wilson admits he's not a sand master, and was happy to finish second overall.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
Swanepoel scored a big first moto win.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
Rattray had a crash ruin his second moto at the previous race at Unadilla, and that has prevented his Southwick win from making a big impact in the championship standings.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
In the WMX class, Honda's Ashley Fiolek scored a key overall win with 2-1 scores in the rain and mud. He cheif championship rival, Jessica Patterson, crashed a few times in the first moto on her DNA Shred Stix Star Racing Yamaha and finished out of the points, allowing Fiolek to further extend her series' advantage. Patterson returned to win moto two, but the damage to her title hopes had been done. Tarah Gieger put her Lucas Oil Troy Lee Honda into second overall and KTM rider Alexah Pearson snagged her first career podium with third.
Ashley Fiolek not only took the win, but she extended her points lead thanks to a crash by Jessica Patterson.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
The Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship continues next weekend, on Saturday, September 3, from Delmont, Pa. Steel City Raceway will host the 11th of 12 rounds this summer, beginning at 1 p.m. EST.
Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship
Rockstar Energy Southwick National
Moto-X 338 - Southwick, Mass.
August 27, 2011
Round 10 of 12
450 Class (Moto Finish)
1. Brett Metcalfe, Mannum, Australia, Suzuki (3-2)
2. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki (2-4)
3. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki (1-7)
4. Justin Brayton, Fort Dodge, Iowa, Yamaha (7-3)
5. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., KTM (4-6)
6. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki (6-5)
7. Justin Barcia, Monroe, N.Y., Honda (36-1)
8. John Dowd, Holyoke, Mass., Kawasaki (9-8)
9. Les Smith, York, S.C., Yamaha (8-9)
10. Kyle Chisholm, Clearwater, Fla., Yamaha (11-10)
450 Class Championship Standings
1. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki - 431
2. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki - 423
3. Chad Reed, Kurri Kurri, Australia, Honda - 366
4. Brett Metcalfe, Mannum, Australia, Suzuki - 304
5. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., KTM - 243
6. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki - 221
7. Andrew Short, Colorado Springs, Colo., KTM - 196
8. Kevin Windham, Baton Rouge, La., Honda - 193
9. Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha - 173
10. Justin Brayton, Fort Dodge, Iowa, Yamaha - 163
250 Class (Moto Finish)
1. Tyla Rattray, Durban, South Africa, Kawasaki (2-1)
2. Dean Wilson, Glasgow, Scotland, Kawasaki (3-2)
3. Gareth Swanepoel, Johannesburg, South Africa, Yamaha (1-5)
4. Alex Martin, Millville, Minn., Honda (10-3)
5. Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., Kawasaki (9-6)
6. Marvin Musquin, La Reole, France, KTM (7-8)
7. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Kawasaki (5-12)
8. Gannon Audette, Minneapolis, Minn., Yamaha (4-16)
9. Justin Bogle, Cushing, Okla., Honda (18-4)
10. Darryn Durham, Butler, Pa., Honda (8-13)
250 Class Championship Standings
1. Dean Wilson, Glasgow, Scotland, Kawasaki - 438
2. Tyla Rattray, Durban, South Africa, Kawasaki - 400
3. Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., Kawasaki - 398
4. Kyle Cunningham, Aledo, Texas, Yamaha - 264
5. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda - 246
6. Gareth Swanepoel, Johannesburg, South Africa, Yamaha - 241
7. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Kawasaki - 220
8. Justin Barcia, Monroe, N.Y., Honda - 181
9. Martin Davalos, Quito, Ecuador, Suzuki - 175
10. Alex Martin, Millville, Minn., Honda - 170
WMX Class (Moto Finish)
1. Ashley Fiolek, St. Augustine, Fla., Honda (1-2)
2. Tarah Gieger, Aguadilla, Puerto Rico., Honda (2-5)
3. Alexah Pearson, Sacramento, Calif., KTM (7-3)
4. Sarah Whitmore, Cheboygan, Mich., Yamaha (5-4)
5. Julie Parizek, Manchester, Conn., Kawasaki (8-7)
6. Jessica Patterson, Tallahassee, Fla., Yamaha (27-1)
7. Kasie Creson, Vallejo, Calif., Honda (11-6)
8. Lindsey Palmer, Albuquerque, N.M., Honda (9-8)
9. Jacqueline Strong, Cottonwood, Ariz., KTM (4-15)
10. Sade Allender, Sanford, Maine, Kawasaki (10-9)
WMX Class Standings
1. Ashley Fiolek, St. Augustine, Fla., Honda - 279
2. Jessica Patterson, Tallahassee, Fla., Yamaha - 249
3. Tarah Gieger, Aguadilla, Puerto Rico., Honda - 226
4. Jacqueline Strong, Cottonwood, Ariz., KTM - 162
5. Kasie Creson, Vallejo, Calif., Honda - 153
6. Marissa Markelon, Bridgeport, Conn., Yamaha - 148
7. Vicki Golden, El Cajon, Calif., Kawasaki - 140
8. Alexah Pearson, Sacramento, Calif., KTM - 137
9. Lindsey Palmer, Albuquerque, N.M., Honda - 132
10. Sayaka Kaneshiro, Osaka, Japan, Suzuki - 113
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Holesho...... ah nevermind.
Thought for sure someone was gonna post before I finished.
Monster Holeshot!!!!!!!
This is sad. But nothing bad to say about Dungey, and guy people say CANT PASS.. He started a 3/4 lap down and still passed 33 riders. on a muddy track. But what is sad is the way RV rode in the 2nd moto. 4th place!!!!. That is sad. Nothing wrong with getting beat by a kid riding on his home and favorite track with the skills he has. But Brayton?? Dont get me wrong he is a very skilled rider, but has he even gotten a top 5 this year?? He is in 10th place, and RV is probably going to be out National winner. He rode WAAAYY to conservative to me, he had a chance to really make up a ton of points and blew it. He should have beaten Metcalfe and Brayton in that moto at least. I know Mewtty runs great at that track, but RV passed him and pulled away some in the first moto. He acted scared. Lets hope it doesnt rain at the Des Nations.
And way to go Ashley, great ride on a beat up track. How would anyone have liked to run a moto AFTER the mens final on that track?? But thats what the WMX gets stuck with, running last. Its dumb. But Ashley has pretty much sewn up this title barring a mechanical failure, and we know how the Hondas have been lately, not reliable. (Barcia and Reed)
Bd200 - RV rode smart. Obviously he didn't anticipate Dungey coming from 39th to 7th. How many bikes broke yesterday? Or riders crashed out? RV knew he just had to survive that second moto in the rain and sand. Barcia, Brayton, and Metty aren't fighting for the championship so they had nothing to lose. And Dungey had to ride like he did to stay in the fight. I wouldn't worry about RV for the MXDN. Baggett on the other hand...
Southwick was great racing. So happy for Metty... Well deserved. Dungey's ride was inspiring and Ashley looks to be wrapping up another title.
Thanks MX338 and MX Sports for not cancelling the event because of the weather.
I agree, bd200. RV rode conservatively in the second moto? I don't think so. RV knows better than that. He's been pulling this crap all year, one week he smokes everyone, the next he gets beat by Brayton and Metcalfe and Barcia. Dungey's DNF in Texas looms large right now.
RV's a champion, he should have no "conservative" in him. When Dungey's down, RV should go for the jugular.
JB will go 1-1 at steel-city.RV and RD don't want to race him because they're assuming JB will take them out or crash(which is possible),nonetheless,being from upstate NY it's good to see someone that wants to win even if it pisses off the big dogs.
Way to go Metty.. Redemption is sweet when it comes a year later at the same track..
Dungey by 3 pts in the end...repeat champ and proving deserving of it.
Barcia with an overall by the last moto of the year.
Dowd.....amazing!
Ashley...way to go!
RV...try the Tour De France...they ride just fast enough to finish high in the points also.
bd200.. Agree a 100% regarding Dungey! The guy rode his heart out.. Respect to that!
As for RV... The guy rode conservatively knowing that this WAS a unique opportunity to grab a handfull of points.. Or consolidate his lead.
Maybe a tad too conservative.. But hell... He did not want to do anything stupid or something bad happening to him..
I think the guy rode smart for his doing.. And even though he did not win the overall which he could have won easily.. He's looking at the big picture.. Which is the championship...
Dungey is a stud, no question about it. That track was incredibly rough, and tough. The rain had developed some very nasty ruts, and for those who know....ruts and wet sand are a very difficult combination. The "Dunge" showed all who know, just how much speed, determination, concentration, and most of all, HEART, that he has. Roger and KTM will be all the better next year because of his desire to win......
Now lets talk RV2....If you watch the few times the telecast (I use this term loosely, announcers anyway) showed RV2, he looked as if he was very uncomfortable with the speed necessary to control the track. Having said that, his bike set up would have his suspension set up firmly, and if he does not/is not able to race at that speed, then his bike would be as it looked, out of sorts, with the speed RV2 was having to race at given his mental, and the environmental conditions.
RV2 had the mental thought that RD1 was not in the race and went into conservative mode. This is just human nature, throw in the conditions, and you have a 4th place finish. The lesson "ALL" should take away from this is........
DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE RYAN DUNGEY. He, alone, saved Suzuki's ass and reputation yesterday. Suzuki owes Dungey based on his performance in the 2nd moto.
welcome to the kawasaki krap show
All you clowns saying that RV rode too conservately are the same jackholes that would be saying RV was an idiot if he rode hard and crashed out or blew the bike up. C'mon people, think.
kawasaki is the only 450 team that hasn't had a any bad luck and their only 9 points ahead of second, just think if Dungys Suzuki didn't DNF on him earlier this year on the last lap AS HE WAS WINNING THE RACE!!! That really erks me.
I think we've seen the peak of Barcia's results and that RD and RV will finish first and second in the remaining motos. If that is the case, RD needs to sweep. 3 out of 4 won't be good enough. He'd only gain 6 points.
That second moto with RD was an emotional one for me to even watch. For him to not be distracted by it all and then charge through the pack was impressive.
I can't wait the slicknick610's torrent for that race! imagine all the 12 rounds of the AMA at Southwick! KUDOS Metcalfe, Dungey, Barcia, Swanepoel, Rattray, Dowd, Sotille, and others, Go Reed, Go Villo !
Yes First bd200's comment said what I was gonna say. Now about Brayton hey I sterted racing in the midwest where Braton is from. We had the most unreal mud some of the sand from both the Missippi and Des Moines Rivers plus a lot of hard pack tracks in between. When I went up to Kahoka Mo to Mike Burkarts track to racein the late 80's Where I grew up. I saw Brayrton race I asked Mike who that kid was? He said watch he is gonna be famous....
Now comment #2 well if it paNs oout the way I see it If dungey makes it 4 motos and Viliapto goes 2-2 Dungey will have it. Now with Barcia in the mix and never know I would wanna show my colors if I was Reed also they both can do it to it. Hey its racing the object is to win!
LETS RACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Crazy weekend all around. I think RV was scared about blowing up his bike and scoring zero points and that's why he was so conservative. I wonder what was going on with Wilson's bike in the 2nd 250 moto... it seemed to hold out but Fro and Weege thought it might blow. It was cool to see some new winners. Swanepoel put an end to the PC wins and Metty finally got his 1st overall. And how about Dowd... 46 years old and puts in 2 top 10s against kids a third of his age!! wow. Great weekend of racing!
To Jim Adams; Rv should ride the tour? Well, you obviously don't know S@!!!T about bike racing, and Villopoto is riding for a championship and a nice bonus that comes along with it. If he would have hung it all out there and he blows up a motor, then everyone of the haters is criticizing him for not backing it down a bit. With a championship on the line, anyone in that position would probably ride similar. The legendary Rick Johnson in 1982 decided to race the last round instead of being conservative, and he lost the title.
Wow, that was breath takingly bad TV coverage. I thought they were on some kind of delay or something. When they were babbling on as idiots I had to hit rewind, hey dudes don’t go flying off their bikes on a parade lap. That was funny. Then Fro just kept babbling on as if no one would notice the dam race done started…priceless! Truly inspired ride from RD, big ups. I was pulling for RV this year, but after watching him tool around in fourth in moto 2 with a chance to drop the hammer, I’m picking Dungey for the title.
Believe me I know V is thinking about the title, but he just looks uneasy when he rides like that, he has done it before, and looked that way. He seems more comfortable just hauling as$.
@moto3111969-- I was going to mention that about RJ, he lost a title by going for a win at the final round when he could have been sixth place and won the title, he crashed and broke his bike. I guess RV played it smart, I just wanted to see him get after it.
Ya bd200 that was at Colorado no RJ did not crash he just trashed the rear wheel. I trashed a few hubs myself in that time as I was an am always a Yamaha die hard.
In the first moto, RV took to long to find his groove and pull up on RD you could see it in his riding when he pushed hard, overall very good 1st moto but not excellent. 2nd moto, I feel he could and should have pushed for the win, he doesnt have the cushion he needs to be that conservative, either bad call or bad coaching.
Nothing but praises for RD on BOTH motos, I hope his bad luck is gone.
VERY bummed for CR, if he races hard the next two he deserves a special award.
We have not seen the best from JB yet, I hope we never see him on a 250 again.
I am dissapionted in Baggats performance overall this season, he keeps going from almost unbeatable to 8th to 10th place finishes. Somethings weird here.
Very excited about Bogle, hes for real. Metcalf is getting better
Am I dissapointed in RV and BB because I was a RC fan ?
I will be at Steel City for the next show !!!
What type of screen did Kawi put over RV#2's radiators? Looks interesting. I'd like to see the PC Kawi Lites radiators too.
Dungey the PR Robot finally let his emotions take over, and he absolutely destroyed a bunch of pros from 3/4 lap down. I'm an RV fan but I think his post moto 2 interview showed a lot of respect for Dungey and maybe even a little bit of concern for the next 2 races.
The people calling for RV to charge harder a) don't understand what that track was like in moto two (I watched at least two riders slip, swap, and crash hard right in front of me) and b) aren't giving credit to the riders ahead of him. Specifically, Metty and Brayton were hauling through that stuff in moto two (as was Barcia - though Dungey was doing faster lap times!) God forbid that some people give credit where credit is due. As for moto one, Dungey was plain faster, until the end when RV got through the lappers better, and even then, Dunge turned it up again and held his lead. I think RV fans think he's freakin' superman. Sometimes he gets beat! And some of you would definitely be criticizing him just as harshly if he’d blown up or thrown it away in moto two.
And I still want to know where all the "Dungey is a girl" clowns are from two weeks ago. Clearly, MX fans are as fickle as any other sports fans.
Oh, and RJ destroyed his FRONT wheel that day.
Weege- you have been reading the comments section for way too long- "He cheif championship rival, Jessica Patterson".- You guys need an editor/proofreader and I need a job. For six figures- maybe we can talk- ha ha. And, I promise not to use hyphens after every sentence. Now- why did the Kawasaki pit crew NOT have Dungey's progress written on the pit board for Villopoto to see? " Dungey has no bike- just finish. Dungey is in 17th- OK just cruise in 4th. Dungey is in 12th- better get on it. Dungey is THREE fricken positions behind you- PASS Metty and Brayton now ! " He was able to close up on Dungey in the first moto, so he had the speed to get those guys, if he had tried. WTF were they thinkng?
By the way, Villo is going to win the title. Yep!
Dungey must have had 4,237 tear-offs, and used them all.
It's very fulfilling to post here and to have the very next person COMPLETELY IGNORE what you just wrote.
RV has lost his drive. What a B&(%Hstand that guy anymore. RV is done!!!!!!!
Dungey showed his character in that second moto and should have earned the MX1 ride on that alone. There's more to representing our country than leading in the points BEFORE the season is over.
Why is it when something goes wrong with a Suzuki, Yamaha or Kawasaki everyone calls them a piece of crap! But a Honda gives out and no one will bring it up. HONDA SUCKS!!!!
Anything can happen when you are "a few miles north of Hartford, Massachusets".
That really was a nutty broadcast, I just watched it again LOL. Dungey was haulin ass on that miserable track, no reason Villopoto couldn't have done the same.
@oldasdirt.....I agree that Dungey should run the #1 (MX1) number plate, simply based on him being the defending MXoN MX1 champion. No other discussions should be relevent.
@ Golfyoda don't waste your time with that comment.You'll be here all day and totaly dumbfound as to how most people on here don't get the concept of why anyone earns a number1 and should wear it.
@Fred.....Ya, I know. I like to read the comments tho. You know what tho??!!! I believe that all of the commenters (is this a word?) on this site are knowledgeable MX fans and current/former racers themselves, and, that there is a time to put aside their "favorite" racer, on their "favorite" bike and agree that this is the proper argument to determine the #1 plate holder. The reigning MX1 champion irrespective of who it may be as long as they make the team again. Ryan Dungey fits the criteria. Period. All of you MXers know that this is the correct conclusion.........
RD's bike runs out of fuel at freestone then wouldnt start at southwick, he's has had some real bad luck this year or suzuki just isn't the same without the man. Dungey for 2011 mx champ and MX 1 ride at the MXoN
After watching this season, it's clear that RD, RV and CR could have all had the title and all deserved it. They've all put in incredible rides. As far as Reed goes, understand he would be gun shy after his space shuttle launch, but since he is out of the running now, would love to see Dungey take it home. After that second moto run passing 33 riders, geez, the guys deserves the title again and on any given day he has given CR and RD a run for their money.
another thing, Reed got my respect. Doesn't matter if he can't get the title anymore, I think he has proven why he has been champion over and over again. Just hope he kicks back and lets others race on his team and enjoys his life a little more without all the risk.
has Metty ever won a moto? or main event in SX?? Heat race even?? 8 YEARS it took to win?! That said, I dug him on the Honda 450, not so much on the Suzuki, he looked good on that Geico bike last year.
@ joel mccomber, between Reed & Barcia's blown-up bikes and the 250 & 450 Hondas looking extremely short-coupled in the wet sand, I'd say they weren't very happy in Hondaland. There were a couple of occassions where the bikes looked to violently shake their heads on the track either searching for the race line or climbing out of a rut. Riding Red for that day just didn't look comfortable at all. I always thought "choppered-out" was a safe direction to go in as far as setting up for sand but, it looked like the Hondas were actually putting more load on the front..........weird.
Arguably, Suzuki came out looking worse today because of the Dungey flub. This is multi-time golden wrench Mike Gosselars' Suzuki RMZ 450, and this has happened TWICE this season (outdoors). I don't know what but, there's something going on over there.
Actions speak louder than words and Dungey's performance was noteworthy. As far as MXdN "tryouts" go, I think RD nailed that one.
I cant get over Dungey's ride from 90 seconds behind the field. I have never seen something like. We've all seen guys crash and take a whiles to get up, but 90 seconds?!?
Hey Carlsbad what does 'choppered-out' mean? Like super soft or what?
I hope Metty can get 3rd overall in championship points for the season.
Looks very realistic, whereas just a couple race ago it was still a long shot, but gaining 43 points on Reed at this race and gaining points on him at Unadilla, and I believe he also finished ahead of Reed at Washougal. With the Reed excuses coming out like old times, its Metty's to take!!!
Go Brett, you deserve it, and I knew you were the fastest rider from Aussie land even before the Outdoors started.
You da Man!!!
it will be funny when the zook won't start or dies on the last lap of the mxon...
and as far as 'earning' his ride coming from last to 7th...uh, did he beat RV? just wondering...no what if's...
Did anyone else wonder since you're allowed to cut the track if you don't gain position, if Dungey could have entered the track right behind last place instead of from the start gate?
JD16!!!!! Lets hear it for the OLD guy,, top 10!!!! The media ignored his accomplishment this year. A 40+ rider in the top 10 at a pro national,,,,,
That is news worthy,,,, CONGRATS J D.....
"THE PC PERFECT SEASON IS OVER"
Awesome ride by RD in both motos but moto 2 that was amazing. He should be up by 33 points if his bike would run! He had faster laps than the winner from lap 5 to the finish while passing a massive amount of riders.
Rv rode smart, and rode the best he could the few clips we had of him he was sliding out all over. He would of had 5th place if dungey would of been at the starting line when the gate dropped.
RD 1 for MXDN rider 1!
sorry thats a 33 point swing or he should be up by about 25pts
First Congrats to Metty and Barcia.
Second RD did ride his tail off in moto 2 no doubt about it. With that being said when you have nothing more to lose by not even starting the second moto OF COURSE YOU ARE GONNA RIDE LIKE ITS FOR YOUR SEASON, CAUSE IT WAS!!!!! When you have nothing to lose and every position/point to gain you can ride ALL OUT that is what RD had to do. Everybody knows that if you push your bike too hard on that type of track and those conditions the odds of it failing are pretty high.
This was/is not a 1 race series the last time I checked so don't hate on "The Points Leader" for taking a page out of the 2010 mx winners book CONSISTENCY WINS THE CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!!!
Correct me if i'm wrong but if there is only 8 points separating RV and RD. And if only 3 points separate 1st place from 2nd then RD would have to win at least 3 of the 4 motos and get one 2nd to win the title. Seems very likely especially after what he did at Southwick. Again, correct me if my math is wrong.
Kawigreen I didn't see you post but I have to agree with you. After what happened to Dungey he had nothing to lose wherefore RV had everything to lose. Thats why RV rode so conservatively. If RD can keep the same train of thought (that he has nothing to lose when he really should have lost) he will win the championship.
vrtstinger, you may be off on the math for the title. If RD goes 1-1-1-2, that gives him 97 points for the next two races. If RV goes 2-2-2-1, that gives him 91 points. That means RD gains only 6 points which is not enough since he is 8 points down. If RV and RD go 1-2 from here, Dungey would have to win out to get the title. On the other hand, if Barcia finishes in front of RV in one of these motos, things will be different.
The last four motos have to be balls out for RV and RD. Dungey generally rides conservative but the few times when I have seen him hang it out, he beats RV. I predict Dungey hanging it out and beating RV 3 times, but not 4. He will need some help from Barcia or RV will have to fall or get a bad start in a moto. The pressure from the last four motos will cause mistakes. Possible.