by Davey Coombs
Racerhead #38
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It wasn't easy, but it wasn't a shock either. Team USA won its seventh straight Motocross of Nations in France last weekend in an excellent, exciting race. The race has been diced and sliced and argued back and forth ever since the checkered flag fell on the two Ryans as one, but I think it's time to settle it by simply putting it this way: Scoreboard.
Ryan Villopoto just had three great weekends. First he won the Steel City nailbiter, snatching that first-moto win away from Ryan Dungey in the last turn and titling the momentum on the American Motocross tour back his way. Then he took the title at Pala the following Saturday. Then he comes to Europe and completes an RC-in-'05 trifecta, leading Team USA to the Motocross of Nations win. He is now 4-0 as a member of Team USA, and now he's going off to get married.
And Ryan Dungey has change swirling all around him, yet he did his job too, earning his third straight win to give him a 3-0 record. Dungey now moves over to KTM but back in with Roger DeCoster and Ian Harrison. What he's losing, though, is a proven motorcycle in the Rockstar/Makita Suzuki and the most successful mechanic in the history of the sport, Mike Gosselaar. More on that later.
Scoreboard. Yeah, we went there.
Photo: Ray Archer
As for Blake Baggett, he needs to remember that Team USA would not have won if he hadn’t scratched out what he could from his crashes on the tricky track, and he and his folks should be proud not only of the way he rode but how he carried himself after such culture (and results) shock. But Blake should recall that Ricky Carmichael started out 0-2 as a member of Team USA, and Steve Lamson lost his first time out to a 16-year-old Frenchman named Sebastien Tortelli. This was his first time in Europe, though there's really nothing to prepare you for the shock and awe of a Motocross of Nations.
And congratulations to Roger DeCoster and the AMA folks. This was our twenty-second win since 1981, when DeCoster first cobbled together a team and got America back in that race and straight to the top. It means a lot to Roger and his assistant team manager, Mitch Payton, to win this race, and they go about it with great intensity. Everyone waits for a U.S. rider to make a mistake, but even when they do, they know how to recover, and the other guys step up.
I was also stoked for Australia to get on the box, and especially for Chad Reed to win again. And I really wish Pourcel's back wheel hadn’t fallen apart and that Tony Cairoli would keep it up on two wheels, because I would have loved to see those guys up there too.
Reed and the rest of Team Australia finally got on the podium at the MXoN.
Photo: Ray Archer
And people get ready, because Ken Roczen is coming in a hurry. Supercross '12 and next summer's American Motocross tour are going to be epic. This kid is worth coming out to watch.
So who will be the team that stops Team USA's streak this time? All good things come to an end. Will it be Belgium in the sand? Or a team that's never won the MXoN before, like Australia or maybe South Africa? I actually came up with this week's Maxima List of 10 Teams That Have Never Won the MXoN. It's meant to be humorous, not scientific, so forgive for leaving some big hitters like Germany and The Netherlands.
Mikey Neale has been producing incredible videos all year long over on the Continent and now he's got one to share from the MXoN:
Everyone here at the Racer X HQ in WV of the USA is still celebrating. It's been beer-thirty ever since the news dropped that we'd won the whole shooting match. No, not the Motocross of Nations—we've come to expect that—but rather being named Website of the Year by Geoff Meyer in his annual MX Large and Motocross Illustrated Awards.
Also, congrats to our Grand Prix contributor Adam Wheeler on being named Journalist of the Year, as well as Mikey Neale, who makes those really cool videos of the Grand Prix tour. Neale was also named Youthstream's MX Videographer of the Year, so it's a clean sweep for Mikey.
And here's a nod to Alex Hodgkinson, the Professor himself (as in Back to the Future, not Gary Bailey), on being named Journalist of the Year at the Youthstream Year-End Awards. Alex has been a strong presence on the Grand Prix tour for a long time, and he's been known to ruffle a feather or three. Alex does his own www.mx-pure.com site, the one that called our riders "a bunch of pampered arseholes" after they mostly passed on the U.S. Grand Prix in May. Don't worry, I made sure to mention that those pampered arseholes just won again when I saw him in the press room in France. He laughed, then jumped in his DeLorean and drove away. Just kidding! Alex is a great character and lives, loves, breathes, and writes motocross.
I’ve been away from the family too long, as well as football—I haven't seen a live play this year! With #2 Louisiana State University coming into Morgantown to take on our #16 West Virginia Mountaineers, tomorrow should be epic. But first I have promised some backyard time with the family, so away I go. Here's Steve Matthes and the rest of the guys with more on the MXoN '12:
This Racerhead update is not coming to you from France or Pala or Steel City or an airplane or a hotel. Nope, this update is coming to you from my couch in (Viva!) Las Vegas and I don’t know what you think of that, but that’s pretty sweet.
Baggett showed a lot of heart in his first appearance at the MXoN
Photo: Ray Archer
The long season is over. I missed one race this year (St. Louis) but also travelled to Lommel, Belgium, for a Grand Prix, and of course France for the just-completed Motocross of Nations. It’s good to have an off-season for sure, as the week-in-week-out travel grind as well as deadlines hurt my creativity. I have some ideas for some funny stuff but you end up on this giant treadmill of just plowing through work that has to get done (and that's all I really know about treadmills, by the way). So I guess what I’m saying is I look forward to relaxing a bit at home and producing some more quality writing.
I had a good time there in France and if you want to know more about what I thought about that race (besides the 3,000+ words in Observations) you can check out the BTOSports.com Racer X Podcasts I did with DC, Zach Osborne and Josh Coppins; the Osborne and Coppins ones will be out early next week so check out all of those.
Looking ahead to 2012, the MXoN is going to be held in Lommel, which is the deep-sand track I went to this summer. I know you’re thinking that the reason I must have went there is because Roger DeCoster asked me to go and scope it out for the 2012 team but you would be wrong; I just went because I wanted to see a GP at the legendary track and to watch the sand masters of Europe go at it.
And yes, it’s deep rough sand, and yes, it’s going to be tough for Team America to keep this run going, but to read the armchair critics saying the USA is doomed to fail there is laughable. In fact, they go into the 2012 MXoN as the favorites in my book. Sure, there aren’t that many sand tracks on the nationals, but guess what: there’s sand in Florida, where most of our top guys live for at least half the year, including Villopoto and Dungey.
We'll let this one speak for itself.
Photo: DC
One of the things not many people brought up as to why the USA dominated that third moto is their fitness seemed to be very strong. Villopoto ended up third in his moto behind Gauthier Paulin and Jeffrey Herlings in the second moto and then with about a 30-minute break, all three of those guys were back on the line to race again. Paulin and Herlings didn’t have the same speed as their first time out while RV seemed to have even more in the tank, no problem. Just an “Observation” in regards to the energy sapping sand of Lommel.
Want some silly season news? Okay, then, let’s hit it up.
- James Stewart to JGR seems like it’s chugging along nicely and should get done. And it should be on Suzukis as well, with Stewart doing a full season of supercross and motocross.
- Everyone’s favorite Summercross winner, Tim Ferry, has been reunited with Trey Canard in a training/coaching capacity. Ferry had gone over to L&M to test for them but jumped back to Canard for the upcoming season. Ferry and his old trainer Dean Golich will help to keep Trey from going nuts and eating all the bonbons in the Honda truck.
Is Stewart headed to JGR on a Suzuki?
Photo: Simon Cudby
- Chad Reed still hasn’t decided on a bike for the upcoming season, but he should know real soon what he’s going to do on that end. He has hired Mike Gosselaar to be his crew chief over there at TwoTwo Motorsports. I'm guessing the bike is red (and good for you, Reedy, that first-moto was kick-ass in France).
- I think Andrew Short will end up back at KTM as Ryan Dungey’s teammate (rumors have it that Dungey is over in Austria right now riding and getting acquainted with all his new KTM friends) or he’ll go to the Larry Brooks/Jeremy McGrath Honda team, but I would bet on KTM once again. Oh and on a 450, not a 350.
- Darryn Durham is indeed going to Pro Circuit next year, and he’s already instilled himself as the heavy favorite in the “I don’t know, man, I saw him at the test track and he’s going to surprise” sweepstakes.
- Nico Izzi and Broc Tickle are going to be the undercard at the MGM Grand in the next Mayweather/Ortiz fight. I might have made that last sentence up.
That’s all I’ve got. Thanks for coming out and reading this. See you next week. Oh yeah, check out Pulpmx.com, the Pulpmx Show, and buy the Pulpmx app.
Here's Ping:
Wait, did Matthes just say he has been on a giant treadmill? That would be some awesome silly season news to report if Steve went the same route as Steve Cox and pulled up to Anaheim slimmed down and showing off his bicep to anyone who will stop long enough to look it.
Photo: DC
Not a lot to report from my neck of the woods this week. I want to congratulate Ryan, Ryan, and Blake for a job well done in France. I was following via Twitter feed, and I was getting a little nervous heading into the final moto, as I'm sure many American moto fans were. But our guys made it happen when it counted and the Peter Chamberlain Trophy came to the U.S. once again.
I've got to believe that the sheer size of the U.S. entourage is intimidating for other countries. Other nations have a handful of people in their camp, but when the U.S. wins it looks like a graduating high-school class photo on that podium. There literally isn't enough room up there for all the people we bring over. Anyway, congrats to our guys and also to the dozens of people surrounding them on the podium.
What off-season? The test tracks have already been buzzing with supercross testing in preparation for the Monster Cup in Vegas. Todd Jendro says there will not be whoops or triples on the track, though, so maybe Starwest would be a better practice track? That is going to be an interesting race.
Have a great weekend and enjoy the fact that there is no race this Saturday. Before you know it, the 2012 season will be here.
Over to Jason Weigandt:
I didn't attend the Motocross of Nations, but like Ping, I want to say congrats to Team USA, all of the AMA-based riders like Reedy and Metty and Musquin and more, and thank God that The Man decided to settle here rather than, say, Belgium when he was done racing.
Photo: DC
As for the American front, from what I'm hearing, I think Metcalfe may just be back under a standalone Suzuki truck just like he was this year, once all this Suzuki-to-Yoshimura stuff works itself out. Did you know that, two years ago, most of the Suzuki mechanics actually became Yoshimura employees? You didn't because the change took place behind the scenes and everything still looked the same out front. This could be the same here—well, except they won't have Dungey under that tent anymore.
Meanwhile, I know everyone is buzzing about Stewart to JGR, and I for one would like to see it happen, if only to get James to bust out one of his Lambos in a drag race on local streets against Kyle Busch and a Lexus LF-A. Get Bubba's World on that!
But while I didn't attend the Nations, I know someone who did. Just like last week, I share a letter from my rich English Uncle, Lord Alfred Weigandt. Beware of bias!
Oh, hello. Lord Alfred Weigandt here, just enjoying me scotch and drowning in my sorrows. Once again, the septic tanks have won the Trophy des Nations, and once again powered on merely by the powers of luck and happenstance. Racing is a cruel mistress, and I understand her natural attraction to the strapping lads of the British team, the pull of an Aussie accent, and, even her penchant for the dashing style of the French and I-talians. But for once I wish she would cheat on them and shag up with the Yanks on a Sunday afternoon.
Searle and the British had a strong run in France finishing fourth overall.
Photo: Ray Archer
Oh but it started so bloody brilliant, when the mighty Brit boys led the way after the first moto! Dean-O, using nationalistic pride to ride through the pain of a broken wrist, did it for his country (er, countries). And of course Tommy Searle was positively brilliant on his 450. While the three-moto format may induce attrition as a determining factor in the results, we all know that when everyone was fresh, and before lady luck had made her bias shown, the boys of GB held the lead on points. If this were the one-moto format from 2003, we would have brought Mr. Chamberlain's ashes home!
The Yanks were struggling, Ryan Dungey not able to compete with the speed of speedy Chad “Speedy” Reedy, nor even the 250cc world-beater Ken Roczen. Moto two further illustrated the speed differential between racing on the continent, when Frenchman Gautier Paulin—not even a full-time 450 rider—cruised to an easy win, straight-up, over Ryan What's-his-opoto. I admit, things began to go sideways for the Brits, but who do we have to blame for that? Mr. Wilson would have won both MX2 motos going away had he not been dealing with wrist fatigue, no doubt an injury incurred on the many American StadiumCross style jumps he’s forced to ride on. Don’t believe this? Look no further than Marvin Musquin, who is no longer the same man who dominated 250cc racing the last two years. It took a mere one year in the U.S. to cause a significant drop in Marvin’s level. And this drop started, no shocker, at last year’s Trophy des, where he scored a pair of DNFs. And where did that race take place? America, of course.
So France was hobbled by the Americanized Marv Attack, as were the Brits by Dean Wilson’s injury. Tennis Elbow? How about StadiumCross Wrist?
Wilson showing off his new cast in France.
Photo: DC
Same for the Aussies. While Chad Reed has proven impervious to the hazards of the whoops and triples, the StadiumCross lifestyle has now infected the Aussie-based JDR KTM team, which employs Matt Moss. How else to explain how this team, which summarily cleaned up in Australian Lites racing for the last two years, suddenly could not keep Mossy's bike running for the second MX2 moto? Sorry, mates, we run two motos over here, not this silly Qualifier/Feature race deal like the attention-span starved Yanks like to play in their soccer buildings.
Heading into the third moto, we all know what question was about to be answered. During this summer’s AMA Motocross, with the Ryans battling with Reedy (and, might I add, the Ryans were behind Reed before the StadiumCross jump tripped him up like Mallory on Mt. Everest), the real question was not about Dungey v. Villo. No, the world really wanted to see how they would measure up against the super-talent sitting on the sidelines. All summer, there was a Yamaha rider who may not have gotten on famously with his machine, but was no doubt enjoying being famous down at his place in Florida. Put him on familiar equipment, like a Kawasaki, and the sport could change drastically. Yes, everyone wanted to know, how would the Ryans stack up against the most talented, most accomplished, and, dare I say, the Fastest Man on the Planet?
No, silly, I’m not talking about Searle—I’m talking of Christophe Pourcel!
Hide no more. Villopoto had caught a break after CP unleashed a straight-up whipping on him at the 2007 Phoenix StadiumCross (beating RV in the same manner Gautier Paulin did in moto two). The StadiumCross jumps busted CP’s leg at the next round. Then came his unfortunate crash at the Irish GP later that year (luck of the Irish? It doesn’t exist, mate). CP lost an entire year of racing, and when he returned in ’09 to tackle the AMA Lites scene, Villopoto, no shocker, moved up to 450s.
Dungey and Baggett talk pre-race strategy.
Photo: Ray Archer
Pourcel’s crash had left him with internal injuries that effected his digestive system. How did he find the fuel to push through this? Because he had Dungey to feast on! Christophe ended Dungey’s win streak at the Las Vegas StadiumCross Lites race, and then had the AMA Motocross Championship all but clinched when New England launched yet another shady anti-European operation and grenaded his engine at Southwick. What’s next? An American political group adopting the name Tea Party?
As much as it pains me to write this, credit to the French this year. Even without Marvin at his best, they were still in contention for victory on home soil heading into the third moto. The trap had been laid before Team USA, with a fired-up Christophe Pourcel about to be unleashed from his cage of rage. And once again, he chomped down on Mr. Dungey!
I have no doubts that Super Man was next going to track down Villopoto. Villo had been running from Christophe for years, but he could not hide. Until, wait, what’s this? The mousse tube came unraveled from Christophe’s wheel? Blast! Bad racing luck again! Only this time, it was fairly obvious how it happened. Hmm, is the Bib Mousse not named after Bibendum, AKA The Michelin man, AKA a Frenchman? Oh the poor French. They always invent new ways to defeat themselves! Bloody hell.
Photo: DC
Thanks to all of the Weigandts for that one!
We're a week into the 2nd Annual GoPro/Racer X Online Amateur Film Festival, and entries are already starting to trickle in. Amateur videographers are vying for a chance to win all the marbles, which include an insane prize package from GoPro, Racer X, Answer, MSR, and Pro Taper. To learn how to enter and get a complete list of prizes, head on over to filmfestival.racerxonline.com. There are still five weeks left to submit an entry.
Check out this video Mike LeGrand put together of Pennsylvania native and former Racer X cover boy Darryn Durham shredding a CR125 at his home track.
The Vintage Motocross des Nations is this weekend in Farleigh Castle, England, and it's shaping up as a great race for fans of yesteryear. David Bailey sent over some pieces that Team USA's Chuck Sun and Jim Gibson will be wearing. We’ll have more on this cool race next week.
Here’s a note from Rob Kinsey:
“My Eric Geboers ‘Mr 875’ Tribute Painting 4ft x 3ft made it, delivered safely by Ken Sourbutts & family, former mechanic to CCM works rider Bob Wright. This was my most complex commission thus far, balancing light issues on three images, researching colours etc as 125cc Suzuki and Honda 500cc as images were B/W. Central image is from a photo by iconic french Photographer, the late Pat Boulland, taken at Brazillian 250cc GP. I'm sure Pat would have loved it!”
Thanks for reading Racerhead, congratulations to Team USA, and see you at the races.
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The English chap can suck on my mc nuggets
I'm english and the lord dip shit get's right on my tit's. He need's culling and i have no idea why they have him.
Matt Moss was on a borrowed bike not a JDR KTM.
So after his own crash and then fall he did a great job to finish one spot behind Chuppa Chup in the first moto, who was on his own fully factory Kwaka
Then in the second moto it failed on the sighting lap.
Hopefully the English Lord will go the same way of those pop up's last month.
To Lord Blow Hard:
JFK'S Secretary of State, Dean Rusk, was in France in the early 60's when DeGaule decided to pull out of NATO. DeGaule said he wanted all US military out of France as soon as possible.
Rusk responded "does that include those who are buried here?
DeGuale did not respond.
You could have heard a pin drop
When in England , at a fairly large conference, Colin Powell was asked by the Archbishop of Canterbury if our plans for Iraq were just an example of empire building by George Bush.
He answered by saying, 'Over the years, the United States has sent many of its fine young men and women into great peril to fight for freedom beyond our borders. The only amount of land we have ever asked for in return is enough to bury those that did not return.'
You could have heard a pin drop.
I was wondering about those hideous trophies they passed out, the monstrous Monster logo ones. What's up with those? And again, at the MXdN, RV stated he can't thank anyone.
LOL well said mustardDog!!
. I hope the JS Suz happens too.
. Also remember I said months ago that JS would play outside in 2012!!!
Weege, i ussually enjoy reading your comments in Racerhead, but as soon as you bring out the english garbage I stop reading. Please stop
Bubba needs to go play outdoors before a season will really be complete !
I'm glad they put all the stuff from Lord of his own Domain, or whatever is name is, in italics. Made it easy to skip to the next part.
I wonder KTM is waiting for. Announce it already.
BTW, Matthes, are any of the 3, RV, RD or JS 23 or under? Gotta be for FIM 250 class. I dunno, maybe they all are, but I'm too friggin' lazy to look it up.
DC - great pictures this week. Liked the one of Dungey's MXdN #1 plate and the closing picture of O'Mara and Bailey.
Love the new JT helmet too!
With #29 going back to a 450 (wonder how big that party was at the Short Ranch after the confirmation) how will KTM market the 350 SX-F?
http://www.lebigusa.com/voici-du-sx/quand-cp-dejante.html
Too dificult for CP377 to ride...
iloveyoulongtime: Moss rides for JDR Ktm in Aussie ya douche
I thought wilson broke his scaphoid? If he did then it wont be healing the way its cast. The schapoid is a small kidney shaped bone at the base of the thumb with little blood flow. That is why healing is an issue and it can be career threatening. The only hope for healing is to immobilize the thumb at a certain angle allowing no movement of the thumb at all.
Lord - tell Gautier Paulin to come over to the states and race as much as Villopoto does and then see how he does. I bet villopoto made more money this season than all of the euro racers put together. hahha. But I think this is just a outrageous, tasteless attempt at fishing.... you and all your silly English K-nig-hts. haha
Rl dawg
Yes but the bike he rode at MXON was a trashed loner not a JDR bike ,
Read before you write, Retard.
When I see Stewart racing out doors in 2012 then I will believe it, the media has said this rumor time and time again! So please this year leave it alone...tired of reading about him, then it leads nowhere. Personally I do not think he has it anymore, crashes to much and other riders are not scared of him anymore. I do hope that CR goes with Suzuki, seeing that he has hired Goose it would be a good fit, better than Honda that's for sure, And RD to KTM, we will see how that goes, here is to a interesting 2012 season!
No, thats the Trapezium, the Scaphoid is the next bone towards the wrist.
Either way it hurts and i had massive pins and needle when i broke mine,
(from masterbating too much without warming up.)
Bravo "Lord Alfred Weigandt"! In my head, your italicized ramblings read something to the effect of a squeaky cross between the traditional Weege and John Cleese from Monty Python... an entertaining reprieve from the ordinary analysis (which is still good btw).
Nice pics Davey!
Did someone just comment on how Wilson's wrist is cast??? Holy...crap. The Lord Alfred Weege is okay in my book. It is a satirical look at how a (down-trodden) GP fan would view our heroes over here in the U.S. Maybe it goes over some people's heads? BillC: what do you think about Shorty on a KTM 450? Amazing how guys that "choose" it over the 450 for a year end up on the 450 the next. Just like KTM isn't busy racing the 250 smoker, time to put the 350 out of the team truck and just sell a crap-load of them to the mortals.
@harry ... You might as well say that none of the other riders have it anymore , either , because the only ones to win supercross races this year where, Trey Stewart and Reed ... I guess all of the other riders should quit , including Windam , that still has it , but never Wins ..Your statement is Weird
Yes I always enjoy reading RACHERHEAD The info and pics are always good, have to go back and check some of the links yet. I have been offline for a few days. So hello to all! Also just get a grip "Lord Alfred" is supposed to a fun reading and I like it also just take it in the context it ia meant to be!
To Racer X and staff congats, for the awards they are truly deseved! More awards need to go out to the people behind the scenes as the people that dont know hey all that guy has to do to win is sit on the seat and turn the throttle..... that is all the people that dont know will ever think? What the heck do I know I rode a motorcycle once!
America does in fact help out Europe by training them here after they graduate from a GP championship with PC rides in the 250 class.
Just think how powerful America would be if all those PC rides went to our boys!
Geoff Meyer : "it’s a pleasure to read each and every day"
This remark is obviously about the RacerX Comments Section.
Thanks Geoff!
Did I just read that there won't be triples OR whoops at the Monster Cup? WHAT?!
I heard Carmichael talk about not making the rhythm sections too complicated so that one rider (Stewart) has an advantage, but this is an interesting development. Stewart's always believed that he's THE man through the whoops--that's what makes his lap times faster, that's where he sets up for passes--but that overconfidence has really boned him this year, so I'm more than happy about this. (He's the only top guy I remember seeing case a triple this year, too.)
This is all part of Monster's diabolical plan to keep their million dollars, but it should make things a little safer and more fun for the riders. Can't wait!
Okay...let me see if I get this right...Team Suzuki shutting down it's Motocross/Supercross race team and laying off a majority of it's work force in the racing department...ISN'T news?! It gets barely mentioned above while the "competition" over at MXA led off the Mid Week report webpage with this news...then talked about the excellent Motocross Des Nations coverage...strange.
Much like Dungey (and other racers suffering the same "drop the pen before signing the check" syndrome) fighting to get paid his bonus money last year wasn't news either.?!?
At least the race coverage above with informative...
Dungey in retirement mode? Seems to be the case as soon as a rider moves over to the KTM camp. Hopefully Ryan and Roger can put something together but I'm not counting on it, especially if that 350 gets involved, it just doesn't work.
Stewart needs to slow down to go faster (Russ Darnell school of motocross), he's got to be running out of time. Sorry to say but it's a safer place without him.
From the owner of a ad agency, great site and magazine! you guys deserve the accolades. keep up the good work.
Dungey in retirement mode? Seems to be the case as soon as a rider moves over to the KTM camp. Hopefully Ryan and Roger can put something together but I'm not counting on it, especially if that 350 gets involved, it just doesn't work.
Stewart needs to slow down to go faster (Russ Darnell school of motocross), he's got to be running out of time. Sorry to say but it's a safer place without him.
From the owner of a ad agency, great site and magazine! you guys deserve the accolades. keep up the good work.
Weege, I know the Lord Alfred crap is an attempt at humor, but I skip it as soon as I see it, its not very entertaining at all. Send it away just like the pop-ups. Stewie to JGR, I wonder how long Joe Gibbs will want his name tied to Stewie if he takes out about 5 or 6 guys in supercross?? Lets hope Stewie gets out of the Larry Brooks Syndrom quickly like Reed did, and acts like the kid everybody liked when he broke onto the Pro ranks. Not the Stewie with the "I'm better than the world " attitude that Brooks seems to instill in all his riders.
I thought by now you would have worked out your "Stewie" demons bd200!! You just don't like the guy and that's cool, but your main problem seems to be this whole"I'm better than the world " thing you claim he has. Give me some (several) examples of how you truly think he sets himself apart in a negative way in that respect!! As far as Joe Gibbs, i think Joe is a pretty bright guy and smart business man. I would imagine he is pretty pleased to have (like it or not) one of the most recognizable names in the sport "tied to his name"!! Don't ya think Mr. Gibbs thought this through a little bit??
JGR going Yellow sounds like a good move. Somehow the Blue bikes just didn't seem to have IT! Of course I'm a little biased, they were always the competition. I rode Green and Yellow!
I think Stewart's plan is to buy out every team until there are no more, doesn't seem very logical but it seems like the only way he'll win another championship.
Thats funny penquin bob! Stewie the corporate raider! After watching Wall Street,
James Gordon Gekko Stweart will buy out all the teams, tracks, and MX Sports.
He who controls the game, controls the Title. lol
I think it will be an interesting season with Stewie on the JGR Team. If he can screw his head on straight, he will be a major threat to everyone. So lets see which JS7 shows up for A1, the Title contender or Lawn darter!
Is Stewart one of those guys who says people mistake his confidence for (c)ockiness? Not sure. Either way, he's probably ALWAYS been (c)ocky, always rode recklessly, so I'm not sure what bd200 is thinking with this "the kid everybody liked" business.
What exactly is the difference?
Reed says he's the same person he's always been, people just see him differently now, better than before. Stewart's managed to do the opposite.
(RacerX won't let me post a comment with the word (c)ocky in it. haha)
I'll tell you why Reed wasn't the biggest surprise in the mxdn. Because he wasn't won one! He was due. Also did he back it up? no. Just like in the AMA series, he could win the first or whatever and have some sort of luck in the other moto preventing him from going 1-1. same with the mxdn, where is the shocker DC???
The french deserve WAY for respect than racerX is giving them. They had it in the bag. Villo said they needed to go 1-2? Not true!! Paulin was 7th and poucel was in second, good enough...oh wait, a wheel feel a apart and cost the french team the victory and the USA is refusing the acknowledge the real story- SHOCKER!!!!!!
Lastly, Ken Roczen put in a performance of a lifetime. All you who think you know s&$t gives me the people who have beaten the worlds #1 wearing 250 or 450 rider on a 125 or 250. Exactly. That is why Roczen doesn't even have to do anything. He's already put in a career ride.
The titles he win indoors and out will be nice, but after beating Dungey and passing Villopoto back when poto needed positions most in this life..I'm sure the Rocz will sleep fine for a year or two.
I have seen every mxdn live since 2001, this upset almost occurs and the divided states looks away and says, "scoreboard". hahaha classic.
Hey guys I need help, I've finally got an iphone and wanted to know if the racer x digital editions are worth the effort? I'm not very cluey with this stuff so all help much appreciated, thanks.
I knew Whatever would pop in as soon as the Stewie talk started. But you seem to be wrong there Whatever. I dont have any "Stewie deamons" I think he is a very good rider when he stays up, he is very fast and have said time and time again he is a threat to win every race he enters. But I hate his ego, and his I'm an entertainer attitude. He is a moto racer and thats all he needs to be while he is racing. His attitude sucks, he has a giant ego, and his "fastest man on the planet" crap is so over it isnt funny, he finished 4th place. If and when he gets back to being a rider and a rider only, and his ego shrinks some. I will be fine with him. And yes, he needs to stop taking out others on the track about every other race also. Something nobody can deny.
bd200,, seriously, get over JS will ya ??? Seems to me like YOU "popped in" with the Stewie talk before 'Whatever' did ....
Whatever!! I guess i don't understand the "i'm an entertainer" thing BD......aren't they ALL entertainers?? Isn't that why stadiums get filled on the weekends by thousands of people?? They are there to be entertained by dudes on dirt bikes, right?? Yes, that is right.....and every single rider has his own personality and "attitude" they bring to the show. That is part of what makes it interesting. Once again i will say that i get it how some people, including you apparently, seem to be more "purist" when it comes to what they like and don't like in a rider, and i get that i really do......BUT, if you think for a single minute that the folks who put up the money and put on these races don't like the attention that guys like JS bring to the sport, you couldn't be more wrong!! Those stadiums are not only filled with people like you who want the racers they watch to be quiet, humble, nose to the grindstone, no personality individuals.....NO, most of the crowd IS there to be entertained. As much as you will hate to admit it, the guy draws attention and people to the sport.....that is not a bad thing!! Please drop the FMOTP thing too would ya, nobody says it any more and HE was NOT the one who coined the phrase anyway.....let it go!!
If Stewart goes to JGR, he is reunited with his old wrench, (JGR team mgr.) He had a lot of success with him. It might be a good thing for him. he will be working for somebody, not himself. Plus, he will be on a better bike. This might all be a good thing for him. I'll wait and see what happens before I pile on him. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt.
Whether your a Stewart fan or not you have to admit he brings great interest to the sport every time he lines up on the gate, and that my friend generates ticket sales, not to mention subscriptions and web site hits to our friends at Racer X, all of which helps the continued growth of the sport. Now if we can just reduce the price of a new 4 stroke, which in this economy is showing to be very detrimental to the sport. Bring back the 2 stroke and make it affordable again for everyone.
My comments for the 2012 racing season "May the best,luckyest (is that a word?) win whatever class they are in ! I hope for no injuries so we heve no excuses. I hope that 2012 brings us a better year of racing! If that is possible.
Good luck to all and have a good year!
I dont see any of them as entertainers. I see them as racers. And the races are entertaining. And were did I say I wanted any of them to be quiet with no personality?? I like personality, just not gigantic egos with guys who think they are above the sport. If Stewie goes out and races and acts like he has some class, and appreciates what the sport has done for him, I will be a fan once again. And like I said that you are missing Whatever, I think Larry Brooks was 90% of the problem. But you seemed to miss that part.
@bd200 I only talked/met Larry Brooks one time, I have a sense for this stuff did not like him felt like he thought he was great. that took all of my 10 ,maybe7 minutes to figure out. Yes I can usually figure out that stuff. I have tried to figure out what people see in him ever since???
now for comparsion Doug Dabaugh (sp) sorry, was the complete opposite. I was very impressed with him and told him so.
I wonder if CR22/Two Two Motor sports Is leaving Honda because of the brooks/Mcgrath team. I lost a lot of respect for the King when he aligned himself with Brooks. I know he rode for him earlier in his Bud Light team thing, but this is sad, And shame on Honda for selling 22 out, If that's what happened. Reed looked great on the Suzuki, and Goose knows them inside and out!!! JS7 and Reed riding Suzuki, never thought I would see the day.......
interesting point Pizza, will they hold to there strict rules or cater to his?
I'm guessing James will bunk will Jeremy Albrecht after he kicks Sorby to the curb. I know that racing is serious business, but in James early days after turning pro, he was full of energy and excitement. He looked like he was really have fun at one time. It seems over the years that he lost that and spent more time trying to sell himself. After that, all the BS started to follow.
I'd say as a past champion who has definitely made a name for himself in the sport, that they might be able to work around that "rule"!! I suppose it will be something for the anti-JS crowd to complain about though, if he does continue to live in Florida!! Hell who knows, maybe he will base out of there during the season! Does it really matter either way?? All i can say is that if he doesn't "move" to N.C. then don't put all the blame on him, it would only show that JGR wanted him bad enough to allow it, right??
@Whatever- it dosen't really matter where James lives, what matters is will he be able to do the job. James could be a great asset to the JGR Team and finally put the team to the top of the podium. James has all the makings to be a title contender. So lets see which JS7 shows up at A1. I think after last year, he ate some humble pie in his own privacy, you could see it in his face. You can bet JGR paid a huge price for James and their teams commitment for next year.
@bigtireguy... How can one loose respect to the King when he aligned himself with Brooks when he created his team back in 01'?
Brooks is apparantly not too well like on US forums.. For whatever reason.. And have ordered the book of Reed to see what is his take on Brooks, as to why there was a fall out...
At the end... Brooks cv as a manager and team owner says enough what he has achieved.
Not many managers can match his records... And being a manager myself.. Since when is a manager in contention to be liked? Results is what counts.
As for the silly rule of JGR... Either they are willing to cough up the many millions JS will be asking to pay off yamaha of his contract he still has for 2012... I reckon JS will make the effort.
@jairtime.. Ha,ha... Like your post... You toned it down... Was expecting something harsher.. he,he
Read that Dungey visited Austria after des nations... And some of the sales guys of redbull I know, confirmed this... Game on for KTM for 2012!!!
Haha "j-time", your posts are so stupid and unsubstantiated that it just makes me laugh. I hope you can keep it together this season knowing you have to watch "you know who" every single weekend!! I still think RacerX needs to ban your ass for continuing to show your racist side.. "like some 'rilla in the end zone after a touchdown in a football game"!!! RacerX, are you really going to let this turd refer to a black man in this sport as a "gorilla"?? Really?? The imbecile thinks he can get away with it because he leaves half of the word out.....show some balls you chicken s--t and say it like you mean it!!
any word on jason lawrence for a new ride next year? maybe a privateer?
@rg807..the reason you could hear a pin drop is because everyone was sleeping after reading your post...can't you find some military history blog to post on ? @ whatever...i don't think racer x acually read these posts or something would be done with jerktime and certainly don't think anyone from the stewart camp read these blogs or they would surely have something to say...and what does umber mean ? i know who urkle is but don't have that racist intellect to get the whole umber urkle thing...think its cool that JGR suzuki/stewart deal...would be nice to see JGR get a top rider and get some wins. also wish ktm luck with RD5 and kroc. hope JS7 smokes everyone @ the monster cup so we can all read jairtimes comments on that...jairtime..the vanilla grilla !!!
@Didierlotseng, I cant stand Brooks, he is a cheating, classless fool!!!! He is a worthless And why did Jeremy feel he needed to align himself with that toad??? Reed was ran under the bus on the supercross pre-show by the King, Reed made him eat his words, Why not feild his own team? Brooks ponying up the cash???? props to you for being a team manager, good luck on that... You wont change my mind on that tool brooks..
sorry. thrown under the bus
just ignore that D-bag Jairtime. he sux
@hannahfan, thankfully, i guess they do read them sometimes......they removed the post. Thanks RacerX!! No need for that crap on here!
@ jcbrauns Scoreboard B! read it and weep. you guys will have to wait another year. start making excuses now, save time later.
@bigtireguy.. Am no team manager, I was refering to a manager's duty to get the results done.. A manager is not meant to be liked... If he is.. Good for him... It's a bonus... Generally, the manager is never liked.. Trust me, I got used to it. Most corporates only want results...
I guess, MC & Brooks go a long way back... Maybe you will have to ask MC this...
And why is MC not fielding up his own team.. I guess MC knows he is not a manager... And he probably still wants to be a T&D rider at Honda and race trucks and spend time with his family?
I also suspect, MC does not have the same amount of $$ as Reed has, so best is to spread out your risk when starting up a team.
As for Brooks being a cheat... Let's face it.. Back in 09'... Reed was a big loser... Alledging he was going to be taken out by JS team member... And the year before in 08'.. He was accusing Honda for playing uderhand tactics to help Windham?? So kehoe is also a cheat?
Ordered the book, and we will see what is Reed's take on Brooks.. All i can remember it had to do with $$ and maybe being felt left out when L&M back them decided to hire JS... But this, one will have to hear both versions... And let's face it... Both of them will claim they are in their right...
@jairtime... Ha,ha... If that was the case.. JGR will be making the deal of the century for being so cheap! Ha,ha!
good points, but when Reed was sniveling like a tool, he was working FOR BROOKS!!! se a pattern here? Alessi, Reed both improved PR wise when they left him... I'm sure Stewart will improve also. I also understand the managers role, I work for Bridgestone and have 20 employees working for me.