by Simon Cudby
Racer X Films: Mike Alessi
Monday, October 10, 2011 | 6:30 AM
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PrintMA800 is riding yellow for 2012. EJ and Cudby went to shoot this film at the Alessi facility.
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Can't watch the vid. Who is he rding for in 2012?
He's "on his own programm"...basically a privateer effort right now with a lot of help from aftermarket companies. I'd love to see him do good again.Soemthing definitely didn't work for him this year.Maybe as he said just getting hurt and never be his self again after that? We have seen this with Reed as well after his crash at Millville...
Hmmmmmmmmmm good luck but I don't think you will be beating RV buddy.
not a big alessi fan, but i think he's the dark horse for the Monster Cup. He's usually good for 10 laps
I wanted to add that on certain pics he looks "fat". Not that "lean and mean" stature you would expect from a commited sportsman. Seeing him get slower after a couple of laps this year also lets me think that this could be his main weak point now. He is still fast but has to pace himself in order not to go out of steam...lack of fitness?
Mike slowed down after 10 minnutes cus the ktm suspension heated up. when this happens the choice is either to keep the same pace and crash or slow down . Mike Alessi is one of the most fit riders in mx ,bar none !
Didn't see too many shots of him hammering the whoops....if I were him, I would build a track that only had em....then talk about competing with the big boys...
never a fan myself. I to think it's totaly because of his dad. But he has had some horrific crashes for sure. And he comes back. Now funding his own team I would like him to put in the same type of effort CR22 did. Would be nice for him to redeem himself. I don't think it's too late. If he could get the old man to stay away (at least in public, people in general don't seem to like him) and speak for himself he could do well. He seems to have the drive and footing the bill himself could humble him a bit. The bike looks good as well as his riding, never seen anyone with a fence in the middle of the track before (was thinkin' he should jump the high line wires there) but hell yeah Mike give it your best shot. I will be your fan one day if you can pull this together. Could be just what you needed. Good Luck!
never a fan myself. I to think it's totaly because of his dad. But he has had some horrific crashes for sure. And he comes back. Now funding his own team I would like him to put in the same type of effort CR22 did. Would be nice for him to redeem himself. I don't think it's too late. If he could get the old man to stay away (at least in public, people in general don't seem to like him) and speak for himself he could do well. He seems to have the drive and footing the bill himself could humble him a bit. The bike looks good as well as his riding, never seen anyone with a fence in the middle of the track before (was thinkin' he should jump the high line wires there) but hell yeah Mike give it your best shot. I will be your fan one day if you can pull this together. Could be just what you needed. Good Luck!
sorry 4 the double post darn delay!
ugh. this sport is such a joke. a top 10 rider can't even get a contract, he has to go start his own team? i love motocross but this sports industry is a JOKE.
even the ex-champion chad reed had to start his own team.
it makes me not even want to be a part of the sport at all.
Alessi might not be champion material anymore, but he's good enough and that he mixes up the races. How many motocross holeshots did he pull just this last mx season?
@rcx1 you are right but I think we have to put most of the blame on the economy. Things are tightening up everywhere and unfortunately that goes for MX too. Don't give up on our sport. It is too cool. And hopefully one day the economy will turn around. But I won't be holding my breath on that one.
i hope mike does well. i can't understand how he couldn't get a ride. none of the factories have faith in him, so i hope he can go out and compete. I think he still has the skills, but i also think he's lost some nerve from the bad crashes he's had over the last few years. GOOD LUCK MIKE! Rootin for ya bud!
Hope Alessi gets a ride for 2012. It would be a shame with his talent to not be under one of the big tents. I wonder if many of the satellite teams are not set yet.
Have not heard any announcements for sooooo many riders yet. Hopefully Alessi's name will pop up on one of those teams.
Good luck Mike!!!
Got to lose the #800
Alessi talent? Anybody remember his antics a few years ago at Glen Helen with Tedesco? Remember the finger over the jump at Red Bud? This kid is full of himself and he doesnt deserve a factory ride when everyone thinks your a douche. What factory rider do you deserve a ride over? Brayton? He is a good kid and keeps his nose clean and has a little bit of humbleness to his personality. Go to the Monseter Energy Cup with daddy and get another butt whooping by better riders please. Then get a little humility in your life and realize the world doesnt revolve around you.
glad to see the TREmx.com on the bike
good luck
jmantattoo, I was never a huge Alessi fan but cut the guy some slack. You are talking about events that happened going on 7 years ago, as a 16 year old kid during his first professional season. Remember all the dumb stuff you did as a kid? Add to the fact that the pressure his dad has put on him to win didn't help the situation, knowing that anything less than winning was failing. I hope he does well this season becasue he has definately grown up over the years, as we all do in life. The last 2 years have not been what he needed, first off being on the 350, then last year having that horrific crash. I think that affected the rest of his whole outdoor season.
Bet it's easier for Alessi to go from KTM to Suzuki than it is for Dungey to go from Suzuki to KTM....
He looks good on it and he's definitely the dark horse for the MEC.
rcx1 I think he had 3 holeshots this year in MX. Mike has burned a few bridges over the years like Reed so that makes getting a ride a little harder and money is tight too whitch is not helping either. And YES he need to ride whoops ALL DAY!! Thats what Doug Henry did when he was at honda. He said MC would be doing nac nac's and he would be ridding the whoops all day.
Was that a Jeff Alessi sighting??
good post
Motohead279, The real bad crash was on the Suzuki.. was that 08 or 09? the the KO this year at round 1 did not help.
Buck I think they jumped the fence because they made his SX track bigger with some outdoors stuff over the fence to get ready for the Monster cup.
PS my sled is STILL NOT IN!!! They got a lot in so far but not mine yet!!!
I wonder if the neighbors know he's riding their track too? He's looking good on the Suzuki. Good luck Mike!!
Your absolutely right Motohead that was a long time ago but you can tell by listening to him that his ego hasnt changed even since Steel City back in 04. You cant use the dad excuse forever. Its either time to tell him to hit the road and take the responsibility for yourself or deal with the consequences. He has left a bad taste in my mouth and personally I hope he fails. Like I said, what factory rider does he deserve a ride over? I cant think of one personally.
Hate to say it....but Alessi does deserve to be up there with the factory guys....what happens is Pappa Alessi gets in the middle and the teams dont want to deal with him and its almost like Mike gets the short end of the stick.....As soon as Decoster went to KTM....Alessi's new they had to start looking elsewhere when their contract was up.... back on Zook, DeCoster was "fed up" with "team alessi"....Hope to see the kid pull it off in a true privateer effort and hopefully pops takes a vacation...
Mike spent to many years trying to make a KTM work right , this seems like a better fit , He is easy a top five guy , and looks good on the Suzuki , If he stays up , stays fit , it should be a good year for him ..
Its wrong to hope a rider fails , Jeez what kind of fan are you Jmantattoo
Holy S--t!! Just when i think you aren't capable of being more of an idiot, you prove me wrong "J-Jizz"!!
Lookin' good on the zook Mike! Good luck!!
"Beleive the Hype", well maybe not but Mikey has a had a few good rides and a few ups and downs. He has had his share of injuries too, pyhsical and emotional. Looks like now he can't get a ride sad, but good point given, he has to prove himself. Mikey looked good on the Zook in 09, so hopefully he can find something in it again.
They should have more incentive laden contracts. Go in asking for less but with large incentives. Everyone wins that way. Smaller salaries say $200,000 a year with large bonuses for podiums. If you think your fast enough to beat the competition sign it. If not try and win the Championship on your own and hope for a large contract next year.
I remember in 05 at the Wick Mike was flying and won the 1st moto, but in he 2nd he had a tough time and crashed popping his shoulder out. I told his michanic I thought he had a lot more wins in his future. He was never the same that year though. Injuries can be tough on a person. Look at TP.
By the way I hope Mike kicks butt this year.
Anyone remember how fast 800 goes when his team is the "family". I'm talking about "believe the hype" and all that. You can't say he didn't haul ass when he first arrived.
I would be scared about a guy with his back against the wall, with something to prove. We all know this guy has the speed, and now he "is racing for his family". I am saying right here and now he will be a contender at ME cup. If we talk more trash we are just fueling his fire more. I am not a fan Mr. Alessi, but you can make me one by beating #2 straight up, you did it when you were a kid, re find the kid in yourself.
Is Mike Fast? Yes, But I say the industry needs to take note. 2 wks ago when 800 was in Reno NV. 52 Pro's showed up for $10,000.00 per night. Local pro Aron Harvey got the holeshot or was dead even with Mike both nights and ran his pace for a while and held off Nico Izy until getting a flat and still got 3rd. I say give Aron Harvey a Ride and see what happens.
Wow Saddleback, what a statement! You did make one good comment about Mikey, "re find the kid in yourself". You know he trains hard and has the speed, so lets see if he can dig deep and find himself.
Aint' no whoops at the Monster Cup. Ain't much competition, neither. If he can get a couple podiums behind RVizzle, he could carry some much-needed momizzle into A-wizzle.
Word?
WHY didn't I say podizzles? shit
Give the guy some credit, he's always been top 5 kinda guy. Really hope going back to the Suzuki will change his momentum; he looked really good in the video so we will see what happens... Good luck mike! see ya at the MEC
I hope he proves everyone wrong. There is something about being an entrepreneur that lights a fire under your rear !
He seriously thinks he has a chance... is he forgetting this is mostly a SX track??? Even if he holeshots, he'll be lucky to run top ten. the hype never came in 2002, and its not coming in 2012
Mike Alessi still possesses top level speed on a bike. I don't know if I'd be willing to risk whatever finances I had over taking a lesser ride, but it just shows how committed the Alessi family is to racing. It's more than about the money for them. You got to respect that. Go 800.
boys,cut alessi a break. fact is he is in the conversation of the best 15 riders in the world. top 5-8 u.s. now it is unrealistic for him to get totaly rid of "fat boy"(his dad) but keep him away from the races."we" aint riding the bike or doing the training,mike is.let him get his advice from people who have been there and know what they are doing.your job dad,is to make plane res.,wash practice bikes,prep practice tracks.and keep your fat mouth shut! you have already done irreprable damage to the boy with the preasure you put him under by having to support you.he shoud have a factory ride,he doesnt because of you.he is fast enough,he works hard,has desire,hell of a lot more than you can say about a lot of guys.
jairtime is such and idiot that is almost laughable, but your ignorance isn't humorous.
BillC, you have to bring up Villo in EVERY comment section, it gets old dude.
Ur a$$ kissin should be kept more on the down low.
KTM fans, think Mike's results will be better on a private Suzuki? Better hope not. I know KTM does not want to see that. How did someone say he is fat? Unbelievable.
@B-KR - I think they were calling Mike Alessi's dad fat......
The Zook and 800 look good again. No offense KTM but that Zook is workin'.... Mike ,forget the rest of the track forget it all but the whoops and do them till the gate drops at the cup and again nite and day till until A1 and you could have a shot. Good luck at the cup you will need it cause you know RV1 has set the bars and pegs to 'Ka CHING' Also please tell your dad he can lift the Grant curse now , i'm almost starting to feel for the guy.
@B-KR, I honestly never even thought of MA800 goin'out and spankin' my homestate boy RD5. Oh man that would be something. I'm hoping RD can do good, startin' to think maybe this buy your own bike and build your own team might start to catch on, if he too has some success, with the factory teams shutting down, like they seem to be, who knows? @BillC the fence jump was cool for whatever reason and I hate to say it but when I ordered my 03 rev a mistake was made and it didn't get ordered. They had a hell of a time gettin' me one and it finally came in mid Dec.! Sucked. I hope you don't have that problem. And yeah RV is your guy for sure, and he was b-4 he won the titles this year and this is a M-X chat place so I think you can talk about him all you want and it seems to me you haven't mentioned him that much lately anyways. And finally Mr Jairtime, I have some thoughts on the economy and the way our country is being ran, but this is a M-X chat place so I'll stick too that topic. Would be fun to exchange some views with you. LOL
If mike rides better own his own put together bike rather than a full factory ktm it is all in his head !! The factory ktm has won in mx1 and mx2 in the world champs. That bike is not slow as will dungey, roczen and musquin will prove in 2012
It could be worce I could say RV RULES after every post!! Either way save yourself some typing cuz any thing you say is not going to chang how or what I post. It was relavent to use his name anyway cuz Mike said he can run with the top guys.
.Thanks Bucky, I don't know why some people piss all over themselfs like him anyway. The sled did get ordered they got a bunch of XRS's and Gades but no X's yet. Oh well maybe this week.
Sounds like airtime been spending too much time with his homies at the havoc 7 compound.
you know, its kinda sad actually. He has never been well liked even from the beginning with all that BELIEVE THE HYPE stuff. Not to name drop because its not like i know them all that well. but i have met them from time to time at some races here in texas, and they are actually very nice in person, but it apparently gets lost in translation on tv and interviews. they are an odd group i guess. But i heard an interview a few years back where Tony admits they had lost their hunger to win at all cost like they had in the amatuers and it shows. Maybe this is the kick start they need to get that fire back. I wish him the best of luck. he was always fast on suzuki's and no one can argue that. A few years back he was the only one who competed with stewart in the outdoors before he became a speed bump on the blind jump. Horriffic accident. and hes had battled bad luck ever since. Some of the bad luck may be brought on by him and the people he surrounds himself with, but never the less, he's a motocrosser and we're all a little different than normal people. So wish him the best. and if you dont' like him dont' cheer for him. But don't wish ill will on him or any other rider. just my thoughts.
he looks really sharp. that track is pretty dangerous with the fences haha. im sure he can go top 5\top 3 easily. i can see he has the drive now. Best of luck to both alessi brothers.
BTW, sexiest bike i have ever seen, by far. suzuki is the best(;
I think he needs to loose the Dad and any attitude that remains. Big Factories want Riders that sell themselves and bikes! Nobody wants to hire a family, just a rider. You didn't see Carmichael's momma out there acting like she was running the show! Now McGrath's folks nor none of the great riders folks. Tony may help Mike in allot of ways,. but it's Mike's career going down the tubes not Tony's!
That my 2 scents.
i noticed the GPS suspended bike he had also. hmmm? i just wish the guy would just skip sx altogether and do GP's while sx is happening here in USA; then make it back to nationals all dialed in with starts and such. im just dreaming i guess. glad jeff is back on # 801, and from recent posts seems motivated himself. good luck and safety to all.
This is just a trivial point but I'm going to make it anyway ... has anyone ever seen Mike throw a whip in one of these videos? He seems unique amongst all the pros in not doing them, I can't remember ever seeing one.
Mike showed signs of growing up when he was at Suzuki, well that didn't last long. He really needs to get away from Tony,We are starting the Supercross series now, it is well known he does not do well indoors. He will do a few races on his own, then will get hurt or bail out. Maybe someone will pick him up for the outdoor series, only if he gets rid of Tony and changes his attitude. What a shame, he does ride well...
I'm a little disappointed that Mike hasn't been signed to a big team but I'm also really stoked for Mike's chances at the MEC. My brother was at his place a couple weeks ago doing some work and said that he looked incredible. The bike is running great and everyone is optimistic. I think Tony just gets a bad rap because of how determined he is to help and how proud he is of his boys. The fence does separate a sx and mx track so that's why they're jumping the fence. ps. Jeff is riding for Rock River.
jumping over the fence = SICKK
best of luck to the alessis!!
Personally, I hope jmantattoo fails.
noya big fan of the Alessi clan, but i respect him for saddleing up on a Zook, and funding himself. The kid has lots of speed, its cool to see him in the mix....
Good luck next season.
oops, "NOT a big fan" my bad.....
"Motohead279, The real bad crash was on the Suzuki.. was that 08 or 09? the the KO this year at round 1 did not help."
BillC, Yeah, I know the 08 Red Bud crash was much worse and a few years ago, but I was meaning when he KO'd himself this year at the first round. I think that affected the rest of the series for him, as I think he may have had the speed to mix it up front this season, finally being back on the 450, especially if he did well at that race. We all know what just a little bit of confidence can do for a rider. Mikey was the only rider to keep JS in sight the year before. BTW I still cringe anytime I see the RedBud crash and how many bike rode over the poor guy. Talk about getting kicked when you are down.
Speaking of Bubbles, I'm dying to know who he will be riding for next year. Hopefully an announcement comes soon.
TRE (The Racers Edge) has stood by Alessi for many years. Good to see them still standing by him!!! Good luck Mike. Show them that you still deserve a Factory Ride!!!
wow,all these comments, and most of them are positive. Are you reading this Mike? This is good for you in every way. Sounds like people are starting to back you and all your efforts. It's tough to always say and do the right things to keep the crowd appeal, but look at Reed and what he's done. I'm thinkin' it's all there for you to take advantage of. And you haven't even raced the new bike yet! Good luck MA800 only you can make this happen.
He chose to go back to riding yellow because of the speed he was at in 09', but thats not factory rig.......hopefully he can bring back the magic he had and stay off the ground.
Alessi+Suzuki= Domination................Alessi is the most dedicated rider out there. He wont stop till he gets a champion ship...and this might be is year
Duzzbag.... Sorry not going to happen. I think Mike is a great rider but I would bet on him NOT winning a title.
Whats with all the fencing? looks like the track zigzags property lines...
Never miss an oppurtunity to bag on those KTM's .(Kant take motocross)..Had to front his own money and chose yellow..nuff said... felt good but had to "hold back a little to not go down" in 2011...Thats cuz you were on a piece of crap bike...I hope you can get support on that yellow bike for the outdoors... I think you will be runninng up front and staying there. RV is stupid fast but after that I put 800....Look at the 2009 results..he won 4 of 6 motos before getting hurt...Good luck and I bet you get something quickly 800...at least it isnt orange with a steel frame from 1989..Ohh and you do need a whoop section bro..
This poor kid...The Father, The Father, The Father...Ruined this kid, a nice kid. He was on his way with Factory Suzuki. So glad Tony pushed him back into racing too soon and demoralized him at the same time. Could someone tell Tony that what God gave you, is what God gave you? Live with it.
Mike is a hell of a rider. Personality, Father ect...aside he hauls. But if you watch him in SX the only thing that kills him is the whoops. Hope he can work past that fear of whoops. It`s the only thing keeping him out of the mix. His starts and speed are great. Just every whoop section costs him positions. Maybe this new Suzuki will give him some confidence.
the older Mike gets the more mature he is. I can be a 800 fan again. Is it me or does Mikey look a little buff. Maybe now he can man handle his foo-fity. Go Mike give'em hell.