Insight: Nico Izzi
Wednesday, December 21, 2011 | 1:00 PM
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The year 2007 represented a high water mark for amateur talent, with Trey Canard, Austin Stroupe, Nico Izzi and Tyler Bowers all going straight from the ranks to factory-backed pro rides in 2008 with Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha, respectfully. But the perils of pro racing has made life tough on some of them, like Izzi, who has gone through several dark years both on the track and off.
Izzi hopes to rebuild himself in 2012. We talked to him about the road back.
Racer X: So Nico Izzi, what’s happening with you? We haven’t heard much from you in a long, long time. For starters, I don’t even know what class you’re racing next year.
Nico Izzi: Yeah. I’m riding 250s.
Really? It’s so confusing, your team has some 450 guys, some Lites guys, and it’s really like two teams, Star and Valli combined into one.
Well I’ve been kinda’ out in the dark for most people, no one really knows what I’ve had going on. I did ride the last two outdoor rounds on a 450. But I figured I have at least two more years of eligibility in the Lites class, so I might as well take advantage, and try to put myself back together.
After riding the 450 at the last two rounds of the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship, Izzi will be back on the 250 for Star/Valli Racing in 2012.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
You said put yourself back together. Take us through the last few years.
After my bad incident in ’09, (note: Izzi broke his foot in a hard crash at the Jacksonville SX and missed the remained of the season) I was dealing with some personal stuff that was kind of messed up. I was living out in California on my own, and, yeah, I just had a lot of personal stuff I had to fix before I could make myself a better racer, or even focus on racing. I had a lot going on. It was hard on me as a young man, trying to grow up, and it didn’t make it any easier that I was kind of failing as a racer, and that’s in the public eye. So I’m just so greatfull to be on a good team and still have good support, like I did back then when I was on Suzuki. I rode for Star Racing back in 2010, but that was kind of when things started going downhill for me. (Star Racing owner) Bobby Reagan has always had faith in me, and he wanted to sign me again for 2011, but I was supposed to sign with Honda of Troy. Then that deal fell through. So I can’t thank Bobby Reagan enough, he’s always been there for me. And Chad Lanza at Valli. All of those boys have been so good to me.
Yeah, so in a way you’re back on Star Racing. You left on good terms at the end of 2010?
Yeah it was tough on me, because I knew I didn’t do my job and get results for them. Bobby, he would see flashes in me, I knew I still had it, but I just had too much going on. I was just messed up in the head, a lot of gnarly stuff was going on that I really don’t want to talk about. But I just needed to hit rock bottom, and I did. I really hit rock bottom, and that’s what needed to happen before I could get it fixed, you know? I did that. This year during outdoor season I had to go out and show something so I could get back on a team. If I didn’t do that, I was done. I got on Valli and had a good moto at Pala, I got seventh in the first moto. And the team had a meeting with me, and I told them everything that had gone on. They had faith in me. They had hired Johnny Louch as a trainer for me about a month before the outdoors ended—they told me to get on that program. I did that, and here we are. I’m pumped.
On the outside, it’s easy for people to get bummed on a rider when they know he had talent and good support and didn’t make it happen. But I always remind people, in most sports, you’re not turning professional until you’ve done some college, and you’re in your 20s. Only you really know what it’s like to go to California as a teenager and have to figure this all out.
That’s the thing. You’re so young. It’s so easy for people to sit behind a computer and say things like, “This guy should have done this or that.” But until you’re in my shoes…you know, there are a lot of guys out there that made it happen. Guys like Canard and Dungey, they did it and good for them. They’re awesome. But when you’re so young, it’s easy to get sidetracked. I made a couple of bad decisions, but I’m sitting here today and I feel it has made me stronger. I know what it takes now. And no one really has too high of expectations for me since I haven’t done much, but the team has seen me riding and they say I’m looking good. I have big goals for myself, and I’m sure the team expects big things because I’m riding well at the track. But I know I’m coming in as kind of a dark horse.
After an up and down 2011 season, Izzi is hoping to have a breakout year in 2012.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
You said a key phrase there. You feel like you still have it.
I feel like I’ve always had it. But ever since I turned pro I haven’t done as well as I wanted to. I haven’t won a race, and that pisses me off. Every off season, it seems like something was always going on. It would be four weeks before the first race and I’d be like, “Oh, I better get my stuff together.” I’m tired of doing that. It would get me so mad, because I would go to the races and always be top three or four in qualifying, I would have speed, and then I couldn’t make it happen in the races. It was because of a lot of things going on. I’m tired of that, and if I’m going to do it, I’m going to put in 110 percent.
Back in the day at Loretta’s, we would see you out there running in the heat of the day, between motos. You seemed like a really gnarly trainer at just 12 years old. Do you think you did too much, too soon?
That was kind of the thing. It was almost like, when I turned pro, I was a little burned out. I had done it for so long. If I had said this a few years ago, it would have sounded so stupid because I was still young. But looking back now, for sure, that was a part of it. It’s almost like you’re a robot, every day you just ride and train, ride and train. Then you get hurt, and you get to see what life is like as a kid, and it all jacked with me. I definitely think when I first turned pro I was a little burned out. It literally took me focusing on other things, just living my life, to understand that. There were times when I couldn’t even focus on motocross. I’m here now, I’m pumped, I’m on a good team, and I’m in a good place.
Well it’s good that you’ve figured a lot of this out now. It could have gotten worse.
I’ve learned a lot about life. Before it was so hard to focus on riding. I’ve been miserable these past few years, and a lot of it was because I wasn’t doing my job, I wasn’t getting results. And then a lot of the personal stuff started to interfere. Now, I know what I want. It might take me some time to get it, but I’m definitely better coming into this season than last season. Last season I didn’t even know if I was racing. Now, I’m putting in the laps, trying to stay healthy and confident.
Thanks, Nico. I appreciate the honesty. Good luck this year.
Yeah, no problem. I know how it is. Right now not a lot of people are really talking about me, but if I do good, everyone will start hopping back on the bandwagon. So that’s what I need to do.
Can Izzi pick up his first career win in 2012?
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
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Probably a good idea to stick to the 250s. The 450 class is way to stacked right now and moving up is kind of a do or die move. I think Izzi is easily a top 5 guy; if he can get his life straightened out I think he can be a podium guy.
Back in Nico's amatuer days here in Michigan, it was something to watch him set the fastest lap times of the day...on an 85. But racing 30 minutes plus 2 laps at a national is alot harder than 4 laps at Baja. If he ever gets is $hit together he can be a top five guy.
It's a job, work hard and success will follow, keep work and personal separate and the blocks will fall in place and the bandwagon will start to fill up (as in all of us that work corporate jobs -or the like). Sounds like he finally has it figured out.... I've always rooted for Nico, cool name too. Good luck in 2012! You still have MANY supporters.
Gotta love the honesty. Good luck in 2012 Nico!
If you look at it these kids take racing as a job when they are 4 years old. Thats all they do and have is ride a motocycle. No time for public school or to even be a kid. I can see by the time they are pros and life as an adult kicks in it would be hard to transition. Good luck Izzi, you can do it
"Personal problems?" Sounds to me like he was partying, which is cool, I'd do the same, but why can he just say "hey, I partied like any rich kid in socal"???
Maybe I'm wrong... maybe his mom die or something... but still, just say it and then fans and us sponsors can decide if we wanna through our support his way...
I remember when Izzi was the next thing coming up. Hope he can get a few wins before he retires.
Izzy has speed and he seems to be doing the rights things to make it work this year! Good move to stay in the 250 class, way more chances of wins or podiums for him. Good luck to him!
dave sucks
I am having serious deja vu here. I read almost the same interview last year around this time I believe. However, the vibe from him seems a little more sincere this time around, so maybe that will lead to something greater this season. Only thing that bums me out as a fan is all these guys always using the go to move "I had personal problems" schpeel. Dang! We all are human, be real, and put it out there on what went down, and move forward. I think the riders that put it out there on what really goes down is appreciated more, and generates a lot more followers and fans, than the politically correct "I had personal problems" guy. Every human can relate in some way.
i remember that crash - gnarly as hell - like falling from a tall building - good luck izzi - fast kid - real fast
Snizzi has alot more to learn before he grows up, that's for sure. He keeps having personal problems, after problems, after problems. He always has excuses,, always. I am so tired of this guy and his blame games.
Remember when Windham retired for a while and admitted that he partied alot and drank alot...that's why we all love Kevin Windham, he is real.
sugar coating much dom? pretty funny how all the comments besides a couple are all the same and nothings good. kid is stuck in the whole so cal stereotype! kids got screws loose. the whole flashes of brilliance is a crock! ur either on it or your not. but then who am i? im just a guy who likes moto and wont ever be a pro racer or anything. so get off my jock! getting real sick of the drama this dude creates! sack up like everyone else and take your career serious and stop playing the little high school drama role in moto!!
I think that now Nico is with Weimer's "chick" (I use that term loosely - wait, she was the loose one) maybe he can focus on riding and not sneaking around behind Jake's back. Nico could atleast wait for the body to get cold before he moved in....
dudes a wreck!!!! hahaha good for nothing rocky lookin punk
Ok, guys. You can rip all you want on Nicco, but face the fact the guy was / is /
and always be fast. How fast are you guys? I have watched Nicco grow from
a 50cc beginner into one fast dude. And everyone is human, at least He admits
He made mistakes...Go get at it Nicco...Larry Witmer
I'm an IZZI supporter. You get out in the lead brother man and you can garrentee you will have at least 1 fan yelling and screaming at the TV rooting you on. Win one, do it, now is the time. Make good dicisions and put in the work and it will fall right in your lap. Not a sermun just a thought from a friendly fan. Now all you haters lick nuts!
Whats all this i keep hearing about Weimers Girlfriend?
I googled 'Nico Izzi Weimer Chick', apparently Nico Weimer is a german soccer player. Weird.
@sjf350: you are the typical Snizzi buttlicker: dumb as rocks, can't spell.
Izzi said the exact same things last year that he says in this interview. Nothing new. You guys all have short memories, remeber that dumb vid?
Nico, Just ignore the majority of the comments on here. Bunch of wannabe's that can't even begin to understand what it takes at that level. I bet the neg comments are from idiots that don't even ride. Your Michigan Mafia fans have your back. Rock on.
If a guy has to worry about his GF f'ing someone else it will kill his drive. I don't know the story but I know what it does to someone's mind.
If thats true all the Kawasaki riders need to do some damage control on this guy
I was sitting in the Jacksonville stadium for that first race there and we were watching Nico fly that night. He went down on the other side of the stadium from us by the finish line jump and one second he was there and the next we didn't see him again. Here's to a good year Nico.
Nico needs to stop worrying about what other people think. As far as chicks go, if you are winning nationals you can get any chick you want. Wait until you are done racing to find a steady woman. But hormones usually win over most guys. They did for me. He's got the talent to win. What I wouldn't give to hear my name in the lead at a National! Even for a few corners. The ones who win are the ones that want it the most. The most desire, drive, dedication, and the most time they put in. It's not natural talent. Nico has what it takes. He just has to decide to do whatever it takes and not let anything else distract him.
What I know about life and the things thrown out you is to be around good people period......we were all kids and as far as you Nico you have what it takes and you know it! With that being a given, only be around the positive and who cares about the haters......7 Billion people and this world, their out there! So what, the haters have neither the speed nor have they seen what kind of $ you have produced over the years, jealous? I think so..Good luck to you
Outdoors Nico was fast in one moto, then no where to be found in the other. He was fast and looking solid on the 450. Good luck in '12, stay healthy.
Ya know since Nico was on 50s he was put into a 24/7 race that never ended and nothing else for real nothing else. Even in the pits, before and after racing he couldn't hang out with friends and be a kid. As a amateur he trained his balls off chasing Josh Lichtle RIP and any other fast kid across the country till he beat him. Then he went Pro, he was the rookie of the year with podium finishes. Not to his error he hurt his foot in SX. With time off living in Cali and alone (first time ever) as a teen he innocently found life with all the consequences and pleasures. Well you heard his confession. Sure he should have done this and not that, like were all perfect. Remember allot of Pro's even RC was that arrogant Pro rookie who at times was kind of a jerk, and wasn't the man he is today. So Nico best wishes to you and your family- its time to get some paper.
Baja Acres MI.
Nico,
You were my son's hero on 2 wheels on Rattle Run Rd. where you and your dad were giving him some lessons back in 02 & 03.. So your Pro career hasn't turned out like you and your family had hoped...Oh Well!!! It's not too late, look forward and not back, stop talking about the amateur glory days-most of the guys winning now are guys that couldn't beat you..they just continued to work hard and you didn't- But it's Not Too Late! Bust your butt and become a great story and role model for all the kids coming up... or young men like my son.
Or you could be living the dream Working 7 to 3:30 in Marysville
Good Luck this year, RT
Half of u hatin fools couldn't even begin to know what kind of sacrifice that Nicco has made to achieve his spot in the pro ranks, His day will come for sure, the rest of u freakin fools sack up and bring ur bike to the gate n we will see where u rate amongst the baddest riderz in the world, Nicco rock on brother, missin the eighty five dayz watchin my daughter chase u around the track in Michigan, n yes we still Have ur ole Rockstar supermini.......gonna hang it in my living room just like the gold plated one u have hangin at ur parents house up north bro......forget the haterz n just freakin do what u do best.........RIDE TO WIN !!!! Peace REES RACING #108