Open Mic Part 2: Stewart, Brayton, Musquin, Rattray
Monday, January 16, 2012 | 4:30 PM
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PrintJames Stewart, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota Yamaha, eighth in SX Class
How was the night? How was the day?
Outside of being sick, it was actually alright. I actually rode a lot better this week. We worked on the bike, got that a little bit better. The heat race was good. It was just two bad starts that killed me. It killed me in the heat race, but I was able to get up. Then in the main event, it killed me pretty bad. I got tangled with Josh [Hansen] on like the second lap really bad. We like got stuck together and I went way back again. I ended up coming back up through the pack, I don’t even know where I was, and that wall thing was weird. People would go up and roost and I couldn’t see. Andrew stopped and checked up like everyone else was doing and I just barely tapped him on the back and went down in there. It was rough. It was a rough night. But I felt like I should have won that race again. So it was definitely good for the team and good for us and we’ll just have to make it happen next week.
So the riding and the bike and all that, you’re not worried about that? No problems there?
No. I feel way better. I think I’m only going to get better as the season goes on. So, the riding, being who I am, is back for sure. Like I said, if I get the starts, I’ll be fine.
"Outside of being sick, it was actually alright. I actually rode a lot better this week." - James Stewart.
Photo: Simon Cudby
Justin Brayton, Team Honda Muscle Milk, 14th in SX Class
Well, I put myself in the position to have bad things happen. I just spun off the gate, then me and Stewart locked bars and just got a really bad start. Then somehow, I don’t know what happened, but me and [Mike] Alessi tangled and that didn’t go over so well. I crashed there off the track and then I crashed with [Ivan] Tedesco a few laps later. So it was a rough one. Not the way I wanted this night to go, but I’ll come to fight another day. Come out swinging in L.A.
Marvin Musquin, Red Bull KTM, second in SX Lites Class
Yeah really happy. I mean, I crashed on the last practice. I hurt my neck a little bit. I got a bad start in the heat race. I got mad a little bit. I couldn’t get around [Max] Anstie. I finished fifth on the heat race, but it was my start. And then I was really focused for the main event. I got a really good start and I got second. I tried to pass [Tyla] Rattray on the second turn. It was so exciting, I was like “Okay! Go get him!” I was really happy. I tried again after the triple. I was a little bit shy and then I touched his bike a little bit, so we almost crashed. And then [Dean] Wilson passed Rattray and me at the same time. Then I tried to follow Wilson, but he rode really well. He was pushing really hard and I was pushing really hard, too. I had a really good race. I’m so proud. The Red Bull KTM team did a really good job. I feel good. I’m finally on the podium. I keep pushing all the way to the finish and I saw behind me Rattray, [Cole] Seely and [Eli} Tomac and I was like “Okay keep going. Keep going.”
Do you think you can get better? It’s really only your second race, really, full time in supercross.
My goal was to be on the podium and to get a good start and I got a really good start tonight. So that’s good. I am happy about that. For sure I learn every time. It’s my second supercross race. And then I am also back racing outdoors. Last year was a crazy year for me. I am feeling good. I have a really good bike and I’m in good shape. I did a good 15 laps.
"My goal was to be on the podium and to get a good start and I got a really good start tonight." - Marvin Musquin
Photo: Simon Cudby
Tyla Rattray Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki, third in SX Lites Class
I think you’re in the points lead.
Oh yeah. I’m a supercross rider now, dude.
No one was talking about you before supercross. They’re like, yeah, Rattray, just wait until outdoors. How did you feel coming into supercross? Did you know that you could do this?
Yeah, definitely. You know, obviously with me having a year under my belt after last year, it made it a lot easier for me coming into supercross this year. I knew what to expect. I know the stadiums. It just makes it a lot easier. And, obviously, putting so many laps in and training with Aldon [Baker] and Ryan [Villopoto] and Jake [Weimer], it really helps me lift my level and my speed and that’s the stuff we’ll work on and try and work on weak points and make them my strong points. My bike’s been working great. I’ve been getting great starts at the first round and now. So I’m happy with how my bike’s working and obviously getting holeshots is going to make life a whole lot easier.
So did you come into this year a lot more confident than you did coming into last year?
Oh yeah, definitely. I mean, last year, I’d come to the track and, I mean, it was my first year. Like, I’d walk the track and I’d be like “Oh, I wonder what they’ll do here.” Whereas now, when I walk the track, I know kind of what they’re gonna do. So I think that helps a lot to know. With this being my second year in supercross, it’s definitely helping me a lot.
"Oh yeah. I’m a supercross rider now, dude." - Tyla Rattray
Photo: Simon Cudby
Now, how’d you feel compared to Anaheim 1? Anaheim 1, you were pretty darn close to Seely. Here you got third. So compare the two races.
I think here, we stayed pretty close to Dean. We caught him a bit at the end. But I’ve been sick this week and my physical condition may not be that great. I think I’ve just got to keep working hard and just get good starts again. I think that’ll be a lot more confidence for me. Just keep getting good starts and just keep putting myself in good positions and try and get a win sometimes soon.
Are you at the point where you’re gonna start coming to the races thinking “I can win one of these”?
Yeah, I definitely knew I could win one. Anaheim, I was really close. Coming out, Dean got out front and me and Marvin were battling and Dean managed to get a little gap. So, he got away a little bit, but this is just one round. We’ve still got a couple more to go. I’m not really worried about the championship now. I’ve just got to go to the race, just focus on the start, get good starts, put myself in good positions and try to be on the podium as much as I can. If I can get a win, that’d be great. The main thing for me as well is just to be safe. Not take any risk, don’t do anything stupid, and just keep the rudder on the ground.
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" It was rough. It was a rough night. But I felt like I should have won that race again." - JS7.
I think even without the tangle with Hansen and crashing into Shorty, JS7 was going to dump it in the whoops. He had the JGR Yamaha doing the sideways slide a couple of times and I'm sure under greater pressure he would have dumped it.
Flame on.
so hamncheeze he should have said I felt like I didnt have a chance of winning the race tonight? What would be the point of getting on the gate? Kinda have to believe you can win. Wait you probably have never won a race or yet probably never even lined up on a gate.
Flame on..
Glad to see Stewart positive. After the past season and now the start of this one, I'm actually rooting for him to ride at his potential. I want to see all the top contenders battling for the C'Ship, and he already 17pts back.
Go Stewie!
Hmm.. Not sure what to think about Stewart anymore, but I'm not going to make any positional statement just yet..
I agree he was riding very well, Passed a LOT of guys then went down in the sand.
If he actually said "I felt like I COULD have won the race" it might come off a little better than "I felt like I SHOULD have won that race". I know I'm reading in to it a bit, but saying it with SHOULD sort of implies the only variable in it was HIM, not the other 19 guys on the gate.
No such thing as "should have won the race", especially when you were never remotely in a position to do so.
I should have won that race " Again" ???? Hahahahahahahahahaahahahahaha
This kid kills me, I guess he forgot about all the " other faster " riders out there, That DID beat him and crashed also...............
One more thing, I am not a JS7 hater. I really want to see him back to winning races and running at the front. I want to see him and RV battle it out, they are the two fastest guys in the class. I just see a lot of 2011 in James' 2012 so far and it disappoints me. I honestly thought he was going to have the bike dialed, his head dialed, and be running up front all the time.
@Willmx114 - nice personal attack. I might be retired from MX now but I lined up on the gate for 10 years and yes Virginia, I won a race or two - since you seemed to want some credentials to validate my comments.
@ Retardcross,, You are right,,, especially with ALL your experience winning championships.. I think some of you are getting a little knit-picky, don't ya think ?
hamncheeze, Virginia huh, how long ago was this big guy
Provide me with some kind of info from Saturday that indicates JS had the Phoenix round covered? He qualified 6th, won a heat, and passed Reed/Short in one corner, and had horrible starts. How is this stand-out?
Little comments like "I should be the one winning" are the reason he is losing popularity among fans who know the sport well whether you like it or not. There was nothing he did in Phoenix to support that, what was the highest position he got to in the main before making a very amateur mistake (for a guy of JS's skill)? He's looking just like last year played out, he has to get his head on straight, I want to see him up front so CR, RD, and RV can work him lol.
im still waiting for a hater to comment on any rider and also have the sac to use there real name instead of screendouche69 James is a badass and will win races this year the C-ship is still way far off for any of them,,,
Well, sounds like JS7 is being quite honest to me...not really making excuses..But wow...last week nobody cared that JS7 had the fastest time and were saying qualifying doesnt matter and all that....now your making a point that he qualified 6th (after sitting out the final faster practice BTW since he was ill) so now that means everything...He had the fastest Heat race, so what does that tell you?...the haters have just as many excuses as the lovers...man it's hilarious.....
Bottom line, in the main event JS7 was going forward and was one of the fastest guys out there..JS7 was passing guys at the same rate RV was from 15th place when he got litterally stuck together with Hanny....had he not taken a sand nap he could have got second but cant say a win for sure...but who knows....what will you say when JS7 wins ?
JS7 has to win six races to get into the points lead. That is manageable for him. He will dominate again, just wait.
KilloMoto that was my point exactly, qualifying does not matter. I listed a bunch of insignificant information to prove his comment had no weight. He was never in a position to win the main event. And when he wins then he'll get his congrats and credit like they all should and this board will light up with all his stewpid followers handing him the championship after one win.
from what I saw, JS7 had Reed covered quite easily in PHX....He came from a ways back in the main to pass him and was closing in again towards the end after the fall.....And in the Heat race, .talk about some nice passes, taking short and Reed in one swoop....that was awesome.....then Reed bailed or made a mistake trying to hang with him... Reed seems to be hitting the deck as much as Stewart so far...
I honestly wonder if JS7 is buckling under the pressure of expectations, both internal and external. Look at his heat races, he won both convincingly at A1 and PHX, even coming from a bad start to do so in PHX. And last year, he freakin' dominated the heats. I know, I know heats are not mains obviously but it is interesting that the mistakes he makes in the mains he rarely makes in the heats.
I was at Phoenix. This I can promise you, Villopoto was coming and he was going to catch and pass all those guys including Stewart, before Stewart fell. Once he did fall Villopoto made an obviously easy pass and in a short couple of laps was passing Reed, Short, Canard among others.
RV1 also fell and was closing fast on a Stewart who had not yet gone down. JS7 was not going to win that race. If he does not get his S*&t together in a hurry he may not win any.
The more guys keep finishing in front of him in 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th. THe more they believe it is their right to beat him and the more they will fight for the spot. Pretty soon Stewart will find himself racing a track full of Ivan Tedesco's from 10th place forward!
I am sure Lil Stewie will win a few races, but there are several guys out there that can win, so Lil Stewie will have his hands full. Hopefully he will be humble and accept that fact that there is some fierce competiton out there and he will have to work for it. As for being sick, there seems to be a few riders under the weather this week, so lets see if still has a little fire in him.
everybody likes talking about js7 even if you like him or hate him. he is good for the sport
@red54- I was in attendance as well.....RV1 was really movin' and was in attack mode every lap...To me, James looked to be practicing his patience...a few times I saw James avoiding issues on the track that he has been known to cause...all the meanwhile he was going forward, albeit not at RV pace....but not too far off ...when he had some open track laps he seemed to gain some ground...but who knows....I was making sure the infant in front of me didn't swallow the lolli pop his idiot parents gave him...it was distracting
I saw James quad that rythym section on the last lap of his heat and a few times in the main....that was pretty cool...
Wow, all these people always claiming James is done, yet no one gets even half the amount of attention as he does. It's like the playoff games in the NFL right now. Alex Smith kills it, gets no attention. Tim Tebow blows it, gets ALL the attention.
James will win races this season. The championship? Not the most favorable at this point, but he will win races. But as of right now, GO DUNGEY!
No matter what the kid does or says, people are always going to talk bad about JS7. Give it up, people are like a broken record on this site.
james doesnt seem to have the bike set up right for the whoops. every were else he looks fine. i dont think james fitness is very good right now. it seems like after 8 lap heat race hes sweating and breaathing heavy and he gets tired in the main then wrecks. GO RV1!!!
If JS7 wasn't around, you people would have nothing to talk about. You can go to any race and JS7 has the biggest lines in the pits, so for everyone of you haters, there is 100 people that respect what he does.
Now we all like to see him do better, he really does look out of shape and his bike is definitely not dialed. Last year was one of the best years ever for us the fans, and weather you like it or not, he makes it fun to watch. Nobody wants to see a runaway because its borring,
To all of you that think you know everything and provably never even been on a bike Stop talking shit and enjoy the races.
I love how everyone says JS7 is too c0cky for his own good saying that he thought he could have won w/ a better start, etc. but over on RV's interview article, when RV said essentially the same thing, everyone wants to blow him. Gotta love the internet and all you retards, especially "Retardcross", pretending to know what it's like to ride a motorcycle.
Who the hell is lil stewie ... 2nd race , thats all , more drama to come ,dont ya think ! .... Rv this Js that rd blah blah , just watch the racing , and STFU... Idiots
Well said Jimmyc261. Go Bubba Go!!!
"Like I said, if I get the starts, I’ll be fine." - JS7
Sorry, but the others are in JS7's head and his only way out is to start winning. No way he makes this statement two years ago, or even last year for that matter.
It appears that there are just as many VILLOTARDS as there were STEWTARDS out here!! Wow, what a bunch of RV nuthuggers, according to some of you we should just go ahead and have the awards ceremony now and renew his #1 plate......what a bunch of blowhards!!!
@KilloMoto - off topic. My hat is off to you for watching out for the infant with the lollypop. I can't believe some of the stuff I've seen young parents do with infants and toddlers at the races. Makes you wonder why there isn't a test to be a parent, or at least a minimum requirement beside functioning body parts.
I was there and it seemed to me that Stewart was picking off riders with ease. But he is still dealing with the bike bucking him in the whoops. He has to get smoother or he will still be dealing with the same problems that will keep him from reaching his full potential to do what he wants out there. However, Villipoto has increased his speed from last year and I'm surprised that none of the other riders are talking about it. K Dub had no chance of holding him off. I was hoping he could but who was I fooling? I'm pretty sure Kevin was thinking, "Damn, that kid is moving" No one challenged RV when he passed them! NO ONE did! They can't hang! haha! The only one who has a chance is Stewart but he will have to get his act together otherwise its not going to happen. Its still early in the season but we still havent seen RV and JS go head to head yet and when they do Im afraid that RV will have the upper hand. Thats just my opinion! Peace!
Hope stewie gets it together, Just a good main, and he'll be a little more confident. Far as the bike,.....I'm no expert suspension guy, but I see the vintage 1977-78 "Yamahop" in the braking bumped corners,.....a few times.
@CR500F - I am not a parent (yet) but I have 2 nephews and friends with kids and it boggles my mind sometimes wathing people with their kids...Sadly, its usually young parents...not all are bad, but there are some that should have their ability to procreate revoked..... This chubby little kid was probably 1years old and was gagging himself on a blueberry Blow-Pop....My wife was shocked and another lady next to us was shaking her head....The parents (who were all sucking lollypops as well) seemed more interested in the two dudes who were about to fight in the cocourse area than their own kid....sad sad sad....
Now back to james..... I saw him get a little squirrlly in the whoops only a couple times....But I bet he looked to be going through them faster than anyone, even RV...During the Heat race while battling 22 was the only time he really got out of shape....and did anyone else see James hit the quad after that first turn rythym section? Neither RC, Emig or the Racer X folks mentioned it....I only had2 beers, so it wasnt that...LOL....But I do agree...both RV and JS were going through the pack quite easily...RV has a little more attack and James seemed to be playing it safe...which is what many folks have said for him to do..." slow down "......now he is doing that it appears to me and maybe he just needs to turn it up a notch....his crashes have been pretty minor in comparison to his usual get offs...and Reed has hit the deck both races....
No one has anything to say about Brayton? They should have separate open mic for Stewert so all the expert opinions about him can be in one place.
Dak446..........I'm sorry your favourite rider has finished 6th and 8th, it's really not my fault. And you're right, James Stewart is not c ocky......genius. I go pretty decent on a bike so I wouldn't worry about me so much as figuring out the next excuse for your rider.
And one more thing genius, RV puts his money where his mouth is, lets his riding talk and has the plates to back it up.
Keep hatin' and runnin' your pie-hole "RETARD"....who the hell made you the expert?? D-bag!!
The truth hurts I know. It's a good season to be a fan of all the big guys except the knucklehead (truth is I admire his riding abilities, just not his NBA superstar ego/lifestyle and starry eyed superfans). It's got nothing to do with being an expert or having an opinion, it's just plain facts. Race results don't lie and excuses mean sh*t.
The way JS carries himself, in interviews and such, well i think its a blast to see him get sub par finishes. And have to explain why? He needs to learn to how to be more apart of this sport win or loose, instead of think he is the sport! And until he does, I am going to continue to rip him up every chance he gives me. Start being a racer and show up to all the races, outdoors included! Quit making excucess, man up once in awhile and admit "tonight i got beat" .
NO EXCUSES JS7 rode good at phoenix. Its just that he crashed and Yes RV was faster than anyone but it was Dungey's night. I think JS7 will get back in the mix and even win this thing. Its just a matter of time. Was so happy for Musquin. He is gaining american fans for sure.