Racer X Race Report: Atlanta
Sunday, February 26, 2012 | 2:15 AM
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A season-ending crash last weekend by Chad Reed seemed to suck some of the air out of the 2012 Monster Energy Supercross Championship—but a win by Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey this weekend in Atlanta may have breathed new life into it.
Around the challengers sits the specter of defending SX Champion Ryan Villopoto. The Monster Energy Kawasaki rider saw his three-race win streak snapped in Atlanta’s Georgia Dome, but not without a fight, as he overcame a bad start to close in on Dungey and apply a press to him in the final laps. The two young stars pushed each other hard, exchanging mistakes and keeping the absolutely massive crowd of 71,000 cheering to the finish. Villopoto closed to near striking distance on the final lap, but one mistake on the final go around in the sand section allowed Dungey to open it back up and take his second win of the season. He also closes to 10 points behind Villopoto in the 2012 SX standings.
A crowd of 71,009 witnessed Ryan Dungey take a hard-fought win in the Georgia Dome.
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Ryan Villopto didn't get the start he wanted but he was able to get close enough to Dungey to apply some pressure.
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James Stewart took third on his JGR/Toyota Yamaha with his teammate Davi Millsaps fourth and Justin Brayton fifth on his Honda Muscle Milk machine. But Brayton’s temporary teammate Cole Seely made some noise, as well, pulling the holeshot in his first race this season on the factory 450. The Lites West title contender then looked calm and in control as he held Dungey at bay for seven long laps, an impressive showing. Seely than appeared to tighten up, and Dungey put an aggressive move on him to go to the lead. Seely said that pass ruined his rhythm, and soon Villopoto, who started about seventh but had charged up to third, made the pass to take over second.
Cole Seely rode incredibly well as he grabbed the holeshot and then led Dungey for the first seven laps.
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James Stewart came from way back to finish third,
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Stewart was charging from even further back. He started well outside the top ten but passed a slew of riders on the first lap to get to ninth. He kept creeping forward along with Villopoto, using an inside line through the first sweeper turn to make moves and get to third on lap 12. By then, only about four seconds separated Dungey, Villopoto and Stewart—the sold-out crowd had a race on its hands.
Then a rider went down near a triple jump, and the track officials turned the red caution lights on. Dungey and Villopoto jumped the jump, then Stewart rolled it as per the rules. He lost a ton of time there and essentially lost whatever chance he might have had of winning the race. Officials then ruled that Dungey and Villopoto had already committed to the triple by the time the lights came on, and they were not penalized for jumping.
With five laps left, Dungey held about a three-second lead on Villopoto, but Villopoto put on one last hard push, digging deep to close on the KTM rider. And Dungey began to make mistakes, allowing Villopoto to close further. Villopoto made a few mistakes as well, but finally closed right in and tried a quick attack in a corner, but he lost traction with his rear tire lost a ton of time. He picked the pace back up and closed on Dungey again, setting up a final-lap showdown akin to their battle outdoors at Steel City last summer (where Villopoto stole the lead from Dungey within sight of the finish). But Dungey rode smart, steady and solid, while Villopoto made one more mistake in the sand section, allowing Dungey all the breathing room he needed to take the win.
The SX class podium.
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Behind Stewart, Millsaps and Brayton in the top five came Seely, Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jake Weimer, and GEICO Honda’s Kevin Windham. Yoshimura Suzuki’s Brett Metcalfe and Rockstar Star-Valli Yamahas Nick Wey rounded out the top ten. Dodge Motorsports Hart & Huntington Kawasaki’s Josh Hansen was battling around the top five before nearly crashing and then stalling his bike. It took him a full lap to get it started and he finished 15th.
In SX Lites East, GEICO Honda’s Justin Barcia made it two straight wins to begin his title defense. The Atlanta track was deceptively slippery, and Barcia found out when he crashed while leading his heat race. Red Bull KTM’s Ken Roczen suffered the same fate while leading his, which allowed GEICO Honda’s Justin Bogle and Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Blake Baggett to win the heats. Malcolm Stewart also led a heat race before he crashed, and then his J-Star JDR team couldn’t get his bike running for the LCQ, forcing him out for the night. All the qualifying action seemed to set up a wild battle in the main, but instead Barcia pulled the holeshot and rode steady up front, making a few mistakes along the way but never really getting a huge threat.
Justin Barcia led from gate to flag in Atlanta.
Blake Baggett wasn't quite able to match Barcia, but he was much better than last weekend.
Yeah Justn Bogle, get yourself some of that sweet one-footed action.
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Baggett ran in second the whole way and made a few runs at Barcia but was never able to show him a wheel. He finished second, a huge improvement from last week’s Dallas opener were he crashed early and didn’t even finish in the top ten. Rockstar Suzuki’s Blake Wharton and GEICO Honda’s Bogle battled for third with Bogle getting the spot for his first career podium in just his second pro supercross. Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Darryn Durham started up front but didn’t maintain the pace of the leaders, and he was nearly gobbled up by Roczen at the finish. Roczen suffered a terrible start when his clutch started to engage on the line, sending his bike creeping toward the gate. He started last and never gave up, taking a close sixth behind Durham.
The series now heads to St. Louis next weekend.
Results: Atlanta SX
SX Class
1. Ryan Dungey (KTM)
2. Ryan Villopoto (Kaw)
3. James Stewart (Yam)
4. Davi Millsaps (Yam)
5. Justin Brayton (Hon)
6. Cole Seely (Hon)
7. Jake Weimer (Kaw)
8. Kevin Windham (Hon)
9. Brett Metcalfe (Suz)
10. Nick Wey (Kaw)
11. Kyle Chisholm (Kaw)
12. Mike Alessi (Suz)
13. Matt Georke (Suz)
14. Robert Kiniry (Yam)
15. Josh Hansen (Kaw)
16. Broc Tickle (Kaw)
17. Kyle Partridge (Kaw)
18. Jeff Alessi (Suz)
19. Justin Sipes (Kaw)
20. Weston Peick (Kaw)
Supercross Class Season Standings
1. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki – 180
2. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM – 170
3. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Yamaha – 136
4. Chad Reed, Dade City, Fla., Honda – 128
5. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki – 106
6. Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda – 105
7. Brett Metcalfe, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Suzuki – 100
8. Justin Brayton, Murrieta, Calif., Honda – 96
9. Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha - 94
10. Mike Alessi, Hilliard, Calif., Suzuki – 90
SX Lites
1. Justin Barcia (Hon)
2. Blake Baggett (Kaw)
3. Justin Bogle (Hon)
4. Blake Wharton (Suz)
5. Darryn Durham (Kaw)
6. Ken Roczen (KTM)
7. Kyle Cunningham (Yam)
8. Hunter Hewitt (Suz)
9. Jake Canada (Suz)
10. Shane Sewell (KTM)
11. Lance Vincent (KTM)
12. PJ Larsen (KTM)
13. Matt Lemoine (Kaw)
14. Les Smith (KTM)
15. Shawn Rife (Hon)
16. Levi Kilbarger (Hon)
17. Daniel Herrlein (Hon)
18. Angelo Pellegrini (Suz)
19. Austin Politelli (Hon)
20. Bradley Ripple (Hon)
Eastern Regional Supercross Lites Class Season Standings
1. Justin Barcia, Ochlocknee, Ga., Honda – 50
2. Darryn Durham, Butler, Pa., Kawasaki – 38
3. Blake Wharton, Beaumont, Texas, Suzuki – 36
4. Ken Roczen, Murrieta, Calif., KTM – 35
5. Blake Baggett, Butler, Pa, Kawasaki - 28
6. Justin Bogle, Cushing, Okla., Honda - 27
7. Jake Canada, Sun City, Calif., Honda – 26
8. Hunter Hewitt, Pilot Point, Texas, Suzuki - 22
9. PJ Larsen, Murrieta, Calif., KTM – 21
10. Lance Vincent, Youngsville, La, KTM - 16
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Great racing!!!
Big 3 in top 3 spots!
Just bummer for JS7.
He was unlucky to be caught in that red caution light.
But it is what it is.
Overall, good battle!!!
Great racing!!!
Big 3 in top 3 spots!
Just bummer for JS7.
He was unlucky to be caught in that red caution light.
But it is what it is.
Overall, good battle!!!
Great ride for Dungey, I like how everyone was like ''this season is going to be very boring now because CR was the only one who could match RV'' but Dungey responded to RV and got himself another win so congrats! Too bad for Mookie, he's not my favorite but he seems to have a good attitude and is pretty fast so I feel bad for him. Overall it was a fun race to watch, RD and RV kept it interesting and I hope to see racing like that for the rest of the year.
I have no favorite, but if I was an RD fan, I think I would be pretty uncomfortable with how quickly RV was able to close on him.
JS passed under yellow a few weeks ago (no penalty), was on the tape. Just say'n for all the knobs who think RD and/or RV got a break JS did'nt get.
Thanks for the great race RD and RV - even JS to an extent. Awesome.
There is about to be someone on here that is about to start making excuses for Roczen it was a good ride from the back BUT- I told you red white and blue all day baby....
Yes great racing through the whole nite. My way of watching the races is with Racer X twitter and AMA live timining, with the new live timing format you can keep up with all the action. Because the trasponders tell whois where early, and wthe the section times showing and lap times and gap between riders then with the Racer X treets you also get the what happened action reports. It is better that tv and not knowing what else is happening on the track.
I went to bed then wondering if we were gonna have a new problem with lightgate like there was with the fuel and leadgate. Hope not.
still nine races left and it is a long way from being over. Feel so bad for Reed having to whatch the races with an Ice pack on his knee, that had to hurt him way down inside.
So much for the mantra that KTM's can't win or that RD5 made a career suicide choice by choosing KTM. He jumped on a bike with no testing data and no prior season data from the different tracks to go by for tire, gearing etc selection. Hes making it happen. RV1 is just flat out fast, no matter what bike anyone is on, hes coming for ya.
Malcolm Stewart should go talk to DeCoster about getting on one of his bikes or maybe a JGR Yamy cause he looks really fast. Faster then alot of the full sponser guys. Millsaps looks like riding with James is really helping his cause.
Stewart was 18 seconds back of RV at the finish.I know he may have got discouraged and slowed down after that happened, but I don't think he lost 18 seconds on that one lap. Everyone finished where they should.
Still impressed by Dungey busting out his fastest lap on Lap 20. If they had 30 lap races, I think the Ryans would be just that much further ahead.
I may be wrong but wasnt RV only five seconds behind Dungey on lap one? He had twenty laps to catch him and pass him. Dungey rode a very fast and smart race. With this win you can also see RV cant really just settle for second and take it easy. He'll have to push and maybe make mistakes along the way. And while Stewart is very unlikely to win the title, he looks much more motivated than just a week ago. We may have a series after all.
Mookie is damn lucky to be walking at all today. That was nasty.
Mookie's bike wouldn't start for his first timed qualifying practice, and then again when he lined up for the LCQ. I can see why he was quite perturbed the 2nd time. Dungey can't be following Seeley for 7 laps. Not to knock Cole, he rode good, but when you're chasing a title, make the pass. When #800 doesn't cheat on the start, he's a good 12th place rider. #800 on his bike, and #800 in our hearts.
Way to go RD!! What kind of shocked me was how they were talking about RV making time on RD, but then you could see Stewart in the background and he looked like he was catching RV!! (before the yellow flag incident). Great racing!!
Congrats Dunge, that was a great ride. I don't know if this changes much except reinforcing how important starts are. Now if he can win 3 in a row he'll be within 1 point. It is odd how one good start (and win) can erase a month of so-so finishes. Only the stupidest of people would have claimed the move to KTM to be career-suicide. It's a 2 year contract and even I thought he should still be the 2nd fastest outdoors on it. Most simply said it was a pretty big gamble. If he can continue to keep it close like this for 9 more races, it will prove that he has overcome all the lack of settings/testing that now is the cry of the KTM guys. One thing was shown and that is how easily a season-ender can happen. RV almost nailed that down bike. If I was any of them I'd start sandbagging the qualifiers as it still stands that no one has won after qualifying fastest in the 450 class.
@Welker we already had Lightgate and gone to court on the Spoiler Report last night.RD and RV1 won the court battle.You can pass and jump on yellow flags and lights.If the red light had come on at the jump it was to late because they were committed to do the jump.All is good in the world of SX today.
As an RV fan I give props to Dunge for his win last night but certainly am not worried about the championship its in the bag unless some outside luck intervention. With 9 races left and conceding 1 and 2 to RV and RD since no one else seems to have a chance, RV only has to win 3 to take the chamionship.
What has to be scary about this for RD fans is how blazing fast RV is and how weak the Dunge is on his passing. Other then Daytona this is just Arena cross racing where starts decide most events since the tracks are all the same now that they eleminated the hoops it seems.
So good luck to anyone beating RV 2/3's of the time.
MXBob, JS's last three laps were 55,55.and 58 seconds thats about 12 second worth. So the question is did he quit, his shock blow up, or is he not in shape?
Obviously the year is over for him what ever the reason because he can no longer manage his fast pace for 20 laps.
@Claxton JS7 was gaining on them.He couldn't jump the triple because of the red flashing lights.His race was over at that point because there was only a couple laps left so he crusied around at that point.
hey claxton, what has to be scary for RV fans is how the KTMs launch out of the gate considing the start is 50% of the race in supercross? Did you notice roczens holeshot in the heat, he was a full bike length ahead of anyone else.
Now thats something to be worried about.
poor old bubba, with all them millions, can't buy a break!
I went back and watched the race again and have a bone to pick Weege. RD did not jump the triple while the light was on, but as much as it pains me to side with the JS fanatics, RV has plenty of time to respond. The flagman was waving a big, yellow flag wildly before the light came on which were before RV entered the corner and had time to roll it. He just barley miised the downed rider. That was a careless move that needs to be addressed. Anyway, back to my original rant, it is very obvious have some of the staffers here are RacerX are very much pro JS and have to make every article about him, making it sound like the only reason that JS did not win last night was because RD jumped under caution????? Come on, JS was too far back to get RD!
Good race! Dung rode good. his bike looked like it was working better, i dont know if it was the motor, gearing, or just Dung twisting harder but it looked much better. Villopoto is still steps ahead though. Stew looked good too. wondering if the big long woops will return next week or will the bigwigs keep them away and do what they can for a closer title chase?
and great to hear Reed on the phone. glad he will return. but RV is still the best!
Ya. Where's all this ' launch control ' Emig keeps talking about in the commercials?
I will say that Dungey needs to work on whoop speed and learning to pass while pretty much all RV needs to do is practice starts.
I'm not surprised how good the KTM's get off the line. I own one and am a huge believer in the product....great to see them up front regularly.
Really bummed for Roczen. I think he has something for Barcia and was really hoping to see it last night.
One thing is very very clear...the only man that can be a threat for Villopotos championship chase is his own self.
He is in a league of his own,and im not a RV fan really,but he is clearly the fastest,his mistakes got him 2nd.
Uneasy.
This has been covered by all us professional commentators! You can jump on yellow lights/flags but not red. RV was already committed to the jump when they went from yellow to red. At least that's the take I get from all the posts and the AMA ruling
Can't believe Malcolm was up and ready to race. That was a REAL body slam!
Yes it was KK. Bummer his bike didnt fire up, guess that's kharma for last weeks take-out. The world has righted itself.
See rule 4.15 i believe it is Uneasyrider.
So Nick Wey is on Rockstar Star-Valli Yamahas? Bet that's a surprise to him. LOL
Malcom should be on the same team as his brother, really dumb move on the major teams here, what a great marketing move for any team to have both brothers riding out of the same truck.
Im a dungey fan, but the only guy that can get a mid pack start and win is villopoto. If dungey gets a midpack start its not even possible. I think if dungey can keep getting good starts we could have a battle on our hands if not then its all villopotos.
Ripdown,
I completely disagree. The red light was on as he entered the corner! He had time to either roll the throttle or chop it, and he rolled it. Look, I am pulling for RV, but he is a racer at the highest level with very fast reflexes. He had time to react! You don't accidentally jump a triple.
It is Time to put electric starters on these bikes Team Managers, or get a new mechanic and have a bike that starts. Look at all the time and money you spend, and then the bike will not start. Malcom and Hanny ! Wake up guys, basic 101 mechanics !
Rules or not, c'mon! Not only was it a unsafe choice on his behalf, but could have been a season ender as well, what if the rider was 1 ft. over? Could have been the end for RV. I am sure that I will get all of these "Pro" bench racers on here citing rules and regs, i'm just saying it was a stupid move!
Uneasy
I'm just going by what the AMA allegedly said. He was committed when the lights turned. Don't know or really care. If they want to dock some points so be it. Will just make things more interesting.
I think RV was really focused on his lines and racing. As another post states.....we're talking about a guy that didn't even notice the checkered flag in the heat race.
wow, I had to just go back and watch the incident because I didn't catch the lights on... but....
Guys, I just went and looked at the AMA rulebook. The flashing yellow lights and waving yellow just means proceed with caution, but you are still allowed to jump. It was when Stewart came around is when they actually had the red cross flag out, which means to roll everything. RV did noting wrong.
But.... those tards on here trying to make excuses that he didn't see it. he was commited, just show your true ignorance, and the fact that you will say anything to make an excuse for your favorite rider. The lights were on before he even entered the turn, so if it were an actual red light, he had plenty of time, considering he hadn't even turned yet. Ripdown... cmon man, he might be your favorite rider but that was a pretty lame excuse. JS was the one who really got the short end of the stick, he was right there until he actually had to roll everything and lost a lot of time from it. Seems like he lost touch with the leaders and that was it. He really needs a good start eventually.
Congrats to all 3 though, they rode great races. JS's starts are killing him though. Seely was riding great but RD needs to start making passes a little sooner, especially in situations like that. Hats off to Seely, I thought he would do pretty good this week.
Ripdown, my bad... just re-read your first post, was reading other things on here and mistook what you said for something else. You are correct red means no, yellow means go.
Uneasy Rider, the lights were actualy yellow, not red, and they were waving a yellow flag. The AMA official had the red cross flag in his hand standing in the back but looked like he was just deciding when to throw it maybe based on where leaders were so he didn't break them up. Dunno. But RV did nothing wrong, and I'm rooting for RD.
There were a lot of guys on the other thread making all of these excuses though for RV as if he was not supposed to jump and that he was already commited. If that were the actual red light he had plenty of time. The bias on these boards is pathetic sometimes, not many people call it as they see it on here.
I forgot all about the heat race! I retract my statement!
Everybody wanting RV penalized but nobody talking about Dungey getting the penalty, muust be a bunch of Stewart fans. Also NOBODY TALKING ABOUT STEWART PASSING ON THE YELLOW FLAG LAST WEEK.
But what a fun race to watch, I love watch an aggressive racer charge, and Barcia is waxing the competetion just like he did last season. Roczen better get a start if he has any chance of getting a win at all, he will not run down Barcia..
Although I just watched it again and noticed the red lights on top of the takeoff, which I missd the first time. But you can't tell when they actually went on. As he was approaching the face of the jump you notice them but before that, especially with the race ticker, you cant see if they are on or not.
I do not know why though they have red on the jump and yellow before the jump You would think they would both be the same. Especially with that turn and short apprioach to the jump by the time you notice the red lights it is almost too late.
therealmofo, I don't think even the yellow lights were on in the corner before RD got there. Looks like they came on right before RV did. Not sure when the Red lights at teh top of the just came on, too hard to tell from the TV coverage.
About Stewarts pass on yellow last week. You can pass on yellow flag. This is directly from the rulebook:
b. Warning Flags
1. Yellow Flag:
Waving Yellow Flag: Indicates serious hazard on or near the
track.
• Passing is allowed
• Proceed with extreme caution.
I'm definitely not an RV fan, however I respect the fact that he's the fastest this year, the best prepared and he makes agressive passes without being dirty. Now he just needs better attitude towards fans like RC did. JS looked great, he was scrubbing like the old JS that we know and he seems to be more confortable on that yamaha. Too bad he had to roll the triple and lost all that time.
Atlanta presented the "almost" exact scenario we will need to make the races exciting.
RD - fast
JS - faster
RV - Fastest
Given this then we need the races to start off with RD in front, JS starting in about 6/7 and RV 7/8.
If everyone does what they are supposed to, we should have the final few laps of these guys all over each other.
Last night gave us 2/3 of the perfect scenario!
Good job to RD as he did exactly what he was supposed to do. He also set his fastest lap of the race on the last lap to bring this win home.
If you watch the race, the flagman was waving a yellow flag when RV jumped. Unfortunately, we didn't see JS when he went through to see the flag.
Look, the AMA said it was fine, let it go! I don't want to read about this all week.
BTW the race was great. I was loving RC and Fro the last couple of laps, they stopped being commentators and became fans. So much for RV settling for 2nd.
Anyone know why RC did not race at Daytonas truck race, he really should come back, I bet he would beat most of these guys.
I was surprised that RV appeared a little flustered in his post race interview. Not that his fans have anything to worry about, but I would have expected him to take it in stride. RD rode fast and solid like he does, RV got anxious and couldn't maintain the speed he needed to get by RD without making mistakes. Seemed that the race got to his head, although he is probably over it by now. I thought It was cool to see RV race so hard for the win. RD to.
Its jacked up how some posters, haters, read anything about JS and construe that the whole article was about him. Read it again boneheads. Anyhow, it looked to me like he was riding his best of the season. he looked looser on the bike. bummer about the red flag, I thought the race was setting up for a 3 way battle.
OK, "LightGate" is settled and the online jury verdict is not guilty. I wouldn't have not cared who won, what I wanted to see if James had the fire in him to catch Poto. So thinking for the start this wasn't going to be much of a race, I was wrong. I figured Poto for a sure win every race. I think Seely surprised everyone and good for him. Nice to see Dungey get another win. James still had that all hope is lost sound and look on the podium again, he must be bummed. It has always been said anything can happen Supercross. So it was a good night of racing.
RV is not in a league of his own , they are catching up , and will put pressure on him , at some point he will lose it , Js7 seems to be getting comfy on his bike , That spells trouble for all ! Remember , Rv has a lot of seat time , on the same bike , Rd does not , and JS bike has been a work in progress ! next week will be even better , BTW Milsaps looked great
Official word on Roczen, is that his clutch was having problems while practicing a while back. They thought they had the problem fixed, but it reared its ugly head again before the main. (They might have replaced it after the heat race, not sure.)
There will be no further discussion on the matter, because KTM does not talk about problems, but just remember that Roczen has NEVER gotten stuck in the gate in his entire career. Ever.
Preston
A lot of people credit the new 2012 KX as the reason RV won the outdoors! Key word is New. This is their first year with it in Supercross and if it's so different from the old one that it propelled him to an outdoor championship I would suggest they've had to start from scratch on their SX settings. Same color different bike!
I think that half a season on the new KX outdoors gives RV a decided advantage on being familiar with what the subtle changes to the suspension do to the overall feel of the bike.
With RD only having two weeks on the brand new KTM before he raced it in the pre-season SX race. I would say he has the most room to make the bike work better.
As far as JS goes, Yamaha built a brand new bike then pulled all factory backing. It does look like JGR is on the right track to figuring out the new Yamaha. James has had years on the bike but nobody that understands what all the, motor and frame, changes have done to how the suspension will work. Great to see the blue machine working as well as it does.
Ripdown,
I also see it as that RV had the bike last summer, so they have had a lot of time to test with it. The KTM and RD basically started from scratch, and JS didn't sign with JGR until not too long before the series, and then decided to test on the east coast. RV definately had the most test time on the bike.
RD now has a new bike under him, with refinements for SX. And JS are now on the east coast soil that they did the majority of their testing on, so this should hopefully get good! I just hope they all can get good starts, and even all get bad starts together in a race. Be fun to watch all 3 charging from dead last together.
hey Ripdown, have you left this forum page since last night after the race?
Dungey is definitely on a new bike. Stewart is on the same bike with a different team. JS7 also said the bike was way Bette than last years so no excuses. Regardless they all have had plenty of time to be useful their bikes. RD is the only one on a totally different bike and he's already doubled his win total from last year. So I say enough of the bike excuses!
@bermblaster
@ bermblaster
Don't know where you spend your winters but I'm going stir crazy up here and yes I do need a life in the winter.
http://results.amasupercross.com/data/2012/08/sxm1ind.pdf
What is odd is that there is no lap where Stew loses a lot of time on a particular lap. On what lap did the "lights" thing happen? If it's 13 then he lost about 2.5 seconds to RD (about 1.5 to RV). After that he was about a second a lap slower than RV until the last lap when he turned a 58.x (compared to the Ryans running in the 51s.
@ Ripdown the reason RV won the outdoors is because of Reeds crash at Millive.RV did start dominating as soon as he got on the new bike and has been ever since and thats a fact.RV said it made a difference.He said he could tell it was a better bike just by riding it in the parking lot in one of his interviews.RV old bike must of been a dog.Reed had basically the same bike RV had and he quit Kaw with a year left on his contract.
@Elsinore
I believe it happened with 7 laps to go, so yes it was lap 13. It seemed as if the top 3 had settled in about half way through and no one was gaining or losing anytime expect for Rv when RD hit the lappers. Stewart looked great for once. I'm sure he's out of the championship but it looks like he may be on track for some wins.
I agree Fred, Reed was going good but I would hope that even you would acknowledge there was something amiss with RV at the start of the outdoor season. A guy of his caliber doesn't finish 30-45 seconds behind Reed and RD unless there is something wrong!
The KTM BS: KTM needed a linkage for SX. They refused. They had poor results. Then they got a linkage. Now the KTM is fine (just like everyone said it would be, for years and years).
Why is this a story? Particularly annoying are what are (I suppose) KTM fans who see Dungey's performance as redemption of some kind of persecution of KTM.
That takes selective ignorance: IF you want to get jacked up at somebody, how about asking KTM why it took 15 years (at least) and almost crippling McGrath and Langston to figure out what everyone this side of Lassie has known for 2 decades??
First of all, Great Racing last night! . RD rode a SMART, yet fast race. Like someone said earlier RV was only 5 sec behind off the start. Lets give some credit to Seely, the kid was haulin the mail man, RD didnt need to force the issue, the gaps stayed preety much the same for 1st 8 or so laps.Rv is the fastest, yes and JS is still electric when he is on, dont count out the Dunge though.. he is consistent, his head his on straight.I believe he and the bike will ony get better! Again how bout that Cole Seely kid! did u hear his interview? LOL maybe next time he will breath and win the thing!
What was JS talking about in his interviews that "he saw ryan fall?" Not sure which one or what he was talking about. Maybe he saw something we didnt on tv.
Nevermind, guess Rv tipped over. Said it himself in an interview.
@Ripdown I agree.I thought RV was sick or overtrained by his new trainer.Now I think that bike was beating him to death and wearing him out or something like that.All I know is that he had a miraculous recovery from one week to the next.The next being when he got the new bike and has been kicking ass ever since.That is a fact.
@Chowderhead I'm hoping that was a joke? If your saying that Roczens clutch let its self out a split second before the gate dropped and he didn't make a mistake the bike did it on its own, then you have lost your mind my friend. I'm a Roczen fan but that is rediculous. I wish my girlfriend was as gullable as you are because she would still be around. It's funny how far fans will go to believe what they want!
The same people that think the KTM has NO R&D time on it (whaaaa whaaaa) are the same people that think Reeds bike was straight out of the box.....KTM's aren't some cheap chinese bike ,they have money ,skills and have been building FAST motors and world championship winning bikes since before most "brand new KTM and gear guys " were born. They have a 5 time world champ whos been around the machine shop a time or two helping develop it, and a great rider to ride and test it......The bike has been around in different forms for awhile and its obvious its not the bike (it won did'nt it ..so quit using that excuse when it doesn't)....as long as RV and Havoc get off in tenth or back we will have great racing. #5 is also not above , and is DUE to bust his A just as much as RV or havoc7 (well maybe not that much as havoc lol , i hope nobody crashes but thats not gonna happen) so don't get to happy brand new ktm guy,it was a good win.enjoy it ...its early still it will come down to the last couple races when Dungey will HAVE to race Villopoto and then we'll see what he has, ..... bring a big gun son ,you will need it.......Havoc was on it and was comin and STILL can't catch a break...he ain't done winnin' yet either.............Wharton....mr kotter you're killin me man...need a knockdown drag out with you , Bags , DD ,Mookie ,Kroc and Bam and 'slappy B'...dig deep ..."you can doooo it"....Mookie i feel your no kickstarter/starting pain ....KTM #5 replica sold out(plus 400 sets of ugly brand new gear unless its Shift)....part 1 ....mission accomplished.
its a lot easier chasing someone than leading- RD rode great! didnt freeze up, and RV gave everything he had and RD straight beat him.
The linkage was the key for KTM? Or finally putting a champion-level rider on their bike? Well, maybe both...
@TWK1,
Roczen's clutch did indeed begin grabbing. My source is Roczen himself.
So, not only are you an idiot, TWK1, but your mother cuts your mullet funny, too.
The only problem I saw Roczen have was getting stuck in the gate, did nobody else see that?? He will be fine, he wont get the title unless Barcia has a very bad day, but Roczen will be OK.
Dungey looked good, he has a chance to win as long as he doesnt have top pass alot of guys. He isnt aggressive enough. RV looked alright, but the sand section was causing him to lose some time to Dungey. Flashing lights or not, Stewie wasnt going to catch all the way up to RV1, he was ruinning similar lap times, but to make up that much time, you have to run alot faster time. It wasnt happening on that night.
Does anyone know what the hell happened to Dallas 5th place Lites finisher Nicoletti ? Sean Hackley as well ? Neither of these guys have any info on why they DNS. Either via web/print
I think Fro said Nicoletti didn't qualify.
Waldo,
Linkage. They have had riders on a big bike before in SX (McGrath, Langston). They said it themselves; w/out linkage the bike was scary and finally bit them. Kudos to Dunge, but he couldn't have done 3 years ago on a no-linkage KTM of the time what he is doing today.
Five mfrs, 4 won races/podiums/championships for decades, one couldn't SEE a podium (0 out of 5 million). Four had linkage, one did not. The One gets linkage, is now 2 for 8. Need a hell of an argument to carry the idea that linkage wasn't the missing factor.
Trying to remember who, but a few years ago KTM signed a few guys (in Europe) promising linkage in a year or two. KTM didn't do it and they left.
@Chowderhead I went back and watched it again and I don't care who told you what,A Roczen let his clutch out before the gate dropped, end of story. I don't think I have ever heard anyone use the excuse that the clutch let its self out before the gate dropped. Roczen made a mistake and jumped the start its that simple. I don't think name calling online is nothing but people being Keyboard Cowards, but for you to think that bike dumped its clutch on its own just shows how knowledgeable you are about the sport. Also if you were standing in front of me I don't think you would be calling me an Idiot. Your sitting here telling me that Roczen's bike jumped the start on its own and your calling me the Idiot, Go figure!
Red light, Yellow lights, Flshing lights, who gives a crap?? They finished exactly as they were going to finish with the starts that JS7 and RV1 had. Great race, Dungey rode great and deserved the win on a big night.
Any Stewart woulda, coulda, shoulda's ought to be thankful he had to roll a triple and basically checked him down to a smart, safe, podium ride. I felt like he was ready to throw himself on the ground any second prior to that.
@Tonewall
I just re-read the conversation from top to bottom looking for the people who said the KTM has no R&D or research and development time. I didn't find any posts like that. I did find one that referred to the KTM as brand new, and that was my post. Maybe I wasn't clear enough in my post, and maybe you didn't notice what context that term was used in. I was talking about seat time which is a whole different world than R&D time. Also as far as my statement that the KTM was brand new, well it is brand new, to Ryan Dungey and anyone else who has never thrown a leg over a KTM.
Awesome racing!!!! Pumped cuz I just found out that Toronto will host its first ever pit party on the Friday. My son and I will finally meet these boys!
FYI I was watching the live Speed broadcast but for lap time sake I put the live timing on my phone and realized the tv was delayed. The race was about 6 laps in before the drop of the gate on Speed. Funny Eh!!!
Has anyone else noticed this?
Doesnt really matter but thought I throw it out there anyways.
Hopefully Bubba is feeling like the old days to make it an even better series. Sure looked like it.
Anyways Cheers from Canada!
I think everyone under estimates Dungey. He can get quite agressive when he is comfortable on his bike and charged up. Remember when he passed RV in the outdoors series? Or when his bike didn't start till everyone was gone, then caught and blew past everyone for a top spot? Last night was the first time this series where he looked like he was really putting the hammer down! VP was like WTF? Why is it so hard to catch and pass this guy? Because RD ain't as slow as you think dude!
i am shocked, no, i am flabbergasted at the depth and width of knowledge so many people leaving comments have. never have i seen so much opinion submitted as indisputable fact. please do not stop, any of you. especially the guy (chowderhead?) that has first hand info from Roczen about the clutch slipping. Of course the ktm was slipping, Roczen would obviously admit it if he made a classic amateur rookie mistake. yes, i am mocking the ridiculous arguments and claims expressed by so many of you. and i do not want it to stop.
Claxton: Why be a smarta__ about Dungey all the time. You add nothing to this post by acting that way. He CHOOSES to not take people out MOST of the time. JS7 and RV1 will park you whenever they can unless you move. If you like that approach, then good for you. No problem. But don't go criticizing Dungey because he has a different approach. He'll retire as an all time great with multiple championships. I was there last night and watched RV1(who I like and respect a lot) almost eat dirt a dozen times trying to catch Dungey. Mark it down: If he thinks he is too good to settle for 2nd on some nights (like Stewart) he'll be laid up with a cast for another year. How do you think the KTM people would feel if Dungey road over his head, broke his back and had to sit out for several months after all they've invested in this deal? Give RD and Decoster some respect. These guys are proven pros and they are a class act.
I'd like to thank Mr. Dungey for stepping it up big time!!! Just when I thought the season was a bust without Reed, RD goes into warp drive and hangs on. What a great race and how much fun was that seeing RV chasing Dungey for 20 laps but not making the pass lol. Lots of fun stuff ahead is my guess.
SX fans win again! The NASCAR fans are rained-out today and the stick & ball fans are just plain missing it (I feel sorry for them). What a great race, a great race and a great series!
What's up with the light Nazis? I went back and looked at that in slow-motion. The light started flashing YELLOW while RV was jumping into the corner (I doubt he even saw that). It didn't turn RED until some time AFTER he was past it and it was out of the picture. Stewart lost about 2-1/2 seconds there but finished 20 seconds back so this thing and no effect on this race.
Can't wait for St. Lewis next week!
@KM306, I know man, the guys are dying because Stewie is in 3rd (4th if Reed is still racing) and he cant make up any points on RV or Dungey that way. So its killing them. And everyo0ne who disagrees they call names like a bunch of children. They are what I like to call "one rider race fans" Dont know why they cant enjoy a good race and a great season. It has been alot of fun so far..
@crossrut ...there have been MANY posts about the "new unproven ktm" when it doesn't win (wasn't necessarily referring to yours) I like #5 but since its won twice now ,if there legit wins (and i think they are) the new bike thing won't play anymore when he doesn't . I appreciate your comment and its nice to differ and not be called a dusch (always spelled wrong ) or a liar. Go RV go JB
@teeps99
Thanks for the heads up on the pit party. I'm gonna try and get down there both nights now.
Live timing and twitter are always ahead of the so called live broadcast. I know what's happening before I see it cause I follow the twitter feeds. I hate myself for it but I can't stop myself.....the anticipation kills me.
This race proved that Ryan Dungey can run with and beat Villopoto. RV was in third by lap five and only a few seconds behind Dungey. Dungey ran the pace and RV failed to close the gap to a comfortable pace where he could pass Dungey. According to many of the so-called "experts" here, RV would eat Dungey alive if he was only a couple of positions behind him with the majority of the race left. In both races that Dungey has won in 2012 and both races where RV failed to catch and pass Dungey, Dungey has had the start.
Seely was running fast for the first half of the race (running leader lap times), and by the time RV and Stewart passed him, Seely's laptimes were slowing down quite a bit. Watch the race, Dungey haters, it won't be long until Dungey is catching and passing RV. Every week, they are getting that KTM dialed in more and more, and Dungey keeps improving. Watch out, RV, Dunge is coming!!!!!
@j-sloan hilarious .... the key words being both races ....thats two out of a season (with the superior champion winning RMZ ) and a half + mxdn and m-cup.....i like RD and think he is anything but slow . But till he can come from mid pack catch RV AND pass him.....i'd go easy or get ready for some tasty crow. You are right though that the starts really matter. @chosen1 'jugs mchulahan'? ...i shot coffee out my nose....thats some funny stuff and I hear what your sayin....lol and Havoc 7 haters he is getting that old feelin back ,you can see it.....like it or not hes comin'.
He fell about the time RD5 was trying to get around Seely. He had almost caught them, that's how JS7 got so close behind RV for a while.
Just when everyone thought including me that RD5 will be left in dust. Then surprised us all with a convincing win!!
We have a series gentlemen... The series' excitement level is up again.
Did anyone else catch the Stat that Ralph tossed out there after the race?
The winner of the Atlanta race has gone on to claim the title 12 out of the last 13 years.
If I was a betting man I would love those odds.
Since this year Dungey isn't down by 40 points after the Atlanta race, but only 10, I am super stoked about his shot at winning the title.
I know you RV fans think he is godlike or unstoppable or unbeatable and last but not least as bulletproof as superman. But I for one refuse to count Dungey out just yet. Some of you say he has never ran RV down and passed him. Wasn't there an outdoor national where he came from dead last and did just that. Did I say DEAD LAST?
I may just use my spare time saying this phrase over and over just in case. Would you like fries with that....CROW?
it's weird that no one mentioned RV falling during the race. JS did mentioned it on the box
If you didn,t know who daniel herrlein was b4 u should all know now. got 5th in the most stacked lites heat race ever. it was more like a main event line up. awesome job daniel. gooooooooooooooo DH$
Cross Rut.
Dungey did catch RV and pass him outdoors once last year but it definitely wasn't from dead last. I like Dungey but let's not get carried away?
BTW. Since RD has now doubled his win total from last year can people stop saying the KTM is no good ? Statistically it's twice as good as the Suzuki so far.
@crossrut i think your so used to saying "you want fries with that"...you wouldn't need the practice. Its a little early to get to superstoked , lets get down to the last couple races before you go off the deep end.....No one said RV's unstoppable or unbeatable , hes just the SX and MX #1 and is faster and more aggressive and alot more fun to watch...time will tell if he can TOTALLY dominate like he just did last year....I hope its a battle and havocs involved to and may the best man win.....i missed the dead last to first and passed rv where was that.?
I'm surprised erin bates hasn't been punched in the face already. The last thing a rider wants to do after they crash out of a race is "tell us what went on."
Hey RCRDDW, That is some crystal ball you have there predicting RV is going to crash himself out because he goes fast. I have yet to see RV take anyone out but when he passes he is flat gone, no need to bump you. What you are saying is RV is way out on a limb while RD is under full control and RV thinks he is too good to settle for second. Well you are correct because RV is way too good to settle for second but RD needs to settle for 2nd when he don't get a hole shot. I do respect Dungey and give him credit for his nice win, but the fact is this dude is the worse passer of all the better riders in the history of this sport. So RD won Atlanta that did not have a hoop section after looking awful in San Diego. I guess we will see how Daytona goes because I am sure RC will have some hoops dialed up.
Also, not sure if this has been stated already but Roczen himself said that it was a clutch issue in the main. Whether thats true or a cover up, we'll never know.
HEY! Jugs Mc Microphone, when you ares running around the track looking for a story. you remind me of my friends little piece of S#%T dog that is always running around looking for somone's leg to hump!
ATTENTION ERIN BATES! Try and at least look like you know what your doing. Act like you have done it before and look professional!
Don't get all salivating over some poor guys misfortune and then look like you are going to trip over yourself, scrambling to put a mic in his face. Completely annoying the hell out of him at a most inoportune moment!
A lot of good comments again. (& some not so much) Yeah, you crash, you are prolly a bit disoriented, quite abit PO'd, and Erin wants to know what happened out there? Do you (the rider) even know yourself? A little time to think it over and maybe catch it on film and you would maybe have some good input. You just made a mistake and hit the ground hard and now you are supposed to be collected and like " yeah, Erin, came into that turn way too hot looked over at your chest, lost my mind and wadded it up, takin' out three other riders with me. It's not the bikes fault, it's a hormone thing. If you would cover yourself up a bit, this wouldn't be happnin'." Maybe, instead of kickin' these guys when they are down, she should interview them at the next weeks race, when they have had time to asses what went down with a clear head? Can only imagine every time one of them crashes they are thinking now how can I avoid that b____ and the obvious question?
RV washed out in a turn, it is the reason why Stewart got so close.. But he gapped him fairly quickly again. Dungey was making great time and pushed pretty hard. He has the speed as long as he doesnt have to come through the pack.
JS's interviews to me reflect a young man who is really rethinking himself and his abilities to bring home the hardward. Kinda feel for him, but it's all good. If there's a 'racer' in there humble pie is the best recipe to see it re-emerge.
My previous post has two separate events mixed together. here is the first part:
Oh yeah, did we mentioned that first-moto winner Ryan Dungey put on a mind-blowing performance in Moto 2 after his Suzuki arrived at the starting line about a minute and half after the rest of the field took the green flag. Yep, the kind of stuff legends are made of. Dungey mounted his Rockstar/Makita Suzuki in 40th position almost a lap down to the leaders and went to work to salvage his opportunity for a second AMA 450cc MX championship. With points leader Ryan Villopoto on cruise control, Dungey made it look simple. Just go faster than everyone else and never say die.
When the checkered flag flew, Dungey was in seventh place just two positions behind Villopoto.
http://www.e3sparkplugs.com/news/tag/ryan-dungey
The second part that I had mixed in with that is this pass at Spring Creek in 2011
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFPyCb_EeR0
Pardon the music I didn't pick it.
Dungey might have an ace up his sleeve, and just not ready to show it. Either that or you guys are correct, and RV is that much better than anyone else!
we only hear one song around here, and it has sweet lyrics like:..... Fire it up......Ridin' High.......call me a dirtbag as I pass you bye....
flew to atlanta for sold out supercross. it was great. the artist formerly known as stewie was flying. he owned that first turn sweeper. mookie got a kharma splatter. b*tch slappin' bogle got a podium. watched roczen try to time the gate and blow it, but he was hauling the mail. barcia dominated. dungey just went out and won the thing. saw windham's 200th start. the chad reed on the phone thing was a joke. just a bunch of distortion. soooo many unbelievably fine girls showed up for supercross. left with ears ringing, a race gas exhaust headache and sat in traffic for 2 hours while hooking up with my exotic dancer ex-gf on the phone. atlanta girls rock. it was a great nite.