Open Mic: Indy Interviews
Monday, March 19, 2012 | 4:05 PM
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PrintInterviews by Jordan Roberts and Steve Matthes
Mike Alessi, MotoConcepts, 6th in SX Class
Good holeshot, led six or seven laps, and all of a sudden the bike started blubbering! That’s when Brayton got me, I was doing that 2-3 out of the first turn. As soon as I did the triple the bike started blubbering, I cased it, and after that, to the finishline the bike was just getting worse. I was helpless. It was a bummer because I definitely felt I had podium speed. I just can’t catch a break right now. I’m riding good, and when I do put myself in good positions, I get screwed every time. Sixth is great, but I wanted that podium so bad. Everyone is working hard, the bike is coming around, I just want to get my bike to where it can go 100 percent of the race. It’s not the team’s fault, it’s just things happening.
"I was helpless. It was a bummer because I definitely felt I had podium speed." -- Mike Alessi
Fredrickson photo
Darryn Durham, Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki, 2nd in Lites Class
Have you ever seen a start like that?
No, just GNCC racing! Good thing it wasn’t dead engine, or Roczen [electric start] would have been gone!
What was it like?
It was weird and they were like “We’re going to do a staggered start?” And I was like, “Two gate drops! What do you mean?” Yeah, everyone was freaking out. It worked out alright, I came through to second, I wish I wouldn’t have let Wharton by before that restart, it would have made life easier. I had actually moved over on him and Barcia out of the gate to make sure I had the inside. But he rode good, made some good passes and he just rode good tonight. I won my first heat race tonight so that was big. Second in the main is good, but I want to get a win in the main before it’s over.
You were battling with Roczen in that heat. And it looked like you knew what you were doing, like “this guy is going to do that, I’m going to do this.”
Yeah, I had a good grip on what was going on. It was good, hopefully I can win a main event soon.
"Second in the main is good, but I want to get a win in the main before it’s over." -- Darryn Durham
Fredrickson photo
Jake Canada, Team MotoConcepts, 5th place in the Lites class
I started out sixth in practice, which was my best time in practice so that was good. In the heat race I got a good start. I almost got the holeshot but I came in a little deep. I was third behind [Tyler] Bowers, got by Bowers, and then [Ken] Roczen got me. I ended up third in the heat, which was good. I’m happy with that. In the main, which was crazy… I haven’t ever seen that before. Off the start I locked elbows with Lemoine and we both got squirrely. I got a bad start. I went around that first corner and I got stuck behind everyone. Then I messed up through the rhythm and was almost last. I picked off a couple guys, got into tenth, and then they threw the red flag. They had us line up like we were at a fair race to restart it.
Were a bunch of the guys confused? Did anyone have any idea what was going on?
I didn’t know what was going on and Bowers knew because that’s what they do in Arenacross. And he was telling me and I was like, really… So, that was different, but it benefited me. I started in tenth and was able to squeeze my way through some guys real quick and get into fifth place and stay in fifth place. That’s my best finish, and I wanted to be in the top five, so I’m pumped on tonight.
Davi Millsaps, JGR Yamaha, 3rd place in SX class
Racer X: This is your second podium in a row. That’s got to feel good, right?
Yeah, it was definitely good, especially coming off of a podium last weekend. It was good. I’m just pumped I can do it for the team, especially with losing James.
You’re obviously looking to keep this streak alive…
I’d love to keep it alive. I’ve got a couple more races to do it and hopefully I can keep fourth in points. I’ll keep working on it, and go home every week and work harder and harder, and hopefully get a win.
"I’m just pumped I can do it for the team, especially with losing James." -- Davi Millsaps
Fredrickson photo
Justin Brayton, Muscle Milk Honda, 2nd in SX class
The night went pretty good. To start out with a heat win, that’s always good. I think the main thing is just great starts. My bike was awesome out of the gate tonight and that was the difference. I wish I could’ve gotten the lead a little sooner in the Main Event and kind of get that gap right away. Overall, I’m happy with the night—to come up with a second and keep building. I’m excited to have a good week and come into Toronto ready to go.
Holding off Villopoto in the heat race—what did that do for your confidence going into the Main?
I think that was good—to hold him off, that’s awesome. Anytime you can beat or run with Villopoto, the guy’s an awesome champion and a great rider, I think it’s definitely a confidence builder. Like I said, my starts—I think getting out there and getting some fresh air and just going. It’s like practice and doing laps back home. I’m excited to get those starts down. I’m excited to do that in Toronto.
"Anytime you can beat or run with Villopoto, the guy’s an awesome champion and a great rider, I think it’s definitely a confidence builder." -- Justin Brayton
Fredrickson photo
Cole Seely, Muscle Milk Honda, 5th in SX class
Racer X: I missed it, but I heard you had a pretty good spill in practice. What happened?
Yeah, I just crashed right before the finish in the under of the over/under bridge. I just kind of twisted my leg a little bit and hurt my knee and hip. I went over to Asterisk and Eddie hooked me up and got me all taped up. I felt good going into the night. I almost didn’t race but I’m glad I did. Obviously, coming out with a fifth which is my best 450 finish yet.
And you had to fight for those positions too. You didn’t start in fifth.
Yeah, in the heat race I passed for the lead and crash right away. I finish eighth so I had to start with sixteenth gate pick, which is way wide. I tried to get a good start from there. I started ninth or tenth and made my way past a couple of guys and found myself in fifth by the end of the race.
"I almost didn’t race but I’m glad I did." -- Cole Seely
Fredrickson photo
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Alessi is a piece of shit! Watch the replay when Windham went down. Alessi came across from the left to the right to close the door on Windham and took him out. RC said Alessi was trying to avoid the tuff block. Bull shit, the tuff block was in the middle of that corner and Alessi was on the left. He came over just like Barcia did in the heat race and took KW out on purpose. Such a piece of shit. Always has been always will be. Hope someone beats his ass off the track. Way to blame your bike on your finish too dipshit......
@JC970 I could not agree with you more!
WOW..... I think RC said K-Dub moved over to miss the Block and cliped Mikes rear wheel...... It was in his lane. I think what JB did to Wharton was worce. I will re watch the 800/K-Dub thing tonight if I have time. I really did not think it was that bad.
One of these days Alessi is going to get it good and there will be cheering like this sport has never experienced before. He was supposed to be the next big thing and he is not good enough to clean RVs boots now.
I didnt see Barcia do anything to Wharton, and I was there and watched the race later after I DVRed it.. People just take anything Barcia does and makes it out to be terrible just to have an excuse the bit@h,, Barcia hasnt done anything to Wharton that Wharton hasnt done to Barcia..
Always the drama with Alessi. Speaking of the Alessi/MotoConcepts team, how are Tommy Weeck and Jake Canada team riders, but on Hondas?
bd200, You did not see JB move over on him thru the jump section?? Come on. Then after the heat race he complanes about others trying to be hero's or something. I am not the only one to say this either. I will re watch this toninght also.
Alessi blames his bike from going 1st to 6th. What about the other 100 races he went from 1st to 6th. was it his bike then too?
I think Windham was just as much to blame for it- watching the trajectory of his bike after he leaves the previous corner. He is zig zagging the track, what was Alessi supposed to do? Alessi will give you plenty of reasons to rag on him- wait for something good to come along.
Windham held his line and was passing Alessi, Alessi crossed jumped to the right and took out Windhams wheel while he was in the air.
The line for that righthand corner was to go to the far left, Alessis move was a blatant take out.
As for Barcia, he tried to crash wharton by running right on the on//off tables,
Great to see Wharton with the win.
So, if alessi is claiming the bike started to have engine problems, that is why he faded to 6th, whats his excuse for everyother time he holeshots and then ends up midpack? Alessi is Goon, has been since he started riding
@ BillC Hopefully you have had a chance to re- watch it by now. I did and I definitely thought Alessi went from one side to the other to block Windham. Problem was, Windham had already closed inside his rear wheel, so when Mike moved over....Down goes Windham.
ALESSI, don't try to block people in the air, good way to hurt someone DOUCHE!
Alessi, you continue to bring NOTHING positive to this sport.
You can always count on Alessi for a great start. You can also count on him to fade to the middle of the pack. From my perspective he usually rides hard until he gets passed. From the point he gets passed he shuts down and returns to his mediocre self.
The guy is full of excuses. The blubbering was coming from inside his helmet, not his bike.
The main line for the Alessi take out was the inside to outside (not to the left). Stupid judgement but I think most guys would have stayed in it to win it (or win sixth place)
@MisterRoboto, MotoConcepts has no factory support so the team owner lets the riders pick the bike they like best.Then makes them all look the same and calls them MotoConcepts 250/450's. The teams aftermarket sponsors make parts for all brands,so no problem there.Kind of a different approach,but it's kinda cool.
I love that idea seeing as it gives these riders the best chance to succeed
Sounds like Mikey's been taking lessons on how to blame the bike!
Yeah you guys are right ! What does RC know ?
JimM
Pala374
Leave it to the twit KM306 to be the first and only so far to somehow bring a dig on James Stewart in to this.....you are pathetic dude!! And don't give me that "how do you know i was talking about JS" crap.......jerk!!
Being RC doesn't mean you're always right. Sometimes they are looking at little bitty monitors and they are watching real time, so it is hard to see everything going on. We have the ability to watch, rewind, slow-mo again and again. RC was wrong about the tuff block. If you check it out again, Alessi was juming over to K-Dub's line so he didn't seem worried about the block.
He sounds like such a tool though jib-jabbing about his blubbering bike without so much of a mention of K-Dub. You'd think he would show a bit of concern, nah. My bike was blubbering! I guess he was going to win until that happened.
800 has always races behind him and not out in front. His mini career was plagued with the same take the other guy out, cut corners if you can get away with it, etc.
This has not changed and I have NEVER liked him and never will. Jeff may be worse.
I watched again and clearly mike cuts over to shut the lane down and you could not do it in a worse spot.
douche is the best word to describe the alessi's.
Actually V-O-R you are the one who made the association. Why did you assume it was JS being referred too?
Don't worry, everyone else would make the connection as well. It is a well recognized pattern.
But, it was you who threw it out there ;-)
I think some of you need to take your Pictures down , It just gives us more reasons to make fun of you ... just sayinn km
I did watch the vid again, Mike was in the raceing line the whole time, no one was going to the laft of where he was you can tell because the dirt is a lot darker to the left of Mike, K-Dub tried to come up the right side and it did not work that was not Mikes fault. Mike had the line and was in front other wise K-Dub would not have hit Mikes "rear" tire. I like K-Dub WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY more than mike but thats how it looks to me.
Agree with Preston and BillC
Wow, rip on Alessi column. I guess all you guys could get on his bike get the hole shot and get a sixth. Or maybe better than that.
It looked like a couple of things with the Windham crash. Sure it was all 800's
fault.
And you guys all did engine checks on his bike after the event to see there was
nothing wrong with it. You are all factory mechanics.
I will agree with comment Mike should have mentioned the Windham issue and
his concerns.
Hey I am gonna agree with Larry of couse we dont know but I think it is him? I dont think I have ever put down anyone that can make it to the finals in either class much less the night program. Yes I do get tired of the puter racers that can do it? Ya there are some on here that know what they are talking about. I am no fan of the Alesi brothers but hey they are good enough to make the main at times. If you are better then you go race them.
Its not over yet and who knows anyone can win yet. Now I will get in trouble for saying the old saying "Its not over till the fat lady sings" and that is an Oprara saying not the ding dong from TV. Opps I just got in troublr again???
@ Welker Yup its Larry from Red Bud....
AND AGAIN VOR CONTRIBUTES NOTHING BUT HATE AND CRYING.. WHATS NEW???
@Larry --Hope you heard the REEEEDBUUDD chant at Indy, it was very cool..
some of you guys on here are a little too emotional, lol...Mabey your a bunch of women giving your rant...THats ok ladies, keep up the crazy hate stuff, it's probably good for your health.....