Between the Motos: Mike Webb
Wednesday, May 9, 2012 | 3:10 PM
ONE Industries began as a small band of riders driven by a common passion and a belief that we could do better. In 1997 the army began assembling in the heart of San Diego, California. First we revolutionized motocross graphics, but we were soon designing and marketing a complete line of innovative products for moto and bike riders. We expect our products to be second to none, because we are riders like you who want to be at our best on every ride. So join us on your next ride. And become another rider in the “Army of ONE”.
Tweet
Advertisement | Advertise with Us
Share
Comment
Email
Print
Yoshimura Suzuki Team Manager Mike Webb pulled off quite a coup by signing James Stewart at mid-season this year to a 2013 deal, and essentially getting his services for free this summer in the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship. We talked to Webb about it this morning, just before another day of testing with James was set to begin.
Racer X: Okay Mike, how did you pull this off? Mid-season changes like this don’t happen very often. Does it even seem real right now?
Mike Webb: Well, actually James contacted me. But going back, we first worked together last year a little bit. He was a free agent at one point, so we got in contact, and I think we just hit it off really well. There was no baggage between us from either side, and going back to maybe the rider I worked with before, where there was a lot of baggage and there maybe wasn’t a good trust factor from the get go, none of that applied to this situation. We just started from ground zero with each other, and the honesty and communication were there from the beginning, and we became friends. We talked during the year, but more as a friendship. If he would do good, I would just let him know and tell him, “great job.” Stuff like that. Then when things started changing with the program he was with, he contacted me and asked me that if things changed, would I be interested. And I said, “Of course,” but we have to respect all parties, and it has to be legal and all of that. We have to respect the team he was with, and the manufacturer, and not step on any toes. But if he’s available, of course I would be interested.
But at the same time, if he does get out of his deal and then come to you, were you worried about whipping together enough resources to make it happen on your end?
On that side, we have resources. We have factory bikes, and I can adjust personnel to make this work as a two-rider team again. That really wasn’t a problem. It takes more work from all of us, but it wasn’t like, “How are we going to pull this off?” His deal starts in January, but he just wants to race. We had talked about maybe doing a couple of outdoors, but then we started talking, and we were like, “Let’s just go race. Let’s start racing. We will learn some things for next year.” Then next thing you know, we’re showing up at Hangtown.
Yoshimura Suzuki Team Manager Mike Webb pulled off quite the mid-season acquisition with the signing of James Stewart.
Andrew Fredrickson photo
So the original focus was for 2013.
Right. The original focus was to get him a works bike so he could start riding it and get comfortable on it, and then, hey, maybe we do RedBud or something. It slowly evolved. We’ll learn every week, we’ll see where we are at. We are there at the races working anyway, and he wants to race, so it’s all upside. That’s how it evolved into that.
But the strange thing is, since this is really a 2013 deal, he is basically riding for free to race motocross in 2012.
Exactly. I told him straight up I can support you with everything you need at a factory level, but mid-season I can’t come up with budget money. Everybody knows how budgets are set. He would constantly say that wasn’t an issue, he would just say he wanted to race. That was constantly his thing, I want to race. Again, I can’t come up with some big salary or bonus program out of nothing, but that was never an issue with him.
Well, you can say this is really a start to 2013, but with James, if he gets third at a race, people immediately say, “What’s wrong?”
Yeah. But I can’t let that effect my judgement, or his. If we get a third, I’ll be pumped. We’ll take what we learned at that race and apply it to testing and use it at the next race. When the Ws come, I’m going to be pumped about that. But I’m not going into this expecting to go 24-0, or saying that’s our standard or that’s the only thing we’ll be happy with. This is a learning process.
People know that bike is capable since it won titles in 2010 with Ryan Dungey, and 2009 with Chad Reed, and even further back with Ricky Carmichael. But how much has the bike changed? It’s clearly not the same bike Reed rode three seasons ago.
No, there’s a different chassis from that year. But basically our suspension is constantly evolving. We have a great outdoor spec we developed with Brett [Metcalfe] and also with Dungey last year, and we’ll start from there, and then figure out the type of forces that James applies and make changes there. Factory components have been updated in small amounts, but electronics are evolving rapidly. Electronics are the forefront of racing today. The package is proven, it’s just a matter of adjusting it to work perfectly to a new rider.
You hoped to make a deal with James last year, but Suzuki was in a weird transitional state where you couldn’t get the answers you needed. Is this proof that you folks have turned that corner, and you can start planning ahead in ways you could not last year?
Absolutely, because we signed James to a long term contract, and we needed a commitment from Suzuki to do that. They committed to Yoshimura for the long term, and it’s basically a life time commitment. That’s basically their racing arm for the U.S. And, I know everyone has seen this industry pick up, I know Suzuki had a great last quarter last year, for example. The corner has definitely been turned as far as that in concerned.
James Stewart and Suzuki have ten days until the opening round of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship at Hangtown.
Suzuki photo
So we can dispel all the rumors. This is still a factory Suzuki effort.
Yeah, American Suzuki’s factory program in both road racing and motocross run exclusively through Yoshimura. We still receive funding from American Suzuki, and we receive our factory technology and resources from SMC, which is Suzuki Motor Corporation in Japan. That has not changed one bit, that’s exactly the way it worked in the past. It’s simply a matter of Yoshimura now controlling those assets, in a partnership with Suzuki.
Did you ever actually get any testing done with James when you were working with him last summer? Or is this like a 10-day introduction and scramble to get ready?
We actually had three days working with James in Florida last year when he was a free agent. We learned a lot, basic setup and geometry for him, and the way he wanted the motor. We just started with him again, I think today is like the third day now? But he had also, when he was a free agent, bought an RM-Z, so he knew what he liked about the bike and what he wanted it to do.
So you’re not starting from zero.
No, we have a little bit of a base, but it’s still a challenge. We counted and we will have about 13 days, total, including working with him last year, and we have to get a lot done in that amount of time.
Finally, let me ask about Metty. Last few supercrosses were not good for him. Is he okay and ready? Obviously outdoors is where he usually shines.
Yeah, he’s good. The last few rounds, he hit the ground a few times, and that’s unfortunate because he stayed off the ground at most of the races. We have a good base from him last summer, and you’re right, he does shine outdoors and I think he’s more confident there. We’re looking forward to #7 and #24 being under the tent.
Share this article:
Did you like this article?
Check out LAST NIGHT
in our Latest issue of Racer X available now.
Ryan Villopoto may have locked up his 450SX title a week early, but the 2013 Monster Energy Supercross Championship finale still had drama and excitement to spare. Page 124.
Look for the verified symbol 
Impulse Studios
I think that the coach and Coy just razzle dazzle him and J-Bone was the bone that brought him in. Waving all the nascar stuff!!!! he took the bait.... I think he knew day one he made a mistake and it wasn't going to be the way he had it with J-bone before.. I think he honestly knew, then I got to find my way out to Suzuki bottom line............ Just a bad business decision on his part.. We shall see in 13 days
Cant wait to see how this unfolds....rather than predict his success or failures.....lets see what happens....James "manned up" and is going out to race for himself and the fans........Reed gets blown for doing the same thing....But James will be dogged on no matter how he does.....Only thing I see keeping James from running up front from the get go is endurance.....top 3 is easily obtainable.....but there seems to be a subtle quietness in his interview and Mr. Webbs......rather than say he wants to win....he may just go do it.....actions are louder than words....cant wait for MX!!!
Glad to hear that James has the fire to go racing and that he is willing to ride for the rest of the year without a big $ contract as a prerequisite.
It should make for an interesting summer. First season for Dungey on the KTM and first season for James on a Suzuki. Too bad Reed and Villipoto won't be on the line too.
Anyone heard anything about when Trey will be back in the mix too?
That’s because Webb is feeble >>>> Look at him he ages in dog years …Why do you think Decoster left he hates that guy. Webb is a sap-sucker for the establishment.
Have you ever seen an American look healthy eating what they eat over there.I bet by summer he wil be under 100lbs
Webb replaced Decoster dumb ass.....Webb was on the off-road circuit for years and probably didnt deal with deCoster except for the Zooki Christmas parties....
Suzuki started a downward spiral for themselves by letting Decoster get away, which lost Dungey. Few people seem to know it was in Dungey's contract that Decoster would be there while he was, so Suzuki really screwed that one up. It's very clear also that Dungey's distrust for Webb was absolutely merited, just look back at Daytona, Freestone, and Southwick. How many years was it that Decoster and Goose avoided these problems completely? Then all of a sudden three in one year, give me a break. If Suzuki thinks Stewart is going to save them, they've got another thing coming. I'm shocked there was still a factory team who would deal with him, but I guarantee Suzuki is the last one, and they will be in a far worse position by the time it's over.
Sounds like there were issues back in the goods ol Kawi days too. Kawi, then San Manuel/L&M, then JGR............interesting. Sounding a little bit like Reed's background check up until last year. Pot has been stirred ;)
Gotta admit......I'm excited to see that Suzuki up front again! hopefully......
Wow, Dungey had Baggage? Well I guess he did, he had two titles and you couldn't provide him with a bike that would run and finsh every moto!
@
KilloMoto
What are you talking about shushi breath Decoster was an anti social who would be turning a lathe why the party was going down... I know for a fact.. I personally brought Roger in a sample plate while he was on the Lathe Strohm M45
Yes Wedd was in the off rode division the same as decoster Bone head. You obviously dont know the inner workings of a factory motorcycle team set up
I'm calling team suzuki to be winning 24/7.
Mrs mx --- Easy there buddy.....The statement was made that " decoster hates that guy" referring to Webb....my point was, they probably didnt work together much, if at all.....Roger was the SX/MX team manager......Webb the off road team manager.......As far as rank goes, they were equals for the most part....Webb had no part in Decosters departure.....I think deCoster is the man for the record, and Webb seems to be doing okay...you cant blame a broken chain and gas boiling one time on a manager......fluke things.....Funny thing is, ol' Lars told the Goose his boy (Dungey) better slow down......Dungey is just as much at fault as Webb if your going to blame anyone.....they way these guys ride bikes, im suprised they dont brake more often....look at Honda at Southwick....3 motors blown that day....now that is a problem....
Don'e care how or why, just want JS twisting the throttle with the boys this summer. Leave all the drama queen stuff in the pits - let's bring out the racers and throw it down! BRING IT ON BABY!
@warrior462... I agree, that suzuki should have never let go Decoster... But yeah... As was mentioned in this article... Suzuki was in a transitional period.. And Decoster wanted some long term deal to cap off his illustrious career.. Something Suzuki at the time could not offer... Typical of a japanese company..
@Retardcross... Looks like it, but I reckon, the guy (stewie) just had some bad luck and a uber ego and a stupid meddling dad to contribute to this luck... At kawi.. There was a a**hole named Fischer... At L&M... There was a weird but genius manager called Brooks & another scumbag called M.Kranyak... (Hope Ward doesn't get burned)... At JGR... All Stewie's fault.. He was lured by the $$ and he failed miserably to develop or be patient as I believe they (JGR) had the resources to pull it off.
But props to suzuki... Having managed to get a rider basically riding for free...
All I know is what I see......
Decoster has been in the major leagues for 4 DECADES.
Webb has been in the major leagues well......not so much.
How may times did the Suzuki break under Decosters watch ?
How may times did the Suzuki break under Webbs watch?
Webb, quit yappin about baggage and James $, just give him a good bike
every Saturday.
JimM
Pala374
Vidall Sasoon died today who cares about Webb............ Were do I get my shipment of hair products now??????
Kawi until they did not want him any more. To L&M for a couple years result is L&M is gone from the sport. To JGR for 6 months now to Suzuki. JS7 the Terrell Owens of our sport. Everything is always someone's else fault!
@mit12 don't forget to mention all the racewins/injuries/comebacks/setbacks/business negotiations/economy/industry trends/etc that happened during those years.
if you can't look at the whole picture, you can't be allowed to tell the story.
WOW- "the rider I worked with before, where there was a lot of baggage and there maybe wasn’t a good trust factor from the get go" reference to 2011.
gotta give major props to james........... ride'n all summer for no coin? for a guy of his stature to ride for free, that's a statement ! i think he will do well, he never looked comfortable on the yami. im not a fan.....mostly because of his tv show...... but i do have respect for his talent riding a dirt bike. im excited for suzuki also, they needed a rider who can challenge for the win. i'll kiss DC's azz in front of the morgantown court house high noon if regal gets a podium..............
Suzuki offered DeCoster a one year contract, but he wanted a multi-year. No other politics at play.
The whole riding for free is funny, he is backed by red bull and Nike....
With Reed, he brings sponsors back into mx "belray" even discount tire is on board...
Free...that is funny.
What is so funny br411?? Does Reed have a Factory Team he is part of?? No, he doesn't...he does get paid by sponsors....so will Stewart, but as fas as Yoshimura Suzuki is concerned (Factory Team) they are NOT paying Stewart a thing to ride, two different situations dude, ya can't pull Reed out of yer butt on that one!! Once again, the Factory team he is riding for has no budget to pay him with mid-season...but he is still going out!! You chodes will never be happy...who cares??
Webb doesn't know what baggage is yet I tell you. He doesn't know how good he had it.
To say that Stewart is racing for free is just plain stupid and wrong. He'll make a ridiculous amount of money just being out there, who cares where it's coming from? I can't believe that he has any supporters left at this point after the way he's acted since 2009. The reality show, the straight up lies about his intentions, the bad decisions on and off track, and the wasted talent. He's just a joke at this point to me.
....and i'm sure it breaks his heart warrior462!! haha
What breaks his heart is that 2009 was the last championship he'll ever win because of all the time wasted since then.
@whatever I think you missed the point of what was being said. Doesn't matter where the cash is coming from, he isn't riding for free. I was thinking the same thing br411 said. And to say Reed isn't part of a factory team.... what about all the support he gets from Factory Honda? I get your point about the factory's not paying them a salary, but for people to make a big deal about Stew riding for "free", yeah, I'd say that pretty funny.
It's all lies, this interview is a scam, it was pre-planned for Mike Webb to look good in front of his fans. No hard questions, RacerX sucking a$$ again... *rolling eyes*
Warrior, so you read Dungey's contract, eh? Tell us how on that one...
I swear I read the dumbest stuff on here...
He is riding for the team for free. Suzuki is getting a top rider that they do not have to pay for 6 months, no salary, no win bonuses, etc. So he is riding for the team for free. Suzuki is not paying him a dime. That means he IS riding for them for free. No one said JS was not making any money, of course he has his own personal sponsors. Do people have to twist the story on every article? Some of you guys should go work for CNN.
i dont post much but im jus tired of the js7 bashin,he's about the money rah rah,this dude is not gettin paid this summer only maybe by sponsors who the f#%k else in this sport has done that,CR,RV,RD,K DUB all gettin mad money but u pick on bubba,i think his heart might not be in it anymore,not focused,but time will tell but sum of u talk like str8 chumps
i dont post much but im jus tired of the js7 bashin,he's about the money rah rah,this dude is not gettin paid this summer only maybe by sponsors who the f#%k else in this sport has done that,CR,RV,RD,K DUB all gettin mad money but u pick on bubba,i think his heart might not be in it anymore,not focused,but time will tell but sum of u talk like str8 chumps
@whatever...just an observation "dude"
My question to you is this....over a year ago you were a die hard JS fan, then he started to fall apart and you were a die hard RD fan. Now that JS has the resources to maybe change, I cant help but think your jumping back on the train...chooo chooo.
Careful with your response, archived post await...
@Motohead279
What are you a grade schooler it"s bed time !!!
Of coarse the joker is riding for free NO ONE WOULD TAKE HIS lil wayne ass
Who cares about all the drama! Thanks for saving the 2012 summer nationals bubba! Can't wait to watch you smoke everyone on the new suzuki! It's on like donkey kong!
Pull em out br411...i still am very much a fan of RD, very much, at some point in this season if and when James gets up to speed i may have a little dilemma on my hands....but i actually look forward to it. So, don't even try and call me out on some bs about jumping ship on anybody dude. I have never stopped being a JS fan...never. It has gotten a little frustrating for sure, but i still hope to hell he can get some mojo back and make something happen.....so don't waste your time trying to prove me hypocritical somehow!! Actually, do go back and find some, or i will, where i clearly state that i am pulling for JS and RD!! Go for it!! Oh, and my point was that he IS riding for free for Suzuki, his FACTORY SPONSOR...never said ( nor has anybody else) that he was riding totally for free, but Zook is not paying him. Pretty dedicated move by any rider if you ask me, but none of you guys will say so....and who cares if you don't?? Enjoy, could be good........dude!!
Motohead, it was in a Decoster interview I read in Motocross Action. So no, I didn't read his Suzuki contract, but I do know that part of it from the man himself.
Can stewart race the lites again since being out for as long ashe has???
anyone can race lites at any time outdoors, SX is where there are rules against that, and those are permanent as far as I know.
Reed is getting bikes and parts from Honda, no Honda money and running his own rig. Stewart is getting bikes, parts and mechanic and riding out of Yosh Suzuki's rig with no Suzuki money. Both are getting their money from sponer deals. Neither one is receiving factory money this summer. Just hope that JS7 and Metty don't have problems like Dungey and Metty did last summer. Then some sparks will fly. Also if James was riding the 'Zook he bought himself during the SX season would that be a violation of his JGR contract?
@warrior462
Thanks for the clarification
If he was on the bike I would think so either way said enough he ultimatley pays the tap
By the end of the season, after the last race, we will know who the champion is -- stamp it.
@rjstreets... Reed is getting factory support from honda (2 yr deal, 12' & 13')... And that is not only the bike with all the necessary parts, but also the very much needed $$... However, Reed is paying his personel... Whether the $$ from Honda is enough to cover the cost.. Only Reed knows this.
I am pretty sure, suzuki, can not free up a budget to hire a rider midway through a season (or in plain words a fiscal year)... So, I believe, Stewie is riding not getting any form of base salary... How he gets his money.. Sure, personal sponsors will help..
One thing is for sure... He is missing out on some serious cash by leaving JGR... And am glad JGR released him so they will cut their loss's now iso later on the year...
I hope Milsaps steps up... JGR deserves more than this saga..
I thought he said on the show with Mathes that his check was coming from Yosh in Japan!!!
If the contract doesn't start until 2013, where's the motiviation to win an outdoor championship? It seems Stewart's focus is the big "show" (that supercross has become) and the outdoors will be just a throw-away. If everything works and it's easy he might hang with it. If things start to go bad, the rumors will start and fingers will be pointed at the bike/rider/track and it will be a repeat of Supercross 2012.
Pumped? Not so much...
you all should go watch the 30 min interview stewart did with transworld you see a laid back stewart he is not over confident like his is made out to be he explains the whole deal with JGR and Suzuki. The guy just wants to race who cares how much money he is making or not making or where it's coming from or even if he can win or not time will tell, he has more talent on a bike in his left pinkie toe than probably all of us combined I wish him luck along with everyone else that will be lining up for the nationals maybe this is a new start he needs maybe not but he gets to make a living riding a motorcycle something that everyone on here that has left a comment including myself doesn't have the luxury of doing so lets all get back to work!!!! lol
KTM is the team to beat...and only JS can run that pace there isnt anyone else right now. if i had to call it out right now. and Rattray is going to be trouble for everyone else. JS is just too new to the Suzuki team it will take time. at least the summer got a little better now....
Insiderlookingout.
I never said that JS7 was not talented or that he has not over come adversity. I am just stating the facts. JS7 is just like Terral Owens if there is a problem (with other riders, teams or bikes) it must be
someone elses fault. As for L&M. JS bought the team fired Larry Brooks and at the end of the year he shut it down. Now there is no L&M San Manuel has left the sport. You are living in a dream world if you do not think JS7 did not cause this. On the other side Suzuki has nothing to loose. If JS7 continues to lawn dart him self into the ground every one will know that it is all JS7 not the bike. But what a black eye for JGR and Yamaha.
http://motocross.transworld.net/1000129448/videos/james-stewart-raw-2012/
OK- I have always been a JS7 fan- he is sick on a motorcycle- go back and look at 2007 outdoors when he is racing RC, you know the GOAT, and tell me that they don't look like they are going faster than RV and RD in 2011...I can't wait to see him on the Suzi..I really hope he goes 1-1 at Hangtown! But on a serious note- with this talk about money and the T.O. comparison us kind of funny that the BRAKING add that appears to the right is of JS7 on the L&M and in the background is has "MONEY."
@ Didierlotsyeng, in the beginning when Reed first started his team it was just bikes, parts and technical support. Since his results were impressive at the beginning that's when Honda ponied up the cash, so we are both correct. I think Honda gave full backing at the 6th or 7th SX of 2011.
rjstreets, I believe Reed started 2011 with no factory support whatsoever from Honda, and like you say they came in and gave him support at round 6 or 7. It wasn't stepping up support they were already providing though. Also, care to fill us in about these problems between Dungey and Metty last summer, because I'm quite sure that's inaccurate, but maybe you know something nobody else does.
The chain derailment during the supercross season. The bike dying on the final lap at Freestone, barely missing a DNS at Southwick when Goose couldn't get the bike to fire until the three quarter mark of the first lap, that was Dungey. Metty have a DNS I believe at Red Bud in the second moto when his bike wouldn't start abd I think there was DNF thrown in there as well due to bike failure.
I think it's funny people comparing Webb and DeCoster. First DeCoster was a % time World GP Champion in the 500 class. Then he took over the reins of team Honda and Made them a perenial championship team for a coule of decades. Here's some of the riders he helped guide to titles, you might reconize a couple of them, McGrath, Stanton, R. Johnson, Bayle and Bailey to name a few. Some of them were even mutiple champions several years in a row. Took over a crappy Suzuki program and built up to what it today after leaving Honda. Mike Webb was a reporter, then editor for Dirt Bike Magazine. He then made his way to Suzuki's off road program after Decoster was already managing the MX/SX effort. I do believe the off road bike his team was racing were based off the MXers DeCoster had improved upon. But like a lot of poster are suggesting, we'll see at the end of the season. And if you ask any old school mx guys, they'll tell you don't bet against The Man !
% = 5, long night at work, fingers got confused.
Dungey and Metty got along I meant bike issues.
br 411 talk about reed and belray and discount tire and racing for free, thats just about as funny as reed being considered a privateer and got that dumb ass ride hard rock hard award, webb raced off-road were theres no break between motos or heat races and main events i think he knows how to keep a bike together, dungey went with roger because roger powdered dungeys but and changed his diaper, as for james sitting around all summer and collecting a million of JGRs money because he DID NOT HAVE TO RACE PER CONTRACT, vs just wanting to race id say thats racing for free. I ride yamahas but james im finally glad to see your done with that piece of shit, anyone who wants to learn how to ride outdoors tune in to watch stewart, maybe goose didnt like decoster, maybe dungey didnt like goose maybe suzuki didnt like dungey or decoster who gives a crap. Go win this outdoor title and shut up all the haters, please. It like the energizer bunny the stewart haters post just keep going and going and going and going, he could dominate till he retires and people would still talk s**t but you have a reed who goes from yamaha, to suzuki to kawasaki and know to honda and people are constantly kissing his a**.
Never did hate on Stewart just pointed out facts of contract between the two. As for Webb, he raced mostly desert and they DO have pit stops. My point being, is most SX/MX team managers have some SX or MX experience at the pro level. DeCoster being the most successful. I've never kissed Reed's ass but Yamaha645 seems by your comments yours are firmly planted on someone's. Just for the record, in 2010 Reed lost some of my respect with the way he handled himself as Stewart has over the course of this season. If JS7 comes out goes about his business with no drama as Reed did last he'll win some of it back as Reed did at Millville after getting up from his crash.