Going for the W: Mike Alessi
Thursday, May 24, 2012 | 12:00 PM
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PrintMike Alessi’s last win on the National scene came at Freestone Raceway in 2009, on a Suzuki. And it was a dominant performance, the type of ride many expected Mike to log over and over as a professional. Because, you see, that’s the type of ride Mike logged thousands of times as an amateur, dominating the scene with killer starts, race strategy beyond his years, and a program that left no detail unturned.
In 2009, Mike was hoping to avenge a rough 2008 season, where he spent the first half of the year trying in vain to keep James Stewart in sight, and the second half recuperating from a huge crash at RedBud. At the ’09 opener at Glen Helen, Mike led most of the second moto before his old rival Ryan Villopoto tracked him down with a late pass. RV grabbed the win, but then tore his ACL practicing days later. At round two at Hangtown, Mike won, and then at round three at Freestone, he dominated.
Freestone Raceway in 2009 marked the last time Mike Alessi won a National.
Simon Cudby photo
Alessi turned pro in late 2004, his entry pumped up via the famous “Believe the Hype” debut at Millville. That race turned out poorly, but he returned with a podium on a 450 at Steel City a few weeks later. Alas, he never found anything close to the same success he had as an amateur as a professional. Each year, he was consistent, but each year, he couldn’t rack up enough wins to claim the championship. Consistency put him in the thick of the title hunt on 250s in 2005 and 2006, but Ivan Tedesco edged him in 2005, and Villopoto had him covered the next year. He nearly won the 2007 450 National Championship, but couldn’t produce a win, and ended the year ranked second to Grant Langston. In 2008, Stewart was the only one a level ahead. But in 2009, Stewart didn’t compete, and Villopoto went out with an injury. Five years of digging, and Mike was finally in position to claim that elusive professional championship.
We all know what happened after that day in Texas. Mike busted his knee practicing at High Point a few days later, ending his championship dream. In 2010, he never gelled with his KTM 350. In 2011, he knocked himself out at Hangtown on a KTM 450.
Alessi (near) lead Dungey and Stewart (rear) early in moto 2 at Hangtown, but was unable to hold off the charging duo.
Simon Cudby photo
For the first time since 2009, Mike is back in Texas on a Suzuki 450, although it’s one built by Mike and company via MotoConcepts, not the factory Suzuki unit. And Stewart is back, and Ryan Dungey is part of the class. They have beaten him for 450 titles before, and were able to get around Mike and pull away from him in Hangtown’s second moto.
But Mike still has a chance. First, his starts are still there, and that puts him in the game. Second, his work ethic is still there, as well. But the man with perhaps more amateur first-place trophies than anyone, has won just five AMA Nationals as a professional. Most amateur dominators who don’t deliver titles in the pros are followed with stories of burnout, partying or general slacking. Mike has never dealt with any of those things—he’s a motocross machine. Perhaps someday, all that hard work will pay off again.
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Nice guy and tries hard, but it's not going to happen... No W in the cards for Mr. Alessi, even with a diluted runned down 450 class (no Viloppotto, Reed or Canard). This guy's MO is start fast a fade...I don't see anything changing that from the looks of round 1.
davi will take 3rd away from him @ freestone
He may get another podium, but a win? Nope. Not unless Stewie, dungery, Millsaps, Brayton, and Metcalfe all crash out or get hurt.
Good luck to Alessi. Not one of my favorites, but I think he's matured, says a lot of the right stuff re: competitors and fans both. But Mr-mx - huh? Don't know what you're saying exactly.
And to Weege - that's 'in vain', not 'in vein', unless you're talking about an IV, OK? :^)
@mxpunker He beat Millsaps, Brayton and Metcalf straight up many times. He's in a good postion, any mistake from Stewart and Dungey and it could be his.
A win that is not the championship.
never discount the individual! deep down inside i bet he believes he can win.(if a few good breaks go his way) as much of tool that his old man is, mike is a good motorcyle rider and a hard worker, you cant forget that. i am no huge allessi fan but underdog in me would like to see him win,just to rub salt in some peoples wounds. ill bet he would too!
Media B S. even his employers know he is an 8th-15th rider
It's not like he's getting faster
Problem with Mike... His dad.. Plain and simple... he should have gotten rid of him yrs ago...
The guy can produce starts.. He can be fast... he seems fit... And man can he block while racing.. ha,ha...
But no factory support, underfunded team... Wish him all the best...
I often wonder if the people who leave these (daggers) as comments ever consider that the people who these article are about, may possibly read them. Have you had your hearts removed and had them replaced with a f*****g lump of coal. I hope Mike doesn't a sharp spoon handy to gouge out his eyes, for christ's sake...
PS Well written perspective on a true veteran of this brutal ass sport of motocross, Jason.
Glad Alessi got rid of that ugly JT helmet. Good luck Mike!
Being the master of head games has a boomerang effect. He has more moto mojo in his left pinky than me on my best day, but he needs to take himself a lot less seriously and just learn how to channel his aggression in a wholesome manner. He has forgiveness, anger, and fear issues that are holding him back. When you can lose with real peace in your soul, you can unlock the freedom to perform at your best, IMO.
Endo4: How is this considered B.S.? You do realize he was on the podium at Hangtown last weekend, so to call him an 8-15 riders is a little far fetched.
Good for MA800 to get some positive press, unfortunatly I dont remember a thing the article said because I cant get the Fan of the Week out of my head..WOW!! :-P
Tbone, Didier and Casey...all three right on point and I agree 100%. Good point by Stallo, as well. If the bridge hasn't been burned too badly, I'd love to see Suzuki give him some factory parts. The man has some outdoor skills, for sure. If he just finds that one piece of the puzzle that's been missing he could win some more races and maybe even a championship. And, like Tbone said, that would be a kick in the junk to a lot of people. Do it, Mike!
going for the W?
if u mean W as in WIDE BIKE ???
Alessi is such a squid!
The dude rides the widest bike on the track.
It is obivious to all but him, he is not as fast as the other guys.
Dude needs to stop blocking everyone and practically taking them all out b/c of fear of getting passed.
YOUR GNA GET PASSED EITHER WAY BRO!
Don't risk taking everyone else out you tool Alessi.
Believe the Hype... HAHA never happened!
see attached video to watch him block dungey and stewie as seen on http://www.brotocross.com
thanks bro
http://youtu.be/t2Fq1e2fHzY
@eastcoast880... Hey... I prefer watching going as wide as ever vs the guy just being passed... Ha,ha... Makes the guy wanting to pass him work to get around him..
I think the guy HAS to produce results... So I see this year a make or break for him.. So be prepared for someone being extremely wide on the race track.. Ha,ha... Or extremely hungy to produce results...
And perhaps one day he will ask his daddy to let go of his d**k when he has to take a pi*s... IF ever this happens.. Man, i WILL believe the hype!!!! Yeah!!!!
@Mr-Mx... Amen to that!
I like Mikey A. But when he starts looking around and moving around I lose my mind....like my pa taught me "the only thing your gonna see when you look around is somebody passing you".......go forward , work on that. Get Suzuki to give you some parts....you'll do fine.
I give him gobs of credit for getting on a 450 early in his career, but the chance to win disappeared when RV ran him down Glen Helen 2009.
I feel bad for that crash at Red Bud, though. They need to get rid of these singles before turns! Seems to really break up the flow of things.
On the Believe the Hype for his first pro race ever in the 450 class he got 5th overall and 3rd the next race.I think that was pretty good hype for a first time 16 year old kid.I believed the hype.
MX Mike has done some really stupid things, made some poor choices, at bad times and has for the most part suffered at his own hands, ar at the hands of Tony. But really who hasn't, I think he has one last chance, he has serious speed at times, his equipment might be inferior (a tad), but if ever he was in a position it has got to be this year. Not that JS 7, and RD 5 are threatened in any way, it's just that all of those outside of the big 4 (Stew, Dungey, Reed, Canard) are in a better position based on the depleted field. And Mike, he has the speed, he just IMO needs the confidence, he needs to "believe the hype!"! Best o' luck to all of them, but JS 7 will have to self destruct for anyone else to have a legitimate shot or so it seems to me.
@PitBull; You forgot to add, "Stamp It"
If you brake it, you buy it.
Whoof...
"Mike Alessi’s last win on the National scene came at Freestone Raceway in 2009, on a Suzuki. And it was a dominant performance"
.Yup and the week before RV ran him down both moto's from 15 sec back...Then blow out his knee. Not a slap at Mike just that he never quite got to the top on the pile.
mr mx ....leave me out of whatever your involved in. thanks
Mike ,
If they pass, they pass, dont drop anchor, keep digging.
JimM
Pala374
I would wear the JT stuff too................if they paid me.
Stuff looks like it was designed in the 70-80's.
JimM
Pala374
I used to like MA800 until he waved his finger at Dungey in the Monster Energy Cup.
Mike has the starts (that holeshot in the second moto was unbelievable) and the speed for a couple of laps, but then goes backwards. I don't see him charging up from behind like Stewart, Villopoto, or Baggett.
I do believe he suffers from confidence issues. Right now he is confident. He just did a entire supercross series without getting hurt, and he was able to line up for the first race of the Nationals so in his mind he feels he has a shot. But when the wins don't come he will get frustrated and will crash. Then you might as well put a fork in him.
Mike: if you want to win you have to get rid of your Dad plain and simple.
It would be interesting to see old Mikey boy get a win, I am just not sure if he has it in him. If he could find a way to kick it 6th gear pinned and stay focused he could win. Tonewall said something ineresting that I learned a long time ago and that is never look back. You are sure to get passed then! Good luck Mikey!
Mike- disreagard any of the negative posts, most done by a bunch of 'never-was's. Bunch of slow ass hacks telling you how to ride faster. Keep living the dream while you can. Enjoy doing what all of these clowns never could or will. And stay close to your dad, he is the only one you got...
At this point in time, an arenacross title could be one that he could accomplish. He should be able to holeshot and win those short main events.
If Texas track is as one lined like it was last year and Mike gets the holeshot.He may win a moto.That boy rides a really wide bike.He reminds me of the new wide Red Arrow.
Mike Alessi ~ With a dedication to his priorities in life completely visible to those of us standing outside his realm directly, persona becomes the obvious place earning the incessant yak from the small folks here. Such a shame. God, Family and mx; all great places for loyal dedication. Drop the pride, and most of us could learn something here. Humility's the teacher.
@Tonewall; Why don't you ask Kurtkckc what he's wearing. I'm sure it would put my dud's to shame with that poetic form of verbiage... ;~}}}
I saw MA800 win in TX in 09, it was an impressive performance, even if RV wasn't there. I think enoughs been said about Mikes dad, I mean the guy wants to win so how does Tony hold him back? Mike needs to put his head down and go....quit looking over his shoulder. But....having seen how Stewy demolished the pack at Hangtown, I aint holding out for anyone else this w/end...I'll be there for sure!!!!
Mike Alessi and win is never going in the same sentence. Stamp it! I used to be a big fan until he was finally caught cheating this season. Cheating on how you line up on the gate, Cutting the course, Blatantly! I understand wanting to win, and wanting to win bad, but when you cross that line of fair game, in order to try to better your results.... Thats bs! I know, I know, I am sure someone will bash me in one way or another for my opinion, but unlike alot of jerkies on here, I don't judge the riders for some things they may do of the track, I watch for what they do on the track, and the fact that he has been seen cheating a few times this past sx season, makes me wonder how many times he has been somewhat successful , was he cheating then also?
His window has closed. No Chamionship, no over all, no more big factory contracts. It's all down from here on out. Maybe he could have some success with doing a training facility.... But how many people would want to go and learn how to be a second tier professional racer, where you sneak every shenanigan possible without getting noticed?
Cheaters have never won, and Alessi never will.... The universe is getting him.
@JimboMX374 "Stuff looks like it was designed in the 70-80's."
Uh-Yeah, I think that's the point.
Ok, some of you guys please let me know, how do you get rid of your dad? Is that something you have done, and if so, how do you explain it to your mom (and law enforcement)!
a lot of comments on here are down right dumb!! I know a lot of guys on here know about his disadvantage with his bike and the team he is on but I don't think some of you guys take that in consideration when making a comment.....Put Mike on a FACTORY BIKE with FACTORY SUPPORT and see how he does...Mike could be a championship contender if on the right team! , in my opinion!!!
@casyepons... touché! I'm seeing a yak fur straight jacket , womens stretch pants and FullBore boots...speaking directly into a hand held 1967 cassette recorder. I kinda get what hes saying though...which kinda bothers me....
@MR MX you had one too many martinis.
Give Alessi a factory suzuki bike. He can win one of these. He definately is a threat.
Excuse me folks, i could be wrong but didn't mike win at hang town on a 350 back in 2010? like i said i could be wrong, don't attack me just correct me please thanks.
Mike Alessi has matured..hes one of the top riders in the outdoors..hes got to a level which all of us just dream about,but as with all the top riders there always seems to be many keyboard experts that just have to rundown everyone..maybe they should get themselves analyzed that would be a lol..
Mx is a dam tough sport and anything can and does happen...go hard 800.and .goodluck..
Fred- I was at Spring Creek for MA 800's 1st race, and as my memory serves me, he didn't do so good. The next race was different, he podiumed, but his first race, he had a bunch of riders gunning for him and it wasn't a pretty thing for him. Still remember Matt Walker running him off the track and bullying him around at the riders meeting and stuff. He had a rude awakening that day for sure. Many people got rubbed the wrong way on him that day. The Believe the hype t-shirts were all over at the start of the day, but they kinda thinned out as the day wore on. He claimed he would finish top 3, he said "I am only saying what I know I can do." That comment ticked off the other racers to no end and M W called him out at the riders meeting saying "Come and sit next to me big mouth." It wasn't the start to his career he was looking for. Just sayin...
Hey there Mr MX. Yeah the next week went much better for him. I gotta admit, the guy has some big b-lls to come back after a few of the crashes he's had. Wasn't it Colorado where the bikes kept hitting him over and over again? Wow. That was gnarly. Too bad for him that he hasn't had a few more breaks. (no pun intended) he still can ride, but I think it is becoming do or die time. Nice to see a little fire out of the non factory side of the sport. Doesn't matter who it is. That's gotta be hard on the factories!!
More like going for the holeshot and fading to sixth