by Aaron Hansel
250 Words: High Point
Tuesday, June 12, 2012 | 1:00 PM
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PrintJust how intense is the 250 class racing in the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship this year? In four different rounds, we’ve already had three different winners, there have been multiple races in which the overall was decided by passes made on the final lap of the race and Marvin Musquin and Ken Roczen, both of whom have won MX2 World Championships, have yet to win races.
Of course, the speed of the Europeans isn’t something that has ever been in question, and when qualifying ended at High Point, it seemed possible that the track would hold true to its reputation of producing new winners, as both Roczen and Musquin had taken turns setting the fastest times. Musquin’s hot lap was even faster than anyone in the 450 ranks.
It was not to be, however, as Eli Tomac was just too strong, and the Red Bull KTM riders weren’t able to translate their qualifying speed into wins at High Point. Roczen simply couldn’t match the leaders’ pace in the first moto, and he crashed while leading the second, which enabled a hard charging Tomac to catch and pass him for the win on the final lap. Musquin, who is no doubt still feeling the effects of a broken hand (the exact same break he suffered last year), went 6-4 for fifth on the day, and was never a factor at the front.
Both foreigners are no doubt finding that conquering is a difficult task, and given everything they have been forced to learn along the way, like new tracks, different qualifying formats and shorter motos, it’s probably a lot different than they expected as well. While the injured Musquin might not win a race this year, Roczen has already shown that he’s on the verge of victory, and it’s only a matter of time before he starts racking up wins here in America.
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I believe it is the race pace. You cant really blame the lack of track experience, as both of these riders have been at the top of the practice lap times. they have the lines and speed. Similar to the MXDN, the euros typically set faster practive lap times than the US riders, but the start to finish race pace is what set things apart. They will win races, that is coming soon though. Both these kids haul ass.
Tomac definately stepped up this year. Thought baggett would be putting on a ride clinic every weekend. I wonder how rocky and musquins KTM's compare to the PC green demons and the geico flyers
No doubt, indeed......
Both KTM riders are great guys and the more they run up front the better the racing! Roc will hang on for a moto win soon. 250 class is the one with all the excitement...
Roczen could've had this one. There is NO DOUBT though that E.T. was on the momentum freight train. I hope he (E.T.) performs well at the 'wick 'cause he will be needed in Belgium
My guess is the KTM stack up favorably to the Hondas & Kawis. The MX2 KTMs are "en fuego" and their motors are production-based. They have never had a problem producing big HP numbers.
Hats off to Eli Tomac out standing .and to JB,BB,KR you guys are making the 250's class the premere class to watch and hope all of you guys stay heathy throw out the season,because its great to watch mx the way it supposed to be.guys pushing ,banging bars and just flat out leaving out on the track.And the best part about it is know body is crying about(thank god Wison isn't racing we have to buy tissues for him and all his fans for times he didn't win).
Doubt has officially left the building.....
The Euro Duo have the speed and both look so smooth while using it. Kroc seems to have brain fade when out front. Whether he is getting fatiqued or just loses focus only he knows. The problem will be corrected once he finally earns his first win outdoors. MM has got to be feeling the effects of that broken hand. I cant image riding with that injury. As rough as the tracks get, his hand has got to be throbbing by motos end. I hope by years end, both are up front challenging BamBam, Tomac the Terrible and Bad Boy Baggett for wins in this stacked class...
If this article was about Stewart, there would be another 400 comments from us keyboard hurricanes. On behalf of all of us corn eyed gene pool floaters, I apologize to the rest of the world.
That being said, the 250s are totally killing it this year. Tough to see the chupa struggling, but isn't Eli's stock going quasar? Reed needs to make room for Eli next year. Eli is throwing down even better than his Dad did in his day. Awesome.
Here is what I think about (any) rider, (any) displacement category, (any) series, (any) continent.
A rider has his/her own genetic natural ability code. Then drive and desire come in to play. After that, you have your competition. And just how good your competition is, is directly related to the level you need to adjust your game to beat them.
For whatever one needs to do to win is where the water mark will be set, basically.
Then a rider can start concentrating on lapping the field, 2,3,4 times and that is where it gets back to those basic elements.
The GP's and the Nationals are two separate worlds in that they both have different demands on the riders, and yes level of rider ability in either series is a factor.
When you factor in the melting pot size of total headcount of population size of the US and compare that to any one country in Europe, there is no comparison.
Let's say you take the entire world (minus) the US which would be more fair. And now look at the economic base that allows each rider to concentrate his life on basically riding motocross, and everything else is (secondary). And compare that melting pot with the one in use in the States. I have no idea on that statistic (Aaron Hansel would be the guy for that) but, I would bet there are more riders in the US alone that have dedicated their lives to that peak of performance to win at any cost, genetically or monetarily, than in the rest of the world combined. One key to this is the MXdN's and consecutive wins.
In summary, So it really isn't a surprise that those individuals who haven't been born, raised and raced since they were 3 in the US to come over to this foreign land and go through, if nothing else alone, a huge learning curve adjusting to everything foreign to them. It is expected, plain and simple. Anything other than that is absurd.
And for those who chose to enter national, race, color, creed and any other prejudice into the equation, that is entirely up to them. For me this is a level playing field. Throw all the marbles into the circle and give them equal time, training, environmental regards etc,etc., and see what cream floats to the top.
But, I say, give everybody the same tools and don't beat them back like a dog, because they are from another neighborhood (or continent), motivate them (all) to excel.
And, If any of you disagree with my common philosophy for treating your fellow man, well then, you don't have to worry about setting that extra place at the table for dinner, do you...
What comes round, goes round, for 30 plus 2...;~}}}
Go f*ck yourself Caseypons.
Congrats to Eli..
...I always knew you had it in you from the first time i seen you ride! Nice work my friend..
No worries as Musqiun and Roczen will be on fire soon..Our sport is funny like that is you never know what is going to happen next...Trying to figure out why this or that is not working will drive you nuts..Keep it up guys your turn is comming soon!
One of the main differences between Europe and the States are the tracks.
Most of the tracks in the continental circus are short, fast and usually not as demanding as the Us tracks. Or at least it doesn't request the same abilities.
Last year, for the MXDN in St Jean d'Angély, Roczen was incredibly fast and set huge gaps with the other mx2/lites guys. At the same time RV would struggle after a poor start to get his way to third in the Mx2/Open race. Wouldn't have happened let's say in Budds Creek...different tracks, different pace.
Still KR and Musquin are amongst the very most skilled riders in Europe (even if you consider the Mx1 class guys), so I have no doubt they will succeed sooner (Roczen) or later (Musquin) !
require* not request...
Barcia...the silent killer on this thread...not alot of talk about him but hes been consistent and getting faster....
and JB20 is a sand master...solid pick for mxdn...look at his history at 338...just look