Insight: Blake Baggett
Monday, July 9, 2012 | 11:10 AM
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The word was, Blake Baggett was suffering from a sinus infection and stomach ailment Saturday morning at RedBud. It didn’t effect him in the races. For the second year in a row, he dominated in Southern Michigan, going 1-1 on his Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki. But unlike last year, he leaves RedBud as the 250 Class points leader. Here’s what Baggett had to say after the race—and, as always, much is left to mystery with the friendly Southern California kid.
Racer X: Okay, you have never raced here except for the National the last two years, right?
Blake Baggett: Yeah.
Well, then you’re undefeated, four motos and four wins. You’re a California guy, so you wouldn’t think this really deep, sandy soil would be your favorite.
Yeah, this track is probably the best one on the whole circuit. Super deep, loamy, sandy, big jumps and deep ruts. Pretty much has everything, and you can pretty much mix it up every lap—there will be one spot where someone will be better than you, and one spot where you will be better than the other guy. So I think it’s a good layout and they do a good job making the track good for racing.
LaRocco’s Leap. Did you jump that in practice, or did you seriously just try it in the moto?
First lap of the first moto!
Baggett was able to track down Justin Barcia in both motos to outlast the Honda rider.
Simon Cudby photo
Racer X: Okay, you have never raced here except for the National the last two years, right?
Blake Baggett: Yeah.
Well, then you’re undefeated, four motos and four wins. You’re a California guy, so you wouldn’t think this really deep, sandy soil would be your favorite.
Yeah, this track is probably the best one on the whole circuit. Super deep, loamy, sandy, big jumps and deep ruts. Pretty much has everything, and you can pretty much mix it up every lap—there will be one spot where someone will be better than you, and one spot where you will be better than the other guy. So I think it’s a good layout and they do a good job making the track good for racing.
LaRocco’s Leap. Did you jump that in practice, or did you seriously just try it in the moto?
First lap of the first moto!
You didn’t try it in practice?
No. I had never jumped it, ever. Not even last year!
How hard was it?
You just go wide open as fast as you can go.
Was it scary?
It was on the first lap! I thought I had overjumped it, and then I ended up almost coming up short! That’s how big it is. That made me second-guess myself the next lap. But then I just sent it anyway!
You didn’t get the start again in the first moto, and you had problems leading early in the second moto. Is this more of your old ,“wait until the second half of the moto” strategy or did it just work out that way?
It just happens, man. There’s no formula, there’s nothing to it, it just happens. The first moto was just a pitiful start. I think someone from anywhere, some dude from the pits, could have beat me off the gate there. I just worked my way up and got to the front, that was good. Second moto, super good jump off the start, but, I don’t know, I didn’t know what to do with it. I tipped over and lost the lead. I started searching for lines trying to figure out how I could make things happen, and an opportunity came available, so I took it.
So you’re not waiting until the second half of these races?
No, it just keeps happening. And I wish it would stop! I’m over it, to be honest.
Baggett was able to track down Justin Barcia in both motos to outlast the Honda rider.
Simon Cudby photo
So you’d be okay with leading every lap?
That’d be cool!
A lot of the riders will move to Florida or someplace east where it’s more humid. You don’t do that. The heat and humidity doesn’t seem to hurt you here, though.
Yeah, normally I stay in California the whole time, but last week I did go down to Ryan Villopoto’s house [in Florida], and I’ll be there again this week. But that’s it, I’ll go back home after that. Florida is definitely good, it’s hot, and the tracks are kind of sandy loamy rough. It’s good, but I prefer the hardpacked tracks back home.
What’s Millville like for you?
I raced there in 2008 and 2009 as an amateur, and last year I went 3-3. Hopefully we can turn that around and make it a 1-1, but I just want to make sure we’re standing on the box.
Last year you won this race, and it looked like you were the man to beat in this class. But you never had another race 1-1 like this for the rest of the season. Is there something that went wrong last year, and is that something you’re trying to fix?
I have no idea. Make it better? Make it the same as it is now? I don’t know?
So there’s nothing that you can remember going wrong last year that you’re trying to fix this year?
Nope. Can’t think of anything.
Nothing?
Nope.
Okay man, well then, good luck.
Thanks!
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BB is super fast and first in points, I'll hand him that.
But, he is so jenky. There is nothing he can fix from last year? Everyone has something they can get better at, even RD! Who does this kid think he is? What an sob!
By the way...........go #70!
That's 'affect' in this case, Weigandt.
Baggett does not want to talk about last year because it is behind him. He does not make excuses either like some riders do. I think everyone forgot his problems started after he got his shoulder injured in practice. When he loses he never blames bike setup or other silly things like some do. The fact is this guy is a phenom and does things naturally others cannot do. I truly believe he does not know why he just goes with the flow of the day and rides. But the fact is he is the most exciting man in motocross today and truly the fans favorite with the things he does that no one else in the class can or will do.
punk- this 'snob' is kicking k-rocs azz
"snob" no..... S O B.......get it?
#70? Oh that world champ almost getting lapped this week and running 4th in the points race. The one without even a moto win so far with all his great starts. So you better hope Baggett does not fix things or your boy will get lapped.
Baricia has got to be getting frustrated. He's getting good starts, riding great, and seems to be in good condition. He's doing everything he can to win, but Bilbo just seems to have that extra speed.
This man is probably the most honest guy on the circuit. Sometimes he figures out how to go fast, sometimes he can't - no plastic facade, no BS, just a kid going big and living to tell about it. IMO - anyone that is this honest will someday enter the hall of fame because excuses don't solve problems. This guy is everything right about our sport!
@mxpunker.... an sob? really? because he dosen't spew a bunch of BS?
Do you think he should be more like #70 and say he is not going to make excuses BUT.. the lappers in his way caused him to get passed and lose the win.
Dont hate on Bagget just because your guy can't get it done.
I just know the truth about BB and you guys are all falling for his BS. I laugh when I read all of this stuff about no excuses, etc.... Didn't you hear that he "leaked" that he was sick to the "blonde girl with the microphone"? He had a pre-made excuse set up from the start if he didn't do well!
You guys make me shake my head in wonder at how easily you fall into the PC burrito fan base recipe. Jusst keep following Phil Collins all you want. He will fall apart again just like he did at MXde Nations.
Dude is a BAD MOFO!! The look on barcia's face after both moto's!! LOL he must be PISSED!!!
mxpunker when is your birth day?? The big 13!!! congrats!!
I'll tell you one other thing that has happened this year.....one full year under Aldon Baker's direction. Do you all realize Aldon has never lost a championship since he has been training riders. Fluke??? I doubt it. The guy does it all right; lifestyle, training, everything.
mxpunker can suck it!!
Barcia is good and busting his butt out there but to no avail. Like Emigh said, Baggett is the man and everyone knows it including the riders. He looks like Windham and rides fast like RC now thats a powerful combo hard to beat.
Congrats punker on your 13th birthday. LOL
Aldon Baker does not Ride a bike fix a bike manage a bike or own a bike, its hard to lose a championship if you aren't in one. he is a paid private contractor by an athlete.
Baggett is a badass no doubt, but his late race charge won't work at the 450 level or at the MXdN. Also his start in the first moto was not bad compared to how he normally starts. I think he started around 7-8. He usually seems to get around 15th start.
Baggett is also benefitting from being the only PC rider out there right now, Mitch is pouring every resource into his bike right now for the championship. I would not be suprised if he is using 3 engines a weekend compared to the normal 2.
I"m a Roczen fan, but the other guys are definitely in his head right now. He has never been challenged(beaten) like he has been this year. I still think the KTM is down on power to the other bikes.
After last years performance, I'm still skeptical on BB going to MXdN
As far as speed goes, Barcia is never better than a third place guy. He's done a good job of getting starts and making the most of what he has, but both Bagget and Tomac are just simply better. Tomac has really struggled with his starts, if he had that under control, he'd be second in the points. But he doesn't as of now, so he's not. Both Musquin and Roczen are doing great considering how young and new to the U.S. they are. Next year is the time where both of them should be fighting for the title, for now they are doing a great job finishing well and getting some experience. We can start calling them out if they're still 3rd to 5th place riders next year, but for now that's great to build on in their first full year here.
If Baggett keeps schooling Barcia like he has been, I can see Barcia having a "DNF" in the very near future or a tip over and a small injury that puts him out of the points chase, then have him bump to the 450 for the last few races like last year. Tomac, Roczen and Musquin need to step up there game and actually pass Baggett if they want to get in his head. Thats what it will take to get him out of his groove and start making the mistakes he made last year.
KTM's down on power? K-roc consistanly has the best starts and practice laps, so dont think there is any problems with the bike. Baggett just hauling the mail.
Whoa !
just a minute. Virtual trainer, who won the championship in 2010? Wasn't it the Dunge? And in the outdoors, wasn't that the Dunge too? And it looks like he's going to take the outdoors this year too.
And who is his trainer? It isn't Aldon, that's for sure.
Alessi would get holeshots on his 350 also, Holeshot is all about anticipation, if your reacting you already lost. Great example is Tomac and Barcia, same bikes but vastly different starts. I'm pretty sure Tomac tends to have everyone covered in practice. Musquin and Roczen both are excellent starters and it is has helped with their success. We all know the PC bikes are excelellent. They have benefitted from having world class riders on them for a long time. This is the first full year of KTM Factory in the 250 class(very few races due to MM's hand injury last year.
Oh yeah, Aldon trained Baggett last year, was there a championship?
I take nothing away from Baggett, he has these guys covered right now. Better bikes bring more confidence though. KTM is just learning that the Factory program in Europe is not at the level required to compete for the top step in the U.S.
Not4show, I think Baggett will be fine at the MXD, Most guys don't do to well there first year doing it. TC did not do well either. I think the last lites guy to do well was RV
If they threw away all the European riders that did not do well at the MXNations there would not be anyone left to race there. USA does not make excuses when they race on a track for the first time so they don't want to hear it.
Baggett's killing it right now, but that's not to say he will win, he's got three other riders fully capable of beating him. But I'll be interested to see if/when he moves up to the 450 because he's not that big, there's no doubt he'll do what it takes but interesting to me.
Happy 13th punker!
BillC, thats probably my worry our MX2 riders always seem to blend into the background. The euro riders are extremely fast at Lommel and the french, belgium contingencies will really be on it this year.
Baggett, is obviously one of the best riders in the world right now, but he unfortunately was overwhelmed by the enormity of MXdN last year. Herlings, Searle, Horebrook(sp) Musquin & Roczen will be who he is riding against. I don't think he can beat Herlings at Lommel and Roczen will be a stretch. If Musquin is finally 100% healthy will play a big factor also.
But I also don't see Tomac, being able to get a start to save his life, or Barcia being able to keep his cool and throw a temper tantrum.
I am a fan of riders from all countries, but the MXdN is a time when I'm looking for Old Glory to be on the top step no matter what riders are sent. I can go back to not liking them the next race, but that weekend, they will have me as a fan.
Bob, Since the greatest 450 rider ever was the smallest I doubt Baggett will have any trouble, in fact I think he will be better on it.
Blake Baggett, Best Badass Biker, Bring Back Backwards Bucket Bill.
Manimal. All that needs to be said.
it makes me laugh how many of you people are so clueless on this website @loosedirt RV1 didnt get aldon to start training him til the 2011 season if you remember which you clearly dont he was overweight in 2010. What racerx virtual trainer is probley trying to say aldon has worked out baggets problems for this year the races he wasnt on it last year were dismal at best this year he's still managed to stay in the top 5
Brad@ Qualifying is practice, doesn't count for the title. Lommel is unlike any track here in the US and unless of course you ride on the beach all day long. Cairoli and Herlings go extremely well there. Now, those two might not be in for Country title but they will be on the podium somewhere for the individual. This will be no cake walk for the US. Its going to take a supreme ride from our MX2 rider to help get the title. Dungey will be MX1 again, and hopefully (and no I'm not a stewart fan) JS7 will be healthy and able to put in 2 solid motos in MX3 class. I don't see Alessi having the ability to beat Palin or Pourcel. The Palin Pourcel Musquin combo is going to be very tough to beat this year.
Baggett has never gotten the best of starts, and that will be a huge must at Lommel.
I can't believe you guys aren't climbing on him for saying there is nothing he can't fix from last year?!?
If Barcia had said something like that, you guys would be all over his ass. Blake is NOT the guy he comes off to be on tv.
The MX Nations makes me laugh because every year I hear the same old brag about how America is going down. Makes no difference what we send over there 3rd team 4th team we win period. The only fair solution is to face USA backwards on the gate then throw out their high score.
This is a lot of posts for a non-Stewart article. Great interview!
Virtual Trainer - That wasn't a very smart comment considering he's been training alot of guys besides the Champions. Sure looks like he has the 450 MX class title wrapped up as well with Weimer.
@mxpunker i agree with you bro ken roczen is the man
@PW, I agree, Virtual Trainer's comment wasn't too smart! he does train alot of guys these days. And he did lose the year when Dungey won, and will lose yet again when/if Dungey continues on his ways of domination.
The 250 riders are amazing, the aggression and intensity they are racing with one could call it the Greatest show on Earth. Baggett is fearless off jumps and can carry so much speed around the track, that running down the fastest guys in the class is becoming routine and even expected of him. With half the season to go any thing can happen, but the rest of the Frantic Five must be wondering, what is going to take to hold on to a lead, when Blazing Blake is blistering the track behind them!!!
Rapapolus Radish is back with another name, after he got busted by the admistrators. It'ìs weird, a guy from Iraq, a real US enemy, writes on this forum.
Bagget is clearly the fastest man and he deserves the title. Roczen's only chance to get a moto is in Southwick, he is almost as fast as Herlings on sand but Southwich is not deep at all, it can't be compared to Valkenswaard, Lommel or the mighty Lierop, in my opinion the best sand track on earth.
It's insane what Bagget has been doing, watching that guy race is something unique.
Southwick not deep? You been drinking?
You're right about Bagget though. I was trying hard to think who he reminded me of and I came up with a two, Magoo and Hannah. I swear those late race charges are just him turning his brain off keeping it pinned. Its amazing to watch. Also made me wonder if he'll ever figure out SX,
Dude, the meaning of my sentence is this: if we compare Southwick to Valkenswaard, Lommel or the mighty Lierop, it can't be described as deep, this is what I mean. Sorry if I didn't explain it better before. Lommel and Lierop are just the sand tracks, Lierop is amazing, the second motos there are insane.
@Not4Show
"KTM is just learning that the Factory program in Europe is not at the level required to compete for the top step in the U.S."
not sure if you know but the bikes over there are faster and lighter than the U.S ones because they have no rules! its almost like the the difference between moto gp and world super bike!
@Not4show:
I agree with your most of your comment(s) However, I'm not quite sure of the significance of your statement below.
"Aldon Baker does not Ride a bike fix a bike manage a bike or own a bike, its hard to lose a championship if you aren't in one. he is a paid private contractor by an athlete."
I think, RX Virtual Trainer, was simply stating a fact that with a complete and total conditioning regimen (physically, mentally, physiologically), that is key to a competitors requirements to excel and attain the main objective in whatever you set out to do. This is an applied science which, in this case, just so happens to be Motocross. "Man Hole Tiddly Winks World Champion," may be Aldon Bakers next Challenge subject. Aldon has applied the same principles of attaining success for his clients, as he has applied to himself, for achieving his goals as being the best in his field.
It's all relative. "The Big Picture"
Though, I am not, Virtual Trainer, nor Aldon Baker so, it's just best guess, on my part. What the Hell do I know...
Learn to write and read illiterate. Ah yes, in Iraq they just teach you how to kill people for your stupid religion, dumb, you're a criminal, I don't know how you dare to stick your filthy face in front of a screen with the racexonline page on, criminal
Saddam Bradley, you should get the hell out here, Americans will kill you, too, loser and coward, filthy back stabber