by Andy Bowyer
Rev Up: Curtain Call
Thursday, September 6, 2012 | 10:30 AM
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PrintHello, everyone, and welcome to the Rev Up. You can feel it pretty easy if you pay attention. The seasonal switch from summer to autumn is coming, and with it arrives American college and pro football, colored leaves, and the smell of chimney smoke. And if you are a motocrosser it signals the end of the season for our trade. While there is a veritable season within the off-season, the big pay checks have been signed and the number one plates are placed on the mantle come September.
It’s been one of the most dramatic and injury stricken seasons I can recall. That said, the early departed have already began their quest for a new year. The boys we’ve been missing all summer are already back on the bike, for the most part, and it’s already hard to not start fantasizing about Anaheim 1.
But, not yet. The game isn’t over.
Barcia will need a win and some help as he sits 18 points back of Baggett.
Andrew Fredrickson photo
The last men standing are preparing to pull their goggles on one final time in the 2012 regular season. One of the most competitive series fights in recent history will conclude this Saturday in Southern California. Not to stall, but it’s hard for me to think that the 2012 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship has come and gone just so much as a blink of the eye. I’m a greedy fan in contemplating what could have been in the 450 Class, but my appetite for the charge has been quenched by the big four in the 250 Class. After supercross I thought Justin Barcia was going to be the guy, yet Eli Tomac was crazy strong in the West Region. There was the recent memory of Blake Baggett’s 2011 speed and wins as well. I’ve seen video clips and pictures of Ken Roczen for years and I knew he was going to be special too....
All of them have been stronger than a garlic face mask. They have all won motos, but only two have a real shot at the championship as the bell rings for Lake Elsinore. That slippery slope I mentioned last week for Baggett is one he landed in. Instead of maintaining, he lost 14 points in one day, and only has 14 points remaining in his title hopes. It’s with that nomenclature that I’ve seen more guys win from behind, than guys hold on. Blake is on his heels while Tomac is “The Guns of Navarone.” This situation takes me back to Loretta Lynn’s a few years ago when Blake and Barcia were battling for the B Class championship. Barcia took him out and came out on top. I sincerely hope he remembers that when he snaps his boot buckles on in two days.
That instance arrives at a more peculiar scenario. Will Barcia help Tomac win the title? If I am Mike LaRocco I put both my studs (or perhaps Hahn and Bogle) on either side of the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki. But, look at how “Bam Bam” raced his teammate at the end of moto one at Steel City? Didn’t look like team tactics to say the least...Barcia rides every lap with blood in his eyes. The only reason I support his nomination for the MXoN. “Win by attrition” is a mantra that serves motocross alpha males well.
It’s hard to chose favorites, because I love Tomac too, but this writer wants to see “Bad” Blake go out and tear their heads off. He has to find what he had in his guts at the halfway of all those motos this summer and become born again hard when that gate drops. If he takes the approach he did last weekend, he’s toast. Tomac will go 1-1 unless Blake takes this moment for what it is. A fist fight.
So many variables...a scary fast Ken Roczen and Marvin Musquin, a bad start, a practice crash, a bike failure...and more, create a block of timber with some hard bark. If he wants the title he has to spit on his palms and chop wood, plain and simple. I want to see the kid do it. Nobody can twist the throttle but him. Go get you some, Blake Baggett. Be the man and if you go down fighting, you won’t regret anything and you had a great year.
Man, it’s so exhilarating to think about this deal, boys! It is one thing and one thing only...it is time to finish the game, son. Time to harness EVERYTHING and ride your motorcycle like a God. Hell, they all do, so let’s get it the hell up for one more charge in 2012. Can you feel it?
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I am going to put my neck on the block and say Tomac to win it. I just think Bagget isnt strong enough mentally. But whatever happens good luck to all of them it has been a fantastic season.
I hope Tomac can bring it home! It's nice to see a team that can finally make Pro Circuit sweat a bit...
I hope BB is strong enough mentally....he still has to spin laps in the Belgium sand and make amends for last year's MXoN panic attack.
Hell yeah I can feel it! We'll have a champ in not much more than 2 days. Looking forward to see how the rest falls out too (Short or Weimer for 3rd in the 450s, etc.).
I am certain Blake is not concerned a bit with that massive 14 point lead. As for dirty riding those days are over no sponsor wants that stigma on them let alone the danger of it, If you are not good enough to win on your own and fair then why settle for some tainted championship. Look what happened to Wilson when he started that and missed the season.
The thought of Barcia letting Tomac beat him is utterly stupid because he is in this until the last moto unless he is 25 points out. I say Blake lays it all on the line especially in that first moto so they better come with their A games and hope.
Hey Yamalink, I think you just confirmed my fears " MXdN panic attack". I worry that the same thing will happen on Saturday.
The top three guys have been riding so insanely crazy fast and I feel have salvaged the outdoor motocross for us this summer. I'm also a Honda guy and really like the way Tomac has been riding but to be honest I wouldn't be disappointed if Baggett won it. It's been pure entertainment the whole series and I feel the best man will take it. Not one of them should hang their heads if they don't. We can only dream of going as fast as they are and the top guys better hold onto their helmets when these guys jump up to the 450's.
I've been a little disappointed in Roczen and Musquin.I think they will be much better next year though.I'm glad the top five have stayed healthy all year.
Good to see a close race at the end of the year. To the many who said Dungey would break and the the bike is un-proven. Please add some salt to your wounds your are licking. KTM is a racing motorcycle company. They know what to do and when Roger Decoster moved to KTM I knew it was going to be a championship heading to KTM. He know how to win championships and can build a motorcycle. He keeps proving this where ever he lands. If Cagiva would have had Roger back in the 1980's they would have had a championship.
There is going to be some bar banging. With everything now on the line, how can there not be? Think of all the pent up BAM BAM Barcia has in him from the whole season. It almost slipped out on Tomac last weekend. One or more of the top 3 are finishing outside of the top 10 in the first moto, stamp it.
I just hope this isnt a chicken matsavich theme playing out..........Ama should keep an eye out..............Bring back the Finch mister !
I doubt you could write a better ending to such a drama filled season. The boys in red will be drawn with ravenous hunger to that checkered flag. I feel like BB is on the run, he's F.I.N.E ( Italian job ref.). I got funny feeling Barcia is gonna do something gnarly and make his final run and it wont include the #17.
@GWN I couldn't agree more. Blood will be shed, I feel like this a war movie.
you don't have to capitalize 'God' unless you are referring to a specific one, thus using the word as a proper noun
Spotted How would you know Space dog ! Leave the writings to the professinals
Now we no why the space program closed up. G
Get real Buz lighy year
Don't forget the chicks are racing and with JP hurt And AF's come back that one is pretty up in the air.
Rene' Gay
shut the f*ck up F^G
Should be interesting to see how Baggett and Barcia handle this situation since they are going to be teammates at the MXoN. Hopefully it stays mildly clean with the fastest man winning. Go Baggett!!
I think the 2012 Baggett is exponentially better able to deal with pressure and racing, both winning and losing. He's like Ice Man (insert teeth chomp) in 2012 whereas last year he was Goose. "Great balls o' fire, I'm at the motoRcross of the nations, why does our team manager speak like one of them?"
Goood Grief Andy Who taught you your creative writing? That was good and I read Jason's article first! Ya both gave me goose bumps! Now gonna read the comments! Again great writing!
GOD, is the correct way and most of the postS are good. Like most of you I dont wanna see a "Let Brock Buy" Moment again. to all of the racers good luck and win crash or break as I used to say to myself on the starting line.
@ Ride111mph--- you got me laughing on the deal about Cagiva because it might have happened! Hey I did not say LOL or ROFL or none of that.
Ya I am with Andy on this one, even though I think all are deserving of the tittle, I think Big Blake will pull it outta the hat. Good luck to all and it is still a long way till Saturday.
Gee I might even stay up late to see what the message boards say after the race and then miss Church? Hey this is better than the Cowboys and I have stayed up for them. They won and it was a Wedensday. As The World Turns........
LETS RACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PS: Good luck to Ashley Fioleck She is pretty darn good and the Women are getting better! I rember the days fom Sue Fish and all of them!
Doing a BillC here no offense BillC but I wanted to add ya the Roc and Marv could shake it up a bit? gonna be interesting!
@ René-Benito De La Van Der Von Kaputt
Your a real flamer and I feel sorry for you suposed kids that you have named Larry,Curley,Moe, Shemp.You seta real good example with street fighting.....A real man.............You are a pathetic piece of shit.
ride111mph: I'm with you and I always give Decoster major props but I also believe Dungey HAD to be the rider for KTM to have all this success. I don't think any other rider could have handled changing to a new brand(on a bike with no stats or any other test to gauge by) and new team. As great as RV is, he's never had to handle what Dungey has. All 3 of his 450 years have had different teams and/or bikes from year to year. Imagine how tough it will be to beat the Dunge next year as he will be returning with the same bike with the same team for the first time!