30 Day Countdown to A1: #9 Jeff Ward
Thursday, December 27, 2012 | 10:00 AM
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PrintThe 30 Best Supercross Racers of All Time presented by Monster Energy is getting down to the nitty gritty (what does that even mean anyway?). The debates and arguments are getting intense. We’re pretty sure that some friendships are forever altered because of this thing, so just know that we’re debating it as much as you guys. And with that, we’re off with number 9 on the list.
Factory Kawasaki’s Jeff Ward had one of the longest and most successful careers in the sport as he raced professionally for fourteen years, thirteen of them on green. All told, the Flying Freckle won two championships (’85 and ’87), won twenty races and finished in the top ten in the supercross points for ten straight years. At his peak, Wardy was either 1A or 1B with Rick Johnson as neither rider could be beat for a two-year span in ’87 and ’88. Ward is eighth all time on the SX win list, one ahead of Damon Bradshaw and four behind fellow Kawasaki lifer Ryan Villopoto.
Jeff Ward raced professionally for Kawasaki for 13 years.
Racer X Archive photo
In ’85 the series ran a funky two main-event format and the championship came down to the final race at Pasedena. In a somewhat controversial race (Ward crashed and rode backward on the track to bumpstart his bike in his heat race, which was a no-no that year, so Yamaha protested the race but the AMA ruled in Ward’s favor) Ward emerged the victor over Yamaha’s Broc Glover. In 1987 Ward won five races and finished on the podium nine times in all to easily win the title that year. Interestingly enough, Ward never finished as runner-up in the supercross points -- he got third once and most of the other season finishes were hampered by injury.
Jeff used an incredible training program to his advantage indoors as he would be able to wear most riders down by the end of twenty laps to go along with his speed and skill. Wardy was the shining light for Kawasaki year after year and could always be depended on to grab some wins in the title chase. Of course this is an SX-only list but Ward’s incredible run of outdoor titles and 7-0 record at the Motocross des Nations cement him on any list of the best motocross racers ever indoors or out.
It took Ward a couple of years to get the hang of things on the 250 in supercross but part of that was just growing a bit as he was one of the smallest riders around when he started. Ward’s first win came in ’84 and his last in ’91 which is a nice bit of longevity for Jeff. In fact, he won at least one race every year during that 1984-1991 span, which set a record at the time for consecutive years with a win (since eclipsed by Jeremy McGrath).
Eighth on the all-time win list, two titles, the span of his first and last win were among just a few reasons why Jeff Ward is one of the all-time greats, and number nine in the all time supercross racer rankings.
Ward racked up two SX titles during his 14-year career.
Racer X Archive photo
The 30 Best Supercross Racers of All Time Tracker:
#10 Jean Michel Bayle
#11 Damon Bradshaw
#12 Mark Barnett
#13 Kevin Windham
#14 David Bailey
#15 Ryan Dungey
#16 Mike Bell
#17 Jeff Emig
#18 Johnny O’Mara
#19 Doug Henry
#20 Jimmy Ellis
#21 Mike LaRocco
#22 Ezra Lusk
#23 Broc Glover
#24 Ron Lechien
#25 Jimmy Weinert
#26 David Vuillemin
#27 Donnie Hansen
#28 Larry Ward
#29 Mike Kiedrowski
#30 Marty Tripes
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13 years of racing for the same brand? THAT has to be a record for any rider at this level.
Wardy was indeed a winner........
Well at least we know Ricky will be first and Jeremy McGrath in second, the middle part of this will be interesting.
On a truly SX only list, I'm betting on McGrath first and RC second. That's not saying a solid argument couldn't be made the other way.
Its hard to say because there is talk of outdoors in these posts. So who knows, but I agree, if its supercross only, Jeremy has this wrapped up.
I'm gonna catch H#ll on this one... Placing some of the older guys further down may not be exactly fair. Arguments could be made to jumble this list of 8 into just about any order.
1. MC
2. RC
3. RV
4.JStweart
5, CR
6,JStanton
7, RJ
8. Hannah
mxagn565- I agree, we will see how it plays out!
While there are many riders I liked better than McGrath, he unquestionably has to be #1 on a SX list.
No arguement for putting RC above MC in my opinion. As much as I have mostly disliked MC, he is the best ever in SX.
1. MC
2. RC
3. Hannah
4. Stanton
5. Stew
6. Reed
7. RJ
8. Villo
Barring some sort of disaster, Villopoto will move up the list after this season.
I remember when Wardie was shorter than most of his trophies on a mini before his (freckles) dropped. Some people are saying he still is shorter. Be Nice!!!
Mr. Consistent, was the way I always looked at his riding/racing career. "Ninety Straight" some odd days of riding. RV just laughed when Matthes posed that question to him a week or two ago if he (RV) had ever matched that feat.
That is consistency...
Glad to see Jeff Wards name on any list, as there are several.
I put more value in being dominant in your era and championships, so my list looks like:
1. MC
2. RC
3. Hannah
3. Johnson (arguments could be made for either)
5. Stanton
6. Villopoto
7. Stewart
8. Reed
1 or 2 are the only easy spots. The rest could end up anywhere in the 3 - 8 spots. If I rated them later today, the order could change.
Jeff Ward...iI think he was the first rider I really looked up too as my first bike was an 87 KX 80....and he extended his racing career thru supermoto for what, another decade!!! a true ammbassador to our sport!!
Can you imagine what Ward's record could have been if he had only piloted a Honda?! It's common knowledge Kawasaki takes 2-3 seconds off anyone's lap time. Coulda shoulda woulda!
Oh yeah, anyone doubts that last statement ....Ahem....supermoto career. Yea , that's right ....
Jeff Ward impressed the hell out of me racing supermoto at 50years old. Usually at that age, a person has second thoughts about laying a bike into a turn at 70mph in a slide. Dude has some big marbles!
I listened to the podcast, and I think it would be great if RC did a lap in supercross. I loved it when McGrath did it on his KTM,but I also understand the riders perspective. I remember LaRocco saying he appreciated it, but sitting on his bike for 45min every weekend thru those ceromonies became difficult and grueling. I guess we should always looks at both sides of the issue.
1. McGrath 2. Carmichael 3. Stewart 4. Reed 5. Hannah 6. Stanton 7. Johnson 8.Villopoto
""Ricky will be first and Jeremy McGrath in second""
Seriously??? Why would RC ever be ahead of MC??? RC never broke any of MC's records. Actually, only one person has.... Ryan Dungey. That being the second rookie ever to win a title.
When I deployed last time I told the person watching my house that the only thing I was worried about losing if someone broke into my house was my autographed Jeff Ward jersey.
Wardy is a great guy. I would love to say that I raced with him, but the truth is I started on the same starting gate with him. Two things I remember about him. When he passed you he made sure he did not have to deal with you again. Not dirty like Barcia but deffently with authority. Second he always had an excuse, he would win and while being interviewed he had this or that bothering him. It wasn't until he broke his ankle had it screwed together and raced the next weekend and went on to win the SX championship that I realized just how tough this man is. A true legend.
I remember the year that he almost won the Indy 500.I was going nuts.He only had a handfull of car races period under his belt up untill that point.
UM: If anybody out there would rank James Stewart above RJ that means you never saw RJ ride. Stewart with all his talent has an eggshell ego. Stanton and RJ and likley Ward would have reduced him to a quivering bowl of jello.
Mc #1, RC#2, Hurricane#3, If Buckwheat isn't 3rd then you never saw him race, if not for breaking his leg waterskiing he would have won 2-3 more titles, in a row. He had the competition completely covered in SX. Mentally he would make todays stars simply cry.
Amen FirstorDirt.
I think Stanton would suprise alot of people if he went head to head against Reed, Stewart or any of the late greats. He may not have had that blistering speed, but he had a good head on his shoulders and fitness that makes Villipoto look like a school girl. He ultimately would figure out a way to unravel them and win the title.
Nobody... Not Stanton, not Hannah, not even Barnett have (had) anything over Villopoto in the 'good head on his shoulders and fitness' departments. They were all at the top of their game/those categories in their day(s). Put Villopoto back in time or bring any of those guys into the present and they would all be fighting for P1.
Stupid, unappreciative comment.
@mintermoto14 - completely agree. First, Hannah is one of only three racers who won the SX title in 3 consecutive years along with RC (once) and MC (twice). By that measure alone, Hannah should be #3.
Then, if you adjust for the shorter SX seasons in '77, '78, & '79 (at 33 races over 3 years) vs. 17 per season (or 51 races over 3 seasons) we have now, he would have about 10 - 12 more race wins, or 37 - 39 career wins.
If you want to go further, we could speculate about Hannah missing a full season in '80 and racing himself back into shape in '81, 2 seasons at the peak of his career where Yamaha had a competitive 250. Assuming the same win % he had across his 3 championship seasons where he dominated, winning 18 of 33 races (about 55%), you can realistically add another 8 - 9 wins in '80 alone (assuming 17 race series). A healthy Hannah in '81 wins a similar # of races and he wins more than his 1 race in '82. So now we're talking 55 - 60 wins. And add 2 more championships too.
You can doubt my math about potential wins in '80 & '81 and my assumed win %, but Hannah won 5 of the first 9 rounds in '83 for Honda before getting injured and missing 6 or 7 rounds of that season.
You can make a similar argument for RJ but the math, and assumption set, are a little more detailed.
@MotoXscript - I am completely on board with RV being an exceptional SX (and MX) racer. He will likely win a lot more races in the coming seasons and would likely have a few more wins in 2010 had he not gone down in St Louis round.
He has a great shot at the championship this year, but unless or until RV wins a 3rd straight SX title, we should separate him from the MC, RC, and Hannah category, even if he ends up with more wins than Hannah since RV has many more races per season than did Hannah (see previous post).
My $.02
Is it A1 yet??
@MX Bob - I agree with your relative ranking.
I would argue it is too early to know where RV, Stewart and Reed should end up on the this list until they retire from professional competition. RV can win a 3rd straight title this year and could go on to win even more than that. I do know that you need to adjust their win totals to more accurately compare to riders in the 70's or 80's.
It is unlikely that either Stewart or Reed will win 3 straight titles, proving that winning 3 straight titles is incredibly difficult to do.
Stupid Comment?? Perhaps you should watch the sport a little bit.
The last time Villipoto raced the outdoors, thru the first 8 rounds he was gagging up lung butter and couldnt finish a moto strong. His face was FAT, ROUND, and he looked like a donut.
He hired Aldon Baker for exactly this reason and now his fit, but FAR from a level of Stantons fitness. Stanton was able to run sub 1.22 half marathons.
Stanton maybe #8, but I dont see Villipoto with 3 championships yet. Has Villipoto won a SX championship with Stewart, Reed, and DUngey not being injured to the finish?? Not that its his fault... Stantons titles were won STRAIGHT UP, fought to the end.
(Remember, you cant put Villipoto back in time against Stanton on a 2013 KX450 and say he would kick ass. Doesnt work like that.)
Just remember pigs can't fly but there was a flying freckle
Does anyone know what happened to Sinisalo? I only remember Wardy as wearing their equipment.
@ CR500AF
Mr -Mx did in the 84 and that is true stuff ask Jeremy McGrath ,Mike Brown ! The product is based out of finland and more euro but still available everywhere
Stupid comment followed by more stupidity. Quit bagging on riders you aren't mature enough to respect.
@ rickamatuzio
First you're arguing fitness and track smarts... then you start arguing about # of titles. You're a scatter gun just hoping you'll hit something, ANYTHING I guess! Buddy, you need to go see or have seen some races in person and not just watch(ed) from your easy chair.
Different era's, different bikes, different dedications to training, diet & fitness... It's the same unprovable argument any other sport has had for decades about the old guard vs. the new. Having seen all of these guys race in person... even guys like DeCoster, Weil, Lackey, Pomeroy, Staten, Smith, LaPorte, Glover, etc., having talked with them, been around them, behind the scenes back then and today up to and including 2012, I'll stand by my Villopoto comment and say your comment was a stupid one. Pound for pound, RV could compete and beat any of the greats in the world, past or present, on any given day in any era. Like-wise, so too might some of them beat him. You can't argue such an obvious truth, and expect anyone to take anything else you say seriously. Your assessment just makes you look uneducated in your knowledge of the sport and the riders that have dominated it over the years. Anyone who witnessed Villopoto's MXoN/MX2 class domination 5 years ago at Budds Creek could see this kid comin' into his own. That was a clinic of a performance..., pre-Aldon Baker no-less.
Even if Villopoto were in the old era of 40 minute Motos on sub-par machinery, with his work(out) ethic, RV would still be fighting for P1, week in and week out. He's as mentally and physically prepared as anyone who has ever lined up on the starting gate at a Pro MX/SX race. Stanton was arguably one of the all time greats; not taking anything away from him. I'm just not sure why you're dumping on RV so much, but if you really want to count titles too, RV already has Stanton beat..., but so what. Records are made to be broken. In the mean time the fitness level challenge (on the track is the only place it counts in the MX/SX record books) you issued is moot. RV doesn't have the knees to run half marathons, but like only a hand-full of others (Hannah & Barnett come to mind immediately) Villopoto is as fast at the end of a moto, if not faster than/as he was at the start.
Stanton had a great Pro career: 6 championships, 37 overall Pro Victories (20 MX, 17 SX)... not too shabby. Helluva Racer. Hats off to him.
But at age 24, with 11 championships [one 250 Supercross title, three 250 Motocross titles, two 450 Supercross titles, one 450 Motocross title and four Motocross of Nations titles] and 49 overall Pro Victories to his credit, I'd say the freckle-faced, red-headed Leprechaun from Washington you described as having a school-girl level of fitness and cool-headedness on the track, as compared to Jeff Stanton, is doing just fine, with or without your blessings.
It sickens me that people would consider to place Stewart ahead of Reed and RV ahead of both of them. Total lack of respect. As for the RC MC debate....I didn't like either of them, but there is only one King of supercross, and we all know who he is.
@ Motoxscript-wow powerful post there! I think you have trumped the opponent.
Moto-
You remembered my comment from several weeks ago, which means that you obviously have a personal interest invested in RV. I really didnt mean to offend you, or take anything away from RV.. this bench racing is more for fun, but since you got the hair up on my neck, let me finish what I was saying.
RV is an awesome racer, but his legendary races on the 250F MX of Nations and other titles are not what we are discussing, and in terms of FITNESS a rider doesnt need as much training riding the little bikes (sans Jason Lawrence). When Villipoto got on the big bike, it was no secret that he struggled.. He was pretty fortunate that Reed crashed, and Dungey broke down twice in his Outdoor title quest, because at the beginning of the season he was so out of shape he barely made the podium.
You are absolutely correct that Ryan has the absolute talent and speed to win against any era, nobody can argue that.. I love watching Ryan ride a bike and I am fan so my Red-Head comment was more of a jab at hoping HALF the field isnt hurt again in another title chase with RV having a free run.
I am a pretty educated guy, pretty well rounded, and yes.. I pay attention. With no hesitiation, do I put more weight on Stantons 3 titles and his FITNESS as a reason that he won them. (my original statement) Stanton being a man, in terms of Villipoto and todays riders spoiledness.. after races they soak in ICE tubs, hire trainers to rub their little arms for them before a moto, make them lemonade with some special carbodydrate them will enhance their performance, wake them up in the morning and tell them they need to train, and tell them just how great they are for the low prices of $100,000. PLUS their bikes are 100x better than what previous eras had to ride.. making fitness even less of an issue.
Stanton had NONE of that in his career. He grew up on a farm, was self motivated to train, didnt have team green sending him countless factory level bikes as a kid along with big checks, and when JMB showed up he was forced to test and train by himself. He didnt complain, he just went out and won.
My theory as for the 45 Victories that RV has may, or may not hold water. Reed, RV, Stewart all have raced in an Era where the competition isnt nearly as close as it was 20 years ago. 20 years ago, all 20 riders (including Jeff) FINISHED their race seasons. There were 9 - 12 riders capable of winning every weekend with terrific speed. Todays era, NEVER do the top 5 riders finish a season, and aside the top 5 nobody else is capable of winning! It only stands to reason that a rider can win 10 races in a season now, because it sure wasnt as easy back then.. which makes Bradshaw's run of 9 spectacular.
I would say that RV has had 100x the ball massaging in his career at 24, than Stanton has or ever will have in his lifetime. I am willing to bet if you put RV in Stantons shoes from his beginning of time, he would be hard pressed or very lucky to end up where he is now, because he would have to do it ON his own.. and without Aldon he wouldnt have any premier titles.. (again, not taking anything away from him because he has talent in spades, just making a comment about his OWN personal resolve vs. Stanton).
So, my comment that Stantons toughness and stamina would widdle away at RV if they were in the same ERA racing against eachother probably holds water. Stanton was a pretty intimidating dude...
I tend to agree with rick amatuzio. After watching inside the outdoors, the top 5 riders in both classes have the funds for excellent trainers, etc..Not to take anything from Villopoto. He has worked hard! But,the rest of the pack and the pack of the past....mentally and physically pushed through it every weekend without the huge entourage.
@rick amatuzio--YES, RV has won a title with EVERYONE healthy at the end.. the 2011 supercross title was that way.. Reed 2nd, Dungey 3rd and Stewie 4th.. All healthy..RV even won the outdoor title that year and started off the season with the flu.. Still won.. And 2012 everyone was healthy until Reed went down, but he was trailing RV in points anyway.. Stewie and Dungey healthy, and RV wrapped up the title early.. What else do you want the guy to do??? Is that STRAIGHT UP enough for ya??
And NO, I wouldnt put him ahead of Stanton or RJ--yet. He has two titles, puts him in the company of Reed and Stewie though.. They have two also.. Hannah and Stanton have 3 each, until RV gets a third, he isnt at thier level yet..But I feel he will get it this year..
And I feel alot of guys are getting injured more is because of the speeds at which they have to ride to win, period.. The tracks are more dangerous than they used to be because they are built to accomadate the 450 bikes and all the horsepower... The jumps are bigger, the whoops are way bigger, and the speeds are higher.. And yes, the 2011 season all top riders were healthy when RV won..He was leading in 2012 when Reed went out anyways..Same when Dungey was injured. And RV wrapped up early, dont blame him for Reed and Dungey crashing, he was leading when they crashed.
And just because he has Aldon doesnt mean squat.. RV still is the one who has to go out and do the work.. Aldon cant run for him, ride his bike for him, or lift weights for him.. RV still has to do it.. Just because he hired him to coach him on the better ways to get into shape, he still has to put in the work.. Period, nobody can do that for him.. I guess Ricky Carmichael didnt really earn his title and all his win from all the hard work and hour he put in either because he hired Aldon to train him also??? Bullsh%t.. Thats silly.. They still have to put in the work to get there.. The trainer tells you how to get there, whether you get there or not is still up to you...
I see both points.. If you hire a trainer because you don't know HOW to train that's one thing.. If you hire him because you need someone to push you, that's different all together.
If RV won straight up that's fine, not really my main point. I thought Dungey had 2 dnfs, and Stewart didn't race but I could be wrong. Didn't Dungey lose by only 10 pts and he ran out of gas, plus he bike would t start? Guess I don't remember. Also I thought he derailed a chain and broke his collar one, only losing by 10.
I can't knock RV, the dude is awesome. This kinda got outta control, I just wanted to say Stanton was tougher and came from a tougher era. No air conditioned semis and fancy diets. It was all self discipline.
Is it fair to hire Aldon? Yes..but now Motocross is just like every other sport where he who has the most money wins. Wasn't always like that.
A week ago, I was going to be angry if Stanton was #8 behind RV and JS. Today, I just hope he isn't #8 cause I don't want you two telling me I was wrong and "told ya so"! Then I have to lower my head in shame.
Both great racers. But I gotta stick behind my belief that Stanton was better.. If RV wins this year, then I would put him at #4 or 5.
By the way, RC beat Stewart hands down, entire series, no injuries.. Best Reed that way too.. Even lapped the field. That's as legit As it gets.
@Rick - my take is that it is tough to know, let alone compare, how "self-motivated" the top riders are.
Resources are something you can compare within an era but not across eras, be that bikes and support on the way up, or in training techniques of that era.
Stanton had more "help" than people might generally acknowledge. In the 80's and 90's, trainers weren't used as a full time resource like they are today. Team Honda hired Jeff Spencer in the 80's and that created a base level of knowledge about training for Team Honda's domination in that era because no other teams made a similar investment. No doubt that some of Spencer's training techniques and schedules were passed along to Jeff Stanton by word of mouth. Also, I believe Jeff's wife is a physical therapist, so he had access to a another source of knowledge related to the body and training. He used the information he had available and a LOT of determination, motivation, and hard work to train as much and as hard as his body would allow along with a LOT of laps doing practice motos. In that era, a little knowledge and a LOT of work went a long way unless you have so much natural talent that it doesn't matter - see JMB.
In today's world, a lot of knowledge from a competent trainer AND a lot of work, but smart work, under the guidance of a trainer is what it takes. And hard work is an ante to the game. The Coach Seiji article from yesterday is a good example of how a coach can get and keep a top rider at a desired fitness level for the appropriate duration and at the appropriate time in the season. For RV to not use a trainer and not use today's "best practices" would be to disadvantage himself against his competition - if you want to win titles, why would you do that? And using those resources doesn't necessarily make you "less motivated" or less "tough" or "spoiled". It could, because the structure is provided for the rider. But regardless of having the knowledge and the structure, it's the rider that actually has to do the work, and you have to have motivation to do that work faithfully, week in and week out, year in and year out.
The next area for teams to invest will be in hiring riding coaches. Given geography, I can easily see The Professor working with team JGR. You heard it hear first. lol.
@mofo - sorry for restating your point. I started my reply about 2 hours ago but got pulled to other things before I finished.
I've been spending too much time in the Vault! Since when did MC win the 1990 125sx title? Was there a recount of points recently? Ty Davis won the west coast 125SX in 1990. He was also the last guy to beat MC for like 10 years!!! Maybe a story on the one hit wonders of 125 SX stardom???
I agree with your post very much.. But I am still adamant that riders are getting spoiled. Look at Nico Izzy and what the industry did to him. I guess MY point is that let's say Davey Combs was very poor, but had talent in spades. He was much better than RV.. However Davey could not afford to make it to Lorretas or afford a new bike. Davey would never get to fully realize his talent, but while RV is getting whatever he wants, it's unlikely he could fail no matter what. I know your saying life isn't fair, but I like the Stanton type stories where a working man made it to the top.
If Stanton received more help than I realize, that's fine. He still wasn't paying huge sums of money to a trainer. But your right, if it works it works. In the end of this never ending debate, "he who succeeds the most while given the least, is most impressive. "
The Vault is missing all kinds of information and misprints. I know about 6 people from our district that raced nationals that it doesn't even list.
@rick - I see your point as well. Current riders have lots of structure in place to succeed. Which of them would still succeed without it? Some would and some would not. Trainers, team managers, and insiders might know, but not us.
Since I don't know the specifics about what happened with Izzy I can't comment.
@Rick--not to jump in here--but 90% of the things you mentioned about Dungey happened outdoors.. His bike didnt start at Southwick, ran out of fuel in Texaas at Freestone.. And its hard to make up 10 points in supercross if the Champ is getting 2nds and thirds if he doesnt win.. RV won his titles all "Straight Up" I hate that term,, if they all start at the same time, then the race is straight up.. What happens during those 20 laps happens, its still a straight up race... But I do agree, Stanton was a bad dude.. And he should be ahead of RV--Reed--And Stewie, and anyone else who doesnt have 3 titles like he does..
Stanton rode for factory Honda correct?? He got plenty of help and the latest of everything, believe me.. Factory Honda was the top of the heap
@rickamatuzio
Congrats on Stanton's P8. He truly is Very worthy of a top ten slot. Still, all things being equal (P/U truck/vans or 18 wheelers, personal trainers or alarm clock trainers, lottery sized budgets or privateer budget, it's all a wash. What era a rider was born in(to) is just luck and often a blessing. Some might have been better if only... Some maybe not so much. Who can really say?
Whether you were born on a farm or into a family with an unlimited bag of money, next to the PW50 waiting for you beside your baby crib... none of it matters in the end. Desire, Heart, Sacrifice are what all of these guys possess.
Nobody gets to a factory ride without having those attributes in spades -and something extra that makes them special. We all witness it on the track every few years... always one or two guys who just have that special something... I don't even have to name names; we can all recall such riders over the years.
Hundreds have been at the gate, many are accomplished, some have won, but only a handful become Champions. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Bring on A1.
@rickamatuzio
Comparing Stanton to Villopoto is like comparing Hannah to Baily. They are all great champions. Hannah and Stanton had way more desire than talent (this is there words not mine) there work effort made their careers. Baily and Villopote have extreme talent and learned the value of extreme training through their championships. Same outcome different ways of getting there. Champions are champions for a reason, they work hard race hard and win a lot. Comparing them through the years is a mute point. What made Hannah a champion back in the day would make him a champion today and likewise with all other champions past or present.
My 2 cents. COME ON A1!