The Moment: RV Opens The Door
Tuesday, January 8, 2013 | 2:30 PM
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PrintConsider the 19 other riders on the gate for Monster Energy Supercross the variables, and Ryan Villopoto the constant. While the likes of Trey Canard and Davi Millsaps overachieved based on expectations, and Ryan Dungey and Chad Reed seemed a little more reserved, and James Stewart serving up both good and bad on the same night (as is often the case), 'ole RV did exactly what was expected of him. He hauled ass. Straight up. We're talking super fast from the first time bikes rolled out on the track. He was fastest in the first timed practice, second fastest behind James Stewart in the second, and then went on an absolute tear through the pack in his heat race, erasing all of Justin Barcia's massive lead to nearly run him down over the final two laps.
Before the main, the story really was shaping up as “Can anyone stop Ryan Villopoto?” He grabbed the same inside gate Eli Tomac had used to get a great start and roll off with the 250SX win. And even when he blew the start, victory still seemed possible considering how much ground he ate up in his eight-lap heat. But then it started to come unraveled. About the time Villopoto got to the top ten, he couldn't find running room, stuck in a torrid battle at mid-pack. All of his lines were taken away, and at one point, while battling Josh Grant, the champ ended up off the track.
RV opened the door with a 16th at the opener.
Simon Cudby photo
Okay, chances of winning were pretty much gone after that, but they were dashed for good when he landed on a Tuff Block at about the same time he was passing Stewart. It was a big crash, and he even got up hobbling a bit. Later, he crashed again, but the damage was already done by the first one.
Many great stories emerged from Anaheim, chief among them the performances of Millsaps and Canard. But had Villopoto holeshot the main event and put his crazy speed to work, the supercross landscape could look much different right now. After two-straight Anaheim 1 wins, the champ will now have to build a comeback, a much different scenario for him, and for everyone else.
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Gotta admit.....I was losing my mind in the heat race....he was rampaging! I lost my mind again in the main....when he gave everyone else a whole bunch of hope!
If he keeps his head the next 16 rounds are gonna be epic. With all the talent in this class this will likely be the best series we've seen in a while and that's saying something.
RV blew it!! He had to know that JS was hurt so that meant all he had to do was get a solid start, move through the pack and take the win. I believe he expects riders just to move over. He could of passed JB in the heat race but he didn't, why? Because he now knows that its not gonna be that easy. I definitely agree, if he gets his straight the next 16 rounds will be oober epic!!
I have no idea what will transpire and things are shaping up for an interesting SX season. However, I do want to point out something RV did immediately after the race. After crashing four times and removing his right glove during the race, RV took time to stop after the finish line, extend his hand, and shake the hand of Millsaps on a job well done. That is class.
I think alot of guys were happy for Millsaps. What's the deal with his relationship with his mother? obviously it went bad but for some reason Fuel won't let us Canucks watch the Inside the Outdoors videos.......real bummer because I really enjoy them.
So far in my short memory of Supercross only Rick Johsnon and Hannah have been able to blow through the pack to first. Am I wrong? I lknow Johnson went from fist to last for shure! They were both calm cool and did it with complete control. Ya cannot hit the panic button! Maybe RV is the fastest wont do any good unless ya can be paitent. RJ was Hannah was not, Then they did not get mad cause they blew by them and kept going. RV nneeds to settle down. I thought the kawie's were supposed to be good? Win, Crash or Break will not make it this year! I know the top guys want the tracks harder for them so thye are gonna have to deal with it for now. Lets see what happens when we hit Datona?
Yes RV is a class act guy . But he did have a ruff night . It just did not go his way. I am a Dungey fan but I know that RV will be a force this year and if he did get the holeshot at the race it would be him standing on the #1 spot.
It just goes to show, bad things can happen with a bad start, even to Villopoto. That is why, so often RC or Emig bring it up as, the key to the race. For 2013, magnify that by 10, as there are ten guys who think they can win,so no one is going to just move over and let you by the first few laps. RV may have been the first to experience this phenomenon, but he will not be the last.
My question to all of you is: Should Feld bring the two main feature to Supercross?
They could run the 450sx Main - 250sx Main - 450sx Main..all 15 lap races. It think it would result in more intense racing as they would sprint start to finish plus still reward the rider who is in the best shape..with the added benefit of seeing additional excitement from the extra gate drop and first corner action...(Keep 250sx at one main)
If RV got the holeshot and took off do you think any of the other top guys would have made a run for him? That is the question, I think that they are all looking at what happened last year and taking this race by race. Look at Bubba he went out and got points to stay in the championship hunt. Now not to say if Reed or Dungey was right there with him they would have not taken a chance and raced him down for the win. And you have to put Bubba in there if his knee was not messed up, he did have the fastest lap in practice and can beat RV.
But also we do not need to take this win away from DM18 with this talk about RV not having a great race, because him and TC41 had a battle to see who was the best that night. Like I said before who is to say DM18 does not beat RV if he stays up all race. If DM18 comes out next week and finishes in the top 10 I think he will have a great season
Yeah funny RV gets all this crap about his ego and how c0cky he is Guess who road right by milsaps and didnt even look at him ? yes thats right mr. unsportsman ryan dungey, mike alessi practically had to hump his leg to get a hand shake at washougal whats up with that?
BD25 I am for 2 mains. Not as many as MEC, but 2 would work great and keep it exciting. And RV/Alessi/Tickle might have been able to salvage the night.
but I guess dungey didnt shake his hand because he was mad he got 3rd while villopoto stopped and congradulated him after getting 17th and getting alll busted up in the process hmm some of you should re-think your opinions of certain guys out there
yeah but alessi is a toolbag.
2 mains wont work, cut into profits
sx is a "show" put on by the monster truck crowd
13minute mains? wtf
its all bout the $
the best that the big 5 or 6 could hope for is random nights (if it were random) were a guy like milsaps comes out of nowhere and snags a win its better for each of them if its not gonna be them that it not be one of the others either
It's going to be tough for anyone if they get a bad start, especially on the "easy" tracks. You got guys in 10 or 12th that are well supported, and have been on the podium before.
Yup, that tuff block sure did a good job of softening the hit from the crash that it caused. Look at MX, how many times to guys go off the track a little and not crash? The tuff block is what really ruined his night, he put himself in a bad spot sure, but his race was salvageable until that point. Not to mention trying to find a gap in them to get back on the track. I'm more excited for next week than A1!
DM and TC proved to have competitive speed. RD and JB couldn't catch up and both made mistakes trying. Could a healthy JS or RV with a better start have gone Tomac fast and caught them? Maybe, but I think we'll see DM and TC on more podiums this season.
@jeramey, I think you are missing an important fact in your criticism of Dungey. Unlike RV in 16th, Dungey in 3rd would be standing next to Millsaps on the podium in about 5 minutes where he could and did congratulate him.
As to Alessi, I think there are a lot of hard feelings among many riders toward the Alessi crew but mostly what Tony has said about other riders. Tony and Mike made very disparaging comments about Dungey signing with KTM as Mike and Tony were being shown the door. Mike has come a long way in being a good guy but bad behavior and insults are not soon forgotten.
MY point was just that RV gets a lot of crap from people because they assume things but he's actually a good guy most guys if they had RV's night would have went straight to the pits pissed off
If "if's and but's" were candy and nuts, my uncle would be my aunt. Get over it, Super-human Villopoto didn't win and there is no scenario that has him coming back and winning the past. He'll have to show what he's got at Phoenix.....................if he can get around Milsaps.
Exactly how many "the moment(s)" did Villo have anyways? Three? Four? He "opened the door" so many times, they should've installed a revolving door.
@Jeramy - #800 did try and hump his leg for a hug in WA. Pure comedy. Somebody hug me!
haha yeah he sure did
Tuff blocks are definitely a concern. There were tuff block "issues" last year and they have done nothing to improve / address the situation.
Somehow pinning them down could be a solution, but would the pinning down cause another problem? Hay bales didn't move around like tuff blocks, but cost / service life of tuff blocks makes them the default winner there. Is tying them all together in sections where the track shouldn't be entered anyway a partial (half-azz) solution? What about a plastic water-fillable base that can be attached and keep them semi-stable and from being blown onto the track? I hear China makes plastic widgets for next to nothing, certainly cheaper than a lawsuit.
I also think S-canning the tuff-block covers is a stroke of genius. What's the cost difference between painting the sponsors on them (yes, right over last years' sponsor) or the printing / painting on the covers which must be bought as well? I could name a dozen racers whose night / body / career could've been better off without covers for the tuff blocks.
RV is only 15 points out of this. no big deal when you have RV speed!!
.Yes I know he is really 20 points behind Saps but in my mind RD is the points leader so RV is only 15 behind him.
@jonr145: perfectly stated!
I don't think RV is going to throw the towel in, That was just the moto gods, reminding him, its still a motorcycle race. Lucky it wasn't a real disaster, Broken whatever..... Regroup, exercise a lil patience, he'll be right back in it. I felt sorry for him after the 3rd, and 4th....problem.......
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BillC wrote:
"RV is only 15 points out of this. no big deal when you have RV speed!!"
But you have to agree with all the talent this year it's going to be very hard for one rider to rack up big points in a hurry over everyone else. You will not see the tile wrapped up 4 rounds early this year!
If Villopoto looks as panicked in the next 16 rounds as he did in that A1 main- I dont think he is gonna get it done this year.
Go RV!!! Bad night for him at a1 makes this season even more exciting
Lilnuts2 for sure it is a deep class this year. RV can make up them points just as fast as he lost them. Everyone will have at least one bad race this year.
.WFO_UFO ... I don't think RV panicked...RV is known for handleing pressure better than almost anyone. I think it was a combination of things that lead to his bad night but panicking was not one of them..
Anybody who thinks RV is not still the man to beat is an idiot. Hell remember 2011? Missed a whole round and still won the title.
As far as his personality, WHO CARES. I'm interested in his riding.
As for Millsaps, 1 win does not make up for years of half-assed results. He still has much to prove. And good luck to him. It would be great to see him live up to his potential.
@dungeypoto, you can watch inside the outdoors on youtube. Just give'r a search.
I've been saved! By Jesus......thanks man.
@carlsbad...come Phoenix....insert your head in revolving door here......SLAM...signed #1...you're correct on the tuff blocks though..the covers HAVE to go......theres got to be a better way...signed Canard. jonR145...your posts make so much sense and are so on point I had to go back and read them again to make sure i'm not dreamin.....!.....if RV1 rides like that heat, which might be the fastest i've ever seen..will be TROUBLE......that was some stuff boss....flat LEAN'in on it.....the Hollywood of A1 is over...time for bizness....we'll see how happy the haters are next week...personally I hope its 4 wide in the last corner...the sport needs it.
I for 1 predicted on this forum Villo wouldnt get er dun....I've always stated that Villo "expects" racers to just get out of the way...and when he tried that BS on Grant he was put over the berm. Its about time these other guys weren't so "star-struck". SO happy for Millsaps and Canard. Was excited to see someone else up on the podium. Gonna be a great season for sure.
With davi's win and bubba's impressive start of the outdoor season it's becoming quite apparent the best way to "up your game" is to not ride a Yamaha. I hope it works for sipes and izzi as well.
RV will dominate Phoenix.
@ tonewall, I'm just clowning the posters that are polishing RV's third SX crown already.
All said about RV is true / untrue. His speed is stuff of legend, he's super aggressive. Great. This WAS with a "fast five" oops, make that "fast four"......oops "fast three". You get the point.
RV has not only new speed to deal with, he's got new depth and new racers.
I don't feel the 2X champ is going to walk all over this new field like some have predicted. Too many fast dudes, too many bikes to pass if bad start / "door openings" and he has little experience racing against rookie Barcia, relative newbie Canard and add in suprises like Milsaps and his game board has changed significantly. Add "the weight of the plate" and I will say this, IF he does do the three-peat, every one of his superlatives will be well deserved.
Also, I wouldn't give two squirts of piss for how challenging the tracks are "supposed" to be. The best racing is with ALL the racers on the track. Keep the tracks safe and the racing will take care of itself. Nobody pays to see the track, they're paying for the talent.
Vintage....just thought I'd let you know your post was stupid! RV generally doesn't need anyone to get out of his way....just roosts by them.....BBBBBBBBBBBBBRAP
@ dungeypoto you took the words right out of my mouth. I wasn't aware that trying to pass someone in a corner was a BS move. If he expected Grant to just "move out of the way" wouldn't he have hit him? It's amazing some people can even watch the race when their heads up their own ass.
Let's all be real here- Villy cracked up and lost his cool and composure this first race. Bottom line..
^^^^
absolutely....just wouldn't count on him doing it again any time soon.... him and RD to be battling for the points lead by round 10......
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2kfoTHLJgo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYvTmDkt8xM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmZ1j1Ze2MI
just watch these and remember he clinched the title 3 races early it aint over till its over
Round 10 eh? that's Daytona villypota. Jim will win that one for sure!
we were at the races and davey looked smooth and fast all day. all the guys looked good and the racing was great all the way thru the pack. i dont normally post kinda fun reading all of yours.
its going to be a great year from what i saw!
No question RV has got game, that being said the biggest reason he caught JB in the heat was the quad, if you multiply .1 or .2 x 20 laps that is a gap of 2 to 4 seconds not a huge lead when you toss is a bad start, traffic, mistakes and lappers. 5 guys were consistently in that range which at the end of a race means a blanket could be tossed over the leaders. 1 second per lap is a different story that allows for trouble to be overcome but Saturday you had to to go deep on the field for that big of a difference. Here's to a great year shaping as long as they all don't push too hard given the equality.
Villo hurt his knee when he crashed and will release a statement.
I get tired of the shoulda coulda woulda's. Come on Jason I cannot believe you are going here with this, "But had Villopoto holeshot ..." narrative. What if RD would have holeshot? What if JS would have holeshot? You get my point. This is racing and even the champ can have bad luck. He had it at MEC and then didn't even finish the races after his fans waited for months to see him race. The 450 class is stacked with talent and RV is not going to runaway with this title this year. At present he is 20 points back. It is going to be hard to make up that many points quickly in a class with this much talent. Bottom line is people need to stop the "shoulda coulda woulda" thing. I heard it all last year in MX with Stewart. This may be the year we see 7 different race winners.
I see RV, RD, JS, CR, JB, TC, as additional race winners this year, and of course you can't count out when Tomac or Roczen jumps to the big bikes in the east rounds
@cbad...I could not agree more on the tracks.....the racing was the best its been in a long while and I believe it will just get better with less air ,less radical whoops and good corners....air is for show..turns are for dough...lol..i believe is what the man said....RV will do what RV does....! for being an RV fan I was standing and screamin for Canard and was very glad Davy and his ZOOK won..lol..deserved it and it sure didn't look like a fluke to me. Those guys were haulin...gonna be a great season if they keep the safer tracks.....
every damn year A1 gives us something different, unexpected and awesome without fail!
other sports out there can suck it..
Just watching the race I was sweating so the amount of stress these guys need to control and confidence they all must carry to the start gate is bloody ridiculous..
Villo blew up in his main but he was the clear favorite going in so all the pressure was on him... much more than was on any of the other top 5 guys....can you really blame the guy for blowing up this once.
I reckon this week just as he's done in the past he'll re-callaborate and most likely use his anger to dominate!
I don't think this coming weekend will be much fun for those other boys in the top 5.
RV will Be back no problem. May be this will be the year of the impossible. Maybe 2013 MIllsaps or Canard can run away with the title. Boy that would be nice to seeDM or Trey someone unexpected to actually win it
Momentum really helps in this sport. Alessi and Millsaps were the only riders to race every main event in Sx 2012 and they both looked good at A1. alessi got 3rd in his heat race and was running top ten b4 crash. Well that 2013 suzuki 450 is the real deal
The problem for Villipoto is he's crashed out of his last three races. You can poo poo it all you want, but it has to be in the back of his mind. Even his team must be saying the same thing, "slow down, get a good finish." That will get in your head. So long as he's healthy he should be fine. If he's dinged up.... problem.
RV is still the man to beat...but I remember last season he had some things go his way. I watched him jump compleatley off the track on that same triple that Canard broke his back on. Lucky that he didnt land on something bad. You saw how simple the mistake that caused his knee injury. He could have done the same thing in any one of his A1 wrecks last week. He is the fastest but he better be carefull.
It's the first race of a long, long series.
As someone from the PNW, Villopoto's Saturday Night at A1 was not well received. He does a pretty good job of keeping to himself whether he wins or loses and I appreciate that quality in him as a person, a rider and a Champion.
This sport (SX) is so buried in hype from it's inception back in the day and getting more so each and every event, that there is little wonder why and how each and every swingin appendage that makes the, "Big Show" could (not) be victim to a door opening (or closing) situation.
We can beat each other up on these boards 24/7 about all the reasons for a riders demise whether it be; Tuff Blocks and their covers. Narrow tracks. Limited space for track layouts and design. Not enough jumps. Too many jumps. Not enough Main events, Too many qualifiers etc, etc. And it is all for one reason, our sport is in a constant flux of evolution from an out-door sport, to an indoor sport. That is a reality, not an perception of, but the real enchilada.
And the last I checked we still live in a democracy and are potential influences on future legislative decisions that will influence this sport through those who control the strings that dangle this new indoor puppet of SX.
@BD25; I like your idea of two mains to create a more (fair) traditional concept of the origin of the sport. However, with the history of injuries from man-made tracks and space constraints of just being in-doors, I would be leary of the risk of (just one) more potential means of accident. As it is now, I cringe through these events hoping they (all) make it out alive. Although this years track design seemed a little (less) over the top, and that is a good thing, in my opinion.
@Carlsbad; Tuff Blocks, the constant evil that rears it's not so pointed little head each and every time a rider comes in contact with one. It is a necessary evil because of why, space, safety, and the almighty advertising $$$. "Silk Screening" the actual block is a great idea, so why has nothing been done since the Canard/Morais catastrophe. Not enough oil on the squeak, which is a terrible excuse. Both Villopoto, and Trickle (again) just barely escaped without serious injury on Saturday. Each and every event seems to add another victim.
Who at Feld needs to be oiled a little more to rectify this situation...
In summary, this is our sport, and I believe we (collectively) have the tools to make it better. Don't you...
No one went out and said it but Villopoto did not go off his line, that tuff block was right in the way- probably the bad luck more likely to happen midpack but he had nowhere to avoid the tuff block.
if i remember right..at the monster cup rv was flying threw the air like a cat and landed on a tuff block which probably saved his butt?? its a tough call! someone should do a study, obama will fund it
if i remember right..at the monster cup rv was flying threw the air like a cat and landed on a tuff block which probably saved his butt?? its a tough call! someone should do a study, obama will fund it