Monday Conversation: Ryan Villopoto
Monday, January 21, 2013 | 6:30 AM
Alpinestars has been delivering performance of the highest level on the motocross tracks of the world for almost 50 years. Racing on Sunday and developing on Monday is a way of life at Alpinestars. Welcome to the Racer X Monday Conversation.
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PrintLooks like Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto is just fine. While a few crashes at the opening rounds left the two-time and defending SX champ back in points, he has been showing the speed that carried him to the front for the last two years. At round three in Anaheim, that speed garned him a win.
Racer X: People freak out the first two races. Were you worried at all?
Ryan Villopoto: No. It’s always a bummer. Not that I was worried, because the speed was there. No questions there. Just being consistent and kind of getting things set up.
But you kind of knew it was coming. It wasn’t like, oh, man, we’re in trouble.
No. I’ve done it before. It’s just kind of getting a good start. I don’t care really how good you are -- if you’re outside really top 8, top 10 you’re not really going to do much, especially with all the guys in the back. It’s not safe to ride back there.
RV won for the first time in 2013 at Anaheim 2 on Saturday.
Simon Cudby photo
Yeah. It’s always hectic the first couple of laps. You’ve got to take your time. Chad [Reed] actually got around me and then I was able to get him back. So I thought the track was a really good racing track. If they wouldn’t have changed that rhythm section over there, we would have had a 3-3-4. Like you come into that turn, you go 300 feet and you touch twice. That’s a lot. There’s nothing going to stop our bike from jumping the jumps, the rhythms that are out there. So I really liked what they did over there. They slowed it down, made it better for racing, I thought [Note: track builders put in a small bump out of a corner to slow them entering the rhythm lane]. Obviously I won so I’m partial to it [the track]. But I thought it was good. And it’s also safer.
What about that wall in the whoops? Is that the same type of thing? Just trying to stop you?
Yeah. We talked about it today. Instead of making it so small make it maybe a little beefier, but still make it steep. So we roll up on it and kind of get over it.
Like land on top of it.
Yeah, I thought it was good, though.
Villopoto sits fourth in points after three rounds.
Simon Cudby photo
So you kind of just waited, bided your time until it was crazy and then…
Yeah, get to make a few little passes. I got passed, like I said, and then had to move forward.
Is there more to do? Are you there yet or are there still things you feel like you could work on?
As a factory we’re always working and making things better. It’s easy right now because we’re on the West Coast and the team’s right here. So we’ll keep definitely working on things. And then once we go back East, by then we should have everything kind of pretty much buttoned up.
And finally, this week did you make big changes or was it more just the race worked out for you?
No, we’d made changes. Like I said, being the factory that we’re all right here on the West Coast it’s easy to make changes. They’re never stopping and we’re never stopping to try to improve. So, yeah, we made some changes this week and it was good.
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"No, we made changes." So, did the dial in the air fork or put the spring ones back in? Head and shoulders better than the last two weeks.
Come on Jason... That iterview sucked big time, thats all you could come up with ??????
The track made for good racing on TV. They need to stop thinking everyone just goes to watch dirtcycles fly through the air. We go to watch a race, not a stunt show.
Well that went pretty much exactly as I said it would for RV. Now the biggest question of all, can anyone challenge him when he has another night like this? Because you know Villopoto isn't going to back down at all now that he seems a bit more comfortable.
All he has to do is keep it off the ground. Hands down the best guy out there at this point. He Passed Short, Reed, Saps, Wiemer, Canard and LEFT them. Should have the Red plate back in two more weeks. What was up with RD again?? 2nd fastest times in the afternoon but could not pass anyone. Even Fro made fun of him for "finaly" getting by Short!!
There is a reason why Ryan Villopoto is the two time defending champion in supercross. We got a little reminder of that Saturday night, Ryan is simply the best rider in a very talented field, his line choice, corner speed, passing skills, and the overall "attack the track" riding style put him in a class by himself. RV could dominate field, if he gets the starts each week. That is not a knock on the rest of the riders, as they are amazing, it is more a testament to how good the Firecracker is on a supercross track. He has that McGrath style mystique, that makes the other riders settle for 2nd, once he gets around them.
Should we just hand him the trophy, title and championship bonus right now? Hardly, as there is a lot of racing yet to go, and several of the riders are capable of picking up their pace and grabbing a win. Trouble is unless Ryan suffers some misfortune, poor starts or bike trouble, I don't think they can collectively win as many races as Ryan will. He may not be your favorite rider, but he is one of the best all time supercross riders...IMHO...
The Beast was out this weeknd for sure - made it look easy/boring.
That 250 race was cool to watch.
Happy for Whindam - thought the timing was right.
BillC Since you ask, what is up with RD, let me offer my opinion. Ryan has the speed and talent to run with any one, we have all seen that, but for what ever reason, I don't think he has the C&C.
From what I have heard about Ryan is he can be guilty of over thinking and getting lost in the testing side. I think the continual swapping of the rear shock has him wondering to much. Dungey does not appear comfortable, and with that, doubt can creep in and when your not confident, you can see performances like that one on Saturday night. It is hard to press, still a wheel in on some one, if your not sure what the bike will do.
I think KTM needs to settle on on shock and go with it, let RD get comfortable with it and progress from there. Ryan always rides inside his comfort zone, right now that zone has shrunk. They need to do what ever it takes, to raise the ceiling on that zone, until RD1 and KTM get Dungeys Comfort and Confidence level back up, the Locomotive will have an up hill climb...IMHO
What is C&C? Cash and Collections??
RV was still running the air forks, which btw are MASSIVE. The tubes look like they are off of a ZX-10 not a dirt bike. But he switched from fat bars back to the Renthal Twin walls. Dungey might be lost in set up and testing, but even if he wasn't he still isn't an aggressive rider. Period. People reference his charge outdoors when his bike wouldn't start. But a #1 guy SHOULD be ripping through the pacl like that. Passing from last to inside the top 10 is great, But with this field you have to MAKE stuff happen. RV does, Barcia does, Reed does, Milsaps does, TC does. All the top guys except Dungey. RV could go on a tear if he gets starts. I think him and Barcia are the men right now. Such a good season
RV was riding so well....carrying alot of speed.....noticeable over the others...
i agree with above comments on RD his clearly not a happy bunny!!!... the pace is very fast this yr.... u cant be on a bike ur second guessing!! i know if im on a bike and im unshore what it will do i back it down!!! any level this sport is all about confidence!!!
CR just creeping in there...i expect a win from him very soon
TC is keeping it on 2 wheels and we all know when he does his fast!!
JS7 same old crap yellow bike
JB speed n starts cant take that away...but nw he ant the only fast guy!!
DM wow!!! so happy for him...been along time coming...his got what RD is missing!!! confidence!!! he believes he belongs there!!! suks factory suzuki arnt backing him...waste of parts on that no7!!!
RV will defend his title reed 2nd TC 3rd my crystal ball says so!!! lol
I just sent $100 to RD.
So he can buy a start next weekend.
Good greif. His starts have sucked this year. I think that has been one of his biggest problems.
motohead.... 100% agree...starts ever important...but still got 2 have the pace...
how long was he stuck behind short!!! i dont think its RD himself but the bike..he was faster last yr when the bike was all new!!
RD's practice time suggest his bike was working pretty good to me.....ths reality is simple. Too many aggressive guys with world class speed....not just one or two. The pace yourself and let the other guys hand it over aprroach isn't going to work....no excuses necessary.
Its hard to respect a rider like RV when you as a parent see on many different times his attitude towards your kids. Also as an american, sucks when he says he has nothing to win by going to represent his country at the MX of nations. And he kills animals as a hobby... But man can that guy ride, he should have no problems winning the sx championship.
I noticed he went back to the renthals with the cross bar even though the other bars he was using had the same bend. Wonder if he is supersticious?
ripdown...i see what your saying as far as practice lap times go...thing is im not shore he can run that pace as his average...the others step it up when the gate drops and there average isnt 2far off best... RD is better than this he dont crash that much and always starts well and finishes strong....he isnt!!
Well, RV's back on it. When do the outdoors start?
Dungey is getting crap starts so far, but he also doesn't look to be the same speed as last year in SX. He was stuck behind Short for a very long time and also did not ever get around Weimer. It is hard to ride from in the pack, but it should not take laps to find a way past Shorty. Qualifying times don't mean much as last year Brayton lead Stewart and RV at A2. Also, look at Stewart's qualifying times this year and what he does with that in the races. Bowyer said RC was a 3-5 guy in SX and unfortunately, it is starting to shape up that way. This year there is Barcia, Canard, and a rejuvenated Davi who have all shown to be faster (on top of Reed and RV). As unbeleivable as this sounds, he may only get a few podiums this year if things don't start changing.
@jimmyc
Maybe he doesn't like snot nosed little brats bugging him
Not everyone loves kids
In case you didn't guess I don't either
jimmyc261...Really?? He turned down the MXD this year for the first time EVER...WHY??? he had his ACL fixed just 5 moths before it. It would have been DUMB to go with very little time on the bike and a freash knee.
B-KR I said the same thing about RD and I get called a hater. Like I have said many times "if RD gets a start he is hard to beat but there are way to many fast guys out there this year and RD will have a hard time because he can't pass" more and more people are starting to agree.
yeah 2 be fair...RV goes to the gate 2 win!!! he knew he wasnt ready for nations...it would of been stupid 2 go!!!
BillC:
My take on RV at this point is that he just found the "zone" where he knows how fast he has to go to win this year. This zone is well below his 100% panic-speed and I think we are going to see a mistake-free series from here out (barring starts where it is a crap-shoot) as he doesn't have to go ballz-out to win. With the speed he showed for 8 laps Saturday he went around the 2nd and 3rd fastest guys on the track like they were being lapped. Then I think he just backed it down a click or even two and was still gaining a tenth or 2-tenths of a second a lap. This is where MC was when he just made it look stupid easy. I think RV is still on the incline towards peaking from where he was in 2011 and then 2012. At times he tries to win by minutes instead of seconds, and that is when he ends up with one glove on in 16th place. Now he's found that pace and it means curtains for everyone else. Only an injury will keep him from winning the title (or a DNF) and I think he is going to win the majority of the remaining races.
A stupid-ridiculous stat from A2:
Canard's fast lap was 53.467 (and he will be 2nd in Sign of the Lap Times tomorrow). RV had 7 laps that were faster than that............
@BillC--Its funny to hear you defend RV1 on his decision to not go to the MXDN, I fugured you would take Stewarts side on the story.. Yes I finally read the interview you must have been refering too on Stewie, Stewart said RV turned down the Des Nations "because it doesnt mean much to him" Which is a lie by your boy Stewart.. RV said he wasnt ready to race, and felt it wasnt fair to go since he hadnt ridden all summer and others earned the right to go instead of him..But Stewart said different.. And you wonder why I dont like Stewart, and Stewart also says , "at the end of the day I am the most popular motorcycle rider on the planet" WOW!!!! can you say giant ego?? And slams RV too..thats your boy for you BillC, know why I am not a fan now??
RV.....was quoted as saying "if the team needed him he would go.....but they don't need him"... He / they all felt the team they were sending was worthy.....although they highly underestimated the freakl show of a track they would be riding on. Look at the carnage imposed on the healthy Americans? Do ya not think that played on RV's decision given his still healing knee?
@ Jimmy .....parents who let their children have athletes for idols are highly misguided. Teach your kids to enjoy their favorite athletes and their abilities but they're not there to be idolized....they're there to entertain and compete! If you feel your kids need someone to look up to....point them in the direction of a Firefighter, cop, soldier, school teacher etc......someone who impacts human life on a daily basis.
As for Dungey, he looks to be working to prove your theory that you've been stating since 2010 BillC. So far this year, his inability to pass has really been compounded by the addition of new blood. He will be fine with a holeshot for a podium, but.... The one thought I had this week seeing Davi on a non-factory Suzuki and how he has improved, is wonder what Dungey would be doing on their factory bike (besides not cashing those KTM checks)?
Dungey has actually been trying to a a little agressive this year.. I have seen him make a little contact this season.. I do believe he overthinks stuff, instead of using a little racing instinct.. But he doesnt seem to have the speed to come through the pack like he used to.. Maybe the guys in the pack are faster also..
As a pro I got tired of people coming up to me asking question after question. Some people can stand there and ask questions for 20 minutes straight. They can also engage you in idle talk for another 20 minutes. What I found is that this kind of thing takes your mind off of the race, and winning, which is what you're there to do. On race day, you want to think about the race, and how to win it. You want to think about every rut, line, berm, jump, bump and nuance in that track, and predict how it will change. You want to think about what lines you'll take when somebody else is in your favorite line, and what line you'll take if people are in your two favorite lines. You want to think about what is off the track so that if you get stuffed you won't run into something hard and sharp. You want to think about passing lines and how to set up each of the different riders you'll have to pass on your way to the front of the pack after a bad start. You want to think about the points chase and envision every scenario and know what you must do to move up in points.
People who start talking to you are sucking the lifeblood out of your results and should be avoided.
Spectators pay the bills, true, but one should set aside only a certain amount of time to spend with them, and other than that, the rider should concentrate and be alone in his thoughts when he is not talking with his team.
The main question I hated, and still hate, is "How do you feel?" Everybody wants to ask that one. It doesn't matter how I feel. It's like a fight. You're going to fight no matter what. It doesn't matter how you feel, you're going to be in a fight and there's no avoiding it. You go in there no matter what you feel like, and you fight with whatever you bring to the table, if you have the flu or if you have diarrhea.
Some people have an auto-quesion gland that is turbocharged and prone to going WFO for long periods. Take my girlfriend for example. Please. Take her!
realmofo:
I think BillC will take RV any day over Stewart. I'm pretty sure he has RV as #1 far above anyone else. I think he even has Dungey as his 2nd favorite as do I. He has defended Stewart but I don't think it's because he's a Stew-fan.
RD is not a great passer."to say the least" That KTM does not exactly dive down into corners either. Bad combo. Agree with B-KR on a Suzook he would be clooser to the front.
SpeedShifter, nice insight. I was never a "Pro" but in my racing career I was known enough for strangers to know who I was and stop by and talk to me, wish me luck, etc. As a nobody, I can only imagine what it must be like to have a 2 hour line waiting for autographs before racing. Then every person who comes across you during the day asks for autographs too. I remember at Millville in 1996, Dowd and K-Dub were hanging out on the little Yamaha golf cart and anyone and everyone would walk past and ask for an autograph on anything they were wearing or had in hand. I remember they were signing stuff without even looking at the person or saying anything to them. Yet these are two of the best guys ever and I'm sure there are countless fans who have had great experiences with them where they spent minutes with kids and gave them jerseys and whatever else. It all depends on when you catch the person too and what they have to do in the next few minutes.
No other sport provides the access to the stars MX/SX does (except maybe NASCAR). There is no 2 hour line before a football game to get Tom Brady's signature. Go get his autograph while he's out eating dinner with Giselle and check back with how he treats your kid. Not everyone is Guy Cooper who pulls up a lawnchair and hangs out for 3 hours after most of the fans have left. I doubt even he could keep that up in this age, as when he did it he probably still signed less autographs than they do today with the assembly line signings.
I think the mental aspect is all that separates the top guys from one another. Their abilities on a motorcycle are almost identical. Like Henry Ford once said - “Whether you think you can, or you think you can't--you're right.”
pinkfld:
I don't see a single point of advice in any of these posts for RD or RD, Sr., just comments on how they look to be off the pace. If in any of these you saw that they need to move the forks up 3 mm or the oil level 2 mm, I get it. But.....? it doesn't take a super genius to wonder if there is logic in swapping shock technologies from one race to the next. I almost wonder if it isn't an order from Roger's bosses to try and make the air shock a priority. Just like the SFF forks, which is clearly something the factory is pushing (Honda and Kawasaki) whether it is better or not. Anyone remember MC racing the same 1993 CR through 1996 because he loved the setup so much? Honda was not thrilled to have 3 year old "technology" being raced in 1996, and when they made the big changes in 1997, MC hated it. Bet he could have won titles straight through from 1993-2000 on that same 1993 setup he had.
@pinkfld42 - People will get mad if you contradict their delusions of grandeur. Like the ones that directly address the rider, as if they would read all these comments. "Hang in there, Ryan. You know you've got them covered."
It is obvious that RV is now warmed up. It always has taken hin a few rounds of supercross to get the feel for the series. Is it over? Unless JS7 CR22 TC41 DV18 or Bam Bam find more speed it is.CR22 did find that speed last year when he went down. Tomac has it but will have to wait for that.
Thanks for all the nice things you said B-KR!!!
.Yes your are right I am NOT a stewtart. and Yes RV as been my #1 fav for YEARS and just because some think I rip on RD does not mean I don't like him. i do. He is a GREAT young man and is great for the sport.It's just frustrating to see him getting beat by guys he is faster than because he can't pass them. People said i hated Milsaps because i bashed him before but now that he is riding how I knew he could you don't hear me saying one bad thing about him.I felt he was underperforming and then honda Caned him so I guess i was right. Now he is on it!!! When the day comes that i don't feel RV is the best I will say it but right now he is far and away the best I feel. I am not a band wagon jumper either RV will be my Fav ontill he hangs it up even if he is not winning. As for JS I always like how hard he pushed. He was the ONLY guy who stepped up and tried to beat RC, sometimes he did it and sometimes he payed the price but i give him props for having the balls to try.
Where all all the 'new JS7' ...'over the hill'....'not really interested" guys this week....insert cricket sounds here you ridiculous cornholers......RD5 is 5th in points ...alot of laps to go...i'm not so ready to throw the not brand new anymore KTM under the bus...I don't think the bike or he looks that bad...but hes got some major work to do. @pizza ....I have to agree on the tracks...the injurys will start to mount with the height and number of giant launchers.....wheres the sand ,off cambers ,slower stuff where RACING happens....@ripdown ..nailed it.....@speedshifter ...enjoyed your take ....Go RV , 51 ,41.....T-mac g o n e.........Thank you Kevin Windam for some of the finest riding and best racing I ever got to see......!!!“ The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”
MLK.
Since when is "killing animals as a hobby", or what normal people call hunting, a negative thing?
I guess I'm out of touch. I never thought PETA members would enjoy MX.
So many variables, so little time...
Don't know all the changes RV has done over the first two races, but Saturday night sure looked like some of them were in the right direction. His confidence just looked so obvious out there, whether it be in 10th place, or smartly working his way to the front. And that component seemed to be a little less through-out the previous two races. His front wheel appeared to be tracking much better, and he seemed to trust that it was going to stick wherever and whenever he placed it. And if he can believe (more) in that one variable, it makes for a long night for the other 19 dudes sharing the track.
Stay Healthy Everyone...
pinkfld42 it's funny how you feel we have no right to give our opions on the guys YET it's fine for you to tell RacerX what the Monday Conversation should be about.
.Little funny don't ya think???
Jimmyc261.That was a good one!
I am willing to bet that RV hasnt made as many changes to his bike as everyone thinks he has.I think he was just pushing a little too hard the first two races..I think that he saw how much faster he was when he was coming thrue the pack,that at A2 he new how fast he DIDNT have to go.
Totally stoked on Millsaps! It was awesome to see him pass Reed back and pull out on him a little until his slide out.So cool!
Also,if RD raced as hard as he does when Weimer is in front of him,he would be on the box every time.
pinkfld42 I guess you did not say we have no right but you see where I was going with it? You make fun of everyone for giving the opion then you do a 180 and tell RacerX what they should be doing.... You don't see the irony in that?
RV might be Bill's favorite now, be was a huge Stewtard for years.. I have had several "conversations" with Billy were he has defended Stewart till the bitter end, until about the time RV moved up and took control of the 450 class... BillC has even argued about Stewart being faster than RC with me a few times.. He is still kinda Stewtard sometimes..
And Dungey better freaking wake up and get his as$ moving before the points leaves him in the dust.. Barcia is a rookie in the class and is making Dungey look bad, with the exception of his brutal casing of the jump last Saturday.. I hope Dungey gets it figured out, I am a fan of his, he does have the speed..
@pinkfld42,, "The Monday Conversation" has always gone to the winner of the 450 race.. Thats really not a shocker in my eyes.. BTW, I'm sure K-Dub will get his share of coverage for his retirement.. Be carefull when you use the word "ignorance" and suggest thats where all of our opinions come from.. Yourself just might be included in that.. "The Monday Conversation" is reserved for the winner of the 450 class, not K-Dub.
I would like to say something about RD.He is pretty obviously one of the top 2-3 guys.I like him but,I think he is just such a good guy at heart,that it holds him back! I mean,I think RV is a really good guy,JS is a good guy.But at the same time they will do what they need to get around a guy.It is like RD's mom is in his ear telling him to remember to be a good boy,or something.Not dissing him,or anything,or saying he should take people out at all..Just saying it is so weird how he can get stuck behind guys who are so much slower than him.
pink - this is an open comment forum and I love it , Most posters on here are diehard fans of the sport and probably riders and racers themself's. I think it is great to see different opionions on here and we are just a bunch of guys talking about the best guys out there. We are no different than any footbal etc fan out there. It's clear that some posting on here would be very good as a coach, and some wouldnt. I get pissed at the few on here that trash up our discussions, I get pissed at dirty riders, poor TV coverage, and injuries. I have broken 12 bone riding and racing MX and thats probably less than a lot on here. I couldnt touch the level of the racers we are fans of but I love talking about it.
Guys - I will be at the Irving SX and will meet whoever wants to hang out at a certain time- what do you think ?
therealmofo .You crack me up. Because I defended JS that makes me a HUGE fan?? and YES JS has been faster than RC more than once, RC has said the same thing.
.I got called an RD hater back in 2010 when i said he can't pass but now days almost all see it. I have said many things that I took heat over and many many have come true so i will put my moto knowledge up agenst you anyday!! Hell after A1 I even said I did not think K-Dub would make it thru the year!! and guess what?? I got called a hater for bashing Milsaps, IT9 and Shorty for not doing well, lot's yealled at me for that then guess what...Honda caned them all as soon as the deals were up!!! people don't like to hear the truth I guess. Just like that guy J-Slone who kept telling me RD was every bit as good as RV...or the guys who thought RD was the new top guy after 2010 and would win everything but I said He will not because when all the fast guys are there he does not win...But i was called a hater for it but the last 2 years proves me right.
.and I have to ask why do you keep reading my post's if you dislike me and think I am so dumb??
davidl I will be at Cowboys Stadium, be glad to say hello as it gets closer I will know more details....any one else?
BillC... Good job sir, just keep calling them as you see them..
LOL thanks bd25!!!
@overskil
I don't think Dungey is super nice guy. I was watching " inside the outdoors" or elsewhere and his mom told that he has some temper. He hates loosing or coming up short. I payed attention, after lcq last week when he couldn't pass Top Jimmy, he didn't even stop to shake hands. Boy he looks pissed this year! I'm not saying he's a bad guy either, but he's not an angel that lots of people think he is. IMO, I think it's a bike that's holding him back. Looks like he's lacking confidence in his machine to show the wheel on other riders. Once KTM figures their set up, he'll be battling for podiums or maybe wins( If RV has a bad night).
I too plan on being at the cowboys stadium as well hopefully the weather is better than last year I drove up for the day from san antonio did not bring any clothes got soken wet had to leave and go buy a dry pair of clothes never do that again
RD just needs a start and he will be on podium. Qualifying shows the real speed and RV is clearly the fastest and has been for years. JS7 is the only one with that speed but is hobling. 5, 22, 41, 51, 18 are all so close it goes to the best start then the most agression.
RD and CR play it safe and are in it for the long haul. Each rider is one mistake from the ER, even if it is someone else's misake.
Did everyone see the 18 engine lockup on the start straight in the Heat? From holeshot to ?!?! Mechanic kept trying to find neutral to make it roll but.... Nice job getting it fixed for the LCQ though.
A lot of Dungey critics while he is not winning.
Of course, if Dungey wins, the same fans will have another theory to advance.
Villo won. Dungey is capable of doing the same.
Osteo Very true, Ryan did not forget how to ride a motorcycle..He has had a rough couple races, poor starts, crashes, a trip to the LCQ, things happening that we usually don't see from him. Remember, in this and most sports, your only as good as your last event. Especially on here, couple bad races and the sharks smell blood in the water, they circle then attack... I am as guilty as any one. There is nothing wrong with Dungey a start and a good finish won't cure. A little C&C will get the Locomotive back on track and steaming full speed ahead...
Funny, how whoever wins the previous race is SO DIALED IN and the star of the chat board! Last week, people were ready to hand Barcia the trophy.....Let's see what happens this weekend. Sounds like the key to winning is to beat Grant off the start...ha...LOL. He's been getting sliced up by us "racing experts"....And has it ever occured that Dungey had trouble getting around Andrew, cuz Andrew is riding extremely well???? GO SHORTY....
I was thinkong the same thing short has been riding well and is tough to pass, BUT , dungy has to get his passing game improved , it is his Achilles heel
Bd 25, jeramy, and who ever else lets meat somewhere in the stadium at 5 or so,
I was thinkong the same thing short has been riding well and is tough to pass, BUT , dungy has to get his passing game improved , it is his Achilles heel
The thing with RD isnt just this season.He has had the problem getting around guys going back to the Jason Lawrence thing on the lites.RD can win just as easy an anyone else.And,if you notice,when Weimer is in front of him,he actually gets a little aggro,and noticeably steps it up to get around him.I am just saying that he seems to get into other riders pace more than other top guys I have ever seen.
@ davidl
Hey I'll meat you in the bathroom stall
BillC thinks he's God.
davidl and jeramey we can meet out by the pit entrance at 5, then go have an adult beverage and discuss practice...if the weather is nice...it was soggy last year..
BD25
Cool I'll meet you 2 clowns
Villopoto family= dysfunctional???? That was a pretty strange interview on CBS....
just saying.....
Hey RV, where was your reference to God on the podium? Only Trey was making any sort of reference, where was yours? Good to see you found your mojo again!
@Jimmyc261 - You put my thoughts on RV into the exact words.
For all those reasons plus mix in a healthy dose of his usual arrogance - I simply just can't like the guy even though I've tried. Maybe maturity will improve him, who knows. But yes the dude sure can ride a Motorsickle no doubt.
I can't help but hope Reed has got 1 more old dawg trick left to show RV what's up. Maybe CR can nail the perfect last lap "block pass of the century" that he barely missed on JS7 by a few inches a couple years back. Would love to see that happen before he hangs his boots up!!
Yeah you guys bag on RV for his "arrogance" but who's the guy you see go out of his way to congratulate milsaps and barcia when they won??? Because it sure as shit wasn't that poor sport dungey! I think you guys got it all wrong about RV while you are easily fooled by dungeys nice guy act
I may stand to be corrected but wasn't RV last race running that new kayaba front suspension? Wasnt caarmichael talking about how kawi made the change this year? In the picture above he has showa ? maybe there was truth to it he looked pretty good other night
DID he switch back I guess?
Sloan The more the better...
@reality-- I am pretty sure Kawi switched to Showa this year.. And RV being Factory Kawi means he is running Showa also...
@jeremy--Agreed, Rv is very respectful of his compitetion.. he is always congradulating others after the race.. He gave Millsaps a big pat on the back, and seen him congradulating Canard also.. Dungey gets kinda pis$ed off I think, and he is struggling, so he can kinda get a pass this season.. RV doesnt come off as arrogant to me though.. Its not like he is a blowhard talking about how great he is.. His Grandfather even said as a kid he never seemed to let stuff bother him.. Even if he was down or things not going well, he never panicked.. So maybe people are taking his confidence as arrogance..
pinkfld42 You bring up an interesting point about the hand injury... I have not heard that and it has not been reported, but Dungey was using hand guards at A2...went back and looked and he was not using them the first two rounds..Maybe you broke the story.....
Good call on the hand thing, it kinda adds up if there's some truth there just like BD25 says. And also I don't get the arrogance talk, neither RV or RD come across arrogant to me. Just because RD doesn't chake peoples' hands on the track every single moto doesn't make him arrogant? I also think a lot of people mistake RV as well, I pick up on his dry humour and think he's just an odd duck thrown into the spotlight and forced to talk when he'd rather be fishing/hunting and keep to himself.
The riders some times take a lot of grief about being arrogant, it is kinda of unfair of us to judge them on the 5 minutes we get to see them, live in front of us..I think for the most part they are all good people, with only a couple bad apples ..
Every body is different, some racers are out going, some are shy, some interview well, some don't. Underneath all the gear and factory hype, like you and I, our moto heroes are just people, who stress, worry and have personal issues to deal with all while being placed on display like animals in a zoo..
"Ryan has the speed and talent to run with any one..." - No, he doesn't.
BD25
Dont sound to sure of your self !!
Screw you guys......... I'll go on my own.. I wouldnt trust you clowns with a heffer !
Probably get rolled in the lot !!
When is everyone going to DEMAND RD tell us about his hand?? LOL
@ BillC .... He didn't mention or bring up his hand to anyone, little bit different situation than implying you have an injured knee then leaving it open for the fans to decide. Dungey also isn't the boy who cried wolf a hundred times so people don't scrutinize him the same, and rightly so.
Sloan Okay, do the Fleetwood Mac thing, go your own way...enjoy the races!!
Retardcross true but JS never said anything either, People kept asking about it i believe. If what
pinkfld42 said is true people know about it right??
.I really don't care beasuse i did not care if JS told everyone about his either. It's their body and if they don't want to say i am fine with that. Just though it was funny.
BD25 , Jeramy- I wil be at the pits entrence at 5 at cowboys stadium - WITH my gf, Sloan ! this will be fun- PS I usally hit a local track the next day if anyone is interested
Sloan- you crack me up, you better show and be a sweet little boy !!
davidl
Learn to spell and I'm not your friend ! I'm or was a friend of BD25 Not sure of that now !!
@ Pitbull No My way is Chad Reed !!! The problem with the pit bull is not the animal It's the piece of crap owner of the breed.. I would suggest finding new parents.. If I ever seen you at the track I would throw part of my over priced chilli dog at you with I would suspect a piece of Cyinide in it to extinguish the hate toward the master race Man
Sloan lol...Your still my friend, buddy and pal..enjoy your posts and sense of humor, that your knowledge of the racing is hidden behind..sad to think I let any harm come to you...lol..
Cant trust know one but if I see you I conceal carrie so I aint scared bring on that damm dog I'll shout and ask questions later !!.. I talked to Larry brooks and MC Mr-Mx and Art Eckman another couple of guys on here that didnt want there names mentioned !
They were all cool !!! That was at A-1
I'm GOING to Anaheim what ever number and Oakland Daytona
I dont know squat about racing ! According to the Know it alls on her so ..I'm not posting about bikes anymore GOOD BYE
Sloan is mad cause we won't meet him in the stall, by the way I have never been to Daytona- is it worth the trip ? might do it this year
@ davidl
You show your mine MOFO !! They will find you in the stall head first ! PUNK
bd200 thanks , I guess I misunderstood rc and got it mixed up , was wondering