Open Mic: Rider Talk from A2
Monday, January 21, 2013 | 10:40 AM
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PrintTrey Canard, Honda Muscle Milk, 2nd in 450SX
I’m really content. I never want to be that guy that’s like, I had such a bad week and this happened to me, that happened to me. I just had a pretty bummer week and to kind of come out and do well after that, I was pumped. I think Ryan [Villopoto] was riding great. He was on fire all day. So I wasn’t disappointed at all.
That’s three in a row that you’ve left feeling happy. That’s good, though.
I hope it’s all of them. I never want to have that disappointment again. I just need to be content in what I’m doing. I’m leaving here walking tonight. That’s a huge privilege and I appreciate it.
Anything in the race stick out? You got the lead from [Jake] Weimer and you were out front there for a little while. Was it too early to be thinking, man, I might win this? What were you thinking during those laps here up front?
I looked at the tower and I saw #1 into second, and I knew he’d been on fire all day, so I was just thinking ride your own race, ride your own race. If he gets around you don’t fight him too hard; try to follow him and learn. And that’s what I did. I tried to trail him for a little bit. And I think I did a decent job. I think he just slowly inched and inched and inched. Which I was happy with, I was content with. Hopefully that maturity continues because I think years past I might have tried to hang it out and ride over my head and try to go for that win. But I was just thankful for the night. Especially looking back for me. I know a lot of people don’t look at tonight but I look at tonight as a tragic night, this weekend [Canard broke his back a year ago this weekend]. So it was on my mind, on my heart all week and it was kind of a nerve-racking thing. So I was happy to leave here with a second. – Jason Weigandt
"I just need to be content in what I’m doing. I’m leaving here walking tonight. That’s a huge privilege and I appreciate it." - Trey Canard
Simon Cudby photo
Chad Reed, TwoTwo Motorsports Honda, 3rd in 450SX
In the TV interviews you still didn’t seem 100 percent satisfied. What’s the missing element for you right now?
Just a little bit of feeling, but it’s there. The bike that we started with today and the bike that we finished with, we weren’t throwing suspension at it and different components and everything like that. So I would safely say that [so far this year] we threw everything at the bike but changing the rider. So that was the next option -- change out the rider. But we’re on the right track and heading down the right road.
Well, as a team owner you’re always talking to the rider.
I was about to have a good chat with him, maybe put him on the sidelines or something like that. The real boss was not happy [Wife Ellie]. She’s the one you got to keep happy and she’s hard to keep happy. So, I think we made some positive changes this week. We didn’t freak out, we just made a good plan. I guess from a team owner’s point of view the key is not getting too frustrated, just making calculated guesses and trying to see where you’re at.
We have a long way to go.
We do. And I don’t care too much about points this early, but I know that two fourths and a third are a hell of a lot better than some of the other guys what they’re doing.
Did you say you changed a ton during the day or are you saying you didn’t change a ton during the day?
We showed up with the bike we raced with.
So that’s a big difference?
That’s a massive difference.
Just take me through the battle with Davi [Millsaps]. You guys went back and forth a little bit then he went down.
Yeah. I passed him and I think I just played a little too protective and he just passed me right back. So basically same as what he did with Trey [at Anaheim 1] I guess. And then I made a little mistake that lap. So he actually kind of yarded me. So I got a little lucky that he crashed. But I felt like at that point I was starting to put some laps together that were a little more consistent. You just can’t expect to change a bike as drastic as we had the first two weeks, two and a half weeks and then just show up and be on point. Yeah, lap 16, 17 I actually started to think, 'Oh, okay, the bike does this every lap. Let’s try to push it here and push it here.' It’s good. We have flashes of brilliance but we’ve still got a little work to do this week.
So even if you had finished fourth again, it would have been a much happier fourth than the previous two fourths. You just know the feeling’s better?
The feeling’s better. When the feeling’s better you can challenge. My starts were horrible today. My starts the first two races were good. My bike sucked and I sucked. This weekend, bike was good, I was decent and starts sucked. So just need to work on the full combo. – Jason Weigandt
"I don’t care too much about points this early, but I know that two fourths and a third are a hell of a lot better than some of the other guys what they’re doing." - Chad Reed
Simon Cudby photo
Davi Millsaps, Rockstar Energy Racing, 4th in 450SX
How was the race?
It was okay. Especially for the whole first turn pileup with myself.
Yeah, what happened in the heat? Was it a bike problem when you crashed?
Yeah, we don’t really know exactly what happened but my bike stopped when I was on the straightaway and threw me over the bars.
You crashed because the bike just stopped?
The bike stopped and they hit me from the rear.
There was no chance on that one.
No, it wasn’t anyone’s fault. It just happened. But that hurt pretty good. Then going to the LCQ and just being all the way on that outside. The day started good and how it was turning out to be, turning around and running third the whole race, and then just tipping over in a corner, stupid mistake on my part. Ended up fourth. Wasn’t too bad of a night.
"The bike stopped and they hit me from the rear." Davi Millsaps
Simon Cudby photo
Justin Brayton, JGR Toyota Yamaha, 8th in 450SX
How’d it go? You won a heat race.Yeah, I won a heat race. That was a step in the right direction. I felt good in practice all day. But I was like 7th or 8th and every time, I’m like, man, what is wrong? It was crazy; when I came out I think I was two tenths off of fourth or something, or off of third. It was really, really close. Then in the heat race, yeah, got a great start and won the heat. Then main event, man, I came to the first turn fairly good and I just got bumped around by guys I shouldn’t be getting bumped around by. And next thing you know I’m in 12th or 13th and had to dig back up through the field, racing with guys that I shouldn’t be racing with. So that’s frustrating, but there’s definitely some positives from tonight. Shoot, round three last year I didn’t even qualify. So I guess we’re not where we want to be but I’ll just keep working and we’re getting closer. Starts felt good tonight so even though the main event wasn’t terrible. But I had something to work with, I was, like, 6th. So we’ll work hard this week and go to Oakland.
"Yeah, I won a heat race. That was a step in the right direction." - Justin Brayton
Simon Cudby photo
Matt Goerke, BTOSports KTM, 9th in 450SX
I got a good start in the main, I got passed by a couple of the top guys, but I passed some other guys. I finally put a main together. I felt good, and I started feeling better and better at the end, except when Brayton passed me, but he was doing that rhythm that I wasn’t doing. About 13, 14 laps in, I got more comfortable out there, I started feeling better, but he was going fast! I’m definitely motivated for next weekend. – Jason Weigandt
Josh Grant, JGR Toyota Yamaha, 10th in 450SX
How’d it go?
It went a little bit better than I expected. I don’t feel that great.
You sound a little sick here.
Yeah, I pretty much have been in bed all week. First time I saw daylight was Friday when I had to come and do a Toyota commercial thing here at the track. Went back to bed yesterday, woke up this morning and decided I needed to come race.
Yeah, probably a good idea. Attendance counts.
Yeah, it’s my job, kind of. So I got to show up.
And you had good starts and stuff, so are you kind of bummed? You get a start and then it’s not a night when you’re at your best.
I knew where I was at. I didn’t want to push it because I feel like I’m breathing through coffee straws, you know?
That didn’t go away from the adrenaline?
No, it’s not like adrenaline’s going to make you breathe. I rode tight and that’s just how it was. I made some mistakes. I still ended up 10th so I got points, which is the goal. Keep plugging along. I felt like I actually loosened up this weekend, even though I was sick. Kind of almost felt like it took pressure off. I rode a little bit better. Just try to have fun.
Being tight, has that been an issue here?
I think just for me in the beginning. It’s Supercross in general. It’s not just Anaheim itself. I think the first few rounds for me I get tight and I just get worked up. Once we get past the first couple rounds I feel like I start to loosen up, get used to race mode and kind of get into it.
What happened with you and [James] Stewart? You had a battle?
I don’t typically like to ride like that but he’s one of those guys - I’m saying “he” as in James - is one of those guys that doesn’t care for any other riders out on the track and that’s the way it is. I did take him a little high, so he came in on me, dirtied me, and put his elbow up and tried to clean me out, which, all right, if you’re going to race like that then you can count on me kind of doing the same thing back. I don’t typically want to race like that. I’ve done it in the past, obviously with [Mike] Alessi and all that, but I don’t really want to do it. But at the same time I’m not going to let you push me over. So yeah, we had a little altercation but then when he fell, unfortunately he fell all on his own. So that’s just the way it is.
You had a huge panic rev that pretty much scared everyone in the press box.
I had a scary moment. Kind of went off the table tops. I went to scrub the triple and I touched the back brake a little bit and it sent my front wheel down. I thought that was going to end my night for sure. It puckered my butt on that one for sure. I don’t know how I saved it, so when I did it just took me a minute to gather my thoughts and ended up having a few guys go by me and ended up in 10th. – Jason Weigandt
"I don’t typically like to ride like that but he’s one of those guys - I’m saying “he” as in James - is one of those guys that doesn’t care for any other riders out on the track and that’s the way it is." - Josh Grant
Simon Cudby photo
James Stewart, Yoshimura Suzuki, 12th in 450SX
I got a bad start, and unfortunately when you do that you put yourself in awkward situations. And that happened tonight with [Josh] Grant. The years previous with him, it’s been the same issues, I’m just trying to move forward, I don’t want anything to do with it, and stuff happens.
You fell down, was that because of that battle?
It was because of it. Going after the rhythm section, he ran me high again for the third week in a row. Then we go through the whoop section and I squared him up. I pushed him out a little, but I didn’t even touch him, I needed to run out wide so I could get the finish line jump, I didn’t take him out, I didn’t try to take him out, I mean, if I wanted to knock him down, I could have done that easily. Then he bombs down to the inside and knocks me off the track. Then I come up again, he’s letting everyone else go by, and I catch him and get by him on the start straight. But the Yamaha, with those air intakes, it’s loud, and I thought he was closer to me than he was, so I just tried cut down, and I went down. I figured he was going to try to take me out again, and if he was closer, he probably would have. It just sucks, I’m trying to race. Even with the [Chad] Reed situation, it’s different when you’re battling for the win on the last lap, it’s different. We’re battling for eighth place. It’s been that way with him for years. Phoenix, he hops out of line, tries to cut me off, same thing with Anaheim. I’m just over it, I don’t want any issues. I’m just trying to race for my team. We’ve been injured, we’re trying to get through it, I’m not trying to take anyone out. It’s unfortunate that whatever it is, he can’t let it go. I ended up on the short end of the stick tonight.
How’s the knee?
Yeah it’s fortunate when I fell, I didn’t catch the knee. I rode pretty good today, I usually don’t ride so good on these slippery, cobbly tracks, but today I felt pretty good. We did some tinkering with the bike, we got some good settings. I just wanted to get out of here because I love Oakland, I won the last two races there. So I want to move forward from here. It just sucks what happened tonight, but I think we’ve got a win in us soon. – Jason Weigandt
"Going after the rhythm section, he ran me high again for the third week in a row. Then we go through the whoop section and I squared him up. I pushed him out a little, but I didn’t even touch him ..." - James Stewart
Simon Cudby photo
Ken Roczen, Red Bull KTM, 2nd in 250SX
The day started off with me forgetting my chest protector this morning. I borrowed one, but I wasn’t really feeling it. Then in practice I took a really big digger and hurt my ankle and wrist a little bit. My wrist is worse than I thought right now, actually. For the race it didn’t really bother me, but now it’s starting to swell up a bit. It was the first main where I got a good start, and I really enjoyed the racing. Everyone raced clean, and Eli [Tomac] is just super strong right now. He’s one of the fastest out there. But we’re working and getting closer, we’re right there. All I can do is pick it up a little bit. I’ll pick it up here and there, and we’ll go to Oakland next week and see what we can do. We’re solid right now with another second place, and it’s still early in the championship. Anything can happen and I’m really positive about it. - Aaron Hansel
Chris Blose, N-Fab TILUBE Yamaha, 17th in 450SX
It went pretty good. Not making the first two main events was kind of an eye-opener. We got into this main event through the heat race and obviously, the field is really stacked this year. You look at the heat races and you’re like, ‘Holy Crap!’ It’s crazy. So, we got into the main event and I was catching [Weston] Peick and [Vince] Friese and those guys, and I started pumping up. We got some stuff to work on, and hopefully I don’t pump up next time!
You made every single main event in 2011, but this is your first one of 2013. Has the pace really progressed that much?
Yeah. In 2011 with Hart & Huntington I made every single main event, and the pace has gone up, and the amount of talent has gone up. It just takes a start. It’s so hard to come from behind in the heat race. I mean, in the LCQ tonight we had Millsaps, Barcia, Partridge, and a lot of other fast riders. It’s so critical to make it into the main from your heat race. – Aaron Hansel
"My wrist is worse than I thought right now, actually. For the race it didn’t really bother me, but now it’s starting to swell up a bit." - Ken Roczen
Simon Cudby photo
Tyler Keefe – Troy Lee Design/Lucas Oil/Honda Team Manager
Cole Seely, 3rd in 250SX
Christian Craig, 6th in 250SX
Jessy Nelson, 10th in 250SX
Today was a little bit rough. We had a few little hiccups, but all in all, we pulled it together when the night show came around. We holeshotted the main event again, so that’s three weeks in a row. Good starts usually lead to good races, so we’ll keep plugging away with that. Christian had a career best with a sixth, which was awesome, and Jessy had a rough night with crashing in his heat race. He came back in through the LCQ with last gate pick in the main and got pinched on the start but worked his way up to tenth.
You’ve got to be really pumped on Nelson’s starts in general this season though, right?
Yeah! I mean, he’s gotten how many? A lot of them anyway, and we’ll keep plugging away with that. Our bikes are competitive with any team out there and we have a great group of guys and this is going to be a good year.
Seely had a good race but he dropped off the pace toward the end. What happened?
He hasn’t raced since April, so I think he’s a little rusty. Obviously you still see the flashes of brilliance that he has, and we’ll keep building with him. We’ll get up there and by the end of the year I think we’ll be battling for wins again.
Speaking of flashes of brilliance from Cole, is it just me or does it seem like when he gets a good start like that he can find another level?
Yeah, I think so. In the heat races this year he hasn’t gotten the best starts, and he’s been very calculated and hasn’t taken very many risks. He’s been riding at a safe pace. You can crash out of a championship at one race, or you can get a fourth, and he’s gone 3-4-3 in the mains. I’m happy with that, and I’m really stoked on the whole team right now. Everyone has been busting their butts and it’s paying off. – Aaron Hansel
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So far, so good! The 2013 Supercross series is living up to the great expectations that every one had for it!
In the 450's, 3 races and 3 different winners. We have riders who have surprised us early on and some who are struggling a bit. It is a good thing keeping all of us fans a bit off balance and active on the conversation....
The 250's have contained great racing through out the pack. The riders we thought would be out front are, Tomac, Roczen and Seely are doing a great job of displaying their talent. We unfortunately lost one title contender in Bagget, but other than Blake things are status quo....
Can't wait to read what everyone says about what JS said!!
I still can't help but think that the steel frame on the KTM is a weakness for SX. He didn't get much tv time but the one time they showed him going threw the whoops, the bike looked like it wanted to drop in between the tops. One time he got such a weird kick his bike was almost totally side ways. The other bikes may not track straight all the time either, they just don't get that weird kick. Maybe that's why they are trying the air shock. Should KTM make 2 Dungey replicas? One for SX and one for MX. Granted KTM has done a lot with these bikes, lets not forget their dna is still GP and off-road.
One of the reasons I am not a Stewart fan is I feel he has endangerd many riders over the years,although not this year.But Grant calling the kettle black is comicial
If anyone is a moving danger sign it's Josh.Another rider that doesn't give the off season effort needed to win.
Josh Grant is a great rider, but I don't understand why he continues to ride dirty with certain riders, but then let others riders just cruise on past him. He needs to ride his own race and worry about his own results. But it makes sense that a JGR rider has it out for Stewart.
I have to go with Stewart on this one.. I have seen Grant take guys high and out a dozen times.. Yes , Stewart has come over on guys and has had contact alot, but not in a situation like Grant.. Grant has taken a few guys high in his career.. LOL!! Heck he just did it to RV in A1.. Not a huge fan of his attitude either.. Not that Stewart is a saint, but on this on I'd say most of it was Grant..But I havent seen any video either.. But Stewart did crash on his own and kinda tried to blame it on Grant, who wasnt that close to him..
Im not going to form an opinion on the Stewart Grant thing...But common James.. You know you fell on your own.. Grant was about 3 or 4 bike lengths behind,, there is no blaming anyone for that but your own mistake.... I had to laugh when I read that LOL
Wait.....Did JS7 just say he fell because the Yamaha is loud? The guy amazes me...from his trying to pull people over with cop lights... to his constant lying and excuses.
@BillC, we know you defend all things Stewart and Villopoto while disparaging the rest of the riding community and posters. As much as I would like to take your bait so you can tell us all how stupid we are, I have much respect for Stewart this season. Like all of us, he has made mistakes in the past. However, he is fulfilling his contract, riding with a torn ACL, and taking 8th-12th place like a man. We fans are better with Stewart racing than sitting home. If he gets healthy he could still win races and do damage. After all, he is still winning Heat races.
As to Grant, he makes his own bed and will have to deal with the consequences, good or bad, like everyone else.
The only big surprise this far into the season is Dungey. There's no question of his fitness or ability so that pretty much leaves the bike.
His close encounters with other riders hasn't helped either.
Seems to me that JS might be doing the same thing he did last year. He seems to get good starts in the heats, but not the mains.. Seems a little strange to me. Is he scared to race up front? After that RV heat race, this very well could be the case.. Also, I am wondering how much longer Suk will put up with 7 - 12th place finishes???? Yeah, Grant may be a little dirty, but when you get 15th place starts, thats what you have to put up with Stewy..
Def. not the biggest Stewie Fan, But I def gotta side with him on this one, I think Ive seen Grant take riders way high like 6 or 7 times in 3 races, dude is wicked dirty. Really to bad JS7 is hurt, Villy gets on a roll this thing could be a run away, But then again if Dungey got one place worst in his heat, we'd have him Millsaps and Barcia in the LCQ, and someone wud have went home. I bet you see big name guys miss main events this yr. because of bad starts in the LCQ
"I’m leaving here walking tonight. That’s a huge privilege and I appreciate it." I mean...how can one not pull for Trey Canard? He's got huge heart, great consistency, and an admirable focus on and off the track. I'm hoping his consistency pays off and he wins it all!
How did this happen? I am taking Stewies side on this and I see a bunch of others are as well! At least Stewart is fast, Grant moves over on guys when he is way slower.
Also, hope Grant is kidding when he says it's kinda his job. Yeah, kinda. Although most jobs seek some productivity, not just attendance.
Awesome attitude from Canard on maturity and race smarts. He clearly had nothing for RV and just seeing if keeping him in sight would work was the wise move. He will be RV's main competition as this year unfolds and he gets stronger.
As I sat there Saturday night, I couldn't help from asking, what is going on with Dungey? Is the bike not working for him out there? I will admit he did look better in the main, but not a front runner.
It is hard to believe Josh Grant when he says he don't like to ride that way. He has to be one of the dirtiest rider on the circuit. The sooner he disappears from the sport the better off it will be.
Stewart is meeting the same people on the way down the ladder as he met on the way up.
@ misoheye, I think steel frames are a benefit. If you remeber, the first aluminum frames had to have flex engineered back into them. The give & take with rigidity & flex is constantly in flux. One year it's the forks, the next year it's the clamps. a year later and mega axle clamps are all the rage. Just how big does an axle need to be anyways? everybody went to 25mm, but for how long? As for their DNA, DeCoster (and the MX/SX division) will have far more input and direct affect on development than any off-road element. Now that they have re-established an American racing division, I think it will become more so.
I think the tracking in the whoops is 50/50. 50% set-up and 50% mental.
I would definitely need more evidence to point fingers at a bike that won 4 SX's & 10 MX's last year and has only gotten better with time. Also, Red Bull KTM might be the best funded team in the pits right now, so any development they may need will probably be attended to faster than anywhere else.
OK , this is about Barcia, yes I know it is the wrong thread. I am a bit upset about the poster's and posers on Barcia's problem, Just have time for a quik thought for you all! Do you anyone of you want to try to negotiate a Suppercross track with one eye? The problem is called Depth perseption (sp) Now I want you to try to do what they do with one eye! Anything in the eye, yes blood is bad now ya gonna even try to go race at Chicken Licks Raceway with Jody? Give the guy a break, I have came up short on doubles and had a contact blow out, not easy!
@Racer X I just had to use Jody's imaginary track cause I have been there!
TC- Keeping it real
CR- Getting it dialed
JS- Reality check
DM- Hanging on to the red plate
Great story lines to a season with many rounds remaining.
RV- Alpha Dog
ET- Alpha Pup
@Welker, excellent point. Only Barcia knows what he was feeling and we all presume he cares about winning a championship. If he could have continued he would have.
One of my riding partners rode for Honda in the early 90’s. He won a bunch of state championship and got the call up for SX with Honda. They did not have the practice tracks of today. He said when he got to Anaheim, walked the track and he almost pissed himself. Faces like walls and zero room for error. He pinned it and survived (his words).
I have total respect for every guy on the line, 1st through 40th. I might not like how some behave from time to time but they are incredibly talented riders and athletes.
@carlsbad....Finally somebody wants to talk about racing. I believe the steel is better for guys like us and even MX at the pro level. The amount of load put on a frame in SX is extreme and their is less time to recover before the next obstacle. I get that they needed to make the aluminum flex more, but even then it will have less of a tendency to flex or twist. Steel can be made to do the same, either by using more(more weight=not good), crazy alloys($$$, production bikes have to use same material) or using forged materials that would have to be cast forged or milled( again$$$$$$$). Some flex is good as long as it is constant. That weird kick off to one side he gets, I would imagine comes from the rear wheel not tracking the same as the front, bikes wants to throw a whip at the wrong time. All of this makes me think, let these guys run works bikes. Building these bikes for the highest level of racing only costs more for us, i.e. fuel injection, really only top level guys need it for SX, which is what the oem's build bikes for. Roger has tons of knowledge it is just harder when KTM has decades less SX r&d.
@welker...I hear you man. I lost a contact in a race once, would be better off losing both, depth perception was wicked bad.
"I don’t typically want to race like that"- Josh Grant.
Yea okay Josh, you and Hansen should open up a motocross school that uses Hockey techniques for hybrid training.
Chad Reed actually said, "And I don’t care too much about points this early".......Right???????? Uh--huh???? Sure???? He can tweak and tinker with his bike all he wants....He was always whining when JS and RC would beat him when they were the top guys.. He's solid, but not a weekly threat to win..........How about CANARD? What's there not to like?
Hey Josh Grant - listen up. you go stright on the straightaways and you turn in the corners get it? - you were Mike Alessi like in your swerving down the lanes at A2 dude - you don't like Stewart - we get it - join the club guy...but the way you raced at A2 was pretty lame dude.
@mxmofo1 I am noticing that too....the starts I mean.
And to the guys bagging on Barcia - get drilled in the nose...the first thing that happens is your sight goes away as your eyes well up ith tears (the body's natural reaction) so to that point he is expected to continue on through the main with crap vision. - keyboard jockeys man...geez...
Oooh one other thought (since everybody is dying to get my insight)...I think we ALL agree how stacked the field is. Right? A rider who's getting NO ATTENTION WHATSOEVER and totally going under the radar is ANDREW SHORT. Not saying he's going to contend for the title, but he's been riding well. TOP 10 in all 3 races......Back to Reed. He TOTALLY took a jab at the others with "but I know that two fourths and a third are a hell of a lot better than some of the other guys what they’re doing." - Chad Reed
Dude wtf is up with Grant and his issue with Stewart. Before the finish in Anaheim, after the finish at Phoenix and now at this Anaheim? I hope he gets punted into his his thieving moms lap.
carlsbad I don't think RD won 4 SX's last year. anyway only 1 of them was with all the fast guys there. That is RD's problem. I said it before the season satrted. RD will have a hard time this year unless he holeshots every moto. He is FAST look at his time's in qualifying!!! he just can't get into his grove with people around him and he can't pass them either so he is in a bad spot!! Look how fast RV passed Reed, Milsaps and the canard pass looked like RV got shot out of a canon!! Yet RD could not pass Short for 15 laps!!! Now next week if RD holeshots eveyone will be saying he is all set now cus he will stay up front most likely to 3 at worce.
JonR145 ... Not everone thinks that but I know you do.
BillC and JonR145
Funny how the guys in the stands are laughing at the guys that finish mid pack and back. Those guys will dominate at the local race tracks.
I remember in 1984 I rode all the local CMC qualifiers to get into the A1 program. I did not race at A1 because I knew I could beat Jim Tarento had he could not qualify for a SX.
RD's problem is the amount of fast guys X the amount of poor starts = fifth or worse...the super KTM has enough R&D to choke a mule ..its seems like from the comments that with the god like team manager and corporate/footpeg relationship that thing should be winnin...it ain't..the "50% mental" part is them figuring out which shock works WorseP........it should at least handle as good as the old slow outdated privateer Zook...which 'ahem' seemed to have blowed up on its way to the corner this week.."it fouled a plug " is what we used to say..lol with a rod hanging down dumping oil.........its 2013 ...if your modern factory bike doesn't handle now....Reed is correct ..it may be you.....pizza..Havoc didn't say the Yamahowl made him go down , but if you've ridden next to one they almost can. Not a 33 fan or hater but theres a punt in his future no doubt....if he pulls that stuff on Canard , Bam or RV they'll park him like a hippy lettuce smokin korean student driver.
And Tonewall--What do you mean "it should at least handle as well as a outdated privateer Zook""?? I assume you are talking about Millsaps bike.. For one thing the Suzukis are new and are not outdated, and this model is known to carve like no other.. They turn great.. Millsaps team isnt a factory team but they have great parts and are top notch.. I would think Millsaps bike is as good as any bike on the track, if its not, then Millsaps is the greatest supercross rider on the planet right now..
I side with JS on this one, Grant has a thing with running riders wide and has done it to many already this year, not jus JS. I staed in an earlier post he needs to focus on himself and his own speed and he will do better- keep trying to slow everybody else down and he will only hurt himself. he's probably cost himself 4-5 points already this season. Get your shit together Josh and be a racer !!
JS has hurt and caused more wrecks than probably any other rider out there- but I have to say 99% of that was when he was going down himself going for race wins, clearly not his intent. Here is hoping he can get through this year and get his knee fixed after a good run at SX. JS, we don't need you but we do want you !!
Grant makes things interesting, how can anyone hate that?
Also, FYI the point of racing is to not get past.
@ therealmofo
I do believe Tonewall was speaking somewhat 'Tounge in Cheek' as he's often apt to do. I own a RMZ 450 and a new KTM..... the point our friend Tonewall likes to make which is often ignored or overlooked is that the excuse the KTM is unproven and under-developed is plain incorrect. There is more RD in those bikes than any other bike on the market and KTM has been around a while. They also have arguably the most knowledgable and experienced team behind their effort....so no more excuses. Is RD struggling? Are they experimenting with set-ups? Yes and Yes but every team is tinkering with set-up, some more than others. Ironically it's usually the teams with struggling riders who are tinkering the most.....trying to find something to give their guy an edge in performance but probably more importantly in confidence! The bike may be as good as it can be but if you're getting beat you will keep messing with things to eliminate the excuses.
@TripCarlyle-- "the point is not to get PASSED" right?? But whe you are fighting for 10th place and the guy going around you is clearly faster, is it alright to take him high and off the track??? Thats not racing, its not being fast enough to beat the guy.. So he takes them down, as I said, that is not racing..
He didn't take him down, he RACED him and he went down. You have to be INSANE to be in race and let a guy by.
TripCarlyle I think part of the beef with Grant is he just lets some guys go by but others he screws with. Never liked the guy much and laughed when he was mad that Short got the ride with Brooks and MC over him. he felt he should have had that ride even though he had done NOTHING to earn it over Short.
therealmofo...in the words of Triumph the insult dog..." I keed"....its called sarcasm ...i have an RMZ450 and are fully aware of how they work and spend alot of time defending 'old paint' on here in response to the Zook haters...i think ripdown covered it...the KTM is neither new or unproven...its lives in R&D heaven and now is just facing STIFF aluminum frame like LOL competition ..I actually think it looks pretty good and so does RD5...he has alot of time and his methods win him championships...he struggling a bit but that dude will do what it takes to join the fray..i believe that...what he does when he gets there is another story as conservative won't cut it this go round........Grant has every right to use the entire track and ever rider behind him has the right to come smokin down the inside 'preparate' and welcome him to the 'cheep seats'...its comin...i am enjoying seeing Havoc7 sell gear and still hang in there on my favorite bike....if he can hang for 3 or 4 more I think he'll turn into real trouble....
@BillC what you say of Grant is true, and I love him for it!
Trip - I couldn't disagree with you more.
First the point of every race is to WIN - get around the track the fastest. Not to not get passed when you r n 10th. If you have 5 guys to pass to even get on the podium you better tuck your head and race to PASS not spend your efferts trying to block people. I do not like or respect guys that get off on messing with others they don't like - when I race its to win and not get some sort of petty revenge, the pay is better and the trophies larger.
Stewart was right when he said he went down trying to protect his line from Grant, I went back and watched it slow motion and Grat was hugging the far inside going into the bowl turn, JS was in the fastest line 3 bike lengths ahaid of JG and JS cut in hard to protect his line and went down. When JS got up the first thing he did was look at Grant in disgust.
JS plus 2 points for trying to actually compete and win !!
Grant - 10 points for being a dick and messing with better racers instead of racing
The KTM is fine and if Dungey is struggling, it's only with starts. He's riding great. He had a bad start in the Phoenix heat that led to none other than Josh Grant pulling a stupid move that made the night tough. At A2, who knows how his start would've been if Nicoletti hadn't run straight into him a quarter of the way down the straight, and then crashed right in front of him, also taking the points leader and sending him to the LCQ. Really unacceptable move for a "pro". Fact is, with all the talent this year, a bad start in a heat will ruin anyone's whole night. Dungey is and will be fine, and everyone will have a bad night.
Reed on the podium is a confidence booster, and as Ricky has said many times about Chad, you do not want to give him that confidence because he will make more of it than anyone else. The real points battle is after Daytona, and I predict Reed will be in the thick of things.
I guess a man-crush can result in selective memory loss. I usually don't bother correcting misinformation on here, because I don't have time for another full-time job, but for the record:
2012
PHX
1. RD
3. RV
5. CR
8. JS
ATL
1 RD
2 RV
3 JS
SLC
1. RD
2. DM
LV
1. RD
2. DM
Also, 4 of RV's win's came with Reed, Dungey, and Stewart missing (1 of JS was a DNF) . Yes, he might have won anyway. And if I would have patented my remote-control car starter 15 years ago, I may be living in Malibu right now.
http://supercross.com/2012-supercross-450-season-points
@davidl of course race to win, but can't win if getting passed. Can't move forward if you're moving back. Part of getting a better finish is to race forward while not being passed. If I catch a someone, I race them till I get by. If someone catches me, they're obviously going faster so I race them and hope to hold hold my position until they make a mistake or get tired... regardless of how big their name is.
I guess what he have here is the racing version of the age 'ol dilemma of glass-half-full or glass-half-empty philosophy...
Grant sucks & he can't win so he causes problems for guys who can
Grants attitude is so annoying, one minute he's having a cry on how hard it is to be a racer and not having any money and has the audacity to answer the question with 'yeah, its my job, kind of.' When he talks about James not caring about anyone else on the track he might be right but atleast he's trying to get to the front, Grant will jack anyone up. Feel sorry for James not only fighting his knee injury but having to put up with a 8th place guy running it in on him when he has shit start.
@MX Bob - in defense of RV you're talking (typing) out both sides of your mouth. You note that RV won his last 4 races without CR, RD and JS, but two of RD's four victories last year had CR, RV and JS missing, so what's the difference? RV had already won five before the last four, and the fact that RV was 6 points up on CR when he grenaded himself in pursuit; 13 points up on RD when he got hurt; and 44 points up on JS when he got hurt/quit makes it obvious that RV was in control of the Championship after week 5 on. No guarantee on that this year but I wouldn't bet against it.
Not one person on the comments mentions Josh Grants lack of passion? He said "I kinda woke up today and decided that I probably should race". Now if I am a team manager, and I know that's the attitude my rider has I would shi$ can him immediately for someone who wakes up PUMPED to race and ambitious.
It's obvious Grant has a total lack of fitness, and isn't concerned about results. And don't believe all the BS you saw in behind the motos, he was spending money like a total moron when he had it made.. There's 2 sides to every story.
I have watched Jeremy McGrath kick ass with the chicken pox, the flu, and a bad hangover. Give me a break josh, I'm sure alot of other riders would give anything to be in your spot.
Maybe next week you will wake up and kinda decide, that you should t go racing today. Go get another tat, mofo.
How frustrating for a guy like me to hear him talk like that when he is being paid good money. What a lack of respect, sorry for the rant but I crabby and that put me over the edge
Well that's all the more proof of his talent. One of the f**kin ten best SX riders in the world? And he just chills out and lives life, racing when he wants.
I'd say that's pretty impressive.
RV is a deserving champion, probably would have won the championship without all the other injuries, and most would agree that he is a better SX rider than RD. To constantly state that RD "only wins when everyone else is out" or "he's only won one race since 2010" is just not true. He's off to a slow start this year, and needs some good results soon, but let's not rewrite history.
There is nothing wrong with Dungey. He historically has a hard time passing his way to the front when he gets a bad start, even when he is faster than the rider's in front of him. His lap times are there, he has just been having bad luck in the heat races, which means poor gate picks, which means bad starts. As soon as he gets his starts worked out, he is going to be top three every week with a few wins thrown in, as usual.
Some of the heat action was amazing racing. Emig couldn't keep track of all the passing. Was awesome to see! Reed and Millsaps look good. They look fast actually. Being a die hard Reedy fan, it was awesome to see his pitbullish looking for a fight look. But the closer you look at races this season, the more it dawns on you how fast the pace is this year, how many people are riding that pace, how crazy important the start is, and how ominous RV is right now. He was definitely faster than everyone else last saterday. Oddly enough I had the same thought yesterday about the steel vs ALUMINIUM frame. Supercross aint motocross and perhaps there is too much flex in the KTM. Probably wouldve snapped if barcia had been on a KTM (anyone remember what happened to Pingree's KTM when he came up short once?) Whilst Reed improved this week, he, and everyone else, has to know that RV CANNOT repeat this again this weekend. That's where Im in favour of Grant's methods...a little bit. Someone has to rough RV up a bit if they are serious about winning this title. Keep him out of his rythm. To me it seems he is far too worried about only himself and his abilities (which is ideal). Someone's got to unsettle him. Im sure it would have an adverse affect on his speed and focus.
Ok guys how many win's does RD have when Reed, JS and RV are all there there?? I think the # is 3. I may be off so let me know. He has I believe 11 SX win but only 3 when the top guys are there and now there are even more top guys so he is haveing a harder time.
Langston_fan First off I agree with you, But Grant has no shot at the title and should not be screwing with "some" of the top guys. He needs to get up to speed and then maybe try playing with the big boys. As for the other guys roughing up RV, Good luck. Did you see how fast he went by them and opened up a lead?? No time or chance to screw with him. The pass he put on canard looked like RV was shot out of a canon!! RV passed Reed, Milsaps, Short, canard and a few other fast guys and was GONE. There only chance to F with him might be on the first lap or 2 when everyone is together but if you need to pull a chicken chit move then to win your a chump in my book.
@ Langston_fan
Only problem with 'roughing' RV up is that just gets him mad...
Reed put an agressive move on him in the first couple of laps making significant contact to RV's front wheel in the process......what was the result? RV passed from 7th to 1st in the next six laps.....ouch. Of course we didn't get to see any of the passes which is another story all together.
He really does!! He's a punk who has no shot at anything and he always has that smug little "I'm a tough guy" attitude he tries to sell all the time and it's a joke!! Any time he tries to look "bad" the scared little kid shows through......he knows he will never win again.......ever.......so he tries to get a little attention the only way he can!! you are worthless out there grant, just worthless, always have been, always will be. hopefully you'll go away soon!! One way or another!
Holy smokes, I don't have anything personal against him but obviously you have a bone to pick!! Let us in on the scoop??! Did he steal your girlfriend or something?
I do agree, he has a tough guy attitude and can't back it up. If josh grant would train, lose weight, get cut, and stop worrying about the gangsta image he wants then he could probably have staying power up front. I'd like to see him do it, but based on his comments I certainly don't think he has the will, the resolve, or the heart to do it. Too bad
Soooo why is Josh Grant not allowed to give Stewart a bit of his own medicine? I do agree Grant has been a little chippy with people so far this series but he's absolutely right in saying Stewart doesn't care about the other riders as well. And you know what, if Stewart is running in the back of the top ten and not just blitzing through the field then he has every right to battle for position with him like anyone else. It's not like he parked Stewart as he was momentarily blistering by to get to the front.
The major difference between Grant and James is, JS comes up behind to pass and move forward while Josh gets moved on from behind and only wants to race
the fast guys for one lap and block. Josh cut over on RV and caused his crash which was idiotic to say the least. Josh is a roll around out of condition air head
that needs to take his 10th place and be happy while keeping his and every other
riders health.
I agree with much of that Claxton and I do think Grant needs an attitude adjustment. But over the years there's always been this BS notion that people should get out of the way or lay down for Stewart unless it's the usual podium guys like CR,RV, etc. Stewart is a 5th - 10th place guy right now so he can and should expect a lot more of that type of riding from that group. I don't agree with Grant taking jabs necessarily but it's not unheard of from lots of riders, it's only a big deal because Stewart is involved. I don't have much sympathy for the #7, he's inflicted plenty of damage on the field over the years and he fell on his own this past weekend. Grant will get his if he keeps pushing buttons.
Well said
I for one cannot wait to see Grant get parked, hopefully it is before he takes out one of the big guys. He's a punk, he always has been a punk. He rides a wide bike, and yeah so does a guy like Short but difference with Grant is that he is totally dirty. This year he really seems to enjoy cross jumping on guys, which IMO is 100% classless and stupidly dangerous. He did it to Balbi and Dungey was the victim in Phoenix, just lucky that Dungey was not seriously injured in that crash. Grant has so much natural talent on the bike, it is obvious to anyone watching that he could be a top-5 guy. But he's lazy and he has this stupid chip on his shoulder, partly because he tries to portray this Metal Mulisha bad boy image and partly because he feels he should always have the best factory ride. Instead of working hard and racing hard, he relies on his natural ability but in this era it is not even close to enough so yeah, he's not going to have the best ride. I still find it strange that JGR took him back, they could have got a guy like Chisholm who rides the Yamaha well and likes it, plus Chizz is low-drama. And his results aren't much off of Grant's.
The only thing I am sure of is that Grant will wad himself up sooner and end up injured. I am only not sure if this will happen before he takes someone else out of the season.
Passion drives Grant's aggressiveness, he rides with the spirit of racing. The same criticism Grant receives is the same that J-law received before he upset RD for the championship, the same criticism Hanny received before winning Xgames and reviving his career, the same criticism Millsaps received before this season.... 5 yrs ago there were threads titled "put a fork in Windham".
F**k the narrow sighted hate.
Whens the last time Stewart was dirty with another rider?.....And Stewart was passing riders along with RV when it happened. So Grant moving over for RV is okay and so is intentionally putting Stewart over a berm? Dumb. And to say Stewart is a 5th-10th place guy right now should be the same as RV being a 1-16th place rider.
33>7