Going for the W: Davi Millsaps
Saturday, January 26, 2013 | 6:00 AM
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Davi Millsaps has drawn his fair share of criticism through the years—a reputation of not putting in the work has followed him all the way up until this season—but you’ve never once heard someone say he’s a jerk. By nature, Davi is a nice, humble, friendly guy. Great qualities in a person, but as a racer, it leads to some problems.
When we interviewed Davi’s mentor Ezra Lusk back in November, he pointed out that the biggest challenge for Millsaps this year wasn’t adapting to a new team or new bike, or finding motivation or working hard. The big challenge was just getting Davi to believe he’s as good as anyone else out there.
Millsaps finished second in last year’s Monster Energy Supercross standings. To his credit, when I talked to Davi during the off-season, he was quick to point out that a lot of the top riders were out with injuries last year. Davi could have closed his eyes on reality and said last year proved he’s the second-best supercross rider in the world. But that’s not his style—he’s humble, and he knew he had to take another step to prove he still belonged in the lead pack once everyone returned.
Millsaps is quickly making a believer out of himself, and that's the most important step.
Simon Cudby photo
I saw Lusk after last weekend’s race, and he said getting Millsaps to believe it isn’t a matter of just giving him motivational speeches laced with, “You’re awesome and you’re as good as anyone else.” It’s a more complex recipe. It starts with Millsaps’ own health. This was the first off-season in years where Davi wasn’t coming back from a huge injury. Last year, he had to get knee surgery right before Anaheim 1. The year before, he was still recovering from a huge crash at Budds Creek that jacked part of a kidney—it took him most of 2011 supercross to get his diet figured out and regain strength. During the fall of 2012, finally, Millsaps had a clean bill of health and could hammer through a real off-season conditioning program. That’s a confidence booster.
Because Millsaps is a nice guy, you won’t hear any grumblings about riding the much-maligned Yamaha YZ450F for the last two years. But I’ve heard people hint that he finds the RM-Z450 an upgrade. You won’t hear himsinging the Suzuki’s praises, either, because Rockstar Energy Racing no longer gets Suzuki support. So we’ll just let the results do the talking on the equipment subject.
Confidence in his health, fitness and equipment, Davi now had the pieces to believe what his inner circle group tells him—that he can run with anyone out there. So far this year, he’s proven it. He was great all day and night and Anaheim 1, and won. But for Millsaps, winning when he’s on has never been the problem. The trouble has come when trying to salvage consistent finishes on his bad nights. He’s grinding it out this year. At Phoenix, he admitted he just didn’t feel sharp all day. He rode solid, though, and finished on the podium.
Millsaps is a nice guy, but we all know that in racing as in life, nice guys don't always finish first.
Simon Cudby photo
Anaheim 2 was shaping up to be a bad night after his bike locked up down the start straight in his heat race. He went flying and got banged up. But in the LCQ, he pushed on, even passing and beating Justin Barcia for an LCQ win he didn’t need to get. In the main, he put himself up front again and fought off Chad Reed’s advances for the podium—Chad got him, Davi passed him back. A late crash handed the spot back to Reed, but there was no doubting Millsaps willingness to fight.
After the race, he was a little beat up from the heat race crash. But he was still the series’ points leader. And the people around him, like Lusk and Rockstar’s James Hanson, where going the old-fashioned route to make sure Davi kept believing. They pointed out how Davi beat last week’s main event winner, Barcia, straight-up in the LCQ. Pointed out how he was able to match up to Reed’s attack late in the race. They kept telling him to believe what they know is true—that Davi really is “one of the guys” this year.
And that means you can forget shocking wins like Anaheim 1. If he does it again, it won’t be that shocking at all.
When we interviewed Davi’s mentor Ezra Lusk back in November, he pointed out that the biggest challenge for Millsaps this year wasn’t adapting to a new team or new bike, or finding motivation or working hard. The big challenge was just getting Davi to believe he’s as good as anyone else out there.
Millsaps finished second in last year’s Monster Energy Supercross standings. To his credit, when I talked to Davi during the off-season, he was quick to point out that a lot of the top riders were out with injuries last year. Davi could have closed his eyes on reality and said last year proved he’s the second-best supercross rider in the world. But that’s not his style—he’s humble, and he knew he had to take another step to prove he still belonged in the lead pack once everyone returned.
Millsaps is quickly making a believer out of himself, and that's the most important step.
Simon Cudby photo
I saw Lusk after last weekend’s race, and he said getting Millsaps to believe it isn’t a matter of just giving him motivational speeches laced with, “You’re awesome and you’re as good as anyone else.” It’s a more complex recipe. It starts with Millsaps’ own health. This was the first off-season in years where Davi wasn’t coming back from a huge injury. Last year, he had to get knee surgery right before Anaheim 1. The year before, he was still recovering from a huge crash at Budds Creek that jacked part of a kidney—it took him most of 2011 supercross to get his diet figured out and regain strength. During the fall of 2012, finally, Millsaps had a clean bill of health and could hammer through a real off-season conditioning program. That’s a confidence booster.
Because Millsaps is a nice guy, you won’t hear any grumblings about riding the much-maligned Yamaha YZ450F for the last two years. But I’ve heard people hint that he finds the RM-Z450 an upgrade. You won’t hear himsinging the Suzuki’s praises, either, because Rockstar Energy Racing no longer gets Suzuki support. So we’ll just let the results do the talking on the equipment subject.
Confidence in his health, fitness and equipment, Davi now had the pieces to believe what his inner circle group tells him—that he can run with anyone out there. So far this year, he’s proven it. He was great all day and night and Anaheim 1, and won. But for Millsaps, winning when he’s on has never been the problem. The trouble has come when trying to salvage consistent finishes on his bad nights. He’s grinding it out this year. At Phoenix, he admitted he just didn’t feel sharp all day. He rode solid, though, and finished on the podium.
Millsaps is a nice guy, but we all know that in racing as in life, nice guys don't always finish first.
Simon Cudby photo
Anaheim 2 was shaping up to be a bad night after his bike locked up down the start straight in his heat race. He went flying and got banged up. But in the LCQ, he pushed on, even passing and beating Justin Barcia for an LCQ win he didn’t need to get. In the main, he put himself up front again and fought off Chad Reed’s advances for the podium—Chad got him, Davi passed him back. A late crash handed the spot back to Reed, but there was no doubting Millsaps willingness to fight.
After the race, he was a little beat up from the heat race crash. But he was still the series’ points leader. And the people around him, like Lusk and Rockstar’s James Hanson, where going the old-fashioned route to make sure Davi kept believing. They pointed out how Davi beat last week’s main event winner, Barcia, straight-up in the LCQ. Pointed out how he was able to match up to Reed’s attack late in the race. They kept telling him to believe what they know is true—that Davi really is “one of the guys” this year.
And that means you can forget shocking wins like Anaheim 1. If he does it again, it won’t be that shocking at all.
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what can you say about a supercross season wherein a Davi Millsaps win is pretty much anticipated, if not expected, and a James Stewart top-5 seems like a long shot
"Millsaps finished second in last year’s Monster Energy Supercross standings. To his credit, when I talked to Davi during the off-season, he was quick to point out that a lot of the top riders were out with injuries last year. Davi could have closed his eyes on reality and said last year proved he’s the second-best supercross rider in the world"
.Why do people get so bent when others say thats why RD won in 2010 then?
"They pointed out how Davi beat last week’s main event winner, Barcia, straight-up in the LCQ."
.Another thing many on here hate. LOL funny stuff.
Good for Davi, I wish all the best for him. I think some luck helped him along the way too....just my opinion. I just don't think he has that upper echelon speed yet to dominate for top 3's with RV, JB, and TC, if CR picks up the speed he had last year once he gets his bike dialed in, then he will be real tough. Enjoy it while it lasts....Hes almost there, (much much better from last year) but who knows consistency is the name of the game too.
You make some good points there, BillC. However, after watching the RV go pro, it looked to me like when the time was right, RV wicked it up, and passed DM with no problem. Looks to me like RV is up on the rest of the crew, for now anyway. Any snow out east? They have a little in Wi., but this year is really suckin', so far...
Athletics wins are just a point in time, we all only have minutes to be great, but then we are all just wishing that we too could have just one opportunity to ride, and that is going to be just a dream for most. So let's just enjoy life, because tomorrow it could all be over.
The thing I've seen in Davey that impresses the hell outta me, is fighting back after being passed. Expecially late in the race, THAT my friends takes some frikkin heart. Ya'll knew that right?
i feel like Davi was always capable of being one of these top guys, but never was able to put a program together to keep himself up there. Now that hes got a good routine going, i dont see why he wont be able keep this thing going. Good going Davi and keep up the good work bro! Whats also great is that he can train at MTF any time he wants.
Davi is one tough racer. He must be in great physical shape. If you slow down the video of the start when his bike locked up you can see it was a terrible crash.
It's not to be guys its an RV1 TC41 SHOW mILSAPS GETS HURT TO MUCH SO DOES THE OTHER 2 but tc 41 and rv 1 what it alot more ... You will see
I find it Ironic that last year all eyes where on js7 as the top Yamaha rider and Yamaha mounted Millsaps gets 2nd over all. This year all eyes are on js7 as the top Suzuki rider and Suzuki mounted
Millsaps is in the lead! I'll take desire over talent any day!
@BILLC, I would say people get out of shape when that is said about Dungey, because the people who say it are making excuses as to why "their" rider didnt win, or they say it because they arent a fan of Dungey and try to take away the fact that he did win.. Thats why, nobody is being genuine about it.. I say Dungey earned that title because he was leading the points when RV went down.. Dungey didnt inherit the lead, he already had it..RV was riding on the edge to get the wins to get the points lead, and he made a pass on a sketchy part of the track and it bit him.. Reed was complaining about that exact spot earlier in the night, and got ignored..
And I think its great about Millsaps, I said Barcia would have some growing pains this year, some guys were so quik to jump on that bandwagon.. I am a fan of the kid, but it will take some time to learn supercross on that big 450.. I look for Millsaps to podium again tonight..
Bill C. dungey was the best guy out there for all the championships he won. and that goes for any champion. I think dungeys riding style is giong to hurt him this year cause there are 5 other riders out there now that have dungey speed but are willing to be more aggresive than dungey. if he doesnt change his program, i dont see him winning at all this year.
Bob hannah was right about not being the nice guy, why bother, the idea is to make money, NOT FRIENDS this is not ROMPER room...
Long live the Dunge!
Good write up JW, everyone loves Davi. A unexpected yet welcome competitor for the title this year. Davi needs to work on his corner speed, and possible endurance, he would be as close to the complete package as any rival out there.
@ unforgiven, well said! A good article on Millsaps and a lot of interesting comments so far! I am hopING a different winner again this week, Maybe Reed or Canard?? It is time! Things are looking a lot different so far this year. Its Race day!
LETS RACE!!!!
It great to see a healthy Millsaps using his generous talent to ride up to his potential. The way they are keeping him mentally fit, with constant encouragement and positive reinforcement, attest to the fact you must have complete Confidence to race at this level. Allowing even the smallest amount of doubt to creep in, about either equipment or himself ,will totally disrupt a riders program, leading to spiraling results, regardless of the riders enormous talent.. To succeed you first must believe in yourself!!!
Dont forget the deamons he still has about his mom. I think this weekend it will be something different .Even if it doesntt rain there will be a lot of moisture JS 7 Not this weekend Alessi forget it start thinking of Outdoors. Info out after this weekend there will be another team closing.............Could this be the year of just plain SX/MX meltdown. Can all these guy's come into a race any race for that matter thinking they can go all 17 rounds without the axe falling on them. It's a different dynamic this year. New blood, old gard, returning long time injuried, contracts up, last chance ride. If you dont see it your blind..
@LCB24, you may want to check some facts before sharing your opinion and sounding silly (which all us "experts" do on here I guess), because check what lap Davi laid down his fastest lap at A2, then compare that lap to the rest of the field. I think you may be surprised?
Davi has been surprising so far....BUT.....
.....he has started 1st and 2nd at A1 and Phoenix......resulting in a 1st and a 3rd.
He started 5th at A2 but you have to factor in that Weimer and Grant were ahead of him. He is going to be a top guy this year for sure, but when he gets that bad start we will see where he really stands. If he continues to get start after start though, he will be all that much better off. It is much easier to put in fast laps riding with Canard and Reed up front than fighting to pass Grant, Short, or Brayton. Even RV's laptimes go into the tank when he is back in 11th or 12th.
What Dungey did in previous title runs has no bearing on this year. He is noticeably "off" from the pace he set in SX last year, even with the bad starts he has had. Off may mean a 1/4 a second a lap.....take a 1/4 second and multiply it by 20. That's about how off he is. Will be interesting to see what Dungey does with a great start. With Davi, he is doing way better on the track than last year.....but it may only get him a 5th overall when the season ends compared with 2nd in 2012. Odd how that works.
I do cheer for Davi , remember he is NOT a true factory rider, this makes his efforts even more amazing.
Davi seem to be a no BS kinda guy, and to not let Bam Bam win the LCQ was just showing racing heart.
Go Davi....you have a new fan in me for sure
@USMCMxer, thanks for you comment on my comment, both opinions of course. I did check the sign of the lap times and yes DM18 recorded his fastest lap on 17 of 20. I do find this inconclusive though, it has no basis of comparison to any other laps of the race. I do know, Davi had just finished a battle with Reed on lap 16, and was gaping him on lap 17.....and slid out in a corner on lap18, and gave 3rd back to Reed. I am in Davi's corner with ya.
@BD25 "Allowing even the smallest amount of doubt to creep in, about either equipment or himself ,will totally disrupt a riders program, leading to spiraling results, regardless of the riders enormous talent."
I totally agree-that made his LCQ win even more impressive-after his bike locked up and put him on his face in his heat race start Davi went out and crushed it! Good luck tonite Davi!
Dungey won in a season when every other "fast guy" was out. Everyone knows this. He hasn't done anything since, and it's just getting worse now that the younger fast kids are moving in. Anyone in this sport who can't be aggressive and can't pass is doomed.
Kudos to Millsaps. I'm so happy for him and hope he can keep it up. He has a rather unorthodox riding style, probably just because he's tall. He reminds me of a Mike Bell or a Darrell Shultz, maybe a little like Travis Preston but this year it's clear he has the speed to be a contender.
Stay healthy Davi! This could be your year even with the best of the world on the line with you. You can do it.
SuperSXFanMan, you could not of said it any better!
Yeah, and don't forget rv in 2012 when all the "fast guys" were out.
@chromob--dont know what you are getting at here, but RV was in the lead when any of the fast guys went out.. He even clinched the title early..And none of the fast guys went out in 2011 and RV won that one also..
@superSXFan--not sure how super of a fan you are, but Dungey can only race the guys who are on the line.. But he was leading the points when RV went out in 2010...SO......
Davi is doing a good job right now. As long as he stays healhty and keeps charging, he will be all right. Davi has my vote for the most improved rider of the season.
All the best to Davi tonight. I think top 5 this year would be as good as 2nd last year, given the field, but if he stays healthy I think he may do better than 5th!
SpottedMarley well said, this season is like a box of chocolates lol, and I aint complaining. Millsaps and some other riders are moving into the slots occupied by LaRocco, Windham, etc......................always a podium / top 5 threat and schooling the up and comers. I'm good with that. Davi is made for it lol. Really stoked for Trey, hope they all stay healthy. But, when Bam Bam officialy meets the champ this season (its coming and ya know it lol), its going to be awesome. And dont be suprised if 22 aint there to keep things in order or pounce on opportunity.
man lets hope his bike doesnt lock up on him again this year thats when some of the most horrific accidents happen
Im a believer! I think once Reed retires, he will be the guy i root for! Come on Davey!! Put it to 'em!!!
Millsaps, dog, please stay healthy.
Millsaps, dog, please stay healthy.
Man so many haters here. This is about DM and RD and even JS gets drug into it. It all started by the ring leader himself BillC. You just can't pass up the chance can you?
I always likes DM but I wish he would wear his hat like a real dude. ha
I live on the East coast, flat-billed hats with ears tucked in have yet to find major traction. Here, the guys with the sweetest bikes and gear are slower than guys on rough equipment and no Facebook. Go Saps!
Thanks to Bobby Hewitt, Rockstar and all the people that keep that team going.
Suzuki's decision making ability is returning to their pre-DeCoster years, incompetent.
Their blunders go beyond budgetary constraints.
Between Milsaps' indoor & Alessi's outdoor results, they will bankrupt Suzuki's racing budget in contingency payouts.