Bench Racing Ammo: Comebacks
Wednesday, January 30, 2013 | 4:10 PM
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PrintWhen Ryan Villopoto went down at Anaheim 1, the old stats came back up. How far back can a rider finish at the opener and still manage to win the title?
Two seasons always stand out. Ricky Carmichael finished 20th in Anaheim in 2002 and came back to win it all, and James Stewart took 19th in 2009 and managed to still become number one. But those were long, uphill slogs for RC and Bubba. Villopoto took 16th at Anaheim this year, but his comeback has been comparatively easy so far.
We’re not even a third of the way into the year, and RV is already third in points, down just eight points to leader Davi Millsaps. Millsaps has ridden very well this year, but Villopoto has gone 2-1-1 since that crash-filled A1 race. There’s a realistic chance he could be holding the red plate again quite shortly—anything can happen in racing, but it seems much more a matter of when, instead of if, right now.
Carmichael was able to overcome a 20th in the season opener in Anaheim in 2002 and still win the title.
Simon Cudby photo
When Carmichael went over the bars at Anaheim 1 in 2002, it looked fairly hopeless. At that point in time, no one had ever finished worst than seventh at round one and come back to win the title. Worse, Carmichael struggled through a few other sub-par races while shaking off the crash. But he was aided by injuries to his main challengers. Mike LaRocco, Travis Pastrana and David Vuillemin were the fastest racers at the early rounds, but all succumbed to injury. Pastrana actually crashed into LaRocco one week and basically ended both of their hopes, and then Vuillemin busted his shoulder doing a TWMX photo shoot before Daytona. At about the halfway point, RC’s title picture became clear.
In 2009, Stewart finished 19th in the season opener but was still able to win the title.
Simon Cudby photo
In 2009, James Stewart crashed in the whoops with Chad Reed (sound familiar?) and ended up 19th at Anaheim. He rallied back to win the crown. Stewart had no trouble winning races, and he launched an immediate seven-race win streak starting at round two. His biggest trouble was Reed’s consistency, as the Aussie’s podium finishes prevented Stewart from making up huge chunks of real estate. It took Stewart about half the season—eight rounds—to get the points lead, but then Reed won two-straight to get it back, leading to a knock-down drag-out title fight down the stretch. Stewart won the title by four points.
Villopoto is having no such trouble, so far, and in fact the riders considered to be his main competition when the season began—Stewart, Reed, and Ryan Dungey—are already behind him in points. For that, you can credit not only his strong comeback, but also the depth of talent. Behind Villopoto, riders are stealing points away from each other every week.
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The Two Time Defending Champion is something special! We have the privilege of watching a rider, who will possibly finish his career in two more years and wind up second or third in all time supercross victories. We as fans are lucky to witness his greatness, while his competitors are unlucky in having to race some one, as explosive as the Firecracker Ryan Villopoto...
Best comeback of all time IS-WAS AND WILL EVER BE : Doug Henry
RacerX doing it's best to level the playing field? If that wasn't a JINX I don't know what is?
I remember stating how much the "points" could change from week to week in result of the stacked field...You can have a good night with no crashes and finsih 5th then possibly win the next week a few times during the series....In 2009, every race JS7 won, it was a safe bet Reed would be 2nd.....Compared to this year, RV can win A3 and Saps could have a fairly good night, but still finish 5th or even 6th and that is a big points spread...10 or 12 I beleive....
It is strage seeing RV's bike without a red plate after seeing it there for so long....
@Pitbull,, I would think you would have bigger issues in life to worry about? If not, you're lucky. Now go get a kleenex..
@Pitbull---that funny..He gets more press than any other 11th place guy I have ever seen.. Now you have to endure the wrath of the Stewtards...
If DV12 doesnt get injured, I have a feeling he may have won that title that year.. We will never know, but he sure was fast that season..
I don't think DV would have won the title if he hadn't gotten injured- RC was catching him fast before that.
Ah yes, the dreaded jinx. Jason, with a mere typing of some words, can change the outcome of events. He's a Harry frickin' Potter and Gandolf rolled into one.
I think the more important question isn't if he can win this year, but whether anyone can stop him. Someone needs to step up or we're in for a boring Supercross series from here on out.
MX40 If he does keep winning, we will still see a great racing, it just may be for 2nd place...
I don't really think that a current 2-time champ who messes up at ONE race is even something to talk 'comeback' about. I'd say he's the favorite to win it for sure, but we know how things happen in this sport.
Kudos to Millsaps for rockin' it so far! I think if he stays healthy he's going to finish pretty high up this year as well.
"He's a Harry frickin' Potter and Gandolf rolled into one." lol
@Pitbull you are the one that is making it about stewart. Dude get over it.
I think there will be days that some of the other riders step up and win, but the only way I see RV losing the series is if he doesn't finish it. No jinx intended or believed in.
RC was catching DV , but vuillemin did beat Carmichael about as "straight up" as it gets in Indy just before his injury. Also, RV only has 1 complete season in 4 attempts. Had he injured his knee a few races earlier, #18 could be #1. Not saying it will happen, but it ain't over til it's over.
RV is this eras overdog.
If you want to talk comeback, how about Davi? Now that is an epic comeback. Shorty grabbing a stocker on Thursday and ripping a 6th in the 450 main, that is a biblical comeback. RV has unfortunately proven that the only thing that can stop him is him. When he freaks out, people have career moments. Away from the bike he comes across as just another guy - the kind of guy you might meet in a supermarket parking lot getting out of a four wheel drive. When this guy gets his mojo going on a dirt bike, the angels really sing! He is one case-hardened, whisky throttled, enigma on the bike, and full stealth when wearing jeans and a non-moto shirt.
Is he Batman?
yes - yes he is
Not to discount Villo by any means cause he's as bad@ss as they come on a bike and I don't doubt that he's the top pick to win this thing, but what no one is talking about is how that second turn pileup took out all of RV's main competition leaving him to scoot away. Also if you want to talk about comebacks...Canard is having a "comeback" year so far if I've ever seen one and he could very well win a few and maybe beat RV straight up who knows. Either way I think there's a lot of good stories out there this year and I hope that RV doesn't just run away with this thing.
Do people read the articles, or is comprehension the issue?
The focus of the article is about how only twice has the eventual champ finsihed lower than 7th at the opener. It isn't about injuries, coming out of retirement, or anything else. Just finishing lower than 7th at the opener. RV finished lower than 7th at the opener. If Canard had gotten 16th at A1 and then went 2-1-1, they would have stuck him in the article instead of RV.
I just dont see a current rider passing rv when he is leading a race. With a bad start canard, barcia, stewart, reed will give him some fits. Heres hoping for a bad start.
You dummies . Anyone who believes that a right up like this would jinx RV's chances and winning the title is just retarded. Each weekend is a race and may the best man win. Go Villopoto
And for the most part I just wanted to point out that he had luck on his side at Oakland
The reason question is whether or not the series will become interesting again.
Always great to see a picture of RC's Factory Honda CR 250 in action!
therealmofo cant admit stewart is fast and has been succesfull. Its funny. Yet who has made millions and who trolls racer x.....
@ dschadel
First off...the JINX comment was made in jest.
Secondly using the term 'retarded' is a great indicator of your intelligence or lack thereof.....
Rip down... Take it as its is.
As it is. Sorry for offending you
bring back the VOODOO dolls ! LOL
I just hope Millsaps can keep the points chase close. I'm a RV fan and would like to see him win the title but i don't want to see him runaway with it either.
@Pitbull
Dead on! Just another spin so they can put out another feature with their golden boy Stewart in it. Go ahead and delete this post too! Where is the feature on our current points leader going in to round 5?
@thetoothperry-- I have never said that your boy Stewart wasnt fast.. He used to be real fast.. I just think its kinda funny how much press he gets from Racer X and they still act like he was a threat for the title even while sitting in 11th place, but they never mentioned Dungey as such in a week or so.. And he has won a title more recently than Stewart.. And why guys like you take such an issue whenever someone points things like that out about Stewart shows you dont have much of a life..and are a one-rider fan.. Guys like you and MXMOFO are so enamored with the guy its kinda creepy.. And if you read the post, alot fo guys agreed with "pitbulls" statement, but for some reason you only take issue with me, thats funny..
Scrub -this said the best answer that is what I was expecting the article to be about. Yes Henry is the greatest comeback story ever then there is Hannah and then somewhere down the line is the Welker story!
How about a story of the comeback of Millsaps--Second last year and the points leader now, after losing half a kidney a little over a year ago, and breaking a bone in his neck just about 2 or 3 years ago.. How about something on that???
Hey Dbags, the article is about comebacks. RV is coming back from a poor first showing and may possibly win the title until he was jinxed. Only two riders to do that, RC and JS. Would you like them to leave out JS in this post? Wake up you trolls!.
@BK-R - Cmon' man....the folks that hate Stewart will find a reason to bash the guy no matter what context his name is mentioned in any artical....whether it be comebacks, career wins, lap times,whatever, if STEWART is mentioned in the body of the article, that opens the doors for ridicule and endless bag sessions....I am frustrated as anyone with Stews year so far....some bad luck and for once Stew rode smart for two weeks while figuring out the knee issue, but usually its his "mistakes" that deliver the poor results, but not this year in my opinion.. People that think he is washed up or whatever are crazy....results dont show it yet this year obviously, but Stewart is worthy and will be on the box soon....The folks who follow the sport for a living and are sudo experts of "moto " (like Racer X ) know that Stewart very much still carries the talent and speed to be a contender for wins and that bothers the folks that dont like him..Stewart is suckin' this year, yet he still gets press???.....im a RV fan but have respect for JS7 and hope to see him do well....and if Stewart doesnt win any races and still has this black cloud over his head, so be it....but when and if he does win a few and has some fortune come his way...I cant wait to listen to all the dislikers whine and still find a reason to be negative.....
Well said PW29.....I rambled a bit, but its just crazy....He is one of the best ever, yet he shouldnt get any mention of his past accomplishments because he isnt doing so hot now.....
@scrup_this
I am a huge Doug Henery fan also but your point has nothing to do with this this artical is about comebacks from first round problems in a supercross season.
Ha ha ha. These haters are none too bright. The article is about comebacks and the Stewie haters complain about the article talking about Stewart by...talking about Stewart. Frickin' hilarious.
A comeback to accomplish the three-peat? Sounds like a daunting task.
Who's crunching the numbers on that?
I will agree with couple of yous on here, as for a come back rider that was considered washed up, it is Davi Millsaps. With a lot of riders out there and a lot of talent, Davi has to be the most improved. I have not heard a bad word about Davi this season, nothing more but praise. Davi has surprised everyone after almost being written off a few years back.
@CZmark
I agree completely. DM is doing awesome this year, 2nd in series last year (** don't wanna hear it), and has gotten little to no press. He should be getting a little love on this site! I guess just scoring consistent results is just not a good story. We should just focus on a rider who was great a few years back.