Redux: The Matrix
Wednesday, March 13, 2013 | 3:15 PM
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There’s something fun for everyone at Daytona Bike Week. Fans love the massive variety of racing down there. Bikers are cruising Main Street or the backroads. And on the outer perimeter of it all—even if you couldn’t care less about bikes—you’ve got the beach on one side and Disney World on the other. Bring the family down and pawn them off on one of those. Everyone leaves happy.
But for the riders, there wasn’t anything fun about that Daytona Supercross by Honda. That sucker was pure filth. It was only fun in the way climbing a big grade on a road bike is—you might do it for fun, but you’re gritting teeth, not smiling, when you do.
But fun isn’t really on the basic menu at that level. Daytona might be the track that rewards those who put in the most work, but there isn’t a slacker in the bunch right now. Every one of the main eventers worked to the bone preparing for the race, and everyone dug deep during it. Heck, even the fastest rider who didn’t make the main (Bobby Kiniry) certainly put in his best effort. And while Ryan Villopoto took the win, it’s doubtful that he won because he out trained the second place rider, Ryan Dungey. Dungey is in great shape. Same with third-place rider, Justin Barcia, who had four-time Daytona SX winner Jeff Stanton hammering on him for 10 days prior to the event. The gnarliness of Eli Tomac’s stock and program is well known. And Chad Reed was digging late into the race, passing his way from eighth to fifth after a crash—even though he had absolutely nothing to gain from that. Those extra three points aren’t going to matter, because Reed isn’t winning the title this year. I doubt he’s making much bonus money for a top five. He could have packed it in and took eighth. But he’s not programmed to do that.
The part of racing every racer strives for.
Simon Cudby photo
These guys are all just robots, and the effort switch is set to max.
Go back to picturing that road bike ride. You know that feeling when you’re really grinding up that hill, and you’re practically closing your eyes, just trying to block out the pain until you’re at the top? You know how you’ll wear your iPod during a workout, hoping for some level of distraction from the general toughness? That feeling—that head down, this really hurts but I need to just do one more rep and then it’s over feeling—for us, might last to the top of the hill. For a professional motocrosser, it’s the feeling for an entire career.
The Daytona track didn’t offer a chance to rest, anywhere. The 65-foot rutted triple was the easiest part. Every second of that race is a challenge, and it mirrors the life of a top rider. Day to day, there are no moments to rest or relax, because they all know full well that their competitors are charging. And that’s just the racing and training part. Throw in interviews and autograph sessions and travel, and a rider literally has to start scheduling fun time into their life.
That’s why riders throw in the classic, “just trying to have fun” phrase during the litany of podium interviews. Sure, they’re getting paid to win, not have fun. But you have to have fun to win. Motorcycle racing is just too gnarly to be gnarly all the time. You can’t build a career around anger or you’ll be burnt out and gone well before you made all the money you could. And then you’ll really be angry.
Look, professional dirt bike racing makes for a strange matrix. At one point, every one of the riders started riding because dirt bikes are fun. But to excel professionally, a rider must weave in two other elements that are absolutely not a part of the deal when you’re ripping around a field at age five.
First, there’s the training part. Motocross requires training, but it differs from other sports that require it. Road biking, running and weight lifting are training. That’s the reason those activities exist. Getting tired is the appeal. Meanwhile, it would be plenty of fun to rip berms and jumps on a dirt bike even if it didn’t make arms pump and heart rates rise. It just so happens that it does, though. Meanwhile, do you think anyone on earth would ever lift weights if there weren’t a fitness aspect to it? Does simply lifting lead plates off the ground sound fun in and of itself? And if you think running is fun just because it’s fun to run, go take a slow 5 mile walk around your neighborhood—and be careful not to exert yourself at all—and tell me how exhilarating that was.
Endless public speaking engagements are something every rider has to do.
Simon Cudby photo
So somewhere along the way, the kid who just liked to ride must now like to train. Ryan Dungey is the kind of guy who has no problem with this. If the Dunge wasn’t a professional athlete, if he was just working a 9-5 desk job somewhere, you know he’d still show up at 7 a.m. every Saturday in full spandex regalia to join the local hot shots on an epic ride. He actually likes the fitness part, in the same way Mike LaRocco or Jeff Stanton did. Ah, what a joy to actually want to train instead of having to train.
But unfortunately for those hard working dudes, riding and training alone doesn’t complete the puzzle.
I’ve often said that there are two types of racers. Some want to race and happen to become famous, and some happen to race and want to become famous. The likes of Dungey, LaRocco or Stanton didn’t do this to become celebrities. They’d rather be down on the farm, keeping quiet. Endless public speaking engagements are just something they have to do to keep the paychecks (and factory bikes) coming.
There are others that like being showmen. Ricky Johnson, Jeremy McGrath, Jeff Emig and James Stewart were born ready for a camera.
Succeeding at the elite level requires a love for racing, training and that pesky business stuff. Few really love all three. Few athletes anywhere do. When you’re racing in Daytona, you’ll hear a lot of supercross to NASCAR comparisons, and it inevitably drifts into the general media attentiveness of the drivers. But it’s easy to make time for press when you don’t have to—or literally can’t—practice and train all week. Yes, drivers like Jimmie Johnson and Mark Martin are known for training, but they still can’t practice driving Monday through Thursday, where a top motocrosser knows if he misses one of those days, his competition surely won’t.
In the stick and ball sports, plenty of athletes have a love of the game, a love of the fame and a love of the work. But those are team sports. You can hide a bad game every once in awhile. LeBron doesn’t always score 30 points when his team wins, but if Ryan Villopoto doesn’t finish on the podium, the “what’s wrong with RV?” talk won’t be far behind. It’s almost all on LeBron. It’s entirely, completely, all on a rider, because ultimately, his name goes in the record book, not the team.
Plus, and stick and ball players play for sports teams, not manufacturers. Players don’t have to wear logos and thank sponsors and make appearances on game day. Corporate sponsorship is side money for them, not their main salary. Big difference on the PR front.
The Daytona track didn’t offer a chance to rest, anywhere.
Simon Cudby photo
Add that all up, and every top rider will have to do something he does not like if he wants to succeed. You have to respect those who go out there and do it anyway.
I know Ricky Carmichael liked to ride. I don’t think he liked to train, and he was way too shy to love the public persona part. But he wanted to win and wanted to succeed, so he sucked it up and learned to do the other stuff.
If Ryan Villopoto won the lottery, I don’t think he’d be doing any of the stuff that he’s doing right now. He is working himself to the ground every day only because it’s his job and his golden opportunity. RV obviously had the talent to make it and become a millionaire, and he has done that. He did it by doing the things he didn’t want to do. On race day, you can see RV has engineered some fun into the program, and he seems to smile a lot considering how much pressure is on him. But I really doubt that he would wake up in the morning and train just for fun. I don’t think he yearns for fame. But he was put here to be a racer, he has a chance to make the most of it, and he’s not going to blow it. Respect to him for doing what he has to do, like it or not.
That doesn’t mean it’s fun, though. He’ll have that when it’s over. Right now, its just head down, block out the pain, and keep digging.
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um jason I love lifting weights, it makes you feel wonderful and its fun to watch your body grow. It makes everything else in life more enjoyable. But I am a gym rat most people would hate it I guess
Great article.. I enjoyed this thoroughly.. I wonder if RV retires early. Seems like he and James don't enjoy the racing so much, maybe burnt out because they have ridden so long.
Seems like Dungey really enjoys it.. This is just as guess or observation. I remember when Stanton said he no lover enjoyed racing and had enough, my heart was broken. I did everything Stanton did, and still do this day. Even tho he told my girlfriend golf is for sissies, I forgive him. I still love golf
RV MOTHAFN 3PEATIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jason,
Nice job. Great artical.
As you said it all starts out as fun. I would like to add that it is not the money that fuels the desire to come back from injuries like TC or RV came back from. That only comes from the desire to be the best at no cost. Most mortals can not even begin to comprehend a desire like that, may be that is why there are so few greats. Most people would not take a million dollars to go through the pain and agony that either of them went through. Show me a rider that is in it just for the money and I will show you a rider with a short carrier and no championships.
Wow, great read. Well done.
@ villaslowdoh Jasons question was: would you like to lift weights if you didn't see any growth or benefit? I like to lift, get stronger/in better shape, but if there were no benefit, I would never pick up anything.
Letts see here, how many titles will RV rack up , me thinks 4 sx and 4 mx , what do you think
villaslowdoh,
Yeah like Nikola said, I agree that weights are fun because it's a workout, but they point is you wouldn't do it just for fun--you do it because it's feels good and you get stronger. It's not the lifting that's fun, it's the feeling and the results.
Lord knows that when my wife comes into the garage and I'm battling it out with the Concept2, and she says "You're grunting like you're having sex" it definitely isn't as fun as, well, having it.
Just read that the guy from Specialized said RV could be a Cat1 or 2 right out of the box if he wanted to thats how good he is on a bicycle and for someone who hates to train thats crazy!!
Hey BillC--how do you feel about Weeges comment on how hard Barcia trains, considering you said he was "schooled" on fitness by Rv and Dungey.?? Even Weege disagrees with you - LOL!!!!!!
@therealmofo--Relax, besides, why would anyone say Barcia isnt in shape, the kid is a rock.. He trains with Stanton, does anyone think Stanton of all people doesnt know how to train?? I am sure Stanton has him ready..
Barcia got schooled in fitness at Daytona!
Now let me explain. Barcia is as fit as anyone on the track physically, now on the mental side he is a rookie and when you get mentally tired you make small mastakes which inturn cause you to use more energy. This cycle will replete itself until he is as strong mentally as he is physically. Remember this is his first year as a full time 450 guy and he has raced and traveled farther and longer than he ever has.
Barcia is going to be a handful for everyone next year.
Makes you wonder if that is not part of the battle that James and Chad must fight internally. You know it's one thing to say I have to work harder to beat RV and RD or DM for that matter. Than there is, I have to stay sharp to keep my edge over TC or JB.
And when you deal with all of that you get to look ahead and say, wow JB's just arookie and next year comes ET and DW. The future can look pretty bleak for a guy getting long in the tooth in this decade!
Great read Jason!! Thanks for reminding us, while we only have one champion, all of these racers are special!!
The talent these riders posses is amazing! Their desire is matched only by their dedication and willingness to sacrifice, while excepting the chance of suffering an injury that could destroy a life's worth of work. They do all this, with no guarantee of success, to them it is just part of the job..incredible!!
HELMETS OFF and a BIG THUMBS UP, to all the riders who go through this hell to live the dream, while entertaining us. THANK YOU!!!
Last photo and caption said it all..............SX is not like outdoors.No matter how you slice it! You shouldnt have a chance to rest.. You dont see a world class marathon guy rest at 4-5 min pace per mile over 26.2 mile race do you.. Its 15-20 min of all you have....If you dont train properly you will never know what you are capable of unless you push that threshold day in and day out.................It's SX for god sakes...............It's not for everyone at this level...........
Nice job Weege. I can tell from the podcasts that you get frustrated by the "banter" on these comments sections. Don't let it get to you. Many many many people greatly appreciate what you do and never post anything, good or bad. Great write up and keep up the good work!
nice job weege. i am tired of whats wrong with so and so in 10,11th etc. are you kidding? these are the fastest riders in the world.gone are the days of podiums are the only good rides. if you make a night show or 40 man gate you are haulin. make a main,top 10? jesh.i think people need to go ride with kiniry,albertson and the likes and then go workout with them for a wake up call. the top guys are on another planet and so is their fitness and talent. hell,im too lazy to capitalize.
ps- N FAB TI LUBE--------HRT HONDA----MERGE RACING-------SMART TOP MOTOCONCEPTS-----DISCOUNT TIRES-----MY PLASH YAMAHA--------
its okay ralph and fro,ill get it........
And to think, many of us did or do it all AFTER working a 40 or 50 hour work week, on the bike we paid for, for fun.....with no impetus of money or fame. While, I am thoroughly impressed with the drive and determination of the stars, I can only fantasize about THAT BEING that 40 or 50 hour "work week" that has to be done.
Wow, great job Jason, thanks for sharing your unique perspective on our great sport and the atheletes. You really must have a good gut feel for what these guys are living. Great read!!! Always like hearing your view, wheather on tv or in print. Keep up the good work!!!
I’d hang that one on the wall if I were you, Jason. Well done. The psyche that exists within each rider and makes them all so unique in their approach and execution as a Professional Moto/Supercross Racer is a pretty fascinating topic. (I smell a Book opportunity...)
I think you hit it out of the park with your breakdown of the different types of riders that line up at the gate every week. They show up every season and have for decades... just different names and numbers... They’ve been a constant and compelling aspect of professional motorcycle racing throughout the sport’s history.
The desire (just good or really great) aligned with the willingness to sacrifice... to attain, perhaps an unprecedented level of success draws us all in. Much of it seems to come down to the same thing that always separates a certain few from the rest of the pack: “How bad do you want it?”
However, if there was one thing to add to your ‘matrix’, I would have to say its that old expression we think of in racing (not coincidentally with St. Patrick’s Day almost here) known as ‘Luck’. Many of us believe in it, some perhaps not. Regardless, it seems to exist in some shape or form and lands randomly without will or bias, often when you least expect it.
Those few guys who really love all of the 'matrix’ as you described it, are truly rare. More often, I believe it’s those really dedicated few who, in spite of their aversion to the training or the P.R., are the ones who really stand out through the sport’s history and fill the record books too. Terrific stuff, JW. Thanks for writing that one.
Nice piece Wiegandt
Listen carefully a 0:36 and you will hear how Barcia feels about getting passed
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIWbKQzEEKg
JimM
@ Jason (Weege)
Have you seen RC after he retired? Yeah, i don't think he likes to train.
RV, like RC when he was racing, trains to win, period. 99% of the riders don't train because it's a real blast and a whole bunch of fun, they train to win and succeed.
RV and Dungey don't yearn for fame. And they shouldn't. Once you are out of this sport no one gives two sh its about you. Look at MC, he walks around the pits and no one even cares. There is always a guy to take your place as soon as you hang it up. Windham won't be relevant in a year or so, sad but true, maybe if he stays in the booth or something but still, in a year, no one is going to care. This sport is to small to moves to fast to keep up with some of these guys' ego's. Look at RC, got in, cashed out and booked it for Nascar and never looked back,,,,,,,until his Nascar deal flopped.
Get in and cash out and enjoy life. This sport will move on without you whether you like it or not. Ask the GOAT.
Great article Weege.
Good job Jason, loved the article.
If Villadodo is not happy doing this he needs to get out of it. I for one don't feel sorry for a millionaire motocrosser. He has the money to do anything he wants or do nothing at all. I'm sure this lifestyle is trying and difficult and I doubt any of them are looking for sympathy, they would be stupid if they are. Some of them went this route in their lives because their parents pushed them to. Well, they are adults now and can make their own decisions. I have a job that requires me to travel and I am only home about 60 days out of the year. It is not easy but it is what I do, and I do it because I want to. If I didn't like it I wouldn't do it. It pays well and I am good at it, really good at it. It is hard on my wife too but she appreciates what I do and we make the best out of the days I am home.
RC went out on top but stay involved in the sport to which most of us are grateful. Same thing with LaRocco, Roger D, and so many others. But there are numerous others who have retired and chose to stay out of the sport altogether, at least at the higher level.
I do think it is amazing how hard these guys train. They train a lot harder than the pros did back in the 70s for sure. Fitness and training wasn't as big of a deal as it is now. Most of the fitness just came from being on the bike and turning laps or riding cross country stuff. I'm not saying they did not hit the weights or run but they did not have "trainers" working with them and most of them did not watch their diet as close as these guys do now.
Weege - easily one of your best. And easily applicable to life beyond moto - understanding your ambition, recognizing the fundamental practices that are essential to success, and having the discipline to execute those practices regardless of whether or not they are fun. Thanks. Clipped this one into Evernote.
I'm different than most people. For example, most people I'm around eat for pleasure - I eat for nutrition. I never eat junk food and have no desire to. I never go out to eat. I hate being pampered or waited on. And if it takes longer to make it than it does to eat it I'm not happy.
I too train for pleasure. I wish I could do things like the Iron Man world Championship.
But there are a lot of things I have had to do that I don't want to do. I've been with a lot of people in situations where they have been called up to do things they really didn't want to do. The ones I respect the most are the ones that keep it to themselves and don't wear their emotions on their sleeve. I have a hard time feeling bad for these guys.
@rickm ...when RV BLEW by that 350 KTM looked like he was enjoying it to me.....@please just don't........gosh! so interesting ..what you don't like to eat or want to do...heres mine ..I don't like egotistical crap*y commenters....I have a hard time feeling bad for these guys...even myself.
There is a reason they call it pumping IRON and not lead. Lead plates, really? Proof the author doesn't love to lift.
I also think Hannah made a career out of anger.
"Lord knows that when my wife comes into the garage and I'm battling it out with the Concept2, and she says "You're grunting like you're having sex" it definitely isn't as fun as, well, having it."
I love you Jason.
Actually, the article is somewhat rambling ... at best. But in all fairness, it cannot be considered incoherent because several of the functional illiterates seem to approve.
Huh?
Don't you realize that no one cares, all of these sites that allow feedback just makes you think that you are part of a discussion. Really People !
DisfunctionalFreddy, thank you for enlightening us with your intellectual supremacy. I did not realize that we were blessed with an occaisional genius such as yourself on this website. I feel extremely privileged to be graced with your presence Sir. I would not expect someone with your IQ to relate to an article regarding such a rudimentary sport. Perhaps your thirsty cranium would prefer reading Medical Journals or articles about astrophysics? Hint: MX/SX is a real mans sport and was not created for the MENSA alumni. PS, I would be interested in reading some of your literary works someday. NOT! (I know you're really that writer from the LA. Daily News,Tom Hoffarth, that guy that got blasted for writing derogatory things about our sport and it's fans. Get over it Tom!).
rid4ever, HaHaHa
That was perfect!
I dont really understand the last paragraph.It makes it sound like RV doesnt do this for the love of the sport,or chasing a guy down,and pulling away! I think RV is the Ultimate rider,period!!!So what if he doesnt like training.He does it obviously,and then attacks the track like no other,
Dungey just smiles more,and try's to be what everyone thinks he should be.RV just says what he thinks,and then lets his riding do the speaking. I think RV loves the sport as much,if not more than anyone.He just doesnt like the stuff that goes along with it,and being in the public eye so much.
The last paragraph,to me makes it sound like he is the total opposite of Larocco,,Stanton and RD? RV is way more like those two guys than RD is.
"Plus, and stick and ball players play for sports teams, not manufacturers."
Sounds like a ambigious statement.
Tennis or golf pros play for teams?
It's so hard to act like a happy person when you are making millions of dollars. I didn't have a normal childhood, boo hoo.
I think many of the responders here are way off base when they mention any particular rider ‘doing’, ‘saying’ or ‘smiling’... too much/not enough and that it could somehow be based on how anyone out in the 'lunatic fringe' zone thinks they should be communicating. Really? I mean, REALLY? Don’t you guys have friends... know people... some who are just more outgoing & friendly... some quiet and reserved... who just go about their business ‘as usual’ ...?
These guys all have personalities -and no two are alike. Guaranteed, none of them are taking notes from any blog comments on how they should be 'turning on the charm' or 'backing it down a notch’ the next time they’re getting a microphone shoved in their face.
I’ll bet that if any one of the keyboard jockey experts here was filling out their (quarterly) tax form to the tune of a 10 or 11 digit annual salary, you’d all be some smilin’ SOB’s..., all the way from the podium to your tax man’s door step.
These guys are who they are. Sure the sponsors always want more but because any of them smile a lot, are friendly to just about everybody... that somehow makes them less genuine? Well, that just takes the cake in the unbelievably-shallow-minded-lack-of-life-experience-thinking department, if you ask me. Did it ever occur to you that some of these guy’s actually love the fact that they’re PROFESSIONAL Motocross/Supercross Racers -and some of them, the best on the Planet. They’re livin’ the Dream!!! And therein lies the rub... these guys are doing it and you are watching it. I believe some of you need some cheese & crackers to go with your wine & sour grapes.
That should have been ‘whine' with an ‘h’. Can’t proofread without my d@mn glasses on anymore...
I can tell you have life experience because you said Really? I mean REALLY? . No kid would say that. It's the new "What ever!" which is now lame. Like "Narley to the max".
Please don't hate us.: So "Really? I mean REALLY?" was the stand out part of my comment to you? I thought my life experience tip-off was working the name of a song released over 30 years ago... (on an album and a cassette tape) from a Canadian band who’s name was/is used in conjunction with a very successful motorcycle manufacturer... into my comment. Not trying to be cutting edge with the latest slang phrases; it just ended up on the page... But then again I think you were just being sarcastic in the first place. Good chattin’ with you, though. Have any egg-whites for breakfast or lunch? Eat ‘em at least 3-4 times a week here.