450 Words: Anaheim 2
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We’ve been waiting for this type of performance from James Stewart. You know, the “Watch this, I’m going to dominate this entire night by doing things that no one else can”-type of ride. It was Round 5 of the supercross series and the fact that Ryan Villopoto had won two races had caused some (including this guy) to wonder if he had reverted back to being, I don’t know, more normal?
The Anaheim 2 race was a tour de force for the number seven, and although he wasn’t the fastest in practice (mostly because he chose not to ride the second timed-practice for some reason) he blitzed his heat race and then in the main grabbed the start and took off for a complete twenty laps. His closest pursuer—Villopoto—admitted afterwards that he didn’t have the ability to once again chase down Stewart on this night and relegated himself to only losing three points in the championship series.
Stewart ran away with the victory at A2, his second straight.
Photo: Simon Cudby
Before the season I predicted James to win the title and one of my reasons was that he can do things on a bike that no one else can. I got more than a few emails and tweets asking what I meant by that, but nothing I responded back with had as much power as watching James make quad jumps out of triples. Right along the third-base and first-base line was two rhythm sections, and in the first practice Stewie quaded the one along the third-base line one time. He did it once more in the heat race and put it in his pocket. It was his ace in the hole.
The first-base line quad was probably a little easier than the other one, but it presented its own challenges. You couldn’t be short or long on it; it was disaster with anything but a perfect landing. RV jumped it a few times but came up short in the main, almost bought the farm, and told me he backed it down. When I asked Reed about it, he said he wasn’t comfortable enough to pull the trigger on it. And that folks is all she wrote on the night.
So that’s two wins in a row for James (and a five-point gap on RV) and he’s certainly getting his mojo back. This sport is so very mental and you can’t let someone get on a roll like the one that James is getting or it gets away from you quick. We’re going to Houston this weekend where the dirt will be a little different from what the guys are used to, but something that is pretty familiar is the race we just saw this weekend.
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No mention of the champ......he must be doing well (sarcasm)
You're darn tootin' Steve.
Stewie looked good, he was fast and smooth. Redbeard, quit hating so much, he lost a chain, like that means he rode bad or something?? That remark just makes your future remarks mean that much less..
bd200,,, that comment you made to Redbeard sounds familiar.. Cant you think of something new ??
Great write up
RC4 once said JS7 changed the way supercross would be ridden and this is just another example of that. Until RV, CR, RD, or TC get the Confidence(i really mean balls) to match this style of riding, we will be forced to watch these kinds of races. Great job JS7
I've always said he has an unfair advantage in the rhythm section.
stewart dominated from the drop of the gate till the checkered flag... with ease, the guy was so... freaken fast and hitting the quad jump was freaken knarly to watch, he man handles that bike like its nothing.. rv had a race too... sucks for dungeys derailed chain, and a podium for reed again... i have to see we had a great.... anaheim2, lots of pink too... nice!!!! btw.. the lite main was... sick... too good batlles between hansen, tomac, and roczen.
Wow... Dungey is easily forgoten... Top 5 at best last year with everyone healthy!
@bd200 - Actually, I was poking fun of a comment someone made last week or the week before about RD not being mentioned when JS7 won...I dont hate RD at all.....He was fastest the qualifier (if that means anything anymore) but had a rough time passing folks in the main until he lost the chain. track was hard to pass on, but TC41 figured out how to do it.....RD is doing good, I would love to be top 5 in SX...
@jairtime: having more skill than everyone else is an unfair advantage? No...
Coverage was lame this week.How about some PIP and replays of different racers moves through the race. If RD didn't lose a chain he probably would've been covered on every lap by Speed and whats with having a commercial during the Main not even CBS did that.
I was in Anaheim, Dungey was riding great before that happened he was fast but the KTM riders(both) were riding very wide tracks! If anyone questions RDs heart(which no one should) you should have seen how pissed he was after that! Not his fault at all but now the title is pretty out of reach!
@TOBY.....you missed it didnt ya. jairtime thats HIGHlarious.
Hate to say it for all the RD fans but your boy is not winning the title now. I also hate to mention for all the JS7 haters, oh wait, where are they now. seems now that he has proved to be the best on the motocycle, they have all went back into hybernation. RV has got the raw speed, but he does not control the bike like JS7 does. that does not mean he can not run his pace it just means, JS7 Has this ability that I have never seen to be able to pull sections out that no one even thinks of...its a well known fact..
RD did win 5 races last year and never relinguished the lead to RV before RV got hurt. Some people make it sound like RD is a local B rider. They guy is clearly top 3 in the world. If he needs to do anything is it be "less nice" on the track. Too polite. JS and RV have no problem putting a guy high or into a berm and making contact, RD needs to do the same. JS is truly amazing this season.
P.S. I think DeCoster leaving had an effect on RD's mental focus this season. DeCoster was not treated well by Suzuki and he was a big guiding force for RD. Would not be surprised to see RD on a KTM 450 next year when his contract is up.
Still many races left. Nobody should be counting their chickens yet. I wouldn't be surprized to see several more DNF's from the big 5 before the season is over. The harder they push the further the fall.
I think most people have lost perspective on James Stewart over the past 2 seasons where he's been mostly absent. I know I had, and I'm a lifetime fan of the guy. Recently I went through youtube and watched a ton of old videos of Bubba from his 125 days and his early 250 and 450 battles with RC and it helped remind me of why this kid is who he is. If you want to refresh your own perspective I suggest doing the same thing. It was obvious from the start that this kid is operating on a different level than the rest of the sport and I really hope that this success signals his return to dominance, the kind that made everyone believers in the past. I love motocross and supercross. I mean LOVE. Stewart is the the most pure and wicked expression of what is possible in the sport. When I practice, I aspire to be like him. I would bet that we all do.. racers I mean. People who don't race care more about his after-race speeches.
Im a JS7 hater and Im right here. why does everyone keep asking where we went? He rode well so what do you want me to say? Im not like a JS7 luva where if someone that i dont want to suck off wins, I have to make excuses and trash talk. He rode well, so i have nothing else to say
Back in December 2010' CBS had a special preview show with a expert panel of previous champs(JeffEmig, RickyCarmicheal, JeremyMcGrath, JeffStaton). They were asked Who is there pick to be AMA Supercross champ of 2011. Emig= Dungey, RC4= Dungey, Jeremy= Dungey, Stanton= Canard.. WOW
Still too early to tell but it sure looks like their "SO" wrong so far.
I'm surprise none of these expert previous champs didn't choose neither JS7 or RV2.
I'm almost afraid to say that Dungey is done as long as these two (JS7-RV2) are still in it.
I'm a hater! I hate how my guys can't get a look in when JS is racing, I hate how he rides so damn quick. I hate how he flows around the track like on rails. I hate it how he mentally destroys the competition. Legendary stuff that is, got to give him props for that. I may hate him but that don't mean I don't respect his skills and achievements. BTW, jairtime....funny as!
that was a strait up azz whoopN! no crashes, no bad starts, no excuses.
that quad JS7 was pulling in the rhythm section was redonkulous. JS also gave it up to the other 3 on the podium and RV didnt even say JS rode good after he got worked, plain and simple.
Let the good times roll! As they say in the opra "its not over till the fat lady sings" WE have a lot more to go and I only hope the racing gets better. I have no favorites I just like to study the lap charts and lap times and then you can tell what is going on in the races even more the results. Winning practice deos not mean winning the race...
i agree that rv,rd,cr and tc need to step it up to beat stewert. if anyone was ther he was the only one quading in the rythm setion and it was much faster. they all need to sack up and do it!
There is one small thing to remember- when you are doing a quad quad that no else is doing, you better stick it. he did. but he could also end up in a pile of blue plastic and aluminum shards- which he has in the past. so... its a long series boys
I really hope this season doesn't turn into a one man show again. Seriously, I was so pumped after Los Angeles, a FOUR way batlle for the lead, could it get any better than that? Now I fear Stewart will start dominating every week and what bums me out even more is that I'm going to the Houston race this week and I feel like I already know whats gonna happen. I think Stewart's a nice guy and a ungodly talented rider, and I don't mean to wish bad luck on the guy, but I'd rather see a close race than watch one guy kick everyone's arse. BTW, I'm a Dungey fan, but yall need to stop making excuses for him. Yeah his chain broke, but thats racing, sh!t happens. -DA SMEE
Im a hater! I hate how his muscular thighs power his bike around to his every desire. I hate how his beautiful smile resembles a clear sunrise on a spring morning. i hate how staring into his eyes makes you feel like youve stared into the eyes of an angel. I hate how big his crumpet pumper probably is. I hate him like i hate licking a melting hot fudge sunday off my lips ;)
^^ lol seriously?
Dungey did look pissed after breaking his chain. I can just imagine what he was yelling, "Gosh Darnit!", "Geez!", "I'm not pumped one bit!!". And back in the Suzuki semi I'm sure he said, "oh well, at the end of the day, I learned something from this and I'm looking forward to next week".
Nobody picked Stewart for 2011 because when he raced the 2 outdoor MX races in 2010 Dungey spanked him and he compleely embarrassed himself. The lesson is everyone has times when they are up and down. Remember, Reed beat RC straight up for the 2003 Supercross title. Stewart is hot and Dungey will be back. No doubt #2, #5 and #7 are the three best riders in the sport.
Dungey ... Dungey ... hmmmm .. oh you mean the old coach of the Bucs?
I remember stewart racing rm60's locally. It was VERY obvious this guy barring injury would dominate at a national level. I have been around this sport for 30 years,you develop an eye for natural talent and he has more than anybody, period.
mattthes...........saying something nice about Stewie, what happened?
@hilliard I'm pretty sure stewart has never ridden a Suzuki in his life. He's been well groomed by factory Kawasaki since he was on his first on 60's. I don't care how much people say it's all about who is the fastest. You don't have to be the fastest to win championship; you just have to be consistent and ride smart. I'm not a JS7 fan. I don't like his attitude and I don't like how his actions aren't congruent with his claims of faith. HUGE Dungey, Canard, Windham, and Short fan no matter where they finish.
Being pretty sure isn't being sure now is it.
If Stewart jumped on a KTM, he will be on the box and help KTM fix where it lacks .Every race in has entered since he was 16 yrs old has always being on the box. For those that dont like it, stop looking at 1st place and focus on the other battles, your guy will probably get 2nd.
My first Supercross experience was in 92'-93' at Anaheim and McGrath was in almost last place and we all saw him battle the whole race to get 1st place and saw his amazing speed. It was a FUN race to watch, he was the one that made the sport fun to watch. After that he won almost every Supercross race he eneted.
I remember hearing the same arguments back in the 90's about McGrath. Everyone knew who was gonna win.
Stewart is the same guy with (balls) a twist. SAME GUY
Wez 4 lif Who do you think sponsored him before team green??? Mom and dad out of the family van.
very poor track design
Where can we find a clip of the quad he kept doing at A2? I bet it'd be awesome to watch how consistent it was every pass.
JonR290: I'm incredibly suprised no one has said anything to you. But, stewart raced ONE outdoor last year at Unadilla and they had the bike so far off it wasn't going to happen and he still got 2nd on it! Also, Reed did NOT beat RC for the title in 03 he beat him in the last 6 rounds but NOT for the Title! Another thing yeah Bubba has never ridden a suzuki in his life he's a former Kawi lifer.
oh yeah! they didnt have RM 60s till 03. For years kawi was the only brand to have them.
brownstash, I LOL'd at your post but take your homoerotic fantasies elsewhere.
JS7 was flat out awesome. However, the track played to his strengths. RV2 mentioned that he had nothing for Stewart and gave him his props. Let's just hope that guys step up. I really believe that RV2 will try his hardest to beat Stewart. It will be telling how the guys respond this week. I'm excited to see it!
Dungey has NOTHING for stewart ..I'm sorry ...R.V AND STEWART .......battle royal?
DoubleJ - Stewart got 11th at Unadilla, not second. Moto one he finished 3rd and moto 2 finished 35th. Point was every racer has ups and downs in their careers.
Yeah you're right he got 3rd but no time on a bike that was never meant to be ridden outdoors is still solid! But that 03 title? Man Reed was fast that year but he didnt win. However, I believe he would have beat RC in 04 anyways but we'll never know.
Not hating on #7 but just coz he won 2 in a row does not mean its over. Anything can happen but yea the guy has some crazy balls. I just dont know how he has been able to survive those moves and made it ok.
ohh by the way where is Pingree? Pingree said in a mathes interview that JS wasn't doing himself anygood with the reality show. The guy has put MX on the map and sponsors and he is still winning and still getting paid. Lets see what is bro Malcolm does this wkd in Houston.
smee113 i just read one of your other posts that u hate reed because in 2005 fans cheered for him more then your man rc??? y hate someone for that reason that is so narrow minded it really shows your ignorance.. it sux to be you grow up dude .... dgizzy is that for real malcolm racing the pro ranks now anything ive ever seen of him riding is crazy/scary fast or outta control i cant decide... imagine bubba & malcolm racing each other in a main event i would be scared to watch that ... awesome race by all these guys they deserve all the support for just turning up and putting on a great show ...do reckon they could add an extra couple of feet width to these tracks to make some better passing opportunities or just go back to the old days when rubbing was racing no such thing as personal space back then.... peace out homies keep it real
jonR290 - "RD did win 5 races last year and never relinguished the lead to RV before RV got hurt. "
Thats right. And, the time r/c beat stewart for the sx title, r/c had only SIX victories.
Hmmnm................
@Wez4Life, I am sure that stewart must have raced SOMETHING, before he was given factory support from kawasaki. I'm pretty sure they didn't offer it to him, as he was unloading his bike, for his first ever race. His first bike could have been anything. I remember seeing a video of him on a yellow 50, once, going thru some whoops.
it'd be crazy to see the Stewart bros. take over Supercross lol
tyco420.. saw the preview where the so called experts gave their opinion who will win.. The only guy who dared to be different and chose one of the Honda riders was Stanton.. But he did it more out of respect to Honda then anything else.. As for the others.. They ought to be ashamed of themselves and just syick to what they do best... RC is biaised towards Suzuki... He ought to concentrate on riding in the Nascar trucks series.. So far he sucks.. Which sucks as I hate to see someone beiong the GOAT and being bashed on by nascar fans... Emig... Stick to commenting the races.. MC.. Stick by your wife for now as she is battling cancer... And Stanton... Hopefully Kehoe will soon leave Honda's managing role and he can step in.
trick.. True.. Stewart was riding a yamaha 50 (The yellow bike) before team green stepped in and gave their typical support back in the days... And before giving Stewart the official support after winning all those championships on amateur level.
tyco420... Check out the french website lebigusa under the subject "ralenti du mardi"... There is a youtube footage on where Stewart does the quad in the heat race.. This one was the harder one of the two quads he pulled off.
The Youtube video of the triple triple quad section - http://www.lebigusa.com/articles/le-ralenti-du-mardi/le-ralenti-du-mardi-n°5.html
For all the Stew-lovers wondering where the haters are, I think they're all just sick of the glowing adoration. As someone else said, if Stewart backs it down to get 2nd and live to race another day he's SMART. If RV backs it down and decides risking crashing on the quads isn't in his cards on the night, he's now done and can't hang. The lack of objectivity when it comes to all things Stewart seems a bit sad to me. It's a bit like purposely banging your head against a wall. For whatever reason, it seems Stewart fans have to hate on Dungey at the same time. Maybe Dungey shouldn't have raced after Stewart and RV went out last year? Some ass here said he wouldn't have been top 5 if RV, Stewart, and Reed were out there in 2010. This is what has chased me away from the banter on the subject. More and more, we see that the origin of "fan" is aptly fanatic. Being a Fanatic is never a good thing.
JonR290 not true, I said it would be JS and RV long before the first race. I said last year that RD will not win it in 2011. I always questioned RD last year and got slammed, But the Guys who were saying RD is the new man and called me dumb for questioning him are no where to be seen right now. There are always people that forget how fast someone is. People where saying RD was at the same speed or faster than JS last year and I always said I don't think soooooooo.
b-kr its NOT hate when I say RD can't run with them. It is and was how I saw it. NOW I have the proff, so don't call people who did not jump on the RD bandwagon haters. I like RD but never saw him as someone others fear on the track.Watch when JS or RV get a bad start, They FLY by people, RD dicks around and it is NOT working this year. I said it last year that he is slow to work up after a bad start now lots of people ar saying it. TC came from WAY back but RD spent many laps passing 3 guys. HE needs to push his way to the front like a real Champ does. RD had a Fairytail season last year and can't back it up. He could still win this thing but just like last year ONLY if JS and RV go out NOT because he is a better rider.
I too was shocked that JeffEmig, RickyCarmicheal, JeremyMcGrath jumped on the RD bandwagon also. They should know better. They know how fast JS is and RV as well but picked RD.
JS7 fans, some of you guys are cracking me up! How long have you been following this sport? There's still 12 races left. Stewie didn't wrap up the series at A2. I guess birds of a feather do flock together. Your modesty in victory is arrogant and tasteless. You are insulting riders who are the best in the world like it's nothing. I think you should just go ahead and admit it: You are the most awsome person to ever throw your fingers over a keyboard!!! Just go ahead and say it out loud, that way it will become more natural to you. You picked a great role model. The same bad luck that happened to CR, KW, RD and JG and others, can happen to anybody. I am definately not wishing any bad luck on JS7 though. He is absolutely a bad man on a dirt bike, but still don't care for his conceited self. He forces me to pull for other riders. Go anybody!!!!!!!
BillC, we don't always pick our our hopefuls based soley on the facts. Most often people like to pull for people that they admire or would like to see succeed. Think about it, if you were a past champoin listening to a rider saying he is the fastest guy to ever ride a dirt bike, do you think you would like that? It's no coincidence that none of the four champs picked Bubba. Now if they had been forced to bet $10,000, their picks might have been different.
BillC ... You must have gotten some pretty harsh remarks last ywear for pointing out RD's weakness.. Respect for that.
I agree... RD is no doubt a talented and a true gentlemen in the SX scene... But sadly, he's just not on a par with JS7 & RV2... When it comes on speed and racing wise. He had luck last year, that the stiffest opposition got hurt... respect to the Dunge for pulling it off.. But this year.. he's being beat.. And with a bit of bad luck even a privateer like Reed will beat him. Only way to redeem himself is to win a race... Something very much unlikely as long as JS7 & RV2 are out there...
ride4ever.. Of course... Makes sense to pick out a guy based on facts.. But let's face it.. the panel who did the preview was a complete farce... RC was and always will be biaised towards suzuki (isn't he a consultant for 2011?)... Emig... Well, Fro is fro..... MC... I mean... He's always been bad in giving predicitions... And only Stanton was honest enough to put on TC41.. But he's a Honda man... Had they had lousy riders such as Blose.. he would have taken Blose anyway....
The panel should have been more honest and not basing it on facts... Where's the fun it this?
Hey Smee 113-What happened to CR not getting on the podium again?
Didierlotsyeng, I agree. I know what you're saying, these guys do have commitments they're expected to follow. I guess that is true, but if there was someway to get their true feelings, I'm sure they wouldn't be down with JS7 saying he is faster than they ever were. I think RD will still play a part in this championship. He may not win it, but he can definately affect the outcome. He will put himself on the top step this year and probably more than once.
ride4ever,, when did JS say that he was "he is the fastest guy to ever ride a dirt bike ?" He said he's the fastest man on the planet, but not the fastest man ever ... That simply cant be proven..
You don`t have to hate someone to root against them. I like Bubba, respect the hell out of him, but like rootin` against him, it`s part of the fun. He seems cool, the only thing I`ve seen from him I didn`t like was at the start of his show HE calls himself "the fastest man on the planet", a little arrogent. Trash talkin` is a little differant, they do it for build-up, ever watch the UFC? AS for Dungy, he`s gettin` faster, and he`s pissed. Second means nothing. This could get even better than an already great start to a season.
haters on this rider haters on that rider, i cant speak for everyone but i have raced motocross and i would love to be were any of these guys are at, meaning just making it to the main event is talent and somewhat fast, everyone who has watched stewart through his career knew he could do things on a bike that seemed imossible for the remaing top 5 or 10, the same went for jeremy mcgrath he used to always do a few things in practice and save it for the main event, one race was with larocco, by the time the rock figured it out mc was gone.
BillC - I do have one unique fact. I raced against Dungey when he was B Class before Suzuki pulled him to the pro level. Raced him at Millville and Staples on a regular basis. His speed was mind-blowing. Made me realize just how good the top pros actually are and humbled me quickly. My point remains all the top guys are the fastest riders on the planet and could smoke any one of us. Though we each have our favorites from year to year, I think they ALL deserve respect and less insults. RV RD and JS have raced their hearts out and acted with class. They deserve recognition for what they have accomplished.
ride4ever thats true but If I am picking someonne to win why would I pick a guy just because I like him if I feel he can't win?? Thats why the K-Dub fans SLAMMED me when I said he can't win, They called me all kinds of names even a hater. I like K-Dub a lot and just said what I feel and was right on that too. I have a Fav rider and its NOT JS but facts are facts untill I see someone flat out smoke him he is the guy to beat. The thing that pisses me off is all the RD fans are gone now!! WHY??? thats sad and proff you are not a true fan of the sport just a bandwagon jummper. Just like the guys who said JS is done.. Where are you now?? What a joke.
JonR290 no dis respect to RD EVER. Just the fact that he is not as fast as JS or RV. RD is more precise and calculated witch worked last year but is not so far this year. As for knowing what speed is I grow up raceing with Doug Henry and still ride with him to this day so I too know what speed is.
Being the "best" rider on the track does NOT always mean the one who sets the absolute fastest lap time. For one thing, the race is 20 laps, not one. All you Stewart worshipers have glaring double standards that are frankly embarrassing.
B-KR summed it up well:
"For all the Stew-lovers wondering where the haters are, I think they're all just sick of the glowing adoration. As someone else said, if Stewart backs it down to get 2nd and live to race another day he's SMART. If RV backs it down and decides risking crashing on the quads isn't in his cards on the night, he's now done and can't hang. The lack of objectivity when it comes to all things Stewart seems a bit sad to me. It's a bit like purposely banging your head against a wall."
Very well said.
If Stewart is so far above everyone else out there, why did he break his arm in Phoenix in 2005? I was there and watched him do it.
If Stewart is so far above everyone else out there, why did he lose in 2006 to Carmichael? (Don't even THINK about saying it's because of Fuelgate either, we are talking riding here).
If Stewart is "on another level" that no one else can touch, remind me again why he has exactly ONE outdoor Nationals championship since 2005. And since so many Stewart fans seem to love pointing out that Dungey only won last year because all the "top" guys were out, who were the "top" guys that Stewart beat in 2008 to win his ONLY outdoor championship. Here's a hint for you:
1. James Stewart
2. Tim Ferry
3. Andrew Short
4. Michael Byrne
5. Cody Cooper
If Stewart is so much better than everyone on the track, why did he miss the 2008 season and the 2010 supercross seasons? Including 2005, that is 3 supercross seasons out of 6 he has been UNABLE to complete. Half. And he LOST in 2006 to Carmichael. So he has won 2 out of 6 supercross championships. You worshipers make is sound like he never even loses a race, let alone a championship. Just this year he has lost 2 of 5 to Villopoto.
But he wins at one race where he gets the holeshot and has obstacles that suit his style (and that 2 very fast and smart racers (CR and RV) are willing to bet the who year on) and suddenly the season is over? Suddenly he is superman again. Suddenly all his past crashes, losses, and missed seasons disappear as if they have never existed? You've got to be kidding me. If Stewart gets a mid-pack start last Saturday, he DOES NOT win that race, no matter how many quads he jumps. Those days are OVER.
Tell me...just exactly what are you starry-eyed sychophants going to say if (when?) Stewart self-terminates again as he has done in fully 50% of his supercross seasons? I can almost hear it now..."Oh he did that on purpose for Bubba's World Episode 22 (Bubba Eats It Hard)...the ratings were dropping and they needed something to bring back the 194 viewers they had."
The historical record...THE FACTS...show that Stewart is a very, very fast rider rider who has a history of destroying himself and his championships at least half the time. It appears this has been due to his own ego pushing him to ride over his own head and do things he probably shouldn't be doing even if can get away with it.....SOMETIMES.
We will see if the "O'Mara factor" will make a difference or not and whether the fact that he is no longer the young lion has mellowed him out enough to avoid the self-destruction of his past. Since he was out last year, maybe this is his "good" year again.
As for his "fans" however, I have very little hope.
dgizzy, Ping said he wasnt doing his image any good. You talk about Stewie still getting paid. Its all about money to you, that isnt what Ping was talking about. If its all about money to Stewie, then he can leave now. Thats why he has lost alot of fans, people think he doesnt care about the sport, just his wallet.
"Pilotdude".....you are just another guy who sits on the other side of the fence as a JS,uh, "disliker".......your rant is a TOTAL joke dude!! Of course there are a few guys who go overboard with their statements following a race like saturday, but it would have been the EXACT same if RV would have been the one who was doing the obstacles and had won the race as a result. That WAS the difference in the race, and for you to say that RV and CR chose NOT to do it because they were "smart" is misleading. Yes, they were smart to choose NOT to do an obstacle that they were afraid they couldn't do, but in this instance it put RV in second. No criticism should go to any of these guys....for doing it or for not doing it.....but it was the difference in the race!! Nice job trying to diminish Stewarts performance saturday....and for your info, to state that if he does not get the start he does not win is idiotic.....i guess that is why he has been NAILING the starts, don't you think??? He is obviously aware of how important they are and is killing them the last few races. The race starts when that gate drops man and the start is every bit as important as fast lap times this year. Why don't you just appreciate ALL of the talent out there and not use "Stewart fans" as a medium for expressing your own dislike of Stewart!!
"BD"...PLEASE dont start your "he's only in it for the money" stuff, ok?? They are ALL in it for the money to some extent, don't ya think?? Ya, they are!!
"B-KR", go back to the boards on the two races that RV won this year, it's no different for SOME of his fans then it is for SOME of Stewarts fans. There are plenty of comments on the boards after RV wins stating that he smoked JS and that JS is done, and that RV will take it from here on out. c'mon man, that crap goes on every week no matter who wins, who loses, who does or doesn't do certain things.......it's all the same and to point out that somehow the people who DO go a little overboard with their comments about James are somehow worse than the ones who say it about RV,RD, CR, or anybody else, just does not jive!! Just enjoy the races and let the handful of blowhard fans for EACH rider say what they will.....it can't be changed!!
pilotdude.. Quite an interesting perspective to put things on JS7... I agree that Stewart has a tendency to overide and destroy his hopes on a championship.. Hell.. He will be the last to admit this... RC always said that he never felt he was the best rider out there.. he was just the smartest when it comes to winning championships..And that is what winning is all about... Hence a lot attribute him the title GOAT. But when it comes to raw speed.. Even the GOAT himself admits JS7.. Is on a another league.
And hey.. facts will not lie.. Was Stewart smarter.. or had he done things differently.. That is all speculation afterwards... I think.. let the guy be who he is... Maybe he will learn (I hope so as suprisingly am a JS7 fan)... With thanks to O'Mara... And this is what makes things interesting... And as for the fans somewhat psychotic behaviors... Man... Whether it be a JS7.. RV2... RD5... K-Dub... You name it... People love letting emotions flow when they support any rider.. That is what being a fan is all about..
Thanks to yall for all of your comments some made me laugh, some made me mad, and some just make me wonder if that person needs to go see the Wizard of OZ to go get a brain????? ME WTF do I know Ive only been in the sport for 45 years LOL ????
Welker & Didierlotsyeng - well said. I just can't understand the insults from guys like "The Man Above". Making fun of a guy's religion is up there with insulting JS due to the color of his skin. Not cool even if an opinion. Perhaps "The Man Above" is not a reference to religion but the part he regularly plays in gay porn movies.
With some of the posters, it is obvious that they "HATE". But, for most of the fans who like one rider over another, they are not haters. Key words are "nutsack" "bubbles" "reedtards" ETC.
BillC, I guess everyone is not as analytically minded as you. I don't know why, other than just by going with what's in your heart. Just like being a fan of the sport, but also being the fan of a rider. I might think JS7 is the likely one to win, but if I want Dungey to win, why would I tell my friends I think James will win? Does this make any sense to you? Or did it just make it cloudier? I guess this is what makes the world interesting, we're all different. And I was one of the K-Dub fans you mentioned, but I never called you any names. Sometimes you're a little brash the way you say things, but I still like talking to you anyway.
jon r290 Stewart got 3rd in unadula 1st moto both Suzuki were 1,2
Thank you ride4ever. I don't try to be brash, I really don't. I am just a to the point kind of person I guess. I want RV to win the title But unless JS crashes out I don't think it will happen. thats how i word it when asked who will win... I want RV to but think JS will. I don't undersand why people got so mad when I said K-Dub can't win... I look at the facts. He is 34 years old and has never been a threat for the title and will not ride outside his comfurt zone so how can someone tell me he is going to win at this late stage of his career..... I just don't get it... But thank you again you are good to talk to also.... OH yeah to answer your ??? about why you would pick JS to win when you want RD to win.... Because I like to be RIGHT ;)
mxmofo, I have almost everything burned on dvds for the past five years. I can see if I can find it. He called himself the fastest man to ever throw a leg over a mororcycle, and that's exactly the day I stopped being a fan. It was ok for Ralph to say he was the fastest man on the planet, but when he started saying it himself I almost threw up. Reminds me of Muhammad Ali, he was great until he started idolizing himself!!! No disrespect to Ali. Great fighter and champ, just wasn't a fan.
Not to brag but the season has gone almost 100% as I predicked so far. I picked RV to win A1 and said JS will be flying by round 4.You can go back to last year when I said RD can't run with JS or RV also. Now that the presure is off him maybe he will go for it. I want to see him push it a little. I think he has a lot more in him but may be like K-Dub and never un cork it all.
@pilotdude, nice write up by the way, but here are some more facts for the other readers to consider:
Stewart has not “self destructed in 50% of his sx series”, only 2 out of 6, ('05 and '10)and one was his very first ever dry race (too excited maybe?) .
Raced a 250 against all 450’,s on outdoor tracks, and was beaten regularly, not only by r/c, but by reed and windham, as well. (I believe one other guy, had a 2 stroke out there)
Almost beat r/c for sx title in 2006, but 2 points shy. r/c had a few asterisks next to THAT title. 7 other riders, including stewart and reed, were penalized for fuel infractions, but not r/c. R/c cut the track in Detroit, and was not penalized for it. (even though his teammate, Tedesco was penalized for it earlier in the day) By the way, stewart had 9 wins to r/c’s 6, that season.
Lost to r/c, straight up, on equal machinery (kx450f/rm450z = same bike) in 2006 outdoors. Stewarts first ever races on a 450 outdoors, compared to r/c’s 4 full seasons on a 450, 2 of which were perfect.
Of the nine seasons he has failed to win a title:
5 were due to injury. (1) His very first 450 race. (2 & 3) The knee (which wasn’t his fault, and cost him TWO championships.) (3 & 4) the narvicular bone /joint (was totally his fault, and cost him TWO championships)
Who did stewart beat for his only outdoors title? True, the list doesn’t look impressive, but rv only beat alessi, for his spectacular 1-1 debut, and yet some people on here act like he is the greatest outdoor rider ever.
Let the people make up their minds for themselves.
Isn’t moto FUN?
BillC, when someone says something like: I want RD to win but I think JS will win. It's like they are trying to cover both sides of the fence. So no matter who wins he will be in the good. As far as K-Dub goes, I believe if he ever truly wanted to give it his all he could beat anybody. That's what makes the up the spirit of a man. It's the same thing James must have inside him right now. We all can do amazing things if we really are determined. Never give up!!!!!!
BillC, Dude you're funny! Did you mean predicted or "predicked"??? Is that anything like foreplay???
And about muhammad ali.,,,, on the tv shows, where they rank the fighters greatness, he was number one, ahead of joe louis (tyson was 12th). Ali invented hype and trash talk, he was doing it before he fought sonny liston, when nobody even knew who he was.
I would think that a human being would have to have a huge ego, in order to be on top of any sport. Carmichael had an big ego, he just kept it to himself, which is important in this day and age, with the media in you face 24/7.
Not really covering both side because you still say JS will win... You HOPE RD will but said JS will. I agree, K-Dub has a lot of speed he just won't let it all out... RD might be the same. Thats why I respect JS... For someone to leave it ALL on the track like he does is great to see. Yup sometimes it bits you in the ass but at least you know you gave it all you had. Some Like RD will not do that. Sometimes it works sometimes it don't but you have better odds if you can hang it out because you can make things happen,,,, Sometimes bad but ya tried at least.
LOL predicked = foreplay lol smileyface icon
Trick, thanks for the reply and you have some good point that I think the more level-headed fans would consider. However, I think a good portion of your points also demonstrate perfectly what I was trying to show: Stewart is human, who makes his fair share of mistakes and misjudgement that in a sport as tough as this often result in injury.
It seems like the loony toon fans want to gorge themselves on the "fastest man on the planet" tripe, but simply cannot admit that even Stewart himself is only about 50% successful when he rides at his "whole other level". The other 50% of the time he is in a cast or under the knife. Live by the "whole other level", die by the "whole other level".
I th
Brooks may have indeed "extended" Stewart's career by offering him a way NOT to race the outdoors (and thus avoid the possible injuries) but he did lose a lot of respect from fans and certainly tarnished his future legacy. It is interesting to note, however, that the injury he suffered last year occured in supercross, not the outdoors.
Nice insight by trick and pilotdude. What a great sport, so many angles to discuss!
I bet my next ten paychecks, that stewart is very sorry that matt walker ever coined that phrase in the first place. look at what it has gotten him. Still i have never seen anyone go faster on a dirt bike, crashes and all.
Stewart has never been injured (i mean a season ending injury) in the outdoors, except for that rock/knee incident, which wasn't his fault. All 3 of his major injuries are from sx.
BillC, you didn't say, you didn't think it was gonna happen, when talking about K-Dub. You said, it ain't gonna happen. I have a good memory on some things. That cut me deep, but I healed up ok. Still like you though.
Trick I don't know what you mean by "it wasn't his fault" on his knee injury at Washougal. There was no other rider involved in it. I think a more accurate way to describe that injury was that it was more an unfortunate injury but one not caused by riding over his head.
The more aggressive you are on a corner the more you have to lay the bike over. I don't think he caught a rock though. I believe it was just deep loose dirt that he caught his boot into and folded his leg back.
LOL ride4ever... Well.... it aint gona happen..... I did say that for sure.... I will try to be more kind with my words from now on and still make my point.
pilotdude... Well, let's say Brooks always wanted to focus on the SX scenery... Generates the most of income for a team owner... Something he figured out when he was a manager at Chaparral during the Mcgrath winning days.. Hence Reed rode for L&M.. And Stewart did the same...
Of course choosing to race SX only will make you not too popular with fans alike.. And sure, will never enable one to achieve allround greatness such as RC achieved... But how things are shaping up.. SX is getting more and more exposure outside the US than the MX scene will ever generate.. So to ride 4 months a year intensively and earn way more than to ride 9 months.. Plus some exhibitions races... Why bother? More and more and more riders will choose this path...
PS. glad you healed up ok.!! LOL
pilotdude I agree, but when was the last time you saw a rock roll down a hill, and take someones front wheel out? In my eyes it was a freak accident. It could have happened to r/c just as easily, or anyone else. Just true bad luck.
read the article, ride4ever, if you can navigate thru the stupidly designed archive section of this website. (I cant, so i am just going by memory here)
Didierlotsyeng.........
"SX is getting more and more exposure outside the US than the MX scene will ever generate.. So to ride 4 months a year intensively and earn way more than to ride 9 months.. Plus some exhibitions races... Why bother? More and more and more riders will choose this path..."
this the single biggest thing that sucks about our sport (besides supercross tracks you can't pass on).
Bob hannah raced everything, and made nothing compared to these guys. Its the money thats ruining this sport (and also why a sx ticket costs 60$)
Anyone know how the KTM's did this weekend ?
JimM
Carlsbad Ca
Nice ride 29 ! There you go Mike, it can be done !
JimM
CarlsbadCa
Trick I have never heard of the version you mentioned. In the video I have seen of Stewart's 2007 knew injury at Washougal, he stuck his foot out in the left handed turn near the amateur start and jammed it in the ground, resulting in a dislocated knee.
Pilotdude, Is that a video on u-tube, i'd like to watch it again. I am only going from memory right now, because the "archives" section of this new racer-x website, was designed by a complete IDIOT. I hope someone strangles him/her with a live snake.
For now, it is your word agaist mine. I hope we can clear this up someday..
RACER-X ARE YOU LISTENING?? (there also used to be a "contact us" link, but that is gone now too. I am trying to like it, but this new site SUCKS BAD)
Trick... I agree... money seems to spoil a lot.. Mainly because some greedy SOB's believe they can make a sh*** load of money.
@pilotdude..........
This was all i could find in the crappy racer-x archives, I know there is more in there somewhere, but I dont have 3 hours to look for it, thanks to the IDIOTIC format.
Somewhere, i read that the rock rolled down from the outside to the inside of the turn, and he looked right at it, and it went right under his front tire. here is an exerpt from a 'race report'.............
Stewart put on a Villopoto-esque charge from the back, passing nearly 20 riders in the first lap (!) and then working his way all the way past his Monster Kawasaki teammate Tim Ferry to take third. That would have given Stewart a 1-3 overall win, topping Langston, who would have gone 4-1. Stewart has been through a lot lately and wisely seemed to back it down and not go after Langston or Windham. It was all set, until the very end of the race when all heck broke loose. Stewart crashed in a routine corner, catching a rock and popping his knee out. He was trapped under his bike and in pain, unable to continue and suddenly seeing the championship picture grow very shaky.
If they ever fix this website, maybe we can the full story, someday.
whatever, I know they race for a living. But according to dgizzy, all he ever mentions when someone talks about Stewie is "he still got paid". So that was my question, if he JUST does it for the money. And he has alot of money is why he turned his back onthe Nationals. He makes so much he doesnt have to do the Nationals to make money. So dont turn this on to me, talk to your buddy dgizzy..
well i didnt get a chance to see the race due to work,but i see everyones havin a dungey stewart battle..RV2 is talented..but not a favorite,dungey got too hyped up,but then again hes faster than 96% of the guys out there..stewarts fast,talented,confident,and has reeallyyy big balls the other guys wont ever have,hes super fast,if he falls..he knows he has to pay to catch up..windham,where did he place? hes truely a fan favorite wether hes winnin or not,the only thing we can do is sit and see what happens,
This summer will tell us a lot. Is stewart REALLY not racing the outdoors anymore, because he has plenty of money, and wants more time to spend it ? We know he intentionally skipped '09, because he wanted a break from all this ( been racing since age 4... carmichael too, but ricky retired at 27. AT what age will bubba go race cars? )
And, the L & M deal of sx only. Hopefully, he will only stay there as long as chad did.
At the time, I remember that reed started the team "san manuel"...which has become L & M. Anyway, if stewart really does want to still race outdoors ( I cant imagine he wouldn't, If I was him, I sure Fu**ing would. ...)
A free opportunity, to avenge what happened last summer, against desalle and dungey. He would be nuts to pass that up. So all i'm saying is, maybe there is more going on than what we know of. Maybe he has something in the works, and now is not the best time to release it, and they are waiting to announce it or something.
So, far he has only voluntarily skipped ONE outdoors. Is L & M really working on something? On a months notice, they put together that one from last summer, and it was good enough to get on the podium in one moto.
Maybe with stewart's cash, and the amount of time they have had, they have put something together. If reed can afford to do it, stewart can too. Lets just wait and see what happens, as the sx season winds down.
The hype for this summer would be even bigger than it was for the sx, which was supposed to be a perfect storm already. And, to sweeten the pot, we also have pourcel (hopefully)... like I said he would be crazy not to do it.
I disagree, about L & M in sx only, just because of the money factor. I think that them racing outdoors, would help them. They are the closest thing to "factory yamaha", and I dont think bikes are selling nowadays. The non-outdoors has brought a hailstorm of criticzm, and must be hurting sales. Just like dungey is selling suzuki's (was, whatever).
If they could improve thier image, wouldn't that somehow generate more $ , sponsors, etc. ?
I do not believe that stewart has QUIT racing the outdoors. He has material wealth, but I think his ego is bigger than all of that. Why do you think he started racing in the first place?
oops, i forgot to finish a sentence, and added a preposition, but since there is no longer an edit function..............................
trick.. I doubt Stewart will follow Reed's longevity at L&M.... Back then Reed toyed with the idea to start his own team.. But then Brooks and his partner put up L7M with the San manuel sponsoring... And had Reed on board.
Of course.. Stewart will get the flack for riding only SX... And maybe he will ride the MX again.. Just for the sake of proving to himself and the rest he is still very much capable of winning there.. But let's face it... SX scenery gets enough exposure and reach's out to people who are new to motocross in general...
Yamaha knows this.. And if they are willing to cough up enough $$ to contribute to Stewart's astronomical base salary... That's enough for them.
In my line of work.. same thing.. I work for the VW group.. They focus on some part of racing.. enough to justify the exepnses and recoup by having enough exposure... And in some way a corrolation in augmenting their sales..
The outdoor scenery.. Draws a certain amount of crowd and type of crowd... Which also important to reach out too.. But.. Not as much as to reach out to the new market... You will most probably find in the bigger congested areas such as large cities.. People who are completely new to the sport.. Why do you think those energy drinks are so much pumping their $$ in to it?? Hence the popularity of SX.
L&M is for now the closest thing to a factory because Yamaha knows they can get good exposure and use for their marketing in order to sell bikes. But yamaha also keeps close ties to the other players suchs as JGR and Valli motorsport as an example.. And yamaha figured it out.. It's a waste of $$ to field their own team and like most corporates.. Outsourcing is one way of reducing cost.. And it seems to work.. Just a matter of time before the other manufacturers will follow..
L&M recoups enough during the SX season.. Trust me... especially if they do well... Doing the outdoors is just a bonus.. And maybe there is a fine line to justify the cost and return afterwards...
Is this good for the sport..? That is subject to a debate..
Plus I forgot to add.. Reed leaving L&M for suzuki, as i call back then.. was in some ways related to $$... Reed at that time was becoming a bit arrogant.. And wanted to earn more.. To the extent in matching RC's $$... Not very flattering as rumours.. but hell.. It's his right... Remember reading and hearing Decoster himself as well.. Suzuki management decided to go ahead and bring in Reed to his suprise.. Only leaving to suggest that yep.. They agreed to Reed's high demands... And to no surprise.. The following year.. Suzuki just could not give the same $$ to Reed.. And Kawa was stupid enough to agree to it.. But here again.. Reed already had some ties with Kawa as he rode in the australian SX season.. And winning it for Kawa... Put some pressure on Kawa USA from different angles.. And they agreed to give Reed's demands... But we all know how that ended... even though a lot was maybe not Reed's fault... (Being ill and all)... Kawa saw the results were not there... They parted ways.
A good thing Reed started his own team and has become more his own self... Meaning loving to race. And that for a non Reed fan to see.. I very much appreciate it to the extent wishing him the very best for this season!
Didierlotsyeng, aside from the L & M issue, I think stewart will find a way to race outdoors. After he signed with L & M, he took the summer off in '09, and in '10 he was hurt. What is going to happen in '11? I dont think he is going to take the summer off again. If $ is the issue, he has plenty, and like reed is doing now, he can do it. Why doesn't he just finance the outdoor effort for L & M, so he can get back to business? I am sure his people read these comments, and relate it to him, and remember, last year he was boo'ed a A1 during opening ceremomies. I think his clamour with the fans, his reputation, and ego, are enough to bring him outdoors again. I just dont buy this "he refuses to race outdoors anymore" crap, that lots of people have been saying on here.
He has been on L & M now, for 2 years. I doubt he will stay there for the rest of his career (look how many times reed switched teams already). So, on his next team, whichever it is (I would LOVE to see what he can do on that RM450Z) he will be outdoors again, right? So, skipping all of these outdoor series, during his tenure at L & M, is only going to make him rusty, while the the young guns grab all the glory. I just dont see him letting that happen.
trick.. I hope so... I remember reading in an interview with L.Brooks... That the initial agreement with Stewart is a SX contract only.. However... they have the option upon mutual agreement to ride some events in the nationals...
IN that same interview.. Brooks re-itirated that L&M were always focused on the SX only.. Explaining why they were able to achieve a certain degree of success iso focusing on the outdoors as well. He might have a valid point.. As we do not know the ins and outs of his organisation...
And yes.. All you wrote.. I reckon Stewart is still relatively young to ride the outdoors... Just for the sake of proving he can still be the best in that discipline...
I understand riders such as MC, K-Dub and the rock chose to ride SX only as they felt their age was begining to be a factor... Except for MC.. he never really was fond of the outdoors..
In Stewart's case.. He will be kind of emberassed that even a Reed.. On a privateer's effort will field his honda regardless he finds the necessary sponsors or not... And let's face it.. Having a Dunge win another outdoor will be somewhat a farce as well....
I hope he will ride the outdoors... He still has 3 yrs at the very least in his prime.. before he enters the twilight of his career...
kdub can do whatever he wants cus hes the man! lol.reeds a has been,his years are showin,gettin slower,makin his own team..time to retire while hes close to the top and maybe go race trophy trucks or somethin..right? i mean isnt it time for him to move on too? everyother legend did,except mcgrath waited til he was gettin his butt kicked every race he raced(periodically) and retired with a bad name for himself..hes still an OG though..
@bd200..
at the rate stewart spends money he cant afford to take a season off,that guy blows through it so fast its unreal.if he retired now he would go broke,those moto schools hes been teachin aint gonna be able to afford his compound and his lambos and his (houses)..or mansions..bubba needs to either slow down on spendin or race more,you gotta admit,for a millionare the guy could go broke verry verryy fast at his rate of living and spending..
FoyBoy517... Well.. There can be some truth in it.. Or.. He's simply making so much money...
Lest not forget.. Property in Haines (FL) is not really what we would call... Expensive... Ok.. His new home in Orlando might cost a fortune.... And all those cars... And the private jet (2nd hand, but still..).. Staff he employs 24/7....
I have a tendency to think.. He makes so much... And like most athletes.. Who do well... They have agencies taking care of their money.. I seriously doubt they will go bankrupt... Friend of mine works with some european tennis players.. The scheme they offer to their players (Clients).. Makes it practically impossible to spend it all...
yea but lets say he just stopped racin and makin money,he would have such small income that he couldnt keep up,i know it would be hard to go broke,but its possible,but id like to see stewart retire on top like rc did..maybe in a few years,but i dont want him to lose his name and then retire like mcgrath,he was my alltime and favorite idol,but he stuck around too long and people got the wrong idea of him..