Open Mic: Atlanta
Monday, February 28, 2011 | 1:40 PM
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PrintInterviews by Steve Matthes and Jason Weigandt
After the race in Atlanta, we combed the indoor pit area, recorder in hand, and grabbed these quotes from the riders.
Ryan Villopoto: Winner, SX Class
I know where I was a little bit slow on the track and I wish I was more in touch with the battle and those two guys. Sometimes it’s not about being the fastest guy, it’s about being the smartest and the fastest guy and those two guys jacked each other and I came out with the win. The section that I was a little slow in was the whoops, I looked at the segment times and me and Stew were right there most of the time. I was just a little slow in that one part and it cost me.
I didn’t see those two (Stewart and Reed) collide but I was just a little bit behind them. I heard the crowd and once I hit the triple, I looked over and saw them on the ground. I cruised up, looked at them and said, “Thanks guys” and went on for the win.
The track was tough, there were the lappers and (Ryan) Dungey was right there on me on the last lap. If you were to go back and look at the times, you would see that we were all the same unless we hit the lappers.
Carey Hart: Team Owner, Ivan Tedesco (SX Class, 9th) and Chris Blose (SX class, 14th)
It was a great heat race for us but a little bummer of a main event. I was watching Ivan (Tedesco) on the start for the main event and the guy next to him jumped which made him go and hit the gate. (Chris) Blose got a good start and rode solid all night. The track was really hard to pass on and so when you hit the gate and have to come from the back, that makes it pretty tough.
As far as the Blose/Reed thing, I watched it the entire way and to me, I think Blose got the blue flag and started working his way to the outside and then (Chad) Reed and James (Stewart) caught him fast and Reed went to the outside for some reason-a line that really no one had taken all day. So it was just racing and stuff happens.
Sipes was strong in Atlanta, finishing the night in fifth.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
My practices and heat went pretty good, I was happy with that. Once I got into the main I just kind of rode around and got locked into the pace of the guys ahead of me. Then Dean (Wilson) got by me-I don’t know how, I kind of blanked out on that one- because I was just behind Blake Baggett riding around out there. If I had been riding my own race and focusing on going forward, I would have done pretty well, I think.
So then after that, I went down on the on-off tabletop section when I lost my front end, basically the same thing (Blake) Wharton did. Although my result wasn’t as good as Houston, I felt like I rode better than that last race.
Nick Wey: 12th in SX Class
The team has been working hard to get me more comfortable on the bike, our suspension guy Todd Brown did some testing with me that helped a bunch. I’ve been dealing with this back injury for a while now and I’m finally able to ride during the week. I got terrible starts all night except for when it counted, when I was in the LCQ. I was happy to win that race, there were some good riders in there and I got some TV time as well.
In the main event, I got a terrible start, I think there was one guy behind me, and I ended up getting 12th on the night. I was happy with my ride, I think it was the best one of the year for me. I caught the pack of guys like (Davi) Millsaps and (Brett) Metcalfe from a ways back and was right there. With a start, I would’ve been top ten for sure. Not that a top ten is my real goal, I want to be in the top five, but it’s a start. I’m happy with my Vall Rockstar Yamaha ride. And Carl from Winners Take All, AKA Broc Glover, hooked me up with some great tires for the race!
Short is on the cusp of breaking into the top-5.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
Andrew Short: 6th in SX Class
That’s two weeks in a row I got sixth, but this week I rode well! I was happy with my ride, I had a good start of the race, an okay middle part of the race and then was fifth for nineteen laps before [Trey] Canard got me. It was my best race of the year, I had good speed and the team is making improvements. I’m learning how to ride the bike better as well.
I think that on the bike I’ve learned that you have to land off the jumps with the thing wide open. It doesn’t have the torque of a 450 so you have to keep the momentum up and you can’t cut under a guy and then expect to accelerate them to the next turn. I’m having to change my 450 technique. I’m excited for KTM and Red Bull and we seem to be working in the right direction.
Justin Barcia: 2nd in Lites
It was a pretty tough day. I had a crash near the mechanic’s area in the first timed practice. Honestly, the crash wasn’t that gnarly, but I hurt my wrist. It definitely affected me for the rest of the day, I had to tape it up, get ice on it and a write brace and stuff like that. I got eleventh in the second practice, but hey, what’s new? I got eighth in Houston practice, so you never know. I knew I just needed to stay in the championship run, so I did what I had to do. I got a good start, and I charged the entire race. I had a few run ins with lappers. That was gnarly, it was definitely the highlight part of my race right there. It was even bad in the 450 race, with the lappers, so I think it was just a tough track to pass on.
Do you remember where the passes were made?
"It was nuts!" - Barcia
I honestly don’t remember all of it, a race like that, it’s happening so fast, I just remember lappers, and all of us going back and forth. It was gnarly, that’s all I know. The wrist hurts a little bit, I’m definitely going to take this week off a little bit and rest up, because Daytona is a gnarly one.
A crash would hinder Canard for the second straight week.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
Trey Canard: 5th in SX Class
You were with the leaders and all of a sudden you disappeared. What happened?
Wild packs of stray dogs were out on the track, and they got me. No, kidding. I just got a big huck-a-buck in the whoops, and I lost my feet and mosied right off the track. Took awhile to get going from there, and the track was tough to pass on.
I was bummed. I think the past two weekends I really put myself in position to win the race, and it’s just a really big bummer to not come through. I was in third behind James and Chad, so I was ahead of Villopoto, so it was definitely a good position seeing that he won the race. I’m so bummed. I just have to work through it and not get too discouraged. It’s my rookie season, and this is a tough season to be a rookie in, there are a lot of experienced, great champions out there, and I can’t get too bummed.
We get excited because I’m riding well. I don’t know if I should say that I’m running those guy’s speed or whatever, but I do feel like I’m up there. So it’s easy to get ahead of yourself. I just need to have solid races. I would love to win, but I have to just be okay with solid races, and try to build.
Malcolm Stewart: 8th in SX Lites
I just went down in the first corner in the main. I rode good after. I came back from a long ways, but, definitely not where I want to be. It’s better than two weeks ago, I know that for sure. I mean, I know I have got speed, I just to be a little smarter. Being down in that first corner, I don’t even know what happened. I’d have to look at the tapes to know. But I feel good about my riding and my speed. I want to be in the top five, though. That’s where I feel like I should be.
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"I cruised up, looked at them and said, 'Thanks guys' and went on for the win." Thats funny
Wey wants to be top five. awe that's cute. Just sayin.
when are we gonna see a track where passing isn't an issue? I mean damn,u expect to riders to keep it clean when there is no where to pass!! We know Daytona will be a good one,because it is designed by a true moto guy(RC) Aesome series though,lovin it!!
yeah odds are against Wey getting a top 5
Another reason I love RV2.....The lap times should be interesting...the seemed to be the same distances apart the entire race.... And funny how Reeds other bad move to follow Blose is somehow a "lappers" fault....I think the lappers did a pretty good job for the most part....they are not going to just stop and pull over after all...they hold their line and you go around them. Regal actually went way high out of the line, so no fault to him, even Reed said that.
I wonder why Malcolm Stewart didn't mention his dad screaming like Jesse Jackson at the end of the 450 main, waving his arms like a windmill. What a spectacle. An embarrassment to the Stewarts and to the sport. Act civilized.
I have to say i am surprised with Malcolm Stewart's speed. They are racing on a stadium floor it is always going to be hard to pass. Easy to pass tracks suck, I believe if you go down in the first turn you should not be able to hammer it up to the podium every time, while all the passes are all easy vanilla passes. They are doing it for a reason, and they are smart for doing it. Daytona will have passing....
RV2 was funny, I think. But I'm sure somebody will rip him for it, the haters have been all over him for saying he felt he rode smart.
With 50 sec lap times it looks like the theme is kinda like local MX races - in that its a 15-18 minute sprint - no planning and setting up passess like days of old.
Ever notice that SX is becoming more AX-like - instaed of the other way around.....when the owner of the series is run by MonsterTruck Incorporated....
Big James is my favorite of the Stewarts, he is hard core. He is great on the Bubba show.
@Pizzacorner - you should have watched the wind tunnel yesterday at (; it had an exclusive interview with James. He said that his dad wanted him to get away from the Media so he wouldnt say or do something that he would regret (move Reed put on him). If you watch the replay of James Dad yelling you would see Erin Bates hauling ass tryning get an interview about what just happened. Be honest if that happened to you, you would be pissed at that moment and say somethings you should say on TV. That was a good look by his dad to keep him level headed. Im a Stewart fan but not a huge sack sucking fan like most but that move Reed did was dirty. Looking at the replay ver and over, Stewart didnt see him untill he hit the gas to head into the whoop Section. Things are heating up and so is that Stewie Reed Rivalry.
@Trey lenzy - I agree with you totally. I'm not a Reed or Stewart fan. I'm a racing fan and it was awesome racing. Reed's move was dirty and I'm glad it cost him the win too and not just Stewie. Stewart would have said something stupid and implicated himself for what he is going to do down the road which is give it right back to Reed. It's gotta be nice knowing you're faster than Reed and the time will come where Reedy is in front of him and we wont be as nice as he was this last time. He keeps saying "It's just a racing incident, right?" mocking Reed and everyone else saying it's just racing. It was dirty, he knows it and I guarantee Reed will get his. It will probably end in a fist fight but hey. But wiill Reed say "It's just a racing incident?" - No - hell no, we've all heard how Reed whines when he gets the move put on him. Can't wait to see it happen. It maybe this week or week 16 or even next year but it WILL happen :)
Reed has bounced around from team to team more than any other top rider in SX and of coarse its never Chad with the problem. Look at what main sponsor steps up to help him, a company that has been "out of the sport" for years....seems a lot of folks want nothing to do with Reed, even though he is one of the top dogs...Now he says " I hope James and I are still cool"...cant have it both ways dude...
Wow I agree W/Trey to ...snakebte I forgot about the wines of a few yrs ago when Reed would blame everyone but himself when he got beat..jeas.. he even hated Kdub for awhile...
Just wanted to comment that lil' James covered up (on Wind Tunnel last night) what Big James was ranting and raving about which you saw during the SPEED telecast. Big james was screaming @ Stewie for jacking around on the last half lap with Reed which cost him 2nd place. Unfortunately SPEED was too busy showing you Villopoto and not showing the cat and mouse game Stewie was playing on Reed. During that last half lap he ended up letting Dungey sneak through and Reed blew around him on the outside of the last corner. Nice try covering up for your dad Stewie. I cant say I blame big James. Stewie cost himself 9 points in a half a lap. I'd be pissed too if my fortune was dependant upon my son - doesn't that just seem wrong by the way?
Redbeard65 most of everything you say about reed is not true, second you dont know jack s***
Chad reed said that blose did an awesome job of getting out of the way ooow and then..
monster energy is a main sponsor and they were never out of the sport since they came in so make sure to check your facts before you say something stupid again
@LINKIN - I was talking about Bel Ray sponsoring Reed, not Monster...hope that helps. Monster doesnt sponser Reed, they sponsor the Series and Kawasaki. As far as lappers go, Yes Reed said they were all fine, including Regal...the Reed fans here posting are claiming "if it wasnt for lappers"...Reed made the mistake, which he aknowledged.....Trust me I know pleanty...been around the sport along time and know pleanty of folks who are still on the tour on a weekly basis...
Reed is a great rider and an even better whiner......relax buddy.
@LINKIN- I think he's talkin about Bel-Ray. Used it all my life.
Steveman...I don think Linkin can read very well. Bel Ray didnt go out of business or anything, Maxima and Amsoil just took over the market share and Bel Ray scaled down. Now they are back in it and that is cool and they partnered with Reed to get their name back out there, good move for them....Just like JT (the gear not Jason Thomas) are throwing their hat back in the ring....its a cycle....where is PJ1 and Kal Guard :)
I get pretty sick of hearing the "top guys" ***** about LAPPERS. The rules say that the leaders are comming by. No where does it say stop racing and pullover to let them by. These guys that ***** about LAPPERS need to show that they are " a class above and make the pass...like their "self spoken" talent says they should be able to.
Redbeard. You calling Reed a Whiner??? He's won SX main events w/ broken collarbones, seperated shoulders, dislocated shoulders. He's the grittiest rider out there. Stewey was out for how long w/ the broken wrist??? You say you've been around this sport for so long and know it so well... How many races have you won with a freshly broken collarbone. The only dude I saw whining was Barcia. He looked like more of a fool than Big James. Screaming and making hand gestures like he's gonna punch someone (Lipanovich and another guy). Guess what? These lappers are all racing too. Good Job alessi with that 18th, Bet you like that Redbeard
Seems like everyone agrees that takeout on James was dirty. My favorite quote I've seen about the takeout was when guy said 'who took out who?' lol
Malcom will do better, Buba will also do better, but you little punk kids on here are just retarded - ha ha go CR 50 riders !
Umh, Redbeard65, I would have alot more respect for you if you could spell a sentence.
I understand what you're trying to say (not that I agree) but at least look at what you have typed and correct before posting.
Just saying.....
jairtime.. Why don't you come out of the closet and just say you dislike coloured people? Just do like the many men who are in denial of being gay? They come out of the closets eventually? And a lot of them are white? Shud be easy man...
Let me guess... SX shud be like Nascar.. Only rednecks.. Euh.. Even Nascar is changing.. Jee.. let me guess... The TV ratings and sponsors are scaling down... So having a redneck only kind of competition seems not to be the most lucrative... Wait a minute.. There are more foerign riders competing in nascar... Blasphemy!!! Wait a minute.. Isn't the president of the USA having the wrong colour???
You are funny man jairtime.. Real funny.. ha,ha
bd200.. Now see.. Had he said this as he mentioned in his interview with Holley.. He would have avoided being criticized for his 1st interview with Erin on the box...
RV is a funny kid.. And reading this.. (And can not wait to listen to the podcast of Steve on ATL race - interviews).. Just confirms RV is a cool dude... Just avoid asking him too many questions.. Intelligence is far fetched.. But that's cool.. He's great rider and no doubt.. he seems to be made of the same carving as legends...
you throw out the blue flag,let everybody race, take the top five quail, and have a heat
I just wanna say I think Stewat's old man did right by jumping on James about stuff. I remember my Dad jumping all over me when I messed up and hey I miss my dad and we got into it at the races sometimes. As least James did not telll his dad like I did and tell him "then you race the F#**@ilng bike" LOL, I am sure James is ok with his dad getting on him.
sorry dudes? thought you meant all the years that reed was picked up by other companies not this one.!