by Chase Stallo
450 Words: Daytona
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PrintIn a sport where tenths of seconds determines whether or not you win a race or become a champion, three weeks seems like light years away. But when you really break it down, it’s only 21 days. American Honda’s Trey Canard has been on enough of rollercoaster ride for his last 21 days that it would send most people to the funny farm.
After taking home his first career victory at Houston, Canard led at San Diego—only to drop the front-end and finish fourth—and was in third in Atlanta before again making a mistake and taking home a fifth. Then the mother-load dropped on the young rookie this weekend. After a disappointing start, Canard slid the front end out early and unintentionally collided with Ryan Dungey and Ivan Tedesco—sending Canard to the back of the pack. Canard would rebound and work his way into the top-ten, only to have Brett Metcalfe make a mistake, leaving Canard nowhere to go but right into the back of his bike. This left Canard in obvious frustration with a thirteenth place finish.
Now 42 points back, Canard seems all but out of the championship hunt.
Photo: Simon Cudby
Now Canard sits in what seems like an insurmountable 42 point hole from point’s leader Ryan Villopoto. But let us for a moment play the “what if” game. What if Canard had not swapped the front end at San Diego and held off Chad Reed for his second consecutive victory? Go ahead and add seven more points to Canard’s total.
What if Canard had not crashed in Atlanta and played the role of Ryan Villopoto. Sitting, waiting patiently behind the Reed/Stewart showdown, and then taking home his third consecutive victory after they crashed? This might just be wishful thinking, but it’s not entirely out of the realm of possibility. If Canard had won three straight before heading into Daytona, the message boards would be blowing up faster than a Charlie Sheen…ah, a little to early for that one.
At that point, the 2010 Dungey/2011 Canard comparisons would be through the roof. With that much confidence in the books, things may have even played out differently in Daytona. But the reality is, Canard has made the mistakes rookies make, and now he (unless he can pull off a miracle) is out of the championship hunt.
Of course, you could play this game with all the top contenders and come out with the same scenario. Stewart, Reed and Dungey all have races and moments they wish they could take back. So before we hand over the title to Villopoto, remember, this is Supercross, and anything can happen in a matter of weeks.
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Good read, well said.
What if.... what if I had some talent and could beat these guys?
What if every child in America had set their sights on being a Supercross champion since the day they were born. Hmmmm... let's ponder that...
:P
There's no "if" in Championship. Next subject.
What if this article had a point?
more ifs... yay. What if this article was written without the "if" theme?. Why talk about Canards regrets and instead focus on his still incredible rookie season?
What if TC roosted you !!!!! Lets not forget how well he is doing !!! Go Trey, us OKIES are behind you 100 0/0 !!!!!!
I knew the "what-if's" would ruffle peoples feathers here. You guys need to relax, things are what they are, but it's ok to hypothetically talk about how things could be different if a few things had gone differently!! Lighten the hell up!! I get it Chase, good article, and you are right...let's not write this one in the books yet, RV could throw away his points lead just as quickly as he gained it!! Crazy season, but good!!
He's doing really well for a rookie in the 450 class. Better than Ricky did in 99, better than Stewart did in 05, and better than Villopoto did in 09. The only rookies I can think of off the top of my head that did better in their first shot at the big bikes are Dungey and McGrath. No doubt in my mind his best years are ahead of him.
^^^^ and Reed.
what if JS7 didn't kiss the ground....
Speaking in hypotheticals about things and events that have already occured is pointless.
Does anyone else with a blackberry have problems with the mobile site since the site was updated jan 1st? I haven't been able to use the mobile site since then, I can use any other site just not this one. I don't think its my phone, like I said it works fine for any other site, just not this one... Its incredibly annoying. This used to be my favorite site, I could read articles while on break. Now I sit there and listen to "water cooler" convo.
I have to give MAJOR props to Stewart,Racing,back to 9th after that get off.. Some of us have looped out like that,but Wow..New Respect for that young man..RV's ridin good,atm. But wow..James deserves some credit on that ride..
I personally would have loved to see Canard tear it up on a few of these finishes. Who doesn't like to see the Rookie/ underdog get ahead?
Give him time, why he's gonna be just fine. Trey kicks ass!!!
Endoman, You DON"T have ANY talent, and you CAN"T beat these guys, so shut the hell up.
Ive said it on other posts, what if a frog had wings then he would not hit his ass when he hopped,,,,,,, There are no what if's in life there is only life we get what is dealt to us some win some fail on the level these guys are on it is just amazing. Yes I think James had a lot of desire ,been there done that, he was just wanting to get back into the game! Lets Race!!!!
i think some of you are missing the point of the article. It is saying what a great season Canard is having and how much better if could have been and that he could be right in the thick of things and having a rookie year like RD last year and that Poto dosnt have it wrapped up yet..anything can happen..
True that Point!!!
Did they just close a Quad site somewhere? how did we end up with all these guys posting senseless crap and writing novels, go write your friends on facebook or WWF or something...
even with dungeys string of titles, I'm equally impressed with canard's numbers.
dungey looked great at the us open, but i was more impressed with treys part time 450 results. Definitely not on a' linear' learning curve. Think of where that kid was four years ago. the motocross equivalent of 'from out of nowhere' .same with dungey.
6 foot 7 foot 8 foot foot!! !Thats the song JS7 was singing as he was doing that one section that only he was able to do. I have a lot of respect for that guy. Win or lose he is the sickest rider to ever throw a leg on a dirt bike. When a rider has that much balls where no one else can even try his technic, theres a lot to say about the talent.
The ball is on RV's hands, He doesnt even have to win a race anymore. All he has to do is finish 2nd and 3rd and he will have the title.
What if Reedy was not a privateer? What if 22 and JS7 become team mates outdoors?
What if Jake Weimers's girlfriend dumped him? May be he would start winning. What if Chad Reed was American? What if Stewart was white? Would he still have Bubba's world tv show? What if Dungey did not have that DNF? What if Pourcel got a factory ride? would he be standing at the top of the 450 class? Lastly What if the riders really drank the energy drinks they pretend to? They would all be jumping the section stewart was jumping.
That must be the "new math" dgizzy. RV is in the driver's seat but it is far from over. I hope the remaining rounds will be just as entertaining as the past ones. Half way done and the top 5 are all still in good health! Couldn't ask for more.
What if you didn't have a stupid screen name? What if you didn't make stupid comments? Unlike some of you I actually understood the article and it makes sense. Canard could easily be in a position to win the title, but has made mistakes. Villopoto could easily do the same...which was the point of the article
I did not know that. Now, I do know that.
Come on Chase.This sounds like some of the lame stuff Steve "The Fat Mattress" would waste our time with.
I bet ol' 'Daisy Mudflap's could pound you into the ground like a tent stake . .. ((On OR off the track.))
milk, milk, lemonade, round the corner fudge is made.
Stewart actually raced all the way up to P-10, Alessi handed P-9 over on a silver platter. I was actually amazed with Stewart's determination and grit after that get off. Pure instinct (and the Asterik Medical Crew) put him back on that bike.
What if RC never retired....? He'd be pwning these guys just like old times!!!!!!
Man, I think it's time to make a new series called Stewart's Got Talent. No other rider has ever been handed more titles by adoring fans that he didn't win. As we watched Dungey win a title last year (because Stewart and RV hurt himself supposedly) and RV 23 points up this year (because Stewart keeps falling) the fanboys just can't gush enough over how talented and fast Stewart is. Never did anyone put down the titles that were won back in the day when Danny Chandler was blazing around the track for a few laps and then being loaded into an ambulance a few laps later. You fanboys should be telling Stewart to slow the hell down and win the titles. In 20 years fans will be looking back and saying, "man imagine if that Stewart had enough brains to back it down whenever possible". He probably will go down in MX history as the guy that threw away the most titles. I do believe he has that accomplishment right now! Hey as long as he does those "impossible" jump combos, right? James is still in the title chase and he's 23 points down WITHOUT a mechanical failure, only BRAIN failures. Dungey is 31 points down WITH a mechanical failure. Well, at least James was doing the "wall" at Daytona. Stewart has done exactly what many of us thought he would, auger his head into the ground at various times despite being the fastest most of the time. New title for James: Fastest Head Augerer on the Planet. He's "LUCKY" to be in 2nd place right now, if not for a Dungey chain
Some of us like Stewart because he is who he is...and what he does.
Whats your talent?
Is it finding something to say that you feel is intelligent for all of the Racer X community to see to justify your oterwise anonymous existence in this world?
Check transworld bubba has pulled out of sx with a busted spleen!!!! racerx behind on this one!!!!!!!!!
B-KR,
Am I understanding you to say that you and others like stewart because he will take necessary risks and crash, potentially ending his or others careers and quality of life.
Is that what you are really saying?
B-KR, the correct term is FANTARD. Get it right. I see exactly what the article was saying. We were saying how unlucky Canard has been this year. Especially at Daytona, he was taken out at no fault of his own. the guy cant catch a break.
Open Class...no you added those words...I simply mean the excitement he brings to the sport. I agree there has been times he has done stupid things that have had negative consequences for himself and others but that is him. Every pro goes to the line knowing it could be their last time. Stewart doesn't have that fear like some of the other more conservative riders.
This year he has toned down those risks.
If you are referring to the JT Money Incident JT said himself thet he screwed up and crossed lines (a big no-no in a rythym section) so what more do you want?
Besides, it is MX man go play chess if you prefer... (MX as in the sport as a whole, not the singular entity supercross.)
@ BD-200 Canard was taken out to no fault of his own....
Where are the hordes of angry, race clean - don't be too aggressive - use your head types, with pitch forks railing agains Metcalf for his stupid over aggressive riding! its racing! Crap happens.
Seems it is a one way street with some of the haters on here...
Trey should have just shut off and not ran into Metcalf.
Really though Trey is a good kid and riding well. Way to go.
I will not respond to any post when someone doesnt even have enough balls to use thier correct username, COWARD..
IF, little word BIG meaning.motocross,supercross $HIT happens.NEXT.
LOL good stuff here!!!
BD200 GET BACK TO WORK OR YOU ARE FIRED!!!
AND STOP LIVING VICARIOUSLY THROUGH YOUR HERO"S
OH AND GET A GIRLFRIEND AND TRY GOING OUTDOORS ONCE IN A WHILE>>>
We still beleive in miracles.....
What if....BK-R Geuss What? knew how to spell Guess? I dont think B-KR is saying Stewart isnt talented he's just saying what alot of people think and thats that Stewart has been called The Fastest Man on the Planet without the titles to actually prove it. Maybe he could be The Fastest Lap Setter on the Planet or something more fitting. But this is about Canard so enough about Stewart. BD200 I believe Canards first soil sample was his own fault. He clearly was out of shape in that corner before anyone tangled with him.
DJames30, Yes TC first fall was all his own doing. His second... Well not so much but he was in the same line as BM I think.
What if.... Sounds like Bubba fans moto.
DJames, yes your right, but he has had some terrible luck this season. I guess its that rookie big bike season alot of riders deal with. That big bike has tossed him around some this year.
@DJames30: Please stop. As the many, many Stewart haters (and Villopoto) will happily point out, the fastest rider doesn't always win, and therefore one can be both the fastest and the least-winning rider in the world.
In the future, be more like Stewart and USE YOUR HEAD.
As for Canard's second wreck, I think he saw Metcalfe going down and turned left to avoid him, but Metcalfe ended up falling in his line anyway. Those two are ALWAYS running together. Metcalfe was right behind Trey when he got tangled with Dungey, too.
what if reed broke his leg,and dropped out of the series..ahhh amen,bubba and canard wouldnt have to sslow back cus hes in their way..i wish malcolm luck,and bubba..is outa wack,hes better than what hes givin credit for right now..hes been a bit loose