by Andy Bowyer
One Industries Thursday Rev Up: Cross Flags
Thursday, March 17, 2011 | 5:30 PM
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Hello, everyone, and welcome to the Rev Up. Those of you who are the few and the proud know all too well the drama with the cross flags. If you have ever raced in an outdoor national and poured your guts into fifteen minutes of a 30+2 moto, well, then you know what it feel like to see the flagman hold up two flags over his head in the cross position. If you’re still feeling the fuel then it can be a blessing and can add fuel to your house of fire. Transversely, you haven’t been feelin' it, have arm pump, and for some reason your bike just feels foreign for a reason you can’t diagnose. Then, the cross flags are bad.
Such is the situation with the 2011 Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship. The charge has been given the cross flags and no matter where you stand, you’re in the bed you made for yourself, good or bad, and now it’s time to see who has the salt.
Now is when the champions that will be have to really start thinking about the end of the battle. The end of all of the things they poured their hearts into, they can start thinking about the sweetest word in all of motorsports. And that, my friends, is the “championship.”
The championship is down to the wire.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
Yes, sir. It’s time to start talking about who is going to emerge from the smoke and stand atop the heap with both arms over their head. It’s a simple gesture, but carries an impact that every beating heart cannot argue. The winner. The man.
Now we’re going to take the championship to Jacksonville, Florida.
Ho, ho. Time to run, boys. Another weekend of supercross is here, and the recent history of the show should have everyone ready to see the unexpected. To see what is going to happen next.
AMA Supercross Lites East
You know, I don’t like tooting my own horn, so to speak. That said, I’ve been around “these parts” for a good little bit. When I tell you that I see a rider carrying the steam and is destined to burn their ass, I can say with no ego that I’ve hit on more than a few.
I hit on Blake Baggett. A few years ago I watched he and Justin Barcia throw down in a dust up at Loretta Lynn’s and he made me a believer. In said battle, he and Barcia came together—and depending on who’s side you are on—Barcia took Blake out. All chest bumping aside, this was the spark that lit the candle we see right now.
Baggett is right in the championship hunt.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
Take a step backward and ask yourself, Who is the man with these boys? My man, Blake, has been stretching the throttle cable on his Monster Energy/Pro Circuit KX250F. He blew the finish line section twice under heat, and then chucked it.
Jacksonville will see new race winner, Ryan Sipes, Dean Wilson, Barcia, and Baggett go to town.
AMA Supercross
Simply put, who is going to throw a brick on the train tracks of the Ryan Villopoto express? A lot of noise is being enjoyed about the rivalry between two-time champions Chad Reed and James Stewart, but as the cards fall now...2011 has been RV Park-time.
Hey, man, Ryan came out wearing a towel with a hole cut in it, wearing black on black, with black shoes and no socks. For those of you under 30 years of age, that is how “Iron” Mike Tyson used to walk into the ring. No flair, no ego, just 100 percent ready to destroy whatever stood in his path. Why is Ryan winning? Watch the time he saves in the corners. Watch how hard he is on the gas on the backside of the jumps. THAT is how Ricky Carmichael beat Jeremy McGrath. That is why Ryan is dominating. He has a serious problem with wristlock.
Is Stewart still in the hunt?
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
That’s how you win in American Supercross. You hold it on longer and get back into the fuel earlier than anyone else. You murder the track and offer absolutely no mercy to yourself, the track, or anything in your way of the championship.
Right now, that’s what is on the line. There’s no mystery of what kind of artillery the enemy is holding. At the cross flags all you have is your guts and luck. As it always does, luck will be a factor.
Wow, my friends, there is so much more that has yet to go down! The championship is on the line. Who ya got?
Thanks for reading, see you next week.
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Stewart definitely needs to start winning, but at this point, it won't be enough. He will need a little help from RV in the form of a mistake now and then. Looking at the year so far, the odds are in RV's favor in that category. I do hope the points tighten up over the next several races, just so the excitement and tension level can ramp up as the season winds down!!
just remember whatever, anything can happen at anytime ! this is racing !
"...You hold it on longer and get back into the fuel earlier than anyone else. You murder the track and offer absolutely no mercy to yourself, the track, or anything in your way of the championship."
Sounds like another rider; not RV. Villo has had a few wins by avoiding this strategy. Either way, 2011 SX has been awesome! Keep the hunt alive men!
good to see ryan do so well my son raced with him on minis he is the next big thing.
Oh, i'm definitely aware of that "trick"........and to be honest, i'm counting on it, i mean, i AM a JS fan after all!!!!
@gbs417.... Maybe the speed this kid is carrying is a little hard to perceive from the couch but every time someone knocks RV I get a kick out of it. He's been the fastest, most consistent rider in the series, JS puts down one scorching lap and then makes a mistake....At the end of the season I am sure winning the Supercross title is going to be much more valuable to RV than winning the title "fastest man in motocross".
whatever, your a Stewie fan really? We never knew, ha ha ha, just kidding dude.
If vpot can gain that many points in the title hunt, He can just as easily lose them. All it takes is one race, one race where lets say his muffler gets packed with mud.... seen it
Everyone keeps saying that RV is where he's at because of gifts. Isn't it ironic that the only way Stewart can win the Championship is from a gift from RV.
Another well written "Rev Up". Well done Andy. Push em' up to the gate already!
RV is in a great place, Stewy and Reed are crafty Vets who will do whatever it takes to force a mistake... But They have to catch Villy first and bang bars with him.... I'm pulling for Reed. But RV2 is making it hard!!!
I see the Jacksonville SX track has a RH 1st. turn. Different than all the others ran so far...GO RV...!
RV can bang bars with the best of them. He is the strongest, most fit one on the track. If they pressure him ,he'll let them go and pressure them into a mistake. The guy doesn't seem to get tired in a 20 lap main.. Can't wait for the outdoors, He will DOMINATE!!
Yeah outdoors should be good, Stewart is no slouch on fitness either. It'll be fun to see those two battle for 30 min +2. I hope Stewie does the whole season. You know, be the racer that you are.
But now is supercross. RV is definitely showing that he is a championship rider, but it certainly ain't over yet !
OK, I am lost. I hate to admit it, but I have no clue what Andy wrote. "Cross Flag?" Would someone please enlighten me.
Thanks,
Big Thump 650
Agree Bowyer, I have nvever seen anyone accelerate on the downside of a jump as soon or as hard as RV. He has paid his dues,last year and getting AD were the last two payments. Come crunch time this boy has more cards. Wrap this deal up ryan so we can get to the real racing.
Dirt
Oh and speaking of paying dues, I believe were seeing the last of the "aw shucks, Im just glad to be here stuff " from RD.
Dirt
Bigthump 650...Crossed flags means the moto is only half over 15min +2 laps left
"Is Stewart still in the hunt?" Really?!?! This season is only half way in Andy!! A lot can happen, and I'm betting JS7 IS and WILL be in the hunt through to the finale in vegas!!!! IMHO.....
Don't be surprised to see RV go into safe mode. If JS wins out and RV stays right behind him RV is the Champion and that's all that matters. I don't see RV hanging it out to win a race. He wants the title. Everybody else has to hang it out at this point and they have to hope for some bad luck for RV. It will be interesting.
EP74 Thanks, now I get it!
Bigthump 650
By reading this article you would think Baggett is leading the 250 East championship. Clearly at Indy there were two riders faster. He had a great performance at Daytona, but let the season play out.
RV ain't gonna go into safe mode, dude wants to win. And all y'all gotta remember he's a motocrosser by trade, thats his domain. Wrap it up RV, why it's gonna be an awesome outdoor season. Just sayin...
heyy!!! did anyone wake up today singin "finally friday"? i did :) its finally friday,im free again,supercross is comin this weekend,its finally friday, racers are out on the road,forget the drama and let the 450's roll-wohh-wohh:)
Hey steveman, I don't agree with you on the outdoors, as of right now, it looks like JS is only racing a few rounds and he's the only one that has the speed to run wtih RV, so unless Pourcel and Canard have the speed, I don't think anyone will challenge RV and its going to be a runaway.
You manage a race by mastering the track, and then doing what is necessary to cover your competition when the time is right. Stewart is not handling the competition. Villo will win the series because he is mentally able to adapt to the circumstances.
RV2 is in the drivers street. JS7 has to win out and hope for mistakes from RV2. Every one that has followed JS7 through out his pro career knows that if he is pressured he will go into crash or winn mode. I do not care how fast you are you do not will when you are laying on the ground. This is how RC4 worked him over the years.
Mit12... RC knew Stewie was dumb enough to keep this silly attitude of win or crash mode... All RC had to do was ride as fast as his limits would permit.. Leach on Stewie.. And the mistake will come.
Actually the same way RV is working now. He's just making sure he is fast.. Enough to beat the rest of the field and be there with Stewie.. And see..? RV has won more races this year and is completely in charge. RV has this championship basically wrapped up.
Seems like JS7 hasn't been the same rider since he left Kawi. You can look at it that way or you could say the others have raised their game that much, I don't know. I'd have to say the day RV stuck it to the whole field at the MXoN at Buds Creek (on the 250F) you knew he had what it takes to be the next guy. I still think JS7 hasn't looked as good on the bike since it changed from green to blue.
I am predicting three more wins for 2, 3 more for 7 and 1 for either 22,1,or 41, I expect 41 to really pick it up the next seven races, and heres to no more riders getting hurt !!!!!!!!! It will be a closer dogfight between the top five,
maybe the first 2 wins were in fact gifts however the rest is all talent. No luck or fastest laps garbage. RV is the man to beat indoors and perhaps outdoors too.
Both RV & SJ spent the last couple of years on the couch. Looks like only one of them learned anything from it.
This is a truly perplexing situation, and underscores a very evident truth: Being the fastest, doesn't make you the best. Crossing the finish line first makes you the best on that day. Amassing the most points at season's end makes you a champion. I wish the press would break suction on the media tit that is JS7, and stop crowning him king of the sport because of practice times.
Pao,
If you saw Dungey at the MXON last year, you would certianly change your opinion. The guy was a rocket, and the thing about Dungey is he gets faster and faster as the race goes on. Even though he hasn't been able to put a win together yet this Supercross season, he has been "Steady Eddie" and if It wasn't for the DNF, he would be right there in the mix for the Championship!
RD will get his MOJO back when they go outside, and when he does, everyone better just tag along for the ride!
Stewart has struggled since parting ways with Larry Brooks. Coincidence? Hmmmmm.
...you have a point garageman; dunno if it is coincidence or not, but think the same thing.
SUZ---hope so, b/c I think that he got a raw deal with TWO, weird, dnf's. I think that even tho his head is bound to be spinning, he has held his cool phenominally.
But I am a Howdy-Doody fan, myself (Canard)! LoL
Al right guys, there has only been one gift this year and that came from CR22 and JS7 crashing each other out on the last lap. All the other wins RV2 earned by being the smartest most consistent rider on the track. When JS7 Lawn darts himself into the ground because he rides over his head tring to beat RV2 that is not a gift it is a mistake. Just like when RV2 washed the front end and handed a win to JS7 it was a mistake not a gift.
"This is how RC4 worked him over the years."
2005 (250 vs 450) and 2006 (450 vs 450). (part time 2007 r/c was not in the title chase)
rather misleading statement there. "over the years"?
dont know looks like the pressure is getting to vlli that last race he looked exhausted and spent and theres still a lot of races left, stewart dont even look like he breaks a sweat, he won a title before when it came down to the last round and we know what canard did to villopoto to get the lites title, i think reed made another enemy in the form of dungey reed was using a lot of track trying to keep dungey behind him, and james scrubbing past reed classic.
yamaha645... You gotta be kidding me... RV2 tired?? Euh.... NOT. He was just thankfull he showed the critics he beat everybody fair and square.. And he has a huge lead which enables him to run away with the championship!!
Reed was wasted.. And he was kind of pissed during the interviews.. But that is Reed... He knows that RV2 beat him relatively easily... And he had a hard time fending off Dungey.. And pulled out a good brake check by the way to get rid of him.
JS7.. was a lucky clown.. To get second, seeing all the mistakes he made... But his pass was nice though on Reed..