Racer X ReduX: Salt Lake City
Tuesday, May 3, 2011 | 12:00 PM
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This sport doesn’t manufacture competition. We don’t use full-course yellow flags, playoffs or chase formats to tighten up the field. In reality, supercross and motocross is the real “have at it boys” sport, and that’s mostly awesome. Unfortunately, though, when the rules and schedule aren’t built to force things to tighten up, you can’t guarantee close championship drama every year.
So when that scenario does present itself, it only makes the pressure bigger. Even a rider with multiple championships may only face a heavy-pressure, clutch situation once in his career. Their performance in that moment can come to define them—and they don’t simply get to redeem themselves in the playoffs the next year.
Ricky Carmichael won 15 (!) AMA National Championships, but we all remember the only one that came down to the wire: Vegas ’06. Had RC failed in that one race, we might look at him a little differently, and trust me, he knew it at the time, which only added more pressure.
With his win in Salt Lake City Villopoto now has a nine-point lead over Chad Reed with one to go.
Photo: Simon Cudby
This weekend’s Salt Lake City round of Monster Energy Supercross presented one of those high-pressure scenarios. Incredibly, in a season defined by crazy mistakes, drama, ups, downs, what-ifs, second guesses and gifts, all four contenders found themselves in a very simple position: win in Salt Lake, and the world can be yours next weekend in Las Vegas. Win this race, and you wipe the slate clean.
For Ryan Villopoto, that pressure was highest. He was holding the points lead and had scarce momentum after going DNS-9-2-3-4 over the previous five races. The buzz was starting to build. We all heard it. “Villopoto has lost that edge.” “Villopoto is falling apart.” “Villlopoto is cracking under pressure.”
We know this is a mental game, especially when all four title contenders are fast and in shape. No one is going to just steamroll at the races, so the difference comes down to subtleties. Stack a few mental bricks in front of you—loss of momentum and the pressure of a points lead—and that could make a difference. Villopoto faced that scenario, and he promptly stood up to that pressure, rose to the occasion, and delivered a career-defining win.
(Yes, I know the championship is not over yet, but I’m going to take the liberty of going all hyperbole on you even though Villopoto could muck it up this weekend in Vegas and ruin this Salt Lake City win. But even in Vegas, it’s pretty clear the safe money is on him so I will continue on with the praise.)
Stewart failed to hold onto his early lead, crashing not once but twice en route to a tenth place finish.
Photo: Simon Cudby
The Salt Lake race summed up the whole season in 20 laps. The Big Four all put their season of strengths and weaknesses on display. Stewart was fast and had his shot at it, but crashed. Twice. And he not only crashed twice, he actually managed to crash the exact same way he has all season—the washout, and the wild ride.
Dungey was consistent, but just didn’t have that burst, that juice, that extra layer of aggression. He rode great in Salt Lake, heck, but against this year’s comp, even great only results in podium finishes, and podium finishes aren’t quite enough to get the points lead.
Chad Reed was gritty. He wanted it, and he dug deep into his bag of tricks to make it happen. All year, I’ve said Chad reminded me of a veteran pitcher in baseball. Maybe he doesn’t quite have the 100 MPH fastball of his youth, but he still throws damn hard, and what he misses in pure velocity he makes up for in experience, grit and tenacity. Chad has made things happen in races where they probably shouldn’t have. Late in the race at Salt Lake, he was doing that again. Villopoto had fired past him—he’s still young and still has that 100 MPH fastball—but Reed hung tough into the late innings and was trying to manufacture something again. He came so close, but he just couldn’t quite get it.
Villopoto was mentally tough. We’ve said over and over that RV doesn’t play the confidence game, he doesn’t get caught up in the pressure and doesn’t fall into the same mental traps that most riders do.
Reed would make a late race charge, but it wasn't enough to catch Villopoto.
Photo: Simon Cudby
Here’s what I wrote about him after Anaheim 1: First, it was his first race back from a major injury. Second, he was only so-so in practice and his heat race. Does he care about this? He does not. Villopoto’s approach to racing is very simple, and it goes something like this: “I will get a good start. I will ride fast. I will win.” As Ping says, “he doesn’t get lost upstairs.”
After Los Angeles: Like I said, the guy believes, with conviction, in his heart, that he’s supposed to win every darned race. So even if he starts in the back, even if he has to catch Stewart or Dunge, it’s like he just says “okay, I’ll do that” and he does. How many riders have ever gone to the gate thinking, “If Stewart gets a lead on me I’ll just reel him in?” I count one and a half (RC all of the time and Reed some of the time). Villopoto is into some rare air.
Or, in 450 Words, I once wrote: The Villopoto strategy is simple. Get a good start and haul ass. If you don’t get a good start, haul more ass.
So coming into Salt Lake, he’s got pressure building one way and momentum in another, so he goes with his strength: ignoring things like pressure and momentum and just riding his ass off. A cold-blooded killer. That’s the formula that has made him successful all year, and that’s the formula that worked in Salt Lake City, the race that summed up the whole season.
Did this pass seal the championship for Villopoto?
Photo: Simon Cudby
Villopoto now needs to finish fifth or better if Reed wins Las Vegas. In this crazy season anything can happen, but Salt Lake was a big nail in the coffin, and everyone knows it. Reed, Dungey and Stewart knew this was their last, best shot, and now they can rely only on a Vegas long shot. Villopoto knew winning this race could mean the championship, too, and that’s what made it such an amazing clutch performance.
In contrast to the SX class, this Lites Championship has changed repeatedly during the season. Eli Tomac didn’t have anything close to a winning formula when the year began. At Anaheim 1, he was a nervous rookie and he barely made the top ten. Now, he looks like the championship-proven veteran!
Too often rookies try to escape the pressure by saying they just want to learn, they don’t expect to win and all of that junk. If you hear a rider use the term “just trying to get the feet wet,” he’s in big trouble. The best expect to win straight out—Villopoto, Reed, Dungey, Stewart and Canard didn’t say a damned thing about wet feet in their first supercross tour, they were too busy winning races. Tomac is following in those footsteps. And they are dry, apparently.
After struggling early in the season, Tomac now looks like a seasoned veteran.
Photo: Simon Cudby
In Seattle, Tomac straight up said he wants this title, and he repeated it again Saturday morning. He knew what was coming, too. In the heat race, Hansen ran it in on him with a block pass, and Tomac responded by block passing him back in the next turn, and pulling away. In the main, Tomac got the lead and Hansen immediately started running it in on him in every corner—Hanny style—and Tomac was ready. He leaned in when Hansen tried to stuff the crap out of him, Hansen went down and Tomac got away. This kid will not be pushed around.
Really bad move by Hansen there. As they say, leopards don’t change their spots. But if I dig in on this too much I’ll be accused of being a Hanny Hater, so I’ll just let the results speak for themselves. And Hanny himself via twitter, where he apologized for the move.
So Tomac is doing all the right things down the stretch, and he now holds the tiebreaker over Broc Tickle heading into the final round in Vegas. Tickle is up by two points, but doesn’t it just feel like Tomac holds the upper hand right now?
Roczen finished a career best second at Salt Lake City.
Photo: Simon Cudby
Meanwhile Ken Roczen is back from a trip to his native Europe, but even after two months away from supercross, he seemed even better than when he left. At the beginning of the season Roczen logged crazy fast lap times but so-so results. In Salt Lake City, he had only the fifth-fastest lap in the main event, but finished second. Roczen and Tomac sure do learn fast.
That’s it for me this week, we’ll have lots of other articles on the site to preview this weekend’s epic “three titles in one night” showdown. We’re calling it Championship Week around here, and with good reason. If you’re Ryan Villopoto or Eli Tomac, your run to number-one in Vegas started with a critical victory one week earlier.
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Tomac has this, I think. I don't think Tickle has the mental game to beat him. But it's racing, and that's why they drop the gate to decide it after 15 or 20 laps.... so we'll see. I just wouldn't expect a collapse from Tomac this late. Unless Hansen drops him at the start of the main or something like that I think he's got the PC guys covered.
Answer racing has now issued a recall on the new James Stewart replica jersey's... they say it will cause you to CHOKE in the heat of the battle!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol!!!!! hahahaha Go RV2!!!
Villopoto constantly talked about "getting his feet wet" in his rookie 450 season.... i remember cause i wished he would stop saying it.
Don't give the wreath, the check, the trophy, and the champagne to RV2 just yet. As Weege pointed out: "This sport doesn't manufacture competition." We can manufacture results for the purposes of discussion. Here is the way I see the end playing-out in Vegas.
Reed takes out Villopoto in a turn. Villopoto's bike won't restart. RV2 eventually finishes in 8th place. Stewart claws his way up to Reed, and the two of them take each other out in the turn after the whoops. Dungey motors by and takes the win. RV2 wins the title by one point over Dungey.
Tomac wins the West because Roczen takes out Tickle. Barcia wins East. Period. Sipes wins the shootout after Wilson, Barcia, Hansen, and Tickle engage in a blockfest that would make the nastiest redneck queen at a Nascar fan meet and greet blush like she had just been kissed on the lips by Dale, Jr.
Still, Salt Lake was a very short race. Another 5 minutes could have changed things. Too bad they don't use a time limit.
Thats funny about Answer Jersey recall. He might get dizzy looking at his gear its so busy.
I am OK with Reed or RV winning the title. Just as long as JS and RD don't. I can't wait until we see who steps up and races outdoor motocross. We need to ssee some of the best race.
Every time I start reading a story by Jason Wiengandt I can tell its by him because of the references to other sports, mostly stick and ball. I scroll back up and yep, its written by him. I like how he makes comparisons and feel it broadens our perspective on the sport of SX/MX. Good article Jason, thanks and keep up the good work.
AMA needs to make 450s 20 minute main, 250s 15 min main. Both plus 1 lap.
Who ever wins championships this weekend will have 100% deserved and earned it straight up, thats all I can say.
For the lites west, the points are really close.
Did we ever get confirmation on the 250 program? Sounds like top 20 of each region are invited to Vegas....there is a west heat, a east heat th LCQ and the main/shoot out....this race will determine who wins the West....there is not a West Main an East Main and a shoot out.....correct?
Hey Hawk: agree completely. I would also like to see points awarded for the heat races, as well. That way, you have to try and win them for more than just a starting position in the main. Anything to make it more interesting. Maybe half of the points that you would get for a finishing position in the final.
So how much money is Reed missing out on now that his 3 Race Tri-Fecta insurance policy is completley out the window? He really wanted SLC bad since Vegas he could win if the others are out of the hunt and just cruisin for points... I think JS7 or Dungey will win Vegas....But wouldnt be suprised if Villomoto takes the win either....The clinger is seeing how dirty Reed gets with RV...I dont think he has the bad juju towards RV that he does JS so he may not go to that level....but you never know with Reed...he wanted to hang out and be buddies with James until he saw victory....then that was out the window
Playridr -I was thinking about that this weekend.... if my world though I would either award only 1 point for each heat winner, or 2 for first, 1 for second in the heats....just enough to make it a need to push for the win and be up front, but not enough that you're going to make a huge gap by only being out front for 8 laps (which is now a very SHORT time span...)
Much like *GASP* NASCAR does is their touring series with a point being awarded for leading a lap...tryuly makes all points matter even more....
Does anybody know the tie breakers for lites? I would guess that Tomac holds the cards on all accounts.....if he gets 2nd and Tickle gets 3rd, they will be tied. Tomac will win based on Vegas results or most wins! This will get interesting because I would be that Hansen is going to do everything possible to win Vegas.
Throughout this season, whenever Reed missed the win slightly, he would say something like he didn't commit in one part of the track, or he was riding tight, or he was flat out being a puss. I'm making a guess that if he would've stuck with the neck brace this year, it would have hung his balls a little bigger and he would actually be champion. Or maybe he's just letting age get to him.
RV will win this title barring something terrible happening. And I hope Tomac wins this title, that will be awesome. Supercross class results, 1-RV2 2-Reed 3-Dungey, ending an awesome season.
I so enjoy reading articles overflowing with intelligence and insight. So often fans and industry folk alike are forced to read uninspiring drivel composed by so called journalists. Thank you DC, Weege, Boyer, Pingree... you guys, like the riders this season, have given us something spectacular.
Were did all the guys who said RV is cracking or RV will choke?? I laughed at you then and I am still laughing!! Like I said also the guy does not care about pressure. Some say it did last year I say BS that was a crash and nothing more. He was going for it because he had to.
Okay, I'll admit that I grew to dislike football when I was a 16 year old pro because football players told me that motocross wasn't a sport.
I always look at announcers and at articles that contain analogies to baseball games, basketball games, football games etc. as some way to make housewives and generics understand what's going on in this sport by relating it to football or whatever.
We're motocrossers here.
Rick Melon: From my understanding here is how Vegas 250s play out. There will be two "heats" which are actually the 250 MAINS for each coast. SO there will be two separate main points paying events. Then the top 9 or 10 from each main goes onto the 250 shootout which is not for any points, just for bragging rights/the show.
jairtime: You have a distaste for the stick and ball sports, but you have to admit that many times over people in these sports have faced unbelievable pressure. In our sport, only a few times has it come down to a last second buzzer beater type of finish. Many times our seasons end a race or two earlier than the finale because someone has been so dominant. Imagine the pressure a pitcher feels when he is trying to get the last out of the final World Series game with a 3-2 lead and runners on 2nd and 3rd. The camera is up his nose counting the nose hairs and millions of people are counting on him to make their lives fulfilled. That's pressure. Check out what Bill Buckner's life has been like since 1986 when he let a ground ball go through his legs. The pressure MXers feel isn't quite like that as people don't base their whole life around them winning, like they do in other sports.
Does anyone actually know what the format for the lites will actually be? I am very confused on how they plan to wrap up both titles and have a shootout...I heard it was practice was the heats then they go right into the mains, and then a shootout...But i am really not, just hope its a good weekend of racing!
@bk-r Somehow I just don't see some ball scratching/spitting trillion dollar salary baseball player feeling the same pressure as Ryan Villapoto will on the gate at Vegas!!!!!!!! NFL football Superbowl ..yes.............I am feeling strange agreeing with jair on ANYTHING though! lol I had problems with high school jocks and coaches(i could swim faster than the swim team because i was in better shape from riding and training on 500's) excepting my sport of choice also ,but i never feared them because if i could take being flung down the track by a 500 ,I could deal with some dumb jock in the parking lot.Nothing really against pro stick and ball guys , but that they have more anything (except $) than a PRO MX'er I ain't buyin it!!!!
BillC, I agree, just like the guy who called me an idiot because I said that I wondered if Tomac would get a win his rookie year in supercross. Now Tomac has a chance to take the West Coast title, and that guy is nowhere to be found. But everyone thought Roczen could win the whole thing. Why the praise for Roczen and not Tomac is beyond me, but those guys never admit their ignorance.