Open Mic: Hangtown
Monday, May 23, 2011 | 10:20 AM
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PrintInterviews by Steve Matthes and Aaron Hansel
Ricky Dietrich, Valli Motorsports Yamaha 11-9- 450 class
It was a good start. Personally I want to be top five every time. I’m capable of it, I’ve done it before. I thought it was pretty decent considering I have never been to this track before. My first moto I was behind everyone but was putting in solid times at the end. I’m good there! I’m not going to do any more motos- I’ll just work on those first five laps and I’ll be good. Those guys put in those best laps in the beginning and that’s not my style. I’m sort of floating out there when I should be hammering down. We know what need to work on and we’ll go from there.
Tommy Hahn, Motoconcepts Yamaha, 8-8 450 class
It was a good way to start, it was an up and down day and I got bad starts but seemed to go good after that. I did get tired there in the second moto though, the track was gnarly. I haven’t been riding on stuff this rough, it was a tough day and I’m coming out of it at 100% so that’s fine.
It’s a good place to start. The field is stacked, and when the guys that are out come back it will be gnarlier. I think I just need to keep riding and doing motos and I think I need to get stronger to throw that bike around a little bit more.
Villopoto was solid in his first outdoor race in almost two years, finishing third overall.
Photo: Simon Cudby
Ryan Villopoto, Monster Energy Kawasaki, 3-3 450 class
For the first outdoor race for me in pretty much two years and on this track with how rough it was, I’m not mad or bummed. I know a couple of areas that we can work on with me and on the bike and we’ll get better. I know I have the speed, I don’t know how much testing the other guys did but I didn’t do much because of supercross and I guess they didn’t either but anyways, we just have some more work to do.
Do you feel you might have pushed it too much in the second moto?
Yeah maybe-I knew my limit and with the way the track was I wasn’t going to blow myself up or crash and make it worse so I went for as long as I could and then backed it off a little bit. These were definitely the biggest braking bumps that I’ve ever seen here at Hangtown.
Jake Weimer, Monster Energy Kawasaki, 21-6-450 class
It’s tough and it’s different. Hangtown is always pretty tough regardless of what bike you’ve been on. I’ve been sick here a little bit and wasn’t as prepared as I wanted to be but I’m sure there were lots of other people in that same position. Practice went pretty decent and the first moto was pretty much a mess. I went down a couple of times, including on the first lap. I felt like I was making some moves and getting by some guys but someone jumped across the track and I landed on him and landed off the track. I just rode that moto out.
It’s tough and it’s different. Hangtown is always pretty tough regardless of what bike you’ve been on. I’ve been sick here a little bit and wasn’t as prepared as I wanted to be but I’m sure there were lots of other people in that same position. Practice went pretty decent and the first moto was pretty much a mess. I went down a couple of times, including on the first lap. I felt like I was making some moves and getting by some guys but someone jumped across the track and I landed on him and landed off the track. I just rode that moto out.
Second moto, with the way the new rule is that says you’re gate pick is off of your first moto position- which I think is a good rule- but in this case, I got a bad gate pick and was way outside. I ripped a pretty good start. I tried to ride steady. I’m not as prepared as I want to be and everything considered, I rode ok. I didn’t ride excellent but I didn’t ride crappy either.
Short finished ninth in the first moto, but had his problems in the second moto.
Photo: Simon Cudby
Andrew Short, Red Bull KTM 9-DNF- 450 class
My day didn’t go well, but my second moto was good. I was right behind Villopoto when my bike let go. In the first moto I also had some bike problems but I managed to finish it out. Not the way you want to start the year off for sure, it’s kind of like my Honda years where the first race haunted me. The 350 was really good in the motos but in the qualifying when the track is tilled up and deep, that’s where the 450 is better. But when it gets really bumpy and hard pack, that’s where the 350 shines. I felt strong all day, my fitness felt well. I don’t know if it’s the bike or me, I hope it’s me!
Marvin Musquin, Red Bull KTM, 4-6-250 class
Pretty good ride for me, really happy to be here racing the AMA nationals. Practice went well, I had the fastest lap time, which I didn’t expect, but I was happy with it. My motos, I didn’t get very good starts at all but worked my way up to fourth which was good. Looking forward to the second moto but I crashed in the second turn and came back to sixth. Really happy, track was rough, but I’m happy.
Last weekend at the USGP, you kind of struggled a bit so this was much better.
I haven’t raced since Bercy last November so the track last week was really wet, kind of sandy and slippery. I was just riding around, I rode kind of bad and wasn’t happy with myself but today, the KTM bike was awesome and I’m really happy.
Musquin finished fifth overall in his first AMA Pro Motocross race.
Photo: Simon Cudby
Austin Howell 250 class, 16th (15-19)
It went pretty good. The first moto I ended up getting fifteenth. I don’t know, I had a little bad luck; the second moto I crashed in the first corner and went from fortieth to nineteenth, and it gave me a sixteenth overall.
Did the fact that this is your home race help you out at all?
Yeah, I like it. The track got rough, it’s totally different from what it’s ever been. My back shock kind of overheated, so I have to get together with Will from Enzo and talk about it and come out swinging at Freestone.
Ryan Sipes 250 class, 38th (36-DNS)
It was a bad day. In the first corner [first moto], it was just one of those things. I think it was Malcolm [Stewart], got sideways, and I high-sided over him and got ran over. It knocked the wind out of me, but I got up and I felt good for about three laps but the next lap my wrist was getting pretty sore, and I was like, “I better pull in and check it out.” They said it didn’t look good. They couldn’t tell a lot, but they said to go get a CT scan and find out.
Christian Craig 450 class, 10th (14-10)
It was pretty good, I had two solid motos. In the first moto I made a lot of mistakes, but I finished pretty strong. In the second moto I ended up tenth, so I think I got tenth overall. That was my goal this weekend to be inside the top ten, or tenth overall, so I’m happy.
What prompted you to ride the 450 when you’ve been riding the 250 in supercross?
I rode the 450 when I was in the amateurs a lot, and I rode for JGR the last four in 2009 and I feel like I ride the 450 really well outdoors. They had an open spot, and they needed to fill it. They let me ride the bike a couple times and I felt really comfortable on it right away. I think it’s a good decision, and I’m riding the bike really well.
How was the track?
The track was really rough, it was gnarly. It was the roughest track I’ve ridden in a while, but I had fun out there the whole time just battling with everybody, and being back on the track and racing again since L.A. Supercross. I’m happy. The track was good, I was happy with the track, and the whole layout was fun.
Are you feeling an effects from your injury at the L.A. Supercross?
No. My leg is all healed up and I’m feeling good.
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Would love to see RV, RD and Reed bar to bar all year.
Its nice to hear everyone being so honest and not laying down lame excuses about their finish on the day ( hint hint # 7 )
Good smart rides from everyone, to bad for MA. Im not a fan of his but he was haullin but, would have been interesting if he didnt get hurt. Very impressed with Reed, I am a fan of his but I have to say, I didnt expect a ride that impressive , Good job ! He looked so smooth and in control !
Short's Bike let go? I saw the smoke in the first moto but I figured they would cange the engine between motos.
Chad Reed started testing for motocross after the supercross season, he said it himself. Didn't Ryan Villopoto start testing with a few supercross races left? Reed only had about a week of testing and Windham I believe had a few days of testing before Hangtown. I'm sure Villopoto knew that Reed just started testing too.
RV - First outdoor race in 2 years...sick, no testing and has some things to work on...but he was miles ahead of 4th place, running the lead pace moto 1 and pulling away in moto 2 before fading.....looks promising....love his attitude and cant wait to see him blow these guys away....Reed definetly had things dialed yesterday as the bike looked awesome ...good ride for the 22's....as predicted by pretty much everyone....22, 1 and 2 are going to be the top 3 every week for the most part....14, 24 and 377 will have some moments....377 looked like CRAP in my opinion and runors had him almost ditching his ride last week????
Lawlz -the most important thing for outdoors is bike set up.Honda had been testing for a few months with Canard and had a good bike set up for Reed to start testing with, which Reed said he liked the bike right away.... RD is using his set up from last year and RV is starting from scratch for the most part ....Reed, RV and RD all know how to ride the bike outdoors and know what to do to make the transition from SX to MX....It may take a few guys a week or two to get back into outdoor shape and speed....but that bike set up is crucial....
I was very disappointed in 377's performance yesterday. I really thought he might have something but the way it looks 377 won't be on the podium unless he dresses up like a Monster girl to hand out trophies.
I wouldn't count out Pourcel just yet. He's a rookie and and has no experience in the 450's to gauge how fast he's supposed to be. Remember, Dungey sucked at Hangtown last year too. He just needs to get his mojo back.
Wow, the honesty from Short took me by surprise. Especially the 450 vs 350 traits. Off-roader Dietrich has found the answer to his moto woes, and if he can get those first 5 laps in without wadding bike and self up he could indeed be top 7 each weekend. Oh, he thinks top 5 in 2011? Hmmmmm.
Good job by Canard in the booth. A little shaky initially but ended up sounding a little like Carmichael with the insight and color commentating.
I like how Fuel had the word "motoRcross" in the racer's bio.
Weimer is sick too? Man, well that's what happens when you share monsters.
RV tested MX settings during the time before Salt Lake City SX. They made a big deal about it because he felt like the change of pace and getting off the SX track is what helped him get it together for SLC SX. It would have been better to just say "I wasn't on today."
I am a fan of RV.
Hey mty, Setups do not come from one week of practice. Most of the settings come from the previous year at that track. RV had no previous year or any settings on a 450. Besides you were not at Hangtown and I could see the Kawi was off in places on the track. RV did not need to make excuses he showed his speed for as long as he was capable of. Be assured that Dungey and Reed know whats coming to their local galaries soon,
Reed looked really good, well the top three all looked really good. RD keep the pressure on RV something I haven't seen him do for a while. Reed just refused to settle for anything but 1st. Never would of picked him to win the overall.
Changes, changes, changes. This is beginning to sound like NASCAR. There's only one guy who needs to make changes and that is Roger DeCoster. Take that 350 and chuck it in the dumpster.
Reed and RD looked pretty friendly on the box at the end of the day, beat we see RD on team 22 next season. What happened to RD at the end of moto 2, he was in striking distance with 3 laps left? Couldn't tell what happened on tv.
RV looked better then I thought he would. No setup info except what ever reed used last year. Bet he gets it figured out by thunder valley. Was rooting for short, but no more, at least not till he gets off the 350. Still give him props for hanging in there and help develop that bike for KTM. KTM just should shelf it for moto and send it to the worcs and gncc series where the light weight little bike can shine against all the 450's. That is if its legal?
Where's J-Law???????????
Come on Shorty, we know how fast you are on a 450. They paying you that well to promote someones dream bike.You want a podium, get on the 450.It did not work SX nor will it work in the out doors for you. Don't waste your time effort on the 350. Mr. Chad Reed, you are the toughest SOB out there since Maggo. No excuses from you,you just go to work and get-r-done.My hats off to u.Have a good season and enjoy it . I do.
@ Jimbo,
Yeah I agree with you, I'm just saying that they did switch up and do some outdoor work before the season. When they were doing it, they did talk it up a bit, but now they are talking it down a bit. However, I do agree that they could not have done enough to get any more than some base settings. some of the 5th place and on back SX guys should be really dialed in as they could have focused on the outdoors alot earlier than the top guys that were still in the championship hunt.
Other than the bike blowing up (whitch they all do) Short will not be a threat to win anyway. 350 or 450 he would have done no better in SX either IMO. He is a 4th thru 7th guy weather he ride a 450 or 350. Look what 222 did last year at the MXD, Stayed with RD on a 350 till he got tired so the bike can do it. Some tracks the 450 might be better and some the 350 might be better. he tested both and picked the 350 so you guys should not be telling him to junk it... He picked it. He should know his lap times on both, I am SURE he tested both bikes and was better on the 350 thats why is is useing it.
Good call @BillC. Shorty said near the end of the SX season that KTM gave him the decision to ride whichever bike he wanted, same as Alessi. Short picked the 350. And it all depends on the rider anyway. If you put RC on a 350 in his prime he would still spank everyone. Guys on the 250's can turn faster laps than most of the 450 riders, so its not all about the bike.
Pffft.. The PR is that both Short and Alessi had the choice but there is no way Alessi was riding that thing after last year and KTM are not going to abandon the 350 for obvious marketing reasons. I doubt Short had a choice. Do you think maybe Cairoli got tired at the MXDN because he was ringing the 350's neck to try to keep up? The 350 test is over, KTM should pack it in.
"its nice to hear everyone being so honest and not laying down lame excuses about their finish on the day ( hint hint # 7 )"
lol can't see through your jealousy enough to even read this article eh?
Dont forget that the 250 guys who turn those laps also have to take different lines than the 450 guys. A guy on the 450 can protect the inside in a turn and still clear big doubles on the track. Where the 250 guys to clear the same jumps are taking wide lines and carrying speed. The 350 would be a big disadvantage there. not being able to protect the inside. Dont forget BILLC, that Short beat Cairoli in the last moto with Short on a 450, and Cairoli on a 350. Cairoli was having problems clearing the big triple every single lap on the 350. He had to go wide in the turn before the jump to carry the speed to clear it. That was costing Cairoli time.
BillC is that why they put shorty on the des nations team? because he couldn't win anything anyway. nice, you really know your sh%t, judge on beginner.
In the thick tilled dirt that defines motocross, yeah the new hottest bike on earth doesn't ride well in that stuff. Get me a blown out, dry, hard pack track any day of the week. Sold!
Alessi goes out and posts the fastest time in practice, that is hilarious. Just patiently wait by all supercross season to see the 350 get exposed outdoors. It didn't take long, and it's a long summer. What will be the reason for the crappy performance next week? It's a new bike, getting pushed to it's limits, I guess the thrill of the own is the new surprise every weekend right? I love how short discounts his teammates amazing practice ride though, pretty slick boy. Andrew Short is pulling a brett metcalf- just riding a bike to prolong his career, at least that's how he, and everyone else should be looking at this situation. Metty put in solid 15th as the last holdout on the 125, and everyone was all, naw he wouldn't really do any differnt. Wrong! Same with shorty except he is in a weird situation because his bike isn't old and out of style, the team can't just hand him a bigger bike and go, there, the 450 is just really good. Shorty is loosing respect for no reason people. He is a holeshot king with massive staying power. He is not his far off of the top guys. Horsepower means something in horsepower racing fools.
bd200... Forgot that.. Tnx for putting it up on the post.
Thing is.. KTM is really, really bent on the 350... To the point in giving all their latest developments in the 350 in the off-road segment.
The 450 receives no development what so ever this year. (Exempt the 450 in the enduro segment, replacing the 690)
As for comparing the GP's... I think this year is definetely a learning curve, and they will hope to be ready for 2012, battling up front.
Even the 2 str seems impressive!!!
i knew 377 could not hang on that bike,that yamathing was pogoing all over the place
GSPchampforLIFE.. KTM's 450 is a excellent bike... But they belueve the way to go is the 350..
Downsizing is something the germans have been applying in their road cars as well... But they manage to keep the HP's up.
I reckon KTM is trying to do the same way... Make the 350 handle like a 250 and give it the same power of the 450.
And let's face it... In the dtock prod... Most peopl;e who do ride a 450... They will hardly ever use all those ponies anyway.
As long as KTM is being succesfull in the GP's... Their latest development will be focused on the 350's.
Give it some time I would say.
TOLD YOU.. I agree.. But CP mentioned on the french websites dedicated to this sport... There is still a long way to go to get the bike set up to his liking... And he was pretty content with the results.
I am suprised Milsaps rode well... Now that is what we were waiting from Milsaps! So Cp can do the same or better... Of course, JGR is a far superior team vs Motoconcept... Nevertheless... Yamaha is doing well to support those teams and riders.
How's the 350 going to be exposed outdoors? Agreed with Bill C, Short's 4th - 7th, he'll be the same spot with the 350 all summer also. I thought I read an article awhile back that reasoned that the 350 would be better outdoors as opposed to indoors, since indoors the start is the entire race, whereas outdoors it's lighter, causing less rider fatigue late in the motos...Also, that 350 may not suit Alessi's riding style. he wasn't that great on the 250 either, if you recall...
Like Shorty said himself, when it's deep go 450. When it's hard and bumpy go 350. Now, aren't most of the tracks the former?
I'm SOOOO over having this conversation! Park the 350!!!!! Will Colorado be loam or hardpack? No matter, the hills will kill the 350! It really gets to me because I want to see KTM do well here.
Maybe KTM should ask to enter the 250 2-stroke in the 250 class as compensation for the HP defeceit they have (give) in the 450's?????
How about I take a pill and stop giving a rip what KTM does?????
@flickitflat, When has Short ever been a threat agenst ,RD, JS, RV, Reed?? NEVER so you can go away now.
.@Carlsbad, 222 did it in Colorado, Ran with RD for a long time before he got tired. I agree its down on power but not as bad as some make it out to be. but I saw Short pull past Milsaps up hill on saturday. The bottom line IMO is iot is not hurting short he is where he is no matter what he rides. Now If one of the top guys got on one and could not win anymore your argument would hold more water but how Short does will not prove a whole lot because he was still fighing with the same guys as last year when he was on a Honda 450 sooooooo.
@Acejas, I believe Short said in the AM the tracks are deeper but you know later in the day thats not the case. Hell the 800 had one of his best races last year at Southwick!!! The DEEP sand of Southwick and he did great there.
Shorty was the hole shot king last year on the Honda, this year he will not get one. If a 350 was the hot lick the Japanese would have been there first. They have that 350 so roided up its puking steam and breaking.
Bill, I think your point is that you don't give Short any credit as to his skills. Andrew Short has beaten your man crush, RV, same as J-Law has.
Actually, one of the top guys HAS gotten on one and had his results affected. His name is Mike Alessi who, correct me if I'm wrong, has beaten RV as well soooooo.
I'm out on the 350, as much as you'd be if your boy RV was riding one.
Note to self: a guy by the name of Stewart (I've heard that name somewhere before) got sideways, Sipes highsided over him and then got run over, and now is injured and has to have his wrist CT scanned. He had a DNS as a result of this "Stewart" character. Could this be an omen of things to come?
@Carlsbad, So short and J-Law have beaten RV, Dude don't take that to literally, You telling me there as fast or faster than RV?? NO WAY, Hell I could beat RV if he fell enough times but what would that prove?? Bottom line is Short is a great rider but NOT at the same level as RV and IMO Alessi has not been right sence his big crash. Also I noticed u skipped over how I pointed out that the 350 has done well at some of the tougher HP tracks.... Hmmmmm I also don't get how 222 can kill everyone on a 350 either??
BillC, Carioli is a talent, simple as that. Possibility of him having a full works bike is a relevant point as well, something Short & Alessi do not enjoy.
My skipping over anything was done to spare an argument, nothing more. 350 has done well @ tough tracks the same way J-Law beats RV (in your opinion), an anomoly, something out of the ordinary. There is the possibility of the rider having a standout performance as well. There are not enough of them out there to make a definitive statement regarding their performance on all tracks in all conditions under different racers.
Nobody wanted the 350 to work out more than me (for KTM's sake) but, I'm ready for someone else to take the torch and run with it for awhile. The KTM 450 is a phenomonal bike, has a lot to offer the consumer and it's a shame they are not taking a "Bike of the year" title and maximizing the return on that investment.
@Carlsbad, this does not need to be an arguement, just talkin here. First point then you are making is its not odd for J-Law to beat RV?? How many times has that happen?? I agree J-Law could be great.... But he is NOT. Just like Ron Lachine, No focus, Well Ron had WAY more than J-Law but you see my point. But you seem to be putting J-Law on RV's level and I don't get that at all.
. Now you just argued my point( not that we are argueing LOL) You said Carioli is that good thats why he win's, Whitch was my point, Short IMO is NOT at the same level as RV, RD, JS, TC of Reed so he is not going to show the bike as well. Not trying to Put Short down ( u seem to think that) I am just using him to make a point.
.Now having said all that I know the 450 make more power but none of these guys are useing it all sooooo. Also I hate to here guys on here bashing KTM because Short is not winning, He has not been winning ever in the 450 class ( 3 moto's I think) so why dump on KTM for it??
Bill, I'm a big fan of the underdog. Usually the rebels, slackers, underachievers, etc. end up falling into this catagory. Lechien was my boy, for sure. Same for Bradshaw, Magoo, Fro, Ryno and a bunch of other guys that just didn't march to the drum beat. Bailey, O'Mara, DeCoster and others were the anti-thesis of these guys and were my heros as well but, I gravitated toward the anti-hero type. This fits J-Law to a tee. Is he a good as RV? (or any of the top 10 in this seasons SX standings), history says no but, I can't help but hope for someone to pull out of the nosedive & recover to former greatness (or promise of former greatness in his case). It's always easier to like a winner but, I like some racers win or lose. Short is a great case in point. He's close to greatness He's won the "Grand National Championship" (MXA's made-up title for most points accumulated in a season) and is a great human being (as far as I know). He is at risk for Windham-itis (becoming the perennial MR. second place) but, he can still haul the mail and in MX & SX they still run the races because we all know JS can't win them all. Above that, I'm not a RD, RV, CR, JS kind of guy (although they're all great) unless, they trade in their J-brands for KTM's.
LOL You like the reckloses!! I do too, was a Huge Lechien, Bradshaw fan!! Loved the fro too... Somthing about a guy who seems to not care but on any givein day can put 30sec's on the best in the world!! Some of the Lechien story are Legendary!! No pratice for 4 weeks and wins the Nat and then the GP!!
...as Kevin Cameron so bluntly put it, u can either make power via revs or displacement---with displacement being far cheaper to operate. Not to mention waay more forgiving to ride. Tiddlers are like dating a much younger woman---at first it is fun, then just novel...finally it becomes just a rosy pink pita....LoL (which should actually be "LA).