by Aaron Hansel
450 Words: Hangtown
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PrintThere were a lot of questions floating around in the weeks leading up to the first round of the 2011 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship, and now that the season opener at Hangtown has come and gone, it seems as though very few of those questions have been answered.
At first, it looked as though Ryan Dungey was going to pick up where he left off last year, when he ended the year as the dominant new champion. He methodically worked his way through several riders and checked out to take the first moto win by over 14 seconds. Behind him, Kevin Windham, who holeshot and led for six laps, was fading after experiencing a mechanical problem. His issues allowed Chad Reed and Ryan Villopoto to get past and put on a battle of their own. They went back and forth, with Reed eventually taking second.
Dungey took the win in moto one, but fell to overall winner Chad Reed in moto two.
Photo: Simon Cudby
In the second moto, it was beginning to look more and more as though the competition was in for another long summer of Dungey domination when he passed Villopoto for the lead and started to check out again. Reed had other ideas, however, and put on a charge that would hand him the moto and overall wins. After watching Reed at the opener, it’s obvious he’s got the speed to give Dungey some stiff competition. In the post-race press conference, Dungey even admitted that he was riding so close to the edge while chasing Reed that he was forced to back down a bit. Of course, we can’t forget that Reed came out swinging and took the win at Hangtown last year before struggling and eventually pulling out of the series altogether with Epstein Barr Virus. We also can’t forget that Dungey went 10-6 for eighth overall last year at Hangtown before going on a rampage that would see him win ten of twelve races. Then there’s Ryan Villopoto, who had been battling a fever in the week leading up to Hangtown. His 3-3 finishes earned him third on the day, which is a good result, but a guy like Villopoto races to win, and on Saturday, he simply didn’t have the speed to challenge the leaders.
So where does this leave us? If Villopoto is at 100 percent, will he have the speed to hang with Dungey and Reed? If Windham hadn’t experienced mechanical issues, could he have hung on to battle for the lead? Will last year’s 450 runner-up, Brett Metcalfe, who finished fifth (5-5) at Hangtown, join the fight at the front of the pack? Can Christophe Pourcel rebound from his eighth place (7-11) finish and challenge for wins?
As we learned from Hangtown last year, when Reed and Mike Alessi won motos while Dungey struggled, the opener usually does a poor job of answering the big questions. Which means we’re in for a fun time figuring out the real answers over the next few weeks.
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Weeeeeeel,......I dunno?
I think we will be in for a treat, just as in Supercross, there will be 5 or 6 guys each week that can win! No matter who wins the championship the real winners will be us, the fans, so lets sit back, root for your favorite rider and watch the gate drop!
too many variables to pick a favorite after one race. the field is already stacked and 1 (TC), possibly 2 (JS) more winners are yet to join the fray. one thing that looks certain though, the fans are in for a very exciting outdoors season!
Good stuff. I think the only rider who can break away is Villopoto, but hopefully it'll be as close as the SX series.
I'm glad this thread doesn't start with a "Holeshot!" posting.
I am thinking of booking a flight to Dallas Friday and come back Sunday and go watch the race. I think their is blood in the air this year and 4 hound dogs are chasing the racoon.
It will also get more interesting when Josh Grant returns. He is never very consistent, but usually shows up with the speed to win a moto every now and then.
I say RV clearly had the speed as he turned the fastest lap in both motos, what he lacked is stamina as he couldn't keep his normal pace. RD and CR didn't go faster through the races RV slowed down.Hopefully some more riders will pick up the pace and make it another 5 or 6 way for the title, lets go FREESTONE !!!
Went on my HD DVR to make sure I was recording this weekend race in TX. Nowhere on the FUEL TV listing is the Freestone race listed at any time this weekend.
Am I missing something here? I thought 1st motos were on FUEL "live" all season?
Consistancy is going to win this championship. If Canard, Alessi, and Grant come back with some speed, and Stewie's gynecologist clears him to ride, and Pourcel fixes his Yamahaw its going to get wild and umpredictable. Dungey and Villopoto did the right thing in the second moto........back off and stay in it.
I think its going to be a great racing series. Almost as good as Nascar. Every time you watch Nascar you have no idea who will win. MX is getting to be almost as good. I like all the racers equally but I think Chad Reed is the cutest. He reminds me of my friend Tyler. Go 22!
" Villopoto races to win, and on Saturday, he simply didn’t have the speed to challenge the leaders". WHAT??? Pretty sure RV had the fastest lap in Moto 1. Speed is NOT an Issue with RV, Mark my word. The sickness is what did him in. He had pulled RD a little in Moto 2 before hitting the wall too. I was shocked to Hear RD say he was tired after moto 2... Hmmmmm Like I said last year he never had to push it and lets see what happens if he has to.
The Dunge is going to lose this title too. He has to race some real racers, just like in supercross. Poto will not be sick and will destroy the field. Reed will put up a fight, but will fade, its his MO in outdoors.
When Stewie comes back its on!!!!!!!!!!!!!! that will be a fun race to watch!!!!!!
The more I think about this Aaron, It bugs me because I read and saw on TV that RV had the fastest lap both motos so How do you come out and say he did not have the speed?? That is very ODD.
What! haha. come on. Your name isn't Brad is it? Is it Brandy?
I saw an ill RV just hangin' around as long as needed too to break away from the rest of the pack and as long as he could without risking a fall or over doing it. He dropped way off the pace and was almost a minute behind, but still had 3rd easily...Clearly, based on the lap times he set and the second moto when RV holeshot and actually pulled away from RD and CR the first few laps RV kows he can walk away from these guys once he is back in shape....Zero time on the bike since Vegas and his attitude is great for not racing outdoors in 2 years....He will be on top in no time. Reed looked a little over the edge in the second moto on a few occasions as well.....but its only round 1 and like they say above, lots of things changes after Hangtown.....so we'll see.....
Strange that the media is now asking if RV will have the speed to run with Reed and Dungey if RV is feeling 100%.....did not a lot of the media had RV picked as the fastest in the class and the winner of Hangtown?
Has something suddenly changed that 100% healthy RV is not a 100% healthy RV?
Bench racing is sometimes just filling the air, I think.
Great race we will have a great season on our hands! RV sure was whiney about the track on his non broadcast podium interview.
Well it's on! It's going to 3 way battle between RV,RD,CR once a couple of other guys get up to speed JW,CP,JS?, and you can never count out KW. Alessi is a wild card he is on a 450 now so he'll be fast and wild. When we get down to the last 4 or 5 races it's going to be all out with good clean passing on these motocross tracks unlike supercross tracks. Hope that made sense to you guys.
BILLC I know RV is your favorite but it's to soon to say he's the man every week.
Good competition makes for good racing all of us are going to reep the benefits
Main Event Maker - I think alot of folks expected RV to start out with an overall win, including myself.....but he is obviously not 100% and he seemed to brush it off knowing he has pleanty in the tank. RV is hard to read sometimes since he is often sarcastic or joking, but his interview to me came off as " Well, I didnt do what I was supposed today (win) but no excuses" He has been sick, not riding or testing and he set fast times and hung with those guys until he backed it off...RV knows outdoors is his arena to shine and he is going to take the quiet modest approach as he climbs to the #1 spot ...... He backed way off, but still had 3rd overall locked up.....next week I think RV goes for the overall, but thats just me....then he takes off from there as Aldon will get him all dialed in..I have seen all these guys race in person and that was not a 100% RV at Hangtown....
I have to say that CR and RD will have a knock down drag out all season, Two extremly good racers with strong drive to win. I am guessing RD barely edges out CR for 2nd in the series. RV will win, but TC and a few others will be awesome by the end of the season, I feel CP will improve but never really challenge. I want KW to stick out the season and keep his mojo, top 5 !!
Main Event - let's not forget that those in the media are paid to write stuff to keep us entertained and interested so we keep coming back to see the ads. They need to manufacture drama wherever possible.
Back to this summer - it should be a great season. Hope to hit at least one event if possible.
Dungey may not be the fastest guy on the track but the dude stays healthy. He does not ride beyond his comfort level which in the end gets him on the podium and keeps him in thr races rather than on the injury list. You have to be in it to win and RD is in it.
@CR500AF Yes they write stuff to keep us entertained but why make yourself look like you have no clue??
@Jamin George I agree and did not say he is the man every weekend but what this guy wrote is just bad, It is not even close to an accurate Interpretation of what took place. That was my only point. I think RD and Reed will win some races but my money is on RV. He seemed Quietly Confident to me after the race.
A racer doesn't lose his speed. RV2 has always been faster than dungey and Reed outdoor (from what we've seen on the 250f). When he's healthy he will beat those guys unless they step it up, it's not an asumption it's a fact. Any good racer would know that.
Villopoto will win races this season, there is no doubt about that. I don't think he'll win at Freestone, however. His speed is there, but with a predicted high in the mid 90s, it'll be rough on him. That's not as hot as last year, but it's still hot. I just can't see him finding that kind of stamina in such a short amount of time. It's not impossible, but it is unlikely.
racers do lose speed due to injury, illness, lack of confidence...happens all the time. Every GOOD racer knows that.
For the writer to ask the question, "If Villopoto is 100% will he have the speed the speed to hang with Dungey and Reed?" is more than a bit silly. Last time I checked, Villo holeshot the second moto and then led multiple laps--while recovering from his cold/flu, so he clearly has the speed. What he needs is recovery, which he will get.
Lol, this is a nice conversation between a bunch of goon keyboard commando's. I lol'd a few times at the stupidity of you moto "fans". Good stuff, keep it coming
Thats right Jim Adams!!! EVERYONE slows down at some point!! RV?? NOT YET though.
I am thinking Metty will be in it in the end, mixing with RD, RV an CR.
BillC, you're right, RV did have the fastest lap times in both motos, but in order to challenge for a win, you have to go fast for more than one lap. Villopoto finished almost 30 seconds back of Dungey in the first moto, and after leading the first part of the second moto, he was passed by both Dungey and Reed and finished over 50 seconds behind Reed. RV is a champion, and if he had had the speed to go after Dungey and Reed on Saturday, he would have. It's going to be great to see him in action once he's back to 100%.
Everyone here knows what its like to be sick and getting back to school/work is difficult in our worlds, can you imagine getting back to form at their level? we underestimate the magnitude of the physical conditioning levels they have to perform at let alone doing it feeling run down. Nothing sucks more than being tired and feeling exhausted let alone having to wing an MX bike at crazy speeds for 30+ minutes.
mx117, The forcast for Saturdays race at Freestone in Wortham, TX is 88 to 89 degrees, unless that changes between now and Sat. Also a cool front is coming into the area on Thursday bringing alot lower humidity, which has been running near 80% and has been extremely muggy. This should help Villo. I still don't think he will win this one though. I don't know if Kyle Regal will race but if he does he WILL PODIUM!!!
BILLC Your right! sometimes I wonder if the writer even watches the race.
For sure the most consistant rider will be champion.
Going to be a great year of racing, lots of winners. Hopefully Stewart and Regal will race, Alessi recovers, Trey and Grant come back and make this an even better season. But I will go out on a limb this early and say I believe RD will sucessfully defend his title.
Hope his chain stays on.
@jairtime is a douchebag.... Not sure if you noticed yet , but jairtime has been kicked off .. Racer x has looked into his rants , and has determined that he is a problem ... He is gone for now , and we can now all talk about what this is meant for ...RACING ... Color does not matter ... Bet ha feels like a fool !
@Aaron Hansel, You said he was the fastest then say he did not have the speed?? RV was Sick but had the speed, not the endurance. There is a difference!! You don't lead a moto for 15 mins if you don't have the speed. RV was under the weather nad back it down.
RV will be faster at Freestone and as the series progresses. But I disagree that Reed looked like he was riding over the edge. He looked extremely smooth and relaxed. Dungey even said Reed looked like he was riding really relaxed and smooth. I also don't think Reed expected to do so well this weekend, in his interviews he sounded a little surprised. So he will get faster and I'm sure gained a ton of confidence this weekend. RV will respond and step it up. And CR and RD will respond as well.
I was at Hangtown and until I got home and watched the races on TV, I had no idea RV had been sick. Watching the event live and being able to focus on the #2, you could tell his bike set up was a little off. His rear end was bucking him everywhere and on at least two occasions it bucked almost 90 degrees out of line. It was obvious that Ryan tried as hard as he could to force the bike but it just wasnt doing what he wanted. RV, being the smart rider he is, backed it down and settled for 3rd instead of pulling a JS7 and trying to ride a bucking bronco to his own demise.
In his post-moto 1 trackside interview he admitted that before moto 2 he had some bike setup to work on which as I stated above was obvious.
This was before I knew he was also sick. I am extremely convident that we will soon see the same RV that dominated the lites class very soon.
Honda's bike is the best and is helping Reed ride his best. RV and RD are going to be there week in and week out. Will be an awesome series!
RV was visibly sick when I saw him Saturday morning. I can't see him being 100% by Free Stone but we'll see. My prediction is for great racing in 2011!
BillC do you work for TWMX?
anyone know why there are no fmf logs on rv2's bike.i heard that fmf has some kind of energy drink deal that conflicts with monster.i bet mitch at pc is getting a good laugh.fmf has bad customer service anyway so who cares.pro circuit forever.
When Villopoto is 100% percent you will know it from his dust and the blown up haybales. Pourcel will get in there soon and Cold Duck and Grants(2 race season only) return will make for some great racing. I hope HAVOC7 shows up on a Suzuki...that could be a problem. I'm sure Jair is sitting in a ditch stalking him somewhere. And Mikey deserves a break , he was haulin. Hope he gets in the mix. Shorty , one word 'FO'FITY.........
No, never even been on TWMX till now
Hahaha I got a nice laugh at the comment that said "When Stewie comes back it's on" you bubbles sack sucklers need to come to reality. He's not coming back, he's too wrapped up in his scripted tv show and is afraid of reed, poto, dungey, k-dub and hell even alessi would throw him a beatin. Let the real men race it out to the end and that poor excuse of a "racer" sit on his couch watch the limelight fizzle out. Lets go Reed!
Wow BillC, deal with the fact that RV lost. Your boy got his ass whooped. Sounds to me like that means he wasn't fast enough. Case closed, now STFU
I believe Jairtime has posted since "the episode" and was on yesterdays posts........
I hope he's not removed, there are a lot of squids on here posting foulness that are getting away with it apparently because of their infrequency.
All the "RV will dominate" talk has quieted down, now we can get to the racing. Too bad Freestone will be (relatively) mild, the real hardcores deserve a race they stand out in.
Look for a strong performance from Rattray and a camelback for Wilson.
Spelling corrections from this thread alone:
WRONG RIGHT
Consistancy Consistency
their is there is
racoon raccoon
Nascar NASCAR
lets let's
its his MO it's his M.O.
its on it's on
kows knows
things changes things change
to soon too soon
reep the benefits reap the benefits
pleanty plenty
thats just me that's just me
extremly extremely
thr races the races
the speed the speed the speed
commando's commandos or commandoes
forcast forecast
Saturdays race Saturday's race
alot a lot
your right you're right
sucessfully successfully
ha feels like a fool he feels like a fool
nad back it down and backed it down
wasnt wasn't
convident confident
Free Stone Freestone
fmf logs FMF logos
100% percent 100%, or 100 percent, but not both % and percent
haybales hay bales
haulin hauling
FO'FITY FO FITTY
Stewart fans bubbles sack sucklers
beatin beating
Lets go Let's go
yesterdays yesterday's
camelback camel toe
hoalshawt!!!!!
Doesn't it strike anyone odd the sudden freakish show of endurance from Reed? I mean really! More fit than Dungey? Does the AMA Have a solid system of testing for doping? Just sayin, it doesn't feel right to me.
beercan,
BillC is right, RV had the speed he just could last due to the illness. I think that he will be hard to beat for the title but I think that CR and RD will also make it hard for him to win.
Vladimir,
why is it so hard for you and others to realize that Reed is that fast? He was in good enough conditioning to take the SX series down to the last race. He also seems to have something that alot of the other racers aren't feeling right now...he is having fun and when you feel good racing and all of a sudden it is fun again to be out there, you become hard to beat by others that just feel that this is a job.
I didn't say Reed wasn't fast enough. We all know he is one fast MF. I have a hard time believing he is more fit than Dungey and RV( when he's not sick ) for outdoors. Look at KW, as fast as any of them just not as fit. Maybe Reed is clean and this fit. But he didn't even know if he was doing outdoors till a few weeks ago. If I have heard right he bought another insurance policy to pay him if he wins the series. It smells fishy. I'm just sayin and my suspicions could be all wrong.
yes reedys got nothin yet again no chance of wining a moto rvs the best reed sucks,howmany years does it take,reed has been at the top for ever and still there are critics that know everything yes im an aussie but im not bias at all i love the american riders as well i love mx and sx just please stop writing this guy off he doesnt care he has done it all he does it cause he loves it and that is why he will win the outdoors he has no pressure to perform hes basicslly said it himself if he wins it its a bonus.
ps watch for tye simmons!!!
@vladimar
if reedys a drug cheat so is the rest of the field steroids dont make you fast either so pull your head in reedys always been bike fit exept for when he had a legitimate illness what do you think he just got up one morning and thought i might be a mx legend no hes been riding all his life its called bike fitness it usually comes when you um....
ride a dirt bike every day of ur life!!!
@Beer Can, Grab your helmet the short bus is outside your house, Try not to lick the wiondows so much today ok??
Beer Can, Grab your helmet the short bus is outside your house, Try not to lick the wiondows so much today ok??
now that's funny!
@BILLC, I think what the writer meant was what alot of us has been debating. ONE LAP does not make you the fastest. RV went fast for one lap. Reed and Dungey went fast for 30 minutes plus 2. That is what the writer meant. And he is right. RV couldnt keep up with Reed and Dungey, if he was sick or whatever, tough, he has to go. He is my favorite, but he wasnt the fastest at Hangtown. He finished 30 seconds from Dungey in moto one. I think that was the writers meaning.
at hangtown,we saw that RV,RD and REED will be the championship contenders,if stewart,and canard,allesi and grant returns it will be difficult to cover the points of those guys.but what will hapen with pourcel?Pourcel has the speed to win those guys for sure,but he needs time and races with his new bike.
I have a feeling this season will be like some of the great seasons back when Johnson, Ward, Lechien, Glover and a few other guys could win on any given day. It seems like we've had 1 or 2 person domination ever since the days of McGrath and it's nice to see we finally have a field with 8 - 10 guys who can win any given week!
@Hep,
You are the fool. And we are all loser when anybody is censored. In history is it always the people that are telling the truth the "need" censored. Nothing more confirm the validity of jairtime posts. What you are calling for is a form of book burning. So congratulations are the success of you witch hunt.
If you do not have enough experience with reality to understand what jairtime is saying, if you don't have a sense of humor to laugh at is jokes, if you don't have the education to understand the science underlying his comments, then just go back to watching ball sports or whatever people like you do to make your lives feel fulfilled.
OH BD200 I garee 100% but thats not how he said it, He flat out said did not have the speed when he should have said RV faded back IMO.
. On a side note on the FMOP crap. Did you see the list of guys who think JS is?? TC said it, Shorty said it, RV said it and Mike Fisher said it now along with RC and Fro. So they look at it like I do, JS is the fastest but that does not mean you will win.
No I didnt, and I do not think Stewie is "the" fastest. He is super fast no doubt, but I saw too many times in supercross this year when he didnt even turn the fastest lap during the race, much less win. RV had 6 wins, and alot of the times he had the fastest lap too. And he won the title, that combo should be enough to move the title now. But just my opinion.
I remeber reading somewhere where a guy said Johnny O'Mara was the fastest rider he ever seen, in a straight line. You throw in jumps and turns and he crashed everywhere. But he wasnt "the fastest" because he wasnt winning.
But at least we are outdoors with the chance of tight racing with the chance to have multiple winners again. Its going to be like that for both classes I think. What else could we ask for??
What else can we ask for? I'd like to see JS show up, get beat to shut his overly vocal fans up, and admit defeat for once in his life instead of a laundry list of excuses. I'm kidding, but there's a bit of truth in every joke. Bottom line I want JS out there mixing it up because I want to see the top riders in the world on the same track whenever possible.
@Retardcross JS did admit Defeat before the last SX, Told erin Baits. I do agree I hope he shows up and I hope the 800 is OK to go in a few weeks too, I will be going to at least 2 nats this summer how about you bd200?? any close enough?
I will be a Red Bud for sure, go to that one every year. Steel City is a maybe, was hoping to hit High Point but dont look like it will happen. Used to hit Kenworthy's every year too before it moved out West. But I never miss Red Bud.
Heard there will be one in the Southeast for sure next year, might be a nice little trip,
No need to get nasty, fellas. When I used the word speed, I was speaking in terms of overall race performance. I can see some of you interpreted my wording in a very literal sense. Perhaps a better choice of words would have been, “RV simply didn't have what it took to challenge for a win.” There, now we can all go back to being the motocross loving pals that we are.
@rmztrently,
At this level of racing bike fitness alone won't cut it no matter how fast you are or how long you've been racing. Doping may not make you much faster but it can make you alot stronger alot longer. I respect Reed as the champion he is and I hope he is clean. With out a solid system of testing I can see this sport turning into the debacle cycling is. I love this sport and I love watching a great show of strength, endurance, and determination that Reed gave at Hangtown. Like I said maybe he is clean and more fit than Dungey. It just seemed freakish to me.
Love all the comments, special thanks to jairtime for the spelling corrections! Never too old to learn how to spell. I just think most of the errors are due to the writer's excitement for their subject matter and inability to use spell check. Anyway, I love all you guy's and learn way more about what is going on from your comments than anything I hear on Speed or CBS. Thanks to ya'll!
PS What is up with Bubba? I only see bits here. Is he wimping out again? He is fast, but like Villapoto, he seems to be a bit reckless to attain the speed. Love their balls out style, but I have to vote with Dungey for his consistency and Reed for his ability to take a hit from a 450, (how manytimes did his bike hit him HARD in the Supercross?) What a pair of racers. Oh and what about our little Christian? When is he coming back? Love you guys, be looking for my answers.