Observations: Freestone
Tuesday, May 31, 2011 | 3:00 PM
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The second round of the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship (the nationals) was held in Texas, and besides the tough track, the riders had to deal with the extreme temperatures. Although it was slightly cooler than in the past, it was still plenty hot. The Freestone track isn’t that technically difficult but it’s challenging because of the braking bumps and square edges. And oh yeah, like I was saying--the relentless heat.
They dumped a lot of sand on the track and allow me to pontificate here on how I believe the track owners are getting a little out of control with the sand, saw-dust, rice-something or the other (that stuff that Fro was talking about at Hangtown last week) and whatever else they can find. It’s gotten to a point where the tire selections and riding technique are the same each and every week in the nationals. I say if you want to do that to your track, fine but lay off it a bit. These tracks are turning into the exact same soil each week! What happened to the hard pack of Hangtown? If you watch old tapes of RedBud, it’s not even the same track anymore. Let’s leave a track the way it is (no man-made sand whoops please) and let’s see which riders are better on which surfaces.
Freestone was a little more sandy than usual this year.
Photo: Simon Cudby
There were more than a few riders telling me after the first practice sessions that they didn’t know they were racing Southwick! Another deal with dumping so much stuff on the tracks is that the first practice session ends up being almost always the fastest because of the track’s pristine condition. If you have a bike problem or crash in the first session, you are almost always out of luck. Got to lay down that fast lap quickly!
Ryan Dungey should have won Texas, it was his by rights and he rode the best out of anyone out there. But with one and a half laps left, his Suzuki R-Z450 came to a halt. Dungey’s 2-1 win and great ride was up in smoke and he was forced to push his bike back to the truck with his third DNF of the year which is three too many at that level (Anaheim 2 with a broken chain, a heat race in Daytona and now this).
As much praise as Reed got last week for his great ride, I feel like Dungey deserved the same this week as he sprinted away in the second moto when Reed was on him, and although Reed could match him, he couldn’t catch him and then Reed went down. Unlike supercross where all you can do is score 25 points, in the outdoors you have a shot at fifty each weekend and Ryan is going to need the remaining twenty motos to work at getting the deficit cut down.
Heartbreak for Dungey and Suzuki at Freestone.
Photo: Simon Cudby
This has absolutely nothing to do with new team manager Mike Webb but let me tell you that I know how this sport works from the inside and this isn’t a good thing to have happen in a contract year for Dungey. When Roger DeCoster and Ian Harrison were at Suzuki, Dungey didn’t have any problems at the races and now, with those two gone and Webb now the manager- there’s problems. Again, it’s not Mike’s fault at all—the chain came off at Anaheim because Trey Canard ran into Dungey’s bike, a freak accident. Here, Suzuki says the fuel boiled in the second moto, causing it to vaporize, and then run out. No parts on the bike actually broke or were installed incorrectly, but the illusion is there and it’s too bad for Webb (who is a great guy who spearheaded Suzuki’s numerous off-road championships) and Suzuki that this stuff will be held against them in contract talks.
When I worked for FMF Honda in 1998, I took the job about halfway through the SX season and my very first race, the bolt backed out of the front sprocket in the heat race and my rider Danny Smith DNF’d. It wasn’t my fault, I didn’t build the motor but it came down on me and Smith (or Honda) never really trusted me much after that. Then I screwed up on my own a couple of times and that was it, I was done there. Trust me when I say I know how this stuff works. The agency/family/friends of Dungey will point to the chain that fell off as a reason the SX title was lost (never mind that Trey Canard said that he absolutely plowed right into Ryan’s chain guard the turn before) and if this MX championship goes down and Ryan loses by 25-points, the Texas DNF will be brought up.
Bummer for Ryan, he was the best rider on this day but the man that won was Chad Reed for the second straight week. In the first moto, he had Dungey on him but pulled away for the win. It was another impressive win for the 22 and he now has a nice lead on the field only two races in. Reed’s been way better than most everyone thought and although the Pro Circuit machine he was riding in SX is very capable, I think you can see the effects of a full-on works bike in this case. Reed’s stepped up his game on the new bike in the last four races he’s had it, no doubt about it.
Reed has started 2011 with two straight victories.
Photo: Simon Cudby
I was thinking about how good Reed is at the PR game these days. He seems to be willing and able to talk to anyone at anytime about his race. There are people in the industry that tell me they text him, and when I hear that, it makes me wonder A) How did you get his number? (Reed’s got two different numbers) and B) You can’t tell me he actually texts you back. Turns out he does text these people back, and I’m just thinking back to when he didn’t care all that much about the media game when we worked together at Yamaha. He’s done a complete 180 on that and judging by him texting these jerkies back, he must love the press.
And when you interview him, you get real information like him telling you he was hungover for two days after Vegas, how he’s got this old Honda at home that he rides, how he talked to this person or whatever. It’s gotten to the point that if Reed came into the media tent after a race and told us he had a T-Rex in his backyard and it’s really cool, all of us media guys would just nod our heads and wonder how he avoids getting eaten. Reed’s realized that you can be media friendly and most fans (and media) will give you the benefit of the doubt.
Props, kudos or whatever the kids are saying these days to Dungey for him pushing his bike back to the truck. Kids, don’t leave your bikes out there for the mechanic to get. Life sucks when your bike breaks but the Moto Gods don’t like that kind of stuff. Look, Reed dropped his bike at RedBud ’04 (when his chain fell off) and it’s taken to 2011 for the Gods to forgive him! Okay not really but whatever.
A second moto crash would cost Wilson the overall, but he leaves Texas with the points lead.
Photo: Simon Cudby
I don’t think there are too many people who wouldn’t tell you that Dean Wilson was the fastest guy in the 250 class in Texas. Wilson, who had heat problems here last year, blitzed the first moto to an impressive win. In the second go around he was all over the leader Justin Barcia when he went down. He got up in seventh and caught back up to third to end the day in second overall. Wilson’s speed and endurance was impressive for sure and he’s now got the points lead.
Whereas Wilson is flashy and exciting to watch, his teammate Tyla Rattray is kind of the opposite. Rattray won the second moto in Texas last year when Wilson melted down and he won the overall this year with the help of a Wilson crash and strong, strong riding. Rattray is just an animal out there, he keeps the same pace for the entire moto and charged hard to 2-1 scores. Ratters is a quiet, unassuming guy who doesn’t go around looking for attention but he’s going to get more and more of it as the year goes on and he stays in title contention. This track doesn’t really have anything too unique about it, but I feel like Tyla’s conditioning has something to do with his success here.
What a day for Davi Millsaps who rode two strong motos to get second overall in what was, by far, his best ride on the JGR Yamaha team. Millsaps, never thought of as a supremely conditioned guy, never wilted in the heat and proved many people wrong (including myself) with his rides. Millsaps was the only guy jumping over the sand wall thing in the second moto and used it to his advantage to catch riders. It was a ride that has to leave team JGR really thinking about what they need to do to get Davi to ride like this every weekend. Whatever it was in Texas, Davi do the same things at every race and bring the same attitude to every race and he’ll end up on that box a lot!
Rattray would take the overall at Freestone.
Photo: Simon Cudby
As good as Davi’s day was, Christophe Pourcel’s day was bad. The newly signed Motoconcepts Yamaha rider was riding great in the first moto when he pulled out for no apparent reason. He was a shoe-in for a top five when he went out and was even in second for a while as well. Once back at the truck, team manager David Vuillemin tweeted that he complained of arm pump. The team changed triple clamps, fork and shock for the second moto but Pourcel pulled into the mechanic’s area early on when the shock locked up. He must have gotten a rock or something in the linkage because the shock was taken apart and found to be perfect afterwards.
So CP377 DNF’d both motos and has taken a while to get going so far in the 450 class, but to me, you don’t win as much as he did and overcome what he has if you’re not interested in working hard. He’ll get better but for right now, frustrations are high with CP, with his team manager and with the team owner. I think we’ll see a much better Pourcel at High Point. Bank on it.
Kyle Cunningham is a guy that I’ve made fun of before for his tendency to crash. Cunningham’s certainly got talent and is fast but he just can’t seem to put it together so far in his pro career. Although he got second in a moto at Washougal a few years ago, this weekend’s 3-4 for 3rd overall was his best national ever. Kyle was strong in both motos and rode great in the heat and in his home state to get his best overall finish. Afterwards he was almost apologetic in the fact that he had to go get an IV but I say there’s nothing wrong with that, the Asterisk Medial Unit probably looked like a WWII triage center after the day was over!
Cunningham rounded out the podium at Freestone.
Photo: Simon Cudby
I believe (and I can’t check because I erased Hangtown on my DVR to make room for the Pawn Stars marathon) that GEICO Honda has pulled every holeshot so far this year with Barcia getting three and Eli Tomac getting one so there’s that little nugget that the team can hang its hat on. But the fact is that Barcia and Tomac have been a bit off so far this season due to crashes and other factors. The team only had two riders at Hangtown and soon fill-in Jimmy Decotis will be back to go with new fill-in rider Lance Vincent. Barcia’s first moto charge from last to ninth was very good and Tomac was steady but third and sixth in the points wasn’t what ‘Iron’ Mike Larocco was hoping for.
My name is Steve Matthes and I used to make fun of Star Racing Yamaha. That’s how my Jokey McJoke rehab stint would start off if I were have to go to such a place (and judging by how many of you thought I was serious on Saturday night when I launched a bunch of “Dear…” Tweets you would not be admitted to such a club). I have launched a few salvos at the official 250 team of Yamaha. For years, the team hasn’t made the best rider choices, they’ve given up on riders too soon and their bikes seem like they lacked something (never mind the fact that Yamaha seems to really think that carbs and their seven-year old engine package is still solid) but this is 2011, I think we have to stop mocking them.
Ryan Sipes, Cunningham, Gareth Swanepoel have all been pretty good this year and Gannon Audette is learning the ropes as he goes. The bikes are out front in the starts, they seem like they can do all the obstacles (in SX) and I don’t see them even coming close to the all-time record of most times a team has pushed their bike off in one year (held by the Bills Pipes Suzuki team of ’06). The team added Alan Brown as a manager in the off-season and he’s probably helped so that Brad Hoffman can concentrate (with the help of Cosworth) on the engines and we all know Enzo knows what they are doing with the suspension. All in all, they’ve come a long way and next year Sipes and Cunningham should be right in there for wins.
Swanepoel is helping lead a resurgent Star Racing Yamaha effort.
Photo: Simon Cudby
So now I’m forced to make fun of the Rockstar Suzuki team as they’ve had a rough go of it this year. But I can’t really say too much about them though because they just hired Dave Gowland as their new team manager and he used to wrench for Ross “Rollerball” Pederson and therefore, he got to work very closely with my MX Jesus. Is there any doubt he’ll turn that thing around soon?
Andrew Short continues to start the outdoors in a bit of a hole. The silent assassin had motor problems last week (one DNF) and now this week he goes down on the first lap in the first moto and is 30-seconds behind the last place guy. Being the charger that he is, he made it up to 15th and second moto, he was 6th but let’s take a look back at his early season “performances”:
2008-On a Honda at Glen Helen, he breaks something in his motor while running fifth or so and gets an early season DNF.
2009-Crashes at Hangtown and is about 20 minutes back of the field and eventually gets 20th place and one point
2010-At the second round, bike won’t start and he completely misses the first moto.
2011-Motor blows while he’s charging and he nurses it to finish but not to worry, it blows up completely in moto 2 to give him a DNF.
Andrew Short's early season struggles have continued in 2011.
Photo: Simon Cudby
Let’s take a look at the results shall we?
250 Overall
1. Tyla Rattray (2-1) Kaw
2. Dean Wilson (1-3) Kaw
3. Kyle Cunningham (3-4) Yam
4. Justin Barcia (9-2) Hon- As I was saying, strong comeback in the first moto for JB.
5. Eli Tomac (5-6) Hon- Like Tomac told me in our post-race podcast- it was a “decent” day.
6. Martin Davalos (10-7) Suz- Davalos came from pretty much dead last to a tenth in the first moto in a great ride.
7. Mathew Lemoine (8-11) Kaw- Pretty good for a guy out of his van.
8. Cole Seely (14-8) Hon
9. Blake Baggett (7-16) Kaw- Last week’s winner was in the process of checking out in the first moto when he went down and banged his head pretty good.
10. Gannon Audette (12-12) Yam- 12-12 for 10th? The Moto Gods smiled on him.
11. Gareth Swanepoel (4-28) Yam- Swanepoel’s been better than I thought he’d be.
12. Broc Tickle (39-5) Kaw- Tickle lost a motor in the first moto and there’s nothing funny about that at all.
13. Lance Vincent (16-10) Hon- GEICO picked up Vincent for a fill-in for at least through Millville, if not longer and he did pretty well but I believe he got tired at the end of each moto.
14. Austin Howell (18-9) Suz- Maybe Rockstar should look at this kid?
15. Nico Izzi (6-29) Hon – Izzi got great starts and ran up front both motos before dropping out of the second one with heat issues.
16. Nick Paluzzi (15-13) Suz
17. Malcolm Stewart (11-33) Suz-Mookie crashed both motos I believe. I know, hold on to your hats- that’s very rare.
18. Justin Sipes (20-14) Kaw- All hail Pooh!
19. Killy Rusk (13-34) KTM
20. Travis Baker (33-15) Hon
Rookie Jason Anderson and the Rockstar Suzuki team have gotten off to a rough start.
Photo: Simon Cudby
450 Overall
1. Chad Reed (1-1) Hon
2. David Millsaps (4-2) Yam
3. Ryan Villopoto (3-5) Kaw- RV was outside the top 20 in the first moto and worked his way to third. Second moto, he was charging again and went down about halfway through the race. We haven’t seen the real RV yet. It’s got to be a little disheartening for the rest of the field that these top three guys are so much better.
4. Brett Metcalfe (9-3) Suz- The heat got to Metty in the first moto and he dropped back quite a bit but he redeemed himself in the second one with a strong ride.
5. Ricky Dietrich (8-4) Yam- Ricky told me last week that if he can get a start in the top five, he’d be good because of his endurance and in the second moto. He got it and proved himself right.
6. Jake Weimer (6-7) Kaw- Weimer was steady both motos, he’s done well so far in his four 450 motos.
7. Christian Craig (5-8) Hon
8. Ryan Dungey (2-25) Suz
9. Andrew Short (15-6) KTM
10. Nick Wey (10-11) Yam- Wey passed a whole bunch of dudes in the second moto to get his 11th.
11. Michael Byrne (14-10) Suz
12. Tye Simmonds (13-12) KTM- Simmonds looks like he belongs in Mario Cart because he’s so big and his bike is so small.
13. Les Smith (11-14) Yam- This should have been a 11-10 but Les, in his first ride as a fill-in on the JGR Yamaha team fell over near the end of the second moto with heatstroke. So he was the last place guy on the lead lap. Considering he passed out and didn’t finish, to only lose four spots is pretty good!
14. Vince Friese (12-16) Yam- Good ride for Friese.
15. Tommy Hahn (7-39) Yam-Hahn had a gas cap malfunction when the black rubber diaphragm thing fell into his tank. That’s what I heard anyways…
16. Ben LaMay (16-13) Yam
17. Kevin Windham (28-9) Hon- KW blew up a motor in the first moto and second one he went back a bit from the heat.
18. Calle Aspegren (17-17) Hon- He’s from Sweden, that much I do know.
19. Kyle Chisholm (39-15) Yam- The Chiz crashed out in the first moto.
20. Noren Perris (19-19) Hon
Craig has been an early-season surprise in the 450 Class.
Photo: Simon Cudby
We should’ve listened to Ping-adamus when he was telling us that TLD Honda’s Christian Craig was going to do something in the 450 class in our pre-season motocross podcast. I wasn’t that impressed with him at the USGP but a solid tenth at Hangtown and then this week, the kid led half of the first moto! Sure, everyone can get a start and lead a lap or two but this guy did it for half the race and then, when you would think he would fade badly, he kept it under control and ended up in fifth. Second moto, he was eighth, so this just in: Christian Craig is for real. He’s got his dad’s great riding style and let’s hope he doesn’t have the weirdness because he looked awesome in Texas.
Thanks for reading this column and feel free to email me at [email protected] and let me know what you think about all this stuff.
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JS7
That exhaust pipe on Craig's bike looks strange! Squeaky clean and everything else muddy!
Looks like a PC Pipe copy of factory Honda Pipe
Christian Craig looked great in the first moto. While watching him on Allisports, I was amazed at his speed. The kid looked he was in a different zone, it would have been something if he won that first moto. I think if he can find a liitle more juice for the 2nd half of the race he might win one of these things. Good job Christian. Did I get last place again.
HERE IS YOUR JS7
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMNawinmaq4
I am still laughing my butt off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Matthes,
PLEASE, Stop talking about yourself, nobody cares. Rollerball, again, nobody cares. And "jerkies"? You are the jerkie. I cant believe my favorite magazine hired you. You must work cheap
yeah steve lets never change the track...lets never water it either so we can see who can maneuver in dusty conditions..lets have a figure 8 layout so we can see whose bike can take a good collision..lets have a alligator pit so we can see who is good riding with a shotgun strapped to bike and bowie knife between their teeth..oh i forgot the ice rink section so guys with giant spiked tires can do really good pop-a- wheelies..lol
was never a dungey fan till this year. Kid works soo dayam hard, has so much heart. I really hope he doesn't leave Suzuki. yea that mechanical cost him a SX title but spit happens, especially in MX. I dont see his results being any better just because of which team manager he has. Hahn, Shorty, K'dub, dunge have all had major problems so far. Imagine if dungey were on a ktm having Shorty's year... He'd be praying to be back on a zook. I would like to see Suzuki get some Podium guys on Hewitt's rockstar team. Those bikes are fast. I'd way rather be on that than a DNA yamaha. Cummon paluzzi. He got an 8th his rookie race on a JGR 450 last year. Zook should have kept rocky and brought him to the states full time
I thought it was weird that Dungey was pushing his bike back to the pits after it blew up with Goose just walking along side him slowly. I thought if your a factory rider, you have a mechanic or someone else that would do that for you. That's tiring.
I almost forgot to ask "i know it all Matthes" what happened to Stewey. Thaught he was taking one race off... So we wont see him until SX huh??? Him and J'law . he must have some serious stuff going on. Like the flug tag. go get em james
hey@ mrknowitall you might be on something there! lets making interesting!
pop a wheelie cracked me up! I remember back in the 60's, "hey dad watch me pop wheelie". Its ok son, the bleeding will stop! lol
whats with the wimpy riders passing out??? girly men i tell ya...didnt mx used to be 45 minute motos and back inthe day it was three 45 minute motos..these losers better get down to texas or florida and train in the heat not sit home and eat in and out burgers...the races are 35 minutes for Gods sake some riders cant even do one moto??? its a joke...and who was the idiot who suggested shortening the motos?? lets just cancel the whole race and go to the beach..america is getting softer by the minute...how about the soldiers in iraq?? running around in the 120 degree heat all day..and getting shot at..those are the real men ..im becoming embarassed of our riders...a
Goose didn't push until the go ahead from officials that he wouldn't cost dungey a disqualification. Where he finished earned some points. Smart Goose, Dungey kept his cool...they deserve a good finish to the year.
jerkies, that is funny..... Whats funnier is Mathes is the JA blowing everyones twitter up all week being a nusense while they try to get ready for the next race....
Reed is always down for PR when he is winning races......The rest of the time its usually a pitty party....we'll see if it continues when/if some other guys start winning......
@mrknowitall - LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wheather you agree or not...that there is as a funny comment! I think the figure 8 really has a place in mx; get it Moto Cross. Who's going to back off first?!
If the damn thing breaks, runs outta gas, or, flat siezes up this weekend, Id request a Hodaka Super Combat Wombat.. no B.S. GL RYAN.
Not sure why no one is talking about how the Pro Circuit guys, as well as RV and Weimer, are being trained by Aldon Baker since prior to the start of the SX season. Big difference in all of their fitness...no one will beat these guys unless they crash out.
Matthes - Why do you feel you ALWAYS have to qualify yourself with the "I've been an insider...let me tell you..."
Ego ?
Still trying to hold onto youth and a faded dream ?
STOP. It's an old schtick....same as with the damn Ross Pederson comments and the "jerkies"...etc....
Matthes does just fine with the stuff he writes, its entertaining and informative. Jerkies aside.
Watching on TV , the first moto is looked like RV almost go taken down going down the start stretch (maybe tangled with Dungey)...going from +20 positions back to 3rd is very impressive on a track that is pretty much one lined, according to Reed.....and how wet was that track the first few laps....jeez louise...Looks like RV is taking baby steps getting up too speed and he will soon be clicking off some moto wins....
Ride111mph that vid was just stone cold.God has a way to to give the arrogant an attitude adjustment.I think CR22 learned for his and JS7 hasn't picked up on it yet.The lesson is be humble.
CRAIG WAS FOR SURE ON THE GAS ... BUT WHAT DID MATHIS MEAN ABOUT HIS DADS "WEIRDNESS??" I KNOW CHRISTIAN IS MIKES SON- BUT WHATS THE DEAL WITH HIS DAD I DONT GET IT..?
CRAIG WAS FOR SURE ON THE GAS ... BUT WHAT DID MATHIS MEAN ABOUT HIS DADS "WEIRDNESS??" I KNOW CHRISTIAN IS MIKES SON- BUT WHATS THE DEAL WITH HIS DAD I DONT GET IT..?
I dont know if I am getting old, but the play by play Tweets by RacerX of the races are cool when the races are not live or your not near a televison...but these updates from team managers saying their riders are complaining or tweets from guys claiming to know James Stewarts contract status or complaing about red plates are a little overkill and a little too much high school drama nonsense.....People on these comment forms are doing just that, commenting or usually joking around with the subject matter.....tweeting everytime Reed takes a piss is lame.....
Matthes that weirdness comment was cold but kind of funny and true.I was a big fan of Mike Craig,I always thought he was one of the fastest in his era.I felt he lacked confidence and was a bit of a choker.I don't think he realized just how fast he was.If he had had the right people around him I think he would won a lot more than what he did.Looks like CP377 is the new weirdness.
the very first 450 practice is THE SLOWEST. The track is premo but it is so deep that the bikes go no where. Tracks need lines worked in to bring out the true speed
Reed said there was more than just a fuel issue with RD's bike. We want info!!
Mike "Stingray" Craig was one of the very, very, very few people fast enough to beat McGrath in his prime, heads-up, without a McGrath crash or mechanical issue (Tampa SX). I used to root for him, but inconsistency was his trademark.
HEP is hilarious! I think he has the hots for JS7 like Ralph Shaheen did for Chad Reed a few years back. The guy couldnt shut up about Reed. Now we have HEP the JS7lover. You go girl!! Gan you say gaaaayyyy HEP? Cause you are!!
BillC Reed said there might be more to it than just running out of gas.Like vapor locking from hot fuel.
Wow...every day HEP tells us how much he love's Stewart. Dat's sooo schweet! Awwww...does little HEP wanna give his girlfriend Stewart a big ole' hug and a wet kiss? HEP and Stewart sitting in a tree.....k.i.s.s.i.n.g....
Was it Mike Craig who won or podiumed a SX or MX, and then tripped on some boots or shoes in the hotel room and sprained an ankle before the next round?
Craig was a big partier and the 'weirdness' comment - he was for sure a swinger . guy drank and partied all the time he was a druggie an hooked up with a ton of sleezy chicks at all the racetracks. he was old school mx but that guy had problems and some big anger management issues. he was fast thats right but he was weird on some personal issues and never could get his *&^& together. I think christian has potential but the apple doesnt fall far from the tree - and top 10 isnt a big deal when half the field is out.
Some of the Tweet stuff does get a little too Justin Bieber ...the technology is great and a excellent way to get information out....but whatever floats your boat I guess....I guess the funny part is you see some of the industry folks make fun of others behind the scenes, then act like someone else once they are on the TV or doing interviews........
Layoff Anderson, its called pressure! He is working it out! Howell had no pressure it doesn't mean he is better than Anderson it was one race and really one moto.. Howell never beat Anderson as an amateur. Geez, its people like you that are causing all the pressure on these young kids.
NAILED that on the head. MATHES is fake to everyones face then makes dumb comments in his so called blog of observations. if racerx was smart theyd fire his chump face and hire someone with a brain or better yet hire someone whose relatively outside of mx who could actually get an unslanted recant of events!!
RD, JS, & RV all need to take PR lessons from Reed & Canard ......learn how to be a normal human being & talk about stuff!!! You'll get SO many more fans & be more relaxed & consequently go faster!!
So sick of Dungey's robot act & Bubba's secret agent never talk to anyone thing
JS7 ... Respond to my comment , come on now you can do it , get angry call me names . do as I say ... you know you cant resist ...come on little boys act like children ... Make your parents proud , and HATE LMFAO
It's funny how back in the day Reed was considered an arrogant @$$hole for getting up on the podium and telling it how he felt about it and not chanting out the sponsor speech. Now he's loved for it. Dungey's now considered a robot. And people think Stewart's lost it. Fickle fans.
reed's chain fell off at red bud in 2005, not 2004 you jackwagon!
good work as always steve........haters will always HATE.......JACKHOLES!
I agree with pretty much most of what he wrote. I share his concerns for Team Suzuki and I don't think we need all of the tracks to look like something that they're naturally not. Even Reed felt terrible for Dungey; obviously Two Two Motorsports in a championship race and they're doing a lot more selling than anyone else right now!
Hey yami236 - you are right Mike Craig has had his problems and still does, sounds like you are the expert on the subject and are a perfect person. Sometimes the apple does fall far from the tree and it has this time. CC is a good kid and is working his butt off to get past his dads rep, sounds like you have to get over a few things yourself after the post you left!
Mathes, I respect you tremendously, BUT I have to take exception to the comment about Mike Craig while you are talking about Christian. Whether or not there is any truth to the matter, it seems to be in poor taste to publicly bash the kid's father in the same breath you are praising Christian. Everyone knows their parents have quirks. Yet, it still carries a sting when others call them out. Otherwise, keep up the great work!
@Bob..... I'm sure you are a regular genius when the cameras come out and you are on national TV. Maybe Dungey just doesn't have much to say, maybe he's got a method that he follows so he doesn't make mistakes on TV....whatever, I'm tired of slobs like you saying the kid is a "robot", maybe, just maybe he leaves it on the track and would like to be judged by his performance out there, not during the pre and post race interview..
You know Steve I wonder where you get your thoughts? The reason track owners put sand, etc on their tracks is to help with the dust and it gets rough as heck! This separates the men from the boys. Or would you like it to be like all the supercross tracks? The same the same the same. Everyone doing the same lap times, same jumps. Yipee. If you don't like anything, do us all a favor and leave and do something else. You have a great job covering the greatest sport in the world. Shut the heck up and report. There is a big difference when you report and Davey or Ping. I can feel the passion in their writing. Maybe you should sit down and talk with them
Mike Craig was the only rider in the MC era that could hang , but seemed like he had outside distractions ....Sort of like REED and Stewart.. James is just a couple of notches above Reed
A couple notches above Reed? Are you for real Jaws? If he is "a couple notches above Reed" where is he? Oh that's right. Hes 'not ready'. He is the self proclaimed fastest man on the planet. Yeah right. While he sits on his butt hanging with his manfriend Eric Sorby. And all the while Reed is leading the series and doing great work for the sport. I was at the Freestone National. Reed would talk to me and everyone else there. His autograph line was by far the longest. He was smiling and just enjoying himself. A very class act. Stewart. Whatever
What is wrong with you Matthes and Yami. Christian Craig is the polar opposite of his father when it comes to being dedicated and outside distractions. Mike Craig the Stingray was so naturally talented. Even Young CArmichael used to admire Mike's style and his huge whips. I agree w/ dude, Give Jason Anderson a year under his belt and he will be swinging next year if not running top fives in the latter stages. DAvalos Needs a start and to run w/ it. Reed has fully gotten his confidence back. U can see it, even w/ his rockstar shades on. Lets see if DEano pushes to run a red number plate. I wanna see DAvalos and BArcia get together already!!!!! Martin wont back down or let off. And I know he wont lose that dogfight. cummon Martin. Durham should have had the geico ride, what the hell. Matthes isn't a jerkie, he's more like a groupie
Cracks me up when all the haters comment on Matthes. In case you cant remember, this is America. If you dont like him, then dont read his articles. His reporting style is what it is and doesnt change week to week. Why do you continue to read his articles each week if you dont like it. So go over to the competitor where Matthes worked last year and get your moto news. Keep it up Matthes, see you at Washougal.
mathes is a tool. the comment about CRAIGs dad was uncalled for. his dad had a alot of problems thats true and christian will end up like him. sadtruth but thats motocross. with the exception of maybe dungey and canard the sport is scummy outlaws - and thats why we love it! party like a rockstar. lets lay it out- langston millsaps grant weimer- all guys ontop of their game, mike craig and that generation set the mold. they all end up with a monster chick or promo girl they get married, swing , party hard and win races. yes they all party they make bad choices probably do drugs cheat ...all the kids comin up out of amateurs will do the same thing.. but the thing is - it doesnt need to come out into the daylight matthes - ur just pointing out the obvious to make yourself feel like your in the loop when in reality nobody likes you. we read ur dumb observations bc this site posts them.
Why are so many hard on Matthes? He's writing for us, sharing his opinions, is knowledgeable as he has been in the industry and he gets attacked for it. Just doesn't make any sense to me.
Nothing on Musquin? Top 3 prospect for the championship is eliminated and no mention?
I find it interesting how the Freestone round is always referred to as Texas, not the track most of the time. I don't see anyone referring to the races at Hangtown or Pala as just the California round.
If tracks didn't add sand or whatever else back, you would have tracks so far below grade that when it rains, the track would be a river. Not a good understanding of how it is by the writer. Alas ......... opinions.
Matthes,
Any word on what happened to Durham he was moving thru the pack pretty well and then dnf'd moto1 and dns moto 2-
Would like to see that kid get a ride sick style and pretty dang fast- rumors were out there that maybe geico honda or valli yamaha but haven't seen anything yet?
I heard his brother Shane who looked real fast at steel city & pala last year has finally found a bike to ride and will be at highpoint
Both are cool kids with sick style who can shred on a bike
Thanks enjoy your insight and commentary
Am I the only one who agrees with Matthes on the track prep?? What is the love of the track builders nowadays using a ton of sand?? It is making the tracks all the same soil. Every track is getting to be the same soil substance, it sucks. And am I the only one who hates the one-day format and the times qualifiers?? It makes the track very one-lined when you do timed qualifiers instead of heat races. Race for qualifying instead of timed. When its timed, the riders dont want to leave the fastest race line, they turn the fastest lap that way. They get a good time, and the track gets one-lined. During the racing it makes it hard to pass and everything. Lets have qualitying races on Saturday, and racing on Sunday please, we tried it the other way, and doesnt work for me.
javaboy, I disagree, and the biggest complaint by Matthes is them building the tracks the same, with all the man-made jumps and whoops also. An outdoor track is supposed to be a mostly natural track. We can all understand certain things like a jump that is known at that track(like Laroccos leap) but every single track having sand whoops or the same rythum section as every supercross. Its not what the Nationals are supposed to be. And turning the soil in California the same as the soil at Budds Creek is wrong, The areas are so much different, its what the Nationals are sopposed to be about.
Sorry Todd , just my opinion .. JS7 Will line up soon , Then we will see , until then , Dungey will figure out REED and move on by , then Pourcel , Then RV ., Reed will pull out , And Dungy and Rv will battle for the Championship... And remember Todd , Its just my opinion .. Thats what this forum is for ....
I thought Craig was injured? Like he wasn't going to ride injured. Wasn't this the guy the christain that had a benefit day for him? This couldn't be the same guy. Could it?
Matthes is god's answer to the devil. He is God's answer to life, our existence, this moment. Matthes doesn't judge, only his silly christia followers in tweet land know a judgmental attitude truly. Those 'wrathers' are evil B@st$rds.
I say Black Baggnets has a real shout at the title this year, eh, boot time. Little overrated wound to say? Ol fro daddy loves to miss the props for a deano when he jumps section no rider on a bike like his can. Way to call the race weeege, what up flagger, got a good perspective now? Do some work with it. fro is done.
Leave haters, leave. SM is not only the best, you are don't have any reason to hate. Your a bunch of children, grow up! Do you not want an opinion, or do you just want yours. Go back to your hole in Pakistan Kenny Watson. lol
Leave haters, leave. SM is not only the best, you are don't have any reason to hate. Your a bunch of children, grow up! Do you not want an opinion, or do you just want yours. Go back to your hole in Pakistan Kenny Watson. lol
I like suger with my rice holes. Hangtown is the worst track on the circuit by FAR, cut it!
Dungey, RC, and living strong all mean you drug your way to the top. Good kid, has good sense, and a strong family.
i disagree with Mathes take on the loamy tracks. hard packed tracks turn to dust and spectators cant see. and if you go down it is like crashing on asphalt. loamy tracks are safer and hold water longer.
Everybody is an expert.
Don't know Matthes, but know that he knows more than I.
How are all of you experts?
You can have make your poorly structured and spelled posts and you are supposed to be intelligent?
At least Matthes and others are our front taking risks.
You whiners are wanna bes that don't take the risks, but are experts.
Home schooling at its finest.
What a Flamming DilDonna Rider ASSessment, of My True Friend and Home Boy , MIKE " PIMPIN for REAL " CRAIG....... You are Such the Barn Yard Doad , to Call a PIMP Weird !!!!! What a lil Hater/Trick Comment... Check your tidy White, Crime Fighter Fruit of the Loons underwear , for Lil Thimble PP Stains.... Freaking Poodle Boy RingWald......
Also ,,,, I know Christian Since he was a Grommet , and he would be Stoked to know , that i Clowned some Poodle Boy like Yammi236 , manholeJAMMER , and last but not least , the Herman who Wrote that comment about his Father....
Last Vent session Y'all , Just Mention how Sic of a Racer/Rider , that StingRay was , when you talk about him , and Try Mentioning ALL of THE ADVERSITY'S that C. Craig has had to overcome , in a lil over a years time... chhhhhhhh Later Days TO HATERS