In Preparation: Trainer Aldon Baker
Thursday, June 9, 2011 | 2:30 PM
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PrintIn Preparation: Presented by Nike Chosen—Just Do It, provides a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to succeed in the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship. The riders dedicate their lives to this sport, and they’re not the only ones. Teams, mechanics, track workers, public relations staff, gear guys, suspension guys, engine guys, on and on the list goes. They all give it their all, and with each installment of In Preparation, we hope to shed more light on what a life is like in motocross.
Winning a Supercross title is a great thing, but if you also want to win the outdoor championship, it can be a significant headache at the beginning of the outdoor tour. We saw it happen last year to Ryan Dungey as he struggled at the opening round in Hangtown just two weeks after securing his position in history by becoming the 2010 SX champion. RD quickly made adjustments to his program and rebounded winning ten of the remaining eleven rounds in 2010, again securing his place as a champion and doing something that so few riders have ever done: win both titles in the same year.
This year, that song seems to be on repeat as Ryan Villopoto has had trouble waking up from the supercross afterparty, showing up at Hangtown seemingly unprepared. So far, RV's rebound has not been as significant as RD's, placing third overall in the opening two rounds of the 2011 season, but a repeat of RD's success last year is still within reach. Preparation, as always, is the key to success and I sat down with RV's trainer, Aldon Baker, and talked about the challenges that the reigning Monster Energy AMA Supercross Champion is faced with as he transitions from the championship party to the grind of the motocross series.
RV's trainer, Aldon Baker.
Photo: Simon Cudby
Racer X Online: Hey Aldon, thanks for taking some time to sit down and talk a little about the transition from SX to the outdoors. It's a difficult transition, but in this case it's even more difficult due to the fact that Ryan won the championship.
Aldon Baker: Yeah, for sure, it is definitely a difficult transition, especially when you are the champion. There are some significant commitments after you win a championship with sponsors and all, but in this case his sponsors were actually quite cool. They were very cool and understood that we needed to get some testing done in the two weeks prior to Hangtown. Testing actually went pretty decent, especially at Glen Helen, but he went into Vegas with a bit of a cold and with the whole Vegas weekend and all the stress, the next week was pretty bad for him. He actually only got to ride on Monday and even that day we had to cut it short. Then the next couple of days he spent in bed. So that was definitely a setback and we had to go about our preparation plans a little different.
Normally we like to get as much riding in as possible those two weeks after the last round, but in our case most of the first week was spent in bed. Even the second week he was still feeling ill with a fever and chills. I think he actually had the flu. It was definitely something viral. We went into Hangtown with the mentality of just seeing where we were since we didn't get to prepare like we normally would. He did pretty good at Hangtown considering he was in the motorhome with a Duvet cover on in between motos.
How did you prepare Ryan mentally for the transition from winning the SX championship to immediately focusing on the outdoor title? There had to be some real mental challenges there. I mean, winning a SX title that goes down to the last race has to be extremely stressful and then, after you win, you get one night to celebrate and then it's off to the outdoors.
It was a huge relief when he finally got that accomplished and unfortunately since it did go down to the wire, some of the preparation for outdoors that I feel can start during the last several rounds of supercross were put on hold because we were so focused on the SX title. You know, if you have the championship locked up with several rounds remaining, you can celebrate a little and enjoy the victory. You can also start to redirect your focus to motocross. You can ease into it instead of being thrown into the deep end. This has actually been a good learning experience for Ryan and I told him that we are only in control of what we are doing to prepare. So it's not all bad because when we sit back and look at how he did in the first two rounds with what we were up against, he did pretty good. It's good because we have identified certain areas where he needs to be better, like line selection and making the race easier on himself. It's almost like he was overriding the bike. The bike was just too busy and it was beating him up. You just can't ride a 450 like that. You can test all you want, but really there is only one way to learn and that is while racing. So mentally, this will only make Ryan stronger as he learns from his mistakes and corrects them moving forward.
Villopoto captured his first career SX title this year.
Photo: Simon Cudby
The same thing happened to Ryan Dungey last year.
Exactly! That's the thing. He went to Hangtown and was terrible and they had to figure out some stuff and they did. He came back strong and I think they learned a lot from that experience. And that's how you learn sometimes and that is exactly the situation we are in right now. We got third the first weekend and the next weekend I really felt bad for Dungey because, man, he owned that second moto and it was his. I think everyone knew that and to see him fall short like that, I don't think anyone felt good about that. Even though we benefited from it we didn't like seeing him come up short like that. It was definitely a gift to the rest of the guys. But that's racing.
As a sport, motocross is very different than a lot of other motorsports since we have two distinct series that are very different. To win both championships is almost a feat like none other. The planning and preparation for each series has to be very different.
Yes, for sure. It's definitely a lot to deal with and both series are unique. The most difficult thing is the total length of the season. Not only do you have to be skilled and fast on the bike but you have to make sure you don't get sick and remain healthy the entire year. From my end I really drill it into my guys, especially someone like Ryan who for the first time has really tried to put it all together in a full season, sometime they just don't know. I am constantly on him about not going out and eating more at his house and really trying to avoid public places where you can easily catch a cold. Sometimes my guys think I am overkill but it's all these little things that you really have to manage and make the best decisions. What these guys are trying to do and what they put their bodies through year after year, it is so hard on their immune systems that you really have to be careful with how you interact with other people and what you expose yourself to. I think some of the older guys who have been doing this for a while have it figured out, but some of the younger guys like Ryan are still learning. You know, that is where Ricky [Carmichael] was so good at putting things together. He was pretty strict in all those areas and was able to avoid colds and other illnesses for the most part. Getting sick for a few weeks in motocross can ruin an entire season.
Do you feel like you guys are prepared and sitting in a good position for the rest of the season?
Absolutely. For sure we would have liked to do better in the first two rounds, but sitting second in points only twenty-one back after all Ryan has been through and still recovering from being sick; we'll take it. Plus getting back to Florida on our own track and away from the public tracks in California will be huge. We are in a pretty good position at this point, so we are excited.
For more insider tips from one of the industry's leading trainers, be sure and check out Aldon's feature over on Racer X Virtual Trainer.
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I really have to respect what Aldon has done, continues to do, and respect his opinion as well. He's certainly more qualified that I am to address these issues. Where I disagree (and not just with Aldon, but with what seems to be a general consensus) is that Ryan's performances thus far in the season are due -- at least in part -- to his winning the SX title and the stress/commitments that it brings. RC had no trouble transitioning from winning SX titles to winning outdoors at the start of the season. Obviously this is the best example in recent history because Carmichael was just about the only one taking both titles. I think that RV has been sick, which is a legitimate reason for not being up front with Dungey and Reed, but at the same time, let's not give more leeway than is necessary here. let's at least not give so much credence to that reason that it discredits Dungey and Reed. I think that coming into the season, many people (if not most) underestimated Dungey and more so Reed, and overestimated RV. The fact is, they are all about equal with Dungey and Reed having a slight advantage thus far. I think that High Point will reveal more about what the season holds than the previous two races. Will Reed continue to win? Will Dungey pick up where he left off in the second heartbreaking moto and establish dominance? Will RV finally surface and moto to the win? And don't forget about Alessi, who is I recall correctly is coming back at High Point. All fair questions, and I don't think it would be wise to dismiss any of the answers, but some people are acting like RV *should* be dominating and seem truly puzzled that he's not. And if he's not by now, he soon will. This is strange to me because this idea of outdoor dominance is based on -- for the most part -- his lites performances. Can't we just give credit where credit is due, and admit that Dungey and Reed are just as good as RV, and that the whole pre-season idea/hype that RV would destroy the field was a bit premature?
@Comfotably_Dumb!
You've gone and kicked the hornets nest now!...good assesment IMO however.
Lets not just asume RV will win...that was only a safe assumtion with RC!!
Cant wait to see how this post unfolds!
Wait...whats that I hear ...Is that the haybale killing berm shredding machine firing up......uh-oh Anyone whos seen this guy outdoors knows what i'm talkin about ..GO RV2 ..a win will slow down some lips.
From what RV has done in the past, one would be silly not to bet on RV. like him or not he HAS beat the fastest riders in the world.... 07 and 08 MXON. RC and JS were two of them. If he stays healthy and unhurt, I would bet the whole farm and then some on RV2 !!!
Oh and who won both there motos at Budds Creek on a lites bike 07 mxon ?
Taking nothing away from RV...i think it is clear that his speed matches RD's and the double deuce. If you look at fastest lap times they are all running about the same amount.
Sure RV put a hurting on everyone on a 250f....but your forgetting one major thing. The big 450s are hard to ride...the speed and weight of the bikes are what makes this class uniquely different. Not every 250f national champ will make it in the 450 class. Just looking at lap times alone you can see that the 250f are not much slower on the same tracks. What the 450f has in power...i lacks in ease of use, So far RV has shown speed, but with his lack of experience racing the 450 in nationals i think it is to early to assume he will dominate. The competition should only become more interesting with the return of guys like josh grant and canard, and if pourcel can figure out his bike setup and fitness (the early moto 1 at Texas shows he has the speed) this will be an interesting series.
@ The What?
Thanks! l agree, let's not simply assume that RV will win. At same time, I don't want anyone to think that I am taking away from RV. After all, there is some value in thinking that his lites performances could transfer over into the premier class. Villopoto was a dominating lites rider and his MXoN in 2007 is right up there with Johnny O'Mara's 1986 performance at the MXDN (I give the nod to O'Mara simply because he was on a 125, on a hilly, open track, and he beat the 500cc World Champ, David Thorpe). Some people think RV's ride at the 2007 MXoN was better than Johnny O's. But at the same time, or rather, better stated, the flip side of the coin is that the rider's that RV was dominating against are not the same rider's they were in 2006, 2007, and 2008. Some of the rider's have lost clout and value (like Ben Townley who was the only one in 2007 to give RV a SERIOUS run for his money) and some have gained it. The most notable rider is of course, Ryan Dungey. To say that RD has improved immensely from his 2008 and 2009 seasons in the lites class is a huge understatement. In 2006, RV pretty much handled Alessi with some dominating performances. In 2007, RV was not so dominate and traded moto wins with Townley quite a bit. In 2008, RV was the dominate rider over Dungey. And that is one of the qualities that some of the truly great riders seem to have: That quality of dominating in the lites class. We saw it with RC, we saw it with James Stewart, we saw it with Ryan Villopoto. But as mentioned, Dungey has improved greatly since his lites days. He is a much better rider in terms of confidence, speed, versatility, and fitness. I don't think that you can have that kind of a combination (the kind that Dungey has), or can have the combo that Reed has (which seems to be a good bike and for Reed, the much needed confidence factor), and say that RV will dominate. It's simply not going to happen. If RV does go onto dominate, and I'm proved wrong, then fine I will admit it. But so far, it's the RV fanboyz (not RV himself) that are the one's with egg on their faces.
@tonewall,
I have seen RV outdoors, he's pretty good.
Like the interview said, the same thing happened to Dungey last year. IMO once RD5 had his set up figured out after hangtown he dominated because he is in the "faster 5" (RV2, CR22, TC41, and JS7). Short and Metty are great riders, but they weren't at the level RD5 was. Now, Villo has two past champs to deal with, unlike Dungey who came out and cleaned house from Freestone to Southwick. It's give and take but Villo will get this figured out and win.
When you over train, bad things happen.
Baker has worked RV to the bone, literally.
RV looks horrible and he needs to put on a little weight. Aldon Baker doesn't do moderation.
Well said Sean !! I may be wrong but didnt he figure it out in SX this year ?
@ bkbkenny,
Couldn't we say the same thing about RC in the 2007 MXoN that many are currently saying about RV? Namely, that RC was sick and was not in top form when RV beat him at the MXoN?
At any rate, RV has beat the best riders in the world, but many seem to forget that so has Reed (Reed has beat RC, Stewart, RV, and Dungey) and so has Dungey (Dungey has beat Reed, Stewart, RV, and Cairoli).
I think RV fans are truly befuddled that RV is not dominating. But the problem is not with RV, it's with those that had too high of expectations without consideration of the abilities of Dungey and Reed.
Aldon did not want to post some videos of stuupid made-up exercises? How about sell some "Baker Power" supplements?
No offense to aldon but to not go out of your house and eat is rediculous. These guys travel by plane each week around the country. Airports and airplanes are a cess pool for viruses and bacteria. Come on now and use common sense and stick to training leave the medical advice for the professionals
Aldon Baker states "Where you will notice, at least I have, is when you run your body down a bit. Like I said earlier, I can really feel a difference when I am traveling and have to adjust to different time changes. That’s when good nutrition really pays off. It helps keep your immune system strong also which is really important when you get tired."
I guess either RV stopped taking IT or IT doesn't work as advertised. I am going with the later one.
I believe if RV doesn't get off the twigs and berries diet and put on some weight we are going to start hearing hearing about the dreaded Epstein Barr virus.
shutup "moderation". you have no idea, stop repeating rumors.
villopoto will be on it before long and he is going to destroy.
Aldon Is the MAN* & A real nice guy He Knows the Game* My input is that the Training is there with most of the top 4-5 guys they all can do the motos its Who Fricking wants it. I do think rv is in shape but has taken it to far! Flat out# thats y the imune breaks down . and as far as not going out to eat I get That... But again if u dont mingle with the world then u dont build any imunes,TRY HAVING RV SIT IN THE sauna its hot as hell and it raises the white blood cell count due 2 your body thinks its in feaver mode that helps with Hand skakes to fans !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ALDON TAKE THE SUPERCROSS CHAMP OUT 2 SIZZLER ALL U CAN EAT FOR A WEEK. AND THE BATTING CAGES START AT THE MEDIUM SPEED THEN GOTO FAST EVEN IF HE CANT HIT THE BALL IT WILL HELP HIS REFLEXES WTH STARTS. HAND EYE where is J-law
Sean M - In part of the interview that didn't make the final edit, Aldon talks about traveling and the realistic expectations he has for his guys. He is a very practical person and realizes you cannot live in an incubator. Washing your hands, avoiding large crowds, not touching your face (dirty hands), eating at home when you can, and being conscious of sick people around go a long way. When you are as exposed as these guys are via airplanes, shaking the fan's hands, long hours, and generally running their bodies into the ground, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. That's all he was saying.
2cents - You are referring to MonaVie, and I know for a fact Aldon still uses the product for himself and I assume his riders as well. I used the product for a few years with some success but in the end felt the price did not justify the benefits (for me personally). But Aldon believes in the product and uses it.
Moderation - It is so good of you to educate us on Aldon's training practices. Thanks for letting us know he doesn't do moderation based on all the long hours you have spent interviewing and talking with Aldon. Oh wait, I have and I can guarantee you Aldon most certainly knows what he is doing and RV is no where near the point of over-trained.
well said tim, shut some of these clowns up. no one seems to consider that what the teams say to the media could be complete lies. the idea of team secrecy and making up stories about a riders health is pretty amusing to me actually. it's a physically and mentally long year for the riders that do both series so who knows what these teams actually do to strategize.
i don't care what anyone says. aldon baker is a training nazi. visibly RV2 doesn't look the same, he looks unhealthy, either he is ill or he is broken down way to hard. aldon is F**KING insane seriously, he routines and ways about things are just overkill. everytime I look on racer x i see articles that are just bull shit, and this is one of them. no longer will i ever come back to this site i just can't handle this bull shit
@ shane... how many sx and mx champs have you trained in you're illustrious career as a professional trainer??? oh thats right you are not a trainer. nor are you riding at level and intensity that these guys are. so for you to sit there and say he over trains and RV2 looks unhealthy, you have no clue... take for instance RC4, he used to be a little chubby guy as an amateur and his first few years as a pro, then he got with Aldon, and he dropped weight and thats when his dominance of sx and mx started really. so until you have a as many sx and mx championships under your belt as Aldon does, keep your uneducated comments to yourself.
Did High Point answer any of your all's lingering questions??? Reed, Dungey, and RV all looked good today but RV was definitely the dominant rider in the first moto. The second moto was a crap shoot with the rain, but RV still looked good. He looked healthy, fit and ready to start charging.
@ RX Virrtual Trainer,
I couldnt agree more !!!! Great job RV, Aldon and Mike W. !!
I'm sure Ryan's healthy when he can hold on to a factory 450
for 2 40 minute moto's wide open. I think Aldon has been doing this long enough
to know whether he's wearing someone down. R.V. has no complaints
and seems quite pleased.....