Going for the W: Davi Millsaps
Thursday, June 16, 2011 | 3:30 PM
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Muscle Milk Toyota JGRMX rider Davi Millsaps has made big strides over the last few weeks, going from forgotten contender in supercross to sudden podium threat outdoors. Is a win next for the 18? We rung up Davi while he was fulfilling press day obligations at Budds Creek.
Racer X Online: Hey Davi, it’s press day today. What time did you wake up?
Davi Millsaps: 4:45. We had a morning show to do.
4:45! Man, you going to take a nap?
Uh, we have to go ride this afternoon. We’re actually heading back to the hotel now and I’ll try to get a nap in.
Well I’ve heard that losing sleep catches up with you a few days later. You ever do press day and felt tired for the races?
[Laughs] Sometimes.
After a devastating crash at Budds Creek last year, Millsaps is starting to regain his form.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
Racer X Online: Hey Davi, it’s press day today. What time did you wake up?
Davi Millsaps: 4:45. We had a morning show to do.
4:45! Man, you going to take a nap?
Uh, we have to go ride this afternoon. We’re actually heading back to the hotel now and I’ll try to get a nap in.
Well I’ve heard that losing sleep catches up with you a few days later. You ever do press day and felt tired for the races?
[Laughs] Sometimes.
After a devastating crash at Budds Creek last year, Millsaps is starting to regain his form.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
Okay, so, the motocross season. It’s been good. And I know this wasn’t an overnight thing, recovering from your injuries from last year.
Yeah, it’s taken awhile. About a month before the end of supercross things started to get better, and then it’s been good so far outdoors. Coming into outdoors I still didn’t know what to expect, though, because obviously I didn’t have much confidence coming out of supercross. I went to the first round and did pretty good, so I was like “alright, it is what it is.” I’ve just been doing my own thing. In Texas, I just tried to do 30 minutes and not worry about what place I was in or who was around me. It ended up working out and I got second overall.
At High Point, it looked like by then you knew were you stood. It looked like you were trying to win the race and expecting to be up there. Where is your confidence now compared to where it was before Hangtown?
Obviously it’s gotten better. At High Point, the first moto was pretty good but the second moto started off okay but ended badly. But overall it was a good race, for sure. It helped me a little bit again as far as my confidence goes, but I’m just taking it one week at a time. I know I have the strength and everything to go the whole motos and do what I have to do, so that’s what I’m going to Budds Creek for.
What kind of a relief is it to be behind a rider now and think you can get them, instead of just waiting to hit the wall like you were earlier this season?
Obviously it’s a way better feeling than knowing I couldn’t even go halfway without hitting the wall. Every week I get stronger and better. I work hard with my trainer and we work hard to make the bike better. And we have a few more parts that are coming soon so hopefully we make things even better.
Now what people are going to say is, “Oh, no surprise, once 2012 contract season started Millsaps started doing better.” Is that a coincidence? Obviously you were sorting through health problems at one point.
I mean, I have a two-year deal, but the second year is optional for both of us. But that all has nothing to do with it. I wanted to do good all year! It has nothing to do with the contract at all. I’d like to be back here next year, but that all depends on what they want. I’m having fun with it, I’m doing what I need to do to be where I need to be—and that’s up front. So I’m just doing everything I can to do that.
At High Point, you finished third in the first moto. The riders who finished in front of you in moto one, Villopoto and Dungey, were behind you at one point in moto two. So were you thinking about that and going for the overall win?
Honestly I had no idea where I was!
Really?
Yeah I thought, when Dungey went down, I thought I went from fourth to third. I had no idea Villopoto was behind me until I went down. Like I said, I’m just doing my own thing. It was a gnarly one and I just wanted to finish the moto strong.
So are you going to change that strategy eventually and figure out who is where and what you need to do to win overalls?
Honestly I’m just trying to catch whoever is in front of me. I’ll push as hard as I can to get around them. Then if there’s someone in front of me after that, I’ll go after them.
Can Millsaps grab an overall before the season is over?
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
You switched to a new team this year, but you know how this sport is, after two or three weeks people are starting to make judgments on how everyone is doing. Is that fair? How long does it really take to adjust to a new team. A full season?
Well, my case was different because I was off the bike for a long time and it took forever for me to get up to speed. Then the bike kept having to change, because I’d be pushing harder and harder as I started to get going, so the bike would have to change again. So hopefully I can stay here and we can just keep the same settings we had this year and go from there. Honestly, I don’t think it takes that long to adjust to a new team and a new bike. Especially with these guys, they’re willing to try anything. So that wasn’t the problem, I had issues with what was going on with my body.
Budds Creek was a disaster for you last year, so how do you block that out?
I’ve been hurt at a lot of tracks! At Hangtown one year I destroyed my neck. Budds Creek last year, Red Bud I broke my shoulder, Glen Helen I knocked myself out. I mean, the list goes on! It’s just part of the series, I’m coming here and I’m just going to race, and hopefully it’s better than last year.
Okay, you say you’re just riding your own race and not focusing on anything besides who is in front of you. But at this point, do you feel like you can run with anyone, or are you still building to that?
Um, those guys are really fast and I’m doing all I can to get up there. I mean, they may not want to have to battle with any more people, but at the same time, it’s good for the fans to have good battles. I think it would be fun to have a good four way or five way battle for the whole race. I think that would be awesome.
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He looks good and healthy. He doesnt seem to be having any problems with that Yamaha. Excuses comes in all forms for those other two..
Good to see Saps getting things back together.....He looked strong at High Point moto 1.....was behind Reed quite a ways, caught him, passed him and pulled away.....oh wait, Reed let off because of the roost......Both Reed and Saps just barley squeaked by Weimer when he went off the track.....that would have been ugly had Reed been a few inches to the right...
I hope you get atleast one overall win this season!!! ive always been rooting for you and i still am! keep up the good work!!!
I really hope Davi can get an overall! He deserves it! After watching him at High Point last week, he was pushing it! I was enjoying that. Dont like to see riders just riding around the track like they are on a trail ride. But I guess it all depends on how much heart the rider has, how much in shape they are and also it depends on their ability and talent! Not everybody has the ability to charge hard like that! So I have to give Davi some props for trying to make something happen out there! Some riders get gun shy after so many crashes and injuries.
I still remember what RC said to him is disgust
"Dude you never quit if your bike is running"
He will never win even a moto now.
bd200... Milsaps is one of the most gifted riders out there.. I think he's using the most of his ability of the bike... Bear in mind, he wants to have a contract for next year... Nevertheless... I am stoked he's doing so well... Finally!!!
Milsaps should be on Team Suzuki rather than Metcalf....Metty had some good showings last year but has been subpar this year to date....especially outdoors which is why Suzi hired him......
I know all, "Dude you never quit if your bike is running", when did RC say that, and if he did it was probably a joke
oh and yeah was sick watching Davi hit that huge double and almost landing rite behind reed, go millsaps!!!
I've met Davi a couple times and everytime he has been a huge jerk, can't say I really wish him the best.
It takes consistency to get the big W. Something Saps has yet to prove unfortunately. But hey, you just never know. The true fast and consistent riders could have a bad day and give it away.
@Dieder-- I have been a Millsaps fan for years, since he was on Suzukis in the 250 class. I have met him and he is real down to earth and easy going guy. I am thrilled he is doing good. I tried to defend him a few times on here, I was just saying that there are a couple riders who are using the excuse that they cant get thier Yanaha dialed in for outdoors. And it seems that Millsaps isnt having any trouble with his.
He does have a ton of superb talent I haven't seen let loose before ....being let loose this year....wasn't it the sand dbl Freestone... only he another rider was clearing... the list goes on. Balls & Talent
F the haters get a job or life or find a bridge ya know @ Honda wings I met Davi and he was cool as ever.... showing off his new Duke tattooo at Hangtown. Sometimes we need to look within when we have problems playing with others. GL
Davi so glad to see you finding a new stride in my eyes. I think you have found a new level. Best of Luck to you You got top DOG talent
Milsaps has shown glimpses of brillant riding in the past, he just needs to link it all together for a few races and he could be a contender for sure. Seeing him double up on Reed last week in the mud was awesome even though I want to see Reed do well too. Reed is going to have his lunch eaten if he's not careful.
Hopefully we will have a 4-5 way battles in coming weeks, with Davi back healthy, its going to be a better season for us spectators.
Davi looks great so far this year. I'm glad to see he is putting forth the effort. Can he win a moto? Yes! Like some of you already said " he just needs to link it all together". Also is it possible that maybe Davi has matured a little. Maybe putting his head down and focusing more? I've seen Davi with some real raw speed and the guy is an animal. Also maybe the team has some real good influence on him too. Somebody out there at JGR must have believed in him, or they wouldn't have hired him. Good luck to you Davi!
It would be a career changing event for #18 to get the win this weekend and certainly get the monkey off his back from last year at this venue. Kind of Henry-esque if you will.
Weege, shame on you for not getting all up in his business about how crappy the Yamahas are and what they've done to the bike to make him a front runner.
@Carlsbad-good point Davi has been on fire because the bike is a piece of junk, doesn't handle, wheels wooble, and down on horsepower. Maybe if he was on a Honda things would be better? Oh wait, he's already been there. How about a Zook? Nope already been there too. Is it possible that Millsaps and JGR are both putting in the work to be in championship contention? JGR has the capability to build and test things that are even beyond the factories. That includes the rebuild and training of people too.
Form where/what does everyone conclude that the Yamaha's are POS? Just JS7/CP377 excuses? because these guys pull off/don't show up and whine about 'bike set up') you've concluded 'crappy yamaha's'? That is ignorance. Off of the showroom floor, pretty much all bikes are very good. Some a little better - some a little worse - and which are better/worse often different from person to person depending on thier size, riding style, etc. Then take that same bike and start dropping big coin on them via special parts and professional mechanics and engine builders and suspension tuners and (etc, etc)...they are all excellent and customized to that rider. If they put th ework in, that is. Anyone at that level blaming the bike...feeble weakass excuse, I say.