Open Mic: Millville
Monday, July 18, 2011 | 3:50 PM
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Interviews by Steve Matthes and Jason Weigandt
Tyla Rattray, Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki, 2-1 for 1st overall in 250 class
It was definitely a good day for me. Having Dean there in the second moto made it tough, he was definitely giving it everything he had. And Dean rode great in the first race, I was there the whole race, but, yeah, I couldn’t get past him. So it’s definitely good to win, but I’ve still got some points to make up. It’s definitely going to come down to the wire, it’s probably not going to be decided until the second moto a Pala. And we’re all on the same team, same bikes, and that makes it tough. But at the same time, I like it and it’s fun. Mitch and all of the guys do a great job, they work really hard, and we’re 1-2-3 in the championship.
This track was pretty brutal. The thing about this track is that there’s no rest time. It takes a lot out of you. I always look forward to these types of tracks, and racing in the humidty. This is what I’ve grown up with in Africa, racing in the humidiry. But at the end of the second moto, my tank was pretty empty. So I’m enjoying it, but as you can see, anything can happen. Look what happened to Chad [Reed] today.
Dean Wilson, Monster Pro Circuit Kawasaki 1-2-2nd overall 250 class
We’re doing alright, we’re surviving and consistent. I just didn’t have any energy that second moto. I was done after the first moto. Just lack of hydration, I don’t think I drank enough water yesterday and I paid the price for it in that second moto. I feel like I’m riding good, I had the speed to win that second moto but not the fitness. Tyla (Rattray) is a pretty gnarly dude. It sucks that he’s a gnarly dude but it keeps me on my toes.
"Having Dean there in the second moto made it tough, he was definitely giving it everything he had." -Tyla Rattray
Photo: Brian Robinette
Trey Canard, American Honda Racing, 5-3 for 3rd overall in 450 Class
I was pretty happy with the day, I hadn’t had a whole lot of time on the bike. I’m glad to come back, but I’m a little disappointed with getting beaten that bad. But I’m looking forward to the coming weeks and hopefully getting better and better.
Being in a championship position, it’s weird, those guys are all fighting for points, and I’ve experienced that to some degree. I know every moto counts for those guys and they’re really pushing it. And me being gone for awhile, I forgot how fast that pace is right off the bat. That was probably the biggest surprise of the day for me, but I feel like this is a good starting point.
Ryan Villopoto, Monster Energy Kawasaki, 3-2 for 2nd overall in 450 class
On the pass from Dungey: I came through the whoops and he got beside me, I kind of squared up the right-hander and got on it, but he carried more momentum through that right hander and it put him alongside me. We both jumped up there, normally I would have turned down, but he was there, and I couldn’t. I was up in the powder and just tucked the front end and went down. I just let off a little too late. If I had let off earlier, I could have maybe been able to wait and turn down. There wasn’t any contact. It was my fault.
Lappers played a little bit of an issue, but definitely he rode good. It was hot, too. He was the guy to beat that second moto, and really that’s all I can say about it.
It’s going to be a good race to the finish now, we just need to bring it every weekend, because I’m sure Ryan and Chad will.
Blake Baggett, Monster Energy Kawasaki, 3-3 for 3rd overall in 250 class
I’m okay with it considering how the day went. I could tell the track was going to be one-lined and hard to pass on, even in practice it was hard to get out of the main line and put in a fast lap, so I thought it would be like that in the motos. First moto I started like fifth or sixth, so that wasn’t too bad. And it was hot! I was tired. Second moto I got a really bad start, maybe 21st or something, so I just tried to move forward. I could see my teammates were already out front and I needed points. So I just dug deep and tried to ride every line that people were not in. Some of it worked, some of it didn’t, some of it was really slow. I tried to save some tearoffs because I knew that’s pretty much what it was going to come down to, if you could see some guys at the end. It was definitely one of the most physically demanding tracks I’ve even ridden on. Not just how rough it was, but also just trying to keep the bike straight, it was always wanting to go left or right, or just stop. Then you had these sand holes, they were like sand pits, and that was on one side, then over on the other side you had these huge rocks coming up. Definitely kept you on your toes.
"I did have fun today, it was good and I got a few points." - John Dowd
Photo: Brian Robinette
John Dowd, Kawasaki 18-22- 22nd overall 450 class
I did have fun today, it was good and I got a few points. I wasn’t sure if I could pull that off. Dang, I got tired, though! It was tough, it was hot and humid and this place is tough. That’s always why I liked it in the past but in the past I always showed up in shape!
I didn’t have a lot of prep coming in, I just rode a little bit. I rode the motos all the way through.
Of course you rode the motos the whole way through, you’re John Dowd!
Well I made it. Barely though! I did a couple of local races but they are nothing like this, of course. I have some work to do to get ready for Southwick. I’ve always liked this track and raced my first pro national here in 1990.
Jimmy Albertson, Merge Racing Honda 10-11 11th overall 450 class
My day was pretty good, I qualified 11th and went 10-11 in the motos. I’m a firm believer that where you qualify for the motos is where your moto speed is. So I rode good, I was consistent and I scored the most points I’ve gotten all year, even though I know I only rode three races so far. It was good, I felt like my fitness was better than the last two, I felt like I was the one making the passes. I think we have a bit more work to do on our motor package but the suspension works great. I’m going to skip Washougal to do some testing and we’ll be back at Unadilla.
Brett Metcalfe, Rockstar Makita Suzuki 6-5 6th overall 450 class
It was okay for me, I got a little hot out there. The first moto I was up there with a decent run and made a mistake and went down. I was too far back to catch up again. I was all by myself. In the second moto I didn’t get a great start, made some moves really quick which is good for me because it usually takes me a little bit to get going and I got fifth.
It was so tough out there to make a pass, the mud was all pushed to the outside and I was stuck behind guys just going through tear-offs so I had to move out of the main line. And when I did that, I hit the soft stuff and went down.
"I’m a firm believer that where you qualify for the motos is where your moto speed is." - Jimmy Albertson
Photo: Brian Robinette
Jessica Patterson, DNA Shred Stix/Star Racing Yamaha, 2-1 for 1st overall in WMX Class
It was gnarly out there, there were a lot of holes, straight edge bumps, sand and rocks. You just had to pick the best line and try to dodge everything. There were still some soft spots but considering how bad the rain was here yesterday, the track was great. In the first moto passed sixty-seven [Fiolek] going through the first set of whoops, and in the second set, I must have hit it wrong or something, and my bars went to the right, and it pulled my left shoulder out. I’ve had problems with it before. I was over there trying to get my shoulder back in, and everyone was like “What are you doing?” and I said “Trying to get my shoulder back in.” They didn’t believe me, but I really was! I got back in, and I got going again, and made another mistake after that, just worried about it too much and being timid. For the second moto, I had Eddie over at Asterisk tape it up good and I had more confidence in it for the second moto.
Ashley Fiolek, American Honda Racing, 1-2 for 2nd overall in WMX Class
It was pretty good, went 1-2 on the day, wasn’t too bad. I was actually pretty surprised, the track turned out good with all the rain we got. Patterson rode great, I’m just happy to get out of here healthy. Today I got another good start, and it was actually pretty fun, getting out there with Patterson, we were battling a little bit. I’ve been working hard and I’m giving it my best. I’m happy I still have the points lead.
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Team Honda should have had the pitboard signs out for Canard and Windham stating: "Let Chad By" thereby preserving 4 valuable championship points for Reed, if he loses this by 4pts. it will be a shame.
Canard and Windham are non factors, but Honda hasn't had an outdoor championship since Carmichael.
i sentance 1 mistake.....i'll continue......i guess.... 1-1?? tyla??? i seen 2-1
I should be the critic, i cant spell 1 :o
And some folks say all RV does is make excuses?... Good response from RV in my opinion....he gained more points on Reed than he could have thought before the day began and Dungey has been right there and gained a few on RV and Reed.....Off to Washougal, RV's home turf....should be grea racing from here on out like it has been all year....
@jairtime suks so were Windham and Canard supposed to let everyone between them and Reed by too?!
Good response from RV, he manned up and said it was his own fault. I dont know why anyone would say RV makes excuses, just haters I guess. And the open mic with Reed would be simple"OUCH" !!!!!
@jairtimes suks, that is nobodies fault but Hondas, its what they get for screwing over RC.
I’m not sure I would call Canard and Windham teammates of Reed. They sort of are. Canard throwing away a podium and 11 places so that Reed could get an extra point? That would be just silly. But consider this scenario. The Ryans are leading late with Canard 4 seconds back and Reed another 20 behind him. Would they ask Canard to give up any shot at the win (if the Ryans took each other out or something) and wait for 20 seconds for Reed to pass him?
Let's not forget the gutsy ride by JP$ and the great day for local boy Alex Martin!!!
TC is Hondas great white hope. Man I like that kid and he def has the stuff to be a big bike champion. His sophomore year should be much MUCH better
Tyla was looking super fresh and strong during the interview after the 1st moto, not even winded at all. You could see the desperate exhaustion in Dean's face. That track was a body-beater and an ankle-twister. Those whoops were like, WHOOMP! WHOOMP! WHOOMP! WHOOMP! WHOOMP! That kind of deep, wheel-swallowing, soft whoop with square-edged bumps hidden in the base of each whoop just sucks the life out of you. When combined with the heat and humidity, it makes this A/C feel a lot colder. I thought I was winded today after a one hour mountain bike ride at 2:30 PM. That was nothing!
@ Jairtime suks.... you cannot be serious. "Hey Trey... you are in 3rd. Now give up your bonus and pull over for 10 guys so Reed can get by you in 14th." You cannot be serious... 6 rounds in... I am speechless....
@jairtimesuks, TC and KW should pull over for no one; earn it or eat roost!
corndog, also hit the nail on he head
Dang, JP has a separated shoulder and pops it back in herself. She is a beast!,.......wait,..........can I say that? LOL, good ride, no doubt.
Corndog, are we only 6 rounds in or are we 7 rounds in?????
Honda could make up his bonus $ easily and I'm sure Reed would have the money also if, if he would win the whole thing. It'll be dang funny if he loses it by the same amount of points he lost the SX championship, as two other Honda riders got pts that may cost him the whole enchilada!
P.S. I DON"T like Reed!!! Matter of fact I dislike him as a rider virtually more than any other in the 450 class so I hope he loses it by only a couple of pts.
Also, I won't be surprised to see Canard take more pts from him in more races this season.
I can only imagine what everyone on here would say had 14 and 41 just pulled over for a quick half a lap. I am still trying to figure out if you were joking or not...
Sorry Jairtimesuks. That's just foolishness.
@bd200 - Sometimes you're an all-or-nothing kind of guy. RV never makes excuses? That's one of the main reasons I like him the least of the title contenders. I respect him, and I'm DEFINITELY not a hater of any of these riders. Remember how he said he "rode smart" after Reed and Stewie gifted him a win early in SX? Rode smart my ass. Got lucky is more accurate. And that happens. It's all racing. But rode smart? I don't keep a log on such things, but Villo's certainly not the best at giving other riders credit. I was pleasantly surprised by his comments this week. And I'm pretty sure RC had as much to do with K-Dub and Canard not pulling over for Reed as you or I did! Come on, man.
Good on RV being straightforward. He said Dungey was the man to beat that moto. I expect being things from RV this weekend!
And I hope Fiolek wins it all. She's a class act and doesn't make excuses when she loses. Patterson needs to give credit where it's due when she's beat.
I'm only saying that Honda may in fact lose an outdoor championship by a mere couple points, and for the factory it has been in a long drought for success in the big class.
I know there are NO orders to other Honda riders and I know its too early in the season, but I also know this championship may come down to very few pts as in SX and IF CR22 loses it by those pts. Honda may look back at it as a lost oppotunity, thats all.
finally, #5 got agressive and passed someone while they were still on the bike. i was yelling at my tv for #5, if it stays like this its going to be the best finish ever.
@self154 I like good sportmanship just as much as the next guy, and your right RV doesn't really credit any other riders as much as Reed, Dungey ect... But the fact is thats not what he's supposed to do, he's supposed to ride his dirt bike and win. He doesn't train all week and ride and put in the work to give credit to other riders it's not his job and get over it.
The track and conditions were very much like a European GP, only the GP´s are longer. Now I can see why these guys wouldn´t shape if they came over for the whole series. It´s just that much harder on the body and mind. Ratters is used to those sort of conditions from when he raced GP´s, which is why he kicked ass. Reed as well.
Americans are such pussies.
RV is talking like a racer, toeing the line. Why would any racer want to praise the hell out of his competition? It's about confidence remember? come on now!
gp series should tracks that are interesting to watch. Riders too. Those "stong" gp riders are wrecking balls in supercross. Ol' ratters breaks christain craig in half (don't deny that sh&T) and kenny looks pathetic as he head banged himself to american rock.
No Reed comment??? Come on guys!....I wanna know what he was thinking about the launch and digger. You dropped the ball on a very big storyline.
@sef154-- I do remember that, and RV said that with a big smirk on his face. But truthfully, what should he have said? "I got lucky"-- there isnt a rider in the world who would have said that. He does give credit some, he has said before that Reed And Dungey gapped him and he couldnt make up any time because they were running so well. But I didnt say anything about that, I just said he doesnt make excuses.
@penguin_bob - I never said Villo HAD TO say ANYTHING nice about other riders; I simply said I like him less for not doing so ... and I also said that I appreciate that he did say good things this week.
@bd200 - There isn't a rider in the world who would have said, "I got lucky"? Did you forget Reed at TX already?
@Mike – Based on other posts you’ve made, you’re clearly a GP “homer,” but I think we’ll hang onto all those Chamberlain trophies we’ve won.
I know a lot of people out here badmouth riders every week, but I don't have to agree with it. I have riders that I like better than others - partly based on how they speak of others. This is why Pastrana, Henry, Windham, Dungey - and RC, later in his career - are among my favorites. But I credit all the riders for doing things the vast majority of us could never do.
JOHN DOWN FOR F'n PRESIDENT!
Mike, you're showing your bias by making statements like that. If you took the 7th place racers from the MX1 & 450 classes this weekend and switched them, I'm confident the U.S. based racer would improve in the MX1 standings, while the MX1 racer would go backwards.
It's pretty well documented how much of a "Pro- U.S.A." guy I am (and how much of one you're not) but, I do give the G.P. racers their due respect. Maybe you will do the same for our racers eventually.