Observations: Lommel
Thursday, August 4, 2011 | 10:40 AM
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With a couple of weeks off in the AMA series, I had no idea what to do with myself. I couldn’t just stay home, could I? What would I do without air travel, hotel rooms, and the sound of a four-stroke for that long? So I did what any moto journalist would do in the same situation: I went to a race! Only this was a little different than the usual thing. I headed on over to Belgium to catch a World Championship Grand Prix race at the legendary Lommel circuit.
I guess I need to get a life.
The Lommel track has been around for a long time and actually was where Team USA won its very first Motocross des Nations in 1981. It’s in Belgium, not far from the Holland border and also not far from the other GP track in Valkenswaard. The track is sand. Like, endless sand. It’s not for the meek of heart or for the out-of-shape. It’s a tough track to be sure, and I have no clue how a bunch of long-haired hippie American riders came here and cleaned up in 1981, besting the European riders who grew up in the area.
After returning from this trip, I texted then-Honda and MXDN team manager Dave Arnold and expressed my disbelief from above to him. He replied, “Having worked in Europe as DeCoster’s mechanic the year before, I had total respect for the European riders and tracks. When I went back the next year, I didn’t think we had a snowball’s chance in hell to win but luck and fate dictated otherwise.”
Cairoli went 1-1 for the overall at Lommel.
Photo: Ray Archer
Many of today’s riders also live in the area and ride at Lommel during the week. With the weather the way it is, sand is the one surface you can pretty much ride no matter what it’s doing outside. Therefore, this race had sort of a home-track feel for many of the riders. It was a little weird to have so many people tell me that so many different guys live right around here. After a while I just assumed that everyone outside of myself and my traveling partner Allan Brown lived there.
Antonio Cairoli is not a four-time (soon to be five) world champion by accident. The Italian has been the man over in Europe, first on a Yamaha in the MX2 class and now on a KTM in MX1. Americans have seen him race the MXDN at Budds Creek (not good) and at Lakewood (pretty good, but his ankle was jacked and he wasn’t as prepared as he would have liked) but they still haven’t seen the Antonio Cairoli I’ve seen, first at Teuschenthal in 2009 and now this past Sunday at Lommel.
Look, I don’t care where the race is—America, Belgium, South Africa, or the moon—Cairoli is one of the very best riders in the entire world on a motocross track. His speed, tenacity, fitness, and heart are as good as any rider’s in the United States. In Lommel, Cairoli fell one time in both motos but charged back to the front almost instantly, took the lead, and won both motos with ease. Near the end of the first moto when he needed to, he busted out a 2:15, which was the same time he was doing earlier in the moto on a track that was getting rougher and rougher by the second.
He’s been coming on in recent races, and his main rival, Clement Desalle, is battling a shoulder injury from a few races ago. The lead in the standings for AC is 52 with four races left. He put on what I would call a riding clinic. Here’s the point where I get sucked into the endless debates by fans on both sides of the ocean in saying that I still believe Ricky Carmichael is the fastest sand rider I’ve ever seen (and RC has actually ridden at Lommel, as Team USA went there to break in their bikes before the 2003 MXDN at Zolder. I was a mechanic on that team, and while RC broke in his bike, my bike just broke in typical Matthes fashion), but AC has to be right up there.
Herlings butt-patch for the weekend.
Photo: Ray Archer
One rider who could be giving AC a run for his money in a few years is one of KTM’s killer kids, Jeffery Herlings. The Dutch speedster is a beast in the sand and was the favorite for the MX2 win by a large margin. But then Herlings fell on some metal or something while “jogging” (ha!) and hurt himself just days before the race. Herlings wasn’t sure how the injury was going to affect him, and I’d say it wasn’t that much of an issue, as he went 1-1 to close up to rival and teammate Ken Roczen in the points standings. He’s 21 points back and this championship looks like it’s going down to the wire.
Herlings got a bit of a gift in the form of a nasty last-lap crash by Ken Roczen while Roczen was leading. It was pretty amazing to see the German kid beating Herlings, but there doesn’t seem to be anything Roczen can’t do right now.
With Roczen off to America next year, Herlings is immediately the favorite for the 2012 MX2 title. Those two were over a minute ahead of third place in Lommel—the future is bright for KTM and these two kids.
Heartbreak, thy name is Rui Goncalves. The Portuguese had never made an overall podium at a Grand Prix but was poised to do it at Lommel. Rui rode a great race both motos in coming from the back and was looking great. Everything was set for the Honda World Motocross team (Martin Honda) to go 2-3 on the day overall, with Goncalves teammate Evgeny Bobryshev in third, when a couple of things happened.
Tough break for Goncalves at Lommel.
Photo: Ray Archer
With about four turns to go, Rui’s Honda CRF450R gave up the ghost. It was a massive mechanical failure (crankshafts aren’t supposed to be seen from the outside, right?) and he was done. He was so close! And a lap earlier, Russian Bob got passed by Max Nagl, and poof—there went Honda’s 2-3. Devastating day for those guys.
If there is a breakout star this year in the GPs it’s Bobryshev. Roger Harvey, head of Honda Racing over in Europe, told me they were hoping Bobryshev would get a sniff of a podium here and there this year. The leap he’s taken has been a big one: he’s won a GP, won some motos, and this weekend in Lommel he showed everyone he’s for real. The big Russian fell in the first turn in the first moto and fought his way back. In the second moto he led for a bit before tiring and slipping back. His ride in the first moto probably wore him out (and he admitted as much in the post-race podcast I did with him).
Clement Desalle might be known to Americans as the guy who came over here for Washougal a couple years ago and then last year gave Ryan Dungey fits at Unadilla in the first moto. The Belgian rider was slated to give Cairoli the stiffest competition for the title this year, and early on, with AC slowed by some injuries, Desalle shot out of the gate with some impressive rides. Then Clement suffered a dislocated shoulder, and it’s been time for him to battle through that. He ended up second on the day in some good rides, but he wasn’t on Cairoli’s level and is now 52 points back in the title hunt.
The CLS Pro Circuit team went into the season with some high hopes. They brought some GP riders back from America in Tommy Searle, Max Anstie, and Ben Townley, and on paper they looked to be a formidable squad. It hasn’t quite worked out as well as everyone would have hoped. Townley came into the year hurt, made a couple of races, got hurt again, and is now out for the year—and he may even hang it up for good. The Kiwi certainly has been star-crossed for much of his career. Searle has been pretty good but is not on the level of Roczen and Herlings right now, and Anstie has been a bit of a disappointment (although he rode great at Lommel, coming from the back both motos for 4-4 finishes).
Anstie was solid at Lommel, going 4-4 for fourth overall.
Photo: Ray Archer
Searle should be better next year, and he (and injured American Zach Osborne) should be Herlings’ main competition in 2012. To replace Townley, the team signed wayward Frenchman Christophe Pourcel after his disastrous stint at MotoConcepts Yamaha over here. That hasn’t worked out either, as Pourcel has yet to make it through a race, citing suspension problems. He was supposed to come back for Lommel, which clearly would have been a bad idea, so he’ll return this weekend in Loket.
In talking to some people on the CLS team, they think Pourcel figures he’s coming back to America to race supercross next year. My idea that he will stay on CLS, race the GPs, and ride for Pro Circuit next year in SX was shot down. One thing that is happening is that Pourcel is making teams on both sides of the ocean shake their heads in amazement at his thought processes.
Weird deal after the race, as I wanted to get interviews from Cairoli and he had to go to FIM Doping Control, which is a test for performance-enhancing drugs. It’s not every race but some random ones. I asked AC’s girlfriend Jill where he was and she took me to this building where I went underneath the stands and saw Cairoli (still in his gear), Stephen Frossard, and Bobryshev all standing there drinking water, milk, and jumping up and down like they were at a rave. Seems that after a long race like that, the urine required to fill a test tube isn’t all there.
With Zach Osborne injured, America’s lone hope in the GPs is Husqvarna’s Michael Leib, who is having a really tough time of it this year. On a bike rumored to not be on par with his competition’s, Leib has struggled to score points when he’s been healthy. It’s not a good deal for either the team or Michael, and I’m pretty sure he’ll be looking for a new ride over there or over here next year.
The championship is slowly slipping away from Desalle.
Photo: Ray Archer
From reading Motocross Action in my youth, I always thought that in Belgium everyone spoke Flemish. Turns out most people speak French or Dutch (or English, even). Everyone I asked over there about Flemish just stared at me blankly. Anyway, my travel partner Allan is from Canada (and is also the Star Racing team manager) and grew up in Ontario on the Quebec border and speaks French fluently. But you know what’s weird? The dude never spoke French one time!
I kind of forgot about his speaking prowess until he was telling me on the LAST DAY of our trip what some people standing by us at the airport were saying. I can’t believe he at no point broke out the francais to make our lives easier ordering food, asking for directions, checking, in at hotels, etc. I asked him about it and he just shrugged and said, “You were doing fine.” Some people!
Scary moment in Saturday’s qualifier when former World Champion Steve Ramon went down hard on the first lap and was transported to the hospital. The race was red-flagged, as it was pretty serious for a while, with Ramon not having feeling in his extremities. Turns out he’s okay, but for a while there I thought we had a tragedy on our hands. Get well soon, Steve!
I’ve always thought highly of former MX1 champion David Philippaerts, as he seems to be in great shape, charges hard all moto, and is a little underrated (at least to me), but this weekend he was off the pace a bit. Maybe he’s an Italian who isn’t good in the sand?
Holland’s Marc De Reuver was once considered the “world’s fastest sand rider.” The people who were at the MXDN in (I think) 2005 still talk about how he handled Stefan Everts in Leiop on a KTM 250 two-stroke. He’s had an up-and-down career since, then but he’s always, always quick in the sand. Anyway, he fell in the second moto and was riding well to catch up to eleventh from pretty much last. In the first moto he DNF’d while up around the tenth spot or so. He was a couple seconds behind Bobryshev as they both charged through the pack together and then he disappeared.
Ramon is expected to make a full recovery after a hard crash at Lommel.
Photo: Ray Archer
One rider who never gets much press is Estonia’s Tanel Leok. he’s been solid for a long time and put in some good rides at the MXDN over the years, but the Estonian Express never really gets mentioned much. Maybe it’s because he’s now riding a TM (which at Lommel had a ridiculous “ball breaker” enduro gas tank on it), but whenever I see him, he impresses me. Maybe he just waits for the races that I’m at?
Been to a bunch of MXDN’s and a few GP’s now and I can safely say that without a doubt:
- I love the wash bays the GPs have. It’s a good idea to get that mess away from the spectators and not have corporate guys worried about getting their loafers all jacked up.
- I like how the GPs run on time almost without fault. The AMA races are getting better in this regard, but they run a tight ship over there.
- I like the works-bike rules. I’m not sure from a cost-feasibility factor if this would work in the USA, but as a fan of the sport, I’m enthused to go over and check out the bikes over there. From Gauthier Paulin’s EFI Yamaha YZ250F to Leok’s TMs to the KTMs and Suzukis, the machines are works of art.
- I do not like having a World Championship series not open to more riders. How can you have a series and drop a forty-man gate with only thirty-three starters, like in the MX1 class? Limiting entries to just selected teams is a little weird to me.
- No purse money? I don’t care how anyone explains this to me—it’s not right to not pay the riders for their efforts. There’s money being made there, so spread the wealth.
- I don’t like the age-limit rule on the MX2 class. It doesn’t help guys who can’t adapt to a 450 or can’t find a team to get on. The MX2 class runs right alongside the MX1 guys, and to me it’s as prestigious a class. To limit the age rule makes it seem like it’s not for the “real” racers or whatever. I don’t get it—make it open to everyone. Guys like Xavier Boog weren’t ready to go up, but oops, sorry about that, Boogster—you hit the age limit. Good luck in 450s!
- And while I’m complaining, can you take that rule out for the Motocross des Nations? Again, it’s the three best riders a country can find, not the three best riders with one being the appropriate age.
Roczen was unable to challenge his teammatel, Herlings, in the deep sand.
Photo: Ray Archer
- The media stuff the riders have to do blows me away and makes me want to pack up and move to Holland to cover the GPs and eat fries and mayo. After the racers come off, snot and dirt everywhere, they are interviewed right there for TV. Then it’s a podium interview for the fans, and then they get the MX2 winner and the three MX1 podium guys to STAY ON THE PODIUM TO GET INTERVIEWED FOR THE TV AGAIN. I cannot state my amazement any more without a Caps Lock Lock button.
- THEN, if all that wasn’t enough, the top three riders get hauled into a press conference to give the media their thoughts on the race. I say all this in complete and utter amazement. +1 for the GPs on this media stuff. I asked Cairoli if he was okay with all this and he looked at me like I asked him if he liked spaghetti and replied, “It’s no problem, why?” Sigh.
All right, thanks for reading. I enjoyed my time over there, and I want to say hello to all the cool people I met on my trip. As always, you can email me at [email protected] to share your thoughts and stories.
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Matthes, nice read pal! Hope you enjoyed some Leff brew over there, not that there's any shortage of stupendous beer and ale, but Leff is one of my fav's. How does that sand compare with Southwick? Is it more loose with less clay? just curious.
STEVEN Frossard and not Stephen...
Really great to read an article like that
A French who does not like that one makes a mistake in the name of a fellow.
;-)))))
Good read, as usual. I always enjoy reading Matthes' stuff. Even though he sometimes acts like a goofball, that's part of the attraction, and I consider it part of his job. Who wants to listen to an up-tight hardass all the time, anyway, right? Plus, Jody already has that niche covered. One more thing, Matthes has been around the scene for a while and has been to a lot of races all over the world, and if he tells me that Cairoli is the real deal, then that's good enough for me. Always been a Cairoli (and Matthes) fan. Go Tony.
Interesting information in this "Observations" post. Maybe you should cover all the GP races next year.
@jd805 naver been in Southwick, but from tv I'd say Belgian/Dutch sand is a bit deeper. I've seen gp's in Lierop and Velkenswaard and maaaan, it's just sic! Lierop especially. It'll be fun to watch American guys fight there in 2013.
@Matthes; man, maybe you'd like to see the gp in loket this weekend? if you'll be there you just NEED to try czech "smazeny syr" (fried chees) and legendary chech weed ;)
@jd805 naver been in Southwick, but from tv I'd say Belgian/Dutch sand is a bit deeper. I've seen gp's in Lierop and Velkenswaard and maaaan, it's just sic! Lierop especially. It'll be fun to watch American guys fight there in 2013.
@Matthes; man, maybe you'd like to see the gp in loket this weekend? if you'll be there you just NEED to try czech "smazeny syr" (fried chees) and legendary chech weed ;)
Great article Matthes,
The no purse money part i agree with for sure, but now you will never get another press pass for the GPs again for bringing that up ,,
Simple awesome article. Much respect to those guys over there and can't wait to see a bunch of orange on the American podiums next year, move over Japan!
Gauthier Paulin’s EFI Yamaha YZ250F? EFI??
Luongo is a bloody Italian mafia boss. He was asked once why he didn´t pay the riders and he replied it´s not his job. He reckons he´s got a contract with the FIM (another Italian mafia organization) to organize the World Championship, and that´s what he does.
Hey Guisepi, I got news for you slimeball, you aren´t fullfilling the conditions of your contract. How much legitimacy has your championship got without ALL the best riders in the world competing. Until you have the best AMA riders doing your championship, calling it a W/C is just fooling the people.
The thing that burns my ass though is that, not only doesn´t fat boy pay the riders, but their teams have to pay 30,000 euro´s for each rider for the privilage of doing the series for one year.
Jesus, someone should explain to this idiot how capitalism works.
Oh yeah, almost forgot. Great article Steve. One of the most interesting I´ve read for quite some time.
I hope you had a nice time in my homeland. You should come back in April for the Tour of Flanders
Nice Bridge Mathes from GP to Nationals perspective. Good as always.
Cairoli is a very nice person, he behaves like when he was nobody. Husqvarna is a fairly good motorcycle, it's just that Leib is not even as fast as Lupino, his Italian teammate, who is pretty slow...Anstie could finish 3-3, he had very bad starts and he charged from behind, with a crash in each moto. He was very fast and he impressed me a lot, finally I'd say. Luongo doesn't have anything to part with FMI, he doesn't even live in Italy but in Switzerland, to avoid paying too many taxes, his sons go to the best schools while he rips all the riders off, I read an interview of his and he really doesn't care if a team which made the GP's history doesn't have the money to race in Brazil and USA, he said "just stay home, I don't help you". Everts engaged a huge battle against him when he was racing but just a few supported Stefan.
When the Des Nations goes to Lommel, the US team will have thier hands fool. Not that it will bo too rough, its that it is the hme track for several of the GP's best riders, and it is where they will shine. Kinda like Dungey in Millville. The sand at Lommel looks to be alot deeper and softer than Southwick. Southwick sand seems kinda grevel type to me. (Guys who have ridden there correct me please) Lommel seems to be deep and soft. It is one giant rut when it gets ridden, very technical too.
And I like the age limit for the MX2 class, I wish they had an age limit for the 250 class here. You wouldnt have guys like Hanson and Rattrey sandbagging in the 250 class for thier entire careers. Look how much more success Metcalfe has had since. Rattray is strng and in good shape, he would be fine in the 450's. Its just Pro Circut trying to sew up another title by spending the cash to buy another title.
Great article though Matthes--really enjoyed this. The media stuff sounds like a good idea to me, not all but some of our guys could learn some media and fan appreciation from the GP riders thats for sure.
@manes, good insight on Luongo, we get some info on his actions, but not near enough. I heard he tried to bid to run our Nationals here, and I am so glad he didnt get it. MXSports has done a decent job so far, we dont want Luongo here thats for sure.
I'm surer Caoroli is a good guy, I read an article about him riding with Mcgrath and K-Dub I think. He seemed like a real easy going guy. He said he was amazed hiow easy some of the riding seemed to K-Dub, and he said he thought McGrath was nuts, because he wouldnt take any practice runs when they were hitting any huge natural jumps they were finding. He was pretty funny in the story. He may not realize McGrath grew up free-riding in the hills, it was second nature to him.
Lieb is riding a R&D platform for future development. The Husky 250 is slow stock so, it isn't going to come alive until they revamp the whole motor internally. BMW has the coin so in time, it should come around and become a competitive mount.
I'm fairly certain it's the same over there as it is here with the haves & the have nots. There is the omnipotent KTM team and then presumably the CLS Kawasaki squad (Pro Circuit East....really east) and then everybody else, same as PC & GEICO teams here. I would hazzard to guess the other guys (Leib, Osbourne, Paulin, etc) are riding their nuts off just to keep the KTM guys in sight. Between KTM's MX2 program and Roczen & Herlings skill set, there is a perfect storm condition for an almost RC-like domination of the M.X.G.P.'s by those guys.
I would guess that once Roczen leaves the G.P.'s for the U.S., Herlings will really come into his own knowing he is the heir apparent to KTM's stranglehold on the MX2 class........it's too bad He couldn't make the trip to southwick. If nothing else, it would certainly generate some buzz for the KTM P.R. hacks
Man, Lommel is one of the hardest, if not the hardest sand track in the world. u can't compare it with any american track. I guess Lierop is about the same difficulty, but very different.
Seeing Herlings ride there, man, that kid is from another planet! one with LOTS of sand i guess..
good job steve - very nice - i did not see you on the mx-life stuff but i knew you were there - i heard c.p. will be the second 22 motorsports rider - sx only
just kidding
Husqvarna is an official bike, not a stock bike, and Leib has been slower than Lupino, I don't think he would be top 5 on a top bike. Herlings can still win the title but now there won't be any more sand tracks after Lierop was withdrawn, which sucks bad. I am glad Luongo didn't get the Nationals, I don't like him at all and I think nobody likes him. He also raised all the tickets of the GP's, here in Italy it's impossible to see them live, too expensive. I had a bad experience in Franciacorta, I hate Youthstream and DBO
@Matthes - Rui Goncalves “had never made an overall podium at a Grand Prix”? He’d be surprised to know that, considering he led Musquin in the MX2 series a couple of years ago. (Watch, he’ll fix it in the article and I’ll look dumb.)
Regarding the “racers come off, snot and dirt everywhere” interviews for TV, I’ve seen quite a few of them, and I’ve yet to see any added value beyond what's said on the podium. The riders don’t seem terribly interested in getting the mic stuffed under their helmet at that point either. (Erin Bates, are you listening?)
@bd200 – There is nothing “kinda grevel type” about Southwick. It’s sand, brother. Also, might want to do a little spell-check.
Suggesting Leib is slow because he “would (not) be top 5 on a top bike” seems a little critical. Look at the experience of nearly all the top five riders. Even Herlings has raced more professional races than Leib (due in part to injuries).
Lommel, is a very burly deep sand track, much deeper then Southwick. But consider most of the top riders these days are living in Fla. If you have ever ridden some of the deep sand tracks there you'll understand why, the americans will be ready in 2013.
I agree with Matthes, Des Nations is about the best three riders from each country. It's not a championship, its simply pure unadulterated bragging rights in the global sphere of motocross. So drop the age restrictions, it was and never should be about two guys and a junior.
Side note: Good to see Steve is professionally biased towards his X-brand athlete Zachary 'Fish n Chips' Osborne. A podium contender in 2012 perhaps, but a World Champion in the wings??? Ansties got more chance and we know how well he's going even aboard a Pro Ciruit CLS machine.
just a simple correction Rui Gonçalves have had a lot of podiums he´s a MX2 vice champion, first podium in MX1 still to come unfortantly
Great columm as always Matthes
Cheers from Portugal.
No way Matthes wrote that. That was a great read. J/K Matthes, good job!
Nice article and interesting views for sure. Have fallen behind this year on how the GPs are doing but I couldnt agree more about the comments made regarding purse money. I sincerely doubt the sport will ever have the global exposure and resources as a sport to ever develop a true world transatlantic championship. This is why the des nations format should be re-thought. It should be both championship contenders brought to the gate. Then the AMA vs. GPs question could be truly settled.
Just watched this race and have been to southwick, no comparison. You can find some hardpack and chuck holes at southwick, but Lommell just gets deeper and deeper. Just go to a torrent site and download, it was uploaded a couple days ago. The torrent i got was in english with no commercials at all.
@sef154-- thanks on the correction on the type of sand at Southwick, but spellcheck, well this isnt English class, and I was in a huge hurry when I was typing, was heading out the door. Is this post better??
Just makes for better reading, is all.
BTW, I wasn't saying Southwick is the same as Lommel, just that it's definitely a sand track. DeReuver came a few years ago, when he was closer to his prime, and he rode well ... but by the second moto, he was whipped.
In theory, I agree that there shouldn't be an age limit for MXdN, but in practice, name me a U.S. rider that you would put on a 250 that isn't below the limit. If it's the three riders I suspect this year, they're ALL under the limit.
A unified series, however short, would be a logical progression for the sport to grow but, with so many rival factions it seems unattainable. The sport as a whole would grow and a true measure of the racers thoughout the world could be gauged.....................sounds awesome! Let's get (your favorite sponsor here) to bankroll the whole deal and have some racing!
I think they should choose Ryan Sipes for the MX2 spot so the team could be called "The Ryans"............
I like Crusty's post... And sadly, he has a very valid point.. Luongo is like many of the european businessmen.. Who have a long arm and some controversial ways of doing business... But again... It is a comon sight, where business mix with sporting events.. Just look at the FIA, FIM and FIFA.. Ha,ha... And do not even attempt to look at the local championships... It's a way of life...
Self154, Herlings moved from 80cc to 250cc 4 strokes last year and he was immediately in the front, from the very first race, while in the second race in Mantova, Italy, he risked winning the GP before Musquin passed him in the final lap. Then he destroyed the competition in Valkenswaard. Leib definitely is not a top 5 rider, his bike is good but he struggles to enter the top 20. Philippaerts broke both his wrists, goodbye Des Nations.
I just saw a couple of videos of Southwick, definitely it has nothing to do with Lommel or Lierop (which is my favorite track...to watch). Southwick looks like a pool compared to Lommel, it's a very fast sandy track, but I am sure that Villopoto and Stewart will be very fast there, no problem.
Very very nice article to read, especially for an European guy like me.
I have to say it's strange that in America there are people who actually know how fast the GP's riders are. Cheers.
@manes---- Herlings did a full season with 250 in EMX2 before moving up to GP races.
@manes, its pretty obvious you havent watched and single US National this year at all. Probably not in the last several years. Stewart doesnt race the Nationals, he hasnt for a few years now. How can you make ANY comments comparing the GP's to the US Nationals when you dont even watch??
@manes - It's not clear what your point was in your post. I suspect your English comprehension isn't the best (and whatever your first language is, I'm sure I have less comprehension). First, there's no L in my username (glasses, maybe?). As for Herlings, I made no attempt to compare Leib to him other than to say Herlings has had more professional races. My earlier point was that others here were a little critical of Leib, who basically went from amateur racing to GPs, has been hurt most of the time, and has had less than top equipment. And I know it's a Euro thing, but Herlings "risked winning the GP"? As opposed to taking no risks and not wanting to win? That always struck me as an odd phrase.
Andrea, with all the talent coming from the MX2 series, we'd be fools NOT to watch who the next competitor is going to be. Roczen, Musquin, Searle, Townley, Rattray, Pourcel, etc, etc. have all come from MX2 and had an impact on the 250F class almost immediately.
With Red Bull / KTM's program in place, I see more and more talent coming from across the pond. Much like Pro Circuits program here, the cream will be skimmed from the top by KTM's G.P. program and developed to either win MX2 & go to the U.S. or move up to MX1 to contend over there.
Sef or Self doesn't make any difference on the quality of my comments, so don't make a big deal regarding it please. I understand English and I think I write it very well, probably it's you that want to be picky on what I wrote. I watch the National races, I have been following them since late 80's early 90's, with SX, and I am 36, I know very well about Stewart and, Visitors, before saying that I shouldn't post here just think twice, probably you know less than I do about US MX. What I meant, which you could not get unfortunately, is that, in my opinion, even if Stewart is not racing the outdoor races, is still one of the best with a proper training, looking back to when he used to enter those races. Sorry you could not get the meaning of my words, it was not difficult to understand and, yes, you were just right about the euro MX2 of Herlings, that's it dude. About Leib there is not much to say, slow rider and a good bike that could allow him to be top 10. Sef154, I will use glasses next time so you will be happy, watch the Mantova 2010 race if you have problems to understand what I wanted to say, others did understand it but they were not teachers.
Steve, good article, it would be good if you could get to do some more mate.
Here in the UK we admire US MX but feel there is also a lot to offer Europe ...
Please try and get to Valkenswaard at some time, as you'd love it ... and not just the Mayo & Chips ( fries to the folks of the USA )
Cheers ... Tony ...
@manes - I questioned your English because you didn't seem to understand that I was saying Leib shouldn't necessarily be expected to compete against top riders with more experience when he's barely had time to get his feet wet as a professional. (Perhaps you missed the part where I said your English is surely better than my grasp of your first language, whatever that might be.) I'm not arguing Herlings' talent. Leib went to Europe from California by himself last year straight out of amateurs and managed a seventh in Italy (hardly "slow" as you call him). He's also had to recover from a broken wrist since being there. His "good bike" had an electrical failure at Lommel, as did his teammates' bike. Since it's his current employer, I doubt he’d tell us the extent of his troubles on a relatively new bike to the GPs. And by the way, I've followed AMA AND GPs since the early '70s; I seriously doubt I "know less than [you] do about US MX."
And not that it's a "big deal," but if you address me, it won't kill you to properly copy my username, as I did yours.
Sef154: "Visitors, before saying that I shouldn't post here just think twice, probably you know less than I do about US MX" was for the user Visitor, who practically said I don't have any idea about what I write, it was not for you. IN my opinion that Husqvarna is a good bike, also Goncalves on a factory Honda completely destroyed the basement last Sunday, I remember Musquin standing still in Loket on his KTM, same as Cairoli on his Yama 250, sometimes technical problems can happen. I am aware of the fact that Leib was injured, but in my opinion his lap times are way slower (always at least 5 seconds, often much more) than Roczen's and Herlings. Of course he can improve. About the mispelling of your name, sorry man, sometimes I read too fast I guess and I lose something, but I was way pissed at that guy Visitors who thinks he is the only one who watches MX races, he didn't get the meaning of what I was writing.
manes, I don't see anybody else keeping up with those two in MX2 most days; clearly they're the class of that field. I stand by what I said; give Leib a break. He's had a tough go of it. The GP guys who've come to America typically get a good amount of seasoning over there before they even come here, and even then, there is an adjustment period. Leib was an amateur kid who traveled across the pond on his own, has been hurt more than once (and the wrist is a tough injury), and is still trying to find his groove. Heck, it's been said that Ben Townley used to occasionally go to bed in tears at night when he made the move from NZ to the GP scene. It ain't easy.
And anyone should be welcome to post here any time they want - but if they write from abroad and there's a hint they've diminished American riders, they're going to hear about it. You have to know that.
And I am here for the European riders, especially the great Tonino 222. Of course I am a great fan of American riders, I even lived in USA for a few years and followed them more closely, and I have no problem to say that this year the national races are more competitive than the MX1 championship. But regarding the MX2 there is no story.