10 Things We Learned at Steel City
Wednesday, September 7, 2011 | 3:00 PM
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PrintAuthors: Jason Weigandt and Chase Stallo
10. TOMAC IS BACK(ER): Eli has been back since Unadilla, when he scored a podium. But he was even better here, even passing and leading for a few laps. So that means he's even more back! Time is running out for someone to prevent a perfect season for the Pro Circuit boys. Eli could be the one to do it.
9. MARV ATTACKS: And Marvin Musquin is back, too. The Frenchman was moments away from leading the first moto at round two in Texas when Justin Barcia's bike nailed him in the hand (and helmet). This put his rookie U.S. season on hold, and since his return at Washougal, he has clearly not been quite 100 percent. Steel City's 3-3 performance, finally, gave us a glimpse of what he can do.
Metcalfe outlasted fellow Australian Chad Reed to take home third overall at Steel City.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
7. BOGLE'S SPEED IS REAL: We've seen new kids come in and blow it up for their first national. Adrenaline and a lack of pressure makes for a perfect cocktail for a kid who is too young to actually drink a cocktail. The next set of races gives you a better understanding of where they really stand, and Justin Bogle has only gotten faster since Unadilla. He doesn't have 30 plus two yet, but once he does, look out.
6. CHUPACABRA HAS GONE MISSING: Yes, Blake Baggett is still at the races and logging decent finishes, but this is not the El Chupacabra who terrorized the field with come-from-behind charges early in the year. We're not sure what has changed, but, even more puzzling, neither does Blake.
Baggett has fallen off his early season form the past couple of weeks.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
5. PETERS, PLOUFFE DEBUT: Kyle Peters and Chris Plouffe made their pro debuts this weekend at Steel City for DNA Shred Stix Star Racing Yamaha and JDR J-Star KTM respectfully. Both riders were solid but not spectacular in their maiden voyage, with Peters finishing 20th and Plouffe finishing one position better in 19th. With the first race nerves now on the backburner, expect these two young guns to come out swinging at Pala.
4. TICKLE’S BAD LUCK CONTINUES: Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Broc Tickle has been the on the wrong end of the stick since winning his first career SX title this past May. Steel City proved no different as Tickle had to bow out of moto one with bike problems only to rebound with a fifth in moto two. Consistency has been a problem with Tickle this outdoor season and with a trip to the 450 class looming, he wants to end his stint in the 250 class on a good note at Pala.
3. WILSON CAN WIN: We all sound silly now after all of that, "Can Wilson get a win" talk early in the year. His 1-1 dominance at Steel City looked much like his 1-1 at Unadilla, and helped him lock up what was once a very closely fought championship. Dean, sorry to doubt you!
Wilson's change in attitude propelled him to his first career title.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
2. HAVE FUN, WILL TITLE: And Wilson's championship secret? More fun. He went down to Chad Reed's house in Florida and put in the work, but the Sunshine State also brightened up his outlook. Wilson learned the difference between putting in the work, and putting in too much work, and as soon as his old smile came back, the wins and points came with it. And when asked what has allowed his pro career to blossom, Dean quickly pointed out that some kids actually work too hard!
1. RELENTLESS RYAN: Making a last lap pass against your championship rival? That's the kind of stuff you don't get from testing or training. You can't teach it. It's a product of pure desire, and there's no doubt how much of that Ryan Villopoto has. Does this mean he'll get the title, too?
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Hey Jason thank you for sying"desire" I have posted the word several times. I have tried so hard I have cried, been so mad at myself for making mistakes that people gave me room. Gosh I did not know wheahter to cheer or cry at the end of the first moto! All I thought about was the lappers. I have been both the lapper and the lappee, no crude coments from the posters please, you racers know what I mean. Been there done that.
THE DESIRE TO WIN CAN BE TAKEN A BUNCH OF DIFFERENT WAYS.
REMEMBER THE ALESSI, TEDESCO & WALKER SCENE AT GLEN HELEN?
MANY HATED ALESSI FOR THAT. I TALKED TO ENZOS MAIN MAN ROSS ABOUT IT AND HE LOOKED AT IT A DIFERENT WAY. HE SAID IT WAS PURE DESIRE TO GET THE CHAMPIONSHIP ANY WAY POSSIBLE!!! IT WAS PURE ADRENALINE TAKING OVER. I WOULD HAVE NEVER LOOKED AT IT LIKE THAT. IT GAVE ME A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE.
AS FOR THE GUYS RUNNING MID PACK. HOW LAME WOULD IT BE FOR EVERYBODY JUST TO BE ON CRUISE CONTROL? SOME OF THE BEST BATTLES COME FROM THERE. I HATE SEEING GUYS JUST LAY DOWN UNLESS THEY ARE UP FRONT. POINTS ARE VALUABLE POINTS.
21ST PLACE IS ZERO!!! 2OTH PLACE IS 1 POINT. BETTER THAN NOTHING I SAY. FIGHT FOR IT!!!
AS FOR GETTING PASSED IN THE LAST CORNER, LAST LAP, HOW EXCITING FOR THE SPECTATORS TO HAVE WITNESSED IT. NOT GOOD FOR THE GUY GETTING PASSED BUT HEY, THATS RACING. BEING AT A SX RACE IS ALWAYS EXCITING BECAUSE SO MANY PASSES HAPPEN LIKE THAT. EVERYONE IS ON THEIR FEET GOING CRAZY!!!
OUTDOORS IS DIFFERENT. THE TRACK IS BIG AND MANY BLIND SPOTS. WITNESSING PASSES LIKE THAT ARE REALLY FUN TO WATCH BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO BE AT THE RIGHT PLACE AT THE RIGHT TIME.
DESIRE IS A GOOD THING!!! I WONDER HOW DUNGEY REALLY FELT!!!
Ok, now I feel like a criminal being unmasked here, I had to sign in this afternoon! Wait, I had to create a sign in, is this new procedure Jason?
@Welker, ok I won't say anything, yeah I have been the lappee a few times myself. It sucks! But I'll give you a head start around Walmart in the 100 degreeTexas heat. lol Stay cool my friend!
@Johnmotoman, I was there at glen helen when that took place and witnessed with my own 2 eyes. I would never believe that at a professional level. But not only the desire to win, but also the desire to acheive that finish. Sometimes it doesn't come easy, so I applaud even the last place finisher knowing how much it takes to compete in this sport.
Pala - 4 hours of TV - would rather be there in person!
I Hope Bagget gets back to form for the MX-Dez Nation........
the new sign is to keep the multiple personalities down to a minimum i would suspect....
@Trend Killer, ok thanks, just kinda caught me off guard!
I agree with the sign in BS. What was weird was I was making a post today and I was just praising RX how cool their site was that I didn't have to register and just as I was saying it the fricken new sign in window came up. Man I was extreamly disappointed. I don't want my damn facebook or anything linked. It was soooooooooo nice to come make a comment and not have to sign up for anything. I will not be posting much anymore. I don't care about people seeing me, it is just a pain in the A$$ and adds nothing. And posting on RX used to be such a breath of fresh air. I also don't care who the hell is saying what, I just like to read it. I am sorry, but I hate it now just lilke all the other sites you can comment on. Sorry RacerX, the second way bad move in 2 weeks (the fly-in the other). Unfortunately, this one probably wont be met with hatred by 90% of people so I am sure it is here to stay. But I wont be reading them anymore.
yes yes yes the CHUPACABRA nick name has pretty much been GONE.Weeg only you and a couple other Harry Potter loveing DORKS still use it.Let it be gone,you lost the bet.DORK.
Didn't they replace a USA MXoN rider kind of last minute a few years ago when the rider started stinking it up? Was it Brown?
Make the nickname Chupacabra disappear like those pop-ups did. Quickly.
@codyw20 your having a winge about having to sign in yet you went to the full extent of even having a profile picture if its that much of a bad thing why do that
HEY CZMARK. YEAH, I WAS THERE TOO!!! CRAZY DAY!!! WHAT ALSO KILLED ME ABOUT THAT WHOLE DEAL WAS THAT I WONDERED WHERE MATT WALKER WENT THAT DAY. FOUND OUT HE GOT CARTED OFF WITH MAJOR DAMAGE TO HIS JAW. HE SAID IN AN INTERVIEW THAT WHEN HE LOOKED IN A MIRROR HE DID NOT KNOW THE FACE HE WAS LOOKING AT!!!THE ONLY PERSON TO VISIT HIM IN THE HOSPITAL WAS IVAN TEDESCO!!!
STRANGE DAY INDEED!!!
AND YES CZMARK. I APPLAUD EVERY COMPETITOR OUT THERE AS WELL.
I RODE 3 PRO RACES BACK IN THE 70'S AND CRASHED IN 2 OF THEM.
I GAVE IT UP AFTER THE 3RD RACE. RJ WOULD HAVE LAPPED ME 3 TIMES!!! HE WAS JUST A LITTLE KID AND KILLIN IT!!!
MOTOCROSS IS VERY DEMANDING AND I APPRECIATE EVERY RIDER THAT COMPETES!!!
i think its good you need to sign in now to make a comment, thatl teach all the Haters who hide behind a screen name. Thanks RacerX for fixing that annoying popup down the bottom, its still there but at least out of the way now.
@Johnmotoman You do realize all-caps posts aren't cool, right? Just checking.
HEY MOUNTAINGOAT. YEAH I AM STARTING TO REALIZE THAT. PEOPLE KEEP SLAMMIN ME ON THAT. I TRIED EXPLAINING I HAD SURGERY ON MY RT SHOULDER AND IT IS EASIER FOR ME BUT EVERYBODY STILL SAYS NO EXCUSE. I HOPE TO BE ABLE TO USE MY RT ARM SOON. THEN I WILL TYPE LIKE NORMAL. SORRY!!! I PROBABLY WON'T EVEN POST ONCE I AM ABLE TO DO STUFF AGAIN!!! PRETTY BORED STAYING HOME EVERYDAY!!!
POSTING HAS BEEN FUN. EVEN THOUGH I GET SLAMMED!!!
i just want to say rv is #1 an will have won every outdoor tittle he has been in.. first race on 450 smoked every one. then had knee prob.. then got hurt in sx and didnt race at all last year now this year he came back an won sx tittle and now is going to win mx tittle in his first full season outdoors.. need i say more. stewart the "fastest man on the planet" ha ... hasnt done that and stew defenatly couldnt have came back after rv's injury he had an come back to win sx tittle and mx tittle after this weekend. screw all u stew fans... he should be in jail after his deal he did. its crap he isent it was a felony he did. an nothin was done to him ama no fines or penaltys but yet j law gets delt with when he got in a fight come on.. bs.. rv is the best
Ya, good call 2kyle1. Considering he would have lost both of them had Dungey not had 2 mechanical DNF's and this last episode at The 'Wick. You clearly know what you're talking about....
I think you are straching it a bit there Dak446!! RV scored 0 points at Jacksonvile so they both had 1 very bad SX race, RV 0 points RD 3 points... RV had 6 wins RD had 1 win so I think we know who the dominant guy was in SX... Outdoors ...RV 9 moto wins...RD 5 I think...again it shows a bit.
I just tested my sign in and had no problem. Must be because I have never sighned in other than me. I have never hidden behind an alias.
@BillC ya are ok I think Villo is great I just dont like Kawie's. It is just a thing from my past. I have had a lot of friends race em even worked on them. To make the bikes better. I am just a YZ man from the begining even though my first bike was a Honda 50 minitrail....
I like the sign in. Maybe it will help keep the comments clean.
@pizzacorner, you say Reed was handed championships and is over-rated. I bet Stewie doesnt think so, considering Reed beat Stewie in supercross this year. And Stewie NEVER won the title in supercross or the Nationals until the current champ retired, so the same can be said about him. Being the 3rd best supercrosser in the world isnt a bad title to have in my opinion.
No, it doesn't mean he gets the title. It does mean he sure will try. USA USA USA