The Moment: Pala
Tuesday, September 13, 2011 | 5:00 PM
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Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki completed the first perfect season for a team in the history of the 250 (formerly the 125 or Lites) class. The trio of Dean Wilson, Tyla Rattray, and Blake Baggett took all 12 overall wins, and each held the points lead at different points during the season. Amazingly, such competition within the team never resulted in tension, as all three managed to avoid controversy with each other until the title was decided.
Then it broke loose at Pala! Wilson scored the first-moto win, and Blake Baggett finished a close second. After the moto, Baggett had some words for Wilson, who Baggett claimed cross-jumped him while trying to hold onto the lead. Then Baggett unloaded his emotions for the FUEL TV cameras after the moto, saying that Wilson “was literally going to kill someone” if he kept cross jumping like that.
Wilson and Baggett engaged in a heated battle during the first moto at Pala.
Photo: Simon Cudby
But in the midst of finally seeing a ripple in the normally calm Pro Circuit waters, we also saw why the team is usually able to avoid such controversy. Team owner Mitch Payton ordered all three riders to hop on the team cart and go to the pits—together. Then he held a quick closed-door meeting with Baggett and Wilson. When they emerged, the controversy was over.
Ben Townley, who rode for Payton’s team in 2006 and 2007, was on hand and explained how he and Ryan Villopoto once dueled tooth-and-nail for the ’07 250 MX Crown, but never had a problem. “Because Mitch doesn’t put up with that crap,” explained Townley.
Indeed, there were no further troubles between Wilson and Baggett in the second moto, and when Baggett was asked about the first moto in the post-race press conference, he simply said, “No comment.”
Don’t expect to see any future problems between the Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki teammates!
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Mitch runs a tight ship.
I think Deano learned that if he gives out to much respect he becomes (Barcia's Biatch)..... So now, if you wanna roll past Deano, you might have to grab a hand full of throttle and scare yourself a bit!
I guess I'll have to watch that moto again but it looked like good, clean racing to me. Maybe Baggett expects Deano to just let him by. To be continued next year...
Wow. Never thought there would be internal controversy from inside Mitch's Tent.
Next year may be different with the new KTM powerhouse team. There should be plenty of outside forces to deal with other than Mitch's own top 3 guys!!!
I knew that the controversy wouldn't last long mitch would not alow baggets attitude fly
There is nothing about Baggett I like. And even less now. I hope USA wins the Des Nations, but I hope Wilson stomps a mud hole in Baggett while over there
@Jairtime I seriously doubt that Baggett got into Wilson's head, he followed up the first moto win with another in the second. Baggett was just a frustrated kid at that moment, no more no less. I will be impressed if Blake can put together some quality rides for the U.S. this weekend, he's going to have his hands full.
TWMX "Shawdow" showed Wilson step right to 57 when Baggett started yappin. Midget would be better of throwin down on the track. Either way Deano will kick mini me's ass on and off the track.
Jim
Carlsbad Ca
Baggett is a beat down little runt! turned one of the better Motos of the season into His own little Whine secession. ET will get his ass handed to him at the Des Nations. Good luck Dean, the not so Wee Kid that did it!
tyla said it best they are two young guys . bottom line these riders are very respectful of each other and from what ive seen the only whiners are people like newman963 . jimbomx374 .
Sorry, i obviously missed it, but did Wilson actualy jump across Baggett or is he dreaming?
I doubt that anyone will get into Deanos head, that was last year. It's hard to believe with a face like that he is actually a badass. I was out there Saturday and Bagget had nothing for Wilson. Dean has really learned alot since last year and his speed shows it. I don't think he will allow anyone to push him around anymore, he seems really focused. As for Baggett, he just needs to forget about Wilson and just focus on the race. As jair just said he will be feeling tremendous pressure. Just breathe and relax! Good luck boys!
Yeah
jairtime Wilson looked real bothered in moto 2 at Pala LOL Not getting into my head crying like that. Youi need to take care of it on the track or behind the sene IMO.
jairtime wrote:He's got to be feeling tremendous pressure coming into France. Wilson is the favorite........
WTF????? Wilson the favorite to do what exactly????????? Dude, what are you smoking. He and Baguette should both get on their hands and knees after the nations and thank Rocky for the bloody riding lesson he´s just given them. Really, fella, do you know anything about MX?????? Wilson might, just might, get a MX2 podium in one of his two races. Chances are slim though. As for Baguette, he´s in France and he´s goin to get eaten (you dumb friggin anericans probably don´t get that one) LOL.
well euromike, tell us dumb Americans your predictions.
Euromike is probably from New Jersey or some other crap hole...... Just likes to try to piss people off.
Euromike I don't know how you can speak with so many European nuts in your mouth at once.
BillC, you have no life
motocross7422... sounds like you need to get a life, I have a great one on here chatting with good people and in the real world I have lots of great friends and a great family. You on the other hand seem to need some type of help.
.Talk about an A-Hole.
Yes
Euromike inlighten us... How will this go down so we can all laugh at YOU on Monday. If the Euros are SO GREAT why is it SO FEW come here and do well?
I was rooting for Bagget during the first half of the series since he is the So Cal USA kid and was putting on some good rides, but I have come to root for Wilson more over the past few weeks and after listening to Bagget on Saturday with that " kill someone" rant, I was hoping they would pull him from the USA team. I think he was more pissed he got beat than anything.....There were a few interviews during the SX where Bagget made me question him, so now I think he is kind of a whiney baby.....funny, Wilson hangs with Reed and Bagget becomes the whiner.....
I feel BB has been frustrated, he won a lot this outdoor season, but had some issues, Payton handled it and I am sure he will be focused at the Nations!.....
we cant forget Roczen , i think its a toss up between him and Deano with Baggett a distant 3rd. and is Rattrey riding the 250 ? because Baggett needs to watch out for him also !
mxguy94 wrote
well euromike, tell us dumb Americans your predictions.
My Euro team is. Poucel MX1
Paulin Mx3
Roczen MX2
Rest of the world team. MX1 - their best finisher (could be Reedie)
MX2 - their best finisher (I´d bet on Herlings)
MX3 - their best finisher (who knows, who cares)
Individual title Rocky(Roczen for stupid), or if riding a 250 proves too difficult, I´ll go for Pourcel.
My prediction.
1st - Europe
2nd - USA
3rd- - ROTW
Hey don´t feel bad. You´ll smoke the rest of the world. Hahahahahahahahaha.
Baggett just whining because he had his ass handed to him. As for Deano and K Roc, who knows, but it should be some interesting racing. Isnt Ratters riding a 450 at the MXoN. So Euro Nazi/Irish Mike finally found his way back !
can we start a petition to get rid of Erin Bates and get Jamie Little back please?
Or ANYONE over Erin Bates... i can 't stand to listen to another question asking "you just won the race, how does this make you feel?" OMG!!! he just won the race you stupid b!tch, he feels great!
Please let's get her out of there!
I want whatever Euromike is smoking, apparently it's better than the Canadian stuff I'm smoking.
Hey, feel privileged dude. The silly cow we have on youthstream asked the winner of the MX2 EUROPEAN championship, "So how does it feel to be the MX2 european world champion?". He laughted at her, but I don´t think she got it.
Women, yeah. They are like groids, they think they are equal. LOL.
And yes, I´m a anti feminist and a racist. You got a problem with that? Then fück you. LOL.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPRn9BglhFA
Check out the move at 6:36. I'm guessing that's what Blake is upset over.
WOW....Eddie Blue....good catch!! Yeah, I cant say that I have seen Deano do that before, but I can see why Baggie was a little pissed....I think on top of losing he may have over reacted.....but that couls have been disasterous if there was contact.....I like Wilson...cool kid
Uh, isnt Roczen riding for team Germany? not France with Pourcel and Paulin.....so If he does win, he needs someone from germany to help his efforts......Roczen is one guy.....Pourcel is one guy.....but its a TEAM deal.....so it does you no good for the overall if you win and your teamates are outside the top ten....that is why USA will win the overall...maybe not win every moto or any at all...maybe they will win all the motos....but overall, overall they have the strongest team
euromike, where will France MX2 rider finish? Roczen mabey, Poorcel might win a moto but not 2, Paulin just doesnt have that WOW factor, I give him top 5 for home sake. good luck and just talk moto
@EddieBlue, I agree with you, I just watched it too, and it is true. Wlison goes from being 10 feet over to Baggets left coming down the backside of the first jump, to being almost right in front of him on the flat and "crossing over" for the next jump. The spectator obscures it, but if you slo mo you can see it clearly. Not the kind of stuff you normally see between teammates. I wonder if Mitch watched it too?