Going for the W: Jake Weimer
Friday, January 20, 2012 | 6:00 AM
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Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jake Weimer would probably be the rider that most fans would pick as the surprise rider two races into the season. Placing fifth at both A1 and Phoenix in timed practices, followed by a fifth in the main event at Anaheim 1 and now, this past weekend, he won the first SX class heat race of his career and ended up a very strong second in the main event.
But is he really a surprise?
As far as Weimer himself, he was on the Pulpmx Show last Monday and we asked him about his early season success. He made some key points that maybe this shouldn't be such a surprise, seeing as he battled with Ryan Dungey for the 2009 Lites West title (he ended up second behind Dungey) and won the 2010 Lites West title with his main competition in that series being Trey Canard. Where are Dungey and Canard right now? That’s right—considered two of the fastest riders in America.
Weimer has battled with the likes of Trey Canard, and has come out on top.
Photo: Simon Cudby
Weimer’s point is that he raced Dungey and Canard indoors and in many cases beat them, so why should any of us be surprised that he’s right there with them again? Maybe it’s because he wasn’t a highly touted amateur rider like Canard and so many others. But then again, Ryan Dungey wasn’t exactly a household name before showing up on the pro scene. Weimer’s got a great factory bike under him and trains with Aldon Baker. Smart readers will realize the fact that Weimer’s teammate is Ryan Villopoto and that RV’s bike is capable of winning races and that RV works with Baker. Jake made a pretty smart move in doing exactly what Villopoto does off the track.
So the ingredients of making a fast rider are: works bike/team support+ training + doing the right things off the track+ having some sort of talent= front runner. When you break this all down, maybe Weimer isn’t a surprise.
In 2010, his last year on the Pro Circuit team, there was a little bit of controversy when, then team manager, Mike Fisher chose to hire Weimer over another Pro Circuit rider who had one more SX Lites title on his resume along with a few near-misses on outdoor titles. The Frenchman Christophe Pourcel seemed like the logical pick over Weimer, but Fisher selected Weimer for a combination of what the riders were asking for in terms of money, the public relations effort of each rider and Fisher's feeling that Weimer would cherish the opportunity.
Can Weimer continue his hot start in L.A.?
Photo: Simon Cudby
Looking back at the career paths now of the two riders, you could say that Fisher’s choice is validated, even despite Weimer missing most of supercross last year due to a broken arm. The 2011 outdoor tour was tough for Weimer, but once on the 2012 Kawasaki KX450F, he picked up some speed at the last few rounds.
And now, here we are in 2012 with Weimer seemingly turning the corner. He's arguably to inside the top group of riders through two races. Kawasaki is facing another situation for 2013 if Weimer keeps performing at such a level. For example, 250 National Champion Dean Wilson’s deal is expiring and he looks to be a fit to slide up to the factory Kawasaki team next year. Weimer’s contract is up as well, but just like 2010, Jake’s looking to establish himself and stay right where he is.
The Pro Circuit Lites team is always bringing strong talent through the ranks (like Weimer was at one point), but Weimer is not going to make decisions on future factory Kawasaki 450 spots easy for new manager Dan Fahie. There are plenty of great riders who will be shopping for rides, but now that Weimer is beginning to show his true potential on the big bike, the scenario has changed. Where we could have been discussing the potential of the next generation of Kawasaki talent, we are very quickly having to refocus back on Weimer himself. Just two rounds into the new season, and with momentum building, Weimer is once again one to watch. He's reached the podium already. Could be eventually deliver a win?
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Congratulations to Weimer , great start to the year...Wilson should stay in lites class next year , he should be eligable even if he wins the title because of all the races he missed in 2010 sx
Sorry I was surprised with JW21 solid ride last weekend. And I think it just adds to the mix of top riders if they get a good start they are fast enough to hang in for the the 20 laps for the podium. It just makes for better racing. JW21 also seems to have matured quite abit this year. JW21 good luck!
After watching an interview over coffee done by TWMX w/ Weimer, I was struck by the fact that he explicitly stated he had been well short of 100% healthy leading up to this off-season and the fact that he is finally healthy again would mean better performances from the 21. Well, he definitely backed all of that up and threw-down like the Weimer I had come to miss. Maybe he'll bring back the mullet sometime later this season??? lol
Go get wiemer
Weimer is not so flashy & mostly flies under the radar. Looks like he's making some good decisions with the support team around him. Hey, Kawi gave him a factory contract. Somebody must've been watchin him ride! P.S. #21 is my number so rock on!
Who's to say that Villopoto stays at Kawi? I think he said the other day on a podcast that his contract is up too. We know how Kawi has done in the past, get a couple titles then let a guy go like they did with RC and JS. The team could be Weimer and Wilson.
I am actually NOT surprised by Weimer's performance, I had sort of expected him to be in the mix and maybe one of the guys who could make the leap onto the box in 2012, along with Brayton. I think Brayton got more press in the off-season though, so many were picking him as a breakout guy. By all accounts, Weimer was riding well in the lead up to 2011 before breaking his arm. When he returned, he rode pretty well considering he missed all but 2 rounds. In the outdoors he was not spectacular, but he did improve as the season went on. And Jake himself would probably say he is better at SX than MX so again, no big surprise for me.
I think to keep all these guys on Kawasaki, maybe the Pro Circuit team i going to have to up its 450 ante. Rumour has Rattray doing outdoors on a 450 right? And I assume same for Tickle? Between the factory team and PC there is some serious talent on Green!
Smart move on Kawi's part hiring Weimer instead of Pourcel. Would have been a waste of time with that cry baby.
So glad that Weimer is doing so well!
Also happy to see he got rid of his ball and chain and gave her to Izzi!!!
I don't see RV ever leaving Kawi
I think Jake will be a spolier and suprise in the races. This is the 3rd race and it usually tells a story. Untill Daytona we really wont know for sure.I am glad tey are changing the tracks up each week that is good. You just cannot make everyone happy, last year ya all complained the tracks were all the same now ya are complaining no hoop's this week again. well everyone races on the same track and the good guys find ways to pass.Just hope we keep the lap times over 1 mnt again?
Yes I am for 20 mnts plus one lap. the pblem is the new fans have trouble understanding that. The time resrainst for TV also cause problems.
Yea Gone are the days when a factory rider spent his entire career on that brand (example Jeff Ward) but i really dont see RV getting the boot.... not untill he loses his first title straight up.
I like Weimer....pretty mellow dude and kind of reminds me of Napoleon Dynomite....He had the broken arm last year...then outdoors it took him until Unadilla and the 2012 bike to finally show some spark...I am sure shadowing RV's every move can only be 100% positive, although I dont see him duplicating RV's speed...I think Weimer will be the guy that give Dungey fits and knock him off the podium here and there while JS7 (once and if he gets his mojo back) and RV I think will remain the 2 guys that will be a step above the rest on your average day....I think RV will be a Kawasaki LIFER!!!
There are only four riders capable of winning, RV,JS,CR,RD, and maybe TC if he ever gets healthy again. Chances are good that Weimer has seen his last podium this year. There is no way the top 4 riders are going to be out of it the same race so the rest better just try for a third.
I wouldn't rule him out just yet Claxton. He's got the same bike, trainer and program as RV and is a past champ against stiff competition. He's putting in the work and weirder things have happened, for example one of the top 4 you listed hasn't even been close to the podium yet. Who would have saw that coming?
Confidence is one of the differentiators.
Jake's is solid and going up, and others are still looking for enough of it (JS, CR, TC)
I do see JW on the box more this year. Remember, he has only 4 SX races under his belt.
Was Canard really a 'highly touted' amatuer rider? He swept all six of his B motos at Loretta's- just before turning pro, but hadn't won anything before that. It was him, Stroupe, Wharton and Izzi that year. He's the only one who made it to the top. Weimer was in the Lites class as an obscure rider- and slowly improved to make it to the top, so he could do it on the big bike too eventually.
@ KilloMoto "napoleon dynamite' really? LOL -Which one looks like 'Pedro'?
@ WFO_UFO....Agreed, guys like JW who have to strive for their results are killers when they come to realize they can do it. Natural talent is a killer when it's time to step up and you've never had to work at it. Obviously all these guys have some level of natural talent above the rest of us but having everything come easy doesn't groom work ethic. It's just human nature.
On another note Pedro would go to B. Wharton if he cut his hair, that kid and his brother have faces for radio.
Add Brayton to that work ethic thing, if that guy gets a win at some point in this field watch out, you know he is only going to work harder.
Donnie Hansen looks like "Rico".
I wouldnt be surprised to see dean wilson end up at two two with reed or become the main rider for the team if reed retires. i think it would be a good fit seeing as how they are good friends.