Insight: Dean Wilson
Monday, February 13, 2012 | 12:30 PM
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Last summer, Dean Wilson was in a dogfight for the Lucas Oil 250 Pro Motocross Championship until he got to Unadilla, started having fun again, and took off. He carried a similar attitude adjustment heading into the San Diego Supercross, and it paid off—now he’s in the points lead! Eli Tomac crashed out of the San Diego race while Wilson was on his way to winning it, resulting in a 24-point swing in the standings. Now what seemed to be a disappointing season for Dean could result in a championship, and he’s clearly happy about it—although he knows quite well how quickly things can change in this sport. After emerging from WADA doping control, Dean chatted with a bunch of reporters after the race.
Racer X: Can you talk about the start?
Dean Wilson: The start was good. I changed the gearing up a little bit and it seemed to be better. I came out and I actually shot off pretty early. I wanted to hug the inside. I came around about fourth or fifth and I got into third over the first rhythm section before the whoops. I actually passed right into the lead and I just went for it in the whoops and got into the lead. I just tried to click off the laps and hit my lines. It was good. It was awesome.
After his win in San Diego, and Eli Tomac's 20th place finish, Dean Wilson is the current Lites West points leader.
Photo: Simon Cudby
What was different about tonight than the other nights?
What was different about tonight was that I didn’t keep telling myself I have to win, win, win, win. Now that I’m a champion after winning outdoors, everyone expects so much of you and I’ve been putting pressure on myself. That’s not what got to be a champion, you know? What got me to be a champion was having fun, being loose and relaxed. I was so far back in points. Not having the right mentality hasn’t been working for me, so I’m just going to go back to what got me to winning in the outdoors. I just had fun whipping it in practice and just being a goof, pretty much, and just enjoying myself.
You looked like you were feeling it after the heat race.
Yeah, I was enjoying it. I don’t really like being first heat because the track’s pretty loose. But, yeah, I did a whip in the heat race and it just makes me feel good. I’m enjoying myself and having fun. That’s what it’s all about. You have to enjoy what you do for a living and I really do. Sometimes the ups and downs are really crappy in the sport. Like right now I feel unbelievable. I’ve got nine weeks and a two-point lead, so it’s nice. But the downs, like I’ve had a few weeks back, are terrible. I’m just going to enjoy my break and I’ve got my work cut out for me in the last three. It’s going to be gnarly, but I have an opportunity now.
That was a huge turnover in points.
It was unbelievable. I mean, like I said, it sucks for Eli, but I’ve had my share of crashes as well and it’s part of it. I feel… I don’t even know the word for it. Not lucky because, like I said, it’s part of it. But I just feel really blessed that I won tonight and I’m in the points lead.
Wilson holds a two point lead over Eil Tomac as the Lites West season goes on hiatus until Seattle.
Photo: Simon Cudby
Is that the most unusual way that you’ve ever celebrated a race win right after [Wilson tried a few freestyle moves after the race]?
No, not really. You can always celebrate every race win like it’s your last. You never know what could happen, so I take full advantage of it. I knew Eli didn’t finish the race. I didn’t know if I was in the points lead or not, but I was ecstatic. I was so happy. It was like one of the best wins I’ve ever had.
I meant the doping control.
Oh! The doping! Well, yeah, that was a shame because I missed the whole 450 race, I had to go take a pee. It kind of sucked because I had to have some guy watch me take a piss the whole time. He’s just staring at me. So it wasn’t good.
Is that the first time we’ve seen 250s get doping control?
Yes, that’s the first time I’ve ever had any of the doping control. So hopefully all the steroids that I’ve been taking don’t take the win away [laughs].
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The kid is a goof ball!!
The steroid joke made me chuckle!
Nicely put BillC.
I seriously do not think DW has the mental toughness to keep the points lead. Only way is for ET to have some really bad luck.
He's a goof ball in a good way IMO and has dealt with plenty of pressure en route to his Outdoor title. The kid is alright.
Off topic... but does anyone know if that PC gear is going to be available to get? That gear is awesome but what Thor has as the 2012 PC gear looks nothing like it. :(
mo- tarder....mental toughness? he went 12 rounds and 24 motos, won and outdoor national championship and he doesnt have the mental toughness?
you should change your name to RE-tarder
DW is one of my favorites, but in SX he seems to not ride to his potential and make dumb mistakes more often than not. The future 450 class will be in good hands.
BillC, Ithink being loose is what works best for Dean, RAW method = relax and win! as far as mental toughness goes Dean has been through more than a few events in his life that required mental toughness so I don't buy into that idea mo-tarder. Dean and Eli are the creme of the crop and will battle to final round I'm sure. My money is on #15 all the way.
We met Wilson last summer at the Thunder Valley Nationals in Lakewood, CO. He was relaxing sitting with Josh Grant's dad in front of a motorhome. My eight year old daughter approached him for an autograph and he was incredibly accomidating and nice, actually having a brief conversation with her about why she had and Ashley Fiolek poster and not his etc.. The kid is a class act, funny as hell and is great for the sport. Needless to say she got rid of her Yamaha and got Kawi for xmas and a full Pro Circuit exhaust and graphics.
@wrote... Yea, Wilson winning the lites outdoor series didn't show any kind of mental toughness. That comment and agreeing with Bill C show me your an an idiot.
It sucks for Tomac, leading by 23 points in just 5 rounds!! He was kicking Wilsons tail. And one bad mistake turns it around. Kinda sucks, but will make it fun when the west coast comes back around..
It isn't over until it's over. The same situation happened to Villapoto last year when he didn't make the main event and his points lead evaporated. I felt bad for Tomac as well but it was his mistake that caused the crash in the whoops - thats racing. Although Eli lost a sizable points lead, he is by no means out of the chase. Who ever wants the championship the most will have to buckle down and just get the job done.
If Tomac rides the next races like he did Saturday, this is Wilson's championship. It seemed like Tomac overrode every part of the track.
db200 get over it, luck plays into this thing called racing! Go Wilson go!
I was not bad mouthing Dean, I like the kid and his goofy ness. he is funny when others are uptight.
I also thought Tomac was pushing way to hard when he did not need to. I don't know why he would do that with a 22 point lead. If that was JS people would be saying how dumb he is and he just thru it away and not feel for him LOL
I know exactly what you were saying BillC. He is a nut and I love to watch him ride.
"It sucks for Tomac, leading by 23 points in just 5 rounds!! He was kicking Wilsons tail."
Remember, Wilsonhas gone down 2 times this year(once with the lead) and those crashes cost him a ton. I really like Tomac also but I'm afraid he can't accept being second best on some nights like Canard, Stewie, and RV(Used to-not now). Hopefully he will learn from this.
Lookout when Wilson hits the 450's!!!
Tomac was so confident the last month, BMXing that 250F, and he kind of seems to have gotten bigger?? At oakland, he reminded me of R.Johnson, Stanton, LaRocco in their prime. Strong, but fluid. Now, Wilson is finally relaxed. We may just have a series on our hands. Anybody see Deano at the MX2011 series finale @ Pala? Unbelieveable. He charged this high speed roller section to a gigantic double that nobody else did....not even the 450s. I held my breath every lap as he leaned back and charged into it.....check it out if you haven't seen it. When Deano gets loose, he is ridiculously fast. I think we saw a glimpse of it with his San diego whoops last weekend. Here's to hoping for some clean, burly dicing with him and Tomac in ~ 2months!
In the world of cookie cutter podium speeches (Blake Baggett is a good example) Wilson is a refreshing change when he gets a microphone or camera put in front of him, perhaps his off track time with Chad has rubbed off. Reed, Windham, Wilson and to a lesser degree Barcia are why I still have interest in supercross.
kids awsome, to bad he wouldn't leave gay accent, funny never had it for 18 years while growing up. jumped countries for des nations and gets an accent
I heard so much about this guy before the nations, but to be frank, he disappointed me muchly.
Kenny made him look second class. OK, Kenny makes everyone look second class, but hey, Deeno is the AMA champ, right? How could the 17 year old German world champ make the champ in the greatest series on this planet look ordinary? Let me guess. He had an off day? LOL.
Mmmmmmmmmmmm......................................................
Go Rotznase.
Hey keepthemech in the dozen years I've know Dean and his Family they've ALL had the accent so please let that go it's annoying. Eurotike you have not seen the best of Dean! one more year on the kids bikes then look out 450 class.
Hey Eurotike I believe you forgot? to mention Dean was riding the nations with a broken wrist he suffered at the last AMA National at Pala, did You watch that race, I hope you did cause that's a hint of things to come. Cheers.
OH BOY Euro trash mike is back with his BS.
Hey Mike who is going to win the MXD this year?? Did you learn anything last year??
@Sharff15
you don't have to agree with me! let me clarify. first off Dean is one of the best 250 riders out there and i never meant in anyway to say he sucks. He just comes across as a little goofy, not a bad thing, in fact its refreshing! look forward to hearing what he has to say.
second, Dean got the points lead in the outdoors early in the season and built up a nice lead by end of season. Not much pressure just line up and do what he does best. And when Dean feels no pressure he is hard to beat! he proved it last week and when he felt sick, no pressure just get some points. He kills it when he rides like that.
Dean has admitted that when he puts pressure on himself things never go his way.
Dean has a two point lead with three races left, that's a lot of pressure to deal with. Have you ever raced? do you know the difference, or what i am trying to say?
IMO Dean does not have the mental toughness to fight this out.
I am not saying he's not a great rider, i am pointing out what i feel is his weakness, his mental game! you don't have to agree. its my opinion.
what's with the name calling Sharff15 ? what are you 8 yrs old?
And so what if i agree with BIllC, @ yzfsean, at least most of his post on here make sense.
I am posting my opinion just like you guys! you don't have to agree with it, that's what makes this fun. But, it doesn't mean your more right than anyone else on here.
I keep forgetting that most of you on here never ever chased or know what its like to race for points, so i will try and cut you all some slack.
I hope Dean proves me wrong!
From what I nderstand about the whoops is that they were either all or nothing, given that if you bouned of your line it was a lost cause. so everyone had to attack or else loose a lot of time.So I say it just sometime boils down to luck which is what it amounts too..
@ newman963, well put!
That's how you disagree with someone, with some class!
@ mo-tarder, we may not like to hear what others have to say about our favorite riders but everyone's entitled to there opinion! As long as they can back it up with some reasonable facts and or knowledge I can respond with my own respectful thoughts. Cheers all.