The Moment: San Diego
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 | 5:00 PM
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For the first time this year, we are starting to see a bit of an edge to our beloved 2012 Monster Energy Supercross Championship. San Diego presented the first late-race battle for the lead between Monster Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto and Team TwoTwo’s Chad Reed that we’ve seen and what a race it was. Reed trailed for most of the race but like a beaver gnawing on a tree, he slowly chipped away at the gap with some tremendous whoop speed. Reed got closer and closer but the laps were winding down, would it be enough?
Well, with some help from lapped riders, it was. With two laps to go Reed got close, Villopoto got a little sideways and backed off, and that was all Reed needed to get by the Kawasaki rider. RV retaliated a couple of times by going in hot, and then he just decided that he wanted that lead spot back. In the turn before the finish, RV over-jumped the triple, came in really hot and retook the lead. Between the two riders, there were five close contact passes or attempted passes in two laps.
Afterwards Reed was a little surprised at the aggressiveness of Villopoto but the man known for his own aggressive moves welcomed the ante being upped.
Reed made a late pass on Villopoto, but couldn't make it stick.
Photo: Garth Milan
“Yeah, clearly you have guys who want to win the championship, and tonight he showed he wanted to win more,” said Reed. “I’m not mad at him for anything, it’s just that he showed me, that’s what it takes to win, and that’s cool. Let’s race now! Rubbin’ is racing, and really nothing is off limits because he was sending it.”
Villopoto for his part saw nothing wrong with the close proximity of his passes:
“I don’t think there’s any “nice” when the season starts, but there’s respect,” he explained. “I didn’t touch him at all, so I think that’s respect. Obviously if you come in there and if you’re hitting each other and this and that, then that’s where people start to think, “Okay, well was that respectful?” Are you respecting each other or not? But it’s racing and you never know, so that’s why you have to watch your back.”
So the moment of the race was when Villopoto passed Reed back for the lead but in our eyes, the San Diego supercross as a whole could be a moment. As in, the moment the series took a little more of a personal edge to it.
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Thats good stuff. These guys rode hard, but clean. Thats two badasses who are not backing down. Dungey could learn something from reading this article. The meek and mild are left behind. Stewart will need to take somone out to get back in it.
Reed is a good interview, I think the head games have begun, he would like Ryan to ride looking over his shoulder. Any edge the Scholarly ole man of supercross can get he will take....
I'm glad I'm not the only one who thought Reed's ride was a lot like a beaver gnawing on a tree.
It seems to have become a two man series.... I'm not counting JS7 or RD5 out by any means, but they need to step it up to Mr. Poto and Mr Reed. The level has been up'ed. Reed and Ryan V are going to be fun to watch!!
How could Reed be surprised at the aggressiveness of Villopoto?? Does he not watch him ride? Not like it was the first few laps.
"...nothing is off limits because he was sending it..." - CR22
Reed got punked and is obviously bitter about it!
Interesting comment BD25 "Head games". These are two guys who don't let those things bother them. Reed will dish it out, Poto is like " thats nice". Regardless of the out come of the series, these 2 guys will make the season interesting for all of us. I don't know what it will take for Dungey to get tough, even though it's not his style, he needs to find a way to get more aggresive in his riding style.
@fred- just because some left Erin Bates email address the other day doesn't mean you will get luck. lol
@Welker- ok dude they will be heading out to your neck of the woods, maybe you can cach of these races. You can cheer for your favorite CZ rider! hmmm
I thought RV2 had the perfect amount of aggression. Unfortunately I think Reed is thinking of taking it a step further. We'll see, but when someone is cleaned out the race is no more fun.
@Matthes > How do you define (5) 'close contact' passes? When did they make contact, 5 times no less? Looked to me like clean passes by both Riders.
man I need a spell checker on here!
I agree with Mc724.
Metta, I totally agree. Watching Reed throughthe years he has always made similar comments with RC then JS when they beat him and I think its part of him wanting to win so bad he just tends to blame the other guy. Last sat was a clean and great race and they both should be proud. They could get even more aggresive, but I hope they will not get dirty. Actually I see RV having the speed to stay away on most tracks.
I hope I am wrong but I really don't see Reed running this well every week. Out of 6 races only once he has run that strong. Could it be his thumb is finaly 100%?? I can't wait to see.
"@Matthes > How do you define (5) 'close contact' passes? When did they make contact, 5 times no less? Looked to me like clean passes by both Riders."
.X's2
Ask Weimer if he thinks Dungey needs to ride more aggressive? LOL!
I disagree BillC, Reed did keep RV1 behind him for half the race once already too. He rides a wide bike, which is why RV didnt waste any time getting by him this last time. But Reed can run that pace on the right track. He can run fast on muddy ones too.. So I doubt this is the last time. And dont think Stewie wont be up there a few more times also. Lets hope this isnt the last time we see an aggressive Dungey too. Which MATTHES seems to have left out. Weimer was mad too Matthes.. It may get real chippy soon.
Did Reed blame anyone for getting 2nd? I thought he just recognized that RV wanted it more. That's not blame, just a statement? These JS fans just want to jump on him and fabricate stories by twisting what he says!
I think this win was a tip in RV's hat because that's Reeds ''house'', not many people can say they have beaten him there. To me it sounded like CR was going do something unnecessary which if he does would prove that he doesn't have very much respect for his fellow riders. I also don't think RV would be hesitant to answer back, but won't do anything unless someone else does. Anyway, good ride for CR and RV, RD needs to figure out how to get that KTM workin' through the whoops.
Didn't he disrespect RD a couple years back when he cleaned him out. He's in the lead and now he wants respect. Double standard.
Matthes is better than Jason Weigandt, and neither one has to worry about Erin Bates taking their job. Someone at Speed/Feld/who ever gives her a job, please look harder for her replacement.
Anyone want to take a bet that when Redd passes RV, he takes him out? I will lay 3.5:1 odds to anyone who really wants to bet.
"Rubbin"’ is racing, and really nothing is off limits
Sounds pretty clear to me.............................
JimM
Pala374
Coolhand...I am a Reed fan always have been, but I really enjoy watching all four gong at it. Well put, RV fans are quick to forget the takeout move on RD. It was a clean out and whoever gets up first will win. Unfortunately RV got up first and two or three laps later had that epic crash.
Some don't understand that any of these guys will clean eachother out if the opportunity presents itself and a title is on the line. Don't kid yourselves.
As a fan of both RV & CR22, I don't see anything wrong with CR22's comments.
CR22 might have looked at himself and ask how much he wanted to stand at the top. Because looking at RV's performance this year, it seems he's squeezing out every inch of that KX450 Throttle. RV wants every inch of that coveted title...
However, that san diego race, we really see RVs dominance on the field. But RVs passes were very calculated, that I have this opinion that it might get nasty the next time. Look at how he cut through Metty's line on the main. And how he cut through Brayton's line in the Heat Race.
As an RV fan, I for one did not forget that move on Dungey and thought it was chickenpoo then and I think it was chickenpoo now. It was a stupid move as he was going faster and would have beat him without it if he just waited it out. I think it was lap 12. Anyway, the more I hear Chad rephrase this, the more he sounds like a really pissed off guy trying not to come off as being pissed. "I'm not mad at him or anything......it's just that......." As someone else said, Chad has owned San Diego for whatever reason and I don't think he will continue to be close enough to be taking any sort of action. "Nothing is off limits because he was sending it"?? Guess RV didn't get the memo that you're not allowed to pass Chad? Is he not making it sound like RV did something wrong? RV thinking, "If beating Reed is wrong, I don't want to be right".
I didn't forget about the pass on RD, but since then when has RV taken anyone out? RV respects everyone that he races and it shows because he never touches anyone on purpose. Whereas CR will and yet he still complains when people get aggressive. As you can tell I am not a CR fan but I will admit he is going to be there till the end whether I like it or not.
Watched the race on TV ad I dont think RV was overly aggresive at all in passing reed back.... In fact I was at Oakland and I think Reed squeezing off RV on the face of a triple was way worse than anything RV did to Reed in San Diego. Going back in time, I was also at St Louis and believe RV seriously intended to punt RD out of that bowl turn and they both went down. Bad mistake on a rookie, but for all racers... why would you ever race for second place unless you have a nice healthy points lead late in a series???...
mbmoto, good point about Reed moving over on RV at the triple....twice! Totally forgot about that. That would have sent any of us into a rage I bet if someone at the local races did that to us, that is such a dangerous thing to be messing with. Reed is the classic guy with dishing it out and not taking it. He ran right in on RV at A2 in the first few turns very much the way RV did and to me there was nothing wrong with any of that whether it was Reed or RV. SO you have Reed running RV up the berm at A2 and moving over on him on the face of the triples at Oakland, and Reed is now the one butt-hurt when the roles are reversed? Someone send him some cheese to go with that whine.
I said i don't think he will run this well every week bd200, YES there will be weeks were Reed will be on fire but i don't think it will be every week. out of the 6 races so far RV is the Only one who has been on it every week.
Was it not Reed a few years back who grabbed JS by the neck for moving over on him on a triple?? Hmmmmmm
.Don't forget Reed taking RV high in turn two a few weeks back also. Who does that in turn two??
I'm with AS29! CR is going to punt RV soon guaranteed. Unlike others here, I like a lil rubbing'. Tons of respect for all of these riders, especially these two. CR is def talking sh$t about RV putting it in there, he is the master of the mental, go Reedy, do ur thing. I can tell u now it will not be enough, RV is on a mission!
As you get older you feel the testosterone of the young bucks around you in business and you remember when you were that young buck and would NOT be denied. Reed realizes that and if he's smart won't go 'toe to toe' with him because RV will not be denied right now.
I agree that rubbin' is racing and I love watching it. I just hope Reed doesn't pull another cheap move like he did on Stewart last year where he basically cut the corner just to plow into him since he wasn't close enough to make a real pass. That move took them both out and RV stole the win. There is a difference between running someone high in a corner to stand them up and running them right off the track (Dungey and Stewart to Weimer). Maybe Weimer is just leaving the door open?
I can see why Weimer is pissed, both times he's been dropped he didn't need to be. Both times he has been high in the corner and held his line when he knew the inside was taken from him. I'd be pissed too and start pushing back. Now if he was defending his position tooth and nail it's a different story to get put on the deck. Him parking Sipes is a different story, anything goes in the LCQ.
Hey commenters STOP..... whatever Billc says has GOT to be right and he can see the future.....A*s
BillC...
Your comments that RV has been the only one that is on it every week is not entirely true. Hate to bring the sport golf into the mix but look at it as the lowest score is the ones that are "on it." This is all four's finishing positions thru 6 races.
RV - 1, 3, 4, 3, 1, 1, Total - 13
Reed - 2, 5, 1, 2, 3, 2, Total - 15
RD - 3, 1, 2, 4, 4, 3, Total - 17
JS - 6, 8, 3, 1, 2, 15, Total 35
To say RV is the only one on it is ridiculous, Reed and Dungey are right there. And all three will be on it. Just saying.
@br411- what kind of scoring system are you using? Olympic stlye? But we get the point, your points total are incorrect sir!
1st=25
2nd=22
3rd=20
4th=18
5th=16
@br411- what kind of scoring system are you using? Olympic stlye? But we get the point, your points total are incorrect sir!
1st=25
2nd=22
3rd=20
4th=18
5th=16
Looking at it from a different point, about riders being on it. those are finishing positions. Consitency and being on it week in and week out. Dont let it worry you to much buddy. We all know the totals for each position. There is a reason why I scored it differently, it was for BillC's comments about RV being the only on "on it."
br411, From a riding stand point they have all had bad nights but RV has been fast every race so far. Hell the one week where Reed got 2nd even he said he rode like crap. Thats all i mant by saying he has been on it every race. You see what I meant now?
tonewall... You might need to seek professional help.... And you know I am right you said so yourself.
Billc Like i said ,might as well not comment....A*s
Tonewall mixing it up again....NICE! LOL
Always looking to keep your audience rivetted!
Reed knows that RV wants it and because he got him back in the last corner by over jumping, that proves it. Reed doesn't have to like it, but he could have over jumped as well but didn't. Either way, clean hard racing is exactly what this sport needs. As long as JS7 isn't putting other riders down when he crashes out, I think the series just got a whole bunch more interesting!
SANDIEGO,
WAS A GOOD RACE I WATCH THE PASS OVER AND OVER ITS STILL EXCTING RACING ,EVERY TIME , ROOTIN FOR REED THOUGH