Going for the W: Davi Millsaps
Thursday, April 12, 2012 | 3:15 PM
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“Hey, who does the Racer X Twitter during the races?” said Davi Millsaps after the Houston Supercross. I quickly told him that I did.
“Man, it said Villopoto is checking out big time!” he said. “He didn’t get that far out in front of me, it was maybe nine seconds max for the whole 20 laps. I mean, that’s pretty good for me, a guy who was struggling to get on the podium!”
Davi was actually right. I never really watched the clock to see how big the gap had grown, I only knew RV was pulling away and looked to have the race win on lockdown pretty early. And honestly, who didn’t think the same way? Villopoto has been killing it as of late, and if he takes the lead on the first lap, well, we are at the point where you just figure he will take the win, as well.
After a slow start to the season, Millsaps is rounding into late season form.
Simon Cudby photo
But late in the race, announcer Erv Braun was trying to find some drama, and he pointed out that Millsaps was closing and wasn’t too far back, and if he managed to beat Villopoto, he would actually prevent RV from clinching the title in Houston (Millsaps would have then left Texas down 99 points with 100 potentially left to earn in the final four rounds).
Millsaps, indeed, wasn’t too far back, but he never did get back to striking distance of RV. He ended up second by 4.5 seconds, which is, well, closer than Justin Brayton finished to Villopoto while taking second at the last two rounds.But it’s not the numbers that really matter, nor are we trying to build up a battle that may not exist. What is telling is that Millsaps cared enough about Villopoto’s lead to react to our twitter comment. That means, somewhere deep inside, Millsaps has climbed back up to the level where he is at least watching the leader again, feeling like he’s part of the lead pack, and trying to see how much further he needs to go to get a victory.
“But,” you say. “He’s only doing well because everyone is injured!” Well, that might help his finishes, but there’s no doubt at all that Millsaps is riding better than he was at the beginning of the season, when he finished 16th at Anaheim 1. After that race, there’s no way you would have put Millsaps into the same category as Jake Weimer, Brayton or Kevin Windham. But something has turned around as of late for the #18. He’s actually gone ahead of all of those riders in points (and this isn’t due to injuries -- he was already ahead of Windham before Windham crashed out in Houston). He is clearly riding better now than at any point this year or last year in supercross. Why?
Is Millsaps ready to challange Villopoto for a win?
Simon Cudby photo
In Houston, he finally admitted it. Before the year began, we heard some hype about Millsaps losing weight and coming in ready, but he threw up that 16th clunker at A1 to make us forget him. Turns out, Millsaps re-injured his knee in December (the same knee injury that knocked him out of Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross at Red Bud last year) and only got back on the bike two weeks before A1. He started the season hurting, but chose to keep it secret.
He’s been getting stronger ever since, and now we’re finally seeing the Davi Millsaps of 2010, the one who won a race, instead of the guy that struggled coming back from a kidney injury last year, or the knee problems this year.
Big credit goes to his support group, new trainer Pablo Toribio (who helped him lose all that weight) and of course Ezra Lusk, who is always trying to keep the fire lit. Millsaps was way, way down after that big crash at Budds Creek in 2010, but he finally looks to have gotten his form back.
Is he good enough, now, to get another win? He surely seems like he’s trying to do it, and that’s the most important part of the equation.
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if the yamaha sucks so bad how is it that DM is able to do as good as he is?
Could DM kill it if he switches brands? Good luck DM, i hope you get the top step before the season is over.
Seems Davi has moved up as the others have crashed out.
Wonder where he would end up if the others were still in it
With KW out, he'll move up on more spot.
Funny how people say JS can't develope a bike. DM said he doesnt know what's been done to his bike but he does know that bike has gotten way better since JS has been apart of the team. I hate giving RV credit but I'm sure he was minding the gap the whole race.
Really are we going to reward mediocrity....DM18 has only done better because 1/2 of the field is wiped out he is back half of the field on a good day.
You can only race who shows up but come on DM18 only gets a win if everyone else has problems and hell freezes over....He just suck that much a**.
It seems like all his career he's been thanking someone by their Spanish first name. First it was Carlos, his mechanic, and now Pablo. I'm glad to see that Pablo indeed has a last name.
It's hard to believe that he really had 40 pounds to lose a few months ago. I know he's tall and stocky, but 40 pounds is 5 gallons of gas worth of extra weight.
RV put it on cruise controll folks. Has Millsaps ever battled with RV? NOPE! Daytona was a mud race and the overweight Yamaturds are only good in a swamp. RV had muddy gloves and grips on the first lap. There Mr. Motorcross settles another sensless debat!
I do like DM hope he can keep running up front, especially in outdoors.
***NEWS FLASH***Sometimes I can't spell!
Everyone is out and he can't run with RV so take it easy!!!
I like Davi, Actually, I like em all. Ever since Ricky left, I have no favorite and just root for good racing. There is not one guy that really stands out and makes me root for em. But I gotta say, everyone that says it's not the bike, "look at Davi" Really guys? After all this time, are you really going to assume that since Davi looks decent on his Yamaturd, that the bike must be good enough for James? I kinda think Stew is a little to "show off" and actually needed a good dose of humble pie, But i Have a feeling if he gets on a dif bike, he may prove alot of haters wrong. Some idiot pundits on here can call me a Stewtard, and say I "must not be too long at being a fan" but it's just an opinion. I know the man crashes anything with two wheels alot, but you gotta admit that ever since that new gen yami came out, he has never been this off. I guess some time is going to have to pass before we really ever can draw a final conclusion. Davi is no doubt a good rider, but he would be lucky to break the top five if everyone was still in it. But, Props to him for weathering the storm, and keeping healthy enough to reap the benefits to staying healthy.
Pretty much the story of Milsaps career..... always with excuses... weight issue, personal issue, lack of motivation, etc.........Then miraculously when contract time expiration is drawing near he finds some speed and determination to post some good results. That being said, one cannot argue that he has skills on a bike, but just needs to stay consistent in the effort department. Here's hopin ghe rides well for the ENTIRE outdoor season with out a lackluster 16th thrown in.
Mr. Motocross???Shut your stupid pie hole! ***newsflash***your a donkey!
I have to chime in and say that being from GA, I was a fan of Ezra Lusk from the time he was dominating on 80's, and I believe that he has faith in Davi. Davi is gaining faith in Davi, and the truth is, Davi is one very talented rider that can and will prove some doubters wrong will some strong finishes and great performances. I applaud Davi's strong finishes lately, and I know he will continue to impress. GA boys RULE! (you betta recognize!)
Would be good if JGR threw more support at Millsaps, not at JSEntertainment... All his trick shrouds and tank?
@inqueeritive............***NEWS FLASH***There has been a mass shortage of gerbals and paper towel tubes,turns out inqueeritive has been buying them all and it was'nt his pie hole he was sticking them in!
***NEWS FLASH***inqueeritive was spotted at a local hospital....turns out every time he farted, gerbil fur was flying all over the place!!!!