Racer X Race Report: Freestone
Sunday, May 27, 2012 | 1:25 AM
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PrintIt wasn't as hot as it usually is in Texas for the Freestone National, and James Stewart had addition level of shade: a constant shadow in the form of Ryan Dungey.
It seems almost impossible that two different riders on two different bikes could end nearly identical in two 30-minute plus two lap races, but Yoshimura Suzuki’s James Stewart and Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey were as close as could possibly be through nearly every lap of the Freestone National in Wortham, Texas, the second round of the 2012 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing.
After two thrilling 450 motos, Stewart came out on top both times, delivering a poweful 1-1 performance for the second-straight week, with Dungey pressuring him every inch of the way, but not able to make a pass. Dungey went 2-2 for second overall and Mike Alessi delivered another great ride on his MotoConcepts machine to take third overall via 5-3 scores.
Stewart (7) and Dungey (5) were thisclose all day at Freestone.
Like, really, really close. Stewart came out on top both times.
Simon Cudby photos
The 250 class, meanwhile, was a one-man show, as GEICO Honda’s Eli Tomac logged two superb rides, charging from about sixth in both motos to take the lead and pull away each time. He was unchallenged to the finish, taking a key 1-1 overall win at a track that has given him troubles in the past. Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Blake Baggett put in two come-from-behind rides to go 2-2 and maintain the 250 class points lead, while Red Bull KTM’s Ken Roczen scored third overall. In WMX action, Ashley Fiolek came into the race fighting food poisoning, yet persevered to finish second in moto one and then rally for a win in moto two when Jessica Patterson crashed. The Honda-backed Fiolek’s 2-1 scores gave her the overall win over Rockstar Suzuki Patterson’s 1-2. Third went to Aussie Meg Rutledge on a Kawasaki.
Off the start in the first 450 moto, JGR/Toyota Yamaha’s Kyle Regal grabbed the holeshot but then crashed just a few turns later. By then, Stewart had already begun making moves, knifing past Dungey and Star-Valli Rockstar Yamaha’s Nico Izzi to take the lead. Dungey passed Izzi on lap two in the same spot Stewart did on lap one, and from there, the battle was on as Dungey shadowed Stewart’s every move around the track.
Dungey was close over and over, but couldn’t find the line to get around Stewart. And when Dungey did seem to find an opening, Stewart was able to use his trademark bursts of speed to get back ahead and shut the door. They both rode hard, but kept it clean, and then late in the race Stewart once again did a better job slicing through lapped traffic to open a small lead. He held on to win by just over one second.
From behind, Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jake Weimer rode brilliantly to take third, his first podium in a moto on a 450. Izzi held strong with an impressive fourth, ahead of Alessi. Alessi’s bike showed up late for the moto, automatically dropping him to the last gate pick, but he rode strong after a rough start.
With Davi Millsaps out for the day with internal injuries sustained in a practice crash on Thursday, JGR teammate Kyle Regal (36) represented with a holeshot. But he crashed a few turns later.
Jake Weimer rode a strong first moto to finish third. He came all the way back from a first-turn crash to net sixth in moto two.
Mike Alessi hung with the Stewart/Dungey duel for a bit in moto two, and held tough for third.
Simon Cudby photos
In the second moto, Alessi had a better gate pick and used it to grab the holeshot, with Dungey right behind. But as Alessi and Dungey battled through the third turn, Stewart again knifed to the front, passing both on the inside and taking the lead. Dungey cleared Alessi, but Alessi struck back to repass the KTM rider. A few turns later, Dungey took second place back, and yet another Stewart/Dungey showdown began.
Dungey seemed even more aggressive and determined this time, dogging Stewart’s Suzuki all over the track. He had a few key lines and twice pulled up alongside Stewart, but both times Stewart responded quickly to get back to the lead. The fans were going crazy as the duo pushed each other harder and harder each lap, leaving nothing out there in a push to get the overall win. Again, Dungey couldn’t make a move stick, and Stewart proved he could handle the pressure with a flawless performance to take the win.
“I thought my day went good,” said Stewart, who’s 18th-career win ties him for fourth on the all-time wins list. “It was a tough one, but fun. I got two good starts, made quick passes, and set the tone with a good pace. Ryan rode really well, but I did my own (thing) out front. I knew he’d be there the whole time. I felt like we were even today and if he had gotten out front, he could have done the same thing.”
Alessi did his best to hang with the duo, staying reasonably close until late. That’s back-to-back podiums from Alessi. Weimer put on one of the best rides of the day, coming from way, way back to pick off Tommy Hahn on the last lap for sixth. His 3-6 scores gave him fourth overall, while Jeff Ward Racing/DNA Kawasaki’s Josh Grant put in solid 6-4 finishes to take fifth.
Nico Izzi had a dream day going. After fourth in 450 moto one, he was running fourth again in moto two until he crashed late.
Josh Grant is inching closer to his old form. He was fast in practice, and took fifth overall.
Two down, ten to go.
Cudby photos
In the 250 class, Lucas Oil Troy Lee Honda rookie Jesse Nelson had his “welcome to the pros” moment when he grabbed the first-moto holeshot. But while he had to deal with the crazy pace at the sharp end of the pack, he responded by hanging right with the field. In another surprise, Nelson’s first challenge for the lead came from Phil Nicoletti on the Eleven10 Mods Honda. Then came the Red Bull KTM teammates Ken Roczen and Marvin Musquin. Unfortunately, Nicoletti’s strong ride ended when he ran out of gas.
But the man on the move was Tomac, who was about sixth early but started rolling through the pack. He systematically got to the front, eventually taking the lead and taking off. About halfway through the moto, as he usually does, Baggett arrived on the scene. He started outside the top ten and started working his way forward. Baggett was the only rider in the motos to jump the crazy Wall into the Texas Twelve Pack of whoops, getting huge air and making up some time. Baggett rallied from 13th to second, but was not able to put any sort of dent into Tomac’s lead. Roczen took third, while Justin Barcia came up to fourth on his GEICO Honda after a bad start, and Musquin held on to fifth.
Eli Tomac was in a class by himself at Freestone.
Blake Baggett was spectacular coming through the pack in the first moto.
Jesse Nelson grabbed the first 250 moto holeshot.
Simon Cudby photos
In the second moto, a huge pileup in the first turn collected a bunch of riders, including Barcia and Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Ivan Tedesco. Out front, Rockstar Suzuki’s Blake Wharton led and pulled away. Nelson had another good start, as did Wharton’s teammate Jason Anderson, who had crashed hard running up front in moto one.
But once again, Tomac put on a charge, eventually plowing through the field to get second. Then he went after Wharton, whittling away his five-second lead until he could start a battle for the top spot. They went at it, with Tomac making a pass, Wharton striking back, and the Tomac repassing. Wharton hung close for awhile, staying with striking distance, but Tomac never made an error and taking his second career Pro Motocross win—his first coming at his very first pro race at Hangtown in 2010.
"Man, this is the greatest turnaround in my dirt biking career," Tomac said. "This track did in my 2010 season both mentally and a little physically. It seems like it's taken two years since I've been able to get my crap together.
"I've got podiums here and there since my first win in Hangtown (in 2010); to not get a win has been really annoying. Today feels like a weight is off my shoulders."
Blake Wharton led a bunch of laps early in moto two.
Once again Tomac raged through the field to win.
Baggett got past Wharton on the last lap to grab two more valuable championship points.
The heat didn't phase Germany's Ken Rozen much--he was third overall again.
Simon Cudby photos
Behind Tomac and Wharton, Anderson, Roczen and Baggett hooked up in an incredible duel for third, the three swapping positions all over the track. Roczen tried an inside line on Anderson and went down, allowing Baggett to jump into fourth, and then he passed Anderson for third.
Baggett kept digging and went after Wharton for second, catching him on the last lap. Wharton looked game to perhaps hold him off, until he ran into trouble on the last lap and couldn’t jump a triple, allowing Baggett to fly past him.
In WMX action, Fiolek was struggling early in the day with food poisoning and even skipped a practice. But she grabbed her customary holeshot in the first moto. Patterson was able to strike quickly and put her Rockstar Suzuki into the lead and hold it, while Fiolek soldiered on for second. Rutledge and Lucas Oil Troy Lee Honda’s Tarah Gieger battled for third until Gieger went down.
In moto two, Fiolek holeshot again, but Patterson was there to challenge her until she crashed on the first lap. Fiolek then had a big lead, while Patterson had to fight her way back, first around Gieger, then around Rutledge. She didn’t have a chance to catch Fiolek, which meant the defending WMX Champion was able to secure the win on a day in which she wasn’t feeling well at all.
Ashley Fiolek was struggling with food poisoning, but she won the WMX overall anyway!
Jessica Patterson had a second-moto crash after a first-moto win. But she maintains the points lead.
Simon Cudby photos
The series heads to Lakewood, Colorado, just outside of Denver, next weekend for the Toyota Trucks Thunder Valley National.
450 Overall Results
- James Stewart 1-1
- Ryan Dungey 2-2
- Mike Alessi 5-3
- Jake Weimer 3-6
- Josh Grant 6-4
- Andrew Short 10-5
- Tommy Hahn 9-7
- Brett Metcalfe 13-10
- Nico Izzi 4-25
- Ryan Sipes 8-17
- Michael Byrne 12-15
- Robby Kiniry 17-11
- Justin Brayton 14-14
- Broc Tickle 7-40
- Kyle Regal 25-8
- Derek Anderson 22-9
- Cole Thompson 19-13
- Matt Lemoine 11-27
- Kyle Chisholm 30-12
- Kevin Rookstool 16-19
- Jimmy Albertson 15-35
- Preston Mull 38-16
- Justin Sipes 24-18
- Les Smith 18-21
- Ben LaMay 26-20
- Austin Howell 20-24
- Billy Laninovich 21-23
- Cole Martinez 32-22
- Jason Thomas 27-28
- Vince Friese 23-34
- Heath Harrison 28-30
- Trevor Ivey 39-26
- Jake Loberg 34-32
- Dustin Pipes 33-33
- Robert Lind 29-37
- Drew Yenerich 31-36
- Dustin Kendall 37-31
- Dillon Huddleston 41-29
- Dakota Kessler 35-38
- Tyler Livesay 36-39
- Josh Greco 40-41
The 450 podium.
Cudby photo
250 Overall Results:
- Eli Tomac 1-1
- Blake Baggett 2-2
- Ken Roczen 3-4
- Blake Wharton 6-3
- Justin Barcia 4-5
- Marvin Musquin 5-8
- Jessy Nelson 7-9
- Wil Hahn 12-6
- Jake Canada 8-14
- Kyle Cunningham 13-12
- Martin Davalos 14-13
- Jason Anderson 22-7
- Travis Baker 18-10
- Kyle Peters 9-23
- Alex Martin 16-15
- Zach Freeberg 15-16
- Gareth Swanepoel 10-38
- Malcolm Stewart 39-11
- Ivan Tedesco 11-22
- Hunter Hewitt 17-20
- Dakota Tedder 33-17
- AJ Catanzaro 20-18
- Shane Sewell 24-19
- Joey Peters 19-27
- Vann Martin 27-21
- Broc Schmelyun 23-26
- Travis Bell 26-24
- Ryan Zimmer 25-25
- Killy Rusk 21-31
- John Pauk 28-29
- Michael Akaydin 29-30
- Ozzy Barbaree 30-33
- Myles Tedder 36-28
- Chad Crawford 31-34
- Steve Roman 35-32
- Luke Vonlinger 32-37
- Beau Hudson 37-35
- Phil Nicoletti 34-39
- Tevin Tapia 38-36
- Johnny Moore 40-40
The 250 podium.
Cudby photo
WMX Overall:
1. Ashley Fiolek 2-1
2. Jessica Patterson 1-2
3. Meghan Rutledge 3-3
4. Tarah Gieger 7-4
5. Sayaka Kaneshiro 6-5
6. Kasie Creson 4-8
7. Jacqueline Strong 5-7
8. Mariana Balbi 8-6
9. Sara Pettersson 9-9
10. Sade Allender 12-10
11. Brianna DeGray 11-12
12. Amanda Brown 15-11
13. Sarah Whitmore 13-14
14. Lindsey Palmer 10-30
15. Jackie Ives 17-15
16. April Zastrow 16-16
17. Sydney Dickson 18-19
18. Chelsea Newbold 24-17
19. Shelby Rolen 20-18
20. Ashleigh Hall 19-2
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Great racing! Wanted my man Dungey to pull it off but not this week. Super stoked for Alessi too!
Is Brayton hurt? 14-14 after a bad opener. Something has to be wrong here.
You guys on the Right Coast either stay up late or get up early. Great racing down in the oven this weekend. I think it was a little cooler and maybe everyone was a little more prepared for the worst. A blessing regardless. The Tomac attack was just unstoppable and the Baggett Monster was taking no names either just kicking Texas tail all day long. If consistency in this 250 class remains a factor, and it looks like it will, we are in for a very tight summer of racing.
You can apply that same math to the 450 class as well. The James/Ryan express was smokin and M.Alessi was hangin pretty dang close until he backed it down. Nice to see Mike having some consistency as well. It's nice to be in the great outdoors again, ain't it!
Please pass the ribs, again, and a little more of that cold slaw, and...
Great racing and the track was much better this year.Way to go MX Sports.Emig and Weeg were awsome with no Chupacabra sightings.Now its time to move on to the Lakewood Co. slot car track and get the shittest track on the circuit out of the way.Now if we could all get a way to see the second motos in a timely fashion life would be almost perfect.
PS Not forgetting about all those whom have paid the ultimate sacrifice before us and for us, a memorable Memorial Day to all.
.
And yes, I like my slaw (cold). Ha!
Here is something to think about. 10-20 years from now will James be sitting around thinking he could have broken all of RC records if he had not stayed on Yamaha's? Looks like a few waisted years and lots of pain from injuries. I don't know this for sure but what do you think???
It is just an opinion ride111mph, but i agree with you, in my opinion i think he would have moved closer to the record books if not for the last couple of years on the backwards yami.......although that is pure speculation, i think it is nearly impossible to say that the move to yellow hasn't made a huge difference in how he is riding (and thinking)!!
Stewart wins and nobody writes, probably they are waiting for him to lose a moto to start talking the usual crap. Men of sports.
Puget put down the crack pipe,JS is boring And is a puppet. That's why everyone has copied his ridding style
The opening paragraph from Jason is classic! Pay him more, toss a few Red Bulls down his throat to keep awake and have all the journalism come from JW
Wow - great racing yesterday, The 2nd 450 moto was fun to watch. Both James and Ryan rode really well.
It was impressive to watch Ryan stalk James and for James to somehow find more speed every time Ryan made a run at him. You have to wonder if Ryan could have gotten a gap (of any size) on James if he had gotten around him. It seemed like Ryan was trying all sorts of different lines but able to stay right on James throughout. But when he did make a run, he always came up a little short.
I do want to see Ryan beat James in a few motos just to keep the points tighter since we are only 2 races in and James has a 14 point gap already.
Again, Great ride by JS7. This move to Suzuki really looks to be a career saver. And it seems his PR has had a make-over also. Good for him, and good for the sport. I'm pulling for RD5 while Reed is out, but it is pretty fun to watch these guys destroy the field. big props to Eli. oh yea and @notreed is still a simple-minded homophobic little-man syndromed punk.
the way i see it is i'm not surprised at all in js winning. just surprised he isn't winning by alot more like he used to. me thinks rd will only get faster as the season goes along and js may be the one who has to step up.
My bad Puget I get now.
Stewart is fast when he wants to be or needs to be! To me it looks like he is just running fast enough to keep Dungey behind him. James had a few close calls out there and I thought for a minute he was going to lose it. But he stayed up! Dungey is not going to go away! He and Decoster will come up with a plan to beat Stewart! Thats no question! The question is how will Stewart respond when it happens? When Ryan got right up on Stewart, it seemed that James just went crazy and grabbed some speed to keep him behind him. I dont think James is willing to go that fast for a couple of laps just to keep Dungey behind. But he is going to have to if he wants to keep beating Ryan! Because Dungey is not going to let him keep beating him. We will see! Colorado here we come!
Heres My thoughts, Ryan and James are On Brand new bikes Correct? now, We all know that they both are basically not riding to there full potential because they both dont REALLY know the bike that well....But Lets Think about this....Who Would Be the Faster person running at 100%? Dungey or Stewart?.........(You decide)
@handlebore the racist....good racing huh....how about you just never start a sentence PERIOD...or start it like this..to all our vets who have given there LIVES for freedom and equality for all men and women I THANK YOU.......alot of RD5 woudas shouldas starting to happen....he didn't. I think hes riding it as fast as it will go....lots of racin left though....that old just pressure James might work when your RC...Dungey ain't...he will have to step it up ..especially when 'ole paint' gets in real dirt. Props to Mike A ...he's tryin his a*s off.Tomac was flat impressive and the Bag man skyshots where amazing.....@manes ...Stewart wins and nobody writes IS A GOOD THING..........!!!!!!GO HAVOC7 V.2 ..(and i quote)".you washed up , slow , over it ,can't ride anymore , can't ride outdoors , can't beat Dungey , its not the Yamaha , will never win again ,outta shape , will never win again,won't win in Texas , won't win in the heat ,won't win under pressure......,blah blah BLAH.",...hows that big steamin HEAPIN' bowl of crow taste right now.,haters....? Have a nice day.!
@whowins, Thats hard, are we only talking about recent activity on the out doors? I would go with RD5. Career wise, James would be my choice. If that make sense. RD5 won a title 2 years ago, almost won one last season, James last season outdoors was in 08. But 24-0 speaks for its self.
@manes
there's not much chatter on here because nobody cares already.....except the Stewart fans! It's over already which isn't good for the sport. There are two guys who are head and shoulders faster than the rest....but only one of them knows how to make a pass on the other. When Stewart can ride within his comfort zone he's unbeatable.....when he is pushed he is beatable! Right now he now's he just has to get in front of Dungey and it's his.
Any realistic fan that has been watching for the last few years knows there is no way that RV or Reed would simply follow JS around for over 60mins without running it in every chance they had! Whether they would make it stick or not no one knows but hey don't have it in them to just follow the guy for two moto's....
That's the way I see it anyway.....at least we have some great racing in the 250's
great race, bummer RD couldn't make the pass he however was much closer to james speed this week so thats an improvement. It looked like he was pressuring this week where last week he was just keeping up. RD is not going to pressure James enough to crash (though he almost did this week) untill he passes him a couple of times.
Was it driving anybody else nuts that the broadcasters where going along talking about all the people behind that were spread out, while they were chatting about the guy in 20th and you look up on the ticker and you see RD is .156 seconds behind stewart! Geesh I like to hear about the other guys but not when there is a full on duel going on for first place, they even missed RDs pass (that didn't stick) though they replayed it later.
Ripdown alot of us care.....@RV and Reed 'woulda"..maybe-maybe not..not Havocs or RD5's fault their hurt... I'm an RV fan and i am still enjoying the racing alot....just cause your guys not there and winning doesn't make the racing any less...lots of good races goin on out there if you allow yourself to SEE them.....and alot of laps yet....the ONLY person i've ever EVER seen blow by a good day JS7 outdoors is RC...Dungey ain't RC. I don't think Reed could deal with Havoc on the Zook outdoors.RV yes.@65cobra the announcers aren't running the booth where the cameras are controlled and mixed..... they are announcers...not producer ,director,cameraman,etc etc.that said I feel your pain sometimes...
Lets hope James and Ryan can keep up that pace all season. I am sure Ryan will get a win, just one mistake from Bubbles and he has got him. It would be cool to see Ryan come on with an agreesive block pass on lil Stewie. They both rode great and will make for some interesting racing. So my question again, what happened to Brayton?
"Any realistic fan that has been watching for the last few years knows there is no way that RV or Reed would simply follow JS around for over 60mins without running it in every chance they had! Whether they would make it stick or not no one knows but hey don't have it in them to just follow the guy for two moto's...."
Sorry Rip I'm not buying it- Stew has raced Reed in outdoors before and Reed has never 'run it in on him' -except for that time when it was a 250 versus a 450. As far as Ryan Villopoto we just don't know yet. It's not fair to say Villopoto woulda done this Villopoto woulda done that- Villopoto has never raced Stewart outdoors- and also has never raced him on a Suzuki. -Villopoto has only four outdoor wins so far in four seasons on the big bike- Mike Alessi has three and one was on a 350! Stewart beat Carmichael at leasst four times in outdoors back in the day. Any realistic fan knows that Villopoto hasn't proven a thing yet in outdoors. I do like him a lot but again- he is over rated by some people on here. Oh yeah- thers Mikey on the podium again- and on a privateer bike no less. He is the most under rated rider out there.
Also huge props to Alessi and Grant for not getting dirty on each other out there.
Hey ripdown I agree that RD or RV would go for the kill but Dungey straight up beat Villopoto and Reed for motos and overalls last year. I think its just a matter of seat time on the KTM. I know James is on a new bike too but a KTM is different. Its only round 2 and that zook is just not that reliable everybody whos anybody knows that right?
just to clear up some distorted facts...JS is not on a new bike hes on a championship winning Suzuki which has a ton of prior data to use in set up. and JS can win quickly when comfortable as we all can see. RD is on a new bike and there is a learning curve even w roger at the helm and if he does not get his ass going early he will finish second for the rest of the year... also if Vilo was in the game he would smoke them both because he has what both riders have and more outright speed.outdoors... in supercross JS is still the biggest threat to Vilo.
PS.. James seems to be going as fast as he needs to go right now and RD is pushing hard, looks that way i think hes playin w Dunge a little.....
My version of the "Sunday morning quarterback" consists of the fact that a rider in second place who is as fast as the leader needs to take risks and get aggressive.
WFO WHAT! " any realistic fan knows Villapoto hasn't proven a thing outdoors" ........RV is the champ of MX outdoors and winner at the and the MXDN...I think thats enough proof.....and he is as fast as ANYBODY has ever been..thats MORE than obvious...and his complete record outdoors (including the 250's) proves it beyond A DOUBT.....just the facts. he just hasn't proved it to you.
fun fact:
2011 hangtown RV best lap 2:07.8 while stewart consistantly turned 2:04's and laid down a 1:59 in qualifying so with rv not racing its easy to say he woulda smoked them both but truth is there is no truth to that statement and im an RV fan, in 2011 RD was the fastest at freestone his best lap was a 2:06.5 with reed being a 2:06.6 in the second moto they were running like 2:10's for some reason in the first moto
" if Vilo was in the game he would smoke them both because he has what both riders have and more outright speed." Nonsense...
Sorry tonewall- I like Villopoto just like you but I have to be realistic too. Villopoto has only FOUR outdoor wins so far in his four years on the big bike. Lites doesn't matter when we are talking about the premier class. Stew was the best 125 rider ever- but that didn't translate well to the bigger bike class did it? Stewie had 17 overall wins in his first four years- and half of his four years were against Ricky Carmichael. Again- Villopoto has a total of four outdoor wins so far. Stew has been in neutral for the past three years- but he accomplished a lot in his first four years. Unless Villopoto can stay healthy and start amassing some outdoor wins- I am not jumping on his bandwagon just yet. So far the 'big four' each have one 450 outdoor title to thier name. After this summer somebody will have two- and Villopoto isn't one of them. I agree that he is the man indoors right now- but I think next season will be way tougher for him. Peace and keep making me lol with your great posts.
also did a full research of 2011 race wins
RD-6
CR-7
RV-10
another funny thing RD had 15 2nd place finshes which isnt bad its better than 3rd and its real consistant but a wise man once said
"If you aint first, your last" lol
what are yall talking about only 4 wins outdoors? if you are talking about overalls they mean nothing "bragging rights" is all
@jeramey - Look up Dungey's moto wins from 2010, I am sure it's like 15 - 20. Also, your laptime comparison is the stupidest thing ever, like the track builders may have changed part of it, it may of been less rough, we don't know. But really stupid in my opinion...
especially because almost every overall rv lost last year was because he went a 1-2 and their 2-1 cancelled his out but its still the same amount of points but the best 2nd moto finsh takes the overall if its a tie
You can break it down by motos- it still looks the same. Overalls mean nothing?? I would rather be holding up the big trophy instead of the smaller one any day.
just as stupid as saying a guy on his couch with a jacked up knee would smoke both of these guys like they arent even in the same class
Saying Villopoto would win is completely ridiculous, he could end up last. It's all speculation...
Jeramey- I cant figure out whos side you are on?
dungey was the most consistan last year
1-2
2-dnf
2-3
2-2
2-1
2-2
2-1
2-1
2-2
1-7
2-2
2-1
im on nobodys side im an rv fan but i also am a fan of the way stewart can ride have a ton of respect for dungey just have the same complaint about him as everyone else but im trying to make several points
1. haters trying to discredit stewart beating rd like he's a slouch outdoors...rediculous
2.other guys discrediting both RD and JS by saying reed and villopoto would smoke them both also rediculous because dungey gave reed and RV fits last year
I just want to see the best race the best without having haters discredit whoever wins by saying oh well so and so wasnt there or his bike did this and the lappers did that i want the top guys healthy and happy with their equipment so we can watch great competitive racing like yeah i liked seeing RV win in SX but it didnt feel the same as when he won after him and reed or dungey battled it out with him coming out on top
Ok I agree jeramey- I'm on your side too.
In my opinion, "xxx racer" has it correct when it is suggested that Dungey needs to get more aggressive with Stewy.
And although Villo fanatics will disagree, since Villo seems afraid to race with Stewy, I do not see Villo as a threat.
So, perhaps both Dungey and Villo should talk with Reedy and Ricky who sacked up when it came to Stewie ....
well this was one of the tougher and rougher tracks on the circuit so if he were able to keep it on two wheels its looking pretty good for him he did have some points where (props to RD) he was being preasured and have some close calls, but i dont think dungey is always gonna have the luxury of being right on his fender like that on some of these tracks that are more opened up he may get out there and run dungey has got to stay away from the lappers though he damn near ran right into the back of that one stewart picks a different line and for some reason dungey takes the same line they are in roger needs to let him know that that line is faster.....unless theres a slow rider in it
edit "is not always"
wfo ...no offence taken.. were just each making points....no problems. I enjoy a good take weather I agree with it or not. lol ...I just can't do the idiots (you know who you are ahole team)and racists (jair/scrubnuts and handlebore) and I will go as many rounds as they want.....is it time for mr mx and his crew of stalkers to show or did my dog just fart.
With all due respect- I must say that your 'scraps' with jair/handle/and ScrubThis are the stuff of legend.
Can't wait for Southwick and Unadilla.
Stewart just looks good Dungey looks good and Alessi looks good. That is racing.
And it seems as if 'ole whirlwind' finally got the best of Davi- Regal and Izzi were right up there too, until............................................................
To the bonehead who was comparing RV's old hangtown laptimes last year to Bubbles this year.
RV was sick and admitted he was sick that whole weekend.
RV and CR would make RD and Bubbles look silly if they were out there.
Truth hurts so keep crying. HAHA !!!
first of all bonehead the track is freestone no one was talking about hangtown and second of all since you must be psychic can you tell me this weeks winning lottery numbers? you guys make these assumptions when there is no way you could possibly know what would happen a race is a race anything can happen im an RV fan and even i know that on any given day js has the speed and skill to beat him and last time stewart raced reed outdoors he embarrssed him so take your nuthuggery elsewhere my comparison alone was just to show all the haters that look at these two and think oh man these guys are slow i was just pointing out that their laptimes were spot on what they should be js and rd where hauling a** yesterday
Speculation, Schmeculation. You cat's can urinate all over yourselves with your woulda, coulda's but, CR, RV, TC and whomever else who isn't there, are all on the couch (racing).
We have to dance with the girls who are at the dance, and dancing. What I see in the JS/RD equation is obvious but, with motivation and purpose. It (appeared) Ryan may have had a directive to pressure James (if you can't find away around) and see if you can force an error. There were a couple close calls. Somebody made a good point about them both being on new (to them) bikes and in a fast and steep adjustment curve. I think they are going to both continue this shadow dance within their own comfort zones until that zone becomes uncomfortable. Meaning James seems to be more comfortable leading than following, and if he is pressured, he turns up the wick just enough to brighten the moment, and settles in for the time being. Not that RD does not want to be out front and running, he and Roget are not quite there yet. And we all know how RD is methodical and does not take many nu-necessary risks.
Un-bunch your undies, gents, it's only two races in, and it's damn tight and clean racing, which is why I like coming to these little summer dances in the first place.
If I was to ask (a) question of you huge brained realists, it would be," Who would have an advantage over who on a hard pack track, and the same on a deep an loamy track. JS and/or RD? And then look at those remaining 10 track yet to run and make some kind of a comparison. They both to seem physically fit to run hard for 35 and if they both stay healthy (wishing) this may be the factor that would benefit one over the other come September.
PS No disrespect to either James or Ryan D about girls, dances and dancing, just metaphorically typing.
Both RD and JS were riding super fast, smooth and solid, they were both very impressive. I don't blame RD for not being. aggressive enough this time. I think he was giving it all he could but their speeds were too close for him to make a move. (not like last year when he was faster than Reed in a race or two, but couldn't get around) Every time RD was in striking distance, James twisted it a little more. On the flip side, I don't think JS was holding back any either Seemed both guys had the ability to ramp it up for a few stretches, but not keep that up. As, a JS fan, I was just hoping he would keep it upright. I think if he was on the Yami, that cross-rut moment would have turn into a cartwheel. It was awesome that they both set their fast laps in the 3rd & 2nd to last laps. JS's was .5 seconds faster.
How is the Sloan suicide watch?
. what will all the
haters have to say this week? My guess is we won't hear much from them at all. They all disappeared for the most part last week. LOL
This makes 3 motos in a row that RD started in front of JS and got beat. Really what can they say?
@pugue- good question! Short or Metty come to mind. Alessi, looking good outdoors, comes on stronger in the 2nd moto, maybe.
@Bill C- we all know the J Soan is lurking around, he is just having a hard time digesting what happened AGAIN this weekend. lol
Yeah right persona- Reed has always made "bubbles" look silly in the outdoors. You must be a crackhead.
I'm looking forward to a Tomac vs. Bagget battle. The 250 class is so stacked right now, even without Wilson. What's up with Barcia ? I expected him to be at the front more.
Good lord boys. I was simply addressing a post about the lack of action in this board earlier!
I was not saying RV would've won. Simply stating what we all know. RV is way more aggressive than RD and would've tried to make a pass!
UFO guy. Everytime you say RV hasn't proved anything outdoors you just sound dumb. We've had this debate.
I dont think i sound dumb- and I only said it once- and in the proper context.
Touché haha. Dumb might have been harsh. JS is probably gonna run the table and the only guy who can stop him refuses to risks necessary to make a pass!
This is the first time I can remember when I'm more excited to watch the 250's! Not to discredit those lads cause they're bringing it !
But come on! The Big Boy class is gonna be boring unless they stop showing one guy follow another for 60+4 and start showing more of the guys who are racing.
Sorry tonewall I shoul've elaborated on my viewpoint a little more.
Anyone who thinks they can predict what would happen with James and RV out there together is crazy!! RV brings it outdoors but so does JS....impossible to call, i hope we get a chance to see it though, In my honest opinion though i think SX is gonna be a little different next year!! Or i guess i mean JS is potentially gonna be a little different. The guy LOVES that bike and that alone is gonna have a big effect on him, hell it already is!! He'll have his setbacks this year (maybe) but he did the best thing for himself by making this change when he did...so far it's working!!
persona and jeramey....neither of you have any actual idea how RV and Reed and Canard would do against Havoc and RD5 cause their ON THE DAMN COUCH....we know how they do in your dreams ...now....WAKE UP ....geezus its kind of nice on here without the idiot crew...don't join..
I saw Dungey try to make the pass a couple of times- but Stewart had more in the tank and just wicked it up to stay ahead. There was a time in the past when Stewart said 'he doesn't need to win by a minute- just by a second'- maybe he's using that strategy now. He didn't look rattled at all with Dungey hot on his tail.
@Osteo To say RV is afraid of racing JS in the stupidest thing I have ever heard. Emig, Carmichael, McGrath have all commented on how head-strong RV is. I've never seen him have trouble putting a wheel in on anyone. Have you seen RV and RD come through the pack together? Speaks for its self.
My name is Voo Doo and I know more about sacking up than any of you puny, little poseurs. ... especially "frita the kx450 beeta."
So, as far as Dung, the season is not over. As far as Stew, it is so far, so good. As far as Vill, we will see what happens in SX.
Here's to a great Memorial Day weekend to all my friends at Racer X Online. Agree or disagree, it is always fun to come here and check out the comments. Thank-You to all the Armed Forces for all they do to protect our freedom.
Those 450 motos were encouraging that this year won't be a snooze. They both looked great and RD5 is on the right track. I'm not convinced that JS has RD totally covered for the season yet. I also doubt JS had much more than he was showing this weekend. There's no way JS wanted RD side-by-side with him with less than a couple minutes on the clock. If he could have built a comfortable cushion by that point in the race he would have I'm thinking. Regardless, those two are on another level.
We should all be glad Stewi is out there. The fans watched two awsome racers battling an entire moto. What would it be had stewi not raced,boring,with the top racers,poto,CR & trey being out. Good for Tickle ,nice results. I cant understand why bag it was ,well "off" in sx & is killing it outdoors. Thought Roczen would do much better,even without knowing the tracks. The wey he kicked arsh in the mx of nations I didn`t expect to see him fouth in any moto. Just goes to show how fast these kids are. To our VETS who really put it on the line for us & "them" thanks & thanks I can`t imagine going thru the actuality of fighting for your and our lives. You deserve more than thanks
..whats with Metty ? I know Brayton is injured,so I get his poor results. tickle & izzi are looking good,the 2nd moto got em both ,even still their looking good. Nice to see Michigan Mafia Izzi getting his injuries behind him & racing the wey we know he can. PLEASE stop with the 'if ' CR & Poto were out there,because their not. CR dominated like only he thought he could the first half of LAST YEAR. And Poto is an animal but hes not racing because of nobodies fault than his. In it ,to win it & they`re not in it.
First of all, Anyone who knows motocross knows that Chad Reed is anything but nice, dude can be a prick sometimes......(look at how he reacts when he crashes or loses and gets passed) he Snaps!!!!
Also Jeramey- outdoor wins DO mean something. When we talk about the goats 150 AMA wins we are talking about 48 supercross wins and 102 outdoors wins. Not motos, but overall wins. They absolutely do mean something.
Guys just sit back and wait. Because their are only two possible champions this year and Dungey will have no one to help slow Stewart down and if (IF I SAY) Rd isn't able to get out in front early and win one of the next couple motos, Decoster will have Dungey get more aggressive and you will see Stewie screw up. It's been great racing but RD has yet to "scare" Stewart yet. RD has a completely different strategy than RV, TC and others. It drives people crazy but it works more than not. This season he can't wait to be aggressive because he will get no help from CR, RV or TC to split up the points and keep it close. Trust me, if you match or exceed Stewart's speed, he WILL plant it sooner or later. Don't buy into all the "old James is back" stuff. He's still spoiled and you'll see that when things don't go his way. Don't you love the way he dismisses the Nationals (where you separate the men from the boys IMO) by constantly saying that he's really only running them to get ready for the 2013 Supercross?? You hear that RV? He's gonna be ready for you this year. You hear that RD? He's gonna sweep this series while treating it simply as practice for Supercross? I think James is still living in the past at times where, if RC were gone, he could win every race he started. Reality now is that he is one of 5 elite riders on the big bikes with several more coming up fast.