Racer X Race Report: Thunder Valley
Saturday, June 2, 2012 | 11:10 PM
Since 1968, Thor has maintained its position as a top motocross apparel brand. From trails, deserts, to the most famous racetracks in the world, Thor supports racing on the track and off with its sponsorship of race reports.
Tweet
Advertisement | Advertise with Us
Share
Comment
Email
Print
Just when you thought you’ve seen everything in this sport, something like this year’s Toyota Thunder Valley National breaks out.
Lakewood, Colorado, just outside of Denver, was the host for this third round of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, and it shook up the series standings quite a bit. At the end of the wild day, Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey, GEICO Honda’s Justin Barcia and Rockstar Suzuki’s Jessica Patterson had emerged with the overall wins in the 450, 250 and WMX classes.
The 450 class was headlined by a big crash from series points leader James Stewart, who was leading the first 450 moto before going down early in the race. Footage from Stewart’s GoPro helmet camera revealed a photographer had crossed the track as Stewart was landing from a jump. Although the footage revealed they weren't close enough to have collided, Stewart’s team indicated that he was forced to adjust his line and lose focus just as he hit a deep set of ruts. He went down hard. That ended Stewart’s day, as he retired to the Yoshimura Suzuki truck with a jammed wrist. His status for next weekend’s race at High Point is now uncertain, as he will get the wrist checked out when he gets back home.
The 450 pack blasts off.
Stewart pulled into the lead early in moto one.
But then a big crash ended his day.
Without Stewart to battle, Dungey was able to pull clear to solid 1-1 finishes.
Simon Cudby photos
Before the crash, Stewart had climbed from ninth to second in the first lap, and then overhauled Team Honda Muscle Milk’s Tommy Hahn for the lead. Before long Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey was into second and trying to close back in on Stewart. Once he inherited the lead after the Stewart crash, he opened up a big gap and hung on for his first moto win of the season. Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jake Weimer rode a solid race for second with Yoshimura Suzuki’s Brett Metcalfe in third.
In moto two, Dungey got the holeshot and had pressure early from Colorado’s own Andrew Short. Short rode well but eventually Dungey got away, posting 1-1 scores for the day and taking over a big points lead.
“I hate to win like that,” said Dungey, who has won three consecutive races at Thunder Valley. “James and I have pushed each other to new levels and although he won the first four motos (this season), it’s been good. Hopefully he heals up and comes back (next week). My game plan is always the same, to take it one race at a time. You can’t focus on the end result and we saw that today. I just do my own thing, put my best foot forward, and never underestimate anyone.”
Battles raged behind him, with Short under pressure from Weimer and Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Broc Tickle. Tickle rode strong and eventually overhauled Weimer for third, but Short hung on to finish second. But Tickle didn’t finish the first moto with bike problems, so that left Dungey, Weimer and Short in the top three overall.
At the sight of his first-ever win on 250s, Jake Weimer went 2-4 for second overall in the 450 class.
Andrew Short demonstrates how deep the ruts were at Thunder Valley. The home-state favorite took third overall in the 450 class.
Mike Alessi's two-race podium streak came thanks in part to an early crash in moto two.
Brett Metcalfe got around Alessi for third in moto one, but troubles early in moto two knocked him off of the overall podium.
Broc Tickle's second 450 moto--where he got around Weimer for third--was his best 450 performance yet. Bike troubles in moto one hurt his overall score.
Simon Cudby photo
Then all heck broke loose, but not in the first 250 moto. Before that race even started, the perfect storm broke out, with high winds, rain, thunder and lightning making the Thunder Valley name apt. The first 250 moto was held up for an hour, and when the racing began, the track was a little muddy—and the ruts had become super deep.
Once it started, the 250 class hosted its usual array of crazy racing. Barcia grabbed the holeshot in the first moto and spent much of the race holding off Red Bull KTM’s Ken Roczen, who would make frequent attacks from second. Points leader Blake Baggett, on a Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki, caught neutral off the start while shifting from first to second gear (first gear starts are needed at altitude, and up Thunder Valley’s uphill start). He had to come from way back. Also way back was last week’s winner Eli Tomac got a poor start. Tomac worked his way into the top ten and then tipped over and lost a few spots. Later Baggett would have a similar crash in the deep ruts himself while trying to pas Rockstar Suzuki’s Blake Wharton. Despite that, Tomac and Baggett kept moving forward, with Tomac getting to fourth, and Baggett to third.
Late in the moto, Roczen tried another run on Barcia but also crashed in a rut, similar to Baggett and Tomac. This allowed Barcia to cruise to victory, while Roczen got up under heavy pressure from Baggett. Roczen managed to hand on for second.
Barcia got back to his old starting tricks in Colorado.
Barcia and Roczen were about this close all day.
Simon Cudby photos
Wil Hahn grabbed the holeshot in the second moto but Barcia swept to the inside and immediately had the lead again, with Roczen all over him, again. Roczen’s teammate Marvin Musquin was there, as well, but this time Baggett and Tomac had better starts, and soon Barcia, Roczen, Baggett and Tomac were into the top four spots. Each exchanged fast laps, putting on a first-rate battle. At one point, Tomac looked like the fastest rider of the group, but around the halfway mark, Baggett began putting together one of his patented charges, getting away from Tomac, and then getting around Roczen and Barcia and pulling away with the lead.
Barcia would later say he was suffering from rear brake problems, but if he held on for second, he would still edge Baggett for the overall win. But Roczen, after about an hour of trying through the two motos, finally made a pass on him. This set up Baggett for the overall win with a 3-1, until a crazy last lap. Barcia put in one last-ditch charge to try to get Roczen, and when Roczen got held up by lappers, Barcia was able to pull alongside him. Roczen tried to block Barcia’s line by cutting across some ruts. They touched, and Roczen went down. Barcia stayed up and took second back over, which put him back into the overall lead. Tomac also got around Roczen for third. At the finish, Baggett won the moto, but Barcia edged his 3-1 with 1-2 scores. Roczen’s 2-4 edged Tomac’s 4-3.
“Last weekend was tough on me, but today was awesome,” said Barcia, who last won as a rookie during the 2009 season. “The first moto couldn’t have gone any better and the second moto was good too. I knew what I had to do (in the second moto). I rode my own race a little bit, but then I put on a hard charge at the end. Ken and I may have touched a little bit, but I just kept going.”
Baggett took off with the second-moto win.
Once again, Barcia and Roczen hooked up in a battle.
Roczen and Barcia came together on the last lap, Roczen went down and Barcia stayed up--and that made the difference for the overall win.
Simon Cudby photos
In the WMX class, Patterson and Team Honda’s Ashley Fiolek put on a superb battle in the first moto, one of the best in their long-running rivalry for the top spot. The two were never more than a few bike lengths apart, but Patterson held on to win.
Things got crazy in moto two, as Fiolek had a big crash and was only able to solider on to finish sixth. Patterson had troubles as well, allowing Lucas Oil Troy Lee Honda’s Tarah Gieger to take the lead. Then Gieger made a bobble, and Patterson took the lead, giving her 1-1 scores and the overall win. Gieger and Fiolek rounded out the podium.
"I didn't feel like I was in my groove in the first moto, but Ashley and I had a really great battle, and that made it fun," said Patterson. "It was good for the fans, too. I've got that red plate, and the team says I'm not not allowed to lose the points lead because it looks sweet on the bike."
The series next heads east to High Point Raceway in Mt. Morris, Pennsylvania.
JP$ was money in the WMX class.
Simon Cudby photo
450 Moto Results
Overall
- Ryan Dungey 1 1
- Jacob Weimer 2 4
- Andrew Short 7 2
- Nico Izzi 5 5
- Brett Metcalfe 3 10
- Mike Alessi 4 9
- Justin Brayton 9 6
- Michael Byrne 12 7
- Billy Laninovich 11 8
- Kyle Chisholm 10 11
- Broc Tickle 35 3
- Mathew Lemoine 13 12
- Shane Sewell 14 13
- Josh Grant 8 19
- Ryan Sipes 6 26
- Derek Anderson 16 16
- Ben LaMay 18 15
- Vince Friese 15 18
- Les Smith 20 14
- Jimmy Albertson 37 17
- Kevin Rookstool 17 23
- Evgeny Mikhaylov 19 20
- Justin Sipes 23 22
- Michael Giese 26 27
- Austin Howell 34 21
- Cole Thompson 21 34
- Dustin Pipes 27 29
- Heath Harrison 25 31
- Robert Lind 29 28
- Kyle Regal 22 37
- Drew Yenerich 24 36
- Jake Loberg 31 30
- Nick Paluzzi 39 24
- Alexander Millican 30 33
- Tye Hames 28 35
- Tucker Saye 32 32
- Preston Mull 40 25
- Tommy Hahn 33 38
- Sean Collier36 39
- James Stewart 38 40
The 450 overall podium.
Simon Cudby photo
450 Class Championship Standings
1. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM, 136
2. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki, 101
3. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Suzuki, 100
4. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., Suzuki, 100
5. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda, 97
6. Brett Metcalfe, Mannum, Australia, Suzuki, 84
7. Josh Grant, Riverside, Calif., Kawasaki, 73
8. Nico Izzi, Rochester, Mich., Yamaha, 71
9. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Kawasaki, 63
10. Kyle Chisholm, Valrico, Fla., Kawasaki, 50
250 Results
Overall
- Justin Barcia 1-2
- Blake Baggett 3-1
- Ken Roczen 2-4
- Eli Tomac 4-3
- Marvin Musquin 5-5
- Malcolm Stewart 8-6
- Blake Wharton 6-9
- Wil Hahn 10-7
- Kyle Cunningham 9-10
- Jake Canada 7-14
- Ivan Tedesco 14-8
- Gareth Swanepoel 13-13
- Jason Anderson 12-15
- Travis Baker 16-12
- Hunter Hewitt 15-16
- Jessy Nelson 22-11
- Alex Martin 11-39
- Zack Freeberg 17-19
- Kyle Peters 20-17
- Phil Nicoletti 27-18
- Kellian Rusk 18-21
- Tevin Tapia 19-36
- AJ Catanzaro 40-20
- Ryan Zimmer 21-24
- Dakota Tedder 25-23
- Michael Akaydin 26-26
- Myles Tedder 24-33
- Kerim Fitz-Gerald 31-27
- Dylan Schmoke 28-30
- Joey Peters 23-35
- Travis Bell 38-22
- Landon Powell 32-28
- Ignacio Pazos 29-31
- Erick Meusling 37-25
- Shawn Rhinehart 36-29
- Chad Crawford 34-22
- Trevor Whitmarsh 30-38
- Ozzy Barbaree 35-34
- John Pauk 33-37
- Garrett Eckman 39-40
The 250 overall podium.
Simon Cudby photo
250 Class Championship Standings
1. Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., Kawasaki, 139
2. Justin Barcia, Monroe, N.Y., Honda, 123
3. Ken Roczen, Apolda, Germany, KTM, 120
4. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda, 117
5. Marvin Musquin, La Reole, France, KTM, 84
6. Blake Wharton, Pilot Point, Texas, Suzuki, 82
7. Wil Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Honda, 71
8. Kyle Cunningham, Fort Worth, Texas, Yamaha, 65
9. Jake Canada, Sun City, Calif., Honda, 62
10. Ivan Tedesco, Murrieta, Calif., Kawasaki, 61
WMX Results
Overall
- Jessica Patterson 1-1
- Tarah Gieger 3-2
- Ashley Fiolek 2-6
- Sayaka Kaneshiro 7-3
- Jacqueline Strong 4-5
- Mariana Balbi 6-4
- Sara Pettersson 5-7
- Alexah Pearson 8-11
- Sade Allender 12-9
- Amanda Brown 11-10
- Christina Reed 9 13
- Brianna DeGray 10-14
- Kasie Creson 20-8
- Alyssa Fitch 17-12
- Ashley Boham 14-15
- Sarah Whitmore 13-18
- April Zastrow 15-19
- Sydney Dickson 18-17
- Jackie Ives 16-20
- Chelsea Newbold 21-16
- Meghan McClain 19-21
- Ashleigh Hall 22- 22
- Tressa Rau 23-23
- Lauren Volentir 24-24
- Justine Cox 25-25
- Cady VanCura 26-26
- Meghan Rutledge 27-27
- Christel Allen 28 28
WMX Class Standings
1. Jessica Patterson, Tallahassee, Fla., Suzuki, 141
2. Ashley Fiolek, St. Augustine, Fla., Honda, 125
3. Tarah Gieger, Aguadilla, Puerto Rico., Honda, 114
4. Sayaka Kaneshiro, Osaka, Japan, Honda, 99
5. Mariana Balbi, Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Honda, 88
6. Jacqueline Strong, Cottonwood, Ariz., KTM, 82
7. Meghan Rutledge, New South Wales, Australia, Kawasaki, 78
8. Sara Pettersson, Sweden, KTM, 76
9. Kasie Creson, Vallejo, Calif., Honda, 75
10. Sade Allender, Sanford, Maine, Honda, 52
Share this article:
Did you like this article?
Check out MY LIFE IN MOTORCYCLE RACING
in our Latest issue of Racer X available now.
Jean-Michel Bayle, the iconic superstar of yesteryear, raced motocross for the first time in twenty-one years at the Vets MXdN in England. Page 126.
Look for the verified symbol 
Impulse Studios
@Mr-Mx - I agree with some of that post.. but to say that there shouldn't be anyone to help the riders get going when they go down is dumb. If a rider is fighting for his life and no one is there to help them they could die. I think making it so you can't cross the track, yeah, that is a good idea because that basically ruined James' chances of winning, I am rooting for Dungey but I don't want to see riders get hurt.
That guy crossing the track was BS, may have caused Stewart's crash to end his day & maybe his season, I don't want to see Dungey win it like this, I don't beleive Dungey would have beat Stewart anyway, if Dungey does win the Championship it will be like the last time he won outdoor, there was nobody fast in there
Great rides from Weimer and Tickle, Good to see some guys stepping up
Bubba's excuse about the photographer is ridiculous. Watch the video. He crashes a good 40 feet after because he gets cross rutted. The guy was never in his line. Distracted him a little, maybe. But Bubba did what Bubba does.
James could have lost his concentration resulting in the cross rut. But someone crossing the track during a race is total bullshit!
@partyboy I am glad at least 1 person watched what happened to Stew. It was his his fault 100%. That guy had nothing to do with anything. Time for Stewie to man up and take responsibility for the crash. I hope he is ok.
As predicted before round 1, KTM/Dungey/DeCoster strategy to follow for first 3 weekends was correct.
Now, let the whining commence, and reach a fever pitch around Friday, when the Yosh team finally has to capitulate and put out a press release about broken bones.
Regal's finishes thus far make me sad.
I think it is a credit to Dungey's character that he acknowledged after (both_ Moto's that he was sorry to have to win this way, at the expense of James' demise.
That said, you... nor I, have no way of knowing what that dudes presence crossing over the track just before James landed off that jump, really had to do with what he (thought) at that instant. One thing I do know is, it certainly got his attention, and altered his immediate game plan, was it enough to warrant the ensuing soil sample he regrettably took???
I have no clue, I wasn't there, nor am I James to say it did or it didn't have any cause.
But, as these boards always seem to provide, are those that (know) more than you, or I., or even James for that matter. And he (James) will be tried, convicted and sentenced, right here on these boards. And I will just shake my head in the fact that people will fabricate what they want to believe, and type it out as if it were actually the truth....
THE END
The AMA ,the promoters,whoever needs to ban this photographer\track worker who ever the dude is from the races for the rest of the season!...You dont cross the track during the race JACKASS!!!!!!
Riding a rutted track is one of the most dificult things you can do on a motorcycle. Riding a motocross bike at these speeds is something no one here can relate to.Ride at these speeds through ruts with a pedestrian in your path for a half a second....I can't imagine. Hannah would have ran the guy over...but Hannah never rode close to the speed of these guys, (yes I was there)
If you disagree then you weren't there, and you don't know how to ride
The crash was the result of a lapse in racer concentration stemming from the racer's over-reaction to one of the many "track crossers." The situation was nothing more than that, and it is obvious to the minute minority of intelligent MX fans.
Some tracks have "tunnels" underneath jumps where fans (and anyone else) can cross the track by going through them instead of crossing the track. This is an excellent remedy to the problem.
Huh?
First time response to these boards and I have a couple of questions for everyone:
When is the last time you saw someone run across the track during a Formula 1GP?
When is the last time you saw someone run across the track during a Moto GP?
NEVER
Anyone who does not acknowledge the fact that this disturbance while landing from a fairly large step down at 50 mph would not cause a distraction sufficient enough to induce a skilled rider to crossrut has obviously NEVER ridden motocross at any competitive level. It is wrong...it should have never happened. None of us has EVER ridden even close to the level of James Stewart let alone the slowest qualifier. At the speeds these guys are traveling through DEEP ruts and mucky terrain the last thing any of these guys needs to worry about is some jackass running across the track. I hope they find him and ban him...I hope it was a great photo. Hopefully we'll see you next week James
Regal has a bum shoulder he will start putting in results that we all know he can.
I know I'm going to just get labelled as a steward lover and just making excuses for him but the second he came over that lip he would have seen that person standing there and instantly changed his line, not knowing weather he would move out the way or not, and riding into them ruts you would only need to be a few inches off your line, or leaned in or out a few inches too much to loss your balance, being startled by
that person can defiantly cause that,a anyone that has ever raced Mx would know.
I am soooo sick of morons on this site and you tube commenting that it had nothing to do with it.. STFU! You obviously don't race MX! Stop talking about shhht you know nothing about!
A minor distraction like that can mess us your judgement coming into a bunch of muddy ruts...
Anyways he ain't hating on that dude, he has just said that it mucked him up a bit... Who cares, it's not like he went after him...
All you haters have been pretty quite for a few weeks, hopefully he can come back and put you all back in your hole!!!
Barcia did it all supercross season and he's doing it at the outdoors now!!!
KRoc learn the american racing way and bang that guy hard!!!
GO KRoc!!!!
While I agree crossing the track is not a factor in most racing it is in mx. Stewart
had plenty of room to move slow down or even stop and kick the guys ass. instead sadly he lost concentration and went down.As distractions go this was light duty stuff and he can't blame aytone but himself.
can someone please explain to me why the piece of S%&T "Photo" guy was WALKING across a active motocross track...common sense tells you to run AND don't walk while Stewart was up in the air over the jump!!! I hope someone beat that stupid F&*K for outing Stewart! I remember when it was HARD to get a infield press pass...
Any normal person should know early in a race where the leader is - especially a photographer with an in-field pass! You gotta be a real Fukstik to WALK across the track right in front of the leader! Sorry, but you immature disrespectful zit faced teens who post in this forum have no idea what it takes to perform at the level any of these guys run. You come over a blind jump and some F'ing retard is walking gingerly across the track in front of you - I guarantee you at the pace these guys are running you will take a hit to your concentration. Most of the folks who post on this site are an absolute disgrace to this sport - grow a sack and run Stewart's pace before you badmouth him or any other rider that has the balls to enter an AMA National.
To anyone who has read my post here concerning James Stewart I want to apologize for any negative comments I have said about him. I do not agree with the way he and his father handle their business but that is no excuse for saying negative things about him. He is an imperfect human being just as we all are and I have been hypocritical for judging him instead of making observations about his racing. I can not go to church this morning in good conscience until I do this. Again I apologize.
Just goes to show how unpredictable this fine sport really is. Just when JS 7 is looking like maybe he would go 24-0, something unpredidtable happens. And it sucks. Sucks for the whole sport in general. Even Dungey says he doesn't like it this way. Hopefully JS will be back soon enough to bring back the excitement. This does change the whole points standings, but if JS can make a comeback, it's good, cuz we all know he won't be holding back. He is there for a reason, and that wouldn't be to crash or finish anywhere other than the front. Good luck with the injury James. Come back soon. And make this the season we were all hoping for. Just for the record, in case you weren't aware, I am a Dungey fan all the way, but like everyone else, I wish they were all out there for the sake of the sport. And I hate on no-one. Well, wasn't ever too fond of MA 800 and his shenanagins, but he seems to be coming around and if he keeps it up, I think that would be cool too. Gotta be something about this guy, he has a pretty hot wife! Heard him call her his wife, but don't recall the marriage. Must not have been newsworthy. But not that often do we hear about the weddings. We see the battles on the track-not the bedroom battles! lol
No one has any business being out for a stroll across the track when the guys are out there...period. The douchebag wasn't even running, he was walking like he was in a park somewhere. Second, knock off the B.S. that Dungey was handed anything, and the best guys aren't out there. The guys on the gate are the best riders in the world...plain and simple. The 40th fastest rider would smoke any of us on our best day. You want to bust Dungeys balls for being vanilla, ok, but don't say he doesn't earn it. Consistency wins championships
I hate to see Stewart out.
That said, the distraction excuse is ridiculous. There are far more distractions than that guy every lap (like Dungey's front wheel).
I know...it is clear that by reading the comments of some people on herevthat they have never raced mx...outside of their living rooms on some stupid game console.
And here is one more thing to consider...you idiots that say it was Stewarts fault for losing concentration and cross fitting...GoPro cams are wide angle so the image we saw of that photagrapher (while James was in the air) may have seemed like he was far enough away but in reality he was much much closer.
I usually don't say these things but you blatant Stewart haters are useless and contribute nothing to these forums -as a matter of fact hating on any of these guys after an incident like that reveals to all what POS you really are.
I hate to hear that if Dungey wins, that he won because there were no fast guys out there. He can run with James Stewart and Ryan Villopoto. if any one of those guys(anyone on the gate, especially the top 10 or 15) show up at a local track, he'd look like a superstar, so don't say that there weren't any fast riders out there. Get a clue!
Geez, I just watched the 2nd 250 moto and there were photogs running across the track throughout the race! They need to get their passes stripped for a weekend or two. I dont think that guy put Stewie down but he could have, and it also could have been a whole lot worse. Yes, it has happened before. Didnt someone hit a track worker on a atv? Lets reign these guys in a bit, their pics aint that good anyway.
You cant really compare it to Motogp or F1, those guys are going 200mph. It would make a hell of a video game though!
Oh! And congrats Mookie! Nice ride!!
Just came to me whilst reading the above.
How many times has RD5 crashed thus far into the "national" season ?
And "really"? barring this incident let's drop the whole 24-0 thing,as close as the racing was-
it was just a matter of time.
I was glad to see JS7 finally find his mojo after a very disappointing supercross season and get back on top where I think he belongs. This could be a huge setback for him because I honestly think he's running out of time.
I also think Dungey was just as fast and as a seasoned rider was just patiently waiting things out because of James history of crashing over the last couple of years.
Gee, let's cross the track on the "backside" of a jump. Not very smart but seemed kind of a stretch to blame him for JS7's crash.
Do any of u ride? 7 was running inside hard every lap after that jump...photog made him go to the left...did he cause the crash...no, did he alter the path that led to the crash..absolutely...stamp it..
I hope James is alright from his wicked crash. It will take a miracle to make up those points on somebody like RD. It is a shame that none of the other riders will step up and challenge RD. But due to lack of competition, the 450 title chase is already over.
Amazing how the same video is seen by everyone and explained so many different ways losers. As a few people here have stated we could not even buckle James' boots let alone start or ride his bike, he went down after the track crosser but no doubt a huge distraction, as for JB and KR, Barcia made a bold move to the outside Roczen tried to stop it and he went down not sure how you can Bam-Bam on the outside.
@rickamatuzio....Karma?? Really?? WTF does that mean?? That guy has been doing everything right in his return to MX and you cite "third person talk" because he said "James, you've got to do something to make a change" in an interview?? What should he have said?? "Harry, you have to do something"?? STFU!! @Hammerhead, the funny thing is that he hadn't seen RD's front wheel in that race yet, and he had seen it several times the last few weeks with no ill effects!! 9th to first in the first two laps including once agin passing Dungey (i like RD) is badass stuff!! And to the dumba-s above who said that staying behind was KTM's "strategy"...you are a fool they did not purposely give up 14 points in the 1st 3 races!! James was indeed the pilot of the bike when he crashed, but to say that seeing a non-rider human being on the track while in the air and going at that speed obviously did make him change up his line and lose concentration.......there was just as much of a chance that he could have navigated and made it through, yes....but to say that it didn't play in to it is ridiculous. If you are happy about this, you suck and are not a true fan of the sport...if you have been silent on here the last few weeks while he was winning but now return to comment after his misfortunes....you suck and are not a true fan of the sport. If you are glad he may potentially be out you are not a fan of the sport as now you will get the boredom of watching RD run away with it because JS and RD were the only two that were going to give you some good close racing this year. Amazing some of you call yourself "fans"!!!
hey pizzacorner, you are a moron!! where have you been the last few weeks d-bag?? how can your idiotic mouth say JS has been crashing every since he can't pull away?? Is that what he did the previous 3 motos with RD right on his ass?? No it isn't, and yesterday RD wasn't even on his ass, so for you to say that the loser standing in the middle of the track was not a distraction is just...well.....you are an idiot, and obviously a racist because you whine about "minority status"...man some of you punks need your butts kicked!! Loser!!
I don't think that guy made Stewart crash, however, this brings up an on going problem we have always had in MX. At local races I cross the track during a race but make sure there is no one coming for awhile, as I'm sure you guys do as well. I don't know if the guy should be banned because he is by far not the only one doing it, but who ever is in charge needs to put a stop to that, it can be life threatening to many people.
Much thanks for the stooge running acroww the track. Maybe now the AMA will get a better control on things !!!!!
And to all of you beginners out making stupid comments like it's total BS obviously don't race. He committed himself to a line before he even crested that jump. JS knew where he wanted to go a lap ago. Throw in someone running across the track and he has to change his line, and that is why he fell somewhere else.
Had the yellow flag been out at least he would know something is up, but I never heard of a yellow flag being thrown because someone is running across the track ...
Now go back to racing on your keyboard !!!!
Well lets hear all the whiners who said Barcia is a dirty rider cry about Roczen crossing those set of ruts to get into Barcia?? Where are they, if it was Barcia the haters would be screaming about him being dirty. Where are the whiners??
And AGAIN--V-O-R contributes NOTHING but to the conversation except whining and moaning and arguing.. Typical of him..
It would be nice to see the video at real speed and not in slo-motion or paused. You can bet he was going wayyyy faster than what that showed.
motodog1977 has it right, 100% right !!!!!
"First and with little doubt, the pin headed photographer needs to be publicly identified, flogged, have his camera and credentials shoved up his "nose"...and barred from ANY sport more complicated than say...ping-pong. Anyone who thinks that this didn't end JS7's concentration and ENDANGERED HIM doesn't know their collective elbows from their...well, you know."
Like I said JS knew where he wanted to go a lap ago.
@Pizza, What is your "Chad Reed Way" about? Now Stewarts crash is becausae he is a minority? You really come up with some weird stuff. I'm not a Bubbles fan, but he is really riding well, and saying and acting like new man. Seems very humble. RV1 appearently soil samples too, must be because he has red hair huh??
WOW that was a distraction???? maybe to a guy on a yz 490 blitzin some sand whoops in the desert...Ohh my bad he has got 6 beers in him and no goggles so he wouldn't of even seen him....
My take is this after watching the helmet cam.....No way did that guy get in the way.. and the crash came a few seconds after he crossed..These guys can switch lines mid air to avoid a rider and bike downed in the landing troff of a jump that big and do it over and over ...also they go off these huge hits side by side whipped out and make changes to there lines and constantly have to adjust to lappers and track conditions.....
2nd point ....how many times has a rider in SX moved to avoid a hay bale or track banner or rider down or ..etc..JS7 was no where near this dude at all...then crashed seconds after he was clear in a turn....A distraction is Dungey breathing down your neck for all 30 minutes..JS7 clearly could focus for 2 motos of that and still win......He has more focus and ability to avoid a guy crossing the track 100 yards in front of him....Anyone on here saying that caused him to fall is a very passionate JS7 fan and nothing more..probably the same blind fools hating on the Yamaha saying it was never his fault...The Yamaha just threw him over the bars and steered him into that hay bale all by itself....clearly never never his fault...This will not be the only time he crashes on Yellow..just wait til all are healthy and challenging him in SX...NOW THAT IS A DISTRACTION BUDDY!!!
James is out there racing for free and people still look for any chance to a cheap shot.
Let me frame these comments by saying that I don't believe I have ever rooted for Stewart before. There has always been another rider (like RC) or brand (like KTM) I preferred. That being said, I cannot believe anyone who has ever ridden a bike at speed could doubt the impact of someone strolling across the track in your field of view. Really people, put the hate aside. If you must pin it on Stewart, he probably wouldn't have crashed if he had backed out of the throttle for a second to regroup like 99% of the other riders would.
Now the 450 class has become even more of a snooze-fest, going from a two rider battle to a one rider freight train (good for KTM though!). Thank God for the crazy competitive 250 class - I love every minute of those motos.Time to put some excitement back in the 450 class- I am officially starting a rumor that the "photographer" was Chad Reed or Roger DeCoster. We need the FBI to examine the footage now!
JAMES STEWART IS TRUSTWORTHY
WOW! All the people that think the track crosser wasn't the cause of the crash are crazy. Stewart said himself it was why it happened, why would he lie? James Stewart is honest and does not tell lies. His face and eyes show an honest loved person, I believe him when he says "I took time to check out track crosser", why would he need to lie? It's sad people don't believe him, why lie? He is rich, loved, and won everything, and racing for free, I don't think this guy needs to lie about anything.
Overhauled? "eventually overhauled Weimer for third". Not sure I've ever heard 'overhaul' used like that. I'll try to integrate that into my vocabulary this week. "Ya Frank, you should have seen me overhaul the fat lady in purple spandex to the check out line at Walmart."
photo guy, track worker or whatever; whomever it was needs to have their track credentials taken for at least the 2012 nationals!! a message needs to b sent that this amateur hour bull shit is not welcome or allowed. in any other sport something like that, heads would be rolling. really; just try to imagine downhill skiing, horse racing, nascar or whatever other sport this would be tolerated. i myself believe this had to bee a total accident, and whomever did not have any idea someone was headed to the jump; probably because of the hilly aspect of the track; still something needs to be done.
Hey Jason Weigandt, some guy posted this on JS website under James post race update and i agree...any thoughts on this?? Were you guys told in your ear to be hush hush about it?? i think this guy nails it......"Okay, I respect JS for always staying positive, and continuing to bring his love and talent for the sport — and for winning. Don’t want to get anyone down, but sorry, this Thunder Valley incident is bizarre!
No doubt, viewing the GoPro footage, you can see how problematic (and strange?) the track crossing was. Just as JS reaches the crest and jumps, a person appears ahead, directly on line. It’s Startling for sure. Mid-air correction? Surely, you can see as soon as the front touches down, it cross-ruts, and continues to until JS is finally down. It was a high-speed incident. Small input created one continuous event. But what of questions and answers?
NBC Sports never once replayed the incident during the actual coverage of moto 1 (only GoPro stream later), nor did they really question or discuss the issue of persons crossing the track as a leader is approaching. No replay, questions, or answers, yet they were ready and quick to show past footage of three JS crashes from Supercross season. Not only did that seem wrong — unfair and rude even, it was indeed uninformative!
Someone even tweeted a couple minutes after that they couldn’t believe it. I was thinking the same thing. I have never seen a pro race where they did not show a replay of the leader going down, let alone review how!
To add insult to injury (actual injury!), during the second moto, the commentator (name withheld) even went on to initiate the “speed versus consistency” narrative, so ready to fault JS, still without ever addressing, sufficiently or respectfully, the track crossing issue. Like WTF?!! I’m just a fan. I sure wanted to know more — like who, why and how??
Anyone else feel it was a creepy day in motocross?"........end of quote!!
So why were you guys so hush hush about it?? Why did we only see James trying to remount and not see the actual incident?? This is a huge deal and you guys brushed it off!! C'mon moto journalists, do we get some info on this totally game changing incident or not??? Strange indeed!! Oh, and to those saying "it had no effect"...you are full of s h i t!! Yellow flags wave for downed riders, and riders and bikes going down are expected occurrences, being in mid air and seeing some jack off, non rider, spectator type in the landing path while going that speed is unexpected and should not be happening at a MX national........arm chair racers all of you....dude had once again made quick work of getting 9 riders including Dungey behind him in short order.....this sucks and for some reason the "media" is being real weird about it!!
....and do please address why in the hell they were so quick to show old SX crashes!! Pathetic broadcasting right there!! Oh, look some idiot was in the middle of the track "possibly" causing the points leader to go down...oh well no biggie, just look at this video from SX, hell this guy crashes all the time!!! That is just crappy producing and commentating.....maybe your hands were tied but whats up??
All you people that think his crash wasn't the fault of the guy crossing should STFU. When was the last time you were racing and came off a jump... mid air looked at your landing and saw a guy right in the middle of the track? All of you are saying stuff about distractions... ya there are a lot of distractions but not PEOPLE CROSSING THE TRACK!! This is absurd and the AMA should do something about it... I want to see the video in real time and not slow mo because it would make it seem less like he crashed 100 feet after the fact. Props to James.. he's came back just as fast as he's ever been.. I'm a fan of MX and don't really have favorites... so haters gonna hate.. James is bad ass in my book and have the upmost respect for him and the effort he gives...
I noticed the track crosser looked a little bull-legged; probably a cowboy. Does anybody know the whereabouts of Kenny Bartram during the time in question?
Kenny Bartram = KTM connection = conspiracy!!
Must have been a RacerX photog!!
Pisses me off that people gotta say Dungey or Reed will only win when the fastest guys are out , its not all about being the fastest ! You gotta be Smart , Tough , and Lucky too. I agree that people shouldn't be on the track when guys are racing, It sucks that Stewart went down , him and Dungey were racing so close and clean it was very exciting , hope James is ok and we can continue to watch some more great racing this summer !
I see yet another anti-stewart tard (KM306) has awakened from his silence of the last few weeks.....you pansies who don't show up when James is winning and only due when things go wrong are just sad cases!! True MX fans aren't you?? Jokers!!
Man, super impressed with Tickle. I think we might start to see some more of those results, whenever you hear an interview with him he says how mental this sport is and how his is mentally not there, but now, he has had his first podium in the big class and I hope he starts doing a bit better. I feel bad for him because everyone says that he didn't earn that title.
Wow, what a crazy day! I really hope Stewart is not seriously injured and will be back (otherwise, this season's going to be a snooze fest). The crowd seemed a bit sparse compared to previous years. Anyone know what the attendance was? Thx!
I like how all the Stewart fans are calling people out for not posting for a few weeks, well I have a question for you Stewart fans: Where were you guys from January - May?
Honestly, I don't care if you don't post because your guy isn't winning, it's just so many of these Stewart fans have just came out of nowhere since Hangtown, some of you I've never even seen on this website until Hangtown.
Over the years I have had press creditials many times. Each time I show up to pick up the passes I am told where I can and can not go. It has always been clear you do not cross the track while the race is in progress. This year at Freestone when I picked up my creds, I was givin verbal instruction, as well as a laminated card with the schedule on one side and the restrictions on other side. It makes it clear to stay at least 5' off the track and to use the offical track crossings. It states that you do not cross a hot track or position yourself in areas of limited visibility such as jumps , backsides and turns.
It is never a good idea to break a rule designed to make racing safer, it was a very bad decision on behalf of the photographer. I am sure Mx Sports will find out who the person is and take action to keep it from happening again.
I really like how the JS HATERS are blaming James for the person crossing the track ...
Did you hear that James it's your fault that, that person crossed the track in front of you !!!!
Wow James was railroaded, taken out in the prime of his race. Like some of you had mentioned, I thought it was strange too that they were able to switch to the Stewart Follies right after the crash, to highlight the many crashes by James over the last few years. Hopefully James will be ok so Ryan will have someone to race with.
@BD25- I have been to many nationals over the years in my long life and I see those photographer right out on the edge of track, hoping fences and crossing the tracks. I didn't know they had rules to follow, I guess some of them can't read. Glad at least you follow the rules.
Well a lot of rd haters say he can't pass. Well we now know that JS can't pass a photographer!
It's a bummer people that don't race post know-it-all statements on here.
A riders concentration is the single most important element during a race, even a stray thought can lead to a mishap. If James was distracted just for a moment, at the speed, that's all it takes.
@preston - I was talking about the people who call other people 'Stewart haters' and how they are no where to be found. While during the SX season Stewart fans were no where to be found. Like I said I really don't care and am just going to stop talking about. Have fun!
Being a photo-journolist just got more difficult.
No matter what, Racer productions has a big problem on their hands that they didn't have before the first 450 gate drop.........wind & lightning have nothing on errant photo-journolists.
For his indiscretion, the journo (if that is in fact, the case) should be publicly named and let the fallout fall onto his shoulders.
It's too bad we have this event blocking the discussion of an otherwise great event......except for the wind.........and the rain..........and the lightning......and the delays.........
Inherent dislike for any individual will bring negative, doubting comments every time, such is the case here with this (JS) incident!! It is completely and absolutely possible that James going down when and where he did could have happened even if no idiot had crossed the track, that is true, but for anybody to say that there is no way that what actually did happen could have anything to do with it is completely absurd!! So many of the people saying it couldn't affect the situation are people who historically bag on the guy so like i said in the beginning, it just goes with the territory. I don't care if it was Chad Reed, Ryan Villopoto, Ryan Dungey or Jason Thomas, i would feel the same!! Absolutely nobody but James knows whether it threw his concentration enough to have affected the situation, there is just no way you can say or prove that it didn't!! Unless you just don't like James Stewart (there are those) this sucks big time for the fans, both his and fans in general!! I agree with the quote from the guy in "newguy's" post above too....very strange (non) coverage of the whole thing!! Sincerely hope your hand is alright JS...you were bringing it!!!
Oh yeah, how did they not have a camera on this "event" when it happened????
While this is / was a HUGE gaffe, there were some very good shots of Tomac, Roczen, Dungey and Alessi at speed in the ruts that were very impressive.......riding ruts is clearly not for the timid.
did they ever show Alessi go down? I saw it as the camera was going away from he and Brayton?, as they were both going down. but they didn't mention it. Alessi got up in 38th(last) and got up to 9th? pretty good ride for him! he's still one to watch
Go K-ROC, BEAT BARCIA! IZZI IS THE REAL DEAL!!
everyone deal with it! james is 36 points down, dungey will go on and win the championship, james will keep crashing out and everyone will validate he's excuses every time, im not saying i hate james or i dont agree he's a hell of a rider but be honest how many time has he crashed out on the 2012 season? as they say TO FINISH FIRST, FIRST YOU HAVE TO FINISH! and give credit to dungey the guy has the same speed as stewart he proved it on freestone!
@HandlebarDragger......you seriously should be ashamed of yourself!! Good thing you can sit in the secrecy of your home and speak your trash from a keyboard!! You are weak and it is futile to even address you but i will and say that i hope you are not as insecure as your comments make you out to be......and yes i am reading between the lines to see beyond your surface claims of intelligence and strength to see that you are either very angry or insecure or both..............hope you get better!! Okay, now i once again await your retaliation of words which will once again only mask your problems.......how long does the "high" last after you post this stuff?? Sad!!
@11shv......"and give credit to dungey the guy has the same speed as stewart he proved it on freestone!"...then why didn't he win when he started ahead of James both times "on" freestone???
Without #7 this could turn into another "who gets 2nd" series.
Wonder what Robbie Reynard thinks of all this....
hey handlebardude, you won't answer this honestly cuz it's easy to see right through you but what the hell i'll give it a shot...........if the guy had crossed in front of RV or CR and they had said that it distracted them would you also call out the reedtards and villotards and the say that Chad and/or RV's frontal lobe was not fully developed?? Are you an equal opportunity hater??
JS wreck was 100% his fault, 100% not 95, in motocross bales get kicked out in front of you riders go down, lines change it could have been anything. It probabaly distracted JS to see a jerk walking across or even pissed him off, it would me. The A**HOLE crossing the track should be fined and banned for a year. Our racers have enough to deal with besides someone who thinks they need across the track right there instead of walking around. Jerks were still doing it when the 250's were racing- STUPID and inconsiderate, If I was racing I would think about trying to hit them.
My point is when racing at the top speed you can handle you need to continually tune everything else out but you, your bike, the track and your competitors. Clearly the jerk wasn't even close to getting hit, but he wasn't moving very fast when JS first saw him. JS would have had to chang lines if it had been a hay bale or rider down and he had the time to do it. I say very probably it was a lapse in focus at a tough part of the track that could have been triggered by JERK and probably was- if so JS should not have lost focus- he is too fast and too good to let that happen. I hope its not serious as he was riding really well and looking comfortable. Get well soon man.
In the 250s I am pulling for JB, ET and BB - you go boys !!!
Wow... great to see Newguys comments on here as someone who uses a combination of intelligence, logic and racing experience to convey comments. His perspective on the track crosser and the impact on James' crash was spot on... and how it was addressed by the media was very strange. If you don't have any experience on the subject, why throw out comments that are way off track?
Also sad so see all the Stewart haters on here. None of you are perfect and neither is James but he is an amazing racer, period. Everyone has their favorite riders and their least favorite riders but the degree of negativity on here is absurd. I can only imagine the issues that you personally have that warrants such a degree of hate on any rider. Makes our sport look bad...
These riders have the fastest reflexes in all of sports so you can't tell me that guy caused him to crash. Maybe sent him down a different path but let's be real, make a couple adjustments and ride it out. I think it was a small mental mistake on James part to get cross rutted and he should admit that later on.
I did notice the guy crossing the track had a Ryan Dungey T-shirt on. Hmmmm.
Was there an injury? And when is Stewy's scheduled return?
Hopefully, RacerX will provide an extensive report ....
And the 250 season has been good ... so far.
Bummed to see Stewart out and hope he won't be out long. It's been great to have him back in Motocross. Stoked to see Dungey win and can't wait for Barcia to move up to the 450's.
I'm no fan of Stewarts (doesn't like to race if it's not going his way and quits when there not) but clearly he is good for the sport. Just look at all the comments, good and bad. If we weren't talking about him what the hell would we talk about?
I was gonna point out what dinosuarmedia already did, that those go-pro cams make things look further away than they really are.
Coming off the jump he sees a guy in his line, I don't know who that wouldn't shake up.
Yes, it looked like he could have stayed up, but I think its safe to say he would not have crashed if that guy had not crossed the track right then.
It'll be a huge bummer if he is out. I predict that fan involvement and TV ratings will drop substantially.
I'd give up all the current commentators for just one David Bailey right about now!!!! Depth of MX experience.....honesty...and the ability to form a proper sentence........yep, that would work for me!!
Hello all, Ya I read this iin the morning before I went to church. Did not have time to make a comment? Now I have not read them at all ecept the first few. I don't care about what some of the opions were, I will read what I can later.
All I wanna say is what was sombody on the track for? Nobody should be crossing or on the track unless there is a downned rider! In my shor career as a racer of 27 years I have known of 2 times some idiot crossed the track in a car or truck and the leader t-boned the the IDIOT. I did watch the vid and if I was James I would have tried to jump to the left also! I also know from expierience that it is not easy to move the bike over and land in the same rut with both wheels.
Now we have Tuff Block and also pedestrian Gate from Morasis and Canard and now Stewart.
Yes the races will go on, what are we gonna do about the idiots in this wourld????????
I hate to tell you all I told ya so, but..... 2 things yesterday were not a surprise to me whatsoever - 1) Bubba crashing out hard. The book on him has been the same for years-pressure him and he will wad himself up. Clearly he feels the need to get way out front early to avoid Dungey. 2) The excuse of the person crossing the track as the reason why Bubba went down. Bubba and his posse are good at making excuses and this one has to be the all time greatest! It doesn't take an experienced MX fan to see that the person crossing the track had NOTHING to do with Bubba's crash. So all you Bubba huggers, please.... it's an embarrassment if you use that for an excuse.
OBJECTS ARE CLOSER THAN THEY APPEAR! I just wanted to point out that GoPro cams have wide-angle lenses and that guy on the track was much closer than it appears on the helmet cam.
And to pizzatard- arent you late for your KKK meeting? go away, no one wants to hear your racist rants about JS or Obama.
To further discuss Stewart's crash, take a look:
http://www.motoxaddicts.com/2012/06/03/james-stewarts-thunder-valley-crash-best-view/
Haha, I was about to the exact same video as above.
@ PBeruman, That was a better view! I now full blame it on the person crossing the traclk I would have tried to do the same move in the air also! It is not that easy. No I am not a Great Stewart fan but a fan of all who race! I paid my dues, wanna try to type with my fingers or see me walk?
@pizza`corner, Hey lets vote bama out! Also I do not think the crash was Stewart's fault. I have a lot of respect for him, hey I am sure he would have beat me in my prime?
Lets race downhill on Pikes Peak, I have done it and against a very good racer and we were both on Harley's! Ya just another episode in my crazy life.
Hey Houston I am checking out now. Talk to ya'all in the next episode of the "Days of Our Lives"
LETS RACE!!!!!!!!!!!!
After further review thanks to PBerumen, I would like to change my initial opinion and side with James a little. That was a fairly close call and looks to have definitely sent him down the wrong path.
We need to find out who that guy (idiot) was. I'm sure Suzuki would like to know.
Congrats to Dungey - You've got quite a few titles on your resume by being fast and CONSISTANT.
Congrats to KTM USA - Your first 450 AMA MX championship.
Congrats to DeCoster - Wow, we knew you'd get results, but not this quickly.
Stewart, please don't start blaming the Suzuki. They were crazy to sign you, even for free, after what happened at Yamaha.
Thank you to all the people that realize that just because someone ran across the track doesnt mean Stewart wasnt going to cartwheel 2 turns later anyway. I know Racer X may not post my comment but just knowing the kid is going to crash isnt hating on him. I used to be one of his biggest fans. Through antics and attitude I dont care for him anymore. My opinion is all. Just racing outdoors isnt going to bring me back to being a fan of his. He was bound to wreck somewhere along the line, probably more than once this season. It just so happen it occured now. is everyone really that surprised?
Hey you ignorant clowns why dont you just shut the fu ck up. Talk about somethingyou are qualified to comprehend maybe. The camera was mounted on bubbas head. Six inches above his eyes. What you saw on go pro isn't the same thing that he saw at all. Not only was he going way faster than the camera can show he was also six inches lower behind a blind jump. I am sure all you keyboard rejects could have done much better. Some of you Fu ckin idiots need to think before you open your ignorant little mouths. You are probably stupid enough to run acrosss the track just past a 5th gear blind jump at a 450 national like the drunken idiots that you are. I guess thats why you do all your racing behind a keyboard. Brainless losers.
I'm sure this isn't the first time he had someone or thing cross in front of him in his racing career. My god people get over it. He screwed up all by himself. That Roger Decoster is a smart fella I tell ya.
James got spooked by the idiot darting in front of him, no doubt. I noticed Roczen gets spooked by other riders and crashes too.
@PBerumen
Thanks for the view from the other side, It clears up several of the other stories that have been posted previosly.
It does nothing to prove the guy crossing the track caused the crash, it does show that the guy was clearly trying to get across the track at a pace faster than walking.
I will probably get labeled a HATER for my comments, or told that I am clearly only a keyboard racer.
It does clearly show Stewart crashing, and he has been doing that, although it was the Yamahas fault, for the last few seasons.
Now I do not wish any harm on Bubba, but statistics show that he has a problem keeping the bike he is riding on two wheels.
This whole forum seems quick to call people haters, and fat-slow-don't-even-ride-a-bike-keyboard-warriors. I may not have posted anything on the board in awhile but that doesn't mean I wasn't here reading it. Many of you had already handed Bubba the title, while the seasoned veterans of keyboard surfing said it was a little early to be crowning him KING and putting his FMOTP sash back across his chest.
Those of you that say the pressure that Dungey has been applying for the past couple motos has no effect on the golden GOD of motocross, are just speculating also. I am a fan of Dungey, he is a true professional, and his ability to be there at the end is why I decided to root for him even with the switch to a new bike.
I grew up racing and riding Yamahas, I was looking forward to the new bike they went out on a limb to produce. I was quickly disapointed, but knew it would take time to get the new bike dialed in. I was really happy to see Milsaps finish in second on it at Hangtown, not all that far behind James.
Lets hope James can get back on the Yellow bike and not have visions of evil track workers and photographers running through his head.
You be the judge
http://www.motocrossactionmag.com/Main/News/YOU-BE-THE-JUDGE-THE-STEWART-CRASH-FROM-A-TOTALLY-8998.aspx
Kinda looks like this was on James
JimM
Pala374
J
Thanks for the link Jim! This was unforntunate for James, but we can't see behind his eyes. Yes he has a huge history of crashing (lawn darting king), but has shown his great speed outdoors. One thing I see James repeatedly doing his whole career is get out front as fast as possible, thus causing to crash. I couldn't never understand why doesn't James let the race come to him with the speed he has.
after seeing that view, I don't see that the track crosser caused a problem, stupid for his timing yes, but caused a crash, I don't see it. Hope he's back next week.
I like to watch Bubba ride so I'm not a hater, but to use the photographer as an excuse is lame. I was sitting right there all day and Bubba used that same line several times in practice and the lap before he crashed. In practice he tried the very outside and swapped out so hard he went over the berm in the turn and down the bank, almost hitting the fence before he got stopped. He moved in a little and started using the line he crashed in and the one next to it. The lap before he crashed he used the same rut and almost ate it then. He was standing up and got his weight to far to the right side and the front tire started digging in to the right edge of the rut. He saved it that lap. The kid next to me said "Holy crap, that was close!". He came around the next lap(the photographer was at the edge of the track before Bubba even started into the ruts) and used the same rut and this time when he got his weight too far inside the front tire dug into the rut wall and it slammed him. It was just a mistake on his part. I saw several guys go down in that rut and a whole lot of guys using that same rut. Baggett was flying thru there and used it several times, but he kept his body centered over the bike. I want to see Bubba and Dungey go at it all summer so I hope he's not hurt, but he should have said "I f'ed up and went down". I bet he didn't even notice the photogragher until someone showed him the GoPro footage or mentioned it.
Anyway, the photographer crossed right in front of me and thats the way I saw it.
To all the people posting comments like "Guess we'll never know", or "We won't know until we see the footage", or my favorite "There's no way to be sure." Who the hell do you think you are?? Like everyone is sitting on edge in front of their computer screens to read your expert diagnosis of Stewart's crash... How about the fact that the person who actually had front seat to it and ate shit at 50 mph said it was due to the guy crossing the track? What's wrong with simply taking his word for it? None of you have any right to call James a liar. He's made mistakes but has also admitted to every one of them. No reason to make it more complex than it is. It's simply right there in front of you. Now, I'll shut up and let you get back to flinging poo at each other.
James talks about the crash
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=pOhdgkb01jo
If that doesn't work, try this
http://www.motocrossactionmag.com/Main/News/JAMES-STEWART-TELLS-HIS-SIDE-OF-THE-INFAMOUS-CRASH-8994.aspx
so much bla bla,,at the speeds they are going it doesnt matter, however it is the same as a lapper,,he should have pile drived that a-hole if he was in fact in the race line. also that dipstck should never be allowed in the infield again period,,end of story..congrats to the #5 for the win..KTM owes you if you deliver..good job.
1) Bubba fell a good ways past the guy 2) he falls alot, without anyone on the track 3) its his MO for the last few years 4) its never been the bike 5) K-roc was supposed to come over here and crush everyone- 'the fastest, most consistant 250 rider in the world" 6) it a LONG series and both of these guys can end up as champions!
So one crash when aguy is literally right in front of him makes you think it wasn't the bikle "mustardhead"?? Really?? He has proven that this bike is way better for him (4-0) already this year........you do realize that saying that he was "a good ways past the guy" is stupid as hell don't you?? That whole sequence happened within 2 seconds....thats in the air on the jump, a- hole on the track in your line when you first see him and then falling literally a second later!! STFU you empty headed idiot!! If that would have been Villopoto you guys would be raising holy hell and totally siding with the rider about the effect of it...and you know it!!
I see thesaidwhat forgot to take his medicine today.
@TheChosen1*"Maybe it was scrub this trying to commit suicide." thanks for the laugh!
WHAT IS THE GUYS NAME THAT RAN ACROSS THE TRACK??
@yogi13
It was pizza forskins brother
LOL there is an Eclipse or something tonight. Maybe that caused it??? I think I was getting a drink out of the fridge at that point. Could be why James crashed.
James took that same line the lap before. He didn't have a swap causing his front to tuck the lap before though.
If James hadn't of hurt his hand it wouldn't be a hot topic. The haters find this a statement of james Lawn darting. In reality it was a tiny crash that I think most riders have done 100times in their riding history. James has not been riding over his head. He has been riding within his limits. It was a small crash with a big result. Much like Poto's knee crash.
The lovers want to put the blame elsewhere. I get the whole losing focus and all that. But we all have the same replay. He was going for that line before he had even landed off that jump. He took the same line the lap before. He F'd up get over it.
I think we can all agree on one thing though, if James is hurt. The series is hurt. Not because he is the second coming. But because Him and Dungey were so close on pace and they were the leaders.
Ps: Calling people names or labeling them will not help get your point across or make you more correct.
You are fukin comedian aren't you coolhand?? Dipshit!!
Anyone that has saw all the footage that is available and thinks that JS7 crashed because that guy walking across the track (that he couldn't have hit him on the track if he tried) is retarded!!! Stewart is never willing to take responsability for his mistakes. Well it looks like he will have to take responsibility for one thing, he won't be winning an 2012 outdoor title this year! I have been to 23 nationals and I have saw people walk across the track at every one of them, and nobody has ever said anything about it. It's always Motogate when JS7 is involved. This kind of BS is not good for the sport preriod. Some how Stewart always finds a way to make it a circus. I'm over it!!!!!!!!!
Holy sheepsh!t Batman!
Mr-Mx, all is good, just got home from the races,got a top 5 in the 40+,the biggest class most days.I would like to see full gates again in every class.We always had over 30 riders in the 250B and at Kenworthy's up to 80.By the way where has Mrs-Mx been?
Personally, I think it was a combination of James losing focus after the guy crossed the track and the gnarly ruts. But for us to say anything isn't valid, only James knows what happened.
@Preston is so insecure, he has to have the last word every time, reminds me of a female teenager. Now go ahead and bash mr. preston, that is what you do very well.
Yeah DMC,how did you know.Never tried golf,maybe someday.
Some doofus reported my previous post, where I mentioned that I had predicted, prior to round 1, that Stewart would wad before the 4th round. My bet was for the amount of $375,000, and I was right. Davey Coombs is probably pissing himself on a wine and champagne drunk while popping Oxycontin "for his knee", yet he can still cherry pick certain posts in his intoxicated, lawn mowin' stupor.
Yes a photographer crossing the track is a distraction at that level, unfortunate for Stewart, was looking good for the overall again, hope he gets back, Dungey will have an easy time with Stewart, Villopoto, Reed, Canard, Windam, Milsaps out, I didn't even watch the 450 moto after Stewart crashed, I knew who would win & I was right, didn't wanna watch that shit, its boring. Nice ride for Barcia, probably see him on podium next weekend or Roczen, Baggett, Tomac
You people saying this guy crossing the track had no effect are a bunch of biased idiots. I've never seen such bias. If this happened to dungey, rv, reed (if they weren't hurt) it would be a lynch mob. James is even taking the high road saying it was a racing incident. I don't think it was a racing incident. All you dumb hillbillies who hope stewart is out, it's gonna be an exciting summer watching dungey win every moto. I'm an rv fan personally, but you people who say this had no effect, you are either incredibly biased, or never ridden fast into deep ruts before. Cut james some slack. The guy has been riding awesome, he's doing the outdoors again, and for free basically. All you rednecks who hate him, when he's gone from the sport it will be a sad day. He's one of the exciting people to watch ride a motorcycle. And I hope something is done about what happened. I hope the idiot who did this gets his credentials revoked for good. He could just changed the outcome of the whole series. don't let that moron near a motocross track again. If I see the photog at redbud he might just get a rock hurled at his head
This sucks!! with JS out it made it a bore!! Even RD looked like "OH crap here we go again everyone will say I only won cuz the other fast guys are out" If he had not gioten passed by JS 4 moto's in a row It might not be questioned but thats what happen. JS passed from 10th to 1st (including RD) like niothing but once again RD took forever to pass 3 guys. Too bad too cuz it could have turned into another long battle.
BillC, I agree with most of what you said there. I know you're always on Dungey about passing quick but there is a give and take to it. When I was watching Stewart pass everyone the first few laps and seeing the rutted track, I said to myself "he's going down today". One thing you can pretty much count on and that's Dungey isn't going to go down out on the track, off the start maybe, but not out on the track all alone. The only one I can remember on the 450 is in SX 2010 when he crashed landing a triple. A huge part of Stewart passing so quickly is the chances he takes and how many times have we seen him land on guys? Go watch Freestone again when they hit the lappers. He had a few close calls there where if the lapper had swapped or even just switched lines, James would have landed right on him. Dungey never has such close calls, because he takes way fewr chances, which also leads to not passing guys as quickly. Dungey lost a bunch of time in the lappers that day, but he didn't lose the championship by tangling with any of them and getting hurt either. While people may question Dungey and his winning when guys crash out, there is something to be said about being the guy still standing when they do. Winning 4 motos straight and crashing out and missing the 5th and 6th motos isn't where it's at. It's the story of James career. He lost a 125MX title, at least 1(maybe 3) SX title, and 1 450MX title due to crashing out and getting hurt. Dungey could probably win every moto from here on (if James is out) by 30 seconds every time, but he will only win by 15 or so because that's all he needs.
I do get a kick out of the Bubba fans now turning on the broadcast for having James' crashes ready to show. Guess what? He crashes a lot and there is an expectation that it will continue to happen. Plus to the TV broadcasts, crashes are gold. People were lined up at that rutted high speed spot because they knew there'd be a bunch of crashes there. Watch the opening to SX and you see just about every crash that has happened from the year before, and they edit it to add the really awesome crashes from earlier races in the year. I'm surprised no one is claiming the TV guys paid that guy to run in front of James for ratings. I personally joked that Jermey Albrecht paid the guy to do it.
Hey newguy. Good questions regarding our broadcast. We never had instructions given to us in our ear or anything like that, the whole day was such a scramble that the crew was just trying to keep things going. When Stew crashed, they didn't have the shot, so then the TV people went into scramble mode to try to find footage. Stew did have the GoPro, but it broke (if you see the first shot we had on TV, Stewart getting up, you'll see the GoPro laying in front of his bike). They spent a good 20 minutes finding it, and the first time we showed the clip on the air was the first time Emig and I saw it. And all we heard in our headsets was, "We have the footage, let's roll it." Later in the day, we got another shot from Matt Wozny, who was shooting video for allisports. But he shot only had Stew crashing in the corner and didn't show the photog crossing the track.
We didn't have any instruction on how to report it or what to say--we just said whatever we wanted. They also rolled out the clips from SX so I just tried to improv that. Really, there was a lot happening at once and the story was kind of unfolding for all of us before our eyes, there definitely wasn't time to develop some sort of hush hush plan on the fly. We literally didn't know what the helmet cam footage looked like until we aired it!
I feel like it's impossible for anyone to really say if the photog caused the crash or not. Only James knows what that situation was really like, it's not fair for me or anyone else to judge. So when Emig mentioned James crashing in the second moto, I made sure to mention the photog crossing the track, just to make sure all sides of the story were heard. After that, all I can do is let the footage and James speak for themselves.
There's really nothing worse than being on the air live, not having all the info yet, but still haven't to comment on it. That was the situation during the weather delay during the 250 moto, also--we were just winging it. We did the best we could, but, for certain, no one ever told us to hush hush about anything. There was way too much crazy stuff going on for staffers to be in our ear worried about what we were saying--they had a race to put on and a show to produce!
Yeah have been wanting to comment on the US scene vs. the GP scene with Roczen coming over and having to really battle for podiums. Many GP guys said we'd see a Roczen/Musquin battle over who would take the title. Not so much.
Weege and Emig did a great job. I can't believe you'd even bother addressing some nutter, accusing you of a conspiracy against JS. Watch who you engage in conversation Weege, because some of these f-ags are completely insane. As if Alli, (MS)NBC-SN, or Fuel had the clip of Stewart crashes loaded, and a guy to cross the track and create a crash!
Be careful, these fans are not as innocuous as they seem. Some of them are serial killer-ish nuts.
Just posted this in the 5 minutes with Dungey, but realized it actually belongs here:
Wait.... EVERYONE WAIT!!!!! I have the answer..... LET OFF!?!?!?!?!!?
If you see something in the way (not really because the photographer was plenty clear of him) then let off for a split second, get situated and let the track crosser finish crossing the track, then get back on the gas and do your thing. DUH!!!!!
Its so classic James. Pin it or crash. He could have let off and regrouped, then made it through a rutted straight just fine. He has the skills, just lacks the brains to know when to back off for one second.
IMO - the guy crossing the track had nothing to do with James wadding it up.
My rationale: James regularly slices through dense traffic (usually lappers) at extreme high speed, often with short notice after coming up quick on someone after a turn, jump or whatever. So when he came over that hill top, why is the sight of a guy way down the track who has already basically crossed it on the side opposite of where James is coming through going to bother him? Ooh, what a big scary suprise! Oh no, now I'm falling....
someone needs to remind weege n emig that thunder valley started hosting the nationals again in 05 but they also held them during the hey day of the mid 80's
I won't go as far as to say the photographer didn't contribute anything to the crash, but considering what the elite guys deal with on track constantly it almost wasn't even a close call. Nothing in the videos indicates he switched lines or had to make a change in path to avoid the guy, because in reality he didn't have to. It doesn't make the photographer's dumba** mistake any less stupid though. Those elite guys process info from their surroundings very quickly while battling eachother bar to bar, avoiding downed riders, avoiding bales that get kicked in front of them, avoiding lappers, switching lines at a moment's notice, etc. He had used that line previously, almost swapped out there and went off the track in practice. It surprises me that seeing that guy a couple hundred feet ahead clearing the track phased him that badly, him and others deal with tighter situations than that constantly, you can't deny that. If you go to a national workers actually cross the track a lot, not that it's right or ok, but it does happen and this isn't some isolated conspiracy incident. Also, in the video where they are coming head on to the camera, Dungey is mid-air towards the inside of the track as JS starts to fall, and he had no issues avoiding him or the bike without any flags to warn him. I think the majority of the onus in this case is on JS, all those guys deal with much stickier situations than that all the time.
Hey "chowderhead" (im sure the name fits) do you know how much cred your statement gets?? None you jerk...you are a well known JS hater on here so you mean nothing!! Thanks for the response Jason!!
Yeah whatever newgay,
It was a big conspiracy, the track crosser was planted by the television producers and they had the Stewart crash clip already loaded because it was a planned event. Now, run along to your Hale-Bop cult meeting.
....but i still have to ask, why no "expert" discussion from Emig about the potential effect such a thing could have?? Why no talk about the simple fact that someone was on the track when the leaders were so close??? Why would that incident initiate the "speed versus consistency" discussion?? I mean, regardless of whether or not the idiot had any effect, it was as if nothing had happened!! And no camera footage from the network of it?? How is that even possible?? Were we not seeing stuff from that section of the track throughout the day?? I sometimes wish you guys would just shut off the comments section of this website and just give the story and leave it at that!!
Once again "chowderhead"...you are an idiot...school out for the summer yet little man?? I never once said it was a conspiracy dumba-s!! Keep hatin' buddy, see how far that gets you in your life!!!
100% Stewarts' fault. Guy in the track wasn't even close, he didn't have to try and change direction midair, guy was off track completely when Stew went by. Stew was all the way on the outside of the jump.
What's even more distressing is blaming this guy for Stews mistake. Steward fell short of admitting it was his fault...that would have been the professional thing to do. Now watch the AMA further restrict fan access and use Stewarts mistake for justification.
Stewart has always had the more talent than almost anyone...but has never very smart.
Pretty good view of the JS7 crash here. I'm not so sure the track crossing is such a big deal from this view. Looks like his hand gets caught in the rear wheel when it is flipping around him.
Sorry, forgot link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZM65O_RZPw