The Moment: Thunder Valley
Monday, June 4, 2012 | 4:30 PM
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Well, there’s really not even anything else to consider as The Moment that changed the race. James Stewart’s crash early in moto one changed everything.
We already know the crash ended Stewart’s win streak and puts him in a giant hole in the points standings. We also know it could be worse—James hurt his wrist in the crash, and Suzuki Team Manager Mike Webb said that wrists are always hard to diagnose—it could be painful and not be broken, or feel fine and be broken, or any combination of that. You just never know at first with a wrist, but hopefully we’ll have an update on James’ condition soon.
As for the crash, it has already been discussed like crazy over the last 48 hours. A photographer walked out across the track just as James was coming over a jump, and Stewart ultimately crashed in that section. Now the series has been totally shaken up. For anyone left who hasn’t seen it, here’s GoPro footage directly from Stewart’s helmet. No doubt it was The Moment that changed the race, or, possibly, even the season.
GoPro footage above, another look at the crash below.
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That photographer should be banned from all races. Forever. And get his legs amputated. Ruined a whole season in one really retarded move.
I know I shouldn't even bother with the racerx comments section but I must. James Stewart is a hall of fame motorcycle racer who has provided the sport with a huge dose of excitement ever since his career began. He challenged Carmicheal when no one else could and has always given it his all. To fault a guy for trying too hard to win and/or please his fans is the most ignorant arguement I've ever heard. Also, to question proffesional and a legend of the sport every time he opens up and shares an honest opinion only shows how bias your opinion is. Please comment accordinglly and don't bother with replies I don't plan on reading them.
He was well past the photographer however I don't doubt that it messed with his concentration...or its just James being James crash and blame the closest person around...
Funny how everyone else is able to go around Stewart just fine as he is on the ground, but Stewart isn't able to go around a photographer (who isn't even on the track by the time Stewart comes by) without crashing. The go pro footage shows James get into a rut, and then that rut kinda disappears and crosses with another rut, and at that point his balance shifts to the right and he goes down. Personally, I think to blame the photographer is a complete joke. These guys deal with much closer scenarios every second of the first couple laps. Especially James when he passes people so quickly!! James just made a mistake, and chose to blame it on the photographer.
Pretty much worst case scenario for the series. This sucks and I'm not even a big James Stewart fan. I just like watching good racing and up to this point, Dungey and Stewart were doing that.
It is good to see the crash from a different angle as many have said the guy wasn't in James way but if James was normally taking a different line and couldn't that makes a big difference, also people said he crashed long after the guy was in the way but as you can see in the 2nd video it looked like James was in the process of crashing from the point he hit the kicker and looked like the front end was sliding out for a long time. One other things people don't think about is thing happen real fast when your going 35 to 40 miles per hour on a dirt bike. Mark
WHAT IS THE GUYS NAME THAT RAN ACROSS THE TRACK??
Looks like it was a track crossing lane, by the way the dirt looks- but why would they put a track crossing right after a blind high speed jump? That line of deep ruts started even before the photographer- looks like he got into the wrong one. I dont know if that was it or not- but what an amazing coincidence. Hope that wrist is ok.
As a Dungey fan, if James said it bothered him, I will believe him. It may have only been a distraction, but going into long section of ruts, thats all it might take. I just hope he can return to racing soon, like him or not, he is a fast on motocross track and that is all that matters to me.
Bottom line, we need james back racing asap. Both he and RD need to be in this series at the same time, otherwise it is a slaughter fest.
hope james is ok. im a rv fan but i want to see good racing and if james isnt there then ryan dungey will DOMINATE. hopefully james will be back for mt morris. on a side note, has anyone else heard rumors about RV possibly going to factory honda?
The photographer was from Argentina and has been banned from any mx national event. Where he crossed is an access road that is only used when there are no bikes on the track. The vid doesn't really show how much of a downhill and the momentum a rider has once in that section. the ruts were long and deep. Dosn't seem like that guy was an issue, but non the less the points leader went down. Hopefully, he'll be back for Hi-point. James did ride his bike back to the yosh truck : ) with a bad right wrist, so there is hope he's ok
Was that JSH8ter, just couldn't stand watching some good racing? J/K
Where's the footage before the crash? That could shed some light to the situation. What I see is, watch how everyone pass JS on the inside, which leads me to believe the main line was an inside line that JS couldn't get to for some reason. 3/4 of the track was open to the outside of where JS ended up, but majority of the riders still passed on the inside.
Growing up, I lived in the hills, and the only advice my dad told me about deer jumping in to the road was to, stay in your line, and gas it, do not swerve (cliff on one side).
@JS - Get well soon bud.
Where did you get your information on the guy being from Europe. It sounds like a MXoN conspiracy on team USA!! Say bye bye to the Chamberlain Trophy!!
If this means anything I was there and during practice James blew that corner completely went of the track tryin to use the far outside line!!
@ JS - Dude if the wrist is hurt, don't come back prematurely. You have nothing to prove, the speed, stamina, and skill set are still there. Looking really good on the Zook. Rather watch you battle a full gate with RV, CR, TC, RD, KDub, and the rest of the guys. No excuses about a lingering wrist injury.
You can always race MEC is funds are getting low.
If any of you read Professor Bailey's analysis of JS7's difficulties a couple weeks ago you can analyze Matt Wozney's awesome video and see everything the Professor pointed out happening in that video - notably his right foot is on his arch with his foot pointing outward, as he is going through a deep rut there is a bump that catches his foot pulling his foot off the peg, he loses balance and the front end loses traction, his left hand has no finger on the clutch so he has no backup plan or way to quickly moderate the engine speed and the throttle remains, well, nailed....as he flips the spinning rear wheel hits his wrist....race over...the rut was deep, having his foot still on the peg at that point looks like the real issue...hopefully he did not break anything and we get to see him back on the gate next weekend...the series needs him...
Argentina is in South America, not Europe.
Strong athlete picking the Suzuki up with the left hand! With Stewart out it's going to be a snoozefest, but Dungey could get hurt and some may pull a Langston 2008.
Or was that 2007? Yeah, not 08. Argentina!
what some folks dont seem to realize is that when James approaches the jump he can not see this moron running across the track..We can see him sure, but the go pro footage shows when james lands, homie is still running across the track just reaching the other side....when James is mid flight he can now see dude half way across the track...probably couldnt tell what way the dude was going when he first see's him...this throwing off his focus, judgement and his approach to the next section.....I betting if dude wasnt there...James would not have crashed....but like every other thread on this site....coulda shoulda woulda...just sucks period...you know damn well if that was Reed, we'd be hearing all about it....I am actually impressed the way James handled it.....he never blames the dude 100%.....just that it was a factor....which it was obviously.....
you can also see the direction of the GoPro camera change once James lands......he looks to be headed to the somewhat smoother inside line that just about everyone was taking but ended uo in slop...anyone notice RD almost crash last week in the slop on lap 1???... You got to love Weeg's ." woooaaah" when James hits the deck......and as Emig says, " he cleared the guy, but it had to be a MAJOR DISTRACTION going into a section of the track that requires 100% focus".....but what does Emig know....hahahaha....bag on guys....
For all you moron's posting that the photographer had nothing to do with his crash- its very obvious you have never raced motocross, much less lead a race of any kind before. It takes extreme focus and perfect timing to go that fast, that consistently every track you go to. It does not take much to distract a rider going that fast while being that focused- especially when it is not a raced related distraction.. As racers, you train for lappers, ruts, rain, dicing with a competitor, people landing on you or bumping you, for all that a rider has somewhat of a game plan! BUT when you have something like this idiot- crossing a track, during a race, on the downhill side of a high speed table and you do not see him until you crest the top AND are airborn- you do not have enough time to process what he's doing there, which direction he is running, much less concentrating on the line you want to land in!
I have seen a Gatorade bottle thrown onto the track during a practice at the nationals back in 2000 that caused a knarly pile up for the unsuspecting riders on the step down at Millville!
I agree with others- AMA needs to get on top of this. This is lives, health and championships on the line!
Sorry so long- just my 2 cents.
God Bless Our Troops!!
God bless the McGrath family
Was it coincidence that James missed his line by less than a foot, to the right, where his focus was pulled momentarily? I think not. The bike goes where your eyes are looking... If that photographer did not cross the track, James would not have gone down.
That was a very legitimate statement "bluetamale"!!!! Oh, and that wrist looks pretty bent right when he gets up off the ground!! The injury is still the worst part of this whole deal, a bad moto would have been a blip on the radar, a DNF and a DNS, not so much!!
i don't think most people understand that one of the things that separates the average rider from a pro is their brain and how quickly they process the track and what the motorcycle is doing underneath them . our brains are not equal . stewart has a super processor . the guy on the track did not cause that crash i don't care what js says
pizzacorner=idiot
idiot=pizzacorner
LOL. There are 3 things guaranteed in life - Death, Taxes, and James Stewart and his posse making excuses for his lawn darts.... LOL. Gimme a break, that person crossing the track had nothing to do with James cross rutting. Anyone who has raced knows this.
I would like to find this guy and tie him up and put him in my trunk and take him to Stewarts house. And for that one guy I told you Brayton would do nothing for Honda! What a waste of a factory bike.
@timktm your an idiot. The man has four flawless motos under his belt and was leading this one till this dumbass crossed his path.
I bet Adolfo that he couldn't make it across the track before boy blunder cleared the jump: win win for me, stew out and i got $5. Why wouldn't hw finish the moto? Didn't Barcia race with a bad wrist a few seasons back. I gues when you have an excuse take it.
This is why AMA motocross and supercross will never be as big as nascar or football and shit cause stupid ass AMA lets shit like this happen so unprofessional. Fu ck the AMA.
If that's all it takes for JS to crash then it's time to give it up buddy.
You could tell by the angle of the go-pro right after james hits the jump that he was aiming towards the inside line. coincidence that almost everybody that past him was on the inside as well?
Racerx are you giong to delete Pissedoffcracker's post cuz he used the word "shit" like me in my first post that you deleted?
@cgraham @chillmatic Agreed
Also, it only shows one lap but on the go-pro lap videos, he took the inside line on lap 1. i did not see the first moto so im not sure what line he took on the 2nd lap but if it was the inside again, figure the rest out yourself.
k lock heaven you couldnt have said it better, you could name the riders that have changed this sport and brought it to where its at, i know theres a ton but ill start with Bob Hannah do or die, Rick Johnson do die Bayle and Statton awesome guys but i think stanton was ok with second as long as he got the title, bayle left to soon but cant deny his talent, Then the killers Bradshaw and Matasivich what a show and an era, the would kill each other before setteling for second, then MC, RC and James Stewart, If you doubt that stewart couldnt have put it on cruise control and won the title your lying to yourself, his do or die, dertimination and all out want to win at all cost is what makes this guy fun to watch, i broke c4 and c5 at a local race at mosier valley night track because the guy in first in front of me made a mistake and i twisted it, he lost control crossed over in front of me and i landed on him, 1st moto 1st lap i could of waited but i wanted to win, no money, no title just win.
I dont know how you guys ride but when I was in first and pushing I sure dont calculate in my mind a person in the track, that early in the race you are running the track in your mind. The photoguy had no reason to be on the track. When you are in the lead that early in the race, you have the track open and are focusing on nothing but the track! If James would have hit that dodo he might have killed him.
It is a big difference later in the race when you are ready for lappers and almost anything. At the point of the wreck All James was doing was thinking way ahead of where that guy was and that would have blown my mind also. No time to recalculate your lines. I feel real bad for the whole industry because of 1 idiot crossing the track.
Now that guy has messed it up for all of the rest of the photographers..
this whoe year of racing has been one thing after another!
If you look close it looks like while he was on his back the bottom of the frame hit em in the head, i dont think it was so much of the shoulder or hand hes rode through worse than that ie. daytona he could of very well got a concussion just a guess maybe wrong
@ coolhand we are not talking about the your pee wee claas beginers her dont ya think? Unlesss you are able to go at least the speed it takes to make a National I would prefer you to learn to think before you post? I am sure you crashed your trycycle the other day and had to have mommy put a bandand on your bobo.LOL
How exactly do you train to have someone land on you?
Why move one way or another, real racers would have held their line and used the dead body on the next lap as a berm. How does all this bad stuff happen to one guy? Guess everyone else adapts and over comes the situation, I have seen photogs cross national tracks alot, Stew goes down and now we need to crucify the guy. The race still went on the same as it did sans token the past few years. Sure it sucks that Dungey didn't have to fight for the win, but it is not his fault bubbles gets distracted(see there was an opening for excuses and I took it).
The Moto-Media sure seems to be hiding the identity of the photographer. Hmm, wonder which mag he works for. Argentina my ass...
At the speed and intensity level these guys are riding it only takes a split second to miss a line or make a mistake that can lead to disaster. Whether it was the individual crossing the track or something else it is a bummer to see a crash that takes a rider out of a race. I hope the injury does not keep James out of several more races or end his season.
There were 11 riders that are infurier to Havoc that took the outside line without wadding up. Good point with Dungy: he was watching the soil sample take place not knowing where the bike was going to come to rest and yet stayed upright(Must be the best racer ever!!!!!!!!). Yes, I cannot ride the speed of dart boy, but Dungey can, and stayed up with a distraction in the 100% focus area.
RacerX Photog is my guess!!!
I ride Thunder Valley all the time. That's a third-gear-on-a-450, pinned, blind, big step-down and (the GoPro footage shows this pretty well) if James was planning on going to the right (inside), then the photographer is exactly in the way on the landing. That would freak anybody out!!! Also, the cameras don't really show it, but at that part of the track, and at the speed that you're going, you will not be able to slow down at all and barely be able to change direction. That part of the track always ruts out super-nasty and that's when they don't have an extra foot of dirt on it for the national! Basically your line all the way into the turn is pretty much dictated by where you land - at that's at Hack-speed, not JS speed!!!
I don't know whether the guy did or didn't make James crash (and neither do YOU!!!), but coming over a big, fast, blind jump at leading-a-pro-national speed and having a dude standing there in you're line... well, I'm gonna say that there's a pretty good chance that that would be A BIT F"IN DISTRACTING!!!
And any idiot that will sit behind his computer and say that the guy "definitely didn't" have anything to do with the crash... what?!? How do you know?!?... Go hang out with that photographer, I bet you'll have a lot in common...
Hey stewh8ter...did you know your childish name makes anything you say absolutely meaningless.......hating fukking a s s hole!! Go get hurt or something!!
Wow, that was a totally unbiased and realistic post "filthyanimal"......that doesn't belong on here though, this site is only for moles to come out of hiding when something goes bad for JS and start bagging on him!! Losers all of them and they know it!! Seriously tho "filthyanimal" thanks for a sensible and truly fair assessment of it!!
Wow, REF-man your post makes you look so distinguished. I will be taking it to heart and cring myself to sleep.
Finally a video that shows the crash a lot better. And finally half of you idiots talking shit can see how fast everything actually happens. Seriously do you guys even know what it's like to race motocross? Realize he's carrying tremendous speed around that track and coming over a big ass jump like that only to see a dude in the middle of the track while he is in the middle of the air, he is bound to freak out for at least a few seconds... Just because he is James Stewart doesn't f*cking mean he has super human powers and he doesn't get distracted for a second. You seriously don't realize how fast that all happens... James doesn't train for people walking across tracks he's bound to react to that situation. All it takes is a minor distraction and boom he cross ruts and the back end kicks out leading to his front end washing out etc. That's a really nasty section and I'd LOVE to see some of you people hit that jump as fast as he does, and hold your line at that speed WITHOUT distractions, probably can't do it. Sick of the haters who have no common sense. Plus, James IS NOT making excuses blaming the photographer... Go f*cking watch the interview with Justin Barcia after Houston and see exactly what a whiney little b*tch sounds like blaming other people for his losses, regardless of the situation being different, that's worthy of hate. James clearly states he got distracted by the guy crossing, and he says it calmly (unlike Barcia practically crying). James never said, "Oh that damn photographer made me crash, it's entirely his fault".
If he was intending to take the inside then no doubt that was a scary moment as he was coming off the jump.
I've never heard James make an excuse about this. He MAY have said something in the heat of the moment. I wouldn't blame him for being pissed. But, in his post race video, he admits that he looked over at the guy . It seems to me that he more blames himself than anything. That is consistent with the James we've been seeing lately.
I just hope he comes back soon, or we're in for a real snoozer of a season.
Again, Dungey watched a bike cartwheel all over the track and managed to find a line around without wadding up. We all know we don't realize how fast things happen on the track. Dungey knows, and avoided the situation without problem aka better rider.
The guy broke Stewart's concentration just enough to lose focus on the line he wanted, and with that the 2012 motocross championship has orange written all over it.
If James sounded like this after his race then I would completely understand people talkin smack... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G779ZSQLMMI
But "ride2" said it perfectly... He never blamed the guy crossing the track in his post-race update... he was calm about the situation and simply stated that he got distracted and missed his line. Compare his post-race update to that video of Barcia and see the difference.
@Stewh8ter ... You're retarded dude. Nuff' said.
whomever that was needs to have credentials pulled for all the races in 2012. yes it was a total accident of whomever. I am thinking the person absolutely did not know anyone was coming; due to the hilly, elevation changes of the track. this kind of shit should not be happening in any level of a top tier sport. think about it, I don't care if it is horse racing, downhill skiing, nascar or whatever? if something like this happened, I'm pretty sure heads would be rolling.
Talk about overkill!!!!!!
ZZZ ...
@ stewh8ter: Dungey saw the whole crash go down. The whole thing was visible to him. AND, if you notice when he goes by James, he still barely had enough time to slow down and get over to the side of the track (that's a pretty steep downhill and you're hauling a** into it). AND look at how far away from the jump they are by this time!!! James HAD A GUY ON THE LANDING OF A BLIND JUMP!!!! There is no time to react, and even if you could, you can't do anything about it CAUSE YOU"RE IN THE AIR!!!
Go watch the vid again...
When I watched the video, it freaked me out a sec,,,and by god my word means something, cause I've led a few races at chicken lic's on ,...well most everything but a Hodaka. Throw in a deep sloppy rutted corner, going at RMZ Bubba speed, yep I'd have ate it too. I think the lower center of gravity of a factory Hodaka may of saved him here.....just say'n.
Jesus fellas! JS7 crashed...let's blame a poor photographer. Give me a break! I guess it was Preston's fault when Stewie pulled out in front of him too. Maybe JS7 should switch to a bike with a siren know. Neither the JGR bike or the Suzuki has a siren. That way everyone and everything will just get out of his way.
@stock- thank you.
@ filthy animal- thanks for the insight for those of us that have never been there. Good to get accurate info from a local on this. 3rd gear? Dang- looks way faster on t.v.
As far as training for someone to land on you? Misspoke- meant that you keep that in your mind as a possibility of happening while racing- can't train for it- but you know it can happen. Who thinks about a dude running across the track while leading?
Good posts guys- except for the spodes that THINK they know about racing and can't figure out how you could loose concentration when this happens!!!!! IDIOTS!!!!
I would say he is riding pretty da-n well considering he's riding for free!!!!!
JAMES STEWART TELLS HIS SIDE OF THE INFAMOUS CRASH: “I KINDA TOOK MY EYES OFF IT TO CHECK HIM OUT AND WENT DOWN ANOTHER SECOND LATER”
“It’s racing, I’ve still got my spirits up, hopefully we’ll be back next weekend”
http://www.motocrossactionmag.com/Main/News/JAMES-STEWART-TELLS-HIS-SIDE-OF-THE-INFAMOUS-CRASH-8994.aspx
He's got a great attitude about it.....GOOD FOR YOU JAMES
There is a upside to all this, ...at least he didn't run outta gas, leading......see now that right there might fry a fellers sackarilliac nerve.
its a good thing RD5 was on a brand new bike ...he could have never missed JS7 on an old bike without 'die cast cases and new @ronco fuel management system" (..pat. pend.)......hey..... how about Barcias first ever 'outside block pass ' on Kroc.......@filthy ,i enjoyed your comment..
All you Stewert butt kissers make me wanna puke!!! Do you really think that guy made him crash?? The way I saw it ,he was almost off the track whenever Stew hit the jump way before!! Anyway it is what it is and JS7 went down!! What a shocker!!!! I wonder what you Stew-kissers would have blamed it on if that camera guy wasn't there???? The wind was blowin that day......
JS7 the human lawn dart comes in many different colors. Green, Blue and just released Yellow. The yellow one comes with a new and improved excuse. Same guy different bike same result, with a new excuse.
If it's his scalpoid bone from the 2010 crash getting landed on by that dummy partridge, he may be screwed.
Well, here's to 2013 folks.............probably another RV borefest.
@Handlebardragger=knuckledragger Somehow I think James would beat you in an IQ test.
The problem is he was looking way ahead. You can see him alter his line in the air before going wide. If the moron knew he had plenty of room to cross why did he start running when James came over the jump?
gripinc02
JS7 jumped a crossed the track and landed in front of Partridge. JS7 was at fault.
@mit12....You are right about that one. As for Mitt in 12..... No thanks.....I'll stay independent.
I guess Js7 can't stop the crash or win mentality...............2013 may be a yawner.
Adam seems like a little punk to me and would be perfect as another one of Mitche's Little B_tches teammate. I've seen his videos....very c ocky.
I won't even watch if that's the future........Barcia and Tomac will be Booting his ass out of the stadium anyway!!! lol
i cant help but think of austin powers , when the steam roller is coming to run over that guy . oh my god ! ahhhhhhh ! 5 mins later . riders have to change lines ,miss riders , bales etc all the time and at full speed .
guy crossing track was not the reason JS crashed but it could have contributed to it, JS did get a little out of shape on the landing, he made a mistake, everybody crashes in motox, yes it will be a sleeper of a 450 series with JS out I probably won't even watch Dungey roll around as there is just no competition with the best top 5 riders out, sry RD fans but I wouldn't get too excited if RD wins, the rest of the field really has nothing for him, he has to win with RV, JS, CR & others top guys in for me to beleive he's really #1, sometimes the plate doesn't tell the story, I hope JS comes back, gets healthy & kicks Dungey's ass like he can, just to shutup the RD faithful!
@ thatcatschaff, did you ever live in Ohio?
@ Mr-Mx, you got it right last night.
If the photographer would have crossed the track in front of 13th place would anybody give a s**t?
Why hasn't anyone here (racer or not) dissected the bottom video? At 24 secs. he's still in the air about to a land and the guy is still on the track. At 25 secs you can see him cross rutting where his rear wheel is kick up. It is basically a four second crash from there. But somewhere between 24 and 25 second is where the damage is done, which causes him to cross rut and at the speed he's going is unrecoverable. Being he's gone 24-0 before and has more talent in injured hand than all of us put together, I would guess that fraction of a second of distraction between 24 and 25, caused the crash. Just keep pausing the vid and line up the guy and James. Other theory's are valid as well, as long as they aren't swayed by wether you like him or hate him.
Someone should do some geometric detective work and find out who this idiot photograper is, rolls steels balls in hand.
Funny how TomKtm was not seen when JS won 4 moto's but now he come out!!! Fair weather fans suck!!!
I make no bones about the fact I don't like Stewart, But in this case I believe him when he said he was distracted. I know that someone on the track could throw off anybody's concentration. Riding at that level requires the utmost concentration. I have been loving the fact that James is riding the Nationals this year, It has made the season enjoyable to watch and I think it is good for Dungey to have some one to benchmark off of. Stewart was riding great up until that crash and it was making Dungey up his game to keep up. If Stewart is out Dungey can back it down a notch and still win the race. Not so good for us fans.
I make no bones about the fact I don't like Stewart, But in this case I believe him when he said he was distracted. I know that someone on the track could throw off anybody's concentration. Riding at that level requires the utmost concentration. I have been loving the fact that James is riding the Nationals this year, It has made the season enjoyable to watch and I think it is good for Dungey to have some one to benchmark off of. Stewart was riding great up until that crash and it was making Dungey up his game to keep up. If Stewart is out Dungey can back it down a notch and still win the race. Not so good for us fans.
The responsible photographer should have his credentials revoked for the balance of the series, if not longer.
This type of irresponsible behavior should not be tolerated on any level, by the A.M.A. and event promoters.
Oh hell.......that guy was 25 feet away from James..he cleared him just fine. James screwed up on his own
That guy 25 feet away from James is MUCH easier to get by than lappers. and he was anohter 20-30 ft away when he sampled dirt
Good thing it wasnt Matthes crossing the track!!! James would have hit him for sure!! ;-)
The stupidity of some on here is amazing, as is the bias!! I am a fan, and i cannot say that the photog idiot caused the crash, but it is impossible to say it didn't either...common sense!! I will say to those who keep saying the guy had "cleared" that is irrelevant.......When JS hits that jump and goes airborne the first thing he probably sees is some guy in the middle of the track....not a rider, not a hay bale, a "civilian"....so while in the air for a split second, his whole mindset changes due to a WTF moment.....that is potentially all it takes fellas.....no warning at all, and remember the whole damn thing is about 4 seconds total....not long at all!! Once again i'm not saying that it was without a doubt the cause, i just disagree with those who say it couldn't have had anything to do with it!!!
somebody made a valid point, how did the rest of the field not crash in that section with not only a person standing in the middle of the track, but a bike setting long ways across the track? surely that was just as if not more distracting than a person who was off the track completely. Just an observation.
Hmmm, uneasy_rider....uh maybe because there were yellow flags waiving???
Whatever, I forgot about the waving yellow flags! They had to be very distracting also. It is amazing that the entire field did not fall over when those came out! They must have all trained to ride through the yellow flags!
It's amazing how couch potato's and throttle keyboard racers can critique all of these pro racers, but then again, they are getting paid and most of you guys can only dream to be half the racers that they are! And for the lawn dart clones, who can't race 1/10 of Bubba's race speeds... shut the hell up and show us how it supposed to be done! Oh wait... you can't, because you can't race worth a damn or you'd be racing every Saturday... I could be wrong though slick!!!!!!