by Davey Coombs
250 Words: Millville
Monday, July 16, 2012 | 1:55 PM
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PrintIt's obvious now that three 250 Class riders are distancing themselves from the rest of the field. Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Blake Baggett and the GEICO Honda duo of Justin Barcia and Eli Tomac have accumulated all seven overall wins and all fourteen moto victories between the three of them. On Saturday it was Tomac's turn to take an overall, his third so far, with the help of a solo crash by Baggett, the series points leader. At the moment of his crash, Baggett had just completed one of his signature drop-the-hammer moves, where he picks a point in the moto to drop his lap times by seconds, not fractions of seconds. It's Carmichael-esque, the way #12 simply finds another gear that no one else has and just pins it past everyone.
Take the first moto, for instance, and specifically the thirteenth lap. At that point Baggett was involved in a four-way tilt with Barcia and Tomac and Red Bull KTM's Ken Roczen, the next-fastest man in what's becoming a frustrated pack. Baggett had run 2:11 on the previous lap, but then dropped an astonishing FOUR full seconds off his pace, down to 2:07.631. The next-fastest man on the track was Tomac, who checked in at 2:12.047.
Baggett used a blistering pace late in moto one to capture the moto win.
Simon Cudby photo
Now I know this Sign of the Lap Times-type stuff, but standing out there on the infeld watching this happen, you didn’t need a stopwatch. It was visible with the naked eye that Blake Baggett was not only going much faster than everyone else on the track, he was going faster than Ryan Dungey just did when he ran away with the 450 moto win!
Here's the thing, my fellow bench racers: Dungey's best time in his first moto, which came before the 250s, came on the third lap. There was barely a break between 450s and 250s due to the TV schedule, which meant barely time to do any track work. Baggett dropped the hammer on his thirteenth lap, a full hour of traffic later. Track was rougher, weather was hotter, pace was crazy.
Ryan Dungey really doesn't have to push it right now, given the incredible riding he's doing and management of this series in the absence of James Stewart recently, and Ryan Villopoto and Chad Reed from the get-go. He can surely go faster when he has to.
But Baggett? He had to go faster at that moment, and he did. Much faster.
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The Guy is SICK!!!
Funny How Fro keeps saying every week after he passes someone "OK lets see what Barcia has for Baggett"... Ummmmmmmmmm Nutin!!!
.Also funny this week after Baggett went down how fast Fro jumped on the Tomac waggon!! Saying that he found an answer or something like that?
.Baggett has flat out been spanking them all so unless somone finds a lot more speed that they can hold to the finish or Baggett crashes there are no answers.
Those boys are on fire. Great racing. Dungey might be able to Holeshot them on his big bike, but I believe those three would pass him before the checkers flew.
@ BillC
I still think baggett should of kicked that flaggers ass!!!!!!
AGREE!
Baggett is an animal- looks like Barcia a year ago. What he lacks in SX he definitely makes up for outdoors! I think Barcia putting on weight for the 450's next year could be holding that 2-5-0 back a bit.
I really want to see K- Roc get a win- dudes been getting handed at the end of the moto's he leads, or gets screwed by lappers.
Next years 450 class is going to be insane!
Baggett is a machine! Just hope he find the same speed in supercross and the hopefully it translates to a 450. We need more fast 450 guys!!!
@cgraham46
Not bashing you at all, just dont want to see Roczen get a win until he grows up and admits he is just flat out getting beat. Always full of excuses, this time had the fastest qualifying time so the "first time on this track" excuse goes out the window.
B.B. walked rite past the red riders and team pumpkin like they were in reverse,then kept going! Eli Hosmack got lucky in moto2.
I feel bad for marv and ken not making the box much after winning so much in the G.P. races. thats gota be ruff riding back to the ktm semi and sitting there with no hardware!
@jgbvr roczen made the podium 5 races in a row roczen will be better next year with a year under his belt he didnt start dominating gps till his 3rd season. Barcia is to big for that 250 its obvious IMO bagget goes so fast cause he is so small he looks like he is floating on the dirt if he dont beef up the mans bike (450) is gonna give him a good working
Thats why there are rumors of KTM signing more American riders, cause the Euros arent getting it done.
I like Bagget.....but I think he was riding over his head a little too much....almost took barcia out in the sand whoop section and almost took himself out a lap or two prior to that....But, he got the job done and thats what matters....not sure what happend with is crash...seemed kind of odd.....
@kilroy
are you on drugs.... dungey would smoke these guys, im not saying they are not fast but there is no way they would hang with dungey
Baggett is on a C&C high, but I think it is a team effort that has Blake blazing around the track... Baker has BB's conditioning at a high point giving Blake Confidence and his Comfort level on the Pro Circuit Kawasaki is what enable him to drop his lap times..He is fearless and trusts in his team...Great Combo!!
Barcia is looking frustrated and might be feeling the championship pressure. JB1 is riding great and doing all the work Stanton asks, yet he still has no answer for Baggett when it counts at the end of the moto. Things like this either make you stronger mentally or can break a rider..
Tomac Eli has matured physically and mentally, has tremendous talent and all of that will pay off when he gets on the 450's. He will be an immediate threat for the podium, but on the 250 he just looks to big, he rode great at Spring Creek, but unless they can pull a couple more ponies out of the motor he will have a hard time keeping up with the smaller lighter BBB at the up coming rounds..
Roczen I think he is now realizing that his best shot will be next year. Kenny has the speed and skill but he still has to get acclimated to the heat and humidity of the American Great Outdoors. In stead of staying with Shorty and having a good time, he might be better served working at the ranch with a man named Dungey..
Marvin Musquin The Candy man is who I like to watch ride, so fluid on the bike, no wasted effort, very efficient and controlled...He too, will be looking to make his mark next year as injures have slowed his progress adapting to the racing over here. When he figures it out, he will be very hard to beat!!!
The Euro GP racers VS. the American is guys is pretty much proved every MXoN race....The pace and depth of the field over there is simply NOT the same.....K-Roc is used to EASILY running away with wins across the pond...over here, sure he is fast as the next guy....but only for a lap or two.....im sure he'll pick it up....but there were alot of folks claiming he would be dominating outdoors and he has yet to win a moto......
"Baggett does it by using my patented 'tiger' blood..." signed Charlie halfman/halfcoke Sheen...winning!!!!!!......the dudes on fire....@jgbvr Tomac won...and there is ALWAYS luck involved..but the scoreboard still matters and both rode their as*es off. Thats not BB's first and last soil test and alot of racing yet.Baggett is unreal...i'm a JB fan and i like that Tomac and JB still won't lay down...and Kroc ain't goin away and will get there no doubt....great racing........its smells fresh and clean on here did someone flush the nasty scrubturd ....hoooooray! cuts the hate and ugly by about 75%.
Roczen's comments after the second moto BD25 pretty much echoed what you said. The heat this year has been higher than normal and he knows he doesn't have the full American program put together.
Then 250s dont have shyt on 5!kilroys on dope!
tonewall are you an amaircan?
And I tthought I was the only rough neck that couldnt type!!!!!!
@jgbvr ....since i was born in district 37....yes.
dude im rufff neck like sipes
im home scholed sorry wer iz dist.37!
@jgbvr-District 37 is in So California.
neato gang neato
I find the comments on here about Baggett is over horsepowered, more like underweight. Maybe Geico and the other teams should start training jockeys for the nationals. lol
Good luck beatin #5 on a 250 ...the guy looks like hes on a trail ride...we'll see how fast he is when the Champ returns and Canard ,Reed and Barcia , Wilson and Havoc7 are all out here...the way the guys goin he still MIGHT win...i'll put my $$$ on RV when he returns all day ,everyday.
Blake Baggett has been nothing short of amazing so far this year in outdoors.
BUT when is the AMA going to wake up and realize the talent pool isn't deep enough to support 2 classes. We shouldn't be bickering about what would happen if Dungey was racing with Baggett, Barcia and Tomac.... we should be watching all of these top guys actually race each other every week. The 450 class is a joke.
Although Baggett seems to be extending his lead, it is difficult to accept that Barcia has given up ... and Tomac appears to be capable of winning as well.
And perhaps former FIM champions (Musquin and Roczen) require more race time in the USA in order to compete with top American riders.
As far as the 450 class, it is looking like 2013 has the possibility of turning into the best year that fans have seen in a long time.
The 250’s are killing it - Love watching not knowing which of the three is going to win. A bump, bad line choice or lapper can put Tomac, Barcia or BB on top.
Damn good racing!!
@731Chopper; You're kidding, right! About the talent pool, I mean. Do you know how all the people in Europe (and the rest of the free world) are rolling in the isles right now with that comment. To hear someone think that the combined talent in the Continental U.S. is not adequate to warrant Two Classes. In a matter of two months all those tiny countries are going to put together a team of three riders (two displacement classes) and try to compete with the melting pot of 313,924,000 people in the MXdN.
That said, I will give you the benefit of the doubt about the 450 Class as there are several injured riders that (unfortunately) distract from the potential of having all injured riders healthy and making a (wishes were fishes) complete class. But the reality is, there are a bunch of injured riders and those still healthy are the reality of the US National Motocross contingent. And just maybe, (I said maybe) it will be a year when those injured riders are going to be sorely (no pun intended) missed at the 2012 Motocross de Nations in Lommel, Belgium.
So, please tell me this is what you meant!
Wilson, Barcia, Tomac, and Baggett are now very fast and experienced because of the two class system. If they would have jumped into the big bike class first, chances are we would have never heard of them. The jump from am to pro is huge, it takes time to adjust to that, going right to the big bikes would be a tall order, even for those guys who have talent oozeing out of their wazoo...It is sad that so many of the 450 riders have succumb to the injury bug this year....and that's no joke ...
Fast is one thing and one thing only............I met a world of fast guys, but guess what !!!!! Know one remembers guys that are not out there, every week. You have to stay upright on 2 wheels and be out there 30 minutes plus 2 laps every moto........... Its a whole program year to year that makes success not one practice video and a litttle training...... The word FLASH IN THE PAN.......Dime a dozen come to mine.. Most of these riders come and go very fast now a days.............We shall see, wont we!!! I hate to say it but some that are out will never get back to what they once were.............Your smoken and token if you think other wise!!!!!!!
Villopoto and maybe CR 22, Wilson maybe ... Canard no way. Retire before you really get hurt like wheel chair hurt.........No your ability.. I love the guy but??? Windham just enjoy your family get out who cares about 20 years .....Broc Hepler was my man?????????-Out ....... Josh Hill ???? J-Law done. Hansen done, he's another Chris Gossilar............ 27 Maffia retire while your in one piece, all great folks but you have to know when to say Enough !!!!!!!!!! Alot more out there need to really think about next step
Baggett has a lot of positives in his corner:
1) Training with Aldon Baker. Can't say enough about this.
2) PC equipment. 'Nuff said.
3) Weight. HP to weight is HUGE in any form of racing so, his advantage here cannot be dismissed.
4) Mentality. He is now the undisputed #1 at PC and this helps his game mentally. Gray matter is the unknown quantity in professional sports, the X factor.
Southwick will be Roczens biggest opportunity to take a win from the "three amigos" so, I'm still hopeful for him.
@ ronniebarnhardt, I'm having trouble agreeing with you on the "Roczen's making excuses" statement. He made no more than Barcia & Tomac when they finish behind BB in my opinion.
Dr Strangelove what do you think?....."soon the whole world of motorcross will exist of 350 KTM's and a single class of riders on a Xgames like supermotor(lol) course somewhere under Langley. The AMA and MXA proudly picking and choosing the champions at will and of course multiple females for each member to breed with...." arm flys up to throat..." "thats crazy" says General Ripper.."they should all be on Harleys man ...are you some kinda Commie?...."
@FenderFreddy
Yes, the 250 class at Washougal has the potential for more good racing .... And 2013 looks good for the 450s. However, an astute fan of MX/SX knows that the sport has taken a pretty big hit with all of the injuries ....
I agree with some of the posts here- not going to name any post in particular- that takes too much time. So here's my 2 cents:
I agree- K Roc needs allitle more maturity and riding at this level in the USA. BUT- I seemed to remember some riders by the name of (which by the way I can't stand any of these s--theads) Jean Michele Bayle
I agree with some of the posts here- not going to name any post in particular- that takes too much time. So here's my 2 cents:
I agree- K Roc needs allitle more maturity and riding at this level in the USA. BUT- I seemed to remember some riders by the name of (which by the way I can't stand any of these s--theads) Jean Michele Bayle, Michael Pichon and Christophe Purcell who acclimated pretty damn quick to USA racing and were winning- so not buying that too much- although I am a big K Roc fan!
Agreed- tomac n Barcia too big for little Hondo's!!!!
Agreed- baggett riding a little over his head in order to make passes- but DAMN it's awesome to watch. Those of us on here could only dream of riding that fast- that long- against that competition!
Agreed- K Roc put down fastest lap but stool couldn't capitalize when it counted.
Agreed- Baggett would not be able to hang onto a factory 450 at speed, with his riding style at 150lbs!
I think next year is going to be an epic season in the 450 class!
I'm calling it now- RV will not win a championship next year! Not SX or outdoors. If everyone's back- healthy and ready- he's screwed. Especially if Kawi doesn't cough up more dough to keep him- he wants STUPID money next year!
Whether you like it or not- Stewart is looking great on the Zuke- and you know he will be right in the mix if not setting the pace along side CR22, RD5 and RV2!
Riders that need to pack up n go home or not show up to a race:
Hansen- A--Monkey
Alessi- Cross jumping/ cross
Lining dangerous rider
J- Law- Waste of Talent
J Hill- Toooooo many injuries
Nick Wey- Past your time, but
I am a fan.
Jake Whiner- Nuff said!
Tevin Tapia- ALWAYS in the
way!
Great posts today.
God Bless Our Troops!
I was sick of Roczons excuses the 3rd race into SX and they just keep coming. Wil hahn is the next one who will start beating him. I really like Marv and hope he keeps doing better. Tomac, Barcia, and Bagget are proving who they are, Dean Wilson would be right there.
Graham46 I agree with most of what you said, except for RV- I think if he stays healthy he will knock down 2 more titles, We haven't seen his best yet.
Well in my defense- my wife is a HUGE Villipoto fan, my daughter is all about Dungey, my son is a CR 22 fan- and I?, (gulp) am a long time Stewie fan. It's been pretty rough around my house during supercross this year- to say the least.
It's great to watch the sport I love with my wife and kids- although I have taken more trips to the "Eating Crow Buffett" than I would like to this year and I really don't enjoy my wife dancing around the living room chanting " I told you Stewart would screw up! I told you he couldn't last a whole main event! ", it's all in great fun.
I am a fan of motocross- pure and simple. I think there's a lot more important things to worry about in the world than my favorite rider winning or someone talking smack on a feedback board, or trying to justify my opinions and/ or outlook on the season to others.
I look forward to the fun times of talking motocross with motocross fans like me.
Good or bad- keep up the posts guys- gives me something to read while on the crapper!
Stewy just tweeted that he is going to race this weekend ....
Hold on .... Stewy just tweeted again .... He needs another week offf ....
No, it is NOT a cut down ... it is only some MX humor ....
Barcia wants to leave his mark on the 250s before graduating. He sees the fat lady in the distance and with Baggett the mananimal breathing down his neck after every start, we will see maxed out superhuman effort on track. God bless America. ET is not being excluded here, its just that Barcia seems to show more of his cards during the podium speeches. ET, on the podium, reminds me of the Rush album (CD for the young) Grace under Pressure.
I never agreed with the expression " I gave 110% ". Just no logic in it for me. BB has me thinking he could be the first example that could give that expression credence. His butt patch should say Manimal. Riding over his head? HA. He is flying over his head. You gotta love it.
On the one class idea, I had to chime in and say PU. I want DC to put the effort and influence on a 125 support class as well as the 250/450 program. I want more storylines and more racing. ( I think I heard him mention it in the past)
Peace everyone
Just returned from Millville . Great racing.
@bd25 x 2
First National I was a able to make it to. Weird as it sounds you see so much more and at the same time less due to a single location. Also no way to check live timing to see who the movers and shakers are.
Baggett was so far back in the first moto I was not sure this was going to be the comeback ride. One of the most interesting was Barcia looking over at Baggett and Bagget looking over at Bagget on the uphill downhill jumps . Both were in the air at the same time checking each other out . Wish I had known what each other was thinking. Before long Barcia looked over and Baggett had moved in behind him. No more looking over. Keep in mind he moved forward while Barcia had a clean track and Baggett had to switch lines on the uphills to get past Rocky and Eli.
I know this is a broken record but if this were supercross Barcia would have the title. Good to see longer races where conditioning actually matters.
As far as Baggett everyone talks about his weight being an advantage disadvantage. Well Baggett has something that I have seen in every great rider over the years . Desire . He actually reminds me of an early RC . On the edge , over the edge if needed . Good equipment an he has the trainer with Baker and must be listening to him . Steward got rid of Baker . Hmmmm. One thing that might be good for Baggett is a coach . Know when to hold em and when to fold them. I think Tomac will become a Stanton. Great on condition and tough as nails and full of determination. Not sure about Barcia . Has to be a mental trip from Suercross . Plus he is not getting bad starts , he is being passed.
Was 20 feet away from Baggett when he went down. If he would not have had to
1. Run up the back of the jump to the the flaggers attention (who then waved the med flag)
2. Plan A Run back to his bike, try to bump start .
3. Plan B Kick while in gear
4. Plan C Find neutral and kick the heck out of it. Finally get it started .
After he got going I counted him down 30 seconds. If he could have given it one kick it might have been interesting.
Hats off to the Millville track staff and workers. Great track that always continues to be improved.
Don't worry too much about Dungey and lap times. He looked great and why push it if you do not need to . Remember he has a coach named Decoster. I do honestly think if it had not been such an injury riddled season there would have been great racing. RV has that thing called desire and can ride the edge.
Not sure of the talent and desire of the other 450 riders. Look at the results and names of riders that finished behind the #3 KTM of Brown and the #16 Kawasaki of Dowd. Browns age is 40. Dowd is 46 .
Was fun watching Brown giving Dowd hand signals during the race . Looked like they were having a lot of fun.
@ VooDoo - I will give you the benefit of the doubt and assume that you are a Stewart fan. And if Stewart does return, you know that the 450 class will become interesting again ....
Funny how people think Barcia cannot hold onto as lead. The fact is BB is the only one that can pass him so Eli got lucky with his good start in the second moto. Fact is size, bike, trainer does not matter, BB is like RC with that special speed and he can pass anyone, any place, any time. When the track is roughest and you put 4 seconds a lap on everyone that is line selection and carrying speed with special talent. Anyone that does not see this needs to attend MX watching 101 or get out of denial.
@cgraham46
Dude ! you have a computer in your crapper ?
Awesome !
lol
czrider Glad you had a good time at Spring Creek, it is a great facility!! You might have seen Bucky in his golf cart cruising around the infield with his sign promoting Martin and Dungey. Great people and fans up there...
@Claxton; As previously mentioned, I like a lot of your comments, but you have selective memory.
Both Tomac and Roczen have passed Barcia cleanly this season (if you don't remember) Blake can put it in another gear but to get there he's (often) over his head and this week was a perfect example, just waiting to happen.
And you're on record for stating,"size, bike, trainer do not matter."
But you are right in that he can pass and put time on the field. He just worries me a little when he does it.
@198- Nope! A super sweet iPhone! Thank u Mr. Jobs! R.I.P.
lol @ the dungey fans... baggett can easily hang with dungey if not beat him. baggett rides with 100x more intensity and dungey only dominates because no one else is on his level in the 450 class besides all the injured riders (stewart,reed,villo). can't wait till all those guys come back and spank dungey so we can stop reading idiotic comments about how dungey can beat everyone and anyone. all due respect to him but you people sound stupid when you claim he is the best
Baggett is the fastest rider, but it seems that Geico has figured out how to build the faster bike. Consistent holeshots and watch Barcia pull away as Ken made his move to the front in the first moto. PC prepares to hit a championship dry spell after this season is over. That is until AC takes over.
Tracks coming up will favor Barcia and Musquin. Watch things at Washougal and at Southwick. I am a huge Baggett fan, but the season is not at all over in the 250 class. It will come down to the final race in CA.
I started watching this sport when Rd won his first 450 supercross title. No one has scored more points in either class than Rd. So I will put it like this for the Olympics coming up. Js7 Best 100, 200m runner, vilipoto best 400m to 5k runner, Rd best 20k to marathon runner. Trey canard is to fearless about going visit a better place and rides over his head. Chad Reed a combination of rd5, rv2,, Js7 but running out of time.
@tonewall: Roczen smoked dungey at the MXdN's last year in the mud... I would call out a solid 3rd for dungey riding the 450 in the lights class. BB barcia and tomac are just the fastest people on bikes right now. Roczen is quick too but young and whiny and just not as fast most of the time.
as to the weight issue, yeah baggett is small but he rides the same size bike and has the bike control just to keep the bike floating at mach speeds. His 1st moto pass on barcia was all skill and insanity - completely on the edge but i'd still say in control. You can't make a pass like that without the confidence to back it up. The 2nd moto pass was pretty crazy but i appreciated barcia's comment that he would have done the same. At least all the dudes have respect for each other. Top 3 all seem like decent people - rare excuses and generally clean passes. Even baggett commented on his aggressive pass on tomac... good to see the respect.
Hey its been great racing .But its not over .Yes BBhas alot in his corner,and good for him.But watch out for Barica moving in for the kill when he's at the tracks he grow up racing,and don't you think he knows that.Really it's going to go right down to the end.