450 Words: Steel City
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Print"My first goal is to just make it through all the motos this season," said Mike Alessi at the post-race press conference at the Freestone National, round two of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship. "Every season is the same thing, I try to get through supercross healthy just to get hurt during motocross. I'm not going to ride over my head this summer, it's 24 long motos."
After injuries ruined his 2008, 2009 and 2011 seasons outdoors, Alessi promised to play the long game this year, and he has. He is one of only a few riders (including Broc Tickle and Jake Weimer) to make it through the entire Monster Energy Supercross and Lucas Oil Pro Motocross season without a major injury. There have been a few key moments where the MotoConcepts rider saw a potential victory in sight, and turned it up a level trying to stave off the advances of Ryan Dungey. But for the most part, Mike has let discretion play the better part of valor. But once Dungey finally had the title wrapped, would Mike start to play things differently?
I saw Tony Alessi on Saturday morning before the FMF Steel City National, and asked him what the goals were for the day. "The instructions to the rider is to just try secure second in the championship," explained Mike's dad and team manager. "That can get hard at times when the rider feels like he's having a good day, like today he was fastest in qualifying."
Alessi has competed in every Monster Energy Supercross and Lucas Oil Pro Motocross race during the 2012 season.
Andrew Fredrickson photo
Yeah, Mike could have taken a nothing-to-lose attitude and hung it out over the edge for the win. And such an opportunity presented itself at Steel City, when Mike collected the Oakley Bomb Award with the fastest qualifying time, and then led most of the laps in the second 450 moto. Dungey already had the overall win for the day wrapped up by getting up to second, but it was clear he wanted more--he wanted the moto win. Alessi rode hard out front, but Dungey closed in, and then suddenly Alessi pretty much let him by.
"I wanted to see his lines, but about half a lap before he passed me, I kind of twisted my ankle in a turn," said Mike. "I decided to just let him go by to see if I was okay, I wasn't sure if I was hurt or not. I gave it a good effort. It was a good day, I was able to secure second in the championship for the year, which was great."
The Alessi camp decided the long game was the right one to play, and for the first time in a long time, Mike can enter the off-season with momentum, with some career certainty, and without any injuries.
"We're not going to ride over our head and and crash and break bones just to try to get a win," said Mike. "We're going to be smart and try to go into the off-season healthy so we can keep building for next year. I'd like to get some good testing in and try to make my motorcycle better."
It appears Mike's once wavering career is now back on the right track. Based on the boost of a solid season this year, how much better can he be in 2013?
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Why is this called 450 words? I come here to read about the whole class not one rider. This column gets worse and worse about that. Might as well call it The _______ _____________ story and change the rider each week.
Next year will be a LOT harder. He has grown up a lot for sure.
Could it be that even Tony has grown up. I thought him being team manager had disaster written all over it, but Mike has had (arguably) his best season ever.
Like Josh Grant, Andrew Short, and Justin Brayton, he will be solid top tenner till the end of his career. Realistically there will be no titles, but at least he can make a good living at it.
In the past, Tony could complain about everyone not giving Mike what he needed to win. As Team manager, Tony is now responsible. He cannot complain about anyone but himself since he determines what Mike gets and how it is set up. Accountability and humility are wonderful things.
I think Mike was always a good kid. I think we tend to put on him things Tony did or said and that is not fair. Great season for Mike and nice to see him finish out a season.
At least he is still at it. Look at all the racers who had promise and now who knows what they are doing.
Great season for the 800 and MotoConcepts. As the 22 says, "you gotta be in it to win it." Staying healthy, competing at every event, and building momentum, that is what it's about. Mike is making all the right moves. Wouldn't be surprised if he gets another moto win at Elsinore. Congrats!
Not a bad season at all for Mike and team , he has begun to regain some fans and is riding consistently better and is definitely tryin' hard.... but he could "hang it out over the edge and lower it with a rope " and he still is a long way from catching or beating Dungey......and some baaaaad hombres are about to saddle back up.....Maybe by getting second , Suzuki will hopefully offer to lend him a hand...and they accept.........
I don't agree with letting RD by. Yes RD was able to catch up to Mike but he also made a couple of mistakes and fell back. I don't think the RD moto win was inevitable.
Alessi seems to have ridden smart the whole MX season, and for those who keep saying wait till next year when all the top guys are back. Well just like this year and almost every year all but 2-3 of the top guys get hurt if the fans are lucky.
Letting Dungey by should silence some of the haters.
Hopefully, Daddy Dearest will back off so MA has a shot at a factory ride .... Ha!
And speaking of a factory bike, MA will need one ... and then some ... if everyone shows up next year!
Maybe Dungey was pacing Mike but he was right there several motors.........
Props to the Alessis and Mike Genova
JimM
Stantdm, what a hatter you are. It is about the 450 class. What? wright more on RD1 "5". Or 3rd or 4th. Alessi is the only guy in the 450 class that has put the class on par with the 250's class as far as excitement and unpredictability goes. The best moto of the year 450 Class was 1st moto Washougal. Fricken Alessi rocks . Give him and his Father a Break. You are the Loooooser. What you got? nuttin! STFU
450 class is sooo boring this year
383- did you say that when RC was killin it? We almost never go through a year when everyone stays healthy
Top marks for the Alessi's success this year. They embarassed all of the Japanese factory efforts, and he has to be named the top privateer of all time. Nothing but love coming from my camp, especially when he didn't pull from his bag of dirty tricks on Dungey to try to hang onto the moto win. Solid press time for his sponsors, and a privateer championship run in my books.
Good job Mike for hanging tough! You rode well and you rode smart!