by Aaron Hansel
The List: The Improvement Department
Monday, January 7, 2013 | 4:15 PM
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The opening round of Monster Energy Supercross has come and gone, and for some, things couldn’t have gone much better. Of course, as history has shown us, the action from the first race isn’t always a solid gauge as to how the season will play out, which is a good thing for the riders who didn’t quite get the results they were hoping for. For The List this week, we’ve put together a group of riders who no doubt wish they would have garnered better results. Who will improve the most in one week’s time?
Ryan Villopoto – 16th, 450SX
It wasn’t Villopoto’s night, plain and simple. An off-track excursion and a pair of crashes resulted in a very uncharacteristic sixteenth place for the champ.
Broc Tickle – 18th, 450SX
Tickle was a victim of circumstances when he crashed after hitting a Tuff Block that was kicked onto the track in Villopoto’s first crash of the night. After the race Tickle said that getting better starts would be key in avoiding these types of situations.
Mike Alessi – DNF, 450SX
Another victim of a wayward Tuff Block. Alessi went down right after the finish line jump and bent his bars. He was uninjured in the crash, but his handlebars were bent so badly he was unable to continue.
RV will be hungry for redemption at Phoenix after a 16th at the opening round.
Simon Cudby photo
Justin Barcia – 7th, 450SX
Seventh place is nothing to shake a stick at, especially for your first race in the premier class. Barcia makes this list because he spent the majority of the race in third place before crashing on the seventeenth lap and sliding back to seventh.
James Stewart – 8th, 450SX
Credit to Stewart for riding through the pain of a tweaked knee to salvage some points. The severity of his injury is not yet known, but if he’s healthy in Phoenix, don’t expect another eighth.
Travis Baker – 15th, 250SX
Travis Baker was involved in an eight-rider battle for sixth at one point, but he got cross-rutted and went down. After struggling to get his machine fired back up, Baker rejoined the race and rode to fifteenth.
Jessy Nelson – 18th, 250SX
Immediately after grabbing the holeshot in the first supercross main of his life, Nelson dipped the front end and went over the bars, creating a massive pileup. The crash looked nasty, but credit to Nelson for remounting and getting back in the race.
Martin Davalos – DNF, 250SX
After winning his heat race, Davalos got wrapped up in the big first-turn pileup that was triggered by Nelson’s crash. Davalos will have to wait until Phoenix to complete his first main event lap as a member of the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki team.
Mike Alessi had problems with a Tuff Block, leading to a DNF.
Simon Cudby photo
Blake Baggett – 14th, 250SX
The second Pro Circuit rider to get wrapped in the first-turn pileup, Baggett was able to remount and charge back up to fourteenth from way back.
Jake Canada – DNF, 250SX
Canada was only able to complete five laps before bike problems forced him out.
Josh Hansen – DNQ, 450SX
After taking out Phil Nicoletti with an aggressive block pass, Hansen was battling over the final transfer spot in the LCQ with Kyle Chisholm before his night ended when he jumped too close to the edge of the track and landed on some Tuff Blocks. Miles from qualifying, Hansen took his aggression out in the final turn by ramming Alex Ray. As he was exiting the track, Hansen had words with Nicoletti while Ray took a ride in the Asterisk Medical Mule.
"Gotta little work to do this week.. Starting now" - Ricky Carmichael on Twitter earlier today.
Ricky Carmichael photo
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Didn't see the Hansen post race meltdown. If he intentionally hurt Ray, I hope he's done in SX.
Hey dumb ass Welker I have raced at this level.. Stay home if you want to play dad,and are scared of going down....I have raced Kevin in the late 90.s. I been there and done that !!! Peolpe are and have a right to there "OPINION".. Thats the problem with you key board junkies........
I was also at the track you know A-1 The track was narrow and 1 lined !! TV from the couch doesn't count !
Hansen's take out of Alex Ray was the most pathetic thing I have ever seen. In the last turn on the last lap battling for last place in the LCQ.... Hansen just obliterates Ray for absolutely no reason. The crash looked nasty to say the least, and (as Aaron mentioned) Ray left the track on the medic mule. I disliked Hansen for many years, then started to root for him when Mitch picked him up and it seemed like his life was turning around... but now I think he is a complete A hole that should stay out of professional racing! I hope he gets a MAJOR fine for that one!
@Phoenix1
Whats your name so we can look up your results?
Josh Hansen was back to his typical self. I was there in the stands and watched him the entire LCQ knowing his character is to be a time bomb and didn't want to miss out on the action when it blew. I am all for tight, physical racing but intentionally hurting people is not okay. He needs to get his act together or go enjoy retirement with J-Law.
Hanson should be fined, then after he pays the fine, suspend him for the year. Period.. To take a guy out fighting for last place, and send him out on the stretcher, is sick.. Hanson has shown his true colors.. He was always kinda dirty, but this is the final straw for me..
Phoenix1, We believe you, given your obvious lack of formal education, spelling and writing skills.
hope donnie didnt teach him that in one of his mx schools...ahahahhahaha
Hansen's a douche.
The End.
A used up one to boot. ewwww.
Hanson's sponsors should not be to happy, may be they will see what others have seen and pull the plug on him. A fine and suspension sound about right to me too. There can be no room in this sport for that kind of riding, it is dangerous enough with out some one purposely taking you out ..all the best to Alex Ray!
F*ck Hansen, that was a desperate dipsh*t move that landed someone on the meat wagon when they weren't even in contention. Everyone can ride like that and karma is a b*tch. It's not a skill the others don't have, they just choose not to be the scum of the racetrack.
Hanson is a sorry excuse for a competitor. This does it for me permanatly- I have hoped for years he would stop being a dirty little punk racer and take his great talant and do something good with it. I am sick of the dozens of take-outs I have seen him do over the years and now I wish them all back on him. Thank you Racerx for stating what he did sat night, unnecessary take out of Nicolette, then tring to take out Chism with a dirty sross jump that landed him in the tuff blocks, then t-boning Alex. IF the ama doesnt dock him from racing I hope he gets taken out needlessly every time he tries to qualify and we will just let karma take care of little turds like him.
Makes me sick because he really does have tallant but his brain is messed up enough to make him think taking people who honestly just want to race out is cool.
Hanson I don't wish you ill, I just wish you get back what you dish out !!!
I really don't think Josh's dad Donny approves of some of the dumb stuff Josh does. But he is his father and always will be. You can't walk away from your Kids no matter how they might turn out.. I did go though Donny's school 12 years ago. He does a great job.
i think macgrath should get a big cape on. Cut off hansens head put it on a stick and slowly moonwalk around each track..as windhams flyin around in opening ceremonies..ahhahahahhahahhaahaah
I was there... Hanson's last turn take out was 100% idiot.
(and I have always given this kid the benefit of the doubt, and rooted for him to get back on his feet during the PC days)
@ yzchris76 Thats some real Wizardry on your part !! I think you should go for the RC JOB NO MAYBE Rutledge Wood spot since you are the man.. Hey the next time you want a bring your dead ass out on vaction and want to see me stop at Milstone............Pizza face !
I dont see the point of having perfect grammer on a racerx message board. Im no albert einstein though
@ 731Chopper Hey clint ! Get a shave and quit talkin to that empty chair !!
"
It's before you TIME kid ! But if you must know tell that dill weed "Welker" you know Heiki M Hannahs old man !! LOL !!
I rode a Kaw in early 90's at lorretta lynn's . Then pro in 95 Thats about the year you were born Right !!!
Jeff Willoh Glendale, CA
@ yzchris76 with my il·lit·er·ate skills I've done great things in life ...How about yourself !
Hanson, and Grant as well. Watched some scary stuff out there. Should be $ fines involved.
Phoenix1 "with my il·lit·er·ate skills I've done great things in life ...How about yourself !"
Your a legend in your oun mind! Where is Milestone? Roadtrip to do some manner teachen anyone?
Maybe you guys should consider starting watching F1 racing, that's not a sissy sport that's motocross! Every one has play dirty in their career at one point or an other! Quit crying ! Plus Hansen was running 3 seconds slower than the best on a stock bike I doubt all of you that said he's not good can ride that fast !!!
I like watching F1, best 4 wheel racing there is! And no Nascar plain sucks so dont start.
Hansen is a piece of shit and always will be. For about 3 months in 2011 he gave the impression that he matured / got smarter. Then when Tickle got close to him in points he started trying to take him out at the test track and other immature crap. He's a shit leopard that can't change his spots.
@CaselH
Thats not a great comparison for defending what Hansen did. I am an F1 fan an they overly ref the race. You barely bump and a guy and you get at least a drive through penalty which can totally wreck a race. But lets pull a card from F1's playbook then and let the riders out there racing with that clown decide his fate.
hey caseih there is a clear difference between rough rubbin racing and being a jackass. hansen has been a jackass his whole career... im a farm boy too no disrepect but maybe you should go hop on your case ih and stay in the field.... and sissy sport, really? i mean really?
you want a sissy sport go watch some effin golf
Intentional takeouts were ok many years ago when this was still and obscure redneck sport and guys were racing in bluejeans and work boots. This is an era of million dollar sponsors and contracts with a lot on the line. Block passing is good....intentional takeouts are not! Wreck someones bike or worse cause injury and end a season or a championship hope? Why.....if you're not fast enough to pass someone or stay ahead of them then take it for what it is and find a way to be faster! Don't jeopardize someones career because they work harder than you.....
hansen is nothing but a punk. Id love to see him get his arse kicked. total waste of space for a professinal rider if thats what he wants to call himself.
Wake up call - Josh Hansen:
- AMA - fine him hard
- Pro Circuit & other sponsors - fine him and/or drop him as he doesn't represent the image you want / deserve
- Donnie - how can a class act like yourself raise such a self centered, good for nothing, spoiled brat
- AMA (again) - what has he accomplished in this sport that deserve a permanent number
- sponsors (again) - what has he accomplished in this sport to deserve a ride and whatever salary you are paying him
- Josh - go after your true calling at In & Out Burger but stop spitting in people's food
@CaselH Rubbing may be racing. But when ur in last place during an LCQ on the last lap, there is no excuse.
"oh lil Hanny your soo cool. Next week maybe just ride into a flagger. *crush beer can on my head*"
Tuff blocks. That's what needs to be on the improvement list. At least 2 crashes with roaming tuff blocks. What has to be done to stop this? Can't have things that are supposed to help the riders, hurt them. Moto GP doesn't put gravel traps where it can get in the track. That is what SX is supposed to be now, right?
@phoenix1..Kudos for telling them who you are. I remember you. Need more ex-pro's to do the same.You are the first I've seen come clean. I am not a pro and never claimed to be, +35B. Unless your just stirring up shit, never know on here.
This Phoenix dude thinks he is the only guy who has ever raced, LOL!! And calls guys "keyboard junkies"" and he has been burning the keyboards up, hahaha.... Look in the mirror Phoenix......You say you have done well in life..you sure have made an as$ of yourself on here..
@ Misoheye
No I 'm not but............ it amazes me how much people talk smack and never done the trade...............All of these guy's are the best there is if you think you have what it takes then show up and show everyone what you got !! Thats all............Enjoy the reading ! Thanks J W
@phoenix1.. No Kudos did you defend OJ also, seem like that type!
therealmofo
Dude seriously anyone that has that name !! Let me guess your Jesus Brother .. I wish you all the best !!!
@
jamesecox
No but with a name like that you MUST BE A LIL DICK ! LOL !
Time for bed BONZO
Like I said BAMA !
Phoenix1 wrote: about 2 hours ago
Maico25
Alabama is going to kill the Iris
Phoenix1 wrote: about 2 hours ago
@Maico25
Ohio State is number # except for tattoo's for trophies... It should be ND vs Ohio State.. Ohio state would crush them.Ohio State wins the title next year when eliable !
Stamp it !! URBAN MYER MOFO
i remember the name Jeff Willoh; if that is indeed who he says it is, then he is a legit ex-pro who raced SX/MX.
i also took one of Donnie Hanson's MX schools back in 1993 or so. i remember Josh was there; he was really young and was riding around on a PW50 while his dad was coaching us. hard to believe that kid grew up to be the punk i see on TV. what a waste.
Yea,something about the tuf blocks is not right.They seem to be a little like another track obstacle,rather than a track liner.
Josh Hansen....total D-Bag! Used to kinda be a fan of his.But,that last corner blatant takeout for 19th place was a joke.Nice one,Punk!
Isn't Jeff Willoh the guy who failed the drug test and lost his ride?
731chopper
wouldn't be suprised, this guy is back on the nonprescribed meds it seems......greatest racer in his own mine.
Who cares what he did 18 friggin years ago, the sport has changed since then, I guess some people never progress.
First A1 I didn't go to in a 5-6 years, so I missed hannys last lap takeout, I did see the finish line jump crash were he was already over his head.
If anyone things hanny is on a stock bike is crazy, his motor and suspension are very far from stock.
I would cast a vote for Zach Osbourne as well. While it wasn't a BAD ride, he looked to be much better than 7th.
It would suck to be Donnie Hansen and have to look Alex Ray's father in the eye.
@ phoenix1 aka jeff willow
I remember that name on a Honda,checked the vault,1st overall 125 west SX san diego 96'! 8th for the season in same!
That means you are 99.999% more qualified then any other of us yayhoo's on here.
Mr. Willoh also did pretty well in Arenacross... so he has plenty of room to talk. Sometimes I doubt that most of the posters on here even ride.
Hansen is a total douche. I've tried to like him, esdpecially last time he got a shot with PC, but then he does totally stupid things like this. I hope Nicoletti takes his ass out next weekend and breaks his freaking leg.
@Yitzhak_Rabin
Care to elaborate? Whered you hear Hansen did that?
Well the obvious answers are Ryan Villopoto and Martin Davalos. Poto will probably come out for revenge and crack a W - and Davlos (after getting a DNF) has the potential to come and and win, if not podium. Other contenders would be Alessi - would could improve a DNF to as high as a 5th with a holeshot in Pheonix. Baggett would be the other obvious one....
@ Carlsbad - why are you even mentioning Donnie? The guy is a class act! Josh is an adult and can answer for his own actions - total BS on your part to even mention Donnie's name. Same goes for you other idiots who are an absolute embarrassment to the sport.
Pitbull Accept my apologies for the remark !!!
I'm not a fan of the personallity of JS7 but love the way he can ride a bike
@Phoenix1
Hey Jeff how ya been? I remmeber interviewing you at LL's prior to your Pro racing.
Not sure what Welker said, or if Racer X pulled it, but He is a pretty good dude...old fart
and older than me...maybe see ya at Red Bud this year.
Hansen really did a bone head move and AMA needs to fine him or DQ for the year.
Tuff block issue, Feld is securing them to the dirt but doesn't seem to be holding. Not sure what the fix would be but they got to be reviewing this....
Hansen has always, and always will be a punk. He got just what he deserved in the LCQ.
I hope mr. Ray finds josh Hansen at the local pub on a barstool crying the blues that his career is over. Then mr. Ray can rearrange his face like the last person did. As$hole.
whats the story on his face did somebody f**k him up or was that a crash?
If Feld can't figure out the tuff block problem then they need to stop using them. They are doing more harm then good, unless ads around the track are more important than rider safety. Go back to banners. Sure they get tangled up in wheels but, it happens to the rider that goes through them not 2-3 guys on down the line. When was the last time a rider went over the bars because they ran over some banners? I bet if they took some of their firework budget they could hire someone to get it figured out. How about a contest to try and solve this issue. Have people submit designs and if one will work give them a VIP trip to Vegas or something like that. Promoters and race organizers should be ashamed. I'll use Nascar as an example, imagine if chunks of wall came off every time they got clipped. Hey, as long as SX becomes more mainstream that is all that matters.
I think some time ago I made a comment about unless you have not raced at the top level you dont know what it is like. Dont remember if I called Pheonix out or not? I thought it was a general comment to the posters here?
Yes I have been in this sport since it inception. Juat an old fart and heve taken a few out asI myself have been taken out several times.
@ Larry Whitmer and a few others that have posted good comments @ me thanks for the good words..
The tough blocks aren't doing more harm than good. A lot of times the riders land on them after crashing which softens the blow but, most importantly, they do a good job at limiting the head on collisions.
Now the trucks and boats out there in the middle of the track are a different story. I still cringe when I think about Ricky Carmichael flying off the track and straight into a boat in Dallas.