May 31, 2005
On The Gas!
Nice shot of Mike Alessi leading the way at High Point last weekend. Photo by Jamie Mullen, courtesy of Racer X Online.
May 29, 2005
High Point!
Well, it looks like Cycle News got the online holeshot with their race report of today's outdoor National at the High Point Raceway at Mt. Morris, PA. And it looks like my Hangtown prediction of Carmichael and Stewart going 1 and 2 came true today, instead. I wasn't there, and it sounds like I missed a great race! There will be a lot of banter over the internet about this race for the rest of the week!
And in the 250F class, my man Mike Alessi garnered his very first National win... way to go, Mike! And Mike Brown actually won one of the motos, making it the first time a Honda 250F has taken the checkered flag at an outdoor national... and it was a privateer Honda at that! Good job, Brownie!
How Ryan Hughes, Ivan Tedesco, Josh Grant and Nathan Ramsey beat Broc Hepler in his backyard, I have no idea. Guess we'll have to go to the tape for that answer.
And in the 250F class, my man Mike Alessi garnered his very first National win... way to go, Mike! And Mike Brown actually won one of the motos, making it the first time a Honda 250F has taken the checkered flag at an outdoor national... and it was a privateer Honda at that! Good job, Brownie!
How Ryan Hughes, Ivan Tedesco, Josh Grant and Nathan Ramsey beat Broc Hepler in his backyard, I have no idea. Guess we'll have to go to the tape for that answer.
May 28, 2005
May 27, 2005
Sparkplug #5
Well, I was a little off on last week’s prediction for the opening National at Hangtown. Rick Carmichael did indeed go 1-1, but James Stewart, as everyone knows by now, was unable to finish higher than 6th in the first moto… and then pulled off the track feeling ill during the second race.
However, it was what happened in the 250F class that leads to this week’s Sparkplug, because the topic is electric starters. As in, “How many races have to be lost before the factories begin equipping their bikes with them?”
Mike Alessi had a fantastic day last Sunday, running top 5 for most of moto 1, and then leading the second race from gate drop to that fateful last turn incident with Grant Langston. Much has been said about the incident, but no one has commented on the glaring fact that there is in fact a better way to start or restart a motocross motorcycle without resorting to brute force.
I am old enough to remember when electric starting first became commonplace on street motorcycles. I recall actually being a bit pissed off that the manufacturers, after a few years of electric starting, began building motorcycles WITHOUT KICKSTARTERS! “How lame is THAT?”, I thought back then. To me, in my mid-teens at the time, kickstarting your motorcycle was one of the coolest things you could possibly do. Heck, before I had my first motorcycle, I used to pretend “kickstarting” my Sears ten-speed! Of course, the end of the kickstart-only era opened motorcycling up to a much wider market. How many of those big twin Harleys do you think they would be selling today if those middle-aged yuppies had to exert themselves to start them?
No doubt, e-start was a godsend to the street side of our sport, and it is proving very, VERY popular in the offroad community as well. I think KTM deserves a lot of credit for providing it on their great cross-country bikes. I remember racing a Saturday REM round at Glen Helen; lined up next to me on the starting gate was a guy who had to be 65 if he was a day, sitting on a big Katoom 520. It was hot as heck, and I was just waiting to see this old guy kick that big boy over. When the 30 second card went up, I glanced over at him… and his bike was already running! Yep, he had a “happy button” on that bike. (Oh yeah, that “old guy” lapped me during that moto, too!)
Back to the present. I truly believe Alessi would have won that moto at Hangtown if he had a “happy button” on his 250F. Even though he had to run a few yards to where his bike lay, he was ahead of Grant and they both picked up their bikes at about the same time. But no, KTM Racing decided to forego installing electric starting on their race bikes, so they had to pay the price at the finish line. And it’s not the first time something like this has happened.
Back in 1999, at the L.A. Supercross, living legend Doug Henry led every lap of the muddy main on his works Yamaha YZ400… until he fell on the last lap and … guess what? That’s right: he couldn’t kickstart the bike! Well, he did eventually light the beast, but not before a surprised Sebastien Tortelli stole the win. I also seem to recall during the maiden year of Yamaha’s 250F, when Ernesto Fonseca was laying waste to what was then truly the 125 class in supercross, there was a race he lost in much the same manner, sitting on the sidelines, kicking and kicking and kicking…
Even at last year’s Hangtown opener, young Josh Grant’s first moto surprise lead was ruined when, after crashing, he couldn’t refire his little Honda thumper right away. Again, how many motos have to be lost before something is done?
The lone argument against e-starting is weight. That’s it! To me, a person who carries more than a few extra pounds on his frame, that’s a non-issue. Give me effortless starting, and I’ll give up a few pizza nights. Obviously, though, for the world-class athletes that race on the National circuit, those extra pounds make a difference… but maybe we should ask Mike Alessi if the tradeoff was worth it last Sunday.
However, it was what happened in the 250F class that leads to this week’s Sparkplug, because the topic is electric starters. As in, “How many races have to be lost before the factories begin equipping their bikes with them?”
Mike Alessi had a fantastic day last Sunday, running top 5 for most of moto 1, and then leading the second race from gate drop to that fateful last turn incident with Grant Langston. Much has been said about the incident, but no one has commented on the glaring fact that there is in fact a better way to start or restart a motocross motorcycle without resorting to brute force.
I am old enough to remember when electric starting first became commonplace on street motorcycles. I recall actually being a bit pissed off that the manufacturers, after a few years of electric starting, began building motorcycles WITHOUT KICKSTARTERS! “How lame is THAT?”, I thought back then. To me, in my mid-teens at the time, kickstarting your motorcycle was one of the coolest things you could possibly do. Heck, before I had my first motorcycle, I used to pretend “kickstarting” my Sears ten-speed! Of course, the end of the kickstart-only era opened motorcycling up to a much wider market. How many of those big twin Harleys do you think they would be selling today if those middle-aged yuppies had to exert themselves to start them?
No doubt, e-start was a godsend to the street side of our sport, and it is proving very, VERY popular in the offroad community as well. I think KTM deserves a lot of credit for providing it on their great cross-country bikes. I remember racing a Saturday REM round at Glen Helen; lined up next to me on the starting gate was a guy who had to be 65 if he was a day, sitting on a big Katoom 520. It was hot as heck, and I was just waiting to see this old guy kick that big boy over. When the 30 second card went up, I glanced over at him… and his bike was already running! Yep, he had a “happy button” on that bike. (Oh yeah, that “old guy” lapped me during that moto, too!)
Back to the present. I truly believe Alessi would have won that moto at Hangtown if he had a “happy button” on his 250F. Even though he had to run a few yards to where his bike lay, he was ahead of Grant and they both picked up their bikes at about the same time. But no, KTM Racing decided to forego installing electric starting on their race bikes, so they had to pay the price at the finish line. And it’s not the first time something like this has happened.
Back in 1999, at the L.A. Supercross, living legend Doug Henry led every lap of the muddy main on his works Yamaha YZ400… until he fell on the last lap and … guess what? That’s right: he couldn’t kickstart the bike! Well, he did eventually light the beast, but not before a surprised Sebastien Tortelli stole the win. I also seem to recall during the maiden year of Yamaha’s 250F, when Ernesto Fonseca was laying waste to what was then truly the 125 class in supercross, there was a race he lost in much the same manner, sitting on the sidelines, kicking and kicking and kicking…
Even at last year’s Hangtown opener, young Josh Grant’s first moto surprise lead was ruined when, after crashing, he couldn’t refire his little Honda thumper right away. Again, how many motos have to be lost before something is done?
The lone argument against e-starting is weight. That’s it! To me, a person who carries more than a few extra pounds on his frame, that’s a non-issue. Give me effortless starting, and I’ll give up a few pizza nights. Obviously, though, for the world-class athletes that race on the National circuit, those extra pounds make a difference… but maybe we should ask Mike Alessi if the tradeoff was worth it last Sunday.
May 26, 2005
New Place to Race in SoCal! AVMotoplex - Motorcross Ride Park
This is cool: a new track just opened in Los Angeles County: AVMotoplex - Motorcross Ride Park.
I haven't been yet, but I'm stoked!
I haven't been yet, but I'm stoked!
May 25, 2005
"If I Can Get A Top Ten This Weekend, I'll Be Happy"
There's a great video interview with Team Monster/Pro Circuit's Grant Langston over at Transworld Motocross Online, where he explains what happened in that exciting last turn at Hangtown. He definitely comes across well, and it certainly makes senses to me after seeing all of the videos and still.
Unfortunately, he won't be 100% for High Point on Sunday, so he's hoping to salvage some points by racing hurt. This could be Grant's season.
Unfortunately, he won't be 100% for High Point on Sunday, so he's hoping to salvage some points by racing hurt. This could be Grant's season.
May 24, 2005
Quick thoughts on Hangtown
(I posted a version of this over at Motodrive; this version has more filling!)
1) RC beat the shit outta those guys. He pulled a Lance-Armstrong-in-the-Alps move on them and made them feel PAIN. I imagine there's a lot of despair in the hearts of some championship hopefuls...
2) Fonseca's brainfart turned 250 moto 1 into the "same old, same old". RC had the holeshot, but up there with him was Windham, Reed and Stewart. It was looking real good until Fonzie flipped out in the worst possible place imaginable. It was ugly. You could feel the disappointment in the crowd as the pileup unfolded.
3) Stewart's first lap charge was amazing. We were standing there wondering "how the heck did he get to 16th that fast?" James had a great first moto. Second moto, well... still trying to figure out what's up.
4) The 250F class was unbelievable. First moto, Hepler puts the beat down on the boys like he was channeling James Stewart. Josh Grant looked good for a while, but faded (disappointing); Alessi looked troubled and then faded (or so I thought); Mike Brown surprised the hell out of me; Langston looked strong and Ryno looked inspired.
5) The other KTM 250's were popping and sounded off-song.
6) Mike Alessi totally surprised everyone in moto 2, as did Langston. And that last turn craziness electrified the crowd all over the valley. It was incredible... and incredibly disappointing for this confirmed Alessi fan.
7) Langston REALLY wrecked his left ankle when he slammed into Alessi. Not a wise move on his part, especially if it keeps him off the bike next week at High Point. Langston had the overall wrapped up; the only reason to go for broke for the win was the three additional championship points that came with it. Being that he won a championship with less than that as a buffer, I can understand why he'd want every single point. But still... we'll see how his ankle turns out.
8) Travis Preston looked pretty damn strong running in the top 5. None of the other 250 "hopefuls" made up any ground on him. In the first moto, though, Chad Reed caught him and taught him a lesson: "You will NOT finish in front of me!" Travis didn't have anything for Reed.
9) David Vuillemin also looked good. The top 5 racers totally outclassed the rest of the 250/450 field.
10) Mike Brown and Josh Grant made those Honda 250F's look fast, but I still don't know about whether they'll win a National this year. If so, look for Brown to be the man to do it.
11) No one is giving Ivan Tedesco much credit for running up front for much of the second 250F moto. He's not expected to be an outdoor threat, but there he was. Don't know where he was in the first moto, though.
12) Hepler looks to be the man to beat in the 250F class, despite his second moto crash. His speed and style in the first moto was unbelievable, and he rode with a lot of confidence. He's going to be very difficult to beat at his home track next weekend in Pennsylvania.
13) Matt Walker rode to 4th in the second moto, but he was unimpressive, IMHO. Mitch must have gave him a good talking to after his dismal first moto.
14) Broc Sellards: 20 - 13. Never seemed to be on the gas. What's going on here?
15) Juss Lansoo is an up-and-comer to watch out for. His fifth overall was well-deserved, as he beat the likes of Ferry and Fonseca.
16) Finally, John Dowd! Junkyard was looking really good in the first moto, even holding off Stewart for a short while. He definitely benefitted from the Fonseca fracas, 'cause his second moto start put him back in the pack where he's expected to run.
1) RC beat the shit outta those guys. He pulled a Lance-Armstrong-in-the-Alps move on them and made them feel PAIN. I imagine there's a lot of despair in the hearts of some championship hopefuls...
2) Fonseca's brainfart turned 250 moto 1 into the "same old, same old". RC had the holeshot, but up there with him was Windham, Reed and Stewart. It was looking real good until Fonzie flipped out in the worst possible place imaginable. It was ugly. You could feel the disappointment in the crowd as the pileup unfolded.
3) Stewart's first lap charge was amazing. We were standing there wondering "how the heck did he get to 16th that fast?" James had a great first moto. Second moto, well... still trying to figure out what's up.
4) The 250F class was unbelievable. First moto, Hepler puts the beat down on the boys like he was channeling James Stewart. Josh Grant looked good for a while, but faded (disappointing); Alessi looked troubled and then faded (or so I thought); Mike Brown surprised the hell out of me; Langston looked strong and Ryno looked inspired.
5) The other KTM 250's were popping and sounded off-song.
6) Mike Alessi totally surprised everyone in moto 2, as did Langston. And that last turn craziness electrified the crowd all over the valley. It was incredible... and incredibly disappointing for this confirmed Alessi fan.
7) Langston REALLY wrecked his left ankle when he slammed into Alessi. Not a wise move on his part, especially if it keeps him off the bike next week at High Point. Langston had the overall wrapped up; the only reason to go for broke for the win was the three additional championship points that came with it. Being that he won a championship with less than that as a buffer, I can understand why he'd want every single point. But still... we'll see how his ankle turns out.
8) Travis Preston looked pretty damn strong running in the top 5. None of the other 250 "hopefuls" made up any ground on him. In the first moto, though, Chad Reed caught him and taught him a lesson: "You will NOT finish in front of me!" Travis didn't have anything for Reed.
9) David Vuillemin also looked good. The top 5 racers totally outclassed the rest of the 250/450 field.
10) Mike Brown and Josh Grant made those Honda 250F's look fast, but I still don't know about whether they'll win a National this year. If so, look for Brown to be the man to do it.
11) No one is giving Ivan Tedesco much credit for running up front for much of the second 250F moto. He's not expected to be an outdoor threat, but there he was. Don't know where he was in the first moto, though.
12) Hepler looks to be the man to beat in the 250F class, despite his second moto crash. His speed and style in the first moto was unbelievable, and he rode with a lot of confidence. He's going to be very difficult to beat at his home track next weekend in Pennsylvania.
13) Matt Walker rode to 4th in the second moto, but he was unimpressive, IMHO. Mitch must have gave him a good talking to after his dismal first moto.
14) Broc Sellards: 20 - 13. Never seemed to be on the gas. What's going on here?
15) Juss Lansoo is an up-and-comer to watch out for. His fifth overall was well-deserved, as he beat the likes of Ferry and Fonseca.
16) Finally, John Dowd! Junkyard was looking really good in the first moto, even holding off Stewart for a short while. He definitely benefitted from the Fonseca fracas, 'cause his second moto start put him back in the pack where he's expected to run.
May 23, 2005
Here's the start of the first 250 (okay, "450") moto at Hangtown. It was looking great at this point... Carmichael (4) in the lead, with Team Honda's Ernesto Fonseca (24) and Kevin Windham (14) pressing him, and Chad Reed also lurking in 4th. Behind Windham is James Stewart. And then right after this turn, at the top of the hill, Ernie threw a monkeywrench into the works...
Talk about leaving it on the track...
Transworld Motocross' Donn Maeda snapped this shot of Mike Alessi collapsed on the side of the track after that intense second 250F moto. Mike led the moto wire to almost-wire, having victory snatched from him by multiple 125 champion Grant Langston. It was still a great effort, Mike!
Look at Grant Langston's left ankle!
Whoa Nelly! Transworld Motocross has a picture of Grant after that wild second moto finish... where he won the moto, but dislocated his ankle. Ouch!!
Get Well Soon, Deegan
I'm not the biggest fan of freestyle motocross, and you won't read much at all about it on this site, but I recognize the impact that Brian Deegan has made on the "sport" and still consider him a "brother-in-arms" for motocross at large. Apparently, Deegan was seriously injured this weekend, according to this report from Racer X Online.
I'm glad he survived and hope he recovers quickly and as fully as possible.
I'm glad he survived and hope he recovers quickly and as fully as possible.
Hangtown!
Me and buddy Lliam Burke just got back from a road trip to the Hangtown National. I'll be posting thoughts and pictures shortly, but I have to link to Jason Weigandt's excellent race report at Racer X Online... J-Wag sums up the day in a way that is, um, Eric Johnson-esque. That is meant to be a great compliment!
May 20, 2005
Sparkplug #4
On Sunday, May 22, 2005, the first shot will be fired in the war between Carmichael and Stewart, something the motocross world has been anticipating for a couple of years now. Here’s my take on what I think will happen:
Carmichael, 1 – 1. Stewart, 2 -2.
Now, I am a huge James Stewart fan, and I truly believe he’s the most exciting racer to watch, by far. But I am also a pretty big RC supporter as well; I will never forget the races I’ve seen him in: his first year on the 125 at the Perris Invitational Supercross, throwing out can-cans over 70-foot gaps like it was nothing. At Budds Creek that same year, wearing number 70, he was absolutely SMOKING the field, and everyone in the crowd was going “who the heck is THAT?” I watched him practicing starts at Glen Helen for his second year in the 125 class… the intensity that he brought to each and every launch made it clear that he intended to dominate that day and every day thereafter. Later that same day, I watched him hammer through the biggest ruts I’ve ever seen at Glen Helen (and that’s saying something!), and he would then dive into the turn at the end of the straight completely wide open, the engine note dropping only when the rear wheel slammed into the berm. Unbelievable.
Of course, Rick was the only motocrosser to ever sweep a season… and then he did it TWICE, for those that might have missed it the first time. In fact, as I write this, he’s still undefeated outdoors. The kid is fast, plain and simple (and here he is, courtesy Transworld Motocross, practicing for Sunday).
James Stewart is fast too, no question about it. I have stood at trackside and marveled at his speed many times, and I hope to do it many more times as well. Last year at Hangtown, sometime after he finally shook the minor threat from Stefan Roncada, Stewart was wailing down a particularly nasty straight SO FAST, that each time he went by, the people in the crowd would just look at each other, smile and shake their heads, as if to say “I can’t believe anyone can ride a bike that fast!”. And they repeated this lap after lap after lap. James is so fast, it’s almost scary, and you can be sure that Carmichael is well aware of his rival’s speed.
So why am I picking RC to win Hangtown? One reason: James is coming off of an arm injury, which will not help the arm pump that he has suffered at Hangtown the past two years. It’s probably due to nerves, and I’m pretty sure that he’ll be a little nervous knowing that he’s going to have to really hang it out there to run with Rick. So I’m guessing that James will get out there and scare himself a couple of times and end up backing off and cruising in behind RC; they’ll both be far ahead of third place.
However, for the title I’m going with Stewart. It’s not that I think James is the better man (or the worse, for that matter); I just don’t think they’ve fixed all the bugs in Rick’s new Suzuki thumper. Something as minor as a stall and a hard-to-start engine could be enough to lose a moto for Rick, and I’m thinking that they’re probably see an even more severe mechanical before the season’s over.
In any case, this year’s championship race will be one for the ages. It’s a great time to be a motocross fan! See you outdoors!
Carmichael, 1 – 1. Stewart, 2 -2.
Now, I am a huge James Stewart fan, and I truly believe he’s the most exciting racer to watch, by far. But I am also a pretty big RC supporter as well; I will never forget the races I’ve seen him in: his first year on the 125 at the Perris Invitational Supercross, throwing out can-cans over 70-foot gaps like it was nothing. At Budds Creek that same year, wearing number 70, he was absolutely SMOKING the field, and everyone in the crowd was going “who the heck is THAT?” I watched him practicing starts at Glen Helen for his second year in the 125 class… the intensity that he brought to each and every launch made it clear that he intended to dominate that day and every day thereafter. Later that same day, I watched him hammer through the biggest ruts I’ve ever seen at Glen Helen (and that’s saying something!), and he would then dive into the turn at the end of the straight completely wide open, the engine note dropping only when the rear wheel slammed into the berm. Unbelievable.
Of course, Rick was the only motocrosser to ever sweep a season… and then he did it TWICE, for those that might have missed it the first time. In fact, as I write this, he’s still undefeated outdoors. The kid is fast, plain and simple (and here he is, courtesy Transworld Motocross, practicing for Sunday).
James Stewart is fast too, no question about it. I have stood at trackside and marveled at his speed many times, and I hope to do it many more times as well. Last year at Hangtown, sometime after he finally shook the minor threat from Stefan Roncada, Stewart was wailing down a particularly nasty straight SO FAST, that each time he went by, the people in the crowd would just look at each other, smile and shake their heads, as if to say “I can’t believe anyone can ride a bike that fast!”. And they repeated this lap after lap after lap. James is so fast, it’s almost scary, and you can be sure that Carmichael is well aware of his rival’s speed.
So why am I picking RC to win Hangtown? One reason: James is coming off of an arm injury, which will not help the arm pump that he has suffered at Hangtown the past two years. It’s probably due to nerves, and I’m pretty sure that he’ll be a little nervous knowing that he’s going to have to really hang it out there to run with Rick. So I’m guessing that James will get out there and scare himself a couple of times and end up backing off and cruising in behind RC; they’ll both be far ahead of third place.
However, for the title I’m going with Stewart. It’s not that I think James is the better man (or the worse, for that matter); I just don’t think they’ve fixed all the bugs in Rick’s new Suzuki thumper. Something as minor as a stall and a hard-to-start engine could be enough to lose a moto for Rick, and I’m thinking that they’re probably see an even more severe mechanical before the season’s over.
In any case, this year’s championship race will be one for the ages. It’s a great time to be a motocross fan! See you outdoors!
May 18, 2005
An Open Letter to Ryan Hughes
Hey Ryan, I might as well be up front about this, because you’re probably not going to like what I’m about to say: YOU SHOULD RACE THE 250 CLASS THIS YEAR.
Honestly, I have been working my feeble brain over this and I cannot figure out why you think it’s to your advantage to take another shot at the 125 class title this year. I find it extremely hard to grasp the concept that you actually believe you have a chance at winning the title on a privateer Honda CR250F. And if you’re NOT gunning for the championship, why wouldn’t you go for top 5 in the 250 class?
I’ve read all the interviews you’ve done recently, and you’re confusing me. At Racer X you said you were as fast as Grant Langston on your 250F… so why didn’t you take the opportunity at the Prequel to beat his butt and send him a message? Then in your interview with Transworld Motocross after the Prequel you said your first motivation is the money (“First of all, the biggest purse is in the 250 class, so when you do your own team, you need every penny you can get.”) Ryan, if that really is the case, wouldn’t you earn more money finishing 5th or 6th in the 250 class outdoors, than 7th through 10th in the 125 class?
There. I’ve said it. I like you and respect you. I even have an autographed picture of you, and I’m not the type of guy that gets everyone’s signature. But I don’t think you’re going to be able to finish in front of Team Suzuki’s Milsaps and Jesseman, nor beat KTM’s Alessi and Ramsey. Then there’s Langston and Walker on the Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s, leaving you in 7th. I didn’t even bring up Mike Brown, or even Josh Grant, who gave you a bit of a run (and took your 250 title) at the Four Stroke Worlds.
Ryan, I think you can beat Tim Ferry. I think you can run with Vuillemin (although you weren’t able to last weekend, from what I’ve heard). Basically, I think you’ll do much better in the big bike class, and I’m surprised, and frankly puzzled, that you don’t think the same.
Finally, you HAVE to know that the CR450F will give you a better chance against the factory bikes than the 250F. At the very least, you know that the 450 has actually won at the National level… I don’t think the littlest Honda has even won a moto, but I could be wrong. Certainly you’re aware of the results of the most recent supercross season… and the hottest 250F’s were not wearing red. You may be bringing a gun to a gunfight, but it’s not gonna be the baddest one there, not by a long shot.
Ryan, it may be too late for you to change your entry, so you may just have to sleep in that bed you prepared. I hate to see you do this to yourself.
Honestly, I have been working my feeble brain over this and I cannot figure out why you think it’s to your advantage to take another shot at the 125 class title this year. I find it extremely hard to grasp the concept that you actually believe you have a chance at winning the title on a privateer Honda CR250F. And if you’re NOT gunning for the championship, why wouldn’t you go for top 5 in the 250 class?
I’ve read all the interviews you’ve done recently, and you’re confusing me. At Racer X you said you were as fast as Grant Langston on your 250F… so why didn’t you take the opportunity at the Prequel to beat his butt and send him a message? Then in your interview with Transworld Motocross after the Prequel you said your first motivation is the money (“First of all, the biggest purse is in the 250 class, so when you do your own team, you need every penny you can get.”) Ryan, if that really is the case, wouldn’t you earn more money finishing 5th or 6th in the 250 class outdoors, than 7th through 10th in the 125 class?
There. I’ve said it. I like you and respect you. I even have an autographed picture of you, and I’m not the type of guy that gets everyone’s signature. But I don’t think you’re going to be able to finish in front of Team Suzuki’s Milsaps and Jesseman, nor beat KTM’s Alessi and Ramsey. Then there’s Langston and Walker on the Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s, leaving you in 7th. I didn’t even bring up Mike Brown, or even Josh Grant, who gave you a bit of a run (and took your 250 title) at the Four Stroke Worlds.
Ryan, I think you can beat Tim Ferry. I think you can run with Vuillemin (although you weren’t able to last weekend, from what I’ve heard). Basically, I think you’ll do much better in the big bike class, and I’m surprised, and frankly puzzled, that you don’t think the same.
Finally, you HAVE to know that the CR450F will give you a better chance against the factory bikes than the 250F. At the very least, you know that the 450 has actually won at the National level… I don’t think the littlest Honda has even won a moto, but I could be wrong. Certainly you’re aware of the results of the most recent supercross season… and the hottest 250F’s were not wearing red. You may be bringing a gun to a gunfight, but it’s not gonna be the baddest one there, not by a long shot.
Ryan, it may be too late for you to change your entry, so you may just have to sleep in that bed you prepared. I hate to see you do this to yourself.
May 17, 2005
Motocross Action handicaps the 250 class
Thanks to Leonard over at MotoDrive for pointing me to this article at Motocross Action's website. It's a great look at the class of 2005 lining up for the upcoming 250 outdoor national championship. Here's the spoiler: they're picking Rick Carmichael to win it all.
Great read.
Great read.
Our Family Sport
There's a great thread over at MotoDrive by BrownDogWilson, who shares what's really important about moto: our families. Awesome pics, BDW!
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