Vital MX Pit Bits: Ironman

Click photo to change size and caption

What do you think? Looks pretty good, eh? Click photo to change size and caption

Hmm...the only thing missing was a proper number one jersey. Click photo to change size and caption

We'll guess that this plate will find a prominent place in Dave Feeney's collection. Click photo to change size and caption

The Hinson crew also had Zach hooked up with a new clutch cover. Click photo to change size and caption

One more... Click photo to change size and caption

Zach was rocking a helmet cam for us on Press Day, for a One Lap feature. Thanks, Zach! Click photo to change size and caption

The bike Jeffrey Herlings was riding at Ironman was Trey Canard's bike. He uses a different Akrapovic pipe (which the U.S. guys have available to them, but don't use), that offers more low end. The chassis was the same one that the U.S. guys use, and not the "long" frame that the MXGP competitors have available. Click photo to change size and caption

Jeffrey Herlings also had some Pirelli tires and mousse inserts shipped to the race. The first order of business for the mechanics was to check the dates on them, to see which ones they'd use for practice, and the races. The inserts shrink over time, so they were looking for the freshest ones. Click photo to change size and caption

As per tradition, Cole Seely and Zach Osborne got to show off their gear and bikes ahead of the upcoming MXoN. Unfortunately, Thomas Covington was in California testing, and couldn't make it to round out the trio. Click photo to change size and caption

Cole Seely's Honda was looking pretty sexy. We heard mixed reviews on the sideplates, but we liked them. Click photo to change size and caption

Team USA is numbered 7, 8, and 9 this year, based on their third-place finish in '16. Click photo to change size and caption

The TLD crew did up this helmet for Cole. It was MIA on Friday (lost in shipping), but fortunately the shipper found it, and we got to peek at it on Saturday before the racing started. This one will be a collector's item for Cole. Click photo to change size and caption

Bring on the stars and stripes. Click photo to change size and caption

We'd guess you might see a modified number 8 before Zach hits the track in Great Britain. He wasn't exactly pumped on the look of the 8, and through it looked more like a B. Click photo to change size and caption

Flying the flag. Click photo to change size and caption

Of course, Zach was back to his usual number 16 for the action on Saturday. He may have eaten some roost early in the motos, but finished his final outdoor race on a 250 with a 1-1 day. Click photo to change size and caption

Justin Hill was back in action for one more blast with the Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki squad, and was greeted with a fresh Bell Moto 9 Flex with a somewhat different color scheme than they've used all year. Click photo to change size and caption

John Knowles from Scott was getting ahead of the curve on goggle prep for the MXGP next weekend, and was loaded up with the goods. The GP teams are much more self-service than some of the U.S. squads, so they'll get the deluxe treatment next weekend. Click photo to change size and caption

It was a little say cruising through the RCH/Yoshimura/Suzuki Factory Racing pits this weekend, as it was their last race. The good news is, it sounds like most of the staff have options lined up for new gigs. Click photo to change size and caption

Theo Lockwood under the hood, doing a little brain surgery on Eli Tomac's Monster Energy Kawasaki. Click photo to change size and caption

Rather than washing in the pits for this one, there was a spiffy new wash station set up off to the side. It was a bit cozy for teams with a lot of bikes, but looked pretty sweet...and the pits were a lot drier early in the day. Click photo to change size and caption

With Dylan Ferrandis on the sidelines this weekend, his usual mechanic, Nathan Pierson, was taking care of Justin Cooper's bike. Click photo to change size and caption

"Next stop" was a common phrase last weekend. For Blake Baggett, his next stop was surgery this week for his injured thumb. Click photo to change size and caption

On Press Day, there was a huge amount of new (and very fine) sawdust laid out on top of the track. Fortunately, after amateur racing on Friday, and a bunch of track work, it was well-mixed in by Saturday. This year was unique, as it was the first time around at Ironman where rain didn't figure into the weekend at some point. Click photo to change size and caption

Jeremy Martin's next stop? An '18 Honda. Obviously these are earbuds, but he's one of the newer members of the club of riders who are wearing earplugs while on the track. Click photo to change size and caption

Weston and Lou Peick. You don't want to mess with these guys. Lou will crush you on a road bike. Click photo to change size and caption

Gareth Swanepoel offering some pre-race tips to Justin Cooper. Swanny's next stop? Some off-season triathlon action. Click photo to change size and caption

Hey, Adam Cianciarulo, what's up? He figured out some things this summer that'll serve him well in the future. Click photo to change size and caption

A crash in moto two made it a less than pleasant weekend for Aaron Plessinger. Click photo to change size and caption

Justin Barcia getting in a pre-race meal, and rocking some new Astars gear, with his regular crew. Click photo to change size and caption

Sean Cantrell learned a lot this summer, including that the talent pool is a little deeper than expected. But he also turned in his best weekend so far. Click photo to change size and caption

Imagine coming up from Brazil, and privateering around the U.S. That was Gustavo Souza's summer. He scored points in a third of the motos, and finished 26th overall for the season. Click photo to change size and caption

Apparently racing in the U.S. really blows Jeffrey Herlings' hair back. Click photo to change size and caption

Caption time with Marvin Musquin. What's he saying? Click photo to change size and caption

The expression probably says everything you need to know about Cooper Webb's '17 season. Ups, downs, injuries, and a sprinkling of hopeful results. His next stop? Looking forward to a refreshed '18 bike, starting next weekend at the MXGP of the USA. Click photo to change size and caption

We saw a few "moments" for Jeffrey Herlings last weekend, but the speed (and results) were undeniable. Click photo to change size and caption

Joel Smets was in the house to document the weekend for Jeffrey Herlings. Click photo to change size and caption

How about a few pit boards? Blake did all he could this year to hang in there and be competitive, despite being hobbled by a thumb injury. Click photo to change size and caption

Moto two was also about a solid finish for Eli Tomac. Click photo to change size and caption

Dean Wilson wasn't feeling too spicy last weekend, so the team was doing all they could to inspire him...including this Conor McGregor pic (with Dean's face posted on Conor's body). Click photo to change size and caption

John Welch keeping an eye on his stopwatch to check for when to throw out the two minute board. Click photo to change size and caption

Yep, Eli Tomac went home with one of the championship helmets that Bell sets their riders up with. Click photo to change size and caption

The uphill/downhill section at Ironman is pretty sweet. Click photo to change size and caption

Yep, that looks like some new Alias gear on the GEICO Honda squad last weekend. Chase Sexton has made some big strides this year. Click photo to change size and caption

We happen to think Dirt Bikes are already pretty great, but we do like these hats. You can check out the goods here. https://www.facebook.com/pg/dirtbikesforpresident/shop/ Click photo to change size and caption

Stephane Roncada borrow's LeBig's YCF to putt around on, but you could tell he started to get the itch as he got up to the edge of the track. The officials waved him off before he could get too frisky. Click photo to change size and caption