With the world's expectation that he should emerge from his long dry spell at A1 and start winning again after what seems like a decade since he was dominant? Like him or not, it will be an amazing feat to overcome the unbearable pressure. I can't imagine being in his boots.....knowing he has the speed and been there before, knowing he now has the "bike", and feeling like it's now or never...
If he pulls it off he'll have a new fan.
TDeath21
Posts: 2405
Joined: 2/22/2011
Location: MO, USA
Eh. I kind of think the opposite. I think there's less pressure on him this year. He just needs to go out and have fun like Chad did in 2011. If he does that, good things will happen.
TDeath21 wrote: Eh. I kind of think the opposite. I think there's less pressure on him this year. He just needs to go out and have fun like Chad did in 2011. If he does that, good things will happen.
I could see James telling himself that, but I think the reality is the opposite. A former champion who has major pressure to get back to being what he was...I want him to do well, but not sure if he can buck the trend.
Pressure? What pressure? I'd like to see him win but I can't think of anyone who knows his recent history of crashing picking him to win it all, but he will win a few races...if he can stay on the bike that is.
googs the 2nd
Posts: 478
Joined: 11/1/2009
Location: Kumchukka, ATF
the real pressure is to circulate consistently without taking a digger or causing someone else likewise?
which I doubt he even thinks about .
40Plus_922mx
Posts: 1146
Joined: 4/17/2009
Location: High Desert, CA USA
James puts whatever pressure he has on himself. There has been so much hype behind him for so many years in anticipation that he will dominate ie. his show, his title as The Fastest Man etc., and that it never really happened indoors. So the more time he puts between all that crap and himself the better.
This year is another fresh start for him. He has a bike you can hang over the front of now like he tends to do. He needs to ignore his killer instinct and watch funny youtube videos in his helmet while racing and he will do great.
fader418
Posts: 2553
Joined: 9/14/2009
Location: Lake Forest, CA USA
What pressure? Everyone here thinks he is done...All the pressure is on RV
Feldspar
Posts: 355
Joined: 8/19/2010
Location: Templeton, MA USA
To me this a make or break year for Stew. If he has another year like 2011 or 2012 I believe he will retire.
MX Culture
Posts: 1513
Joined: 6/19/2009
Location: USA
7 will win races and you guys will be scratching your heads.
fools u are
bigborefan
Posts: 746
Joined: 3/8/2008
Location: Beverly Hills, CA USA
MX Culture wrote: 7 will win races and you guys will be scratching your heads.
fools u are
But will he win any titles? I say no.
Faceaz
Posts: 1334
Joined: 7/28/2008
Location: Glendale, AZ USA
I think the only pressure, is the pressure he put's on himself (which is probably allot). It depends on his confidence. If he's feeling really good & knows his speed is there, I bet the pressure won't affect him too much. If he's not feeling that great on the bike, the added pressure will probably push him into mistakes.
Mr. G
Posts: 3258
Joined: 12/23/2009
Location: Orange, CA USA
The one thing the top guys are good at is keeping the "pressure" in perspective. Otherwise they would be throwing up constantly.
GHR
Posts: 971
Joined: 1/7/2010
Location: Newport Beach, CA USA
James is a very unique athlete. To me no matter where he is on the track, front or last or mid pack, everyone still has one eye on him. I think he carries alot of pressure, although it seems like its different now. Only time will tell if this massive break away from being the champ has made him soft or more driven. Some people hate losing more than they like winning. I think that is James. This sport needs him. I think winning a title is going to be tough for him again, but he will absolutely win races.
We got no food, no jobs... our PETS' HEADS ARE FALLING OFF!"
zippy895
Posts: 3371
Joined: 7/15/2008
Location: Daytona Beach, FL USA
his "pressure years" are of the past.
new era now.
his window for total dominance is no longer.level playing field now.many more variables to deal with.
mxb2
Posts: 7408
Joined: 6/15/2010
Location: Bowie, MD USA
Keep the photographers away from the side of the track LOL!
Braaap14
Posts: 759
Joined: 5/10/2012
Location: IL, USA
dude has the sickest bike. no pressure
Been a fan of James since he became pro in 2002. Didn't follow his amateur career since i was 11 when he turend pro, and the first I heard/saw him was in Ricky Carmichael's MX 2002 video game. I would love nothing more to see this kid finish the season healthy, and with a smile on his face. Sure he has had some bad actions and excuses in the past but the amount of crap he gets from the fans is ridiculous. He is an amazing rider that is respected buy everyone on the track. Take him out of the series and it wont be the same. Lets hope for an exciting and healthy season for all the riders. 2012 was terrible.
bd
Posts: 2571
Joined: 4/6/2007
Location: Las Vegas, NV USA
Pressure comes from within. None of your opinions and expectations should matter to JS7
JeepnMike
Posts: 513
Joined: 10/18/2012
Location: Maple Valley, WA USA
If everyone stays healthy the show is so much more fun to watch.. I am not a fan of any particular rider and I hope James stays healthy and makes everyone earn their trophies. If history repeats itself...
Rooster
Posts: 4206
Joined: 4/1/2008
Location: Edmonton, CAN
Nobody's referring to him as the fastest man on the planet anymore so that has to take the edge off the pressure.
I hope he does well. The only guy who was looking like he was up to the challenge RV was laying down last year was Reedy just before he got hurt. I'd like to see 3-5 guys in the hunt all year long for a change.

Empty a bag of skittles into the toilet and then flush. It's like watching a five second long nascar race.
GuyB
Posts: 18248
Joined: 7/10/2006
Location: Wherever I may roam, CA USA
Administrator
mxb2 wrote: Keep the photographers away from the side of the track LOL!
Why? I trust him as much as anyone else.
peelout
Posts: 6392
Joined: 1/6/2011
Location: Ogden, UT USA
The world's expectations?
More like a few over eager dipshits on Vital.
fader418
Posts: 2553
Joined: 9/14/2009
Location: Lake Forest, CA USA
This week is gonna go by so slow......
Cook441
Posts: 1473
Joined: 5/30/2009
Location: Tacoma, WA USA
Dont confuse pressure with expectations or explanations