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Edited Date/Time
1/26/2012 10:54am
I just spoke to a long time industry insider who shall remain nameless. Not to pile on Stewart here but his opinion is that Stewart has made many incredibly dumb moves in the past that have put other riders in danger, ie Preston, Tedesco, Carmichael, Partridge, etc. (Actually, that is more a statement of fact than an opinion but I digress.)
He feels that because Stewart rides on his own private supercross track every day, coupled with the fact that he knows he is almost always the "fastest" rider, he has developed an attitude that every track he rides on belongs to him. Even as a fan of Stewart's speed, after watching the events of Saturday night, as well as the last 7 years, it's kind of hard for me to disagree with him.
And I can't excuse them with the standard "it's just racing" dissmissal. Everyone makes mistakes as we are all human, but for the life of me I don't remember Carmichael making so many--if any--of these kind of moves that have put so many other riders in danger--ESPECIALLY this late into his career. He's been a pro since 2002 for God's sake.
He feels that because Stewart rides on his own private supercross track every day, coupled with the fact that he knows he is almost always the "fastest" rider, he has developed an attitude that every track he rides on belongs to him. Even as a fan of Stewart's speed, after watching the events of Saturday night, as well as the last 7 years, it's kind of hard for me to disagree with him.
And I can't excuse them with the standard "it's just racing" dissmissal. Everyone makes mistakes as we are all human, but for the life of me I don't remember Carmichael making so many--if any--of these kind of moves that have put so many other riders in danger--ESPECIALLY this late into his career. He's been a pro since 2002 for God's sake.
They can't do anything unless he pulls a blatantly dangerous move that seriously injures someone. And moves like the one we saw at Phoenix on the weekend look more like an act of stupidity then intentional dangerous actions.
Once something goes wrong, it's hard to pull the focus back, and more impulsive shit happens.
Go back to the SX race where Tedesco got hurt at Stewart's error....Preston became a casualty of James inattentiveness.
Not a bad guy, and may be a very good explanation.
The Shop
Unless Reedy could have seen into the future and laid his bike down or tacked hard left and over the berm, no way he could have avoided James turning into his line. But that seems to be what JS expected - that he owned the track, corner, and Reeds line.
I love what Bubbles has done for himself and the sport. He's taken racing to new levels. Last Saturday he behaved like an inconsiderate, spoiled 3 year old, not a Supercross champion.
There are plenty of examples of Stewart making bad choices in the past. I'll agree with that.
However, I think this whole thing is blown way out of proportion. After seeing the race, Stewart getting landed on wasn't just a result of him making a bad choice. A few things took place, and that was a result. To me that is a racing incident all the way.
The Reed situation again was a combo. There wasn't just one reason for that spill. Reed was on the inside AND Stewie cut back. Again racing to me, and I can understand why both parties are pissed. This is a "ME" sport. Everything is about me, so its no surprise when a bunch of forum junkies are all " MY opinion is the right one!"
You want to talk about an incident that nobody else was to blame but Stewie, look at when he landed on RC. Now that was a bonehead move. This particular situation took more than one person to make the wrong call.
The worst part about it is pushing the bike off the stand, which is worthy of a 5k or so fine, IMHO. Riders are expected to act professional. Again, I can understand the AMA a little bit with the Reed fine. However that should have been overturned much sooner....as in as soon as a tape was available.
He's got 15 rounds and I dont' think he can do it this year.
Holla
JS couldn't see over the 12 foot high jump???? Oh brother!
Dude, Preston was 20 feet in the air, above and to the right of James and JS a perfectly clear view of Preston......if he would have bothered to turn his head.
As a PRO he's got to be aware that SX is dangerous and he got to use some caution when re-entering that track, especially in that situation.
In his heat race it was just a very bad move. He has to be aware that changing lines over a triple at the beginning of a race when everyone is so tight packed can be a really dangerous thing.
Sometimes I think james' ego runs on adrenaline hyperdrive and the result is usually a crash and lots of arguing.
Pit Row
History shows it's not just a first time thing
and if Dungey takes the title and walks away with all that momentum, stick a fork in Bubba.....
I don't care how tough he is physically, I think he has a huge chink in his armor and mentally people are in his head.
The truth is he probably has too many yes men around him. Nothing is ever his fault.
There is something called humility and James doesn't seem to have any of it.
Bumping is part of racing... But cross jumping a triple is dangerous!
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