Posts
2826
Joined
7/1/2008
Location
Castle Rock, CO, USA
Edited Date/Time
3/20/2012 11:15pm
... Since it's all but over. I know, I know.... it's not over until the fat lady sings - but every week that this thing has gone on my interest has taken a significant dip and RV's point lead has grown. So, in this thread I'm going to break down the players and the field and I hope to hear some of your thoughts as well.
The Tracks:
Overall, I've been really please with the track design this year. They've gradually progressed into more technical tracks and I am "super pumped" that the lap times have been > 50 seconds for the most part. Whether or not they're using every square inch of the stadium or not, the laps have been nice and long and the guys at Dirt Wurx have really been putting some imagination into the tracks. There have been a couple of one-liners, but I'm not convinced that that's avoidable in SX.
The thing that has surprised me the most about the tracks so far is the traction - or lack there of. Looking at the blue grooved tracks of yester-year, it's hard to imagine that the beautifully manicured tracks we've seen this year seem to have worse traction (either that or the riders are complaining more). I think the only race this year that we haven't heard a rider say "Man, it was slick out there" was Daytona! Is it the loam on top that gives way to the slick stuff underneath that makes these tracks so slick and deceptive?
The Riders:
Ryan Villopoto - What can you say? The man has carried every ounce of momentum that he earned in '11 into the '12 season. Week in and week out he's been the best. He seems to minimize the mistakes, and attack the track like others can't seem to. He's showing the patience and wisdom of a polished veteran - knowing when to push it and when to back it down. I believe it was Weege that wrote an article that explains why nobody seems to be talking about RV, and it's the same reason he's probably going to get the shortest blurb in this post - he's just not doing anything wrong. He's doing it all right much like he was anticipated to do so.
Ryan Dungey - I'll be the first to admit that I was dead wrong about the Dunge before the season started. I thought he was going from arguably the best bike in the field to the least proven (not necessarily the worst) bike and would have some serious growing pains. Ryan's ridden just as well as he ever has and I couldn't believe how quickly he grabbed KTM's first SX win. I have found it interesting how he's gotten aggressive with Weimer and hasn't touched anybody else, but I guess he has to start somewhere. It's a real shame that he went out with such a minor injury as he was really starting to hit his stride.
James Stewart - It used to be said "You can never bet against James Stewart," and I used to be in 100% agreement. This season has completely cured me of that. It's gotten to the point where I'm thinking "You can't ever bet on that guy." I don't believe that 100% of the blame lies with the bike, but I certainly think the bike has about 90% to do with it. For those of you that will, undoubtedly, come in here preaching Davi or some local yocal - great - the bike works for them, but it clearly doesn't work for Stewart. This is the man that went toe to toe with the GOAT and came out on top quite a few times. He's always had a bit of a crashing streak in him, but he's NEVER crashed this frequently. Think about the championship chase in '09 - he decimated Chad Reed with CONSISTENCY! Chad rode better in '09 than he had his whole career up until this year. I'm afraid that James has dug his own grave by signing with this bike for the next three years and it's been sad and disappointing to see someone who could have (and likely should have) challenged MC's win total struggle so much.
Chad Reed - Chad just steps it up. The guy was a total animal this year and I have to admit I was pulling for him to win the title. In '08 you'd be hard pressed to find someone who disliked Chad Reed more than I did, and now I'm a fan. He's completely turned around as far as how he interacts with his fans and the media. Much like Kevin Windham, I think the older he's getting the more he realizes he just needs to enjoy what he's doing. He had his bike dialed and was the only one who was able to hunt RV down when he was out front trying to check out. I believe the loss of Chad Reed dealt the biggest blow to the series, as he was the only one that was racing with RV week in and week out. That's not to discredit any of the other major competitors, but James couldn't keep it on two wheels, and Dungey either checked out and won, or struggled to make it through the pack - he never seemed to be able to battle from a mediocre start to a win like the other guys could.
I'll add more when I have a chance, but for now, let's hear your thoughts!
The Tracks:
Overall, I've been really please with the track design this year. They've gradually progressed into more technical tracks and I am "super pumped" that the lap times have been > 50 seconds for the most part. Whether or not they're using every square inch of the stadium or not, the laps have been nice and long and the guys at Dirt Wurx have really been putting some imagination into the tracks. There have been a couple of one-liners, but I'm not convinced that that's avoidable in SX.
The thing that has surprised me the most about the tracks so far is the traction - or lack there of. Looking at the blue grooved tracks of yester-year, it's hard to imagine that the beautifully manicured tracks we've seen this year seem to have worse traction (either that or the riders are complaining more). I think the only race this year that we haven't heard a rider say "Man, it was slick out there" was Daytona! Is it the loam on top that gives way to the slick stuff underneath that makes these tracks so slick and deceptive?
The Riders:
Ryan Villopoto - What can you say? The man has carried every ounce of momentum that he earned in '11 into the '12 season. Week in and week out he's been the best. He seems to minimize the mistakes, and attack the track like others can't seem to. He's showing the patience and wisdom of a polished veteran - knowing when to push it and when to back it down. I believe it was Weege that wrote an article that explains why nobody seems to be talking about RV, and it's the same reason he's probably going to get the shortest blurb in this post - he's just not doing anything wrong. He's doing it all right much like he was anticipated to do so.
Ryan Dungey - I'll be the first to admit that I was dead wrong about the Dunge before the season started. I thought he was going from arguably the best bike in the field to the least proven (not necessarily the worst) bike and would have some serious growing pains. Ryan's ridden just as well as he ever has and I couldn't believe how quickly he grabbed KTM's first SX win. I have found it interesting how he's gotten aggressive with Weimer and hasn't touched anybody else, but I guess he has to start somewhere. It's a real shame that he went out with such a minor injury as he was really starting to hit his stride.
James Stewart - It used to be said "You can never bet against James Stewart," and I used to be in 100% agreement. This season has completely cured me of that. It's gotten to the point where I'm thinking "You can't ever bet on that guy." I don't believe that 100% of the blame lies with the bike, but I certainly think the bike has about 90% to do with it. For those of you that will, undoubtedly, come in here preaching Davi or some local yocal - great - the bike works for them, but it clearly doesn't work for Stewart. This is the man that went toe to toe with the GOAT and came out on top quite a few times. He's always had a bit of a crashing streak in him, but he's NEVER crashed this frequently. Think about the championship chase in '09 - he decimated Chad Reed with CONSISTENCY! Chad rode better in '09 than he had his whole career up until this year. I'm afraid that James has dug his own grave by signing with this bike for the next three years and it's been sad and disappointing to see someone who could have (and likely should have) challenged MC's win total struggle so much.
Chad Reed - Chad just steps it up. The guy was a total animal this year and I have to admit I was pulling for him to win the title. In '08 you'd be hard pressed to find someone who disliked Chad Reed more than I did, and now I'm a fan. He's completely turned around as far as how he interacts with his fans and the media. Much like Kevin Windham, I think the older he's getting the more he realizes he just needs to enjoy what he's doing. He had his bike dialed and was the only one who was able to hunt RV down when he was out front trying to check out. I believe the loss of Chad Reed dealt the biggest blow to the series, as he was the only one that was racing with RV week in and week out. That's not to discredit any of the other major competitors, but James couldn't keep it on two wheels, and Dungey either checked out and won, or struggled to make it through the pack - he never seemed to be able to battle from a mediocre start to a win like the other guys could.
I'll add more when I have a chance, but for now, let's hear your thoughts!
But I disagree slightly with the Dungey speak. I think they have endured growing pains. Its just that there is no better rider to be doing the job he is doing for KTM than Ryan Dungey. He's made it look like everything was smooth. But I believe that behind the scenes there has been a ton of work and challenges. He's just made it look easy.
Even if CR or RD had stayed in the outcome would likely not have been any different come the end of the year, JS7 ain't done but he was never taking the title from RV this year either - he has had some shitty luck and made some "human" errors and it's all come at once, this is opposed to the Villo who has just simply owned it, he came in to 2012 like a champ and will leave like a champ - the rest need to step up plain and simple.
the tracks are radical this year IMO and I am lovin SX in 2012 even if we don't have the major all out war we had hoped for.
the battle and interest is now with places 2-7 in my eyes, when you look at the score sheets its getting very interesting and i am lovin the fact that Millsaps, Brayton, Metty and now Alessi are really getting it together - i would really like 800 to get a podium. I think JB can get a good run @ being number 2 this year unless JS7 has a change in luck.
Had a serious dislike for number 100 before this year, the H&H team has really done him good though and i must admit i was a bit gutted for him as he was having a great season, wish that the rest of the team would get back - I miss Tedesco's riding.
My main gripe is JG33 - I hoped for more - he will bring it no doubt and i cannot wait for that to begin.
lites - wild from start to finish - YESSSSSS!!!
Where you see a lot of the visibly slick stuff is in areas where there's heavy throttle application...coming out of turns, or right before triples. Here are a couple samples.
The Shop
DeCal Works Huge Plastic Inventory of UFO and Polisport kits.
Luxon 4-Post Bar Mounts
$189.95 - $239.95
Have trouble believing that, though. At a few of the press days this year (both the Anaheims and San Diego), and a couple practices (Oakland, for example) there was plenty of dust.
As for infusing SX dirt with the stuff.. not hard.. all it takes is an industrial sized mixer, an excavator and dozer working at the storage site for a few days. I'm sure it would be possible to get lard chipped up into smaller flakes which would make mixing it in easier.
I'm surprised nobody else heard that on the broadcast. As for daytona, it's an outdoor track.. plenty easy to spray it down with water trucks.
Its been a good season but the injurys are really putting a damper on it
Cant forget about the lites...
Tomac!... Wow that kid came out swingin!!
Barcia...how about that mud race? He made Daytona his bitch
Deano...Kid looks good just has to cut the mistakes out...Go Deano!
Bagget...Not really flowing like last year hopefully he turns it around outdoors
Wharton...How does he go so fast sitting down all the time? I love that hes getting more aggressive
Roczen...Really thought he had more for supercross, he should stick around in the us and forget MXwhatever
Durham...Happy dude that is riding solid, gotta love that
Bowers...It will be nice to see him in a full season next year hes picking up momentum
R Sipes...Missin that dude hope he comes back hot
Seely...He seems to stay under the radar but up front, like his style
Musquin...has been the surprise of the year for me, solid rides
and how about Justin Bogle!!!?? The speed is there just has to work the bugs out, hes for real
I think the tracks have been awesome...seems like everyweek guys are on here trying to guess lines then dirtwurx is throwing a mix into it somewhere and I like that.
One negative thing i will have to say is Jeff Emig was my guy when he raced and listening to him every week is making my man crush deminish...lol. Is it just me or does Jeff LOVE some Jeff?
Glad I could help.
where do these people come up with this shit?
Pit Row
Hopefully they don't read this, so they have time to build an even bigger and better story.
And the 250 class is killing it, on both coasts!
Post a reply to: Let's talk about the season so far...