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James Stewart’s status as a member of the JGR Yamaha team remains a mystery, but his plans for the summer do not. For the first time since 2008, when he went 24-0 in outdoor motocross, Number Seven will line up as a full-time outdoor rider at the May 19 Hangtown Classic, which starts the 2012 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship. We knew it might be coming, but we also knew not to hold our breath—James has played some games in the past, hinting this way, going that way. He's been trying to sort out where and what he's going to do moving forward with the JGR squad. It’s gotten so “out there,” and there is so much speculation, that the MotoConcepts team even had some graphics mocked up with Stewart’s #7 on them and put them on a bike they had in the pits at Seattle.
That didn’t go over well with the JGR guys, but the simple matter is that yes, James Stewart is probably leaving the JGR team. There is nothing done yet (I really thought it was coming Tuesday, but now I hear it won’t be officially announced until after the Las Vegas SX), and in talking to Jeremy Albrecht (team manager) and Coy Gibbs (owner) of JGR, I get the sense that they’ve accepted this change of fate.
The union hasn’t worked for either side. James was not getting the results he thought he was going to and JGR hasn’t gotten the results they thought they were paying for. Stewart and the Yamaha YZ450F haven’t gelled at all, and the real reasons James is struggling don’t really matter—it’s in his head, and that’s what counts.
Before James can really start talking to anyone officially, he has to be released from his contract. That means lawyers for both sides agreeing to terminate the deal. I get the sense that although JGR could hold him to the deal and try to dig up something that says Stewart’s been talking to other people to try and recoup some money, they won’t do that. It’s best to just acknowledge that this thing didn’t work, wish each other well, and move on.
From there, Stewart’s got to get on another team. And seeing how he came close to racing for Suzuki before signing with JGR, I’d bet heavy money he’ll be on a Suzuki as soon as he’s officially released. If we see this happen, I have to admire Stewart for giving up millions of dollars at JGR Yamaha to ride for a team I guarantee you isn’t paying him anywhere near the same rate. He also could have hung out all summer, collected his cash, and not put the time and work in to race the nationals; he didn’t have to race, per the terms of his JGR contract. Instead, he’s so frustrated by not being able to win that he’s just going to walk away. That, my friends, takes balls.
You could ask why he’d sign the JGR deal in the first place, and that would be a fair question. He thought it could work, and judging by all the trick stuff JGR’s done to the bike since James has been there, everyone’s been working hard to try to get the Yamaha working to Stewart’s satisfaction. It just hasn’t been enough. The JGR guys are good people. James is a good guy. Sometimes things just don’t work out. As Davey Coombs once told me, all things end badly—that’s why they end.
You really believe that? Come on, man....
But if he goes undefeated this year and wins every race by 15+ seconds, yes, I will be saying that.
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However anyone who says the because he is now lining up for the outdoor season and he is going 24-0 or even hot favorite for the. Hampionship has rocks in their head. The guy hasn't raced outdoors in years, the completion has stepped up their game since he was last racing (there is no way that you can say that Dungey, Metcalfe, Brayton and the likes are not faster than what they were before). Also there is the fact that the guy needs to fix his problems with his mentality first, it is quite obvious that the increased pace of the rest of the field is getting to his head casing him to push harder and crash more often.
I don't care what opposing opionion you have these are just my thoughts and all we can know is that we can only know what will happen after Hangtown has been raced
but on a postive note..it would be nice ,no doup't he has the talent...win the title with little steps first..then the mxdesnations...that all would help him.
The guy hasn't ridden outdoors since 2010 and that was one race. He will be on a new bike, which will require him to get it dialed in for every track. There won't be any prior history to base his preferences on because of the new bike. Finally, Dungey is in shape and pretty darn fast on a MX track. You guys are trying to tell me that JS will be THAT much faster?
If JS struggles early on will he just bag it?
I like the guy and this will be great for MX this season. Looks like I need to buy my Unadilla tickets!
Why can't everyone just be stoked for more competition this year?
James always adds to the excitement...
Eh....
Pit Row
My $ is on Dungey.
http://www.wikihow.com/Use-You%27re-and-Your
..and as far as idiots, here? on this forum?? naww cant be!!
dont forget to bring a towel.
No matter how you look at this, or James Stewart or his career.
He is a LEGEND. He has done shit NO ONE has ever done and he has crashed his brains out but still rides WFO no matter who is in front or behind him. Talk about doing it for the fans. You think he rides like that because of money? If you do, get the fuck out of here and go watch the NBA or something because they all play for the love of the sport. He rides like that because he loves riding a motocross bike. No two ways about it.
We should all be thankful to have witnessed MC, RC, James and RV all ride. Possibly could be the best 15-20 year span of MX and SX ever.
Some people just hate James for being James. But I myself, am glad to have witnessed him in his prime and see him destroy people on an MX bike.
Who didnt love watching him ride the piss out of his 125???
And what about when he threw that first "Bubba Scrub" I think I almost shit my pants. C'mon that was the shit. I still have the posters of him doing it and am still amazed.
No matter what happens or doesn't happen he is his own man and he can do what his wishes. But that doesn't take away from the fact that he is legit one of the best to ever ride a motocross bike. Be happy you have all had the chance to see him ride.
Post a reply to: James confirmed for Hangtown...Via Twitter