Did Ricky Carmichael ruin professional dirt bike racing?

lostboy819 2/14/2013 8:52pm
2/14/2013 8:52pm
Did Ricky Carmichael ruin professional dirt bike racing?............... Nope Ricky Carmichael turned it into professional dirt bike racing.
TeamGreen
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TeamGreen 2/14/2013 11:03pm
2/14/2013 11:03pm
overthebars39 wrote:
Ricky evolutionized the SPORT.
Then what did MC do?
dirtbikersa 2/14/2013 11:13pm
2/14/2013 11:13pm
I think riders will stop riding way younger than previously due to the training involved. Even Ricky quit at a young age and I am sure a lot of that had to do with the training. I dont see RV hanging around too much longer..

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TripleDigit 2/14/2013 11:50pm
2/14/2013 11:50pm
Looking at how some guys dominated,I'm going with thew PEDs theory too Whistling
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Fearo 2/15/2013 12:20am
2/15/2013 12:20am Edited Date/Time 2/15/2013 12:20am
What does it matter? If Ricky didn't change it, someone else would have. I feel like some of you guys get wrapped up in this motocross bubble sometimes. Look around you, EVERY sport has evolved and gotten more competitive. Thank god Ricky, and Stefan Everts in Europe started that 'change' all these years ago, so that today at least a small part of the world population doesn't see us as ruthless party hard rednecks.
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Lone Wolf 2/15/2013 1:52am
2/15/2013 1:52am
burn1986 wrote:
I think the bikes have changed it more than training. RC has talked about having to strengthen up for the for stroke.
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steveada 2/15/2013 4:48am
2/15/2013 4:48am
I think training in every sport has evolved, with mx being no different. "Back in the day", there were plenty of riders who trained very hard. I think the real difference is that back then, there were riders who could be very successful with pure raw talent and little training. Today, I don't think that is possible. You may have really talented riders like j-law or Hansen who can have flashes of success without serious training, but they will never make it to the next level. They just can't compete over the long haul against riders who may have less natural ability, but work their asses off year round.
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WhKnuckle 2/15/2013 4:51am
2/15/2013 4:51am Edited Date/Time 2/15/2013 4:51am
Matt Wozney wrote:
I believe in the Villopoto CBS feature, even Ryan says that he "ruined motocross racing", meaning RC stepped the bar that much higher over everyone and...
I believe in the Villopoto CBS feature, even Ryan says that he "ruined motocross racing", meaning RC stepped the bar that much higher over everyone and completely change the sport. You rewind 20 or even 15 years ago, it was a very different time. Name me one training facility from that time period.
Rolf Tibblin in the 70s comes to mind...serious motocross riders have always trained hard. Ask Brad Lackey about that. Maybe they didn't train as effectively because training techniques weren't as advanced, but there has never been a lack of pure effort.
burn1986
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burn1986 2/15/2013 5:19am
2/15/2013 5:19am
burn1986 wrote:
I think the bikes have changed it more than training. RC has talked about having to strengthen up for the for stroke.
Lone Wolf wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2013/02/15/Agenda_686592.jpg[/img]
Haha, Just sayin' IMO 4-strokes have ruined the sport.
GeorgiePorgie 2/15/2013 5:41am
2/15/2013 5:41am
Matt Wozney wrote:
I believe in the Villopoto CBS feature, even Ryan says that he "ruined motocross racing", meaning RC stepped the bar that much higher over everyone and...
I believe in the Villopoto CBS feature, even Ryan says that he "ruined motocross racing", meaning RC stepped the bar that much higher over everyone and completely change the sport. You rewind 20 or even 15 years ago, it was a very different time. Name me one training facility from that time period.
ocscottie wrote:
"Name me one training facility from that time period"

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Jeff Emigs bongs?
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Foo723 2/15/2013 5:52am
2/15/2013 5:52am
dirtbikersa wrote:
I think riders will stop riding way younger than previously due to the training involved. Even Ricky quit at a young age and I am sure...
I think riders will stop riding way younger than previously due to the training involved. Even Ricky quit at a young age and I am sure a lot of that had to do with the training. I dont see RV hanging around too much longer..
im sure i remember RC having some sort of miner epstien barr type syndrome after he quit racing, just years of intense training, no doubt.

but things brings about a whole new topic probably suitable for another thread.

the stars of today, by starting so young on the minis, probably reach their prime at 12 or 13, talent wise, and the parents and sponsors have to keep the riders motivated until they reach 16 and turn pro.

at 12 years old, stewart came to our track for an nma qualifier as was the fastest rider there. shane lusk at a similar age was just about as fast.

so most of today fast guys are ready to go at 16 (tomac, villipoto, canard, windham, rc, stewart, pastrana, etc) as opposed to yesteryear when mark barnett, david bailey, rick johnson, actually had to "journyman" their way through the ranks.
Moto Soul Mag 2/15/2013 7:33am
2/15/2013 7:33am
Jeez- this is professional racing. The idea that somebody made it too hard by outworking everybody is ridiculous.

Does anybody think the image of motocross as some type of "Bro" sport is a good thing? When people see some slackjaw holding a can of Monster as supposedly representing the highest levels of our sport- it's not good.

Non-riders that I know think moto is just a bunch of idiot rednecks riding around in a field. They see my participation as nothing more than some type of mental illness. We've really sold ourselves short by accentuating the "cool guy" culture over the athletic side of things.
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burn1986 2/15/2013 9:18am
2/15/2013 9:18am
Yep, no one person has ruined the sport.
mfd1068
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mfd1068 2/15/2013 9:51am
2/15/2013 9:51am
I think RC has upped the cost at the amateur level. Every kid now needs a personal trainer and/or gym membership. In Canada, Hockey crazy parents have paid big money to personal trainers specializing in hockey performance so little Bobby can become perhaps the next Sid the Kid. I'm sure its no different for MX, the better known , highly publicized trainers must command a pretty good fee I would think? He has not in any way ruin the sport. He has just raised the bar so high that the costs attached to achieve a pro level of success has risen as well.
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VoR 2/15/2013 1:44pm
2/15/2013 1:44pm
I thought I remembered something about a study being done on athletes in the late 80's and Jeff Ward was the fittest one they tested.

Overall every sport's participants have taken it to a new level
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oshow 2/15/2013 1:46pm
2/15/2013 1:46pm
Matt Wozney wrote:
I believe in the Villopoto CBS feature, even Ryan says that he "ruined motocross racing", meaning RC stepped the bar that much higher over everyone and...
I believe in the Villopoto CBS feature, even Ryan says that he "ruined motocross racing", meaning RC stepped the bar that much higher over everyone and completely change the sport. You rewind 20 or even 15 years ago, it was a very different time. Name me one training facility from that time period.
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burn1986
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burn1986 2/15/2013 2:03pm
2/15/2013 2:03pm
mfd1068 wrote:
I think RC has upped the cost at the amateur level. Every kid now needs a personal trainer and/or gym membership. In Canada, Hockey crazy parents...
I think RC has upped the cost at the amateur level. Every kid now needs a personal trainer and/or gym membership. In Canada, Hockey crazy parents have paid big money to personal trainers specializing in hockey performance so little Bobby can become perhaps the next Sid the Kid. I'm sure its no different for MX, the better known , highly publicized trainers must command a pretty good fee I would think? He has not in any way ruin the sport. He has just raised the bar so high that the costs attached to achieve a pro level of success has risen as well.
Like I say, Ricky mainly started training harder because of the demands of the heavier, more powerful bike. Others have followedsuit.
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Lone Wolf 2/15/2013 2:59pm
2/15/2013 2:59pm
burn1986 wrote:
Like I say, Ricky mainly started training harder because of the demands of the heavier, more powerful bike. Others have followedsuit.


lostboy819 2/15/2013 4:17pm
2/15/2013 4:17pm
mfd1068 wrote:
I think RC has upped the cost at the amateur level. Every kid now needs a personal trainer and/or gym membership. In Canada, Hockey crazy parents...
I think RC has upped the cost at the amateur level. Every kid now needs a personal trainer and/or gym membership. In Canada, Hockey crazy parents have paid big money to personal trainers specializing in hockey performance so little Bobby can become perhaps the next Sid the Kid. I'm sure its no different for MX, the better known , highly publicized trainers must command a pretty good fee I would think? He has not in any way ruin the sport. He has just raised the bar so high that the costs attached to achieve a pro level of success has risen as well.
burn1986 wrote:
Like I say, Ricky mainly started training harder because of the demands of the heavier, more powerful bike. Others have followedsuit.
RC started training hard back on the Kawasaki 250 2 stroke because he could not beat McGrath on speed so it did it with fitness. Had nothing to do with 4 strokes.
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zippy895 2/15/2013 5:10pm
2/15/2013 5:10pm
so in the late 80's,when rc was on a 60cc going faster than me on a 250cc at reddick mx .......i dont think he was training then. just saying.
fullysicmate 2/15/2013 6:24pm
2/15/2013 6:24pm
SlingShot wrote:
RC made everyone step up. That's ruining the sport? Really? Maybe the competition should all go to Home Depot and apply for a job and quit...
RC made everyone step up. That's ruining the sport?
Really?
Maybe the competition should all go to Home Depot and apply for a job and quit fucking crying.
yeah, maybe they would prefer 12.5 hr days in a coal mine..
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yamadogyz 2/15/2013 6:43pm
2/15/2013 6:43pm
Pre-injury I would be in in the gym 18.5 hours a week. M-F 4:30-7AM before school 6-9 weekend for the off season. Thats pretty hard with school and a job, but I loved every moment of it. Training was just another goal
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Frank 2/15/2013 6:47pm
2/15/2013 6:47pm
You people see what RC had to work with for natural genetics. He put on maybe 50lbs after his first year away from the sport. Aldon said RC would put on 5lbs driving by a McDonalds. Applaud his dedication instead of saying he damaged the sport for this generation.
Fun? I am sick to death of hearing pro riders saying "I'm just going to go out and have fun out there" . Ever hear those words from a top ranked boxer pre fight? Hell no.
As stated in a prior post RC raised the bar on making this more of a professional sport. Most professional jobs in the usa are 60-70hrs per week plus drive time, flight time, and 24/7 on call time. That's life. Some of these guys don't like it and thats cool. They are young and can get a regular job anytime they want. When they realize they are working as many hours for the same or less pay, no longer have time to stay fit or eat properly, and doing something they hate, they might have a change of heart.

Don't blame RC. Someday someone will raise the bar higher. If not this sport will die. Think about that for a moment.
bd
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bd 2/15/2013 6:51pm
2/15/2013 6:51pm
Johnny O' and David Bailey were heavy trainers. Nothing new in MX or SX.

the 1990s were lax compared to the 1980s
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SlingShot 2/15/2013 6:54pm
2/15/2013 6:54pm
overthebars39 wrote:
Ricky evolutionized the SPORT.
TeamGreen wrote:
Then what did MC do?
He won a lot of races. Made a shitload of money. And left Andrew Short hanging for 2013.
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Xracer 2/15/2013 7:02pm
2/15/2013 7:02pm
pdub187 wrote:
It's a professional sport. The guys are being paid big bucks to be professional athletes. I don't see why they wouldn't be expected to prepare like...
It's a professional sport. The guys are being paid big bucks to be professional athletes. I don't see why they wouldn't be expected to prepare like athletes in any other sport.
I know what the OP(and Villo) means. RC made racing BETTER. He also raised the stakes and the level of commitment thru the roof. In the 90's, talent and some training won. Weekdays were spent at the lake, Glamis, making sweet videos, living it up, and training. Some. Nothing like today. Makes you wonder how many Jeremy McGrath's are flipping burgers now when 15 years ago they could have been The King, on talent alone. And yes, the top guys are being paid big bucks and are expected to prepare, only the general consensus is that a top moto rider today trains harder than pretty much any other athlete. For less money, but I get the economies-of-scale thing. Unfortunately, every other rider with a dream is pulled into the slipstream, and you've got bottom-10 guys now making burger-king money while training like Tour cyclists. If you don't have the resources for an Alden Baker, you probably lose.

FWIW, I think the riders of the 80's trained as hard as today's guys do...they had to with those bikes. It's those 90's guys that were relative slackers...but I do love the drawer full of sweet freeride VHS tapes I have!
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observer 2/15/2013 7:08pm
2/15/2013 7:08pm
Matt Wozney wrote:
I believe in the Villopoto CBS feature, even Ryan says that he "ruined motocross racing", meaning RC stepped the bar that much higher over everyone and...
I believe in the Villopoto CBS feature, even Ryan says that he "ruined motocross racing", meaning RC stepped the bar that much higher over everyone and completely change the sport. You rewind 20 or even 15 years ago, it was a very different time. Name me one training facility from that time period.
WhKnuckle wrote:
Rolf Tibblin in the 70s comes to mind...serious motocross riders have always trained hard. Ask Brad Lackey about that. Maybe they didn't train as effectively because...
Rolf Tibblin in the 70s comes to mind...serious motocross riders have always trained hard. Ask Brad Lackey about that. Maybe they didn't train as effectively because training techniques weren't as advanced, but there has never been a lack of pure effort.
.....^^ right here. But,

" but there has never been a lack of pure effort".....well...M Tripes & R Lechein come to mind. Wink
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musmanni 2/15/2013 7:14pm
2/15/2013 7:14pm
mfd1068 wrote:
I think RC has upped the cost at the amateur level. Every kid now needs a personal trainer and/or gym membership. In Canada, Hockey crazy parents...
I think RC has upped the cost at the amateur level. Every kid now needs a personal trainer and/or gym membership. In Canada, Hockey crazy parents have paid big money to personal trainers specializing in hockey performance so little Bobby can become perhaps the next Sid the Kid. I'm sure its no different for MX, the better known , highly publicized trainers must command a pretty good fee I would think? He has not in any way ruin the sport. He has just raised the bar so high that the costs attached to achieve a pro level of success has risen as well.
Do you really think top amateur mx kids need personal trainers when 95% of their motos are 7 minutes long?

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