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Only $10 for all 2026 SX, MX, and SMX series.
That is easily a 15 to 1 bet. Probably more like 100 to1 but I am feeling generous. BTW that 2 bets. So if I lose it's 10 to each. If I win it's 150 from each of you.
The GP tracks are MX and not outdoor SX, Mike is one of the few that could go over there and have any chance of winning
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And the only one on here that can make me back down from anything is GuyB with the delete button.....it most certainly will not be you
never said anything about "making" you back it down. merely a suggestion so you appear a little less nutty.
lets get back to the topic at hand.
I guess the 1-1 up in Canada last weekend flipped me out and it may take awhile to recover
Sorry for going off on another MA tangent.
Anyway you are right. Back to the RV subject. I would love to see any top American give it a go, especially RV. You get him on the track with AC and Herlings and I imagine those two would step it up a notch. It would not be a cakewalk for RV.
Glen Helen. Not a Euro track but still great to see a top American joining the party.
Back to RV, there is a strong rumor as well about Paulin to the US since a couple weeks; Paulin is super appreciated at Kawi and every teams he has ridden for so far, he has also a big negotiation leverages here because several big teams are taking the check book including Honda. I really think Kawi/Monster want to keep Paulin, and I am sure Kawi/Monster want RV to be happy to ride at 100% (and so win). Great to build a stronger US fan base for the GPs & euro base for RV too.
It would be surprising but I do not think it is impossible.
This guy had it rough for 10 years before becoming a World Champ.He laid the ground work for those who followed.Danny Laporte won the 250 a week later.I would think things would be a LITTLE easier for the guy's in this day and age.
I hope RV DOES go over win or lose,as long as he gives it a shot.He mentioned somewhere a couple years ago he wanted to do at least a year contesting the GP's.
I think it would be awesome if he did race over there, but I won't hold my breath.
Personally I think at this point in RV's career it would extremely awesome. Be a way to get an all expense paid worldwide working/vacation for a year or so. Would be great exposure for MX on both sides of the pond.
As a moto head riding all the various tracks while traveling globe is good work if you can get it if you ask me. Back in the 90's Rob Healey N Style raced a HoT bike at all of the 12 National tracks amateur races.
Pit Row
Put yourself in Kawi's shoes, with a global vision.
Their US superstar seems to be a question mark for 2015, whether because he is burnt out, or has more pending issues with his knee (etc).
Although Davi is a strong SX contender, he is himself a question mark (injury / has not raced in more than a year).
Not many replacement options left, silly season is drying out.
On the Euro side, Paulin is their man : he likes them and they like him.
He happens to be a free agent for 2015, he is the biggest player to be in this position and he says he has an open mind to make the move to the US (as Tonus, another Kawi-Monster favorite, will already do).
My impression is that if he was to make that move, it would have to be on a green machine.
He'll most likely stay green anyway, although Honda is all over the GP pits looking for a (new) top 450 contender and Paulin is on top of their list.
Back to RV : let's imagine his knee needs more work (as it has been said, don't know if there is any truth to that) / he is truly burned out / does not want to take the risks involved with chasing a SX title / uncomfortable with the US scene after the recent PR debacle / insert whatever other reason there may be / or a combination of all that.
There must have been some serious managers/agents/lawyers activity around these questions because it's these people's job to anticipate such problems.
If indeed there is a chance that RV is / won't be in a position / mentally or physically able to fulfill his existing contracts for 2015, these guys must elaborate scenarios and the RV / Paulin "exchange" does have some positive sides for all parties :
- more time for RV to recover physically mentally, has to be ready in march rather than january;
- different challenge / atmosphere / media environment = good to fight burn out;
- less intensity / much more comfortable schedule (at the -big- expense of living as an expatriate) = good for someone that has paid such a big physical tribute to the danger of this sport;
- Kawi / Monster get to keep both RV and GP21 (although huge $$$ issues remain to be solved)...
All this is mostly speculation but one can't say it does not make sense at all for the men on charge, unless RV has firmly ruled it out altogether (which his people would know).
JT$ and Matthes are among the finest insiders and if they are so radical in saying it won't happen, they must have some first hand info and I wouldn't put any money against their prediction though.
If, at this point, RV's plans lean more towards settling down / growing his family around their new California home (btw, what's the status of his Florida property ? rumor had it for sale - would be an interesting side fact), then a GP adventure would indeed be totally un-appropriate.
If you don't win a championship in Europe ... you ain't gonna win a tittle in the USA ...
Kawa wants to win championships in the States and that's not gonna happen with Paulin.
17 GPs versus 29 US races. 17 SX and 12 Nationals.
GP injury list at the beginning of the season is a fraction of ours.
Instead of the same hotels and airports he's been dealing with for the past ten years it would be a fresh change of pace. It obviously depends on the person but this change of pace aspect is what motivated Danny Laporte to race the GPs back in the day.
If RV also wants a shot a the best rider of all time, that is a good option.
Although he would remain below (& cant top) the all time winning list, if a wrap up 1 or 2 world championships, to win as much titles & races from both sides of the pond would rank him at least in the top 3 of all time, if not #1. i.e. Everts did not take the US challenge, neither RC or MC tried the GP (which is unfortunate because of course they could have won some). Roczen may have a shot a it too if he starts to collect 450 titles in the US.
Youthstream must be in the starting block because if RV comes, they may double the number of subscribers ! I would be RV's agent, I would try something regarding specific purses/bonuses.
And it's hard for me to believe that RV wouldn't prepare just as hard for the GPs as he does for the US races, or race with less commitment to winning than is his usual custom.
Bench racing always has an element of backfilling reality with fantasy.
On the other hand, maybe he'll change his mind on racing once he's had a little time off.
There has been some discussion on who is the best ever. RC did not have the strongest field when he was setting all the records. If RV ever did go win a world title against riders like AC and Herlings it would be a huge bonus to his legacy. He is still very young, and he seems very unhappy on the US circuit.
The tracks are much safer overseas, he would see the world, be treated like a hero wherever he goes....,,is it that far of a stretch to think he may give it a go? And don't forget, in the "MX world" we all know the US nationals is the pinnacle of success......we make up about .00000001% of the population. The other 99.999999% would be more impressed to hear you are a "World Champion"
"Two years ago, I’ve looked back at the interview you did with me, and you said you’ve thought about running the GP's and that you and your wife discussed it, that you’d quite like to maybe do the GPs. What is the situation now with that?
It’s an idea, but as of right now I obviously have contracts that I have to fulfill in the States. The idea sounds cool but it’s obviously not going to happen anytime soon."
Whole interview here. http://vurbmoto.com/blogs/ryan-villopoto-discusses-drugs-and-gps/18128/
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