Posts
8255
Joined
7/2/2009
Location
CO
US
Edited Date/Time
7/4/2014 9:19am
It's clear that Christophe is probably the fastest rider in the 250 class. . . for one lap. Almost every weekend he is able to click off a single fast time at the end of practice that puts him at the top of the qualifying leader board -- a time that usually blows the other riders out of the water.
The guy is brilliant on the bike; his style is absolutely effortless. I consider his technical skill to be the gold standard out of any pro rider.
But it's obvious that his injury is still holding him back.
His 2007 crash that left him paralyzed from the waste down has been well documented. Doctors told him that he had a 30% chance of being able to walk again, and he was unable to for two months.
CoolG mentioned in the broadcast last weekend that CP377 really isn't able to train like he should be able to due to the residual physical problems he is experiencing, and it doesn't end there.
Not only is he unable to adequately train during the week, but it has been mentioned that his body struggles to regulate its temperature, a lingering result of severe spinal trauma. We've seen the fan on his bars on the starting gate, it's an aid that he relies upon because his body no longer has the capacity to cool itself like it should.
He has admitted that his strategy is to get the lead and to hold off the pack for as long as he can; to block the rest of the guys during the first half of he race so that he has something left in the tank for the last few laps. He knows that due to his physical limitations he cannot ride at full speed the entire race and instead must resort to these tactics.
Can you imagine how tough it would be knowing that you're probably the fastest rider on the track, but due to an injury you're unable to ride to your full ability for a full moto? It would be like if Michael Phelps had a lung removed, or if Jimmie Johnson lost an eye. To see your full potential right in front of you and to know that it's just out of reach due to an obstacle that is impossible to overcome must be absolutely miserable.
I feel bad for Christophe.
Photo - Steve C.
The guy is brilliant on the bike; his style is absolutely effortless. I consider his technical skill to be the gold standard out of any pro rider.
But it's obvious that his injury is still holding him back.
His 2007 crash that left him paralyzed from the waste down has been well documented. Doctors told him that he had a 30% chance of being able to walk again, and he was unable to for two months.
CoolG mentioned in the broadcast last weekend that CP377 really isn't able to train like he should be able to due to the residual physical problems he is experiencing, and it doesn't end there.
Not only is he unable to adequately train during the week, but it has been mentioned that his body struggles to regulate its temperature, a lingering result of severe spinal trauma. We've seen the fan on his bars on the starting gate, it's an aid that he relies upon because his body no longer has the capacity to cool itself like it should.
He has admitted that his strategy is to get the lead and to hold off the pack for as long as he can; to block the rest of the guys during the first half of he race so that he has something left in the tank for the last few laps. He knows that due to his physical limitations he cannot ride at full speed the entire race and instead must resort to these tactics.
Can you imagine how tough it would be knowing that you're probably the fastest rider on the track, but due to an injury you're unable to ride to your full ability for a full moto? It would be like if Michael Phelps had a lung removed, or if Jimmie Johnson lost an eye. To see your full potential right in front of you and to know that it's just out of reach due to an obstacle that is impossible to overcome must be absolutely miserable.
I feel bad for Christophe.
Photo - Steve C.
Other than that, he can train fine. I think he should get a trainer so he can efficiently get in race shape and stronger.
With him, you get too many pundits taking shots in the dark and making blanket statements about what he is or isn't doing or what he can or can't do. It's rare that this industry just talks to him and gets the deal first hand.
If He is Black Balled like you say maybe He earned it.
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In general I feel that there is a negative vibe around his name in the industry but I don't think many have actually worked with him.
I think he was the first person I saw using the trashcan full of ice water to cool his body down.
I think the problem is the time he spent away from racing, the raising of the bar as it were (competition keeps getting faster), and a new bike.
I do feel bad for him a little. I think he is good for the sport, despite his idiosyncrasies. Hopefully he can take it up a notch here in the second half of the series. (I'd like to see Marvin step it up too).
He is so fortunate that he's able to race after that injury. To come back and run in the top five is a great accomplishment.
I don't feel sorry for CP at all. He's living his dream. There are a few guys out there that actually made the jump to the 450's.....and they have broken bones in their backs. Trey Canard comes to mind.
I am however extremely happy for the dude being able to still race a bike. happy for us fans as well.....since we get to watch him.
I know you're a huge fan of his.....but you aren't thinking clearly on this.
+1
Seems to me that he wasn't quite ready at the start of the season but he is racing himself into shape. He does a bit better each race.
With a bit of luck I think he can win a moto before the season is over.
He hasn't raced in 18 months? He is doing damm good with that break.
Pit Row
From what I've seen, I think Christophe is still a bit scared of injuries (and I can't blame him). Everytime a rider comes too close from him and shows him the front wheel, he seems to tense. If the rider is clean (Baggett) he will fight a bit, if he's a litlle bit too wild (Anderson, Bogle), at the first contact, it's over.
I think this, plus the 18 month or so out of the business and the fact that he's matured and maybe thinks a little bit more are the main reasons of his failures.
And for the "black balled" thing, you only get what you deserve. He's in conflict with everyone he's worked with, there's must be a reason and it can't be always the others fault. Christophe needs to man up and assume his mistakes. Last week end he said his bike stopped on a jump. Seriously, knowing Christophe, if the bike had stopped by itself on a jump, Christophe would have quit cause it would have been to dangerous...
im just glad he's out there racing! love to watch this guy ride a bike- smoothest most effortless style of anyone out there!
Also the practice bike rumour was back in the PC days as far as I know.
He's also a MX2 world champion, 2x lites SX Champion, MX1 GP winner, and has finished runner up in the lites nationals to two very good riders. He's had a far better career than most, and it still isn't over. He could be a lites national champion this year if he can string together some wins here before too long.
If I were you, I'd save the bad feelings for other folks who've really had it bad. Like maybe the guy here on the forum that just lost his son to a road bike accident. I'm sure that guy could use some condolences at this time.
Which is interesting cause in his interviews you can understand he is aiming for the #1 plate.
I hope he proves me wrong and get some wins, he is a good addition to the show. But what do you prefer : a guy that rides like pure poetry (CP) or a guy that gives no f$ck and aims for the win till the very end of each moto (BB4) ? You could say both...
Sometime I think I want him to win more than he "wants"(from my couch's view)...
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