What's the deal with Christophe?

Talispam
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Talispam
Edited Date/Time 7/22/2015 11:47am
He's always been...different, but this year I am totally baffled by this guy. It seems like he only gives 100% or anything close to it if he gets the holeshot or a very good start. He never fails to show his raw speed in the morning practices, his odd ability to go from 35th in practice to 1st in one lap is something I'll never understand. I remember Weigandt said that Pourcel told him before the season that it'd take 5 rounds for him to be ready to go. Sure enough, at round 5 High Point I guess he decided to try that day and sure enough he qualifies 1st, almost pulls both holeshots, lands on the podium in moto 1 and then barely misses it overall. I've never seen another rider do anything like that! Seems like if CP decides he feels safe enough on the bike or if he just likes the conditions that day he'll go out and battle with the front runners. Or is it that he only really tries if he gets a great start? At Red Bud he got a terrible start first moto and just cruised around in 8th place. Second moto he got a good start and ran in 3rd for half the race...?? Maybe we'll never unravel the mystery Pourcel is, but anybody got any theories on whether his result is based solely on the start, or on some other(s) factor. Does anyone have any inside info on what his training routine is like? He's been unclear on whether he still has the sweating problem, or any leftover effects of his internal injuries? He always seems a little gun shy to me, that he doesn't like to be in the pack at all, or he'll only go for it when his bike is perfect, and he likes the track? The thing is when he decides to go it's an awesome thing to watch.
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RCB33
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RCB33 7/21/2015 5:27pm
7/21/2015 5:27pm
Talispam wrote:
He's always been...different, but this year I am totally baffled by this guy. It seems like he only gives 100% or anything close to it if...
He's always been...different, but this year I am totally baffled by this guy. It seems like he only gives 100% or anything close to it if he gets the holeshot or a very good start. He never fails to show his raw speed in the morning practices, his odd ability to go from 35th in practice to 1st in one lap is something I'll never understand. I remember Weigandt said that Pourcel told him before the season that it'd take 5 rounds for him to be ready to go. Sure enough, at round 5 High Point I guess he decided to try that day and sure enough he qualifies 1st, almost pulls both holeshots, lands on the podium in moto 1 and then barely misses it overall. I've never seen another rider do anything like that! Seems like if CP decides he feels safe enough on the bike or if he just likes the conditions that day he'll go out and battle with the front runners. Or is it that he only really tries if he gets a great start? At Red Bud he got a terrible start first moto and just cruised around in 8th place. Second moto he got a good start and ran in 3rd for half the race...?? Maybe we'll never unravel the mystery Pourcel is, but anybody got any theories on whether his result is based solely on the start, or on some other(s) factor. Does anyone have any inside info on what his training routine is like? He's been unclear on whether he still has the sweating problem, or any leftover effects of his internal injuries? He always seems a little gun shy to me, that he doesn't like to be in the pack at all, or he'll only go for it when his bike is perfect, and he likes the track? The thing is when he decides to go it's an awesome thing to watch.
I believe I remember someone saying he can't train as hard as he may like, besides that I have no clue.
The Rock
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The Rock 7/21/2015 5:42pm
7/21/2015 5:42pm
It might be that spending a year in a wheelchair recovering from injury left Christophe with the realization he does not want to get hurt again. He goes for it when he feels it but when he doesn't he doesn't go for it. Makes sense to me.
Talispam
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Talispam 7/21/2015 5:56pm
7/21/2015 5:56pm
The Rock wrote:
It might be that spending a year in a wheelchair recovering from injury left Christophe with the realization he does not want to get hurt again...
It might be that spending a year in a wheelchair recovering from injury left Christophe with the realization he does not want to get hurt again. He goes for it when he feels it but when he doesn't he doesn't go for it. Makes sense to me.
I'd have to agree, I can't imagine what that must have been like for him, all the respect to him for coming back! Is that why he does his fast lap at the end of practice when there are less riders, because from what I've heard that crash in 07 in Ireland that paralyzed him happened when Pourcel came off a blind jump and hit the bike of a downed rider. What I don't understand is it seems pretty random as to when he decides to go for it, especially this year. I feel like a good part of it depends on the start, he won't battle with riders in the pack for fear of crashing as a result of their mistake or something.
woody woodpecker 7/21/2015 6:00pm
7/21/2015 6:00pm
Yeah it seems to me when he gets a good start he can run his lines and put in the kind of fast laps that he does in practice, he just tries to open up a gap on the guy behind him and have a smooth race. But when he gets a bad start he doesn't seem to like getting into close battles with anyone as most riders would and that hinders him. It seems to ruffle his feathers a bit when he has guys running it in on him and he just kind of backs it down and rides smart. Maybe it upsets his rhythm and makes him ride tight, or maybe he just doesn't want to crash, but yeah that's my observation of it.

The only guy I've really seen him have a good battle with this year is Baggett, and that's probably because he knows he won't do anything crazy as they have respect for each other.

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Sir Roostsalot 7/21/2015 6:25pm
7/21/2015 6:25pm Edited Date/Time 7/21/2015 6:38pm
He's just saving it up for Unadilla. But I agree, ever since 2011 things have been a little strange. As a big fan it is also very frustrating. The rollercoaster of emotional highs and lows depending on his results is getting old.
FWYT
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FWYT 7/21/2015 7:11pm
7/21/2015 7:11pm
The Rock wrote:
It might be that spending a year in a wheelchair recovering from injury left Christophe with the realization he does not want to get hurt again...
It might be that spending a year in a wheelchair recovering from injury left Christophe with the realization he does not want to get hurt again. He goes for it when he feels it but when he doesn't he doesn't go for it. Makes sense to me.
If I had to guess, it wouldn't surprise me if this was the case.

And I want to add, I'm a huge fan of having him out there. Not only for the inspiring way that he is even
racing at all after such injuries, but for how beautiful of a rider he is. Frigging awesome.
jeffro503
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jeffro503 7/21/2015 10:14pm
7/21/2015 10:14pm
Talispam wrote:
He's always been...different, but this year I am totally baffled by this guy. It seems like he only gives 100% or anything close to it if...
He's always been...different, but this year I am totally baffled by this guy. It seems like he only gives 100% or anything close to it if he gets the holeshot or a very good start. He never fails to show his raw speed in the morning practices, his odd ability to go from 35th in practice to 1st in one lap is something I'll never understand. I remember Weigandt said that Pourcel told him before the season that it'd take 5 rounds for him to be ready to go. Sure enough, at round 5 High Point I guess he decided to try that day and sure enough he qualifies 1st, almost pulls both holeshots, lands on the podium in moto 1 and then barely misses it overall. I've never seen another rider do anything like that! Seems like if CP decides he feels safe enough on the bike or if he just likes the conditions that day he'll go out and battle with the front runners. Or is it that he only really tries if he gets a great start? At Red Bud he got a terrible start first moto and just cruised around in 8th place. Second moto he got a good start and ran in 3rd for half the race...?? Maybe we'll never unravel the mystery Pourcel is, but anybody got any theories on whether his result is based solely on the start, or on some other(s) factor. Does anyone have any inside info on what his training routine is like? He's been unclear on whether he still has the sweating problem, or any leftover effects of his internal injuries? He always seems a little gun shy to me, that he doesn't like to be in the pack at all, or he'll only go for it when his bike is perfect, and he likes the track? The thing is when he decides to go it's an awesome thing to watch.
Some really good questions. He is an enigma in this sport for sure. Very hard to understand what he has going on inside his head. Some times he looks like just a top 10 guy , and other times he looks like the fastest guy on the track.

This sport is a "mind " thing , and probably more than what a lot of people know. Of course you have to have fitness to complete the motos in a good spot. But your mind has to be willing to push yourself to and past certain limits. Maybe with CP , if he isn't feeling 100% comfortable , he just won't push it? I don't blame him one bit either. Because on the days that he is feeling it , he sure is fun to watch! I'm just happy to see him out there. Big plus for the American nationals.
Gringoe
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Gringoe 7/21/2015 10:36pm
7/21/2015 10:36pm
The Rock wrote:
It might be that spending a year in a wheelchair recovering from injury left Christophe with the realization he does not want to get hurt again...
It might be that spending a year in a wheelchair recovering from injury left Christophe with the realization he does not want to get hurt again. He goes for it when he feels it but when he doesn't he doesn't go for it. Makes sense to me.
Talispam wrote:
I'd have to agree, I can't imagine what that must have been like for him, all the respect to him for coming back! Is that why...
I'd have to agree, I can't imagine what that must have been like for him, all the respect to him for coming back! Is that why he does his fast lap at the end of practice when there are less riders, because from what I've heard that crash in 07 in Ireland that paralyzed him happened when Pourcel came off a blind jump and hit the bike of a downed rider. What I don't understand is it seems pretty random as to when he decides to go for it, especially this year. I feel like a good part of it depends on the start, he won't battle with riders in the pack for fear of crashing as a result of their mistake or something.
Last lap of practice is usually when the track is best, that's why he does that.

I don't see it as random at all, he picks his days when he feels good and the other he just gets through them.

Riding around in 8th at red bud like the op said? Pretty sure he came from around 13th or so. Not to say he doesn't ride around in 10th from time to time but I thought he was pretty decent both motos at red bud. He gets the start when he wants to 100%....it's not luck.
jo2910
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jo2910 7/22/2015 2:35am
7/22/2015 2:35am
Washougal and Unadilla should be better for him. Don't think Redbud or Milville suits his style.
mmcmx
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mmcmx 7/22/2015 7:13am
7/22/2015 7:13am
jo2910 wrote:
Washougal and Unadilla should be better for him. Don't think Redbud or Milville suits his style.
x2
Marvin too
moto0852
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moto0852 7/22/2015 8:09am
7/22/2015 8:09am
He's "Crafty"
goinrcn44h
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goinrcn44h 7/22/2015 9:04am
7/22/2015 9:04am Edited Date/Time 7/22/2015 9:06am
he has Ron Lechien-itis. He gives no fucks whatsoever, on days he decides to kick ass, he usually does.. Talent by the bucket loads.
However, I doubt he is doing lines of blow off hookers asses but... well... ya know.... Smile
dazzlindino 7/22/2015 9:53am
7/22/2015 9:53am
...CP377...( in a Frank Sinatrra voice ) ...he does it..his waaaayyyyy.....
...shouldn't you...
Sully22
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Sully22 7/22/2015 10:44am
7/22/2015 10:44am Edited Date/Time 7/22/2015 10:46am
What's the deal with Christophe? He hauls the mail. After 18 motos CP has 14 top 10's, 7 top 5's, on the box 3 times, a 2nd overall, has 1 DNF, and he's sitting 7 in points. For a guy coming off the couch, with 2-3 weeks prep on a brand new bike and team, and has issues training because of a horrible injury years ago, I'd say that's pretty damn good and nothing to brush off as...ehh, just Pourcel being Pourcel. When he does really well we never hear about his lack of prep time on the bike and adjusting to a new team, or the almost career ending injury, No, we just hear how sneaky and crafty he is. What other riders out there sitting 7th or better in points are described regularly as sneaky or crafty? Using words like that to describe a guy that's riding well, it's almost as if he's somehow undeserving. There are guys out there doing a lot worse than CP, but the way they're talked about and how they bro down you'd think they were on the box every weekend.

A lot of misconceptions about the guy are driven by a few in the media that feed the fans and people this garbage and they shit on him whenever the chance comes up, Even when he rides good it's always sneaky or crafty or some word with negative connotations used to describe the performance. Recently he was called out and given shit about if he gets a bad start and he's not in the top 15, he can't work his way up to the top 5...news flash, that's pretty rare to do. I went back and looked from Hangtown to Millville....guys moving from 15 or worse on the first lap to top 5 has happened only a couple time this year.....Tickle went from 17 to 5 in moto 1 at thunder valley, anderson went 22 to 4 in moto 2 at Tennessee, Coming from outside the top 15 on the first lap to finishing inside the top 5 is very rare.

I've said the same things numerous times before...but I'll never understand the constant negativity toward the guy. If he does well, it's negative, if he rides "shitty," typical pourcel...negative
Motofinne
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Motofinne 7/22/2015 10:46am
7/22/2015 10:46am
Sully22 wrote:
What's the deal with Christophe? He hauls the mail. After 18 motos CP has 14 top 10's, 7 top 5's, on the box 3 times, a...
What's the deal with Christophe? He hauls the mail. After 18 motos CP has 14 top 10's, 7 top 5's, on the box 3 times, a 2nd overall, has 1 DNF, and he's sitting 7 in points. For a guy coming off the couch, with 2-3 weeks prep on a brand new bike and team, and has issues training because of a horrible injury years ago, I'd say that's pretty damn good and nothing to brush off as...ehh, just Pourcel being Pourcel. When he does really well we never hear about his lack of prep time on the bike and adjusting to a new team, or the almost career ending injury, No, we just hear how sneaky and crafty he is. What other riders out there sitting 7th or better in points are described regularly as sneaky or crafty? Using words like that to describe a guy that's riding well, it's almost as if he's somehow undeserving. There are guys out there doing a lot worse than CP, but the way they're talked about and how they bro down you'd think they were on the box every weekend.

A lot of misconceptions about the guy are driven by a few in the media that feed the fans and people this garbage and they shit on him whenever the chance comes up, Even when he rides good it's always sneaky or crafty or some word with negative connotations used to describe the performance. Recently he was called out and given shit about if he gets a bad start and he's not in the top 15, he can't work his way up to the top 5...news flash, that's pretty rare to do. I went back and looked from Hangtown to Millville....guys moving from 15 or worse on the first lap to top 5 has happened only a couple time this year.....Tickle went from 17 to 5 in moto 1 at thunder valley, anderson went 22 to 4 in moto 2 at Tennessee, Coming from outside the top 15 on the first lap to finishing inside the top 5 is very rare.

I've said the same things numerous times before...but I'll never understand the constant negativity toward the guy. If he does well, it's negative, if he rides "shitty," typical pourcel...negative
I could not agree more with you! He is doing very well at the moment. I hope they hire him for the whole 2016 season!
GATOR
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GATOR 7/22/2015 11:03am
7/22/2015 11:03am
jo2910 wrote:
Washougal and Unadilla should be better for him. Don't think Redbud or Milville suits his style.
A golf course would suit his style even better.
jeffro503
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jeffro503 7/22/2015 11:11am
7/22/2015 11:11am
jo2910 wrote:
Washougal and Unadilla should be better for him. Don't think Redbud or Milville suits his style.
GATOR wrote:
A golf course would suit his style even better.
OK , what gives? Being a fellow country men , I've seen you bag on CP every chance you get. Did he bang your mom or something? The dude damn near became crippled from this sport and he gets no respect from guys like you from his own country. I'm not being an asshole here , I just don't get it?
GATOR
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GATOR 7/22/2015 11:19am
7/22/2015 11:19am
jeffro503 wrote:
OK , what gives? Being a fellow country men , I've seen you bag on CP every chance you get. Did he bang your mom or...
OK , what gives? Being a fellow country men , I've seen you bag on CP every chance you get. Did he bang your mom or something? The dude damn near became crippled from this sport and he gets no respect from guys like you from his own country. I'm not being an asshole here , I just don't get it?
I'm just trying to see if I can get to the tenth thousand "Did he f*** your mom/ sister/ girlfriend?" joke before he retires.
Wink

The guy's worthless. On many different levels.

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Forty
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Forty 7/22/2015 11:31am
7/22/2015 11:31am
He has a different approach, that's for sure.

At Millville during practice he rolled everything one lap and then would turn it up to 50 % for a lap or 2 and then roll everything again...and then in timed practice more of the same and then he would blitz a hot lap and then dial back to 50 %.....

During both motos he was working but no flash or brilliant speed......I really enjoy watching him ride when he steps on it.....incredible.
HenryA
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HenryA 7/22/2015 11:47am
7/22/2015 11:47am
Woah, I was surprised to find Gator in this thread. Who knew! Shocked

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