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He can surely do what he wants and it is all his business. Having a kid is a life changer for sure.
But when you make statements like this "May fans mean so much to me". Then stay silent for over a year, diss, industry personnel , no show to special events he had committed to, I think it says a lot about what he really cares about. And it ain't this sport. LoL.
The people of Vital need a flyover.
Not quite a flyover shot, but this was on 402 Trails Instagram story
402 is guy who does track work at their compound?
They just did my local track and I've seen and rode their work. Thats pretty bad ass they got to do the stewarts place.
I'm thinking a retirement announcement comes before A1 followed by a heartfelt documentary type thing of him explaining himself, personal struggles, life as a dad etc. to save face with fans. No way can you take that amount of time off and come back to a sport like this and be competitive.
Ryan Villopoto has probably been doing more riding during his retirement than James has been and he just got beat straight up by a guy that's not even a top 10 rider. Yeah it was Straight Rhythm, but still, nobody seen that coming. I don't think a lot of casual fans or amateur riders understand exactly how much work goes into being a top tier racer and trying to maintain that. Regardless of how may championships or races you have won, you can't step away from the sport while everyone else is busting their asses week in and week out and come back in and expect to pick up where you left off.
I seriously wouldn't doubt if that is half of KR94's motivation to get back in the mix less than a year after such a horrible injury, so he doesn't fall too far behind. While he has been on the mend from that injury his competition has been riding, training, racing, getting faster, etc. If he sat out 2018 supercross then he would have that much more work to do to get back up to speed because practicing on a test track vs. actual racing are two different animals.
If for some reason JS7 does decide to line up, I would expect similar rides or worse to his 2016 effort and that would do nothing positive for his legacy or for his brand.
One would have to think there are others ways he can stay relevant in the industry outside of throwing a leg over a bike. The guy seems like he has a cool personality and would make for a great commentator or some ambassador-type role. Either way, best of luck to him and whatever he decides to do.
Someday there will be answers.
Pit Row
There is a little glimmer of hope in the back of my mind that all along they intend to stay as quiet as can be to build the drama and then come out and blow everyone's mind. Would be cool.
When they inducted Michael Jordan into the Hall of Fame he actually acted like he wasn't real happy about it and then admitted that he always felt like he could return at anytime and put some points on the board and show he could still play. The Hall of Fame was the nail in coffin.
For whatever reason, despite his popularity, sponsoring him was always a lot cause for co-sponsors. It just didnt translate to more sales. Whereas a guy like Kevin Windham, with a fraction of the resume & marketability, sold product incredibly.
For that reason I never thought Seven would amount to much. Then again, maybe Axell Hodges moves enough product? I dunno.
Right now I look at him as being off the radar. I hope he’s enjoying time with his wife, kid, and family. Is there another chapter for him? That would be cool. But at this point, it’s been an awfully long time since he’s been competitive at a championship level.
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