What rider could get off the couch today, train hard until the first national and get podium or close?

Dungey, and....yeah, Canard probably. How many times in the past has Trey come back from injuries and was damn near as fast as he was before he got hurt just because he’s talented & fearless? I think he could do it.

Milsaps

Dowd..but he'd have a better chance at Southwick.

Dungey. He left the last 3 series championships on the table, and probably this years outdoors also..

I'm going to go back a ways but I feel like you have to think about JMB and Lechien. Those guys were so smooth and fluid on 500's that the 450 and their riding style would be a perfect match. The other is Dowd.

Picking Dungey or Villopoto is too easy. Gotta think about some older guys even if they really wouldn't have a shot.

A better question is... take everyone in their prime and what who would be the top 5 on current factory 450's.

K-DUB would be awesome, but he would probably be winded after the parade lap.

I saw an interview with him in the last year where he said he might have a half of lap in him at full speed.

Dungey would be the only one with a realistic chance.

I would love to turn back time and put Hurricane Hannah on a new 450 ........ WOW!

THE DOUBLE DEEEE!


................ Devin Davis!

RV and Dungey, no doubt about it

Actually one that is not racing but might have a chance in 250s (not 450s) is Tonkov. Due to visa issues not allowed to race in europe, but just read he has continued to practice and that he will be racing the GP in Russia

RV was great but he's 3 years removed from full time racing. Did you guys watch MEC when he rode practice (didn't have top 18 laptimes) or straight rhythm? This sport takes a lot of work and prep to battle at the top. The podium at Hangtown is not a joke.

Andrew Short as a wildcard. Not top 5, though solid. Though I think he broke something in the Paris-Dakar. He was at least riding something.

I actually think Dungey, after a few races, would be better than when he left. The time off could have him fresh again.

RD and maybe RV. I still think Carmichael could get points with a little riding.

RC,RV, that killer instinct and raw speed that these two had could put them back on the podium one more time,no matter how winded they would be at the end of the day!

Tickle

bingo

Hard to bet against Brandon.

x2 on Broc's bike.

MA800 might, obviously RV and Dungey are a possibility. If RC went on a diet he could probably run up front for a while, JS7 if he finished the race

The rust sets in quick when you stop racing. Dungey has the least rust. It is interesting to wonder how RV would fare as well. There is no other considerations by me after those two.

Doug Dubach, Rodney Smith for a couple of 50+ guys, and Mike Brown.

Amen. KROC #1 pick!

Bob Hannah

i watched stanton put in a couple laps at the end of summer event here last couple season...still in amazing shape and can put in some laps. i think he would school a few of the old namers guys are tossing out there.

Rc no doubt could run up front for awhile. But my money would be McGrath as well. I'm not counting RV or RD in this group.

JT is right; RD is the only one with a realistic shot. As a wildcard, I'd throw Mike Brown in, just because we're the same age, and he's a physical freak.

True Story: But back When Mickey Diamond was the 125 National Champion - DeCoster would ride with him at Honda Land and Run almost a second a lap faster.. Now its not 1989 anymore but after retiring he could of still come off the couch and won..

A better question would be who could qualify and then get a top 20. You would probably have Dungey, Villopoto, maybe Canard, maybe Brown, maybe Short, there are probably a few I'm not thinking of. RC could probably put in a good top 20 lap but I'm not so sure about the moto. I'm sure there are quite a few who could qualify top 36 or whatever it is they take on time.