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After that's all finalized, Big James will need reassurances about his role in the RedBull KTM decision making process.
Then it will all be signed.
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J Mart also said on Pulp even if he's not on a Geico bike, he'll still be looking for a 250 ride.
I'm just shocked by comments like yours implying if the guy doesn't finish on the podium he hasn't done anything in the 450 class then spout off about how great of a level he's on and he deserves a great ride.
I definitely feel like anyone of those main event guys has done something in the 450 class. Malcom has done even more than make a main event. He's had top 5's in SX and he's even had a single moto podium finish in MX. I feel like he's done something.
I guess I'm just hung up on the fact that you think he hasn't done anything on a 450. I disagree with that point. I feel like he's done plenty to prove he has and you even say so yourself that he deserves a great ride. I'm just a little confused by you contradicting yourself.
Pit Row
I have made it clear I like Malcolm and wish him the best. I've also made it clear that I believe he's clearly fast enough and talented enough for a ride. However, if thats what he desires, he needs to go out and prove he wants it like others have in the past (remember Wilson and Barcia having to do exactly that?) Malcolm is NOT in the position to only be doing SX. Theres only a few who could do that and they each have 450 titles to their names. Thats why Reed, J. Stewart and McGrath could do it. I honestly have no issues with what Malcolm is doing as long as it makes him happy. And here's the thing, I dont see Malcolm complaining about it. I feel like he understands this and is perfectly fine with what he's doing which is awesome. Malcolm will more than likely find a great home for the SX season because of his insane abilities on a dirt bike and awesome personality. But, it won't be with team Red Bull KTM unless he agrees to do MX as well. And hey, he very well may do that. Hes said in the past he would like to do it.
Some of you guys get too butt hurt over this stuff. You take one small portion of a statement rather than reading into the entirety of what was said. Welcome to 2020 I suppose.
MALCOLM STEWART
Haines City, FL United States
SmarTop/Bullfrog Spas/MotoConcepts Honda
450SX Class
7
Points
252
Best Finish
4
POINTS STANDINGS
RACE RESULTS
Home
Riders: S
Malcolm Stewart - MX, SX, & MEC Race Results
Career Race Results
Position Race Class Date Bike
4
SUPERCROSS
Salt Lake City 7 450SX June 21, 2020 Honda CRF450R
7
SUPERCROSS
Salt Lake City 6 450SX June 17, 2020 Honda CRF450R
5
SUPERCROSS
Salt Lake City 5 450SX June 14, 2020 Honda CRF450R
22
SUPERCROSS
Salt Lake City 4 450SX June 10, 2020 Honda CRF450R
5
SUPERCROSS
Salt Lake City 3 450SX June 7, 2020 Honda CRF450R
7
SUPERCROSS
Salt Lake City 2 450SX June 3, 2020 Honda CRF450R
11
SUPERCROSS
Salt Lake City 1 450SX May 31, 2020 Honda CRF450R
8
SUPERCROSS
Daytona 450SX March 7, 2020 Honda CRF450R
8
SUPERCROSS
Atlanta 450SX February 29, 2020 Honda CRF450R
7
SUPERCROSS
Arlington 450SX February 22, 2020 Honda CRF450R
7
SUPERCROSS
Tampa 450SX February 15, 2020 Honda CRF450R
8
SUPERCROSS
San Diego 450SX February 8, 2020 Honda CRF450R
10
SUPERCROSS
Oakland 450SX February 1, 2020 Honda CRF450R
7
SUPERCROSS
Glendale 450SX January 25, 2020 Honda CRF450R
8
SUPERCROSS
Anaheim 2 450SX January 18, 2020 Honda CRF450R
6
SUPERCROSS
St. Louis 450SX January 11, 2020 Honda CRF450R
9
SUPERCROSS
Anaheim 1 450SX January 4, 2020 Honda CRF450R
3
MEC
Monster Energy Cup Monster Energy Cup October 19, 2019 Honda CRF450R
So, that is ~14 factory riders lined up on a 22 rider gate for SX. Then add in factory supported teams like RM/ATV/MC
and Moto Concepts and I'm counting between 18 and 20 decent 450 contracts. Off the top of my head,, I count about 22 guys that are capable of top 10 finishes and worthy of a decent 450 contract, but not all of these guys will end up with a high $$ contract for 21. In no particular order:
Tomac
AC
Roczen
Sexton
Webb
Musquin
Osborne
Anderson
Wilson
Barcia
Plessinger
Tickle
Ferrandis
Savatgy
Noren
Brayton
Hill
Friese
Stewart
Baggett
Bogle
Davalos
So there is definitely a gap there between deserving riders and the number of 450 rides available when you consider 250 guys like JMart and McElrath that are also worthy of a 450 contract.
So that leaves 3 to 5 spots open for privateer teams on the gate and maybe a few more later in the season after attrition. Those privateer teams are typically funded by smaller moto industry companies and/or team owners with a passion for the sport, not big dollar outside sponsors. Their expectations are more in line with making the mains and putting in a good showing when they do.
The problem lies with expectations amd return on investment. I dont think there is a factory rider out there, or a factory team or sponsor that is truly satisfied with a finish outside of the top 10. Factory riders running conistently outside the top 10 dont get much TV time for their sponsors unless they crash spectacularly or have some nickname or outside interest like knitting that Ralph can beat like a dead horse.
I dont think we are going to see more high dollar factory rides to fill up the last spots on the 450 SX gate (or mx gates outside the top 20) because a factory team is almost always going to want to spend their money to get the best 2 riders to contend for wins, podiums, and championships. More sponsorship dollars going to the factory teams also doesn't necessarily mean more riders as that additional money could be used on R&D, support staff, equipment, or nicer facilities.
And I don't think having every gate filled with factory riders is necessarily the best thing for the sport, as it could push out some of the privateer teams that may not have any chance of putting a bike in the main for SX.
What I would love to see is more sponsorship dollars going to those privateer teams, so they can afford some of these deserving riders that may be a step below a full factory ride. Growing the sport, attending races, and eyeballs on TV is the only way that will happen.
And as for Mookie, I agree that if he wants a top 450 contract, he's going to need to prove that he is committed to racing the nationals, and its going to take more than just saying he is willing. I would have loved to see Mookie take a one off deal on a smaller team or privateer effort this year. If he had done that, and gotten some results over the summer, I think he would be in a far better position to negotiate for a factory ride right now.
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