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So I saw a stat that said you have to go back to Utah 2020 to get a podium without Roczen, Tomac, or Webb on it and that got me to thinking are we reaching the limit to speed in SX? So here's my thought.
Just a couple years ago Dungey set the record for most consecutive podiums at I believe 31. A record that I believe was held by Reed before him. That was the end of a season, a complete season, and part of a third season. No matter what happened he found his way to the front because he was that much faster than the rest of the field. No such thing as a bad start, injury, mechanical, etc for 31 races. Now the Stat is between 3 riders for 1 season.
Back just a few years before that Bubba, RC, and CR would find their way to the front of the pack No matter what, McGrath before that, and even more recently with Roczen and Tomac to a degree when they moved into the 450 class up until recently. We're steadily seeing the gap from 1-3 and 7-10 close to the point that starts appear to be more important that ever.
Are we simply seeing the progression stall and the back markers close the gap?
Just a couple years ago Dungey set the record for most consecutive podiums at I believe 31. A record that I believe was held by Reed before him. That was the end of a season, a complete season, and part of a third season. No matter what happened he found his way to the front because he was that much faster than the rest of the field. No such thing as a bad start, injury, mechanical, etc for 31 races. Now the Stat is between 3 riders for 1 season.
Back just a few years before that Bubba, RC, and CR would find their way to the front of the pack No matter what, McGrath before that, and even more recently with Roczen and Tomac to a degree when they moved into the 450 class up until recently. We're steadily seeing the gap from 1-3 and 7-10 close to the point that starts appear to be more important that ever.
Are we simply seeing the progression stall and the back markers close the gap?
More trainers and riders are figuring out that formula as time goes on, but two big variables exist that cannot be controlled- those being luck & desire.
We can overthink these things though and IMO it’s just best to enjoy it for what it is.
Yeah everyone has caught onto the program, more riders being ‘professional’, having trainers and they all know what it takes. However modern bikes are better too, more consistent and easier to ride in varying conditions. Add in the technology progression; programmable ecu’s, start maps, suspension sensors and gps data like litpro. Then you have consistent metal grate start grids and standardised tracks and obstacles etc. etc. etc.
Is shouldn’t be any surprise that gaps in the field have been closed.
But is that necessarily a bad thing?
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If everyone is using it, then what’s the purpose in having them?
Scalpers and resellers buy tickets early on to try to resell and make money.
Sometimes they eat them.
Some people buy tickets and don't end up going.
I'm not saying they are all sold out, just saying that what you see on tv isn't true ticket sales numbers.
Starting devices have done nothing but make the sport more boring, especially when coupled with the new ignitions with start maps and RPM lights and all that crap. Hold it pinned and time the gate drop is basically all they have to do these days....
Banning starting devices would add a lot more parody to the racing. Period.
Pit Row
Start devices make parody, not detract from it, just like metal start grates.
Getting rid of them mixes it up more.
Hammer 663s
Size of a crowd? There is definatly room for growth. The stadiums are not as full as they once were. I thought Oakland looked bad on TV and I heard Stevo-O tweet that Feld probably gets a good deal on the stadium plus the monster trucks were there the week before, so a small crowd didn't hurt them much.
Old timers will tell you old Unadilla and the late 70's and 80's HI Point were much bigger crowds, looks wise anyhow, then today ( I hate those damn EZups blocking the view today) I personally think those crowd sizes I read in cycle news of 5k were for tax purposes. I remember at HI Point national in 1980, they announced like 5 k in cycle news. Someone check me on this in the cycle news archives. No way that could be true if that's what was stated. The reason? Saturday and Monday each day they had close to 1000 riders each day racing AM races. Back in the day you had one bike for each class hence most riders ran one class. Close to say,, 750 actual bodies that rode a bike that day.
At a National event, the and mom's, dad's, sisters, girlfreinds, grandma and aunts came out to spectatate. It was HI Point national,, an event! And they could see "the kid" ride the same weekend as the pros! There is an easy 3000 for an am day. Had to get more than 2000 for just Sunday. But that's my opinion. I don't have hard facts to back it up but I have good reasoning capabilities.
So yes, the ceiling hasn't been reached, attendance wise. Not even close. Sad part is, the powers that promote think bike sales will grow the sport. Heard it from the horses mouth when someone questioned it on Pulp MX . ( Actually a rep spoke up quickly and saved the day cause the promoter didn't have a clue and was caught off gaurd by the question). They haven't a clue.. Personalities grow the sport. Someone to identify with will grow the sport. Bike sales are like football sales. It's all good and all, but we go to football games because the people identify with a team or player and personal. Oh yeah, and rivalries and outspoken dudes too! (Calling Bob Hannah!) Not a football.
I am starting to believe the stories that the racing is just a marketing tool for manufactures........but that's another story in and of itself. 2 strokes come to mind ( whoops, I didn't day that)
Bike performance ? That's a whole different ball of wax. Bikes are good. Riders are good. Many more not getting lapped in the 450 this year. Wonder why.. I don't really have an answer to this one.
I think privateers are paid worse than in the 80's for all the work they put in tho.....
When you look at lap pass charts from recent years, MOST, not all but most, of the passing is done by the 12th minute of the main. From minute 12 to 20, there is a significant reduction in the number of passes from the front of the field to the back of the field. Most guys are just coasting in the last few minutes trying to hold their position.
Shorter mains, 10 to 12 minutes, would shake things up drastically.
Now that's parody
It could be argued that with todays advanced suspension, that all a rider has to do is point the bike and accelerate..
The point being that every technological advancement is making the job easier. Everyone has it so everyone benefits. Everything requires less skill.
But there’s still only ever one winner..
No litpros, computer data etc, so the riders had to go completely from skill and feel..
I honestly think that’s why James Chad and Ricky were so far ahead, they were just better than everyone..
Now computers tell you what line to take what rhythm to do, when to back off the power etc
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