Matt Leblanc Interview

alphado
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alphado
Just watched the Vital video. Feel bad for the kid, 18 and over it. Hopefully a break is all he needs to reload and come back.
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AH387
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AH387 10/3/2022 6:48am
10/3/2022 6:48am
Ya I heard late in the summer that he may be out at Star. Then I saw over the weekend a picture of him on a Honda. I assumed he got onto another (smaller) team. So when I saw this interview, I felt bad for him. Such a weird year for him. To go from the plan of doing a couple 'feeler Pro races' and then finishing you Am career, to then doing the full Pro series (with some injuries/set backs) and then just like that you are off of a major team and potentially out of the sport. It's almost like it's over before it ever really started. Obviously everyone knows that it's very hard to make it in this sport, if you choose that as a career path. But it has to be hard to swallow, when you dedicate all of that time to the sport and in 1 summer, everything get's flipped upside down. I wish him luck with whatever he does.
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Motofinne
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Motofinne 10/3/2022 7:07am
10/3/2022 7:07am
One issue with American MX and SX is that way, way too many kids are getting a one (or two) year shot on a full factory ride in a way too soon part of their career. They are made out to look like the next big thing in the Amateur ranks and like they would warrant a factory 250 ride because of how US amateur classes are built. And once they're out of the factory level ride, it's very difficult to get back on to one.

Most of these 17-20 year olds would be much better off going pro in a low-key way on a decent privateer team. Then they'll get to learn things with much less pressure and their results would "look" better and they would eventually end up with the 1-2 year factory shot when they are actually ready for it.
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Johnny Ringo
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Johnny Ringo 10/3/2022 7:15am
10/3/2022 7:15am
Motofinne wrote:
One issue with American MX and SX is that way, way too many kids are getting a one (or two) year shot on a full factory...
One issue with American MX and SX is that way, way too many kids are getting a one (or two) year shot on a full factory ride in a way too soon part of their career. They are made out to look like the next big thing in the Amateur ranks and like they would warrant a factory 250 ride because of how US amateur classes are built. And once they're out of the factory level ride, it's very difficult to get back on to one.

Most of these 17-20 year olds would be much better off going pro in a low-key way on a decent privateer team. Then they'll get to learn things with much less pressure and their results would "look" better and they would eventually end up with the 1-2 year factory shot when they are actually ready for it.
True but the problem with low key guys is they never get the ride because the factories are full of these kids. Thinking of guys like Wageman, Short, Brown.

It did work out for Colt Nichols though
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Trickamoto
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Trickamoto 10/3/2022 7:35am
10/3/2022 7:35am
seems like a very real and cool kid in that clip. hope he does well in life.
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tonyd811
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tonyd811 10/3/2022 8:16am
10/3/2022 8:16am
Trickamoto wrote:
seems like a very real and cool kid in that clip. hope he does well in life.
I agree. Wise beyond his years. Didn't seem like a spoiled brat/victim. Got a job, riding for fun... awesome to see.
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fourfourone
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fourfourone 10/3/2022 8:22am
10/3/2022 8:22am
I don't blame him.

He did an interview when he was with star and his injury list is HEAVY for an 18 year old.

Only so many times you can get hurt, recover, race before you are just burnt from it.
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Rickyisms 10/3/2022 8:52am
10/3/2022 8:52am
Some of the fastest kids that I knew growing up don’t even ride in their 20s anymore, and they were no where near Leblancs level but qualified for LL every year. It blows me away because I still love riding more than anything and I would kill to have half of the talent they have, and they couldn’t even be bothered to spin some laps. It’s sad the love and fun of it gets zapped if you aren’t winning.
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SGoodman
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SGoodman 10/3/2022 9:46am
10/3/2022 9:46am
The older I get, the more i see all those guys just getting used to make someone else big money... I'm glad he got out... He'll make more cash and won't have to worry about breaking his neck/back every weekend... why is it that basically no mx'ers ever make enough scratch to actually retire off racing? why is it that all those kids that live at training facilities are completely burnt out by the age of 25????

the system is broken.... completely...
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sandtrack315
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sandtrack315 10/3/2022 9:50am
10/3/2022 9:50am
Rickyisms wrote:
Some of the fastest kids that I knew growing up don’t even ride in their 20s anymore, and they were no where near Leblancs level but...
Some of the fastest kids that I knew growing up don’t even ride in their 20s anymore, and they were no where near Leblancs level but qualified for LL every year. It blows me away because I still love riding more than anything and I would kill to have half of the talent they have, and they couldn’t even be bothered to spin some laps. It’s sad the love and fun of it gets zapped if you aren’t winning.
Yup, most of the fast kids I grew up racing with don't ride anymore. I guess I was lucky enough to not be fast enough to get burnt out. I started late, too, didn't start riding until I was 13.

But yeah, I had the same thoughts: sucks to be 18 and already be cutting your career off. I hope he takes some time to heal up, get that motivation back, and give it one more go. If he doesn't, he will probably always be nagged by the "what if" thoughts.
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sandman768
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sandman768 10/3/2022 10:09am
10/3/2022 10:09am
One area that we should emulate the GP system is the 125/ 250 feeder system, mandatory for up & coming pros to ride at least 1 year if not 2 years, give them some time to develop. Go back to racing on Sunday for the premier National classes. And of course the 2 stokes would flourish as well…Just my 2 cents
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ACBailey89
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ACBailey89 10/3/2022 10:14am
10/3/2022 10:14am
That’s a savage move from Star, but with Deegan coming up soon and Romano looking good there just wasn’t enough room for him.
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Bow977
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Bow977 10/3/2022 10:22am
10/3/2022 10:22am
Think of all the money spent over the years on traveling, bikes, parts, training/riding facilities then to be done after 12 races as a pro
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jndmx
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jndmx 10/3/2022 10:24am
10/3/2022 10:24am
I've had the pleasure of getting to know Matt and his family over the years announcing at Freestone for the JS7 every spring.
He's a level headed young man for sure and comes from a hard working family so I'm not at all surprised to see his pragmatic way of moving on.
Injuries really did him in as far as getting the results and that sucks.
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motox505
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motox505 10/3/2022 10:26am
10/3/2022 10:26am
Honestly for a first year he did pretty well by most standards. Totally sucks that you're looked at as a failure when you're on a factory ride like he was. No matter what he's going to struggle as a rookie, only the very very best kill it out of the gate. He definitely should deserve a ride with a privateer team.

https://www.motopivot.com/results/series/mx/seasons/2022-motocross/ride…

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kNewc
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kNewc 10/3/2022 10:43am
10/3/2022 10:43am
If you follow Facebook, on this very VitalMX video his Mother is commenting, somewhat interesting.
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nskerb
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nskerb 10/3/2022 10:43am
10/3/2022 10:43am
I mean Thrasher has a couple freak (good) SX results but he didnt seem leaps and bounds ahead and Romano was about the same. Star can be pretty ruthless but this seems weird.
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swe292
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swe292 10/3/2022 10:49am
10/3/2022 10:49am
reminds me of the tristan chaberneau situation with geico. through him up for the nationals one year, he got hurt, never resigned him. basically ruined his career.although i heard some different takes on him but the situation is similar.
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USA
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USA 10/3/2022 10:59am
10/3/2022 10:59am
kNewc wrote:
If you follow Facebook, on this very VitalMX video his Mother is commenting, somewhat interesting.
If you follow Facebook, on this very VitalMX video his Mother is commenting, somewhat interesting.
Sounds like a healthy way of processing what is going on right now as a family. Life isn't all about the expectations others put on you, good for them for supporting their son and what's best for him.
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Books
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Books 10/3/2022 11:25am
10/3/2022 11:25am
Bummer deal. This kid is to good to “retire”. The best is still to come.

Hopefully he finds what’s he’s looking for and be happy with life, either racing again or moving on to a new chapter.

Take care Matt
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soggy
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soggy 10/3/2022 11:36am
10/3/2022 11:36am
sandman768 wrote:
One area that we should emulate the GP system is the 125/ 250 feeder system, mandatory for up & coming pros to ride at least 1...
One area that we should emulate the GP system is the 125/ 250 feeder system, mandatory for up & coming pros to ride at least 1 year if not 2 years, give them some time to develop. Go back to racing on Sunday for the premier National classes. And of course the 2 stokes would flourish as well…Just my 2 cents
Ironic cause emx is going bye bye.
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bd
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bd 10/3/2022 11:38am
10/3/2022 11:38am
I’m not sure if he took his studies seriously, but if he did, take ACT and create a resume. I’m betting any legit higher institution would give him a free ride.

Regardless, cheering for this young man.
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GG121
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GG121 10/3/2022 11:39am
10/3/2022 11:39am
Man this is upsetting. Throw him into a full season earlier than expected and then drop him that easily. Whats even the point in investing all that time and effort into an amateur if you're going to fire them within 5 months of going pro.
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LungButter
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LungButter 10/3/2022 12:08pm
10/3/2022 12:08pm
Dang. Hope the best for him no matter what comes next. Kid poured his whole life to this date into the sport, crazy how fast things can change.

Parents spending thousands upon thousands to send their kid to a training facility full time should take note of this situation and think long and hard about it.
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TbonesPop 10/3/2022 12:23pm
10/3/2022 12:23pm
Bummer to hear about Matt. Wish him all the best in his career moving forward. As for burn out, MX/SX is no different than the burnout in any other stick and ball sport. You pretty much have <0.01% chance of ever making it big and you have to eat, drink, sleep nothing but that sport to have any chance. Little to no time for schooling (which is terrible), no time for social activities, no vacation time, etc. Either committed or not. Its no wonder the best are retiring earlier and earlier in our sport. So glad to see Eli enjoying things again. Was awesome seeing Dungey go another season. Good to see Kenny keeping life in perspective.
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Cayden Thompson 10/3/2022 12:48pm
10/3/2022 12:48pm
LungButter wrote:
Dang. Hope the best for him no matter what comes next. Kid poured his whole life to this date into the sport, crazy how fast things...
Dang. Hope the best for him no matter what comes next. Kid poured his whole life to this date into the sport, crazy how fast things can change.

Parents spending thousands upon thousands to send their kid to a training facility full time should take note of this situation and think long and hard about it.
Yeah I wonder what's a better ROI? Thousands into moto or thousands into college? Or tradeschool?
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Cayden Thompson 10/3/2022 12:49pm
10/3/2022 12:49pm
kNewc wrote:
If you follow Facebook, on this very VitalMX video his Mother is commenting, somewhat interesting.
If you follow Facebook, on this very VitalMX video his Mother is commenting, somewhat interesting.
Yeah she responded to me lol. My intent wasn't bad, she just took it the wrong way.
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yak651
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yak651 10/3/2022 12:58pm
10/3/2022 12:58pm
Once again there is no reason the factories are able to give six figure “travel” money to amateurs and not support privateer pros. Mentioned already but give them all the support as AM for 4-6 races a year, but only one or two full seasons to prove themselves in the pros?? Ridiculous, would like one of the moto journalists to get DC on record if he truly believes this is the way the system should work.
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GrapeApe
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GrapeApe 10/3/2022 1:13pm
10/3/2022 1:13pm
LungButter wrote:
Dang. Hope the best for him no matter what comes next. Kid poured his whole life to this date into the sport, crazy how fast things...
Dang. Hope the best for him no matter what comes next. Kid poured his whole life to this date into the sport, crazy how fast things can change.

Parents spending thousands upon thousands to send their kid to a training facility full time should take note of this situation and think long and hard about it.
Cayden Thompson wrote:
Yeah I wonder what's a better ROI? Thousands into moto or thousands into college? Or tradeschool?
I have spent a ridiculous amount of time and money on my kids' competitive sports and I wouldn't change a thing. We travel as a family and create priceless memories while the kids are also learning about hard work, sacrifice, commitment, responding to adversity, etc. Stuff that can't be learned from a book.

Not to mention, Matt was on the industry radar at a very early age. I remember him racing and winning the KTM junior SX races on a 50. I doubt his parents have paid much compared to what you or I would pay for a similar setup for our kids.
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Chris99Flannery 10/3/2022 4:02pm
10/3/2022 4:02pm Edited Date/Time 10/3/2022 4:02pm
LungButter wrote:
Dang. Hope the best for him no matter what comes next. Kid poured his whole life to this date into the sport, crazy how fast things...
Dang. Hope the best for him no matter what comes next. Kid poured his whole life to this date into the sport, crazy how fast things can change.

Parents spending thousands upon thousands to send their kid to a training facility full time should take note of this situation and think long and hard about it.
Cayden Thompson wrote:
Yeah I wonder what's a better ROI? Thousands into moto or thousands into college? Or tradeschool?
Said it for ages. Spend that money on investing for them. Set them up rather than a virtual no chance pipe dream.
As was said earlier so many fast juniors give up riding completely because they’re burnt the fuck out and pushed day and night. Plus the thousand junior classes make racedays too long for seniors, who get over sitting around all day. Get the day done quicker and watch numbers increase again.
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