How will ezra do @ the U.S. open

englishman
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englishman 9/21/2009 8:20pm
9/21/2009 8:20pm
Tiki wrote:
Hey I like Ezra and all, but the reality is Jeff Emig has a better chance of making a comeback. Moto is brutal, at the pro...
Hey I like Ezra and all, but the reality is Jeff Emig has a better chance of making a comeback. Moto is brutal, at the pro level even more so. He knows this. Like the others said. Lets just see him get through the heat races before we start handing him the trophy.

Here is the top 40 of the invite list: Who wants to call top five?
# James Stewart
# Chad Reed
# Andrew Short
# Josh Grant
# Kevin Windham
# Ryan Villopoto
# Ivan Tedesco
# Davi Millsaps
# Mike Alessi
# Josh Hill
# Matt Boni
# Ryan Dungey
# Jason Lawrence - You can scratch this one.
# Christophe Pourcel
# Michael Byrne
# Austin Stroupe
# Jake Weimer
# Tyla Rattray
# Tommy Searle
# Nico Izzi
# Ryan Morais
# Blake Wharton
# Trey Canard
# Dan Reardon
# Brett Metcalfe
# Heath Voss
# Tim Ferry
# Nick Wey
# Paul Carpenter
# Kyle Chisholm
# Broc Hepler
# Ben Coisy
# Tommy Hahn
# Tyler Bowers
# Troy Adams
# Ryan Sipes
# Justin Brayton
# Will Hahn
# Chris Blose
# Branden Jesseman
James
Chad
RD
RV
JG.
Larry
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Larry 9/21/2009 8:20pm
9/21/2009 8:20pm
Ezra is a good guy. I hope he stays safe and has fun.
DD410
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DD410 9/21/2009 8:39pm
9/21/2009 8:39pm
I barely got back into mx in about 04'.. so i dont remember yogi in his prime. but ive watched old videos like bar to bar 99'.. ezra is frickin gnarly!!! I hope he does well.. but you want honesty? i honestly think he is gonna get whooped. yet again, if he didnt think he was gonna do well. he probably wouldnt race!
CamP
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CamP 9/21/2009 9:03pm
9/21/2009 9:03pm
There are a lot of fast guys on that guest list. They only qualify 14 at the open so Ezra has his work cut out for him.

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txmxer
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txmxer 9/21/2009 10:17pm
9/21/2009 10:17pm
Ezra was an "old school" style rider. He was in shape and charged from start to finish. I think he will do okay. Yes, he's got some ground to make up, but if he's decided to do race, he won't come back half ass.
Shawn142
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Shawn142 9/22/2009 1:48am
9/22/2009 1:48am
Lets hope he doesn't put his bike into a basket like the last time he raced it. I really enjoyed Ezra in his prime but it's asking a lot for him to even make the main. Ezra is not too old, but SX is no joke. Bradshaw might be a decent example of what will happen. He was only a second or so off pace of the last place qualifier for the show, but a second a lap is an eternity when it's for real.
txmxer
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txmxer 9/22/2009 7:15am
9/22/2009 7:15am
Shawn142 wrote:
Lets hope he doesn't put his bike into a basket like the last time he raced it. I really enjoyed Ezra in his prime but it's...
Lets hope he doesn't put his bike into a basket like the last time he raced it. I really enjoyed Ezra in his prime but it's asking a lot for him to even make the main. Ezra is not too old, but SX is no joke. Bradshaw might be a decent example of what will happen. He was only a second or so off pace of the last place qualifier for the show, but a second a lap is an eternity when it's for real.
when Bradshaw came back in the 90's he was competitive.
builtlusktough 9/22/2009 2:21pm
9/22/2009 2:21pm
some of these posts are funny. I especially like the one about Emig having a better shot at coming back. Wonder if Emig could have went 20 laps and WIN against Chad Reed at Phoenix in '03, while Ricky trailing for 8 laps and then falling.. hmmm... I'm an Emig fan but damn I don't think he could've. So who, out of this new generation of talent went 20 laps pound for pound with RC and Reed in the last decade. Anyway, he was one of the very few to bridge the gap from the MC era to the Reed/RC, which seems to be quickly forgotten. He's only 34, has been training at times harder in the last five years than he ever has.

He sold his property to Davi Millsaps but still rides there, DM18's laptimes are on a board in the shop, he knows where he's at.

All this means nothing though, hell, JS7 could have a horrible weekend if he gets a bad start because it is a glorified arenacross track. Sucks this is the race he is choosing to do but he wants to go race.

Shane Lusk
MISFIT442
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MISFIT442 9/22/2009 2:38pm
9/22/2009 2:38pm Edited Date/Time 1/18/2014 9:06am
builtlusktough wrote:
some of these posts are funny. I especially like the one about Emig having a better shot at coming back. Wonder if Emig could have went...
some of these posts are funny. I especially like the one about Emig having a better shot at coming back. Wonder if Emig could have went 20 laps and WIN against Chad Reed at Phoenix in '03, while Ricky trailing for 8 laps and then falling.. hmmm... I'm an Emig fan but damn I don't think he could've. So who, out of this new generation of talent went 20 laps pound for pound with RC and Reed in the last decade. Anyway, he was one of the very few to bridge the gap from the MC era to the Reed/RC, which seems to be quickly forgotten. He's only 34, has been training at times harder in the last five years than he ever has.

He sold his property to Davi Millsaps but still rides there, DM18's laptimes are on a board in the shop, he knows where he's at.

All this means nothing though, hell, JS7 could have a horrible weekend if he gets a bad start because it is a glorified arenacross track. Sucks this is the race he is choosing to do but he wants to go race.

Shane Lusk
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huck
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huck 9/22/2009 2:47pm
9/22/2009 2:47pm
Lusk was barely a top 5 guy when he retired. I'd love to think that he'll do good (for us old guys), but in reality, he'll be extremely lucky to qualify.

Shoot, watch that video of Reed passing RC at their practice track....a couple years out of the game are HUGE!
builtlusktough 9/22/2009 2:56pm
9/22/2009 2:56pm
Listen to the Mathes podcast on RacerX about the '04 season (his last year), which is the year after he beat Reedy in Phoenix...so top 5 speed there for sure. Mathes says himself Yogi was going faster at times on the Yamaha test track than Reed and denied them to video tape him practicing. Reed even gave him a hard time about practicing on the Yamaha test track because Yogi was Mach 1. Well, come Anaheim 1 and injuries set in so that speed was never shown. Don't write someone off when you have no idea what they were riding with. That was his problem, he didn't know when to sit at home during an injury and so when he as on the track people thought that was the best he can do.

And RC got passed in the whoops, a place he barely made it through during racing. If you had a put a starting gate out there and dropped it you would have seen a different RC at Reed's track that day. AND AGAIN, how hard is it to understand Yogi has been training this whole time and riding a bit. Not boozin it up at every stop like some.

Shane Lusk
Shawn142
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Shawn142 9/22/2009 2:58pm
9/22/2009 2:58pm
txmxer wrote:
when Bradshaw came back in the 90's he was competitive.
That doesn't make a lot of sense, this is not the '90s and Ezra is coming back in a 1-off race against a stacked house that doesn't qualify as many as a normal SX main. I do wish the guy the very best of luck, I was always cheering for Yogi against MC. But you're asking a lot from a guy who last raced a bike in anger in '04, which was at the US Open where he put his bike into a flagger stand.

MC has remained current with bikes and his SX skills in select events. After watching him at X-Games do you think he could make the main at the US Open? It's not a knock on MC or Yogi, but things on track progress faster than anyone except the pros realize.
huck
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huck 9/22/2009 3:01pm
9/22/2009 3:01pm
builtlusktough wrote:
Listen to the Mathes podcast on RacerX about the '04 season (his last year), which is the year after he beat Reedy in Phoenix...so top 5...
Listen to the Mathes podcast on RacerX about the '04 season (his last year), which is the year after he beat Reedy in Phoenix...so top 5 speed there for sure. Mathes says himself Yogi was going faster at times on the Yamaha test track than Reed and denied them to video tape him practicing. Reed even gave him a hard time about practicing on the Yamaha test track because Yogi was Mach 1. Well, come Anaheim 1 and injuries set in so that speed was never shown. Don't write someone off when you have no idea what they were riding with. That was his problem, he didn't know when to sit at home during an injury and so when he as on the track people thought that was the best he can do.

And RC got passed in the whoops, a place he barely made it through during racing. If you had a put a starting gate out there and dropped it you would have seen a different RC at Reed's track that day. AND AGAIN, how hard is it to understand Yogi has been training this whole time and riding a bit. Not boozin it up at every stop like some.

Shane Lusk
I truly hope he does well. It will be nice seeing him out there.

KW14 has been training hard as well as still racing....but his results aren't where I would expect them.
neverwas 9/22/2009 3:26pm
9/22/2009 3:26pm
huck wrote:
Lusk was barely a top 5 guy when he retired. I'd love to think that he'll do good (for us old guys), but in reality, he'll...
Lusk was barely a top 5 guy when he retired. I'd love to think that he'll do good (for us old guys), but in reality, he'll be extremely lucky to qualify.

Shoot, watch that video of Reed passing RC at their practice track....a couple years out of the game are HUGE!
I have to agree, I hope he gets some good starts as that will be his best chance.
Goride333
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Goride333 9/22/2009 3:27pm
9/22/2009 3:27pm
I hope he makes the night show. Go Yogi.
Matthes
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Matthes 9/22/2009 4:49pm
9/22/2009 4:49pm
The reason i think he's going to do well (as well as anyone could expect-he's not going to win) because he has too much pride to come back and suck balls. He prob doesn't need the money and he's a serious dude that wouldn't take this lightly.

That's my 2 cents.
Trip
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Trip 9/22/2009 5:08pm
9/22/2009 5:08pm
If he gets a start, if he makes it to the main that is, he can ride a wide bike and do maybe top ten??

Funny, guys bringing up all the old guys he used to race against as a comparison of how fast he MIGHT be today. Most of those guys are now retired, retired of a reason.

Best of luck to him, but really some of you guys are thinking with your hearts and not your heads..

Is he doing any amateur races between now and then???

Matthes saying he isn't taking this lightly, but in another post some of you were saying he was coming back just for fun? So which is it?? Is he coming back for fun, or is he seriously coming back and trying to be competitive??

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builtlusktough 9/22/2009 6:14pm
9/22/2009 6:14pm
Reed isn't retired. And, I watch Yogi ride frequently, so I know how fast he MIGHT be.

But overall, and like I said i previous posts, the US Open is an ax track. He could not make the main both nights but that would not be an indicator in how fast he is going on a sx track right now, which is something you may or may not get to see in 2010.

Shane Lusk

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86honda 9/22/2009 6:52pm
9/22/2009 6:52pm
englishman wrote:
Got a pic of him practicing today [img]http://api.ning.com/files/oJYMV*nVXPxgGgEAbsLfBEWlqFhkzhZV16zuMwFTCbYF0IkLVjGigUm4Q*VuTGLc0bx2-7qgI29EjtVBAv3yDRUtQH5T22et/yogibear02.jpg[/img]
Got a pic of him practicing today

Been watching the old Motoworld reruns and it looks like Yogi got some bite on a 250 two smoke. But that BoBo,,,, damn!
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JPT 9/22/2009 7:36pm
9/22/2009 7:36pm
Larry wrote:
Ezra is a good guy. I hope he stays safe and has fun.
Totally agree. Anybody know why he decided to do it?
mxgoon
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mxgoon 9/22/2009 7:50pm
9/22/2009 7:50pm
If he is gauging his times of Millsaps then he is def in trouble.

I'm sure Yogi is training hard and riding well but in all reality the style of tracks and riding style has developed alot while he has been away and i can't see him stepping straight back in and being competitive.

Tiki
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Tiki 9/22/2009 8:35pm
9/22/2009 8:35pm
If I was a betting man, and I am; I would put money on these guys.

Blake Wharton
Josh Grant
Ryan Villopoto
Tyla Rattray
Trey Canard

The USSX has always been a black hole for the favorites. Maybe that gives Yogi a chance. But seriously, even if he has been riding for the past two years straight, training with the best in the business and has the most electric motor out there, the reality is; the above mentioned are going to hit warp speed and tear that track a new one like it was a Backyard BMX track.Then there will be a line of polished pros following them.

Don't take this wrong, I have always liked Ezra, I just dont feel ANY rider who has been away from pro racing for more then two years will be able to roll up to the gate and throw down. Heavens knows I want him to do well. Really, Really well. Thats a feather in the cap for all us old guys that reflect back to "when we were at our best we could beat them youngins." There is a different vibe on the track, these youngsters have new tactics, they have been riding with each other for a while now and know each others shenanigans. That alone is part of the race.

I wonder what the Odds are on Ezra to podium?
builtlusktough 9/23/2009 8:08am
9/23/2009 8:08am Edited Date/Time 4/17/2016 2:19am
nobody is gauging times but rather having fun shop talk when we look at the board in the shop. But seeing how Davi can win when he chooses to turn it on (and something happens to Reed/Stewart), then it's not a bad idea to compare. Davi is one of the most talented guys out there and yea at the practice track he is phenomenal, but race situations, not so great this year.


and the track he has been riding has not a single straightaway on it, it's as big and busy as ever, it's insane. Built by Barnett. Is he still the best or is he outdated too, lol.


some of you act like Yogi raced in the 70s, haha man ya'll will hate on anything.


I'm just saying, he's having fun, racing again with no pressure from sponsors or family and he is in a happy place with my injury. I'm not arguing he will do this or that, just arguing that he is not ancient. lol


style of tracks have changed. We live 6 minutes from Davi's, 25 and 25.5 minutes from MTF and GPF respectively, fast riders always circulating round these parts, he's up to speed about the sport haha.


I will argue IF he were to make it to real SX, it would not be a blow out, NOT EVEN CLOSE.


Shane Lusk
BobbyM
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BobbyM 9/23/2009 8:10am
9/23/2009 8:10am
i love family members with real info busting balls of the knowitalls on vital...keep on keeping on
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jeffro503 9/23/2009 8:31am
9/23/2009 8:31am
Well , I for one think Ezra will do good if he can get the starts. he hasn't been out that long and is probably healthy as a bull! I think some of you "non-racing" fools don't understand what a long break can do for a guy. I have taken up to 2-1/2 - 3yrs off before. And after a couple months of training , felt stronger and faster than i did before i left. Besides....it made me "hungry" again to do well.

I think Yogi will do just fine. I also think the US open isn't a good place to show someones speed. IF he can get some sort of help for the SX series....i'll bet money on Ezra getting some top 5's and a few on the box! Once you have that speed.....you never lose it , you just need to figure out how to get it back and make it work for you. Ezra will be just fine!

BTW Shane....how you feeling these days?
Adam43
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Adam43 9/23/2009 8:45am
9/23/2009 8:45am
builtlusktough wrote:
nobody is gauging times but rather having fun shop talk when we look at the board in the shop. But seeing how Davi can win when...
nobody is gauging times but rather having fun shop talk when we look at the board in the shop. But seeing how Davi can win when he chooses to turn it on (and something happens to Reed/Stewart), then it's not a bad idea to compare. Davi is one of the most talented guys out there and yea at the practice track he is phenomenal, but race situations, not so great this year.


and the track he has been riding has not a single straightaway on it, it's as big and busy as ever, it's insane. Built by Barnett. Is he still the best or is he outdated too, lol.


some of you act like Yogi raced in the 70s, haha man ya'll will hate on anything.


I'm just saying, he's having fun, racing again with no pressure from sponsors or family and he is in a happy place with my injury. I'm not arguing he will do this or that, just arguing that he is not ancient. lol


style of tracks have changed. We live 6 minutes from Davi's, 25 and 25.5 minutes from MTF and GPF respectively, fast riders always circulating round these parts, he's up to speed about the sport haha.


I will argue IF he were to make it to real SX, it would not be a blow out, NOT EVEN CLOSE.


Shane Lusk
I think your brother will kick ass. I wouldn't worry too much about what message board dudes say. I bet the other riders think he'll do well. Elite guys like Yogi just have "it."

If he's prepared, and has a good bike, the sky's the limit.
MISFIT442
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MISFIT442 9/23/2009 9:01am
9/23/2009 9:01am Edited Date/Time 1/18/2014 9:13am
builtlusktough wrote:
nobody is gauging times but rather having fun shop talk when we look at the board in the shop. But seeing how Davi can win when...
nobody is gauging times but rather having fun shop talk when we look at the board in the shop. But seeing how Davi can win when he chooses to turn it on (and something happens to Reed/Stewart), then it's not a bad idea to compare. Davi is one of the most talented guys out there and yea at the practice track he is phenomenal, but race situations, not so great this year.


and the track he has been riding has not a single straightaway on it, it's as big and busy as ever, it's insane. Built by Barnett. Is he still the best or is he outdated too, lol.


some of you act like Yogi raced in the 70s, haha man ya'll will hate on anything.


I'm just saying, he's having fun, racing again with no pressure from sponsors or family and he is in a happy place with my injury. I'm not arguing he will do this or that, just arguing that he is not ancient. lol


style of tracks have changed. We live 6 minutes from Davi's, 25 and 25.5 minutes from MTF and GPF respectively, fast riders always circulating round these parts, he's up to speed about the sport haha.


I will argue IF he were to make it to real SX, it would not be a blow out, NOT EVEN CLOSE.


Shane Lusk
Adam43 wrote:
I think your brother will kick ass. I wouldn't worry too much about what message board dudes say. I bet the other riders think he'll do...
I think your brother will kick ass. I wouldn't worry too much about what message board dudes say. I bet the other riders think he'll do well. Elite guys like Yogi just have "it."

If he's prepared, and has a good bike, the sky's the limit.
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Tiki
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Tiki 9/23/2009 9:04am
9/23/2009 9:04am
BobbyM wrote:
i love family members with real info busting balls of the knowitalls on vital...keep on keeping on
That's pretty good Bobby, but not near as fun as the interweb name callers that suckle the teet anything related to industrie.

Shane, it is all fun and entertainment. It's a lot better then the reality crap that is on every channel of the television.

- Drew
Trip
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Trip 9/23/2009 9:16am
9/23/2009 9:16am
jeffro503 wrote:
Well , I for one think Ezra will do good if he can get the starts. he hasn't been out that long and is probably healthy...
Well , I for one think Ezra will do good if he can get the starts. he hasn't been out that long and is probably healthy as a bull! I think some of you "non-racing" fools don't understand what a long break can do for a guy. I have taken up to 2-1/2 - 3yrs off before. And after a couple months of training , felt stronger and faster than i did before i left. Besides....it made me "hungry" again to do well.

I think Yogi will do just fine. I also think the US open isn't a good place to show someones speed. IF he can get some sort of help for the SX series....i'll bet money on Ezra getting some top 5's and a few on the box! Once you have that speed.....you never lose it , you just need to figure out how to get it back and make it work for you. Ezra will be just fine!

BTW Shane....how you feeling these days?
"Non racing fools?" Seriously, if you knew anything about racing, you would know that 5 years off is a very long time. So you "felt" faster and stonger. Were you? I'm guessing were not talking pro either, right?

Ok how much money are willing to put up that Ezra can get on the box? Or top 5?

Yes, you do lose speed, all athletes lose what they once had, otherwise they would never retire.

I don't mean to rip on Ezra, props to him for racing again. I think the bar has been set a little to high. Seriously, if a guy can come back after not racing for 5 or so years and is competitive, what does that say about our sport? It may say alot about Ezra, but not much about the sport.

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