Will we ever see another RC?

Ehh, I think people are different and react to scenarios and outcomes differently. It’s also a different era with different expectations, so I hear ya, but I would rather hear my pissed off rider who had a tough night than them just disappear back to the truck because they are upset. 

I don't recall RC ever refusing an interview after a loss. The few times he lost, he would always say something like, 'I didn't have anything for him. I'm gonna go home this week and work harder.' That was code for, 'next weekend, I'm gonna put my foot on their throat.' 

The answer to your initial question though, is no. 10 straight outdoor titles will never be equalled. Quite possibly the most dominant stretch of athletic endeavor ever seen. 

It’s a completely different era and unless a generation comes along that is completely lazy, all except one person like RC, nobody has a shot at MC’s SX career wins or RC’s championships. I’m not trashing the people he raced against, it’s just his training was next level at the time. You mix that with his heart and grit along with hundreds of other things that went well in his career. 

Guys today that say what the OP is referring to are just trying not to put too much pressure on themselves. 

One thing I loved about RC’s interviews when he did lose was that he has no problem admitting other guys were better. He didn’t make excuses and since he wasn’t in denial over why he lost, he took responsibility and put in the extra work. 
 

RC's records will never be broken, nor will 72 SX wins, nor Dungey's podium streak, or is it consecutive top 5 finishes? I think it is podiums and he broke Reed's record I believe. for consecutive podiums.

I'll never say "never" on RC and MC's records, but I don't see it happening in my lifetime. 

first thing i thought when i saw the headline was "what do you mean? He's not a good announcer". then i remembered he used to race dirt bikes.  legacy...

I believe it was 31 consecutive podiums, almost 2 full seasons ! 32nd race... a 4th to secure the title if I remember correctly, just crazy.

The difference back then with RC Stew and Chad, to them second place was first loser.. I remember Chad once left his 3rd place trophy on the podium because he didn’t even want it. You just don’t see that win at all costs mentality anymore.

we were truly blessed by that era! 

The difference between Ricky and these guys is Ricky raced whatever he had as hard as he could. He put in the work with fitness, training AND bike prep.I remember him doing vo2 max tests, 1000 weightless squats/day etc. The one who reminds me most of RC currently is Webb. No excuses , gritty and tries to improve each week...difference...I don't think Webb tests the bike enough.

No

I think 3 things are contributing to this: Lack of desire (or need) to put it all on the line, trying to ride smarter since one bad week or one crash takes you out of the title, and more parity between riders.

I think in general the world is getting softer. I don't know that you will ever see it happen with most American born riders because most of the top amateur riders now have come from sort sort of money, or  to say their parents aren't dirt poor.

I think the best bet of someone doing this is someone who comes from poverty. Jett Lawrence has a chance and he came from a place where his parents sacrificed everything, parents skipped meals, etc. I don't believe Hayden Deegan will get there despite his amateur success and I feel this way because of his wealth. He may work hard, but I believe having money creates a little more comfort for him (or anyone). Hayden doesn't need to get top 3 every race to buy his parents a house or to help pay them off the debt they racked up to get him where he is. I do think to some extent this makes a difference. RC and James didn't have a lot of money. I don't believe Reed did either.

One other thing people are seeing is the Dungey effect, he wanted to win; for sure, but he made the best of his bad nights and that has allowed riders to win titles by being smarter, not necessarily the fastest rider. Is it riding smarter or not having the heart to go all out to win? Everyone probably feels different about it.

Thanks Dan. Imagine almost 2 full seasons of finishing on the podium? Once small error and the streak is over and you need to start over again. That is a crazy stat, kind of like Dimaggio getting on base in 56 consecutive games...not well know necessarily but not likely to ever be broken either.

I think the bikes have exceeded our abilities. In the 250 2t days the bikes were fast but could be managed when ridden to the highest level, the 450”s are just too much when things go wrong. 

RC was a different animal. The only rider since him that could have even challenged it was Villopoto. Villopoto was basically RC with injuries. Which is another insane quality RC had. Missed very few races or seasons due to injury, despite still being the fastest guy every week. 

Maybe jett?  but its going to be hard RC was a beast .

You sound like a broken record. I mean I agree with you. But its almost like you copy and pasted this from 2021..

Hes the greatest of all time not the greatest of that time, so no 

So true - I think Villopoto has somehow become underrated at this point. He's kinda just talked about as one of the guys who used to be great, typical past champion, but his absolute dominance seems to not be mentioned as much as it should be. The only other guys in the sport's history that dominated at his level for as long as he did (in their cases, longer) were Carmichael and McGrath.

RC was Micheal Jordan and Tiger Woods level IMO. Even higher.

Considering how much attention he gets....... haiden deegan is the New RC.....

I was totally with you until the Webb comparison; have we forgotten last year already? Best off season ever, blaming the bike etc. 

Will there ever be another RC, yes for sure.

They just are not on our horizon just yet.

It's also impossible to know until after it's happened, just look how JS7 panned out, or didn't.

"Hello. My name is Ricky Carmichael. You beat me two weekends in a row. Prepare to die." 

This supports what I said 100%...he doesn't do enough bike testing and why we are here.Ricky tested more and didn't have this issue.

exactly....when they switch to hydrogen bikes with helium suspension someone will figure it out first...but not for 10years straight like the goat.

How the hell am I supposed to remember what I posted in 2021?

Level of competition is much higher now. 

Toni Bou?

I wouldn't be certain of that.

RV is underrated as fuck it's almost criminal, you have to add Tomac in that conversation though.

To the question, the perfect storm happened, you had 3 very fast guys with very similar mindsets that were willing to send it when needed, because they were at the time a cut above the rest marginally they always found themselves up front so if you're going to steal points you're going to have to go for it.

Today is all about race management and going down is seriously 10x worse than RC/JS/CR era because the top 5-15 riders are so much better than their days, that being said Tomac if he got to where he is now mentally and comfort 5 years ago would be in the same conversation as RC.