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I think Chad was so close at that point because he had just been passed by James...on a bike that clearly wasn't set up correctly. I also think that James' bike hesitated because James missed a shift. I think James, the marginally faster guy, symbolically "checked out" by winning the next 7 mains events in a row.
I have all the respect in the world for Chad, but I'm not going to put my head in the sand and put forth the notion that Chad and James are equals when they are clearly not.
On your last question, no he has not. I think Chad is currently sitting at 115 consecutive main event starts, going all the way back to A1 in Jan 2003.
Although I'm a big Reed fan, all things being equal there is no doubt James is faster. Not by much, but enough to make a difference over a 20 lap main.
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I mean, you've pinpointed STL and A3, 2 races in a 17 race series. What about the other 15 races? I don't wanna come off as not respecting Chad's talent because I have great respect for him, but when you pull 2 races out of a 17 races series it's hard not to respond.
After A1 Chad had an 18 point lead. I think "pretty close" should have been able to keep that lead. James had a DNF and was still able to come back and win the series. I didn't make that up.
Historically since James and Chad have been racing against each other in SX (5 years):
2005 - Chad 342 pts, James 129 pts (JS crashed out, only finished six rounds)
2006 - Chad 336 pts, James 336 pts
2007 - James 385 pts, Chad 334 pts
2008 - Chad 365 pts, James 47 pts (JS withdrew with knee injury)
2009 - James 377 pts, Chad 373 pts
It might be true that Chad has never beaten James when he hasn't crashed, but it's also true that James will almost certainly have at least one big crash per season which will make the points battle close.
The theory of not being able to discuss "straight up" vs. "not straight up" cracks me up too. Sure, all the races count, but do you really think Josh Grant thinks he would have won A1 if James and Chad didn't go down? Would Andrew Short have won the East/West Shootout in '03 if James didn't wad himself up? Yes, the wins count, but if you can't discuss "straight up and not straight up" why even bench race?
Yes it was his rookie season and he did win a couple, but even with Stewart and Reed (and with RC before that) dominating the results it's the norm for 2-3 races in a season to be won by someone else.
He certainly seems to have the potential but it's a big call to put RV battling it out across the season with JS and CR with little track record to back it up.
BUT! What I'm really excited about it is Villopoto... why? He has nothing to lose and everything to gain!! If James waxes him, so what? It's James freakin Stewart... but, if he pulls off some wins (again), he's a hero!
I think (hope) that we will see a great series this year.
CR: A 7th in Seattle.
JS: an 18th at A1.
Neither are perfect. It's about minimizing mistakes, confidence, talent, timing, knowing when to settle, knowing when to ride the egde, etc. ...and yes, speed.
Erin Bates: "James, it looks like you picked up right where you left off last week, how was tonight's race for you?"
JS: "Well, I made a few mistakes, but when I got out front I just rode my own race. It's all good, we'll just hafta' see what happens next week..."
Erin Bates:" Chad, you looked a little uncomfortable out there, what is it gonna take for you to beat James?"
CR: {dirty look at Erin}
"Well, we just hafta' make some adjustments and we'll be good. Ya' gotta be in it ta' win it."
I got nothing against bench racing, it just seems to me that over the years, the concept of Chad beating Bubba "straight up", is not bench racing, but , well, fantasy mostly.
lol
RMZ819, among many others, made absurd statement i was trying to address in this thread. The post isn't about who is faster; its about respecting the greatest racers in the sport.
It is well known Reed and Stewart dislike each other, but they have both stated in interviews they have tremendous respect for one another. My question is, why can't their fans do the same?
No bashin, just sayin....
That may be the reason I tell Dr's I have Carpal Tunnel if it happens... TADA!
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Not sayin' that James didn't give it away at A1 and Daytona, but, that's how it was in my eyes.
Do I think Chad should be champion for not having the most points...no. It's a series and stuff happens. The guy with the trophy girls at Vegas is the champion. Reed has held that spot just like James.
We'll see what happens in 2010 about May...
On the Kyle Chisolm incident...I don't know why people are so pissed at that..yes it was a bonehead move...but it didn't knock CR out. It slowed him down by a second or two...but I agree it knocked him out mentally for some reason. CR should have used that to dig deep and catch JS. I think it was earlier in the race when CR passed JS kinda hard and sent JS into the bales which cost JS a second or two..but JS came back.
My thoughts are CR was .5 seconds slower than JS last year. RV was even slower than CR. I think that RV and CR will be real close this year and JS still faster...but CR will always be consistent and not make mistakes. It's gonna be an awesome year!!
its a classic case of the tortis and the hare, and last year, slower and steady almost won.
history shows as racers age they tend to tame it down. that could play a factor this yearr.
also, if you add up all the points from '05 - '09, including the seasons james crasehed himself out of, who would have the most points??? im unable to do the math now.
I think a few of you are getting it right with the comparison of Chad and James. I too think that James maybe the fastest thing on two wheels ever. However keeping it on 2 wheels is the key. I don't know if I agree with "rope a dope" , but being mister consistent, and not getting to rattled on the track is what makes Chad a constant threat to who ever is on the track with him. James is usually the only one that beats James.
Wish I had about a 10th of there speed and skills.........................
I know we're getting closer to race season, but no matter the time of year, you guys come up some interesting analysis. I'd guess that some of you communicate telepathically with the riders, or they're really speaking to you in code to let you know what they're thinking during interviews.
In other words, these threads are crazy no matter what.
Post a reply to: Chad Reed, and Stewart aren't much different speed wise.