So we all know most pro riders started riding at a very young age. But we also know there's pros that didn't start young like most. Jeremy McGrath didn't race until he was 15. John Down didn't race until I believe 16. Jeff Walker was getting lapped in the 85 C class. He was a C rider at lorettas in his early teens. So it entirely possible to reach pro level speed if you didn't start at age 5 like so many.
BUT, can everyone get fast? I personally didn't start riding dirt bike until 14. First 250D race at 15. I was a C class rider all through my teens. Eventually reaching local B class speed. I often tell myself "man I wish I would've dumped my whole soul into racing and I could've been somebody"
But that's not necessarily true. I sucked for many years and technically I'm STILL not very fast at 32 yrs old. Back of the pack local 450B. If I take it serious and really put my effort in I could maybe dip my toe into local A in a couple years.
So idk, does everyone have the potential to be factory pro? I don't believe so
Becoming a pro is one thing, becoming a factory pro is a completely different game. Very few have the combination of mental and physical traits to make it to a factory ride.
No Sir.
If you gave me a factory ride, I would not do it any justice. Some people are just naturally talented and fear doesn't bother them. I had a pretty bad crash when I was 10 broke several bones, stitches etc and it messed with me mentally for years. It was a 3 month recovery and something that, as hard as I have tried, haven't been able to erase.
It is still in the back of my mind today in some situations while riding. I just enjoy riding and at my best was a high C rider, mainly because of the mental side of not letting myself ride on the ragged edge that it took to be a B or A rider.
Between the ears is probably the biggest limiting factor.
No, next question.
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No. Not a chance. Talent is more important than preparation. Now when it come to winning and actually making money as a pro, you need to have both.
I’ve watched a couple different families in our local circuit throw tens of thousands of dollars at their kids with built bikes, training at facilities all the shit and they still get their asses handed to them by the kid on a clapped stock bike that rides the locals hills. Maybe they don’t have the dedication to try and be the best but it’s the same with every sport there’s people that are flat out untalented no matter how much money you throw at them.
As stated, lot of it is between the ears. As far as who would be a good choice as a pro. I’d bet on the guy that blows past you or a dated bike who just got off work still wearing work boots LOL.
Drive and the will to succeed.
Some kids want it, and others will sacrifice anything/everything to get there....
Depends on what you classify as opportunity. If it's just money, then no, but if it's the opportunity to grow up around the right parents, peers and environment then yes, I believe anyone, barring a physical or mental disability, could get good enough to qualify for a pro national.
I think most people, if given every possible advantage, could make it to a fast B/Local pro-level rider, I do not think giving someone every advantage will have an impact on making it as a successful pro
Just like stick and ball sports maybe 1% of the population eventually has the speed to make a 40 man gate. Of course, maybe .10 become factory riders. As a young guy I was decent, had multiple top 10 finishes at Loretta's. But when you lined me up against Travis Pastrana there was no amount of practice, dedication, or anything else that was going to close that speed gap. And that gap existed from the very beginning on 60s and 80s. And Travis never went on to win anything in the premier class.
I think fear plays a big role. When you go faster than you want to on a dirt bike it's kinda scary. You might have a little internal panic happen. So really getting faster is just getting comfortable at those speeds and no longer being "afraid". Not everyone has the ability to find comfort in those uncomfortable speeds. I could come into a corner at pro level speed but I will most likely fall and completely screw up the rut and crash.
Very good point. Fear plays a massive role in riding dirt bike. A bad crash causes trauma. Some, like you explained, takes longer to let go of that trauma. The pros have no problem putting their crash behind them and continue the race. Hell 2 months ago I cross rutted in sand and got ejected over the bars. Not a super bad crash. But it took 2 months to get comfortable on the bike again and not ride tight
I remember this kid at the local track, that had only been riding for 2 years. Was winning 250B. I had been riding for 5 years at the time and was back of the pack C class. Just so much more talented than I am
No. Too many other factors to consider. Natural ability, mental makeup and physical makeup to name a few.
Uh yeah.....all it takes is money and fame...don't you know Deegan only got the Star ride because of his YouTube following?
Exactly
Not me!
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Yes, all it takes for most people is 4-5 years of SOLID smart riding, and some smart feedback loops (that are rare in MX because most of us are dumbasses)
There are factory riders right now that have been given every opportunity and are struggling to make it as a pro.
I think being able to slow things down is what makes many athletes. It definitely comes into play riding a bike or driving a car fast.
If I didn't run out of money, I'd be pro. Even at 34 and 8 years since racing last, If all I had was time to ride and not worry about money I'd be going to pro am's right now getting my pro license.
No -
I can’t speak for everyone, but I worked extremely hard over 10 years I peaked at a mid pack intermediate. I didn’t have “it” mentally when it came to doing the things that need to be done to make it to the next level.
Did a LL regional in intermediate, and at the end of that day I was done chasing the dream, my abilities reached their limits. You could have given me a factory Honda and a year at the bakers factory, wouldn’t have made an ounce of difference.
I know guys with their pro card that couldn’t win their local C class
With everything in life, there's a range that your natural abilities will set for you, and what you achieve within that range is dependent on the things you control, but the top end of that range is fixed and nothing you do will get you past your natural ceiling. The ceiling for most people when it comes to riding a dirt bike is well below pro level speed.
Some guys are just faster and more talented.
Nope. No way.
If this were the case everyone would be a pro basketball/baseball/soccer player! We all played these sports as a kid..
Got to have born talent plus exposure..
If at least one of your parents does not care and desire it as much as you, then you are not very likely to get past the local A level. Not always, because there are exceptions to every rule, but wealthy parents are the “ make or break” factor quite often in motor sports.
I think so too.
There's a whole lot of depth to that statement, more than just the skills, talent, racecraft and confidence...
There's also maturity, and ability to deal with the inter-office politics of being on a team, dealing with sponsors, fans, fame and so much more.
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