The Over-Looked Element of Professional Motocross.

Hank_Thrill wrote:

We all realize motocross is one of the gnarliest sports on the planet. And we all know how physically demanding this sport is, and how challenging...

We all realize motocross is one of the gnarliest sports on the planet. And we all know how physically demanding this sport is, and how challenging it can be at times on two wheels, but here is an aspect I believe gets overlooked: I think professional motocross is just as demanding mentally, as it is physically.

In other sports like basketball, football, baseball etc. the worst teams in the leagues still have great odds of feeling great some weekends. This is accomplished by playing other lower ranked teams in the league - and winning! Even if a terrible football team beats another terrible football team, at least somebody at the end of the day is going to be a winner with a muddy smile on their face. And as we are all aware, professional motocross is not like that.

Imagine if all the football teams could somehow play one another simultaneously (this is obviously impossible so bare with me and suspend reality). Basically, if this were possible, the teams that make it down to the quarter finals of the NFL Super Bowl Chimpionship would be constantly dominating. The lower ranked teams chances of winning would be damn near impossible! These teams would not only get a beat down on the field, but they would also get beat down mentally; just like most guys who qualify for the mains through the LCQ - which is, as I have discussed before, an amazing feat.

This is another advantage other sports have over motocross, but on the other side of the coin, just another reason why I am convinced motocross is by far one of the toughest, and most challenging sports on the planet.

So many professional racers go their entire amateur career, and sometimes lites class career, completely dominating. This entire experience builds tons of confidence. They end up racing up front on 50cc's, winning up front on 65cc's, and expecting to be up front by the time they are on 80cc bikes. Of course mental attitude is not the sole reason these kids dominate; but when they are not winning, due to a bad start, or first turn wreck, they usually end up out front by the time the checkers are waved, because they already know based on past experience that they belong up front. The downside to all this - and this is just my opinion from following the sport for sixteen years - is that all this confidence gained throughout the amateur ranks, and lites class, usually ends up breaking down like a track during the 450 Canadian round main event once these guys reach the premier class (freaks not included).

The average professional motocross rider obviously can't fool themselves. If someone who has always finished outside the top ten expects to beat Stewart, Reed, RV, Dungey, etc. they are either: 1) fooling themselves, or 2) tripping on LSD in the pits. However, I think some of the greatest racers of all time, who may or may not have initially been the fastest in the premiere class, are the ones who not only think, but KNOW, and truly believe deep down inside they have the ability to progress to a level of riding that ends up on the top of the podium. To support this claim, psychological statistically valid studies show: A big difference between people who accomplish things, and those who don't - are the beliefs about the goal held in one person's mind. Simply put, truly believing whether or not you can do something, can be the difference between achieving and not achieving your goals.

It seems today that Reed and Stewart have mentally beaten down the competition (with Stewart holding the primary mental beat down stick, even over Reed's head). It's not these riders fault they are beaten down. Everyone would feel mentally beaten down after racing against those two, but it's the guys with the mental strength inside that refuse to take that beating - who truly believe in themselves - that will rise to the top. After watching the 2010 Supercross preview show, I think Dungey and RV have the right mental attitude, and strength to elevate their game and someday become champions on he 450 bike.



These thoughts brought to you by reading the thread regarding Davi Milsaps, and the article in the new RACER-X regarding the Supercross Academy (which I believe to be a great thing).

Hank_Thrill wrote:

We all realize motocross is one of the gnarliest sports on the planet. And we all know how physically demanding this sport is, and how challenging...

We all realize motocross is one of the gnarliest sports on the planet. And we all know how physically demanding this sport is, and how challenging it can be at times on two wheels, but here is an aspect I believe gets overlooked: I think professional motocross is just as demanding mentally, as it is physically.

In other sports like basketball, football, baseball etc. the worst teams in the leagues still have great odds of feeling great some weekends. This is accomplished by playing other lower ranked teams in the league - and winning! Even if a terrible football team beats another terrible football team, at least somebody at the end of the day is going to be a winner with a muddy smile on their face. And as we are all aware, professional motocross is not like that.

Imagine if all the football teams could somehow play one another simultaneously (this is obviously impossible so bare with me and suspend reality). Basically, if this were possible, the teams that make it down to the quarter finals of the NFL Super Bowl Chimpionship would be constantly dominating. The lower ranked teams chances of winning would be damn near impossible! These teams would not only get a beat down on the field, but they would also get beat down mentally; just like most guys who qualify for the mains through the LCQ - which is, as I have discussed before, an amazing feat.

This is another advantage other sports have over motocross, but on the other side of the coin, just another reason why I am convinced motocross is by far one of the toughest, and most challenging sports on the planet.

So many professional racers go their entire amateur career, and sometimes lites class career, completely dominating. This entire experience builds tons of confidence. They end up racing up front on 50cc's, winning up front on 65cc's, and expecting to be up front by the time they are on 80cc bikes. Of course mental attitude is not the sole reason these kids dominate; but when they are not winning, due to a bad start, or first turn wreck, they usually end up out front by the time the checkers are waved, because they already know based on past experience that they belong up front. The downside to all this - and this is just my opinion from following the sport for sixteen years - is that all this confidence gained throughout the amateur ranks, and lites class, usually ends up breaking down like a track during the 450 Canadian round main event once these guys reach the premier class (freaks not included).

The average professional motocross rider obviously can't fool themselves. If someone who has always finished outside the top ten expects to beat Stewart, Reed, RV, Dungey, etc. they are either: 1) fooling themselves, or 2) tripping on LSD in the pits. However, I think some of the greatest racers of all time, who may or may not have initially been the fastest in the premiere class, are the ones who not only think, but KNOW, and truly believe deep down inside they have the ability to progress to a level of riding that ends up on the top of the podium. To support this claim, psychological statistically valid studies show: A big difference between people who accomplish things, and those who don't - are the beliefs about the goal held in one person's mind. Simply put, truly believing whether or not you can do something, can be the difference between achieving and not achieving your goals.

It seems today that Reed and Stewart have mentally beaten down the competition (with Stewart holding the primary mental beat down stick, even over Reed's head). It's not these riders fault they are beaten down. Everyone would feel mentally beaten down after racing against those two, but it's the guys with the mental strength inside that refuse to take that beating - who truly believe in themselves - that will rise to the top. After watching the 2010 Supercross preview show, I think Dungey and RV have the right mental attitude, and strength to elevate their game and someday become champions on he 450 bike.



These thoughts brought to you by reading the thread regarding Davi Milsaps, and the article in the new RACER-X regarding the Supercross Academy (which I believe to be a great thing).

500guy wrote:

So not doing the work is ? I'm not saying anyone who isn't a top guy doesn't do the work, but saying they all do the...

So not doing the work is ?

I'm not saying anyone who isn't a top guy doesn't do the work, but saying they all do the necessary work is something else too.

CamP wrote:

Going fast is mental and the most talented racers really don't have to burn the mid night oil training to win a 20 minute SX race...

Going fast is mental and the most talented racers really don't have to burn the mid night oil training to win a 20 minute SX race. Outdoors is another story but conditioning isn't the factor is use to be when 45 minute motos were the norm.

The bottom line is if you don't enjoy what you are doing, you'll never be successful no matter how talented you are.

Big Lenny wrote:

Do you even ride?...

jemcee wrote:

do you even race?

Big Lenny wrote:

WTF does racing have to do with it?, if you aren't holding up the #1 plate, you aren't shit either...PS mind your own business too...

CamP wrote:

Going fast is mental and the most talented racers really don't have to burn the mid night oil training to win a 20 minute SX race...

Going fast is mental and the most talented racers really don't have to burn the mid night oil training to win a 20 minute SX race. Outdoors is another story but conditioning isn't the factor is use to be when 45 minute motos were the norm.

The bottom line is if you don't enjoy what you are doing, you'll never be successful no matter how talented you are.