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Edited Date/Time
10/9/2023 9:37am
Chase has given lots of commentary on why he and the HRC Honda 450 didn't really "bond" in the last couple of years...and that was certainly a motivator in his jump to KTM for 2004+, among other things. No doubt the contract money was good, and his RedBull deal had to be as good or better than the Monster deal he had to leave behind to ride for the KTM team.
So, what do you think? Anybody care to rub the crystal ball, and make a prediction as to how Sexton will warm up to the orange bike, and will he prove to be real competition for the Lawrence brothers now that Honda has both of them on factory 450's?
He’s the number 1 rider on a top tier team. He’s going to be fine. They will pour way more into him than he got this summer. It will be more like he was in SX this season. The clear A rider who the focus will be on.
That is going to help mentally and also behind the scenes for him.
I agree on all points. I think Chase saw the writing on the wall with HRC signing Jett & Hunter. I believe it’s important to Chase for him to be the lead rider on a team, and to receive all the attention that comes with that. That was NOT going to be the case at Honda.
I bet he'll be fine, and AP seems like the kind of guy who will want to help him along with setup and such to get him up to speed quickly. Not saying he's emotional, but he seems like a guy who is very aware of his surroundings and having a good environment where he isn't battling the other side of the truck should be a boost for him.
I can tell you this much. He likes the bike better so far.
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How can you tell us this much?
Jett, Eli, Hunter and Sexton are the guys. Mookie, AC, Ando and the rest will be picking up results where they can.
For those of you who don't know, Hunter is just as damn good as Jett on a 450.
Good question, Sexton hasn't even logged an hour on the bike.
Didn’t we have a post about this like a week ago with a poll? Lol
Edit:
Chase needed a ride with a top team, KTM needed a top level rider... In theory they should be a perfect match for each other, however it seems there is a lack of excitement about this deal. The reigning Supercross champion switching teams should be a big deal, am I right?
Chase is in his prime, he is going to a team and bike that is as good (if not better then the Honda), so I do expect him to be a title contender.
I hope good. I dont want a snooze fest for 17 rounds
He and Chase are bros.
It is a big deal, except the excitement wore off about a year ago when everyone first found out.
I think the ktm will suit him perfectly. Most of the 'smooth' riders do great on a ktm.
I expect he'll be about the same as he was on the Honda...including time on the ground. (I like Chase, but that is the hard truth)
I also expect SX season to be another meat-grinder as everyone pushes to keep up with Jett. (I'm no Jett fanboi)
Providing he gets on with the steel frame I think he will be good , both good bikes but different characteristics , in theory his style suits it 👍
We all know his style did not jive with the 450 Honda. He was constantly overriding the front. The KTM could suit him better. Only time will tell.
I think riders give up so much individuality when they sign with Red Bull KTM there is a lack of "excitement". At least that's the case for me. Before the press release came out I could have told you exactly how his helmet, bike and gear would look. The only thing that has changed in the last 10 years is the seat went from blue to orange and there are a few more Red Bull logos on the jersey.
Id think the Monster/Red Bull would be losing money. Monster was a personal sponsor, Red Bull is a team sponsor, so it's like losing one sponsor.
Obviously the total deal would probably be more, otherwise I dont see him leaving, but I would think that if you want additional sponsors, Honda is the way to go.
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But already looks comfortable like he was riding it all summer. He will be fine.
I honestly think Chase will be better. The way he rides the bike, the number change, team change, knowing he is the top rider, etc. All of these reasons I think it is a mental shift and he will have much less mental mistakes than he did the previous years. I think the KTM just fits his riding style better.
But damn his riding style looked good on that Honda.
I would bet a large sum of money he logged more than an hour on the bike before he even signed the contract.
Break out year for Chase… stamp it…
He's coming off from arguably the best (neutral) bike & team of 2023 sweeping all titles and going to a team & bike that have been struggling with set up and results with their new model...
He's in the top 3 of best 450 users (along with Jett and Kenny. I didn't say rider, I said user) so it will help him but the team and Chase will have to go to work and start from the ground up if they want to get close to the performance of a Factory Honda. Whatever KTM tried in 2023 with Aaron (low in the back) and Coop (front end low and rear end high) never seemed to work or be close to the Honda package.
I don't buy the "he's feeling already better than with the Honda" BS, the first week on the bike... Remember when Webb was 3 seconds faster with a stock 450 Yamaha and ended up having the worst season of his career or McGrath liking the 250 KTM and the Dunlops better than his YZ250 with Bridgestones?
I really hope Chase and KTM will figure it out and come out in A1 swinging as well as Eli, Kenny, Webb etc... The more performing factory riders/race winners, the "meilleur" (the real French word) for all of us keyboard warriors.
This post is going to make peoples head explode....
Well I expect both of them to go 22-0
This what every rider to switch Teams in the history of the sport has said.....
He'll wash the front end!
How dare DV12 give an honest expert opinion on a web form full of self-proclaimed brand loyal swivel chair experts.
The only thing that matters is when the gate drops at A1
Where do you see Cooper Webb slotting in next season? I feel he belongs in the first tier.
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