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So what’s he been doing the last 5 years?? Or better yet, put the work in and prove it in 2029…
John Dowd got a very late start at moto and became a champion. It really depends on the pedigree of the athlete you are starting with. Dowdy was naturally physically gifted. Ever seen his calves?
As soon as he repeatedly referred to himself as “high level” I stopped listening to his content. Looks like he’s gone off the deep end. What if James Stewart, or someone like him, happened to be racing the class that year?
If you went back in time to the early '70's he would at least have a case, but these days, no chance.
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I don't believe you're either born with it or you aren't.
Michael Jordan got cut in High School. Einstein flunked math.
I believe many things are possible for all of us, but it's more likely, and requires less work, when we pursue things we're naturally good at.
Some of the pros are riding at their max, and no matter how much additional training they have, they'll make only small gains.
But some of them could breakout, if they keep going. Not by going through the motions, but by continuing to push, learn, refine.
When you hit your stride in something, it can click in an instance. All the years of pushing come together, and you grow exponentially.
This happened for me with playing guitar. After several years of playing hours per day, and 6 months of 6-8 hours per day, it all came together, and clicked in one day. In the morning, I struggled with leads, and in the afternoon, it was magical. I got my guitar skills from hard work, and persistence, not natural talent.
For AJ, I've watched him race, and it seems his technique is almost too clean. On the equipment he's had, he's qualified well. I don't know where he's at today, but as of a couple of years ago, I believe that if he was on a good team with a disciplined program, trainers to help him on riding and mostly on the mental side, he could win.
However, I believe these things would need to be overcome. This is what stands in his way.
1) He needs to man up, and go for holeshots. It's not that he sucks at starts. He's said before that riding close to other riders makes him nervous. He's going to have to deal with first turn chaos.
2) He needs more grit. He needs to fight for every position. This is hard to teach, but can be developed. His first year back in SX, he was really bad. In the 2nd year, he started to fight, and his results improved dramatically. If he can develop Deegan like determination, he'd be on the podium regularly.
3) Practice is different than racing. Like I said, his technique is almost too clean. In racing, sometimes you have to send it, and draw outside of the lines a bit.
I hope he races again, but only if he's all in 100%.
Einstein never failed math, and AJ with all the money in the world isn't winning races. Many years ago Barcia called him out for talking a lot of shit for riding at the back of the pack, looks like nothing has changed.
I'm sure you're a great guitar player but this would be like you walking around telling people you could have been the next Eddie Van Halen. There's a lot more to racing and guitar than just technique.
Remember when he jumped like 70’ on a 125 and called it a 160’ jump? 😂
It’s probably necessary today, though it wasn’t always (a guy like Ron Lechein supposedly didn’t train hardly at all - I doubt you can get away with that today). But to say it’s sufficient is nuts. You need a unique blend of training, talent , mental toughness, and not least of all, luck.
This one is hilarious. Many many pages on that OG thread.
I stand corrected about Einstein. Amazing how long a rumor can last: https://www.britannica.com/one-good-fact/did-einstein-ever-fail-math.
That day on my guitar was a day I'll never forget. The difference was exponential. I was shocked! But I was not at Eddie Van Halen level in one day, or ever. That would've taken at least 5 years with 100% focus. Wait, that's what we're talking about! Seriously, I hardly play today, I'm into other things, like MX. I still play the Blues from time to time, but I did not do what it took to succeed.
And you're right, there's a lot more than talent involved in achieving that kind of success.
I do believe AJ would do well if he solved the 3 things I listed.
in some instances ur right but u can’t tell me when u look at some of these guys , the shit they can do compared to others is not pure god given talent , their all talented make no mistake about it cause they all made it to the pro level but there’s levels to it & just off personal experience u can tell right away as a lil youngsta wht they goona be good at , its just matter of will they stick with it as they grow up
Dude is acting like his job is sitting in a cubicle selling insurance. His day job is riding his dirt bike!
In all seriousness, there's more of a chance of one of us random vitards being "5 years of training and a factory bike" away. I would sooner believe a random guy who's only ever ridden for fun could suddenly take it seriously and be a champ than someone who's been doing it his whole life and never come close.
You know what gives it away?
The fact he thinks the path to being champ is hiding away in the lab for 5 years training. Any actual champ knows that just training for even a few months without racing dulls their racecraft and skills. The sport moves forward and even for the best of the best it's hard to keep up. AJ has the same mentality of a local C class guy.
He's pretty much the Uncle Rico of our sport.
Has he looked at his vault? 🤣
Dude is a total bozo.
All good my dude. This conversation made me realize I haven't touched my guitar in probably 10 years. Playing the guitar along with motocross is something I truly enjoy. The tips of my fingers are pretty soft, but damn I need to start strumming away again.
AJ has always had a very high opinion of himself. Comes off like a douche, honestly.
Along these same lines... I've been riding and racing very consistently since 2016. Got my ass in shape in 2018 and still work hard to be a better rider (even at 39 years old now). Prior to that, I rode as a teenager and very little in my 20s. I get in 50-75 hours a year these days.
I drag my brother to the track maybe 1-2 times a year. So, 1-2 hours total seat time in 2024 for him maybe? Before 2022 he hadn't ridden a dirtbike in 15 years or so. He stays right with me. He has no fitness so he only has a lap at a time in him, but he's on my ass and if he starts ahead of me it takes everything I have to make a pass. He's ALWAYS been naturally better than me (and most people I've ever known) on 2 wheels. He can ride a wheelie for miles, perfectly time/judge any jump, and he has no fear in sending it. He just has "it". His bike control is far superior to mine and his natural form and technique is just better... Which drives me crazy because that's always such a huge focus for me.
He's hitting the gym now, so if he decides to come racing with me, I have no doubt he's beating me within a few motos no problem. The 8 years I've built up "against" him is meaningless lol. You can't beat a natural who also decides to put in the work...
Accidentally liked your post radical, I misread the first line. I think you ARE born with it… so I’m taking my thumbs up back 😂
My favorite part is when he tells everyone they are insecure for disagreeing with him
Pit Row
Yes*
*The right person could. Not anyone can.
Hope he keeps making content. This has been incredibly entertaining.
Remember when like two years ago he made his bike look just like an HRC Bike graphics wise so he could continue the “I’m with the Lawrence’s” grift
Dazza is my best ever student, his kids made it the furthest, nearly every rider who loved racing and did yrs of coaching made pro if they had a great family beside them and good people around them but winning pro is the bit I can’t answer for all students
If I trained for five years straight, it would just mean I could be slow for longer before getting tired….😂
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/js8RZcNzhRtHaLmm/?mibextid=xfxF2i
Matt vs. Jake who wins in a fight
Because I feel it’s important to wake up to, he’s not wrong with what he said.
It’s ok to disagree or not believe what he believes.
For those who felt the need to cut him down, it is worth looking at whatever it is that he triggered inside of you.
Crabs in the bucket mentality? Or maybe holding deep judgements against yourself for not buckling down when your window was open (for anything)?
This one might be the best
You're really playing the gangster/fighter card lately.
We get it, you're an edgy badass. But most grown men don't fight all that much these days.
He was relatively unknown until Red Bull Straight Rhythm, he learned one thing that day and started preaching grip the bike with your knees!
Nope. You are correct in some instances, but it's also normal for completely functional, successful, and non-jealous adults to say "hey that guy is just an arrogant douche bag"
The whole "you must be jealous and insecure" because you called someone else out is a tired and lazy argument
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