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Seriously, big props to Hymas (I know he's not going anymore), Coop and Eli to answer the call positively and go to England. There isn't much upside for the guys going other than winning. Huge expectations, most likely difficult conditions in October in England, no money, postpones their vacation/time off & delays SX testing. So, yes, props to them!
I know the feeling... The first time we won MXDN for France in 01 in Namur, I got a call last minute to replace someone (I forgot who) right after 9/11. I said yes before knowing I could even jump on a flight to Europe and knowing what kind of bike I'd have. Yamaha US understandably didn't let my mechanic fly to the race. I flew with my girlfriend (who would become my wife and ex wife later), parts in checked bags and flew to France. I hired one of the mechanics I had when I raced GPs in 1999 (out of my pocket), my dad drove my concept hauler I used in GPs (I still had it and paid the expenses) and we went racing. The US riders weren't there though and we end up winning. The French Federation winning bonus was $1500. Yes, fifteen hundred dollars. When I found out (after the race), I was like "are they serious?". I took the money and gave it away to the 2001 60cc French championship Top 10. Each kid got $150. It was such a journey to get there, cost me a bunch of money to go racing and I don't even get invited to MXDN when it's in France. The French Federation didn't even allow me to be with Dylan at MXDN 2018 in Red Bud when I worked with him. People forget very easily what we've done for them...
No, they can't.
Eli has limited outdoor seat time
Cooper has limited 250 and outdoor time
Aaron has a bung shoulder
*** triple asterisks
Thanks for sharing the stories and insights, DV.
Not as good as a healthy sexton, but better than anyone else and keeps winning hopes alive!
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Great read.
2005 in Ernee You,Tortelli and Pichon did very well.
That was a pretty wild MXoN with lots of crashes ect... You beat Windham (he almost crashed in front of you) I think you got 2nd behind Townley in MX2/MX3 moto. I think You guys got 2nd OA for the event.
My prayers to the all-mighty Baby Jesus have been answered!!!!!!!!
Fahq yeah!
So three Star riders lining up. Tomac, Webb and Anstie.
Why the animosity between you and the French Federation? If it's not too personal of a question
That is life isn't it friend. For what it is worth many have a lot of appreciation for your contributions to our little niche sport. Not that that buys coffee in the AM!
Is this lying? Seems truthful to me?
This is some great news. I'm glad he answered the call.
Yeah I'd like to know too DV , if you don't mind spilling the beans? That sounds like someone was really bitter / butt hurt about something.
Maybe staying in the states instead of returning to France gave 'em the red ass. Their loss...our gain.🙃
They don't like hearing the truth coming from me... The relationship with the French federation has been a challenge since 25 years...
Most popular Team USA in a loooong time!
Knowing AP's history I don't think a win is off the table. He seems to just have standout performances at times.
Thanks Eli for stepping up late. Just glad they can make it happen. I have renewed faith in Stars patriotism.
If Chase is feeling good enough miraculously, can he line up for Guam or whoever? Then we get all the big dogs doing battle.
So bummed for Chase, mad props to Eli and co for being willing.
Pit Row
For me, other than Bercy SX, Ernée 05 was the craziest/best racing memory... I think I went 2-7. First moto, Kdub crashed. I got smoked by Townley! haha. He was amazing that day on a not so good 450 KTM... I was the 3rd guy in MX3 behind KW & BT that day
Ernée 05 was also a challenge for me. That race was 5 days before the end of my factory Yamaha contract before my Bookoo Honda deal. I was already riding SX in TX on a CR250 which Yamaha allowed me to do but Jim Perry, the Yamaha team manager then, didn't want to ship a bike or parts. He let my mechanic, Gothic Jay, come but we could only bring parts that we could carry in checked bags. So we only brought suspensions, clamps and bars. I used a stock 2005 YZF450 from the then Casola team with only a Doma pipe on it. Needless to say, we weren't competitive power wise. We might've brought a carb too actually.
Race was so fun and it was great to have France finish 2nd and be on the podium celebration. The crowd was absolutely insane! They had to shut the pits down on Sunday cause it was such a nightmare on Saturday.
Post race was great too. We ate at the Alpinestars hospitality and then everyone started having Limoncello shots, US riders, italians, french, industry guys. It was so fun. I just did a couple, I had to drive to Paris to catch our flight the next morning. We left around 11-midnight. I drove so fast to Paris to get our room and get a few hours of sleep. I got flashed by speed radars so many times on the 200-mile drive but got our room and caught our flight. There's no way some of the other guys made their flights!!!
Awesome 👍 Townley was fast underrated at times.
You have the experience and this story. Worth it!
French Federation sounds like all the other governing bodies out there…
No props for AP?
Im Canadian and am bummed about Sexton but stoked for Tomac. And Holy shit I love DV12 stories.
Yep, same same. Truth hurts.
What I found interesting is the press conference. Everyone was asked there plans etc after SMX. Deegan said 2 weeks rest than back into it.
No mention of this surgery. Not trying to stir the pot. But is he having surgery or not?
I honestly thought the team was out on MXoN before Coop signed up. Than there was two Star guys. Team is obviously supporting the event.
Best news of the day....
AP was in the original team so accepting is a given. I was talking about the "alternates" agreeing to go last minute. As a rider who rode under the french flag, I've never turned it down and was pissed off when I wasn't selected just like in 2000 after my best year ever... As an American citizen now, living in the US for 25 years and understanding what the American flag means to the Americans (which I feel means more in the US than in France for some reasons), if you're asked to go, you go no matter what. So knowing AP like you guys do, I'm sure he's "super pumped" to represent the country.
This is so sick! 3rd moto is gonna be insane!!
He beat Herlings once a very very long time ago. Calm down everyone.
I would not underestimate this team.
Thank you Tomac and Star! It was going to be VERY disappointing to be there in person and not have a team to root for, lol. I was talking with my 17yo last night about what we would do if there if there was no team USA? Still wear the USA crap we bought off Temu or go incognito?
This is a really good team that I think could win on consistency if AP can keep getting those good starts he has been getting all summer.
Bummed for Sexton though, hope he is not out long. I know he really wanted to be there
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