Forkner STILL a crasher!!

Detroit has broken a lot of people’s brains.

Vital is going wild. 

Guys gave me lots of shit when I said I didn’t think Forkner would be a championship contender. Maybe if he stays healthy all year he can contend next year. He certainly has the talent, but some here were acting like he was gonna dominate everyone. 

I saw a interview with someone at Triumph last week. They seemed happy with Forkner if he finished out the year in the top 10 and stayed healthy. I would consider that a win for Austin and Triumph.

I’m not a Forkner fan, but I hope he actually finishes a season and stays healthy! 

You saw how Macadoo was helped off the track? That’s how I picture people on vital being taken to their keyboard every day.

He used to be the fastest guy on the track prior to crashing out.  Now, not so much.

All the downtime adds up. When you're on the shelf, everyone else is grinding and improving. Not to mention all the fast young talent coming up with new speed and technique. Austin debuted almost a decade ago

😂😂😂

I was gonna post a topic about Forkner in the hopes that "pops" might chime in about Austin. I'm not about to kick the guy while struggling because to say he's been through a lot is an understatement. Yeah, he's still falling...but how much of it's just nerves? You know the guys has to be constantly muttering "Just don't cash Just don't crash" in his head all race. Tough stuff. Wish nothing but the best for him and all the racers.

I am not worried about Austin. He will find the sharp end with time

He probably would have wound up 6th if it wasn't for the restart. Thats decent.

Yea he crashed. He caught a tuff block, no different than Hunter. Actually, Hunter landed on it, Forkner caught his peg I think.

I’ll admit, I thought he could be a front runner! He’s had so many injuries in the past and although he hasn’t put together an entire season, he’s ALWAYS had the speed right away

I think it’s not that far out that it might just take him a couple races to get back into the swing of things after such a scary injury. It could definitely be nerves too, I wouldn’t blame him one bit, but we certainly saw improvement in his riding and comfortability from Tampa to Detroit. I’d say that’s a good sign

It might be just me, but it looks like both Austin and Jordan have had to heavily adapt their riding styles to suit the triumph. I didn’t notice this with Swoll, but the bike seems like it wants to be pointed straight, and occasionally pops out of ruts, but especially with Jordon he just bulldogs it through the track. If that’s the case I would expect Austin to take a couple more races to get used to the bike, but catch his old form around rounds like five or six

Do you honestly believe that Austin and his team would consider a 6th place finish to be "decent"?  He's being paid to win.  The bike has already been proven capable.  I'm fairly certain that any finish off the podium wouldn't be considered "decent" for a guy with Austin's pedigree.

I realize Smith won on it, but that triumph looks like a turd. It looks underpowered and doesn’t look like it handles quite right, either.

He seems like he’s backed it down a bit, riding nervous and uncomfortable? Especially around other riders. Damn they are riding him hard too. 

Awkward spot to be in. He has been through a lot, it has to take a massive toll on the guy. Would be life changing traumatic events for a lot of people. Baby on the way soon too, I’d say it’s a tough time for him right now. Just hope he can get through this season, take the good results if they are there, if not just keep building slowly. 

I highly doubt they expected him to come off the couch after those injuries and “win” straight away. 

No, only vital did. 

After that crash last year I’d probably never want to ride again, that was brutal. I don’t know why people expected him to be a title contender, He just needs to do the laps all year.

I'd rather see Forkner finish a season inside the Top 10 than crash out trying to win...

I'm sure him and Triumph would as well. 

That's right, the trauma alone.

Nothing to do with the bike.

any word if his chest protector did the air thingy on the crash

I hope these racers don't come to vital and read some of the sh*t that comes from your  keyboards. 

After the injuries that dude has been through, most people would have given up on racing. 

They've stated on race day live the past two weeks he's been sick, and it has slowed him down.  I believe I heard them say he didn't ride all week due to the sickness.  Hard to stay upright plus go fast when you're sick.

He'll get better once he's 100%.

He’s been sick the past 2 race weekends. And hasn’t been able to ride during the week. Let’s see how he does when he’s no longer sick. 

It would be best if the racers don’t read the constant harsh/hate comments and threads on here. I’m sure someone will reply “it’s not hate”….. 

im a little confused on the line here on vital… people wanted him to make it thru the night, whether thats a top 10, 5, 3 or win. He seems to be doing that this year and people are spamming the panic button…

This is the first time hes made it through round 2 since 2020… thats a improvement in its own… 

not to mention the coast hes on, thing is loaded to the point where multiple factory riders are outside the top 5. If he we’re on west i guarantee he’d be knocking top 5s off easily then there wouldn’t be threads like this…

I was ready to defend macadoo, until a re read it.