Put a Forkner in it!!!

I agree.  Really hard to watch and feel bad for the dude

How many years did Triumph sign him for? Wonder if it’s a multi-year deal and they told him to just finish the season and get experience with the bike for this first year. Wouldn’t be surprised if he really just lost the pace though, dude’s been through hell his whole career.

Ken Roczen's career trajectory..... that's what you're going for if you're forkner. Just get through this year, hope the speed is still in there somewhere, still young enough to take the long view and build back. 

From what we are used to from Austin, it’s just a shock. He looks like a shell of his former self. I don’t even recognize him out there now. He was my dark horse pick coming into the season for the title.

Jesus Christ. Dude just had brain surgery, cut him a little slack 

Ourdoors is going to be worse.

I’m not sure if it’s the brain surgery or the bike change but something is clearly off. I agree. Put in the time and rebuild. Like Martin Davalos says (sic), there’s always another year. 

Maybe the Triumph sucks?

Smith seemed to be doing just fine on the same bike 

Maybe he is hurting from his gnarly crash in the whoops.

Every time you get busted up, it stays in your head, just needs to make it through a full season healthy and start to believe again….confidence is everything in sports…

As a Forkner fan, that LCQ was tough to watch. It looked like an impostor riding with his gear, not Austin Forkner.

Yeah, no

He just needs to get thru the season healthy. And his wife is having a baby he probably didnt want to take the risks tonight. His practice time was top 3 so he has speed. 

Exactly. It’s amazing he’s back racing already. Vital is brutal and out of touch. 

Seriously, happy to see him out there in the main event 

He actually didn't have a bad ride. I think he was down on the start he got back to 12th

Right? His brain was on the table. SMH 

Feel bad for him, it’s been a rough series so far but I’d say just finishing the whole series would be a step in the right direction for him. 

Yes, that would have been much more concerning.

Guy still knows how to ride and he qualified well. Tough crowd.

Right.   Plus he’s been on the same bike for his entire career. Isn’t always easy

Riding to keep his ride, and looks to be overiding and trying too hard.

I totally disagree. Give the man a full season of keeping it on 2 wheels. You have no idea(nor do I) what racing at that level requires mentally. Give him a year of staying healthy, and let's see where we're at. He's doing it slow and smooth. Eventually slow and smooth is fast! 

12th E/W showdown on a new bike coming off injury. Sounds like a decent night to me 

Seeing him this far in the season on track is amazing for him, when’s the last time he finished a season? I hope he finishes this season, he’s riding smart and not sending it when he doesn’t need to, could he be a few spots better, sure, but his main mission is to survive the season and not be hurt when his little boy comes into the world. I think that brain surgery had an effect on him, I am glad he’s more reserved and not sending it.

Just needs to keep working on the bike and himself a bit. Coming back from a big injury/surgery to a new platform is rough. 

Reminds me of Trey canard in his final year on KTM in 17? 

I think mentally forkner is too aprehensive, and rightfully so after the constant injuries. Guy needs to take to time off and breathe

Yea the Triumph isn't a bad bike by any means, but maybe he just doesn't like it (probably not the case)?  I mean we've seen him back every year and still have the speed, he qualified well tonight, even if its only one lap it shows he's still got speed.  Or its a mental block, narrowly escaped a career ending/life altering crash, brain surgery, and a baby that's due any day now.  Tonight was really tough to watch though.  I think he just needs some time with so many things changing in his life, hopefully he can build throughout the season and get back to where he was.

This isn't a bad take ! ! Let's hope = he's earned a few mulligans