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Fantasy
Edited Date/Time
3/21/2025 5:06pm
There’s been a topic of discussion lately on the moto pods about Tom and what happens if he wins the title this year. On one of them it was even discussed that maybe he should take a dive to not complicate things. I don’t really get it with AP. Yeh he’s a nice guy but imo we’ve seen the best of him. He can get podiums when a bunch of title contenders are out. Tom is an ascending talent. Still getting used to being in the US full time and to me he’s pretty clearly the #2 250 rider in the world. Results are what matters and his will be better than APs. Who would you sign and why?
Poll
I was surprised when KTM signed AP in the first place. He had been around for a little bit and didn't seem like a contender to me. I figured Decoster saw something he could work with.
I thought when Vialle won the title last year that he kinda screwed himself, just because the 450 class is deep. Maybe he goes back to MXGP with KTM if they don’t figure something out in the US?
AP is likable and marketable, but I’d have to say Tom - especially if he performs outdoors and AP doesn’t
AP is consistent and good PR. He might even sell more bikes than Sexton. Maybe they won’t have to choose if Sexton goes somewhere else.
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You think only legit title contenders should get rides? There would only be 3-4 450 Factory riders of that was the case.
Suddenly, Hidden due to downvotes makes sense.
I guess I should’ve clarified that I’m assuming Chase is staying as the #1 guy at KTM. Don’t really see another option that makes sense for him. That affects this decision because Chase and Tom train together and seem to be friends. I was a Pourcel fan in 2011 and I could never wrap my head around why Kawi chose Weimer over him. Being Villopotos training partner definitely was a determining factor there.
Kawasaki (IMO) chose Weimer because his ego would let him be content with being in Villopoto's shadow...where as Pourcel would only have been happy as the team leader, and the team was concerned about friction between he and Poto.
But, what do I know?
If Vialle wants to move up to a 450, I don't see why he wouldn't get the spot. I like AP. But unless he sets the world on fire this summer, I could see KTM moving on. He's in his 7th season on a 450 and his 4th season on orange. AP is 29yrs old and Tom is 24. Seems like an obvious choice to me
There is still probably a Husqvarna seat (or 2?) to fill unless they re sign Stewart.
I'd bet on Mookie to be on Husqvarna for 2026.
Vialle will be Justin Cooper 2.0 on a 450. A glimpse here and there but no chance when all the big boys are healthy and firing on all cylinders. KTM should thank their lucky stars that they scooped up Chase when they did.
Apart from being a fan favourite and the odd podium I don’t think AP has much more to offer than that
AP slides sideways to Husky and Vaille stays with his Red Bull sponsor.
One guy is guaranteed to make 5-15 big mistakes per year and act like a clown on the podium
Another guy is guaranteed to nail starts, race smart and represent your sponsors professionally.
Idk man
I’m conflicted when it comes to AP, the guy obviously has carved out a niche with his fans and is one of the top 3 likable 450 riders right now but at the end of the day this is racing.
There’s nothing wrong with being a 5-8 guy, however when you have a world champ and potentially 2X 250 SX champ coming up you kind of have to expect to be in consideration of the chopping block to make room for him.
I could see AP at gasgas with barcia, aren’t they becoming the Ducati team next season though?
Cooper finished 6th his rookie SX season and currently sits 5th. Wtf is wrong with that? If they hire Vialle alongside Sexton I don't think they expect him to win and titles anytime soon
Pit Row
AP puts people in seats, my guess sells quite a few Orange bikes. Just like Dale Jr. in NASCAR, he wasn’t the best driver on the track but he sold lots of tickets and tee shirts. AP will be around for a while.
Seems like Tom has plateaued in SX, yes he’s leading points but not really dominating. I would say AP had more impressive 250sx rides. Unless TV shows impressive speed outdoors I don’t really see much upside over a guy that has won 450SX and is a consistent top 5 guy.
So what you are saying is former MX2 champ Tom Vialle is probably going to win the sx east championship because of his consistency and is a top contender outdoors but he really isnt that good?
Christophe wasn’t the other rider they were weighing.
He doesn't have a Starr contract to get 6th or 5th. I'm not hating on him. I was a huge fan in his 250 days and was a huge advocate for him getting the nod for the Des Nations team because I thought he was easily the best choice and believed he could get the results he did under those circumstances. He's swimming full time in the big pond with the big fish now and he just doesn't show me signs of becoming a killer. He's a great starter and smooth and consistent but he is not on par with the guys who win races and titles imho.
JR won 26 Cup races, came very close to the title in 2004 had Carl Edwards not wrecked him at Atlanta I think it was and won at Daytona numerous times.
Yeah idk. I agree that I don't think he'll win a 450 title (maybe outdoors in a season with lots of injuries) but also don't think Star expects him to finish 3rd or 4th in points when he's the #3 rider on the team. They can't possibly expect their riders to go 1-2-3
No. Gas Gas and Troy Lee parted prior to this season.
Exactly. If teams only hired guys they thought were going to win titles only Webb, Jett, Chase, and Eli would have rides. They all need number two guys
Vialle so AP doesn't cost us another mxdn win.
He ain't selling enough given the amount of left over inventory at KTM.
Plessinger is one of those guys whose fan popularity far exceeds his actual results, but his results are certainly enough to keep him around also. The persona feels a little bit forced at times, but it definitely works pretty well.
It’ll be interesting to see if KTM keeps all 3 brands competing at the ‘factory’ level. If so, I’d replace Barcia with either Plessinger or Vialle and try to keep Mookie for at least another year.
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