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Fuller life is my theory on this. Like ridinbeast mentioned below, I think my clearest when things are always the wildest. Calms my ass down for some reason. Now for the proof aspect, when I got injured racing, and that is taken away, fuck me it is hard. I still NEED that thrill of doing something wild to make me feel alive. Otherwise everything is mundane. It almost allows me to see the colors better and smell the flowers more and enjoy the mundane. Working out daily doesn't cut it lol
Gypsy tales did a podcast with him a few years ago, would be a good listen
HI TG
I haven't met Joel but if you look at all the posts he has a smile on his face. This is not fake. Never once heard a negative thing about him. Thats rare in a small moto community.
Refer his tube channel.
https://www.youtube.com/@JoelEvans
To you and jaynfart…
Appreciate the info!
Manny
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As others have mentioned, his YT is a great place to connect with him.
I have not met another pro racer who is as openly vulnerable and real as Joel, both online and with fellow racers.
His authenticity and positive attitude are rivaled only by Pastrana.
What you see is what you get.
…………
The pit photo above is from a practice day two weeks ago, in Northeastern Thailand.
After a day and a half of driving, I arrived in Mukdahan that afternoon.
I debated riding one session to dial in the track or chill and save my energy (had 5 days straight of riding ahead). Part of me wanted to have some fun on the best track in Thailand, as well as get everything down so I could sleep well.
I ultimately chose to save my energy.
Joel did one chill session, fresh off a plane after a 7th place finish in Oz.
Sam Larsen, Joel’s mentee and also fresh off a plane, threw down a moto in the heat.
He’s not a vet guy yet.
While chillin’, Joel started to debate going back out to hit a couple jumps he didn’t do.
There was a wall jump double with a small landing (silly, but nothing too crazy), and a finish line triple similar to the Whopper at Thunder Valley (less of a step up so bigger landing, and a long run so you had to let off, again nothing crazy).
I spoke some veteran wisdom into him and we chilled more.
Later on, when Sam finished up another moto, he started picking Sam’s brain about the wall.
The 2023 champ was there and did not hit it in his first session.
As a conservative rider and default over-thinker, the wall was lingering in my head a bit (a slight bit, I’m better at chillin’ now).
Nothing unexpected came up and we wondered out loud if 85s would hit it (one did a bit later).
Next thing I know, he’s asking about the triple.
“What?! Surely that’s no sweat for a dude 10 seconds faster than me.”
“Holy shit, this guy is just like me!”
…………
Fast forward to the weekend. While walking the track, I get to the wall and see that they changed the landing by pushing it out further and flattening it, basically taking the double out of play.
I see Joel and his teammate Alfarizi on another jump and I yell something like “fuck that’s big”.
Joel says, “Do you reckon anyone will do it?”
”I dunno. I think it’s doable but does not look fun getting it right. And still not much fun after that. You’re falling out of sky and there’s nothing to land on.” - Me
Alfarizi seemed open to the idea but Joel then said, without hesitation …“I want nothing to do with it.”
Now, I knew from his vlogs that Joel was a bit of an overthinker as well, but that was mostly from SX, which is completely understandable. And he’s a vet rider now so his send factor is a bit lower (also with a son on the way, which I did not know at the time).
Still, he’s a pro and a killer who is willing and capable of doing what it takes once the gate drops (sounds like he was being himself this weekend).
I’m straight up the slowest “pro” to ever put on a helmet. I barely belong, and that’s debatable.
So when Joel says he is out, that settled it in my mind.
No one was gonna do it. Whew!
Onward.
A set of rollers, a 180 berm, and a view of the wall later, and thoughts creep in.
“I think it’s doable. Scary, but only cuz you can’t feel it out.”
“If Joel is that out, why would I be in?”
Only once in my life have I sent something that faster guys were not doing.
Not once have I ever had another pro share hesitations openly, at least not for something I felt was likely within my capabilities (the wall) and certainly not for something I was willing to do no problem (the triple).
They simply aren’t human and I am. That’s why they go fast, win races, and get paid.
And why I don’t.
Pro.
Joe.
It’s how the world works. Right?
Well, Joel’s vulnerability and authenticity, on his channel and in real life, was such a refreshing experience to a rider and human like myself.
I felt seen when I looked into his eyes.
He was human first, pro motocrosser second.
A truly balanced individual, who cared, listened, felt, shared, and lived.
He was due to be back here tomorrow. He was coming off his first win, has been in the top 3 all season, and is 2nd in points.
We connected on so many levels, the least of which is simply having an English speaking friend to chat moto with under a popup on the border of Laos.
He will be missed dearly this weekend.
…….
Ps. My friend Ben Hallgren, last years champ, sent the jump in qualifying.
Sizing it up…
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1762415401378195/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v
Pole lap send…
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DIoZ0aDyeHT/?igsh=bnMyMmc4ODYwZTJw
Simply…awesome.
Thanks for sharing that.
Manny
Can we update the title to include his name please?
Joel Evans deserves to be seen.
His Thailand bike is built by Team Goodboy and 8seven does the graphics I believe (hence the 87 everywhere).
The team is run by the Teves brothers, Kurt and Axl, two Filipinos, in honor of their brother, Enzo, who died in a drag racing accident.
They have a background in building and racing drag bikes.
They have supported motocross riders in the Philippines, Indonesia (Alfarizi is Indonesian, raced MXGP last season), and Thailand.
They also have promoted international races in Asia, with Joel being their ringer.
These guys love their riders and mechanics.
The team is wonderful and they are well taken care of.
Alfarizi was on Yamaha in Indonesia, so Team Goodboy built him two Yamahas for Thailand this year. He could not get comfy and switched to Honda back home. The boys built him up a new Honda at the last race.
Joel got green support this year, so the boys built him two new Kawis.
They also help with Sam and another rider, both on Yamaha.
3 brands, one tent. Gnarly.
Riders come first though.
It’s inspiring for me to see as I have goals for expanding my team beyond myself.
They had a team ride day last weekend (that’s Joel’s other bike, loved that look too).
Their YT….https://www.youtube.com/@masterafans
Here is the race that he won. It’s a good one.
450 show starts at 3:18:05.
https://fb.watch/zg9ZglfRn1/?
Such a bummer, he did a couple local races up around the area mixed in with his coaching, he had an absolute blast, always had time to talk to the kids, adults, parents.
He would give other riders tips when they asked, he never didn't smile, he lived and breathed mx and just by hearing him talk in person and dealing with him on the photography side, he went to buy photos off me and I told him no as he gave my boy some tips but he still insisted on paying.
I feel for his partner, family, friends and the whole industry as a whole.
His youtube channel was absolutely amazing, he wasn't a top tier professional but shit I would watch his videos before a pro rider for the content and to support him
Here is a couple photos from the local event I took of him.![]()
Heartbreaking. I feel so bad for his family and friends to have lost him, especially with a baby on the way. Can’t imagine that.
I watched a few of his videos over the years and loved that him and Michaela were putting it all into pursuing something so challenging.
Reminds me a little bit of when we lost Kurt Casseli right after he got engaged. Sad times.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-support-joels-little-family/cl/s?attribution_id=sl:ac6e4209-0016-4c25-9d3c-c2a96c4aa237&lang=en_AU&utm_campaign=fp_sharesheet&utm_content=amp13_t1-amp14_c&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link&v=amp14_c
244k
CURRENTLY RAISED $260K
He hit a kicker on the up ramp went over the bars, landed on his head and then his bike hit him
Pit Row
Alfarizi of Team Goodboy won today 🤘🏽
He switched back to Yamaha yesterday. The team has already sold his practice bike and some parts 😂
That’s Enzo Teves on the fender. He died 10 years ago.
Kurt and Axl Teves are top notch team managers and better people. Axl came over to help me clean my brake pads after my forks leaked on them.
FMSCT, the Thailand federation, and Silver Rock Bike Park, put together a ceremony and a slow lap in celebration of Joel.
Thai people are wonderful.
Lion-hearted Sam Larsen rode Joel’s bike on the lap, and raced in both the 250 and 450 classes.
Joel is on a winning streak 🔥
I am very grateful we had a race this weekend 🙏🏽
#forever81
What an absolute shame whenever we lose a fellow rider. RIP Joel.
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