Top 3 riders most talented riders ever ?

For some reason Carmichael doesn't get brought up much in these conversations but he absolutely should be. Everyone remembers how hard he worked but the dude was a prodigy his entire career, amateur and pro. His motocross abilities have never been matched

Like I'm seeing a lot of people mention Everts, but RC stomped him in his own backyard on a crappy Honda 250cc 2-stroke while Everts was on a Yamaha 500cc 4-stroke.

Js7

Pastrana 

Rc.

I'd also like to show some love to guys like Ryan sipes and Joseph garcia.  Those dudes are heros of mine now that I'm too chicken little for big boy mx tracks now lol.

JMB, McGrath, Jett/J Stewart

Yeah, I know that’s 4. But Bailey, Lechien, Windham, Eli, DeCoster, H Deegan (until he starts talking) RC, and a few others are totally in the conversation.. 

Evil Kneivel, Doug Domokos, king Kenny Roberts

lechien, JMB..  they looked like jett on 2 strokes with worse suspension.  go watch them on 500s.

Jett hasnt gotten off the honda yet.   That bike has its traction control dialed right now

best racer that never raced minis?

Roger Decoster

Stefan Everts

Joel Robert / Ricky Carmichael

best racer that never raced minis?

Jett couldnt race RC he is too young

Joel Robert
JS7
Marty Tripes

Talent alone doesn't make you a winner in this sport.  But talent, mental capacity, and physical conditioning along with being in the right place at the right time makes a lethal combo.

The Dogger. Most natural talent, but not motivated to train and no discipline.

Could come out and win @ will when the mood struck.  

What do we mean by talent exactly? The ability to look smooth and cool on the track, standing up round corners where others sit down...

Otherwise I really agree with the people that have brought up Ricky. 

RC was a hard working machine but the truth is that isn't why he went fast. Chad Reed is correct imo - champions are born, not made. Very few pianist, no matter how hard working, can see music the way Mozart did. The same is true of RC on a motocross bike. He can feel the bike underneath himself around each corner, understanding exactly what the limit is in a way the vast majority can't. So much so that despite what his outward riding style would imply, the guy barely crashed or got injured (enough to regularly be missing races and seasons) over the entirety of his career, a span of several yrs...  If that's not talent then what is? 

The fact he looked like barely controlled chaos while doing it is irrelevant. 

Yeah Travis is the most talented ever.  Other riders wouldn’t think about what he would do doing a race .  His whoops speed was extra special , all out go for it.  Watch 2000 125 sx those are exciting races.  Watch the video that’s talent . I think that’s in Wi.  He also did a backflip off a berm.

As far as technical , do amazing stuff on a bike . I have not seen much of the 1980's stuff so I don't really have personal experiences seeing Baily ride. So I'm not necessary disagreeing with anybody on him. 

I would say Jett, JS and Windham.  All 3 can do amazing things and make them look so easy.

I would say my euro list would be Hearlings, Everts, and I'm not sure of a third. 

Its hard to really rank Jett or JS over each other. They both are amazing . KW was the only other racer to beat RC outdoors while he was on a Honda for an overall. I could be wrong on that, so somebody correct me if I am. I remember 2 seasons that RC only lost a round or 2 to KW.  When RC was on a 2 stroke and KW was on the 450. And KW won on technical slippery tracks by being Jett like. 

 Jett is what Windham may have been able to be if not for RC , and or if he was stronger in the mental area. There were times KW was just not there mentally, and I think that he could have been Jett like if he had been stronger mentally. I was walking through the pits one time when KW had pulled off early or was late going to the gate  and  for whatever reason it was just me, KW and his mechanic within hearing distance. I was just walking by and did not hear what Kevin said, but his mechanic  told him to stop talking about it because I was walking by and would hear. KW said ," I don't give a f@#k" .  Later on in interviews  I heard him talk about those days. 

JMB without shadow of a doubt. 

Haiden Deegan #1. Dude is smokin' everyone. 

Marty Tripes

Ron Lechien

Travis Pastrana

One of the craftiest for sure.  King of the rear brake drag remember the massive finned caliper . 

nope....he doesn't belong. but what a wfo legend.

lechien!!

Number one has to be Jeremy McGrath, the fact he did not start till his teens says alot, Alot of the other mention here started at 3.

Talking strictly talent, McGrath has to be way up there considering he didn’t really race till he was 15 or 16.

Edit: didn’t see zippy post the same above me.

My thoughts on why Carmichael is often left of the "talented" discussion are for the same reason Dungey is left off the list.....

Carmichael would have titles no matter what, but he cemented his status as the GOAT by will, determination, and a never-say-die attitude. Same with Dungey. He had talent, but the dude was damn workhorse that refused to allow the guys to the left & right on the starting line outwork him.

Were they talented? Absolutely - BUT not as naturally talented as the riders such as Windham, Pastrana, Lawerence, etc.

I read a quote once that said "Theres no talent here. Everything you see me produce is the product of a major LACK of talent. You might be more talented, but you will never outwork me." ...In my opinion, that describes Carmichael to a T

Mic drop. Well said!

Joël Robert

Marty Tripes

Ron Lechein

Its hard to define talent… like a kid who tries a new sport and just shines.. thats talent, doing it right without nowing whats right, just doing it by feel.

Like MC, got the first bike at 14, started racing at 15, winning…

Or.. training hard, doing it all normal but its so easy so they evolve the game! Like the bubba scrub…
 

I thought Marty was cool . I bought a Mx mag when I was 9 in 76 with my own money i had to hide it down my pants at the store . If my mom ever found it she would burn it.  They talked back then that Marty was Really talented.  

The top three, in no particular order, are Jett, Stew, MC, Windham, Roncada, Pourcel, Pastrana, Lechien, Bailey, Magoo, JMB, Canard, Everts, de Reuver, Karsmakers, Mikkola…

You just named 16 in your top 3 list.

If you ever got to watch Jeremy outdoors He was just as bad ass out doors when he wanted too.

Too many era's, different bikes different tracks etc

We can probably put 20 riders dating back from the 60s to current. Many forget about Steve Wise, MX champ, supermoto champ, dirt track podium.  Then you have Dick Burleson, 8 consecutive enduro championships. 

Lots a top talented riders.

Stew

K-Dub

Millsaps and or Josh Hansen

Stewart 

Pourcel

Villopoto