If

Mick 22
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a racer can get into contention for entry into the 3-race SMX finals by winning either a US SX main or MX moto, then why wouldn't top riders in Europe try to get in?

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LungButter
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6/27/2025 10:07am
Mick 22 wrote:
a racer can get into contention for entry into the 3-race SMX finals by winning either a US SX main or MX moto, then why wouldn't...

a racer can get into contention for entry into the 3-race SMX finals by winning either a US SX main or MX moto, then why wouldn't top riders in Europe try to get in?

Because the 2 MXGP champs that are in America get their asses handed to them every weekend?

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PRM31
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6/27/2025 10:14am Edited Date/Time 6/27/2025 10:18am

Logistically that is probably difficult. 1) They need the schedules to align. 2) They can't race their euro spec factory bikes so getting bikes and team support is an obstacle. 3) Right now (i.e. not prime Herlings) who thinks they can come to a track they haven't ridden, ride a different bike, and win a moto given the current level of the Nationals?

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davis224
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6/27/2025 10:21am
Mick 22 wrote:
a racer can get into contention for entry into the 3-race SMX finals by winning either a US SX main or MX moto, then why wouldn't...

a racer can get into contention for entry into the 3-race SMX finals by winning either a US SX main or MX moto, then why wouldn't top riders in Europe try to get in?

Because then they'd have to race diet SX against full bore supercross riders. But I still think the temptation is there

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6/27/2025 10:33am

Look at when TG243 came over for Monster cup. Ya, SMX is a bit more tame compared to that, but I fully believe that's why they won't on top of schedule issues 

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The Shop

Mick 22
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6/27/2025 11:16am
Mick 22 wrote:
a racer can get into contention for entry into the 3-race SMX finals by winning either a US SX main or MX moto, then why wouldn't...

a racer can get into contention for entry into the 3-race SMX finals by winning either a US SX main or MX moto, then why wouldn't top riders in Europe try to get in?

davis224 wrote:

Because then they'd have to race diet SX against full bore supercross riders. But I still think the temptation is there

that's my point. There is a lot of $$ to be won. Why not give it a try?

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DF313
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6/27/2025 11:40am

Jett Lawrence, unfortunately for them, races here.  Any good chance they had just went out the window 

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McG194
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6/27/2025 12:18pm
If you can roost when all about you   
 
    Are not roosting and blaming it on you,   
 
If you can throw fat whips when all men doubt you,
 
    But make allowance for their crashing too;   
 
If you can wait at sign up not be tired by waiting,
 
    Or being taken out, don’t deal in take outs,
.................................
 
  And—which is more—you’ll be a racer, my son!
 
 
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davis224
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6/27/2025 12:21pm
Mick 22 wrote:
a racer can get into contention for entry into the 3-race SMX finals by winning either a US SX main or MX moto, then why wouldn't...

a racer can get into contention for entry into the 3-race SMX finals by winning either a US SX main or MX moto, then why wouldn't top riders in Europe try to get in?

davis224 wrote:

Because then they'd have to race diet SX against full bore supercross riders. But I still think the temptation is there

Mick 22 wrote:

that's my point. There is a lot of $$ to be won. Why not give it a try?

If you want real reasons, there's probably a lot. KTM Europe hires riders with their budget to win the MXGP title, and KTM America hires riders to win our 3 series. If a rider from Europe wants to come race, KTM Europe isn't likely to be stoked to risk their investment to benefit the other series, and KTM America already has riders they're paying to win, so they're probably not very motivated to spend resources to have a different rider come over to try and beat their riders. 

This is all also dependent on if the rider is also willing to risk their shot at a big payday in their series if they get hurt on an unfamiliar bike in an unfamiliar environment.

Possible? Yes, but dependent on a lot of things. Once again just makes Herlings in 2017 that much more special.

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DonM
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6/27/2025 12:28pm

All a race win gets you is qualified for the LCQ and they would have to race their way in through the LCQ for all 3 rounds. 

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ando
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6/27/2025 12:28pm

If MXGP is as weak as everyone here says it is, then why doesn’t a top 5-10 guy in the US go over there and clean up? Should be pretty easy.

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McG194
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6/27/2025 12:29pm
McG194 wrote:
If you can roost when all about you        Are not roosting and blaming it on you,    If you can throw fat whips when all men doubt you,    ...
If you can roost when all about you   
 
    Are not roosting and blaming it on you,   
 
If you can throw fat whips when all men doubt you,
 
    But make allowance for their crashing too;   
 
If you can wait at sign up not be tired by waiting,
 
    Or being taken out, don’t deal in take outs,
.................................
 
  And—which is more—you’ll be a racer, my son!
 
 

Unfortunately, ChatGPT is much better of a writer than I am. 

 

If you can hold your line when ruts are shifting,
And stay composed while rivals scrub past wide,
If you can trust your throttle, never lifting,
When others brake or look for spots to hide;
If you can wait through motos that betray you,
Yet never curse the track or blame the crew,
Or take a fall and let it not delay you—
Just kick and fire and ride like legends do.

If you can dream—of holeshots, not just glory—
And still put in the work when no one sees,
If fame or fans don’t rewrite your story,
And effort counts more than your gear or fees;
If you can watch your rivals get the praise,
While knowing grit and sweat will pay you back,
Or see your best line vanish in a blaze,
And still not stray off course or cut the track.

If you can grind when lungs are searing fire,
And every lap feels longer than the last,
When all that’s left is heart and sheer desire,
Yet twist the grip and blur the ones you passed;
If you can talk with rookies or with greats,
And hold your head through banners, lights, and cheers,
If roost and rain and setbacks don’t dictate,
But rather feed the hunger through the years—

If you can race the clock and not lose reason,
And stay true whether win or just survive,
Yours is the gate, the track, the long season—
And—what’s more—you’ll be a Racer, kid, and ride.

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DonM
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6/27/2025 12:30pm
ando wrote:
If MXGP is as weak as everyone here says it is, then why doesn’t a top 5-10 guy in the US go over there and clean...

If MXGP is as weak as everyone here says it is, then why doesn’t a top 5-10 guy in the US go over there and clean up? Should be pretty easy.

Because there is no money in it...why would they go through all the expense of going over for zero money? 

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LungButter
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6/27/2025 12:30pm
ando wrote:
If MXGP is as weak as everyone here says it is, then why doesn’t a top 5-10 guy in the US go over there and clean...

If MXGP is as weak as everyone here says it is, then why doesn’t a top 5-10 guy in the US go over there and clean up? Should be pretty easy.

Because they make more money being a top 5-10 guy here anyway?

Because they don't want to go live in Europe?

How many reasons do you want?

 

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ando
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6/27/2025 12:32pm
ando wrote:
If MXGP is as weak as everyone here says it is, then why doesn’t a top 5-10 guy in the US go over there and clean...

If MXGP is as weak as everyone here says it is, then why doesn’t a top 5-10 guy in the US go over there and clean up? Should be pretty easy.

DonM wrote:

Because there is no money in it...why would they go through all the expense of going over for zero money? 

So the top GP guys make no money.  Interesting…

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ando
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6/27/2025 12:36pm
ando wrote:
If MXGP is as weak as everyone here says it is, then why doesn’t a top 5-10 guy in the US go over there and clean...

If MXGP is as weak as everyone here says it is, then why doesn’t a top 5-10 guy in the US go over there and clean up? Should be pretty easy.

LungButter wrote:

Because they make more money being a top 5-10 guy here anyway?

Because they don't want to go live in Europe?

How many reasons do you want?

 

I’m sure you can think of more.  Can’t be that simple.

It seems like being top 10ish in 450’s doesn’t pay that well - plenty of commentators say that it’s more lucrative to be a top 5 250 rider than a top 10 450 rider.

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LungButter
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6/27/2025 12:39pm
ando wrote:
I’m sure you can think of more.  Can’t be that simple.It seems like being top 10ish in 450’s doesn’t pay that well - plenty of commentators...

I’m sure you can think of more.  Can’t be that simple.

It seems like being top 10ish in 450’s doesn’t pay that well - plenty of commentators say that it’s more lucrative to be a top 5 250 rider than a top 10 450 rider.

10th place currently is Jorge Prado.  Heard it mentioned on some Podcasts he's in the $3 million a year range.

You might recognize that name, he's the defending MXGP Champ.

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DonM
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6/27/2025 12:54pm Edited Date/Time 6/27/2025 12:55pm
ando wrote:
If MXGP is as weak as everyone here says it is, then why doesn’t a top 5-10 guy in the US go over there and clean...

If MXGP is as weak as everyone here says it is, then why doesn’t a top 5-10 guy in the US go over there and clean up? Should be pretty easy.

DonM wrote:

Because there is no money in it...why would they go through all the expense of going over for zero money? 

ando wrote:

So the top GP guys make no money.  Interesting…

That's not what I said but ok, I thought we were talking about US based riders going over on off weekends like some GP riders like to do sometimes....If a US based rider went and raced a GP on an off weekend between rounds they would do nothing but spend money because there is no purse in GP's it's a big risk for no return....

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HondaSM
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6/27/2025 1:33pm
ando wrote:
I’m sure you can think of more.  Can’t be that simple.It seems like being top 10ish in 450’s doesn’t pay that well - plenty of commentators...

I’m sure you can think of more.  Can’t be that simple.

It seems like being top 10ish in 450’s doesn’t pay that well - plenty of commentators say that it’s more lucrative to be a top 5 250 rider than a top 10 450 rider.

LungButter wrote:
10th place currently is Jorge Prado.  Heard it mentioned on some Podcasts he's in the $3 million a year range.You might recognize that name, he's the...

10th place currently is Jorge Prado.  Heard it mentioned on some Podcasts he's in the $3 million a year range.

You might recognize that name, he's the defending MXGP Champ.

I don't think he's getting that pay to ride around in 10th... hence all the Vital threads asking why he's sucking so bad this year

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6/27/2025 1:46pm
ando wrote:
I’m sure you can think of more.  Can’t be that simple.It seems like being top 10ish in 450’s doesn’t pay that well - plenty of commentators...

I’m sure you can think of more.  Can’t be that simple.

It seems like being top 10ish in 450’s doesn’t pay that well - plenty of commentators say that it’s more lucrative to be a top 5 250 rider than a top 10 450 rider.

LungButter wrote:
10th place currently is Jorge Prado.  Heard it mentioned on some Podcasts he's in the $3 million a year range.You might recognize that name, he's the...

10th place currently is Jorge Prado.  Heard it mentioned on some Podcasts he's in the $3 million a year range.

You might recognize that name, he's the defending MXGP Champ.

Last year 10th was Noren. You think he made 3M? Damn, if people only knew. Why the hell does Freddie dabble around with renting out cabins in NC if he makes millions

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LungButter
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6/27/2025 3:00pm
crusty_xx wrote:
Last year 10th was Noren. You think he made 3M? Damn, if people only knew. Why the hell does Freddie dabble around with renting out cabins...

Last year 10th was Noren. You think he made 3M? Damn, if people only knew. Why the hell does Freddie dabble around with renting out cabins in NC if he makes millions

You are correct, I definitely took advantage Jorge's situation to prove my point, all in good fun.

For real though, take a look at the 450 top ten and tell me which one you think is barely scraping by.  Most them dudes are over a million a year in earnings I'd bet.  Savatgy?  I bet he's making Six figures plus or he probably wouldn't be out there.

To be fair, I bet the earnings drops quick after 10th though.

6/27/2025 3:38pm
crusty_xx wrote:
Last year 10th was Noren. You think he made 3M? Damn, if people only knew. Why the hell does Freddie dabble around with renting out cabins...

Last year 10th was Noren. You think he made 3M? Damn, if people only knew. Why the hell does Freddie dabble around with renting out cabins in NC if he makes millions

LungButter wrote:
You are correct, I definitely took advantage Jorge's situation to prove my point, all in good fun.For real though, take a look at the 450 top...

You are correct, I definitely took advantage Jorge's situation to prove my point, all in good fun.

For real though, take a look at the 450 top ten and tell me which one you think is barely scraping by.  Most them dudes are over a million a year in earnings I'd bet.  Savatgy?  I bet he's making Six figures plus or he probably wouldn't be out there.

To be fair, I bet the earnings drops quick after 10th though.

Yeah no I agree, but it's just not normal for a guy in 10th to be making multi millions 😅 I wonder how much Guillod is making in 11th.
Prado did say that he's making more now than he did in the GPs despite not even being on the podium now. So if he could just get the occasional podium bonus he'd probably way outearn what he could make being the top guy in the GPs. That's why I'm not sure if those rumors of him returning to Europe are true. Unless there are other reasons

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Mick 22
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6/28/2025 4:53am
DonM wrote:
All a race win gets you is qualified for the LCQ and they would have to race their way in through the LCQ for all 3...

All a race win gets you is qualified for the LCQ and they would have to race their way in through the LCQ for all 3 rounds. 

which they would obviously win, qualifying them for the main and the chance at some big bucks, which is our primary objective, secondary's being media buzz and more importantly, American booty.

Bearuno
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6/28/2025 8:16am
mattyhamz2 wrote:
Look at when TG243 came over for Monster cup. Ya, SMX is a bit more tame compared to that, but I fully believe that's why they...

Look at when TG243 came over for Monster cup. Ya, SMX is a bit more tame compared to that, but I fully believe that's why they won't on top of schedule issues 

Well, his first time he lasted longer than Tomac did on the track. 

Go back and have a look - your selective memory might be enlightened.

2nd time in '19, he got 5th overall, with 7, 4, 4.

Not bad when he was up against riders, who for the vast part had done a huge amount of SX races, I would think.

 

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