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Health care is also shit in most of Europe just like Canada. Good luck getting anything major done in a timely fashion. Not to mention they can do social programs like they do because they don't have to spend on having much of a military because we defend them
Sneaky, sneaky.
Seems like a pretty solid move for him if true.
Never say never but reality is that his chances of being a Top 5 guy in 450sx anytime soon are pretty damn slim.
Dude came to America, banked a few million and now gets to go home and finish out his career being a top guy on top tier teams. Good for him.
If the rumor pans out, I wish Tom the best. It's not like he is running back across the pond with his tail between his legs. He's proven his talent by winning two championships in a racing style he was basically foreign to. Maybe he's done what he set out to do here in the states, and misses his family, friends...and the MXGP racing culture/style. And, hooking up with factory HRC ain't no joke either. I can see him winning another Championship on the Honda.
It’s interesting watching how people talk about international riders coming to the U.S. Just a few years ago, when Team USA struggled at RedBud, the common narrative was, “Well, we focus on Supercross, while the Europeans focus on Motocross.”
Now Prado—an MX specialist—comes over, doesn’t dominate in his first year, and suddenly the tone shifts: “The U.S. is just faster.”
But where’s the same energy when Vialle, who had virtually no Supercross experience before coming here, beats the American Supercross specialists and wins two titles?
And why don’t we see threads questioning the U.S. riders getting beaten by someone new to the discipline? No talk of “panic buttons” there.
We might just find he found he would rather have multiple world titles to his name than a few regional ones after all ;-)
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HRC 450 would be a cool move, but damn it's a bummer not to see a two-time 250sx champ race 450s. Not that I think he'd win, but still it'd be fun to see him compete against the best. I also could be wrong, but I swear something with that KTM 250 just doesn't seem the best, and it's been that way for years now. They seem to have the 450 figured out and I'd love to see how Tom looks on it outdoors.
Yes, i agree. Unless he lives in Monaco ( like Geerts) where taxes are zero
There's more than a few F1 team drivers living there for that very reason.
Ive always hated when ppl talk shit about someone for things out of their control. Nobody can control where theyre born. If tom was a douche then by all means go ahead and rip on him, but hes always shown himself to be a stand up respectable guy. Hopefully one day hell be back.
Looking like nobody "wants" to ride KTM in the USA next year. I'm sure it's not Tomac's 1st choice either. AP's chance to shine...
No reason why Vialle can't return to the US for 450s in the future. His career in the US turned out pretty good, though it was opposite what most had predicted with 2 SX regional titles quickly and not much of a dent in outdoors. If he wins the MXGP championship a couple of times, he'd have the advantage of knowing the US tracks and a degree of comfort that Prado (new to US) doesn't enjoy. Winner either way.
I think this is a good move for him!
Gate drops! High-pressure gate drop days. Yes.
Did not see this coming but awesome for him. Success in Europe, success in the US and then back to Europe for more...badass.
Smart move. Came over here, made really good money, won 2 championships and probably a long-term high dollar deal with HRC over there.
I think it’s really smart- he understands how high the ceiling is in the 450 class, especially indoors. He will return to Europe with 2x 250 SX titles and still in an age window to contend for MXGP titles. 450 class in USA was going to be diminishing returns for him moving forward. Well played Tom
Cooper was a hell of a lot more competitive during his time in the 250 class. Yes Tom has one more championship than JCoop, but his sx performances haven’t been than great (yea ik he’s a 2x champ) he was outside the top 5 for majority of the sx season and he extremely hit and miss outdoors too. Not seeing anything that would indicate him being better on a 450, ESPECIALLY in SX.
And it seems like he knows it too, or is at least concerned about it. If he genuinely thought he’d be successful in the 450 class, he’d stay.
Plessinger knows what's up. He's just happy to be on a factory team, with a factory bike...and with a factory rider paycheck. You don't hear him bitchin'.
Outside the top 5 for the majority of the SX season? When did that happen? lol
He's been outside the top 5 4 times in the last 2 years. That includes a mud race DNF, a start crash that wasn't his fault and the race he wrapped the 24 title up in.
He had 6 podiums this season alone. Hammaker who people seem to think deserved the title had 3...
It's crazy how little credit this guy gets. Back to back 250 SX titles and people act like he'd be battling Chiz.
Pit Row
He's better than RJ and RJ is doing pretty well on the 450 outdoors. Remains to be seen what he'll do in SX.
Besides, would you stay put for less money or move back home for a bigger paycheck?
Go right ahead and count those gate drops.
He also got Zero points at the mud race this year and still won the Championship.
Vialle better than RJ. I'm not so sure about that.
Best news, really hoping Tom stays with us, he’s been such a good addition to the series since he came over
RJ has 45 years of SX experience.
Vialle won two championships in three years with no prior SX experience.
Vialle is also a two time world MX champion. How many outdoor titles does RJ have again?
RJ has a total of 4 outdoor wins.
Damn! How old is that sumbitch? 🤣
When you put it like that, it really makes me see Vialle as more of a badass. Did in 3 years what all these other riders have been working all their lives to do. I really look back at all the other riders who have been riding SX for so many years and some still don't have 1 title to show for it.
13 of the 20 on the grid call it home
Happening or not. Tom Vialle once said it wasn't his dream to go to the USA (when he still raced in Europe), but a few months later he became world champion for the second time and he was pointed out of the MX2 class. The KTM Group his 450 rides where all full and they almost wrung his arm to take the vacant 250 seat in the USA. He took the opportunity and you could say he made the best of it. In three seasons he finished 8th (his rookie season and stayed healthy) and he clinched two 250 supercross championships and outdoors he became 6th - 2nd and we will see where he will finish this outdoor season.
People who think he is worse then RJ is beyond me. He could and would be a top 10 rider in the outdoors and probably also indoors. He isn't flashy neither bloody fast but he stays on the bike and is always there to pick up the pieces, when other people like RJ and others drop their shizzle. But then again if he doesn't feel comfortable to jump on a 450 to race supercross, and he can return to the MXGP series and make equal or even more money, then there is no shame in doing so. I only see that the kid got twice pointed out the 250 series because he was a champ. Two MX2 championships ==> OUT (not the age limit), Two Regional 250 SX Championships ==> Out.
The kid still needs to turn 25 this year, just remember that! He's not 28 to 30 like others in the 250 class...
About the taxes, as Frenchie he can't avoid taxes in Monaco. All French people keep paying French taxes, even if they become a Monaco resident. But that ain't a problem, you still have Andorra where they can go to avoid the taxes of their home country.
RJ hasnt accomplished a fraction of what vialle has. Other than more starts and way more crashes. Plus he's been racing pro away longer.
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