Christian Craig

He’s definitely on a mission to prove some people wrong. I love watching him ride when he’s feeling it, he’s got great style. Hoping he brings the aggregation to A-1. 

CC has always done his best work on a Honda.

So Glad to see he still has the speed.

Craig rode really well but also, Deegan was slowing town Tomac and Roczen got a bad start and I think had a few issues. Otherwise I think Tomac or Roczen could have got him. Roczen was easily the fastest of the night, making up heaps of time.

Pleasantly surprised! If this awesome +30 era could please hold on long enough until the next +30 era arrives, it would be grealty appreciated. 

CC has always looked so good on a Honda. Hope he keeps this form and has a great year like his  450mx season at star.

Very impressed with CC.  Making passes up front…. Riding fast and smooth.  I like what I saw.

Believe it or not, for the first time in several years, he is healthy, both physically and psycologically.

Good night for Quad Lock Honda; Christian’s return to form and Deano wrapping up the Aussie title.

I’m all here for a head down and wanting to prove people wrong Christian Craig, he was hauling lastnight. He could’ve stayed at Star for another year and not ride while collecting a paycheck, he obviously wants to be out there and he looks like he’s putting in the work. Good for him. 

Or a Star 250

I dunno... Good on Craig. But I'm skeptical it'll translate to AMA SX. Hasn't done a lot in a few years... Technically these are still just off season races and should be critiqued as such. Happy to see him do well tho. 

Maybe it's more of a telling tell to where the top tier contenders are at. Jet may walk it this year.

I'm stoked Eli struggled. You need that to learn. I was skeptical Vancouver was too good to be true, but those little slide outs and the whoops gave them some stuff to work on, which I'm excited about. 

I think the track was gnarly and CC was feeling it, so you get what you got, a technician on a technical track (alliteration shout out).

as said many times in this thread already. Dude been dealing with a janky elbow for a few years now.  Being sidelined this past year more than likely gave it the proper healing time it needed and it’s now showing on the Honda. 

Craig rode great and it would be awesome to have another player in the top five but feel that his performances in WSX is fools gold and he will be lucky to be top 10 in AMA SX. Hope to be proven wrong come A1.

Sounds like Christian is sorta pissed off a bit…and feels he has something to prove…

Nice

I hope he continues to use that and build on it.

Get Some 💪🏼

I just hope all these guys are healthy come A1

Let's revisit this again at the halfway point of AMA SX... I hope he does do well... I just have my doubts it'll be at or near the pointy end as these performances have been.

I was at the race and was super impressed/surprised by Craig. He's very smooth with good style. Very unassuming. Other guys you can easily see and hear when they're pushing. With Craig, to me, he didn't stand out at all but he then qualified really well and obviously did good in the motos. It was kinda "oh...Craig? Geez". I was definitely humbled by seeing a healthy comfortable Craig. 

I was at A2 in 2022, I've never seen some hitting the whoops as fast as he did on that 250. 

What was it 3 months ago that many on this site called him a waste and did not put in the work. Never understood the hate for this guy. Seems like a great dad and husband. He has major talent still at his age 32 I think ? He is not going to win but top 10 in 2026 would be a major win for him and the team. And yes he has always looked better on the Honda. 

Sorry, but during the regular season he's a 10th place guy at best.

Is 10th in the premier class shabby nowadays? I think he'd be happy with that wouldn't he? Not like he expects to win races or titles in the 450 class 

It definitely is not and we need to somehow get the people outside the top 5 recognition, both for their skills and exposure to their sponsors. But some here are talking like CC is going to be challenging for wins.

I don't really remember any negative comments or hate towards Craig from way back then but once Craig started being in the 250 title contention and Feld had the idea to constantly show those cringe "overcome adversity" videos multiple times every single SX race it really started brewing here. Since then it's definitely weird and forced hate. (I also made my age jokes though, so I'm definitely not innocent)

On the one hand people are saying there is not enough factory spots and too many privateers, but when someone who is a 4-8th guy in outdoors and like 6-10th guy in SX (when healthy) they say someone like that doesn't deserve a factory ride. Kinda ironic, no?

The Honda's looked great in the whoops with the Yamaha a` close second. Suzuki had its moments and The KTM pretty much sucked

Good summary; I think a lot of people (especially younger riders/fans) may not realize just how bad his back injury was back on Troy Lee Honda in 2009.  That kind of stuff sticks with you, and you couple that with his seriously jacked up elbow injury, and he's definitely been through the ringer.  He's had opportunities for sure, but he has put in the effort (even when the outcome wasn't what he wanted).  I like the dude....

CC was fighting for podiums on the YZ450 outdoors. Then he joined a team struggling with a new chassis and had mediocre results, followed by a severe injury. He's remarkable, 5th overall in 2022 450 MX. What is the logic for dismissing Craig as a factory rider while thinking Marchbanks deserves a factory ride so bad? Nothing against Marchbanks, I just don't see why one deserves a pedestal while the other should be discarded.

hows the knee bud?

I think it makes a big difference when a rider is focused on racing a series and his toughest competition is on vacation. Except Kenny seems to be racing like it matters. 

Awesome. Thanks! 
💪🏼