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He's extremely marketable and well liked by nearly everyone and I'm betting he doesn't command a giant salary. I'd say he will continue to be sought after by teams for a few more years unless his speed really falls off a cliff or something.
I’ll probably get flamed for this but he needs to get away from Aldon. The dude is frail looking. Look at him next to Roczen, Sexton, or Tomac.
Mookie, Rv, and Dungey are naturally thicker, heavier guys. Maybe they can sustain the bird diet. We’ve seen it with thinner guys over and over. They can’t sustain that diet. Look at Craig and Ap.
The AP hate in this thread is wild and unexpected
Have it on good knowledge he’s already got a ride away from KTM but nothing signed yet.
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Put him back on a Star Yamaha 450 with Webb and Deegz next year.
Where's the hate?
I’m a little oblivious on who has multi year deals, but I could see HEP, Triumph, and Ducati wanting some AP if the KTM fam doesn’t keep him.
Nah, he's committed to the skullet...
AP, by a mile. Super cool, great with the fans, puts out 100% every race.
I think the skullet has run its course. It's time for the #3 extension on the clippers, all the way around:
It depends, in Europe Prado for sure, in USA probably AP
trust me bro
I would be curious to see what would happen if he stepped into XC1 for an entire season. He's got the background and obviously the heritage.
I remember hearing him say in a interview a few years ago that he would like to do gncc for a year or two after he’s done with mx/sx
AP's employer doesn't care about selling bikes in Europe.
My local mega dealership owner told me they don't sell any more or less 450s that wins a championship. What affects sales based on pro wins is the 250 where younger impressionable fast kids have dad buy what the other local fast kids bought.
If AP goes I think KTM keeps the Cowboy marketing. Which is fine by AP's wife who has said on record he's not a cowboy, he's a redneck.
I’d like to see Beta step up and sign AP. They could use his marketability to bolster the brand, he’d be an upgrade to Bloss or Oldenburg and possibly transition to off road when he’s done with SX.
I made a joke in the offseason about him getting a hair transplant while he was out and couldn’t wear a helmet until it was healed. (Totally made up story by me.)
A few weeks later he posted an instagram story of him wearing a red light cap for hair growth. Wondering if he took a trip to turkey while he was off the bike 😂
Pit Row
I expected the downvotes on my comment but really, who actually sees AP as the #2 rider? Prado has a massive history with the Austrian brand including two MXGP championships. You can hear the difference in even Harrison's voice when he talks about Prado vs AP. One of them is obviously a future plan
Did you know that Kawasaki was number 1 in sales while Prado rode for them? Well did you?
You’re right on all counts. But AP gets 5x the reaction from the crowd. Even in San Diego (not cowboy/redneck country) AP got a huge response during introductions, Prado didn’t get much..
Sounds like he's not all that expensive, and a fan favourite. Fans around the rig is a good thing. I do think the expectation for him is top 10's though.
Not alluding to that at all. I am pointing to the fact that he's never been as consistent as the others on the team...although he's had flashes of success, he is not on the same level a rider as Tomac or (lately) Prado. I just think Aaron might do himself a favor and jump to another team for different...scenery.
You do know that this boss lives in europa.....
Well, the problem with your logic (as I see it), is in every sport I'm aware of, practicing with people better than you elevates your skill level. Why would you leave to a place where you're the best?
TM
This is a great idea
Ummm...$$$? Aaron has a wife & family to support, and although I have no clue as to what he's made or is currently making within his current KTM contract, a bump to a more financially lucrative situation with another team couldn't hurt.
Wild how fast people get down on a rider. Dude won a race last year and held the red plate for multiple rounds, and you could argue he was the 1st person to just straight up pass Jett when he did it at Lakewood. Hit some health issues and has a few below grade races to start the year and we're completely dismissing him already. When healthy he's a constant podium threat with a not unrealistic shot at a win once a year maybe. If he can get his health sorted he's got several more good years left in him.
I think it was James Stewart who said his son was excited to meet the cowboy. Playing that role is definitely working for him. I know some people think it is like a gimmick, but I think it is good for the sport. We need more of that kind of thing.
Need to be careful with that though. If he's getting 500k from KTM, is 750 from Beta a better deal? Working with Roger -Ian on a bike you're comfortable on vs an all new and as of yet unproven platform in supercross and moto.
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