Company men😕

el j
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44
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Location
north augusta, SC US

As a former athlete and competitor I despise “team tactics” in idividual type sports. JC32 is the class example. I am not disparaging him personally but he is sacrificing his own career by placing the team as one of his main considerations in race strategy. The greats in all individual sports generally are not “team players”. They are single minded selfish death vipers when the game starts, the green light comes, the gate drops etc. 

JC32 has allowed himself to become second banana at Yamaha. It’s been going on since he’s been there. Especially when riding around CW2. Last night was a great example… He kicks ass second moto, but can’t pass Webb in the third? Spare me the explanations. No real competitor would tolerate it. Yea he can make a living but will never be a champion. In his mind he has relegated himself to the first loser.

I thought he had a ton of potentional when he showed up in the 250’s. 

Musquin was another example, although slightly less extreme in Dungey’s latter years, until Dungey hung it up. Mervin did have some success.

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32
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3/8/2026 5:06pm

Every rider should be trying to be like this now that deegan is on the field the only choice will be team tactics!

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el_donn
Posts
63
Joined
2/3/2025
Location
Alpine, CA US
3/8/2026 8:08pm
el j wrote:
As a former athlete and competitor I despise “team tactics” in idividual type sports. JC32 is the class example. I am not disparaging him personally but...

As a former athlete and competitor I despise “team tactics” in idividual type sports. JC32 is the class example. I am not disparaging him personally but he is sacrificing his own career by placing the team as one of his main considerations in race strategy. The greats in all individual sports generally are not “team players”. They are single minded selfish death vipers when the game starts, the green light comes, the gate drops etc. 

JC32 has allowed himself to become second banana at Yamaha. It’s been going on since he’s been there. Especially when riding around CW2. Last night was a great example… He kicks ass second moto, but can’t pass Webb in the third? Spare me the explanations. No real competitor would tolerate it. Yea he can make a living but will never be a champion. In his mind he has relegated himself to the first loser.

I thought he had a ton of potentional when he showed up in the 250’s. 

Musquin was another example, although slightly less extreme in Dungey’s latter years, until Dungey hung it up. Mervin did have some success.

Justin is terrible at passing and he’s the first one to admit it. His best results come from a 1-3 place start where he usually sits for the entirety of the race. On top of that, the one place where Webb is really weak and makes it easy to pass him is in the whoops which is also where J Coop is just as weak. Webb is notoriously hard to pass because he rides like he has eyes in the back of his head. So when someone like J Coop tries to get by and already struggles at passing, the opportunities are going to be even slimmer. And to top it all off, I can’t see J Coop getting aggressive against any of his team mates. It’s just not his style. 

21
Sully
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JP
3/8/2026 8:33pm
eb35ea0a-7e0d-4a28-8a3c-1e98f33c16ff text
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steveloyer
Posts
255
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11/29/2022
Location
Palmer, AK US
3/9/2026 3:29am

jesus christ.

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2

The Shop

EAmato88
Posts
558
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1/23/2019
Location
Egg Harbor City, NJ US
3/9/2026 4:12am

straight to the dumbgeon, and make it quick please

13
1
Bearuno
Posts
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Location
AU
3/9/2026 6:33am

I see el_donn's points as being far more accurate than the OPs.

I was really stoked to see JCs win in the  2nd Moto.

I'm not a  super fan of any Brand, or Team, or Rider, but I'd like to see Justin win a SX event outright . I think that would be quite a boost to his self confidence, and, may unlock a few more.

Heck, he's running 5th in the series - a series so many of you tout as the Best / Most Important  in the World - that's not too bloody bad, I reckon. 

 

3
HondaFan33
Posts
185
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4/1/2008
Location
Lawrence , KS US
3/9/2026 6:47am Edited Date/Time 3/9/2026 6:49am

So Justin Cooper is K.C. Carlyle and Cooper Webb is Rowdy Sparks. Got it. That must make Tomac the other Carlyle brother Trip who comes in later and wins it all. 

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2
3/9/2026 8:05am
el j wrote:
As a former athlete and competitor I despise “team tactics” in idividual type sports. JC32 is the class example. I am not disparaging him personally but...

As a former athlete and competitor I despise “team tactics” in idividual type sports. JC32 is the class example. I am not disparaging him personally but he is sacrificing his own career by placing the team as one of his main considerations in race strategy. The greats in all individual sports generally are not “team players”. They are single minded selfish death vipers when the game starts, the green light comes, the gate drops etc. 

JC32 has allowed himself to become second banana at Yamaha. It’s been going on since he’s been there. Especially when riding around CW2. Last night was a great example… He kicks ass second moto, but can’t pass Webb in the third? Spare me the explanations. No real competitor would tolerate it. Yea he can make a living but will never be a champion. In his mind he has relegated himself to the first loser.

I thought he had a ton of potentional when he showed up in the 250’s. 

Musquin was another example, although slightly less extreme in Dungey’s latter years, until Dungey hung it up. Mervin did have some success.

For a brief moment, JCoop rode like a guy who needs to secure a ride for next year.  That's because he's a guy who needs to secure a ride for next year.

It was good to see him ride with some aggression.  Hopefully wherever he lands next year can work to get more out of him.  The guy has untapped potential.

2
KurtJ99
Posts
2322
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2/6/2017
Location
CA US
3/9/2026 8:22am

Justin does have a history of starting well and fading back, but this year the opposite because his starts haven't been as good and he's been better at passing. He passed Eli is M2 at Indy after Eli made a mistake, coincidentally costing Eli the overall win.  

But he couldn't pass CW2? He looks like he was sniffing for the pass all M3 but Cooper (unlike Eli) didn't have a rhythm lane mistake that gave him the opportunity.  So there is some smoke there, but not sure about the fire. 

3strokemx
Posts
2305
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Location
US
3/9/2026 10:19am

You all need to give more respect to a "Former Athlete and Competitor"

1
1
3/9/2026 12:44pm

Im gonna say 2 thing. You must be new to make that comment about j.coop. but at the end of the day hes not in the title fight right now and Webb is. Anyone with half a fuckin brain an 1 functional brain cell would race forward but if you're around ur team mate l, whos faster at the moment, who is in the title fight you're not in, you make the Smart decision.

2. Marvin's issues was being at baker factory. I dont care what anyone says or thinks some riders should not be there. Guys like Ricky, RV are naturally bigger guys weight wise. Both of them have shown they can pack on some pounds similarly RD5 he a guy that can hold his weight.

Marvin and a few others were far to thin and under fed. Its been a common issue many people have talked about. A lot of riders there over the years could have benefited from an extra 5 or 6 pounds on their frame.

 

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el j
Posts
44
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Location
north augusta, SC US
3/10/2026 7:32am
Im gonna say 2 thing. You must be new to make that comment about j.coop. but at the end of the day hes not in the...

Im gonna say 2 thing. You must be new to make that comment about j.coop. but at the end of the day hes not in the title fight right now and Webb is. Anyone with half a fuckin brain an 1 functional brain cell would race forward but if you're around ur team mate l, whos faster at the moment, who is in the title fight you're not in, you make the Smart decision.

2. Marvin's issues was being at baker factory. I dont care what anyone says or thinks some riders should not be there. Guys like Ricky, RV are naturally bigger guys weight wise. Both of them have shown they can pack on some pounds similarly RD5 he a guy that can hold his weight.

Marvin and a few others were far to thin and under fed. Its been a common issue many people have talked about. A lot of riders there over the years could have benefited from an extra 5 or 6 pounds on their frame.

 

“New”… you must be the forum expert. You cannot fill your potential while worried about affecting someones else’s potential. Champions know that and, well, that’s why they are champion’s! Who knows what JC32 could have accomplished if he wasn’t worried about staying out of teamate’s way. Whether in a race or a season. I could say the same about many riders. I talking about the diff between an employee and a champion. Once you decide to take the paycheck and be the employee you will never be the champ.

Unfortunately it takes too much precious and fleeting time for some to realize that its not all about the money. I myself admire the guys that don’t have to knock others down, rely on “team tactics” and can generally whip ass because of their own speed and ability. Knowing you are not the fastest, holding people up, and letting guys go… no prob. I have respect for those guys. The fans of the team shat and knocking guys down to get ahead need to go watch reality TV. The broadcasters love to build that stuff up to generate buzz for the weaker minded.

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el j
Posts
44
Joined
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Location
north augusta, SC US
4/6/2026 6:42am

Not trying to kick JC32 in the nads, some of those here are sooooo sensitive. But have you noticed how Cooper has come on since Webb has pretty much faded from the championship? Just asking for a friend?

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