First of all, I’m a huge Chase Sexton fan. Dudes fundamentals and riding style are amazing, he’s a smart dude and funny. Not cocky, can be self deprecating and doesn’t take himself too serious despite being one of the best athletes in our entire sport.
Listening to the Hunter Yoder podcast with Gypsy the other day, he’s talking about the relationship with him and his dad. Moto dads in general. The dad decides everything forever. They become over involved and convinced their kid that they know best. When they’re children, they do know best. 17-18-19 that changes. The rider has to be able to make a decision and trust their gut.
I think unfortunately with guys who are pretty notorious like Chases dad, the issue is not entirely Chase. I think these dudes either have a Darren Lawrence type dad who supports but knows his place, or an Alessi type who mangles the whole situation.
I really think Chase is one of the best. I wonder how much of his problem is his dad.
IDK about taking himself too serious. In almost every interview I’ve seen lately Chase talks about being in his own head and having some dark moments. He also talks about over analyzing bike setup.
I would say Chase totally takes himself too serious and is his own worst enemy and would benefit from a good sports psychologist.
This is whats frustrating as a tuner. Rider tried a certain part. Says he doesn’t like it. Later, many weeks later, rider wants to try part again. Now he loves it. A week later… wants to put the old part back on again.
Sometimes the dad knows best forever sometimes not, every case is different so you definitely can’t use it as a generalization.
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Parents are the reason I gave up coaching and umpiring sports. They try to live through the kid. Dads are bad, but actually, Moms were the worst. They knew they weren't going to smacked in the lip.
Many are but not all. It’s that the bad ones are the loud ones so it makes them seem like the majority.
I have kids in sports and cringe literally every time. Always some parent doing something stupid. They're 10 for Gods sake
I enjoy when my grown adult sons call and ask me for advice but I'm not going to try to lead them by the hand for life. In stick and ball sports the parents have to let go because those pro sport teams would not tolerate parents trying to be in the middle of the coaches plans.
My oldest son is thirty. He still comes to me with problems, and I offer solutions. Just like with everyone else, right?
But I've learned the hard way, that Dad offering feedback/advice is taken differently. It carries more weight. Its a weird phenomena, similar to being promoted at work, and becoming the boss of a group where you were previously a team member. Your words carry more weight than you expect sometimes.
Its not always selfishness, or ill intent, but sometimes your feedback is accepted as directive vs merely suggestion. Its hard being a dad.
I've learned to listen more, and offer advice less, but it isn't easy!
Chase hasn't seemed like he has been having fun on the bike in several years. Maybe it's not a big deal and maybe he is enjoying it...but if you really are having a good time, it shows. And, he is not showing like he even likes riding any longer.
Correct my post is about his father’s involvement creating that indecision and lack of ability to trust his gut. That’s what my point is as well
I'm not saying this applies currently.... but there's been many a moto parent in the kids ear , they think they know the missing piece with setup, and steer the rider who's already had a degree of success in that direction.
"Its not always selfishness, or ill intent, but sometimes your feedback is accepted as directive vs merely suggestion. Its hard being a dad."
This, being a dad is hard haha. I still race regularly at a reasonably high level so my two boys have pestered me enough to come racing. I don't push them, as long as they're riding safely and having fun that's all I care about if they want to do better for themselves I'll offer advice. I can't help but roll my eyes at a lot of the parents on race days and how ridiculously they act especially the ones that have never ridden? The 6 to 11 year old range seems to be the worst.
I heard Alan Goldberg is pretty good. He works with Olympians, but has a history of being successful in helping many different types of athletes. Including motorsports.
He even meets over Zoom! Just a measly $350 an hour.
But honestly, if Chase isnt already talking to someone consistently, I would be blown away.
Just like with Kenny in the early days, the weight of high expectations can be crushing. Kenny's horrific accident(s) lead him to a mental renaissance, where he was able to shed those expectations, and clearly find enjoyment in the sport.
In the beginning, Chase was deemed the heir apparent after early success in the 250 class, his build, and the speed he showed. He has become a journeyman trying to meet/outrun his early expectations. Life is difficult and the reason to love this sport is way beyond our common enjoyment of motorcycles. At the professional level, it seems to be mostly about toughness, tenacity, and resilience. Chase is all those things, and he will be ok, just like Kenny.
He didn’t have early success in 250s. He won the championship when Austin was hurt. He didn’t have much success in 250 outdoor races. Many thought he moved to 460s too quickly. If anything his speed on a 450 was a surprise not an expectation
2018 Rookie of the year; 2019 250 East SX Champion; 2020 250 East SX Champion
He was 450 outdoors in 2019, I think.
I'm a big fan of Chase but he spells it out in his interviews. He definitely overthinks bike setup and dwells on it too much.
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He was outdoors in 2020 but you pretty much had it, I might be the minority but I also didn’t expect too much from him in the 450’s based on how he wasn’t incredibly flashy in the 250’s but he over delivered on expectations incredibly, the speed he was going at 2022 Washougal was jaw-bouncing
Random thought but it’s crazy to see how impressive Chase is was and now and know he wasn’t even the most impressive rookie in 2020 outdoors, Dylan’s rookie outdoor season was better than Chase’s sophomore season somehow too
Yes and no. If Michael Jordan is my dad I’m listening to him when I play…
It’s pretty simple really, he proved last weekend that it’s all a matter of his perspective. When he has a positive attitude and wills himself to the front, he ends up there. He could probably podium on a Beta. He just needs to believe in himself and trust the team.
good think you didnt post this in the that there Anderson thread
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