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I get it (and i like the analogy btw), but I just can't believe that if the bike was as bad as people are making it out to be, that you wouldn't be able to tell that through the cloudiest of judgment.
I understand the team at Kawi is probably dysfunctional, and I get it could have some effect by way of stress or something, but can management really have that big of an effect on Chases ability to ride the bike? What else is it about management (other than bike changes) that could have such a big affect on one persons performance?
Exactly my point. Thanks.
No I think you pretty much nailed it - when the stars and moon align he'll try. Otherwise, he won't.
The only difference is you find that admirable and I find it disgraceful.
"Members of the jury my client does steal from the company it's true, but he also does really good work when the air conditioning is properly set."
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I will take a stab at that.
I think he took advantage of everyone easing into the season following the old "you can't win the championship at round 1, but you can lose it" method. That combined with a renewed mental approach and the need to show the world he can ride fast probably had him peaking the exact opposite of everyone else.
I also don't think your explanation explains why he goes backwards in every race now. If he was just mailing it in, wouldn't he finish in the spot he started, relatively? Can you explain that one to me?
That's a weird interpretation. Chase has bad early races, crashes. Then wins. Then crashes in practice and sits out for awhile. Then, 8-10 races in, says he just has to learn to ride what he's got and ends up off the podium regularly. Is it really the stars aligning, or that he or the team just isn't able to put the bike in the same place Honda and KTM did when he won championships for them. I think it is the latter; if he was on KTM this year he'd be a championship contender.
As an elite level rider, isn't Kawasaki the last place you would go if money was the same?
We're talking about Jorge Prado not Chase Sexton. I know it's confusing because posters like aees have to make every Sexton thread about Prado.
Going 4th in the 9th round isn't when top riders is still easing into it. He has been fastest in qualifying, so a bit hard to argue he doesn't have the speed.
You will go in a pace you are sure you won't crash in. I think there is plenty of examples of riders crashing last few weeks that could have benefited from dropping the pace and not risking it. Shouldn't forget that he is one out of few that doesn't care about money and bonuses in SX, and just a few that don't have to race for a renewed contract. All of them will still go for it more than Prado.
You don't think Chase could do better, if he really needed? Same thing there. Risk, motivation.
One of the most interesting things Chase said recently is they are changing the bike a ton but he’s not really feeling any difference on the track. And I think that could play into it.
When these guys try a different bike I doubt they like everything right away, but figure with some massaging they can get it where they want to. I’m not saying that’s what Chase thought but it could be part of the equation.
Yeah aees wants Chase to quit so bad because in his mind that exonerates George for what he did last year….He’s actually justifying him “:Mailing it in” it’s insanity! I would think it actually says more about Georges character or lack thereof if that’s actually the case…
My total guess is that company men management types have blind spots and ultimately want to keep their bosses happy. If the bike is bad they're never going to go to their bosses and unload on them about how bad the bike is. They'll do anything and everything within the window that won't offend their bosses. Any shortcomings after that are described to the bosses as being rider issues. The riders and their camp sense this even if it's not told to them and feel like their bosses aren't doing enough. There's some degree of truth to everyone's positions and it results in the stalemate we're seeing now.
Compare that with the way people talk about a Larry Brooks. Those guys are desperate to win for him because he has shown them he'll step on toes and do whatever he can to help them win.
Again, this is all a guess, but this kind of management dynamic where the only real job requirement is keeping your boss happy, regardless of how much the people below you think you suck, is healthcare management in a nutshell and it's soul sucking.
You might want to ask James Stewart, Chad Reed and Andrew Short about working for Larry Brooks.
I do think those experiences as well as the dog days of Slater Skins Yamaha etc softened him up a bit to Kenny's benefit.
Maybe not the best example.... there's a large chunk of time from the med school and residency days that I was oblivious to the world around me and couldn't tell you much of anything that happened, but you get the point.
ROFL, he probably shouldn’t bet his mobile home on that prediction….
Haha I hear you from 1996 - 2000 I couldn't tell you anything that happened in the world outside of one building.
DBlair mentioned that Chase might be considering leaving Kawi early. Check his weekly show for mlre details. Sounds crazy to me. Hoping Chase figures it out for the outdoor series
Personal time…
All this talk of the KX is making me want one.
Pit Row
I mean they're good bikes for us slowpokes.
Most likely since Sexton (and Prado last year) said lots of work had been done but very little, next to zero progress.
Very puzzling how a Factory Team with years of testing, mechanics, top level riders and test riders cannot get the bike or the riders to be comfortable?
All of the factors listed - the bike, team issues, team intransigence - probably have a bearing, but the one common denominator is Chase himself. He's had similiar issues with every 450 team he's been with.
My theory is Jett Lawrence is massively in his head. He knows he can't really beat him on a regular basis and rather than accept this - and in order to continue being motivated - he has made up this imaginary mythical bike set-up existing 'somewhere' that can 'match' his 'real' speed. Therefore, he doesn't have to accept his own deficiencies.
Problem wasn't same on Honda or KTM. I mean he went from last to first on the KTM.
Don't see him coming anywhere close to that on the kawi in outdoors. I think the Kawi is not even close to being in the window and riders feel that right away. As Carmichael said, he could feel a new headpipe wasn't going to work riding from the pits to the track.
I think Jett is causing issues for all riders because they will need to have a Tomac 2015 level of setup to beat him since they are down on talent, starts and other things. I mean Webb went back to 2025 bike when he heard Jett was out, no more searching to try and get a better setup.
Only Keefer would know. He seems to be only guy defending Kawasaki right now.
This is exactly what is happening
Cmon, you really believe that?
Yes, I do. unless Chase shows up on a Star Yamaha at Pala, he will not beat those three a single moto where there isn’t a crash or mechanical
Man, I hope you're wrong. I'm not willing to bet you thats for sure lol
He’s battling Justin Hill right now!! It’s not good
Funny how you could replace Chase’s name with Jorge in that paragraph and still makes sense.
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