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MC isn't comparable to RC either. Yeah, 2 more sx titles but 9 less outdoor tiles.
Fuck yeah. There's no way the tunnel jump hasn't been chopped down since RC used to jump it. Even 250 guys jump it now
"Bubba was shocked at Mount Morris last year (2025). In the second moto, he got the holeshot and took off, setting lap times 6 seconds faster than any laid down during practice. To his horror, a yellow bike showed up on his tail, gaining on him. Ricky caught and passed him and pulled away.."
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Looks familiar. Just sayin.
I agree. I dont think its as far either, at least not in person. Theres quite a few that jump it on amateur day as well.
OP’s comparison is disrespectful to RC. It’s much easier to list what Ricky Carmichael didn’t win vs. what he did.
1997 125 SX
1999 250 SX
2000 250 SX
He is the greatest of all time. I don’t see anybody surpassing his accomplishments ever.
Records are meant to be broken, and ever is a looooong time.
Meanwhile there's some kid of a 50 right now saying "hold my sippy cup, I got this"
Jett's career isn't over what are we comparing?
In comparing him to RC, yes it is over. He missed the mark because he didn’t win 10 titles straight and retire at 26. Not enough time between his current age and 26 to do so.
If stats are everything why even have the conversation?
Everybody watching Jett limp off that stage got a reminder of just how hard it is to be the next Ricky Carmichael.
It is not good enough to have blazing speed, race craft, a championship level team around you, unbelievable fitness and endurance, a fierce competitive mindset, confidence through the roof, or to avoid injuries.
You have to have all of that. Season after season. Year after year. You cant stumble. The relentlessness is almost impossible to match.
There’s been a few better riders than RC, Jett being one of them. There has never been a better racer than RC.
That’s technically correct.
The whole narrative about RC not being a great rider or not having great technique is just lazy analysis by commentators trying to come up with a way to compare him to his competitors.
RC consistently beat his competition by 30 seconds or more. Jett has never had that ability. RC had the speed and technique.
And please don't angle me as a Jett hater. He is a already an all-timer with abilities and a record that stand alone.
But, we are comparing him to Ricky.
Wait, so a win only counts now if its by 30 seconds or more?
That's the stupidest statement I've read all day (and I've read all the Deegan threads).
A win is a win.
Well I didn't say that, so it's not the dumbest thing you've read, it's the dumbest thing you've said.
Now, if you want to chime in on a comparison of race wins between RC and Jett, then please go ahead. I'm more than happy to accept all race wins regardless of the gap. Who's won more races up to this point in their career?
"The whole narrative about RC not being a great rider or not having great technique is just lazy analysis by commentators trying to come up with a way to compare him to his competitors.
RC consistently beat his competition by 30 seconds or more. Jett has never had that ability."
So getting the win is not enough unless you can beat your competitors by 30 seconds ?
Pit Row
A win is a win, however some wins are bigger beat downs than others
I don’t think RC , James or Reed would put the same gaps on today’s field as back then. As a whole these kids today are much more fit than the riders back then were and the bikes they’re on are more competitive throughout the field.
Jeez buddy. It was a comparison of speed, not race wins.
Now bust out the race win stats.
You might be right about that. I definitely do think think that fitness is better now from 1st to 40th. I know privateers around here that win mountain bike races. But, it seems like the top 5 factory guys have always had elite fitness (just not the current science).
I mean in the 70s and early 80s they were racing 40 minute motos. And guys would race multiple classes. I dont think RC was the first person to focus on fitness.
But, anyway RCs speed vs Jetts is not the Hill I want to die on. I've never seen anyone look more fluid or comfortable on a bike than Jett. Not even close.
I agree with everything you said BrotherMan…💯👍🏻
The men’s mile world record still stands from 1999. Some things don’t change much even with new technology. The bikes today are better no doubt, but Ricky would be Ricky no matter what era you plug him in to. He is the most disciplined rider in history. He didn’t wear jewelry, didn’t buy flashy cars or mansions, didn’t have a smoking hot girlfriend, didn’t joke around, had few friends, and didn’t care much about fans and rarely gave autographs. He was a stone cold killer and truly only cared about one thing—winning. There’s nobody like him.
I agree.
That 97’ 125 SX title loss was the beginning of the GOAT. Fast as hell chubby kid was all over the map. Eye test told you he was the fastest…by far…but control and discipline were missing. Watching Tim Ferry get that trophy(without winning one race if I remember) made every fiber of his being change how he approached every season after that. Yes, the King held him off for his early big bike SX title…but MC could dissect an SX track like no one else ever could. Still not sure who would have prevailed in SX had they been the same age. I really didn’t like RC early on…like most MC fans…but watching the speed and dedication you couldn’t not like, or at least respect, him. Also, I was at his rig in the pits in Dallas after he won his first big bike title and when RC hands you a championship shirt fresh off the bike…well…you’re gonna be a fan. (It was nice to have friends in the industry…lol) After this…it was a race for 2nd for all the other riders….until Stew would challenge him. Not sure anyone will ever come that close in the end….including Jett.
Cool story and great memory (nice keepsake there too), but you forgot DV and Reedy who both challenged him for wins and titles. I still believe if DV didn't get hurt during that photo shoot he would have taken the championship that year, but no astrics in racing, RC was a killer.
RC spotted DV 25 points as well that year
I barely remember that season. What happened?
Truly a run of dominance that is extremely rare across any sport. Even most GOATs of other sports weren't truly THE best guy for 6-7 seasons in a row... they typically were among the best, for a very very long time, with maybe some of those years being the best.
The only comparison I can think of from the last few decades is prime steroid-era Barry Bonds.
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