Percent pie, why are Euros faster in moto

McG194
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Guys that are not top 450 racers are coming here and getting top 10's and Paul Malin is saying that anyone in the top 5 MXGP 250 class would be winners here in the Nationals. What is your percentage pie for the reasons. The four choices I'm giving are:

  1. They only ride moto
  2. They don't ride ultra groomed practice tracks
  3. They race more often at the amateur level instead of 5 races per year 
  4. Bike set up (Softer more compliant suspension, motor tuned for low revving)

My percentage pie is:

30% Only moto

50% Riding crap tracks

10% racing more often

10% Bike set up

 

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JazzyJJ
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7/21/2026 10:47am

You're basing this off some incorrect assumptions, mainly:

Taking Malin's troll as gospel 

and

The fastest stateside rider currently riding with one foot. 

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sandman768
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7/21/2026 10:47am

Euros are on it Bro…. Team Green is moving to Belgiums as we speak….

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7/21/2026 10:48am
McG194 wrote:
Guys that are not top 450 racers are coming here and getting top 10's and Paul Malin is saying that anyone in the top 5 MXGP...

Guys that are not top 450 racers are coming here and getting top 10's and Paul Malin is saying that anyone in the top 5 MXGP 250 class would be winners here in the Nationals. What is your percentage pie for the reasons. The four choices I'm giving are:

  1. They only ride moto
  2. They don't ride ultra groomed practice tracks
  3. They race more often at the amateur level instead of 5 races per year 
  4. Bike set up (Softer more compliant suspension, motor tuned for low revving)

My percentage pie is:

30% Only moto

50% Riding crap tracks

10% racing more often

10% Bike set up

 

I would say 70% is racing way more often from the time they are on 80cc and not relying on training facilities. The other 30% is riding only moto and not being fussy on riding groomed tracks.

 

I'm a huge fan of Malin, massive respect for what he did as a rider and the broadcast career he has created. But I think he's a little off on that take. You can't use Southwick as a example of Euro's coming and doing well. I know we have other examples from this past weekend at Millville but those a top tier riders.

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Tim507
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7/21/2026 11:03am
McG194 wrote:
Guys that are not top 450 racers are coming here and getting top 10's and Paul Malin is saying that anyone in the top 5 MXGP...

Guys that are not top 450 racers are coming here and getting top 10's and Paul Malin is saying that anyone in the top 5 MXGP 250 class would be winners here in the Nationals. What is your percentage pie for the reasons. The four choices I'm giving are:

  1. They only ride moto
  2. They don't ride ultra groomed practice tracks
  3. They race more often at the amateur level instead of 5 races per year 
  4. Bike set up (Softer more compliant suspension, motor tuned for low revving)

My percentage pie is:

30% Only moto

50% Riding crap tracks

10% racing more often

10% Bike set up

 

I had the opportunity to race MX in Germany 73-75. To do it over I would go back to Germany / Europe and do it again! For all the reasons you listed. As for the % analysis I would have to ponder that a bit. 

Racing in Europe was an awesome experience as it teaches and promotes skills not particularly balls and who can go the fastest, though that certainly is important!

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The Shop

early
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7/21/2026 11:07am

40% only moto

20% crap tracks

20% more high caliber amateur racing

20% attitude/heart

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TeamGreen
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7/21/2026 11:08am

Answer…

Less preservatives in their food. 

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The Moth
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7/21/2026 11:09am Edited Date/Time 7/21/2026 11:36am

The two fastest guys in the world right now are not euros. It’s Hunter and Jett Lawrence.  

 But to give your question a little more consideration, I think the two main reasons are the amateur system they have in Europe, and also the fact that they focus solely on outdoors. 

Whether anyone likes it or not, more emphasis is placed on Supercross, and our amateur system is unfortunately being ruined by greed. When you look at Supercross tracks today, they are cookie cutter tracks.  The guys can replicate them at their compound and they can go out there on the first lap and jump every rhythm section.

Back in the 80s and 90s the Supercross tracks are much different and it honed a riders technical skill much more than the tracks do today. 

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chill014
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7/21/2026 11:11am

Worked out well for prado.

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johnk408
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7/21/2026 11:18am
The Moth wrote:
The two fastest guys in the world right now are not euros. It’s Hunter and Jett Lawrence.   But to give your question a little more consideration...

The two fastest guys in the world right now are not euros. It’s Hunter and Jett Lawrence.  

 But to give your question a little more consideration, I think the two main reasons are the amateur system they have in Europe, and also the fact that they focus solely on outdoors. 

Whether anyone likes it or not, more emphasis is placed on Supercross, and our amateur system is unfortunately being ruined by greed. When you look at Supercross tracks today, they are cookie cutter tracks.  The guys can replicate them at their compound and they can go out there on the first lap and jump every rhythm section.

Back in the 80s and 90s the Supercross tracks are much different and it honed a riders technical skill much more than the tracks do today. 

Who came to the us after riding/racing and training in Europe.

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McG194
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7/21/2026 11:19am
The Moth wrote:
The two fastest guys in the world right now are not euros. It’s Hunter and Jett Lawrence.   But to give your question a little more consideration...

The two fastest guys in the world right now are not euros. It’s Hunter and Jett Lawrence.  

 But to give your question a little more consideration, I think the two main reasons are the amateur system they have in Europe, and also the fact that they focus solely on outdoors. 

Whether anyone likes it or not, more emphasis is placed on Supercross, and our amateur system is unfortunately being ruined by greed. When you look at Supercross tracks today, they are cookie cutter tracks.  The guys can replicate them at their compound and they can go out there on the first lap and jump every rhythm section.

Back in the 80s and 90s the Supercross tracks are much different and it honed a riders technical skill much more than the tracks do today. 

Where did Hunter and Jett build their base? 

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McG194
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7/21/2026 11:20am
TeamGreen wrote:

Answer…

Less preservatives in their food. 

So much truth. 

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The Moth
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7/21/2026 11:24am
The Moth wrote:
The two fastest guys in the world right now are not euros. It’s Hunter and Jett Lawrence.   But to give your question a little more consideration...

The two fastest guys in the world right now are not euros. It’s Hunter and Jett Lawrence.  

 But to give your question a little more consideration, I think the two main reasons are the amateur system they have in Europe, and also the fact that they focus solely on outdoors. 

Whether anyone likes it or not, more emphasis is placed on Supercross, and our amateur system is unfortunately being ruined by greed. When you look at Supercross tracks today, they are cookie cutter tracks.  The guys can replicate them at their compound and they can go out there on the first lap and jump every rhythm section.

Back in the 80s and 90s the Supercross tracks are much different and it honed a riders technical skill much more than the tracks do today. 

McG194 wrote:

Where did Hunter and Jett build their base? 

With Greg Moss back in Australia.  

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7/21/2026 11:24am

60% riding tracks that are prepped the same, ripped deep with a ton of water/mulch.   Then not riding dry, hardpack or deep, loose beach sand type tracks.. that's a huge part of it. 

30% racing less.. focusing on the premier amateur events on the same ripped, corduroy tracks  

10% setup and moto only

 

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RDnutz
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7/21/2026 11:56am

PEDs

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7/21/2026 12:28pm

Realistically Americans do sx almost 9 months out of the year outside time off and mx for 3 months.  Thats pretty disadvantageous no matter how you cut it

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7/21/2026 12:42pm
The Moth wrote:
The two fastest guys in the world right now are not euros. It’s Hunter and Jett Lawrence.   But to give your question a little more consideration...

The two fastest guys in the world right now are not euros. It’s Hunter and Jett Lawrence.  

 But to give your question a little more consideration, I think the two main reasons are the amateur system they have in Europe, and also the fact that they focus solely on outdoors. 

Whether anyone likes it or not, more emphasis is placed on Supercross, and our amateur system is unfortunately being ruined by greed. When you look at Supercross tracks today, they are cookie cutter tracks.  The guys can replicate them at their compound and they can go out there on the first lap and jump every rhythm section.

Back in the 80s and 90s the Supercross tracks are much different and it honed a riders technical skill much more than the tracks do today. 

McG194 wrote:

Where did Hunter and Jett build their base? 

Early years Greg Moss, but Heiko klepka heavily influenced their current style. Jett was with Heiko for about three years. 

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Robgvx
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7/21/2026 12:52pm

The two fastest guys in the US (and world?) also race Supercross. So it’s not that. 

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joshd
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7/21/2026 12:55pm

There is a reason all these 30 year old guys are still around. They can still compete, they are also the last generation to RACE and not grow up at training facilities.

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PRM31
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Fantasy
7/21/2026 12:56pm

80

15

4

Though the fastest two guys still race SMX, soooo… 


All SMX guys would be better at MX if SX didn’t exist and all they did was MX. However, that is pure fantasy and I think fans and racers like SX as well. I know I prefer the variety. If all they want to do in Europe is race MX, that’s fine by me too. 

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joshd
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7/21/2026 12:59pm

There is a reason all these 30 year old guys are still around. They can still compete. They are also the last generation to RACE and not grow up at training facilities.

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7/21/2026 1:05pm
joshd wrote:
There is a reason all these 30 year old guys are still around. They can still compete. They are also the last generation to RACE and...

There is a reason all these 30 year old guys are still around. They can still compete. They are also the last generation to RACE and not grow up at training facilities.

If that's you, Sherriff, :salute:

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BossWool2800
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7/21/2026 1:16pm Edited Date/Time 7/21/2026 1:18pm
McG194 wrote:
Guys that are not top 450 racers are coming here and getting top 10's and Paul Malin is saying that anyone in the top 5 MXGP...

Guys that are not top 450 racers are coming here and getting top 10's and Paul Malin is saying that anyone in the top 5 MXGP 250 class would be winners here in the Nationals. What is your percentage pie for the reasons. The four choices I'm giving are:

  1. They only ride moto
  2. They don't ride ultra groomed practice tracks
  3. They race more often at the amateur level instead of 5 races per year 
  4. Bike set up (Softer more compliant suspension, motor tuned for low revving)

My percentage pie is:

30% Only moto

50% Riding crap tracks

10% racing more often

10% Bike set up

 

How many times do we have to say - MXGP is different than SX and MX! Why is that so hard to understand?! Guys starting this bs are only looking to stir the pot. Smh 🙄

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early
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7/21/2026 1:20pm
Robgvx wrote:

The two fastest guys in the US (and world?) also race Supercross. So it’s not that. 

The brothers started out in the US better at MX than SX after racing in Europe, but they worked to even it out with a good attitude.

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7/21/2026 1:20pm

Better amateur system. Their kids actually race. A lot. 

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joshd
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7/21/2026 1:23pm
joshd wrote:
There is a reason all these 30 year old guys are still around. They can still compete. They are also the last generation to RACE and...

There is a reason all these 30 year old guys are still around. They can still compete. They are also the last generation to RACE and not grow up at training facilities.

If that's you, Sherriff, :salute:

I'm just a regular guy. RIP to the Sherriff!

FreshTopEnd
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7/21/2026 1:28pm

These things come and go in cycles as individual talent pops up here and there year in and year out.  

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mxaniac
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7/21/2026 1:34pm

I'll answer what advantages I think they have:

50% More diverse track conditions

30% More outdoor seat time / focus

15% Better amateur program

5% Exposure to a wider variety of setup options (no production rule) should help them develop better ability to assess setup.

I didn't read the other replies, some of them could likely convince me otherwise, but this was my initial thoughts.

And I didn't concede they are better. For every Sasha example, we also see the opposite like Prado. It's clearly complicated. US riders would also have some advantages over them.

CPR
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7/21/2026 1:56pm

35% amateur development. 
40% tracks. 
20% moto. 
5% bike.

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ShipLap
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7/21/2026 2:08pm
McG194 wrote:
Guys that are not top 450 racers are coming here and getting top 10's and Paul Malin is saying that anyone in the top 5 MXGP...

Guys that are not top 450 racers are coming here and getting top 10's and Paul Malin is saying that anyone in the top 5 MXGP 250 class would be winners here in the Nationals. What is your percentage pie for the reasons. The four choices I'm giving are:

  1. They only ride moto
  2. They don't ride ultra groomed practice tracks
  3. They race more often at the amateur level instead of 5 races per year 
  4. Bike set up (Softer more compliant suspension, motor tuned for low revving)

My percentage pie is:

30% Only moto

50% Riding crap tracks

10% racing more often

10% Bike set up

 

Americans are in a decade-long slump, is more likely the reason.

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ShipLap
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7/21/2026 2:11pm

These things come and go in cycles as individual talent pops up here and there year in and year out.  

Was that a PUN?

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