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Yup, technology and the science with training and recovering has paid a big part in the current generation's career longevity.
It took Roczen around 12 years to finally bag the SX Championship at the age of 32. Roczen ain't old. He puts in the work and training required to compete at this level, most of these riders are on par with triathletes.
We need a proper feeder series like over in Europe. The 250 and 450 class is a Pro discipline and has to be open to anyone fast enough to qualify, regardless of age.
(When I started this thread) I didn’t say anyone should leave. I’m 40 and have been a fan since 2000. I’m heavily invested in the storylines of the current 450 class and finding that I don’t really care at all about the 250s. I’m honestly wondering how my interest is going to be affected when all these vets step away.
Prob be more and more foreign riders tbh. Cinema coming over and de wolf at some point sounds like
It’s been the Tomac, Roczen, and Webb show for the past decade. Roczen and Webb will still be competitive in 2027 SX.
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Jett’s already trending in the direction of all the phenoms whose careers were cut short by injury. He just had more success than they did before it began.
This guy /\ gets it.
It's not a grim picture at all. When you are a decently successful pro, and you can represent yourself well, it will open doors for you. Many will go on to careers specifically in the industry in some form or another as gear/goggle guys, sales reps, track builders, team managers, or personnel, brand ambassadors, etc. The only time its a problem is when dudes choose to sit on their hands and let the situation control them.
You make your money, you invest/bank it when and where you can and you have an exit strategy once the time comes. And you need to finish school. Some of the 'home-schooled' kids are on the payroll as early as amateurs.
As a pro, if you're not making money then you need to have an honest conversation with yourself on what you're doing, where your ceiling is and if you're down for the struggle. DV addressed this way back on the Pulp MX show when they were interviewing Ronnie Stewart - Show #207.
I felt the same way as the OP. There is no where to go for some younger talent as long as guys are staying into their 30s. And has has been stated, there is no real training or building class, it's all OJT when the few get to the 450 class. Let's face it, many of the 30 year olds are not title or hardly even win contenders. By moving more 250 guys up faster they couldn't do any worse but at least they could be learning.
If one were to suggest perhaps thst younger riders aren't getting faster, and point to the data of the last 5 years, you'd have a hard time arguing against them.
I remember the days seeing JS7 have qualifying times as fast or faster on a 2004 KX125 as guys on 250 two strokes and some 450's in the big boy class. You knew that rider was ready to take the next step. Stew "qualified" in the top 3 in the big class many times with his KX125, as far as his times were for the 125/250F class
Kitchen, Hymas, Davies, Beaumer, Ryder D and maybe even Hammaker will do well in the 450 class. The rest of the 250 class would be fillers.
In a year or 2, I would get Dudney and Gordon moved up asap.
Precisely. Why cut your own throat by moving up?
I don't think they are.... but I also think that's true for some of the 450 guys as well. Ken won this year, but I doubt he'd beat his 2015-17' self if he lined up and did lap times. He's a better racer now for sure, but not outright faster in his 30's. The same could be said for Tomac and Barcia.
Riders keep rides for a few reasons, but one of them now is because there isn't anyone better coming up to take that spot.
There will be Davies, Deegan, Hunter, Jett, prado, Sexton, Lucas, J Cooper at the top of the class for the foreseeable future. That's a pretty solid group of younger talent! Maybe simoda and kitchen will join as the 30+ crowd starts to deminish some?
more focus on training from an early age and huge advances in treating even the most serious injuries have allowed them to race longer than guys who were injury plagued used to going through their 20's and into their 30s. Common knowledge was 30 used to be the end of careers for most MX racers I grew up watching.
I wouldn't count on Sexton being there 100% long term. Where are all the reports his leg is 100% rehabbed/recovered and given Drs clearance to start riding again? Not EVERYONE fully recovers to race at a top level again with that injury- especially if their head isn't into it anymore. That would seem to be a concern for Sexton getting his mind right and focused.
Yeah but it’s a business, sports entertainment has become name branding & names sells tickets. Fan boys think they know a rider & like there conservative character. They identify with the older riders having a few kids & a trophy wife. There fans will drop big money & the sport is about money . The races are on Saturdays because the riders wanted to be with there families on sun. Last wild rider was JLaw & the sport wanted him out fast. 250 class is stacked back to 25th & they race hard . But they don’t get much media so you don’t know them . Fans here the same names & think there the stars . So that’s why they support them. Vintage mx has better racing, groups dicing , a lot of passes. Mid pack 250 class is great too but nobody knows there names.
This industry does a fairly good job of taking care of the riders who invested a lot of time into it.
The companies that back this sport have rosters full of ex pros of all levels doing all kinds of jobs. If you want to work in this industry when you're older, there's no better way to build a network then by racing in it from youth and to the highest levels
What stands out to me in the OP’s list is that out of the seven riders in their 20s, four are internationals.
So only three young local guys.
The question should be; why is the US system failing to deliver premier class riders? It always did previously.
Pit Row
I agree it's a bit old for the group. But with the Lawrence brothers, Deegan , Prado and Conen the top 5 is stacked next year.
🤔
As I read this I had to laugh…
How old is the current Supercross Champion? And how long ago did he win his 1st Championship? (GP)
How old is the guy that just locked up the MXGP Championship? And when was his 1st World title?
🤣
And the only 2 30+ yr olds that look in shape . Between the two they missed aprox 14 seasons injured . So there not the typical 32 yr olds. Herlings this yr was locked in deep to win & dominate . Ken,s challenger in points was never been in that position . The oldest is Craig he has Great style & is smooth , used to be great in the whoops . Maybe he still is you just never see him. Jett had to work a 1/2 lap to pass him at pala . But that is 1/2 a lap.
The 450 regulars raced what 27-28 races?
Think maybe a 250 guy is more rested? 250 guys race half as many SX races in a split regional series.
So what does it say about the younger guys that are supposed to replace them yet haven't replaced them?
There's a reason the older guys are still being offered contracts and lining up.
Herlings = 32
Febre = 34
Gajser = 30
That's the top 3 in the MXGP points standings with 1 round left. Just sayin'...
Don't forget Coldenhoff. Finished 3rd last year at the age of 34. Turned 35 earlier this year. There's no reason to believe he wouldn't have been in the mix this year.
Great breakdown. It really does feel like we had a lost generation of champs looking at the Sexton, Forkner, AC group (although Sexton had a little moment in the sun on the 450 and there's still a chance he finds a way to bounce back - he's still fairly young).
there's never been a single formal system in US MX racing that I know of. What we have now shuts out privateers who may be competitive skills wise but would never sniff a sponsored full-time ride.
These new Young guns need to race faster if they want to send the veterans packing.
This will get some down votes but bring on an EV class with a new set of young stars ?
That is the only way you are going to continue to 'grow the sport".
Do they??
I feel the kids would be whooping the old dudes. Deegan came in and literally only Jet and Hunter had him covered. Prado at times but thats it. He literally smoked the entire 450 grid in his 1st year except for the two alien brothers.
I rekon Kitchen, Shimoda, Davies, Hammacker, JuJu, and Hymas would beat every one of the old dudes (Barcia, Eli, Webb, Anderson, Mookie etc.) Most of the 450 class might as well be witches hats compared to Jett Hunter and Deegan (possibly Sexton but who knows where he's at anymore).
All those young kids I named pushed Deegan at times. No one in 450 class pushed Deegan at all except the brothers and Deegan is brand new to the class.
Even if you dont agree, they would all be probably top 10 at worst. Anyone currently after top 10 in 450 class might as well not even show up they are that far behind.
Marchbanks and RJ had no dramas coming in and whooping the old dudes as well. I rekon all the 250 riders I mentioned are probably better, at worst equal to RJ and Marchbanks.
Shimoda went into Motocross of Nations never riding a 450 and did brilliant and whooped most of the 450 guys.
I think everyone underestimates the younger guys and overestimates the older dudes.
I have no dramas with the old guys being there and I feel they should be. I just think all those young guys should also currently be there.
Every other motorsport all the best guys are in the top class. Motocross I feel they are split between the two and there are just a heap of dudes making up numbers.
If Kitchen would be say 12th in the 450 class, why isnt he racing 450? Id much rather see him there pushing out other 450 riders who are getting lapped by the 3rd lap.
Post a reply to: 450 class is old and tired