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He didnt hold back on that Josiah kid either. Nothing wrong with what he said...but he said it.
The Shop
Thanks Wildbill!
He kinda took it as Ben had a bit of an attitude but for me it was just another time where an Aussie or Kiwi is just matter of fact and people take it as offensive.
Matthes asked about 05 Ernee, and he thought people kinda shocked people there, was it the track. Ben said there was nothing about that track and he was already a good rider... Well, to be fair, Townley was the 250 World Champ the year before, podiums the year before that and had been dicing with Everts all 2005 in the 450s before that race.
It reminded me so much of interviews with Reed and how these guys are just bullheaded in the extreme, they have a belief that they are the best and can do anything... Combine that with some Aussie/Kiwi bluntness and American journos can be easily offended.
His riding style really is state of the art. I don't know anything about his young protege, but if BT says so I believe there's a reason. BT, Rattray and Tanel Leok came at the same time from team Vangani and they are mentally tough as nails all three of them.
Regarding BT vs RC 2005 in Ernée I feel BT was riding cleaner and should have spent less energy. Still RC won because he just kept going like the Duracell-rabbit. Weird huh...? Makes you wonder...
Great interview!
Sorry, but no one expected him to get second place as a part time, old guy. I really doubt he did himself no matter what he says. To act like "of course I should" just comes across as arrogant. I wouldn't characterize that as "matter of fact".
I think people - OK, Americans - didn't necessarily think of Ben as that cocky and were taken aback by those comments. But whatever...hell of a ride either way.
Because otherwise, you're right, why would you think a part time guy could just do it. For them, they think, give me the right set up, a start and a little bike fitness and I can run the pace.
I've only listened once, but the good rider part, BT was very accomplished in 05, a world champ and had been whaling on Everts all year–that was the only part of the interview to me that sounded abrupt if anything, but he was correct.
I think thats the difference between good guys, and guys that can win, the inner belief in themselves,
Pit Row
But Ben knows what it takes, did the work, and got the job done. And he has always been a elite talent. It's not surprising he doesn't have the same perspective of the average fan media guy.
Fast forward a bunch of years and you have the same guy who thinks he can still do it and only isn't because of injuries–injury free and on a good bike with no pressure–and he does it.
Attitude hasn't changed. It's not that different to how Reed reacted after 2010 Daytona qualifying...
To be fair to you though Steve, Ben is also very short in some interviews–AB722 above said listen to him giving shit to the DMXS guys. Borderline dickhead/funny moments abound.
https://youtu.be/02Yy1vihIKs
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