Before turning pro we all heard of JS, AC, KR, ect because of their talent growing up. But what are some of the riders to turn pro and made peoples head turn because of their speed no one thought they had?
Before turning pro we all heard of JS, AC, KR, ect because of their talent growing up. But what are some of the riders to turn...
Before turning pro we all heard of JS, AC, KR, ect because of their talent growing up. But what are some of the riders to turn pro and made peoples head turn because of their speed no one thought they had?
I think in the "modern" era, it'd have to be Villopoto. He finished behind the Alessis so much, and the disparity in their pro results are so great that he overshadows a lot of other, still worthy candidates.
In the "evo class", I think Rick Johnson makes a good candidate. Again there are some other good quality riders who'd also qualify, but when you look at the amateur riders that Yamaha was bringing up and giving works equipment to while providing production stuff to Johnson, the pro results are pretty stark. I think I remember a picture from MXA in 81 that showed him sitting in the back of a box van looking at Kehoe's works 125, while he was riding the production based bike. He still had to ride a production based 250 the next season, and came within a race of winning the Nationals with it.
How you figure? What about Lusk, Reynard, KW14, Denny Stephenson, Buddy Antunez... the list goes on and on. Lots of succesful AM riders with allot of hype around them coming into the pro ranks in the 90's.
The Shop
Very humble beginnings
http://www.motorcyclemuseum.org/halloffame/detail.aspx?RacerID=304.
Pit Row
In the "evo class", I think Rick Johnson makes a good candidate. Again there are some other good quality riders who'd also qualify, but when you look at the amateur riders that Yamaha was bringing up and giving works equipment to while providing production stuff to Johnson, the pro results are pretty stark. I think I remember a picture from MXA in 81 that showed him sitting in the back of a box van looking at Kehoe's works 125, while he was riding the production based bike. He still had to ride a production based 250 the next season, and came within a race of winning the Nationals with it.
Post a reply to: Best non-hyped amature that made it big in pros?