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Why is everybody making such a big deal about Chad Reed, when Brayton is close to his age, and killing it...while being competitive.
I like Reed, and he has had a great career, but I think Brayton running up front is a much bigger story...if we're going to talk about mid-30's riders.
I like Reed, and he has had a great career, but I think Brayton running up front is a much bigger story...if we're going to talk about mid-30's riders.
Edit: 2 years older. I will say Brayton is peaking much later in his career.
Either way, Brayton is doing really well and I wish him success.
The Shop
If Reed wants to say "Hey Im over it" its ok, but all the while Brayton is doing what he's doing then I think he's making a mistake by blaming his age.
2019 Results.
Brayton, MCR, 36 in March.
10th (best result 4th).
Reed, JGR, 38 in March
15th but crashed out, was 7th ahead of Brayton in 10th when he went out (best result 3rd)
2018 Results.
Brayton, MCR, 35 in March.
5th (best result 1st, his Daytona win).
Reed, Husky. 37 in March
13th Ankle year. (best result 7th, think a mudder?)
2017 Results.
Brayton, MCR, 34 in March.
12th (best result 6th).
Reed 36 in March
9th Yamaha year II. (best result 2nd, Phoenix/Glendale)
2016 Results.
Brayton, BTO KTM year II, 33 in March.
8th (best result 5th).
Reed 35 in March
5th Yamaha year I. (best result 2nd)
2015 Results.
Brayton, BTO KTM. Don't think he liked that bike, 32 in March.
18th, but missed a lot of the year (best result 7th).
Reed 34 in March
4th Final Kawi 22. (best result 1st Atlanta, last win)
2014 Results.
Brayton, JGR Yamaha, 31 in March.
7th, (best result 2nd).
Reed 33 in March
14th, Kawi 22 Year I. Crashed out San Diego. (best result 1st A2 and A3)
2013 Results.
Brayton, JGR Yamaha, 30 in March.
8th, (best result 5th).
Reed 32 in March
5th, Honda 22 Year III. Didn't like that fork. (best result 3rd)
2012 Results.
Brayton, Honda, 29 in March.
4th, (best result 2nd's).
Reed 31 in March
12th, Honda 22 Year II. I think the best Reed ever, Dallas endo ruined a shot. (best result 1st)
2011 Results.
Brayton, JGR Yamaha, 28 in March.
9th, (best result 5th).
Reed 30 in March
2nd, Honda 22 Year I. (best result 1st's)
On Pulp last week Chad was brought up and Steve Astephen said he would have preferred to see Chad retire 2 years ago while he was back with Factory Yamaha. While I can defintely see that point, I think Chad is chasing records and probably doesn't care too much at this point that he finished 18th in the main at A1 because he was only concerned with getting his 250th start.
On the other hand, I'm a Brayton fan and I feel like Chad is taking the spotlight away from him. Although he's 2 years younger, Brayton is more relevant in this series and I can see him as a triple crown podium guy and a top 5 guy on a regular night.
I'm a Chad Reed appreciator. He's a champion...and that's something that Justin Brayton cannot claim to be.
They are both badasses.
At 35 y/o you don't recover as fast and easily as you did 10-15 years before
Brayton is definitely a physical phenom to still be performing at his level and age. He seems like a real good dude, too.
Reed has lived in the decades long pressure cooker of:
* Relocations to Europe and then the US
* Chasing championships with expectations of winning against at the likes of Ricky Carmichael, James Stewart, Villopoto, Dungey, etc.,.
* Being mostly unpopular with US fans to then being mostly adored by US fans
* Owning teams
* Lots of injuries
That’s a lot of wear on a racer and there are more I’m sure. I think the testament to Chad’s character lies in the fact he still wants to line up and race another season. Good onya, 22!
Brayton has remained relatively (I think) injury free in comparison and seems to have everything in check every year. He's the king of the off season and comes into A1 fully prepped. Justin's just so smart about his approach/training/preparation while Chad has been pretty distracted in the last couple of years imo. There's something to be said for starting late like MC.
Close in age but worlds apart in terms of where they're at in their careers and where they have been in the past.
He also put alot of work in to even have a bike, truck, mechanic etc. And it isnt exactly a factory honda.
Privateering it at 37 on his own, came in not prepped and still put it in the main. Hes a legend and we're all blessed to have him in the sport still. He could have walked away 12 years ago with millions and never been heard from again in the mx community.
He loves it, and loves it enough to make it happen on his own.
He could be racing 35+ C class like some of us on here bashing him. Instead hes out racing at the elite level.
Pit Row
I'm assuming he'll improve as he gets more time on the bike and races himself into shape, at the moment I would say he would be able to finish top 10 with a good start.
Just be nice to see Brayton get his due, as he's been going up, each of the previous years!
http://americanmotocrossresults.com/live/archives/mx/2009/12-delmont/45…
It's not about how good he is doing it's just about paying respect and saying goodbye.
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