Posts
2406
Joined
11/2/2011
Location
Chapin, SC
US
Edited Date/Time
10/12/2018 5:49pm
I've seen a lot of theories and ideas about why Team USA didn't perform as expected, but the time gap really jumps out at me so I decided to look back in history to look at some trends.
I wanted to go back 20 years, but could only find MXGP schedules back to 2005. Granted there are other variables at play, but it's pretty clear the schedule deck has become significantly stacked against the US-based riders in recent years (all of which Team USA has lost.) In years Team USA won, the gap was between 7-29 days (and MXGP had a 21 day break in the year that USA had the 29 day break). In every year Team USA lost, there was at least a 22 day break while in those same years MXGP never had more than a 22 day break.
I'm definitely not saying that we will ever dominate again, but France has shown that a solid team can get the job done. We can blame supercross, bike setup, lines, talent, training and team managers, but I think the numbers make a good case for the scheduling challenge. I don't know if this can turn around for Team USA until our series schedules end closer to the same times. At least then we could be in the conversation. After seeing the gaps since 2012, I also have a new appreciation for the U.S.-based riders who step up for this event.
I wanted to go back 20 years, but could only find MXGP schedules back to 2005. Granted there are other variables at play, but it's pretty clear the schedule deck has become significantly stacked against the US-based riders in recent years (all of which Team USA has lost.) In years Team USA won, the gap was between 7-29 days (and MXGP had a 21 day break in the year that USA had the 29 day break). In every year Team USA lost, there was at least a 22 day break while in those same years MXGP never had more than a 22 day break.
I'm definitely not saying that we will ever dominate again, but France has shown that a solid team can get the job done. We can blame supercross, bike setup, lines, talent, training and team managers, but I think the numbers make a good case for the scheduling challenge. I don't know if this can turn around for Team USA until our series schedules end closer to the same times. At least then we could be in the conversation. After seeing the gaps since 2012, I also have a new appreciation for the U.S.-based riders who step up for this event.
Other than European riders being very very fast riders
The Shop
The excuse train is pretty much full at this point yanks . What y’all need is a “talk shit pre-race/make excuses post race” of Nations . You would have no competition in that one . Pathetic .
Still... no excuses. Our guys got worked by a bunch of very talented riders who came ready to kick some ass.
Hoping we send another team next year... even with the odds against us.
The problem with such a big time gap between last AMA National and the MXON is to find a schedule that keeps you on your toes. While the MXGP riders are grinding till 7 before the event, AMA riders are "keeping themselves busy" for 6 weeks. That is just the big difference. And in the past Supercross got used in the after talk to explain why America was so good at the MXON. AMA riders were more aggressive on track, stayed low on jumps, found their rhythm from the start instead of Europeans who needed some time ... now supercross ruins it? I think it just a schedule thing.
In 2016, one week after the US National series concluded, Tomac went 1-1 at the USGP (granted Herlings hadn't moved up yet and it was at Glen Helen.) In 2017 also one week after the last national, he went 1-3 for second in the USGP at a track that isn't on the regular circuit. Tomac has beaten these guys in the past, and I don't think we are being sore losers to expect that the Eli we are used to seeing all summer should at least be in the mix for a podium.
And if there was no MXdN they’d go straight into the Monster Cup - which is more important - having had an even longer break.
I’m confused.
Pit Row
Recovery time is good after long season, gives some motivation and hunger back. If you have minor injury they get to heal. For Cairolli it was bad racing as late as 2 weeks before since he got injured, dropping his overall performance.
MXGP has been racing since January (they do a lot of pre-season races), traveling internationally every week more or less. They did race on Sunday, had to switch time schedule with around 6-7h and in 5 days get comfortable on US ground. A lot of the riders did not ride on their own bikes and got very little time to brake them in.
It is a zero sum game, and based on individual preference. Some will ride better with a little time off, some will do worse.
My guess is that the potential audience shifts pretty heavily to college football on Saturdays and NFL on Sundays and the semi-casual viewer is going to pick those over moto most often.
But the current ama field has been on the decline since RV retired, everyone was chasing him, before then everyone was chasing RC and JS, Tomac chased Dungey who which got his ass handed to him by JS and RV.
*BTW - 1st rule of statistics is that correlation does not equal causation
http://memotocross.fr/mx-mondial/mondial-2010-2019/index.php
http://memotocross.fr/mx-mondial/mx-resultats-1/index.php
DC
Racer X
I wish.....we could some how get our nationals and outdoor series to coincide with the GP schedule towards the end , so the timing lines up better. Honestly DC....we need more nationals!!.....Less SX!
Post a reply to: Cold hard numbers 2005-2018: Win / loss records versus post-season days before MXdN