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If the talent is there, the sponsors and pro teams will be there, and they will start their pro career more well rounded, more mature, and with far more desire and determination...if its not, then that kid goes to college or otherwise starts a career doing something else and they saved their parents a bunch of money, saved themselves burn out and a bunch of injuries and life goes on.
John Dowd
Jeremy McGrath started racing MX at fifteen. I know he raced BMX but it still is amazing how quickly and how great he became. Not sure of his high school path but mentioning him for the age perspective.
The Shop
I think the minimum age at 16 is fine for the 250 class. In the GPs, Roczen and Herlings were winning at 14-15 years old, when you're ready you're ready.
injuries and training constantly will burn out anyone. even if theyre fast enough to make the top doesnt mean they have the stuff to make it. and for saying the sport pushes everyone to live at training facilities Justin Cooper is a prime example that you can do it without living in a training center and if anything this is probably a healthier route for most ppl.
Heck, nearly every C class rider at Loretta's is a training facility kid. You have to spend time there if you want to race at that level now.
I talked to the dad of a kid we know at Loretta's that's one of the top in his class. He's won championships and is on the podium every year. He told me that the same group of kids are still winning, but watch how much harder it's gotten for them to come through the pack the last 2 years because so many more are living at facilities now. He was spot on.
the sport isnt growing and the pay isnt there unless you're a top guy. its alot easier to just work for the family business and get paid to learn how to run it
sitting in an Air conditioned office is alot easier than pounding out motos all summer
Pit Row
In my opinion, the training facilities aren't to blame, but the parents who park their kids there for years are to blame. I think training is great in small doses. The current generation of kids just aren't good enough and that's why they aren't making it. It isn't the 30 year old guys that are still around that are the problem. Your reflexes will never be faster and your fear never lower than when you are 18 years old.
Speed is built by racing all the time on different tracks. Racing takes you out of your comfort zone and forces new speed. Training sharpens skills and technique. These current kids have all the skills in the world, but lack old school straight line speed. .... and yeah, those guys in the blurry YouTube videos from decades ago... they were fast.
As for SX/MX, only a select few reach the pinnacle of success, so starting at 16 or 18 may have little impact on long-term results. Since McGrath, how many racers have earned enough to retire (or even work part-time) after their on-track careers have ended? LeBlanc’s story mimics that of most racers; success in this sport is the aberration.
as i mentioned earlier..the payoff/payout isnt there to be a top guy in this sport, IMO considering all the work that needs to be done.
Post a reply to: Leblanc Story: this is why the AMA needs to raise pro age to 18