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Edited Date/Time
10/23/2014 4:30pm
So, I know some like the Stewarts and some dislike them. However, I think it is time for the team managers to be honest with themselves and realize that he is a valuable asset, especially for Supercross which is by far the highest profile series, and needs to be on a team. Not only is he young and his upside very high he is also one of the most popular riders in the pits and is a "name" that it is very popular in our sport. You would think a team like a re-emerging Husqvarna would want a "name" to draw attention to their pits, to their sponsors. He shouldn't be ignored. It seems a lot of people think Malcolm comes with baggage but it s not true for him personally. A young, solid kid, with immense speed and who is one of the biggest draws in the pits and to the public. ?? I'm having trouble understanding what's going on with teams not looking his way.
We all know Malcolm needs to be on a 450 but he has stated he WILL ride a 250 if that is what he needs to do to progress up to the 450 ride.
I know MEC is just one race but it is one of the highest profile races in SX/MX. He finished 5th overall and looked very solid all night, even holding off Trey in the third race. On a TLD Honda he purchased himself when the team switched to KTM, without factory support, on his own dime getting there and racing, with of course, some sponsor support. Holding off Trey, who had been on rails all night long. The MEC race follows a great performance at straight Rhythm, which admittedly is just a different one off event but still shows the kids talent.
He has had some good results in SX and MX in the past and also some inconsistency. Just like almost ALL of the factory riders have had.
Here are the factory or factory supported riders who finished BEHIND Malcolm for the MEC overall.
Justin Hill -Factory KTM
Jason Anderson - Factory Husqvarna
Justin Barcia- JGR Yamaha
Blake Baggett- Yoshimura Suzuki
Weston Pieck - JGR Yamaha
Andrew Short - BTO KTM
Justin Brayton- BTO KTM
Cooper Webb - Yamaha
Dean Wilson -Factory KTM
Chad Reed-TwoTwo Motorsports
Josh Grant- TwoTwo Motorsports
Zach Osborne-Factory Husqvarna
I mean, honestly, some of the choices the teams have made perplex me. I think CR22 would have been better off choosing Mookie than JG33. BB4 getting a factory 450 ride is questionable too with his wrist history and horrible starts. And Zak Bell getting a Factory Husqvarna ride? Don't even get me started. Pro Circuit's choices? Some odd ones there, too. Tonus will do great outdoors, but what about SX which is, inevitably, more important to teams?
Yes, I am a Mookie fan. But, in all fairness, people are truly making some weird decisions. We know KTM (or probably Husqvarna) won't choose him due to DeCoster's dislike for the family....but that's a whole other gripe I have for another topic.
Just wanted to throw it out there for discussion. And btw, props to JW12 for a solid ride on his own dime as well.
We all know Malcolm needs to be on a 450 but he has stated he WILL ride a 250 if that is what he needs to do to progress up to the 450 ride.
I know MEC is just one race but it is one of the highest profile races in SX/MX. He finished 5th overall and looked very solid all night, even holding off Trey in the third race. On a TLD Honda he purchased himself when the team switched to KTM, without factory support, on his own dime getting there and racing, with of course, some sponsor support. Holding off Trey, who had been on rails all night long. The MEC race follows a great performance at straight Rhythm, which admittedly is just a different one off event but still shows the kids talent.
He has had some good results in SX and MX in the past and also some inconsistency. Just like almost ALL of the factory riders have had.
Here are the factory or factory supported riders who finished BEHIND Malcolm for the MEC overall.
Justin Hill -Factory KTM
Jason Anderson - Factory Husqvarna
Justin Barcia- JGR Yamaha
Blake Baggett- Yoshimura Suzuki
Weston Pieck - JGR Yamaha
Andrew Short - BTO KTM
Justin Brayton- BTO KTM
Cooper Webb - Yamaha
Dean Wilson -Factory KTM
Chad Reed-TwoTwo Motorsports
Josh Grant- TwoTwo Motorsports
Zach Osborne-Factory Husqvarna
I mean, honestly, some of the choices the teams have made perplex me. I think CR22 would have been better off choosing Mookie than JG33. BB4 getting a factory 450 ride is questionable too with his wrist history and horrible starts. And Zak Bell getting a Factory Husqvarna ride? Don't even get me started. Pro Circuit's choices? Some odd ones there, too. Tonus will do great outdoors, but what about SX which is, inevitably, more important to teams?
Yes, I am a Mookie fan. But, in all fairness, people are truly making some weird decisions. We know KTM (or probably Husqvarna) won't choose him due to DeCoster's dislike for the family....but that's a whole other gripe I have for another topic.
Just wanted to throw it out there for discussion. And btw, props to JW12 for a solid ride on his own dime as well.
He is not a huge draw in the pits. Have you seen Reed or James' rigs during an event?
The Shop
I, too, think he will lad something but I really don't get some of the choices some have made. Just my opinion, of course.
He's never going to get consideration from Mitch at Pro Circuit, JGR Yamaha, TwoTwo, RCH and obviously Decoster at KTM, factory Kawasaki and factory Honda. That family name brings a lot of drama and baggage. If he's a championship contender, maybe they put up with some of it, but he's not on that level. Suzuki is his only option for a factory bike. What other bridges haven't been burnt by big brother?
With that said, I doubt Malcolm would be racing right now if it weren't for James. If asked, I bet Malcolm would agree that he's benefited as much or more than be hurt by James. But make no mistake, James is the reason why Mookie a privateer.
Which is why they are still team managers and not at a V or C level.
The only reason I can conceivably imagine why he isn't signed right now is because of his behavior on the track. Thinking objectively, if I was a team owner/manager/majority sponsor I would be concerned with his professionalism on the track and how that reflects on to the team. Riders that conduct themselves professionally and show great character have been kept by factory teams for years even though they weren't even remotely close to being contenders. From what I've seen in just social media, he seems like a somewhat shy, but super nice KID. I can only speak from media coverage i've seen, but he appears to be very immature.
https://youtu.be/Bz57jZqAnio
https://youtu.be/G1wyTQCkeEE
https://youtu.be/zpSD9KmJyQc
Good Point!
"Here are the factory or factory supported riders who finished BEHIND Malcolm for the MEC overall."
Justin Hill -Factory KTM
Jason Anderson - Factory Husqvarna
Justin Barcia- JGR Yamaha
Blake Baggett- Yoshimura Suzuki
Weston Pieck - JGR Yamaha
Andrew Short - BTO KTM
Justin Brayton- BTO KTM
Cooper Webb - Yamaha
Dean Wilson -Factory KTM
Chad Reed-TwoTwo Motorsports
Josh Grant- TwoTwo Motorsports
Zach Osborne-Factory Husqvarna
Pit Row
I know one thing for sure. Much like another family team there is a little bit of a stigma in regards to the atmosphere that may accompany MS. And I am sure that plays a part too.
Ok so now he is put himself in the spotlight a little and people are taking note. Is it coincidental that with no deal, and two one off races he comes out swinging? Of course not. He is marketing himself. I just hope when he lands that deal he keeps on swinging.
Malcolm is doing " exactly " what he needs to do , and that was go out on his own dime and prove why he deserves a 450 SX ride. Plenty of other guys that have had to put their own money out there to prove a point.
I'd say that this thread and my thread are both on point.
Justin Hill -Factory KTM - Pretty much easily went 2-2 first motos and bad luck the 3rd. Malcom Couldnt do that
Jason Anderson - Factory Husqvarna - Fastest Qualifier - Crashed first, finished ahead of Malcom 2 of 3.
Justin Barcia- JGR Yamaha - Coming off injury, crash, Still beat malcom 2 of 3. Has won races, Will probably win.
Blake Baggett- Yoshimura Suzuki - Mookie can have this ride, I think its a waste but still bet on Baggett
Weston Pieck - JGR Yamaha - Got me here.
Andrew Short - BTO KTM - Think Shorts results the last 5 years back him up.
Justin Brayton- BTO KTM - Kinda same deal as Short
Cooper Webb - Yamaha - 250 class anyways, Didn't see Malcom Clicking off 2nds and national wins.
Dean Wilson -Factory KTM - really?
Chad Reed-TwoTwo Motorsports - Really again? Team owner, injured now, deadly when healthy
Josh Grant- TwoTwo Motorsports - Just won a national moto, slim chance he could win but has a better chance than mookie. Also brings dollars with him.
Zach Osborne-Factory Husqvarna - Couldn't tell you fair match here.
Team manager's see he moves in the same circle's and entourage as his older brother and may be too risky an investment!
Perhaps he needs to "fly the nest" to be taken seriously by the industry.
Hope he gets a good ride.
Point being, if Zak Bell, Zach Osborne, Blake Baggett, JG have factory rides then I think Mookie is as good if not better with lots of upside.
That being said I agree he deserves a ride I think he has stepped it up this year but is still not a top three guy. I see him being the best of the rest guy like 5-7 on 450s that is. He needs to just go race someone is gonna get hurt and hire him as a fill in.
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