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HusqFan3
7/28/2018 8:31pm
7/28/2018 8:31pm
Serious question: Someone help me to understand how Bogle can consistently pull hole shots while Tomac, who by every other measure is a freak of nature and world class on a dirt bike, consistently finds himself in 6th-10th a 1/2 lap in despite usually qualifying in the top 2 or 3?
I’m not sure which is more baffling, the fact Bogle is able to pull hole shots like it’s nothing then proceeding to drop back mid-pack, or Tomac, who with an exception of Herlings, is on another level right now, still can’t seem to consistently find himself in the top 5 rounding the first turn.
Please don’t misinterpret this as anti-Tomac or hating. I’m a massive ET3 fan I’m just baffled how he can’t seem to figure out starts? Thankfully he’s able to overcome the majority of the time and it actually makes for a more exciting race. I just hope it doesn’t turn out to be his kryptnite come time for MXON as I fear spotting a rider like Herlings 10secs may not end so well.
Interested to hear folks thoughts.
I’m not sure which is more baffling, the fact Bogle is able to pull hole shots like it’s nothing then proceeding to drop back mid-pack, or Tomac, who with an exception of Herlings, is on another level right now, still can’t seem to consistently find himself in the top 5 rounding the first turn.
Please don’t misinterpret this as anti-Tomac or hating. I’m a massive ET3 fan I’m just baffled how he can’t seem to figure out starts? Thankfully he’s able to overcome the majority of the time and it actually makes for a more exciting race. I just hope it doesn’t turn out to be his kryptnite come time for MXON as I fear spotting a rider like Herlings 10secs may not end so well.
Interested to hear folks thoughts.
Bogle is very confident that he'll get the start
Tomac is very confident that he doesn't need the start
I wouldn't know though, I raced from age 7 to 25 and I can remember any holeshot I ever got haha
Some people are just better at that part of racing, like some are better at whoops, corners, scrubbing.
Not often someone is the best at everything.
The Shop
Some guys are just natural starters and some guys aren’t. When you’re on the line with a bunch of professionals, its not easy to get every holeshot no matter who you are. What Bogle does is impressive. Sometimes you get in a groove with the setup of your bike and how it starts, much like Andrew Short did that year on Hondas when he was doing 3rd gear starts and holeshotting all season.
I would say Tomac's ability and confidence in being the fastest person alive he devotes less time doing starts and more in fine tuning his speed and fitness. As mentioned above he probably sets his bike up for pounding laps and Bogle focuses his on starts. No need to waste time on starts when you can turn laps 4 seconds faster than anyone, just do well enough for wins to be manageable. You can devote all your time on starts everyday and never get a decent one.
This is a guess and it's what I did as a kid. I never practiced starts and I was terrible at them but it didn't matter because I had the speed to win anyway. I paid for this many times when I'd race big amateur races, kids I'd beat at a local races would be up front and I'd be buried behind 40 riders. I screwed up, Eli doesn't have this problem.
I remember Everts had a period of really bad starts before his absolute dominance in the GP' s.
Maybe it's a learing curve they have to take.
But let's be fair if Tomac and Herlings take both every race the hole shot it's getting very boring to watch.
A guy that knows he can’t win a race still knows he can beat anybody to the first corner.
Pit Row
I was mostly just curious if anyone has every taken the time to break down the film to see exactly which technica aspect(s) of starts he struggles with compared to a rider like Bogle. i.e what exactly is it that Justin doing that Eli isn’t...
I agree it makes racing little more interesting when he starts from 10 place.. how long it will take before he passed all riders to take lead.
1. Bogle rarely practices starts. He doesn't need to. He knows that he can get a holeshot about 50% of the time he lines up.
2. You are either a good starter or you are not. If you're a bad starter you can work to make them better but they will never become supper consistent and dependable. History shows this both in amateurs and pros.
3. Eli is a freak and can depend on that ability to get the job done.
4. If Bogle wasn't still dealing with some lingering issues form the SX injury he would be on the podium all the time with the starts he is getting lately.
5. When did getting a concussion and taking the necessary time to heal have an effect on anything?
I have a feeling Bogle is doing the same thing right now. Since he knows hes on pretty thin ice and needs to make someee kind of an impact right now or he may not have a ride, I have a feeling hes geared his bike just for starts so he can lead like every race for a little bit and get him and his team on tv. Hes been fading really bad but its definitely a better look for his team to holeshot and lead the start of every race than whatever those other guys are getting who are actually finishing better than him but you dont see them or arent amazed at them getting the holeshot every race so nobodys talking about them. Its definitely working in his favor. Also it gives people hope that since he can pull the holeshots every race and hes kind of been staying up there longer, he can sell the idea that eventually as he gets stronger he can last longer and longer. Hes already out front and as he gets stronger hell stay there longer and eventually finish up close to the front or maybe even win. It wouldnt be too hard of a sell to say that to teams and it may get him a ride next year.
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