The Dark Horse of the 450 Class will be

motosb
Posts
65
Joined
10/8/2009
Location
Englewood, CO US
Fantasy
46th
12/29/2011 8:06am Edited Date/Time 1/27/2012 1:58am
I liked the Grant Hanny debate as I think they are both guys who could possibly break into the top 5.

The other guy im most interested to see how he turns out is Josh Hill. When this guy was healthy a few years
back he was battling with Dungey. He seemed to have the speed and thats something you cant overlook. I feel
like if he could get back to that place he has a chance at breaking that top 5. Obv the question is can he over come
those injuries to get back to where he once was. He is an intriguing racer coming into this season.
|
Trent179
Posts
1227
Joined
4/3/2010
Location
Princeton, IN US
12/29/2011 8:19am
I'm gonna call say Millsaps.....
Shawn142
Posts
2598
Joined
10/27/2008
Location
Burleson, TX US
12/29/2011 8:31am
I would agree if Hill was close to healthy. Yes the guy can ride and will be on the gate at A1, but he has some obvious lingering issues that even he admits cause problems with his riding. My semi-dark horse would have to be Kyle Chisolm.
Phillips467
Posts
1597
Joined
6/4/2010
Location
Worthing GB
12/29/2011 8:42am
My dark horse would be Chisholm. I'm not saying he's going to run with the big five, but i think he will have a very good season
neysbo
Posts
1820
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Edelstein, IL US
12/29/2011 8:43am
I am going with Brayton

The Shop

MX Culture
Posts
3090
Joined
6/19/2009
Location
Lake Geneva, WI US
12/29/2011 8:49am
Brett Metcalfe

But I believe Brayton will be in the mix weekly as well.
jasonv43
Posts
10108
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Thousand Oaks, CA US
12/29/2011 8:54am
I don't know why but I just feel like Tickle will have a good year.
dirtnapper
Posts
5457
Joined
4/14/2011
Location
Alberta CA
12/29/2011 8:56am
I would love to see Tedesco up there. I think he's falling into that Byrne/Wey categorey - always there and consistant, but never "up there".
I've always liked Ivan.
TOPROPE
Posts
8
Joined
12/29/2008
Location
Albany, GA US
12/29/2011 9:17am
I'm looking for some results from Austin Stroupe this year...he had the speed to stay with Pourcel in the east coast lites in 2010 until he got hurt. Now he is healthy and should be near the lead of the second pack.
kxking
Posts
1147
Joined
8/15/2006
Location
Oakville, Ontario CA
Fantasy
1203rd
12/29/2011 9:24am
I think Alessi might be able to lead the second pack, and maybe even squeeze in a podium if the stars align....
TOPROPE
Posts
8
Joined
12/29/2008
Location
Albany, GA US
12/29/2011 9:26am
hey....if stewy wads and takes out the top 4....who knows...maybe a Darkhorse gets a win!
loftyair
Posts
2767
Joined
7/3/2009
Location
riverside, CA US
12/29/2011 9:30am
With a good start, Partridge can do some good things. Especially with the bigger/longer whoop sections.
jamma10
Posts
10576
Joined
8/24/2008
Location
Bristol GB
12/29/2011 9:36am Edited Date/Time 12/29/2011 9:39am
Christian Craig!

edit, scrap that, I didnt know he was riding SX lites. He's my shout for the 450 outdoor dark horse though!
SL91
Posts
863
Joined
4/4/2008
Location
Halifax CA
12/29/2011 9:39am
Millsaps definitely, although you can't REALLY call him a darkhorse since he's won a few 450 mains in the past. Otherwise, I'd say Tickle or Metcalfe.
moto589
Posts
380
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Chardon, OH US
12/29/2011 9:45am
Jake Weimer.

I like how Matthes puts it in one of his pulpmx.com articles. http://www.pulpmx.com/stories/9-questions-9-answers

8- Who’s taking a step up in 2012?

I think that contract time makes people do funny things. You have to realize that the thought of working at 7-11 the next year is a very motivating thought for a racer. The guys want to race professionally as long as they can and make as much money as they can so that they never have to work again. So racers tend to take a few more risks when they need a deal for next year, they tend to maybe work a little harder than they used to in order to keep the level of living it up, well, up.

In this case, you can write off riders that don’t have the equipment to run with the big guys or the team that is capable of providing support one would need to get the big bucks in 2013. And stripes don’t change on a Zebra so you can’t pick some rider that has not shown an inclination to work hard to all of a sudden turn into Rocky and start running up mountains.

Nope, you have to go with a rider that’s in a contract year, works hard and has the bike and team to take a step up. That sort of narrows the field down a little bit so for me, Kawasaki’s Jake Weimer seems to fit into this group. Weimer works hard (he’s on the same program as Ryan Villopoto), has the bike (his results improved greatly on the 2012 Kawi 450 late in the nationals) and is in the last year of his contract. Looking over at the Pro Circuit truck and seeing Dean Wilson in the last year of his Lites deal and sniffing to get into the big truck is all the motivation that Weimer needs to make it happen. Will he win the title? I doubt it. But look for Weimer to consistently be in that “next group” of riders after the top five. Will it be enough to stay with Kawasaki in 2013? I’m not sure but I do know we’ll all be saying Weimer’s name a lot more.
pummel
Posts
765
Joined
6/2/2010
Location
Salem, OR US
Fantasy
528th
12/29/2011 9:49am
Nobody is talking about Andrew Short- He's back on a factory Honda, I think if things go his way he could be right in there.
DPW
Posts
1977
Joined
8/16/2006
Location
TX US
12/29/2011 9:57am
Josh Grant
Uncleof2
Posts
1276
Joined
5/10/2008
Location
Silverdale, WA US
12/29/2011 10:17am
Tickle is my choice for a darkhorse. Mitch's first full on 450 rider will have everything he needs.
zippy895
Posts
5495
Joined
7/15/2008
Location
Daytona Beach, FL US
12/29/2011 10:25am
i'm going w/ j.stewart.
zippy895
Posts
5495
Joined
7/15/2008
Location
Daytona Beach, FL US
12/29/2011 10:27am
no wait, i just caught that ....no pun intended.
also, you are saying dark horse and not underdog right?
JCRF217
Posts
696
Joined
3/11/2011
Location
Fort Dodge, IA US
12/29/2011 10:31am
moto589 wrote:
Jake Weimer. I like how Matthes puts it in one of his pulpmx.com articles. [url=http://www.pulpmx.com/stories/9-questions-9-answers]http://www.pulpmx.com/stories/9-questions-9-answers[/url] [b]8- Who’s taking a step up in 2012?[/b] I think that...
Jake Weimer.

I like how Matthes puts it in one of his pulpmx.com articles. http://www.pulpmx.com/stories/9-questions-9-answers

8- Who’s taking a step up in 2012?

I think that contract time makes people do funny things. You have to realize that the thought of working at 7-11 the next year is a very motivating thought for a racer. The guys want to race professionally as long as they can and make as much money as they can so that they never have to work again. So racers tend to take a few more risks when they need a deal for next year, they tend to maybe work a little harder than they used to in order to keep the level of living it up, well, up.

In this case, you can write off riders that don’t have the equipment to run with the big guys or the team that is capable of providing support one would need to get the big bucks in 2013. And stripes don’t change on a Zebra so you can’t pick some rider that has not shown an inclination to work hard to all of a sudden turn into Rocky and start running up mountains.

Nope, you have to go with a rider that’s in a contract year, works hard and has the bike and team to take a step up. That sort of narrows the field down a little bit so for me, Kawasaki’s Jake Weimer seems to fit into this group. Weimer works hard (he’s on the same program as Ryan Villopoto), has the bike (his results improved greatly on the 2012 Kawi 450 late in the nationals) and is in the last year of his contract. Looking over at the Pro Circuit truck and seeing Dean Wilson in the last year of his Lites deal and sniffing to get into the big truck is all the motivation that Weimer needs to make it happen. Will he win the title? I doubt it. But look for Weimer to consistently be in that “next group” of riders after the top five. Will it be enough to stay with Kawasaki in 2013? I’m not sure but I do know we’ll all be saying Weimer’s name a lot more.
The same could be said for JB10 he only signed a one year contract and Barcia will be moving up next year so he has to perform to keep a three man team for '13.
mccread
Posts
5932
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
US
12/29/2011 10:35am Edited Date/Time 12/29/2011 10:35am
Brayton probably, maybe Stroupe...
pacetruckdrvr
Posts
721
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Peterborough, On CA
12/29/2011 10:46am
I would like to see Shorty up there, Maybe Chizz.
Vet145
Posts
294
Joined
9/29/2006
Location
Central Coast, CA US
12/29/2011 10:53am
^^^^^Shorty29^^^^^
GG83
Posts
154
Joined
9/9/2006
Location
St Cyr Sur Mer FR
12/29/2011 11:04am
Trey Canard.
andymoto
Posts
4771
Joined
11/28/2007
Location
Carmichael, CA US
12/29/2011 11:07am
JH75
12/29/2011 11:40am
Tickle,maybe Hansen,I don't really think Short and Alessi will be finishing any higher than last year tbh
Lightning78
Posts
6306
Joined
12/12/2007
Location
Huntington Beach, CA US
12/29/2011 12:06pm
moto589 wrote:
Jake Weimer. I like how Matthes puts it in one of his pulpmx.com articles. [url=http://www.pulpmx.com/stories/9-questions-9-answers]http://www.pulpmx.com/stories/9-questions-9-answers[/url] [b]8- Who’s taking a step up in 2012?[/b] I think that...
Jake Weimer.

I like how Matthes puts it in one of his pulpmx.com articles. http://www.pulpmx.com/stories/9-questions-9-answers

8- Who’s taking a step up in 2012?

I think that contract time makes people do funny things. You have to realize that the thought of working at 7-11 the next year is a very motivating thought for a racer. The guys want to race professionally as long as they can and make as much money as they can so that they never have to work again. So racers tend to take a few more risks when they need a deal for next year, they tend to maybe work a little harder than they used to in order to keep the level of living it up, well, up.

In this case, you can write off riders that don’t have the equipment to run with the big guys or the team that is capable of providing support one would need to get the big bucks in 2013. And stripes don’t change on a Zebra so you can’t pick some rider that has not shown an inclination to work hard to all of a sudden turn into Rocky and start running up mountains.

Nope, you have to go with a rider that’s in a contract year, works hard and has the bike and team to take a step up. That sort of narrows the field down a little bit so for me, Kawasaki’s Jake Weimer seems to fit into this group. Weimer works hard (he’s on the same program as Ryan Villopoto), has the bike (his results improved greatly on the 2012 Kawi 450 late in the nationals) and is in the last year of his contract. Looking over at the Pro Circuit truck and seeing Dean Wilson in the last year of his Lites deal and sniffing to get into the big truck is all the motivation that Weimer needs to make it happen. Will he win the title? I doubt it. But look for Weimer to consistently be in that “next group” of riders after the top five. Will it be enough to stay with Kawasaki in 2013? I’m not sure but I do know we’ll all be saying Weimer’s name a lot more.
I don't understand why so many riders hate Matthes he is the Michael Jordan of media for this sport and always puts his point out there very tactfully without taking a straight stab at a rider yet he still gets a lot of flack from certain riders. I thoroughly enjoy reading every article he writes ....... They are clear concise and informative.

With that being said, one rider always comes to mind in this category and with the talent he has it is frustrating to see him always ride clearly harder when he is on his contract year, that's Milsaps. Year in and year out when he gets a 2-3 year deal since his professional career began its routine to see him wick it up mid year on a contract year. Yet he still gets a ride every single time while some riders like Brayton continue to climb the ladder regardless of what he is/was riding all the way up to the pinnacle of factory rides, Honda. I am not bagging on Davi at all but it would be great to see him ride for a purpose not a contract. I may not have my facts 100% in order but I'm pretty sure his best performances and even wins were in these times. Even this year with people saying "this is his year" its happened time and time again .... I'd pick him for a dark horse but I cannot be confident it will happen, its disappointing because he can clearly ride with the best anytime he chooses to.
I have a lot of respect for Davi's talent and would be awesome to see him seize the results he's capable of.

My dark horses are Brayton, Tedesco, Hill, and yes Hansen I see Hanny stepping it up simply for the respect of Hart and Watson. I could be wrong because he kind of falls into the Davi category but for different reasons.

Post a reply to: The Dark Horse of the 450 Class will be

The Latest