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He ain't the fastest. Depending on the surface he's 3rd to 7th. But he's always up there on the start, has good early lap sprint speed and doesn't crash much (except in the sand). As a result, he'll be in the hunt all year. There's a ton of US based 250 supercross riders saying 'I've seen this before.'
KTM USA sure made a questionable decision to only offer a one- year deal to Tom for 26…
Money don't grow on trees...we'll see how Prado does in outdoors.
He would have been bumped to 450 sx, which I don’t think even he wanted to do yet.
He is a little perplexing. Didn’t really show great speed here. Good, yes, but nothing really special. His consistency was certainly excellent and he earned those titles, but nothing really pointed to him being great on a 450. I understand KTM’s decision. However, Tom is now showing what he is capable of on a 450. Is he riding better, is the competition not quite the same? I think he now has a chip on his shoulder and is riding better. Whatever it is, he is impressing!
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The public perception of Vialle is crazy to me. When he won the 2nd title, the entire industry was like “ohhhh shit he’s gotta go 450sx now. It’s way too early, he’s gotta sort out a lot of stuff if he wants to be successful” KTM included, they offered him a deal that sounded low pay, but kind of understandable? Then as soon as Honda signed him they hype was incredible and the public instantly started saying how KTM dropped the ball like Vialle was some type of great white buffalo for them.
IDK man, he wouldn’t have done terrible in 450sx but I don’t think KTM North America really lost out on a ton.
The guy is just a rock. I feel like he was kind of the same in MX2. Geerts would be incredibly fast and Vialle would just hang steady in there every race, definitely fast at times but always consistent. The only time it really didn't work out for him was when Renaux waas on it.
They made him that offer before signing prado or tomac when it was looking like they might have to scramble to find a guy to put on 450.
He looked good in qualifying today. I’d throw some cash at him winning a title in MXGP the next couple of years.
I think any rider that spends a few years racing GP’s & a few years in the US has to end up an extremely well rounded prospect. The differing styles of racing , the variety of tracks plus the SX factor.
I’d say he’s probably got the most cards in his deck out of all the current MXGP guys if you factor that all in.
It's a formula that got him 2 MX2 World titles.
KTM didn't lose a ton? HMMM perhaps. But it's not the best way to treat a guy who won you TWO MX2 titles and TWO Supercross titles.
He was by far the fastest in his first title year and him and Geerts were in another league in his second title year. Completely different lol
The year Renaux won the MX2 world championship, Vialle missed a few GPs because of an injury (and it was not during a race: collision with another rider during the week while training).
That’s what’s funny…
2 GP MX2 titles
2 SX 250 titles
And EVERYONE’s talkin’ shit. 🤣
He was a solid top 5 outdoor guy here, not surprised
I’m not sure it’s a competition issue, because MXGP dudes haul ass, too. Tom’s visibly riding more aggressive this year than he did at any point during his career in the US, and if I had to guess, I’d attribute that to him being more comfortable in the GPs.
FWIW: In Tom's current form, who would've done better on the Red Bull KTM 450, Vialle or Prado? Similar trajectories, or would one shine brighter than the other. Would've been an interesting inner team battle weekly.
SX? I think Tom with 3 years of SX experience. Prado might have more raw speed but is really inconsistent and crumbles once he gets passed. Vialle is a gamer and I think the 450 suits him more.
I really hope 2024 Prado shows up this summer though, that would make the championship so much more interesting.
Totally agree with your call on Vialle performing better in SX, I should've clarified I was talking about outdoors 2026.
I think everyone is hoping the 2024 Prado shows up this summer for MX for some epic battles with Jett, Hunta, Eli & possibly Chase if the bike is any better outdoors for him.
Pit Row
Vialle is still getting used to the big bike. He’ll smooth out.
I like it when the GP guys come to the US, it really boosts the interest and intensity of the series. I was really stoked to have Prado come over, but that kind of went to shit…
I didn’t have quite the same feelings on Tom, but that changed early on, he became my favorite “Euro” guy in the AMA quickly. He’s humble and down to earth, while doing his thing, his way. Bummed when he couldn’t get a ride here sorted out. Always was a TiGa fan, but now really pulling for Tom!!
lets not forget , the KTM 250 in mxgp series has been the dominant bike now for 2 decades
What has the KTM 250 won in the USA last 2 decades ??
Ken and Marv won sx titles.
so did Vialle twice ..I was talking outdoor results
Having Herlings as a teammate/reference during practice is not a bad thing either I guess 😅
Maybe I'm missing someone but I dont think KTM (or Husky or GasGas) ever won the 250 outdoor title. Langston did in 125.
Kenny came close in 13 but Tomac won it
exactly my point ... unlike the KTM 250 in MXGP series what has won almost every title the last 2 decades
Zacho 2017?
huh yeah! I felt like I was missing something
Guys have come close. I see what you're saying and its personal opinion of couse but I don't think the bike is a weak link.
Its going to do some things better-worse than a star or pc bike, vice versa.
I don’t think you’re wrong, but I don’t think I’m wrong either. Tom did win a lot for KTM. But as far as KTM North America was concerned, it didn’t seem like he would be ready for 450sx, and he was good outdoors on a 250, but not great. Maybe they shoulda offered him more money or duration. You could make an argument that KTM global should have offered him a chunk of cash to bring him back to the GP’s. I
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