Lots to talk about when it comes to ‘Lanta 1–here’s Vuillemin’s take on it
Lots to talk about when it comes to ‘Lanta 1–here’s Vuillemin’s take on it
Photos by Simon Cudby
Chad Reed. Wow. He did it again.
I think he proved during his whole career that he could bounce back from bad times. After his tough year on the Factory Kawi, he had a great year on the privateer Honda. Then, he won SX and MX races with the Honda on his own team. (Ed note: correction made) He won two races last year. Lately, he showed us in Oakland that he could win a race this season. His main event in Atlanta was very good. You could see right off the start it was going to be a good night for him. After the first turn, he went 2-3-3 and gaped Nicoletti and Peick right away. Those 2 guys helped him getting a little head start on Dungey in the first few laps. Then he rode great, his corner speed was good. He started jumping thru the whoops which set him up nicely to jump that quad where Roczen crashed in practice. Obviously, Chad knows how to win.
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“When he feels good and he’s happy with his bike, you can see his riding is way better. When he’s bothered by something with the bike or the track, he has a tougher time overcoming those element.” |
When he feels good and he’s happy with his bike, you can see his riding is way better. When he’s bothered by something with the bike or the track, he has a tougher time overcoming those element. In Atlanta, everything clicked well for him. I think Oakland was a good lesson for him. He didn’t want to not win this one for sure. Even when Dungey closed up, he had the resources to keep plugging away and get that win. With everything that happened this season for him already, it has to feel great to win one of those. He did it in great fashion and was the best during the 20 laps for sure.
We’re very surprised that a calm and collected Kenny Roczen made two huge mistakes in Atlanta, we can’t blame this on breaking away from Aldon right? So what’s going on?
Seems like breaking up with Aldon is the reason of his lack of form these days…at least that’s out of everyone’s mouth. Not out of mine, though. I don’t see why not having a guy making you bicycle, do motos at the track or do some rowing with an iPad would be the reason of you crashing and making mistakes. Aldon isn’t a riding coach that would give you riding pointers to improve your riding speed or your riding technique. His job is to make you fit, gnarly and, with the amount of physical training he makes you do, that’s his way to make you believe you’re ready physically and mentally. I don’t think Roczen’s issues are fitness or mentally related. The kid knows he can win any races he starts now. His crash in Oakland was a mistake and he didn’t respect the track in that particular moment. It’s sometimes what happened when you think you’re walking on water or invincible.
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“I am not sure what happened but he yardsaled in the whoops. When he’s in front right off the start, he’s lethal and has won two races like that already. But, he will have to change his approach when he starts mid-pack. Whatever he’s doing in that situation so far this season hasn’t worked yet. Do I think having Aldon on his side would change any of that? I doubt it.” |
In Atlanta, when you hit a 3-foot tall jump sitting down in 3rd gear wide open after a set of whoops to quad a section, sometimes things go wrong and you don’t make it. And when you don’t, it isn’t pretty. He crashed hard but,in a way, he got lucky not to end his season right there. In the main, he was 15th on the first lap and he hasn’t shown any good rides yet coming from the back. He was in traffic at A3 and had a tough time to ride his own race and make moves. He got passed by Eli late in that race. Saturday, I am not sure what happened but he yardsaled in the whoops. When he’s in front right off the start, he’s lethal and has won two races like that already. But, he will have to change his approach when he starts mid-pack. Whatever he’s doing in that situation so far this season hasn’t worked yet. Do I think having Aldon on his side would change any of that? I doubt it…
Great 4 way battle in the 250SX main event, what’s your take on it?
The four- way battle didn’t last long. Davalos and Bogle should be ashamed of that race. They both blew it-one after the other. Davalos led 2/3 of that race and lost 10 seconds in the last 5 laps. Let’s be clear here- Jeremy Martin didn’t go 2 seconds faster in the last 5 laps . Martin Davalos lost 2 seconds average a lap in the last 5 laps. Bogle lasted 2 more laps and blew up with 3 laps to go. To be clear, Davalos was dead after eight and a half minutes and Bogle 102 seconds later. That’s not good!
As far as Marvin, like I said last week, he’s his own enemy. I’ve never seen Marvin ride as bad as he did in Atlanta. He cased so many easy jumps. He didn’t jump the triple at least 2 times. When Jeremy got behind him, he started riding defensive but there was nothing really to defend. He was 3rd. At that point, instead of wondering about the 4th place guy, whoever he is, you’ve got to focus on whatever you need to do to pass the 2 guys in front of you. He came in super tight into all the turns. On one right hand turn, you could see him coming in with his balls on the gas cap and dragging his foot on the brake. How can you go fast like that? Don’t search, you won’t be able to find anything. With Davalos and Bogle blowing up and Marvin doing everything in his power to case jumps and slow down, it was a ready made path for J-Mart! Jeremy rode great, clocked the fastest time and raced until the checkered flag, but we have to admit that he got a huge amount of help from his rivals.
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“As far as Marvin, like I said last week, he’s his own enemy. I’ve never seen Marvin ride as bad as he did in Atlanta. He cased so many easy jumps. He didn’t jump the triple at least 2 times.” |
Davalos had this thing, he won his heat race, he was fast in practice and led nine laps…what happened?
I guess you should ask him. He’s been in this class for 10 seasons jumping from supported teams to supported team. In the last 10 years, we’re not waiting for him to win but to yard sale somewhere. That’s not a good sign. I guess whatever he’s doing hasn’t worked yet but not everyone can win a title. I’m the perfect proof, I’ve never won one! In his defense, last year, in my opinion he was the fastest/best guy but as usual he threw it away. This year, he’s not quite as fast
If Villopoto and Stewart were racing, would they be winning races like they did last year?
If they won races last year, why wouldn’t they win this year? On paper, they are both faster than anyone racing the 2015 season. RV never lost a SX championship to Dungey who is leading this year. I know he lost one to Dungey in 2010 but he broke his tib/fib with 4-5 races to go. For sure RV would be up there battling for the points lead with a couple/few wins. As far as Stew, he’s so unpredictable that he could’ve won all the races or not even one… after all, It’s the same riders as last year. Dungey is still Dungey, not always the fastest but very consistent. Canard can win any day but he’s more inconsistent. Roczen has the same amount of wins as last year and he’s close to be around the same spot in the championship as 2014. Very few riders in the history of the Supercross transformed themselves in an off season it’s why we pretty much have the same scenarios every year and why RV won the last 4 championships
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Peick inpressed in Atlanta with a top five finish as he battles a bum knee. |
Weston Peick has come a long, long way from his privateer days. Do you see him beating Barcia when Justin comes back?
Is this a new thing to talk about? Being the best rider of your team? I think Weston is doing very well in SX this year even with his injuries. I was disappointed last year in MX when he rode for RCH. He never topped his best finish of the Utah National in 2013 when he was full on privateer and had to bump start his bike before the second moto. But, this year, he was in position to podium in Phoenix before he broke his foot. He got top 5 this weekend which was pretty good too.
As far as Barcia, it’s like Davalos, whatever he’s doing since riding a 450 isn’t working. He never adapted his riding to the 450 and if he doesn’t, he will only rev his way up to top fives at best. Or top threes if the stars line up right. It’s a shame because he has everything to be one of the best but he’s limiting himself with the way he does things. On a smaller scale, I’m starting to think Eli is going down that path too. It’s not too late to turn things around and change their approaches. Whatever works in 450 is to be fast, smooth, consistent, putting his ego aside and settle for a podium sometimes instead of crashing wanting to win at all costs.
