Enjoy this little teaser of things coming for us Motocross fans. It is Saturday January 8th 2011 and it is the long awaited opening of the 2011 Supercross season at the legendary Angel Stadium in Anaheim. A1! It's on and it's mega packed. I think we need to go back to 1985 or 1986 to have 4 to 6 riders who can potentially win races and the title, all healthy and lining up behind the gate. It's been a while that when walking the pits you ask someone who's their pick for a win tonight, people take time to think about it and are not sure, even if we all have a favorite, who will win.
From here on, things are going to change, riders are going to crash, some are going to get hurt, the stronger ones are going to establish a new - or a renewed - hierarchy, the weaker ones are going to settle towards the bottom 10 places. Things will become more predictable for the fan.
I am enjoying the moment, enjoying the next hours, from arrival at Angel stadium this morning, the track walk, the vibrant pits, the full house stadium trepiding in anticipation at opening ceremonies this evening when 7 pm comes. The roar of the first gate drop.
Here's a little video crash compilation from last season. Interesting to note how much Ryan Dungey, on his way to his first SX title as a rookie, and Ryan Villopoto crashed.
Showing posts with label Ryan Dungey. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ryan Dungey. Show all posts
Jan 8, 2011
Jan 7, 2011
Anaheim 1 Supercross 2011 - Press conf video
and the new season is here. Yeah! Flew in last night. Can't wait for the first gate to drop tomorrow. Very hard to say who will win the first Main. JS, Reed, Dungey, RV? In my own opinion, James Stewart still has it and has the come-back motivation too.
Cool video by Racer X
Cool video by Racer X
Jan 11, 2010
Flying back from Anaheim 1 SX 2010
37,000 ft above Nevada with Charlie Winston’s Hobo playing some great tunes on my iPhone, here is a quick post I wanted to write since the 450 (SX) Main Event ended, last night at Angel Stadium. I am not going to come back on the racing part of the opening round of what looks like a promising-to-be-exciting AMA Supercross season, because it is going to be covered on all media websites and in all publications around the world of motorcycling. This is the first pro race of the season and all eyes of the world of motocross were on Anaheim yesterday. Photos of the new bikes, the riders, the track, the racing, the Monster Energy Girls, Muscle Milk Girls (hi Janelle and Casey!), Jaggermeister Girls and other Spike TV hostesses will be all over the Internet by this evening when I land in Chicago.
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Photo by GuyB/VitalMX.com
This is always a busy round for the industry of SX/MX, the managements of most companies attend this race, lots of hand-shaking going on, lots of deals still taking place, lots of partnerships being built. For me it was a mix of taking care of different sides of business for AGV helmets, from sales & marketing to the rider-support part of my job. It is an important round because it was the first full-on race day with our new riders, Gautier Paulin and especially Davi Millsaps. Although we have spent time working things out before the race, it is very different on race day and it is important to learn the habits and needs of the riders on a race day so that everything works smoothly and the guys have to worry about nothing else than just racing. The first few races and the first weeks could be a bit challenging for the rider as well as the helmet brand as both try to find the right fit for the former. A very important point to keep in mind with DM is that he has been wearing the same helmet for over 5 years, a helmet that had not changed in shape nor fit since he started using it as a young amateur rider. Therefore it takes a bit of time to get things how they should exactly be.
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Photo by TWMX.com
Before I get to the point of this blog-post, I have to say that I was very impressed with Gautier Paulin and his abilities. The kid is not only super nice, very humble and hungry to learn; he is also fast and will get faster. There were some high and lows for both GP321 and DM18 yesterday, from great Heat races to disappointing Main Events (and yes, only the Main Events really count) but overall it was pretty good for AGV and the return to the off-road market with the introduction of the AX-8.
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So, if there is one of two persons that read my blog they must be laughing at what I wrote about Kevin “K-Dub” Windham a couple days before Anaheim 1. All those things I said got shut down in flame by the #14 himself and with class at that. I really didn’t think that Windham could hang out with the young guns and not only race them, but more so go after them. Last night, after a decent start in 6th, passing Millsaps by the end of the first lap, he chased down Brayton, Villopoto and Short, passing them one at a time to grab the 3rd podium spot. Amazing performance and amazing racing by the #14. In 20 laps he proved I was very wrong to count him out already.
Of course he was on the to win that same race last year before connecting with a downed Stewart in the whoops and led A2 for a good while letting the same Stewart by.
A1 thought:
Amazing Dungey
Bubbalicious is on it
Nike goes 1-2 for their first SX race
Shorty is actually looking fast, even if old man K-Dub got him towards the end.
Kevin Windham: Fantastic!
The 450 class is packed with a big group of riders who are on the same speed: Josh Grant, Short, Hill, Brayton, Villopoto, Millsaps, Tedesco, Reardon.
Bad night for the Monster Energy Kawi team.
Bad night for Chad who leaves A1 with a 25 points deficit on Stewart. You can’t count him out but can he come back like JS7 did it in 2009.
I see Nike’s arrival in MX as a very positive thing for the sport.
Mega Crash of the Night Award goes to Dan Reardon. Scary!
No Phoenix for me, I’ll concentrate on sales this week while preparing A2. Video-conferencing with Italy tomorrow, to tweak some things on the AX-8. We also have to work on our ad artwork for the MT-X helmet which is supposed to hit the market in a month.
Now listening to the Cold War Kids’ Loyalty to Loyalty
Dec 1, 2009
2010 Teams Thoughts or Opinions
Great subject John. I think that the upcoming season is a very important one because it can be the beginning of serious changes in the landscape of US supercross. We are seeing bigger, stronger, factory-support teams with potential Top 7 riders (IT at Valli, Reardon at MotoConcept, Hahn and Moss at Motosport, Hill along JS7 at L&M and the duelists at JGR, GL8 at JLR). Is this the last year that Honda and Kawasaki will be factory-run teams? maybe not, if the title sponsors have enough $$, like the Fiat Yamaha and Repsol Honda teams of MotoGP, some factories will still be able to run their own structures.
It's hard to bet against the trio of Stewart, Reed and still somehow, RV, but behind the horde is hungry, will be very aggressive and in contract year motivation for some (the Honda boyz). I believe that, as much as JS7, CR22 and RV2 are strong and solid, anything can happen (as we've seen in the frantic 2009 SX series) and the Outsiders, the mega pack of outsiders, can do anything and surely score podium spots.
I can see DM18, Shorty, Ryan Dungey, Hill, Reardon, Moss, Hahn, IT, Josh Grant and JB114 play hard and race good.
DM is motivated, he is feeling good right now and seem to be happy with the 2010 450. Short for sure will be on it. IT has "revenge" tattooed on his knuckles. Dungey The Rookie will be on the gas on the 450, as he showed it in '08. all are strong racers, all can jump on any opportunity given by RV, JS and CR. This season, it's all going to be about the starts because lots of those guys are hard to pass and won't let any door open too long.
Is RV overrated right now, or is the hype justified? Is he back to his top form, is he 100% able to tackle James Stewart and Chad? is he good with the 450?
The season is looking good (although we've said that a lot, every December)
:)
Nov 21, 2009
Off to Dallas during SX silly-season
I'm in a plane to Dallas, blogging at 35,000 feet on Mi iPhone. Actually not that easy to write so much with a finger, yes, I admit that the double-thumb typing is not a skill I have mastered.
So off to Dallas, for less than 24 hours, to represent AGV helmets and Dainese apparel at Moto Liberty's annual Midnight Madness sales bash. One of my best clients and voted Best Texas Motorcycle Accessories & Apparel Shop 8 years in a row, this is one of their events one can't miss. Caught my flight out of O'Hare at 11am, landing around 1:30pm, rental car then off to the store. Work all afternoon and night, the event usually ends around 2am, then off for a quick sleep before carving my 10am flying bus back to Chicago where I hope the Bears will take one over the Eagles.
The weather was great - yes chilly too - when I left and I hope that we'll have the sme tomorrow because I really want to take Taao and Tanner for some shredding at the Elgin BMX track.
The 2010 SX season is closing in pretty fast, and even if some riders are still racing at the four corners of the world, from The Madrid SX to the Australian SX series via the Lyon SX, Genoa and Geneva. Teams and riders are getting ready, programs are bring finalized although things are really late this year, especially in the gear segment. I am still in talks with 3 riders in the US and know that 3 or 4 more interesting guys are available for helmet deals.
In Europe, It looks like we will concentrate in the MX2 Motocross World Championship with 2 riders, including one that I really would want to make sure we sign because I believe that he has a great future and has a very cool personality. He would spank me on the bmx track too by the way. So crossing fingers, and lobbying strongly, so that we sign him.
Of course I'm not allowed to give banes right now but after a few good weeks of talks and lobbying, we finally gave our word to a rider that I believe in. Someone that could have a break away year and bring us a good amount of exposure. I believe ge has the ability and the speed to be a regular top 7 in SX in 2010, even if the competition will be pretty strong.
Of course we are not going to see an AGV helmet on Bubba (still under contract with Bell and for sure way too expensive for us, we already have Valentino and Marco at that level), not on the Factory Kawi Monster Energy Thor Parts Unlimited boy, Reedy and RV2 (those lads belong to Thor forever I would think), not on Mike Alessi neither and although there was a very short discussion/interest on our part, the #800 was to expensive for our budget and for the exposure we thought we would get from him; over $60,000 for a helmet deal for a racer doing the AMA Nationals only and no SX or no X Games isn't really someone we would want right away. Not until we build on our sales and have a stronger sponsoring budget, in order to afford to grow the team. I do think that Mike has a good amount of exposure, can win races in 2010, but I'm not sure we are rich enough to afford the controversies that usually follow him and we know that riders' endorsements are not a strong impact on products sales, the Alessi Broz and DV didn't really boost the Shark MX helmets sales in the US. Riders are a very strong part of marketing and exposure for sure, but as part of a whole strategy, not as purchase influencers.
That's why I believe that our choice of riders for 2010, will help us re-enter the already saturated off-road market. They will bring us enough exposure to back-up the rest of the marketing effort.
Of course there is one more rider I'm trying to sign but I'm not sure we have the budget. I have to say that I really would love to find the budget because that is one of my favorite rider; great exposure, great personality, no controversy, great family and easy to work with. Not an AMA SX winner but a definite MX race winner. I'm crossing fingers on that one and lobbying my mangenent ro find the extra ressources, because that would be a good match.
1 hour left on our flight. I'm going to go back to reading the latest Racer X issue. I really love the new look they gave to the magazine. Great editorial by DC and especially by David Bailey this month. Also liked Cox and Ping's columns, and Steve is right, it is time we get involved in concussion management and prevention.
I'm going back to finish the 'zine, but I think that 2010 is going to be a great racing year in AMA SX/MX as well as World MXGPs.
From Anaheim 1 to Sam Boyd Stadium, we should have a very good battle and although I believe that the 3 podium spots will be squatted by James Stewart, Chad Reed and Ryan Villopoto, we should have all out dash for cash races with Josh Hill, Josh Grant, Andrew Short, Davi Millsaps, Ivan Tedesco (on which bike or team?), JB114, Ryan Dungey, Dan Reardon and Kevin Windham.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
So off to Dallas, for less than 24 hours, to represent AGV helmets and Dainese apparel at Moto Liberty's annual Midnight Madness sales bash. One of my best clients and voted Best Texas Motorcycle Accessories & Apparel Shop 8 years in a row, this is one of their events one can't miss. Caught my flight out of O'Hare at 11am, landing around 1:30pm, rental car then off to the store. Work all afternoon and night, the event usually ends around 2am, then off for a quick sleep before carving my 10am flying bus back to Chicago where I hope the Bears will take one over the Eagles.
The weather was great - yes chilly too - when I left and I hope that we'll have the sme tomorrow because I really want to take Taao and Tanner for some shredding at the Elgin BMX track.
The 2010 SX season is closing in pretty fast, and even if some riders are still racing at the four corners of the world, from The Madrid SX to the Australian SX series via the Lyon SX, Genoa and Geneva. Teams and riders are getting ready, programs are bring finalized although things are really late this year, especially in the gear segment. I am still in talks with 3 riders in the US and know that 3 or 4 more interesting guys are available for helmet deals.
In Europe, It looks like we will concentrate in the MX2 Motocross World Championship with 2 riders, including one that I really would want to make sure we sign because I believe that he has a great future and has a very cool personality. He would spank me on the bmx track too by the way. So crossing fingers, and lobbying strongly, so that we sign him.
Of course I'm not allowed to give banes right now but after a few good weeks of talks and lobbying, we finally gave our word to a rider that I believe in. Someone that could have a break away year and bring us a good amount of exposure. I believe ge has the ability and the speed to be a regular top 7 in SX in 2010, even if the competition will be pretty strong.
Of course we are not going to see an AGV helmet on Bubba (still under contract with Bell and for sure way too expensive for us, we already have Valentino and Marco at that level), not on the Factory Kawi Monster Energy Thor Parts Unlimited boy, Reedy and RV2 (those lads belong to Thor forever I would think), not on Mike Alessi neither and although there was a very short discussion/interest on our part, the #800 was to expensive for our budget and for the exposure we thought we would get from him; over $60,000 for a helmet deal for a racer doing the AMA Nationals only and no SX or no X Games isn't really someone we would want right away. Not until we build on our sales and have a stronger sponsoring budget, in order to afford to grow the team. I do think that Mike has a good amount of exposure, can win races in 2010, but I'm not sure we are rich enough to afford the controversies that usually follow him and we know that riders' endorsements are not a strong impact on products sales, the Alessi Broz and DV didn't really boost the Shark MX helmets sales in the US. Riders are a very strong part of marketing and exposure for sure, but as part of a whole strategy, not as purchase influencers.
That's why I believe that our choice of riders for 2010, will help us re-enter the already saturated off-road market. They will bring us enough exposure to back-up the rest of the marketing effort.
Of course there is one more rider I'm trying to sign but I'm not sure we have the budget. I have to say that I really would love to find the budget because that is one of my favorite rider; great exposure, great personality, no controversy, great family and easy to work with. Not an AMA SX winner but a definite MX race winner. I'm crossing fingers on that one and lobbying my mangenent ro find the extra ressources, because that would be a good match.
1 hour left on our flight. I'm going to go back to reading the latest Racer X issue. I really love the new look they gave to the magazine. Great editorial by DC and especially by David Bailey this month. Also liked Cox and Ping's columns, and Steve is right, it is time we get involved in concussion management and prevention.
I'm going back to finish the 'zine, but I think that 2010 is going to be a great racing year in AMA SX/MX as well as World MXGPs.
From Anaheim 1 to Sam Boyd Stadium, we should have a very good battle and although I believe that the 3 podium spots will be squatted by James Stewart, Chad Reed and Ryan Villopoto, we should have all out dash for cash races with Josh Hill, Josh Grant, Andrew Short, Davi Millsaps, Ivan Tedesco (on which bike or team?), JB114, Ryan Dungey, Dan Reardon and Kevin Windham.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Oct 8, 2009
Awesome Motocross of Nations 09 video by Moto Mag
This is a really good video by the lads from Moto Magazine in the UK. Summary of the '09 Motocross des Nations. USA wins for the 5th time in a row. 20th Chamberlain trophy for the US. 3rd victory at Des Nations for IT9.
Aug 24, 2009
Apr 15, 2009
Here we go again! SX is on in Seattle
After the only weekend off of the season the SX series return in Seattle this weekend. 3 races to go and 5 points difference in the SX class, between James "Bubba" Stewart and Chad "Skippy" Reed. The title race is wide open.
2 races to go in the West Coast SX Lites class who return to racing after a veryyyyy loooooong break. I even forgot who's really in this class apart from the Top 3 contenders and very tight in points, Dungey, Weimer and Morais. As we drawn to the finish line I am still bummed that both Trey Canard and J-Law took themselves out of the series in the early rounds.
The weather forecast shows possible rain on Friday... but who really believes the Weather Man.
Here's the Seattle track:
2 races to go in the West Coast SX Lites class who return to racing after a veryyyyy loooooong break. I even forgot who's really in this class apart from the Top 3 contenders and very tight in points, Dungey, Weimer and Morais. As we drawn to the finish line I am still bummed that both Trey Canard and J-Law took themselves out of the series in the early rounds.
The weather forecast shows possible rain on Friday... but who really believes the Weather Man.
Here's the Seattle track:
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