a few things to keep in mind. assuming RC's claim to GOAT is legit (itidn't)(he was juiced) RV is making a very serious run at unseating him. as these bikes get more refined each year there will always be a gifted few who can ride them to some significant degree of their potential. him and a handful of others are on another planet. when RV went down in turn one at SW and proceeded to pass half the field or more in 2 laps he wasn't doing it by virtue of his superior conditioning program. we are seeing possibly the fastest rider ever the guy is greased freaking lightning. yes his condition gives him an edge. so does fuel injection and so do fresh tires but when the gate drops he's the one signing the check. it's like getting to watch Rembrandt or Michelangleo but they took months and years to ply their trade RV lays it all down in 30 minutes plus two laps. and if you get bored watching him the supporting cast aren't exactly slouches either. these guys are collectively the best there ever was if by nothing else based on the bikes they are blessed to have available to them. some of the past greats might still bust it big on skyshot but they won't do it sideways and upside down like Barcia does and he's just a damn kid. if this season was boring you need to get out more or get a bigger TV.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gjxe0fTIwzc
as they say. sick!!! it's so subtle these guys are so freaking good. watch Canard @ 1:15. that's a freaking surgeon with a scalpel.
if he's still dominant the economy (if improved) in 2015 might support stupid money being thrown at him. these guys are doing well but they aren't doing NBA your grand kids will never have to work well. time will tell.
It wouldn't surprise me. He seems to have an " I can take it or leave it " attitude. I hope he sticks around awhile. It is amazing to watch him ride.
No doubt on all that......^^^ But,when a rider dominates like RV has this season it makes for a very boring series. No?
No. I'm not particularly an RV fan like some here, but he is the best right now. RV doesn't dominate anything like RC did and he seemed more in control than RV. I always had fun watching the rest sorting out 3-6 places, Reed always had 2nd place locked in but was never as close to RC as Dungey always is to RV. If lead changes and a bunched up pack is what turns you on you should be watching NASCRAP. When one of them guys gets a big lead they throw a yellow flag so everyone can catch up. Maybe we could lobby for something like that to make MX more exciting, anytime someone gets more than 10 second lead over 3rd (yes 3rd) place throw a yellow slow down flag and let the pack bunch back up. (serious sarcasm) .
I still like the idea of making RV start backwards on the gate. I guess wanting to see some lead changes and actual racing is asking a bit too much for you hard core racers?
LOL Walking away winning and healthy is the best!!!!! just like the GOAT, hat off to RV, that would be the best to see
no when a rider dominates like JS7 did and wins every moto it makes for a boring season. RV isn't in that league of domination.
It sure looked like it from the couch. Guess I need to get to Unadilla next year. I know the racers this year are the best of all time but it looks like RV is just racing the track and not the other riders. I watched and anticipated an old school "you pass me I'll pass you back" battle reminiscent of Decoster and Hannah between RD and RV. It never came. That's why to me it was a boring season. YOMV
I dunno... these top guys make some serious bank. Ever see JS7's collection of cars... Lambo's, Ferrari's, and so on, plus a damn nice house or two. Now who knows, maybe he spends everything he makes like some athletes do, but I think the top riders are making millions. I read somewhere that Chad Reed was the 2nd highest paid athlete in Australia right behind Mark Webber (F1).
which makes his riding that much more noteworthy and the fact that he has company makes it even more so. I think the days of epic battles are mostly over. these guys are so good when they get a start, cy o nara. that and when the others aren't %110 like Reed and Stewart this year, it will show. But this is still a pretty special time when you've got 5 guys or however many you want to put into the can win on any Saturday category who are also insanely skilled. I remember Unadilla last month 450 moto one. Skyshot. 2nd lap. Like it had been rehearsed. RV. RD. JS. equally spaced. about a mile in the air and not even anything crazy just going about their business like it's normal. casually yank off a tear off. :huh and lets not forget Milsapps has upped the ante also when he's right as we finally saw this year. stand back. so for SX in Jan.. Milsapps RV RD 41 Tomac Barcia and thats not even mentioning Reed and Stewart. and Stewart! throw in Josh Grant and Short and Nicoletti and it's a stacked field of very special riders. Good luck to the rest of them trying to get a foot in the door. Awesome time in the sport given the speeds they are running.
Reed had a real good run pre 2009 when the money was like ripe fruit on a tree. I'm sure RV has made some nice money but I'd bet not so much that he couldn't be persuaded to sign a multi year contract to ride after 2015. Andy Pettite retired years ago... I would also think given his low key personality his post career earning potential is not great. this isn't really the sport for that anyway. As far as James Stewart, I'm sure he's been very prudent with his spending those cars were probably borrowed.
Well, they worked hard to make the bike something other than a moody bitch. Now they can try fixing this rider.