Bubs out for Lakewood.

[dirt bike dave]

Okie - I was at Glen Helen last year and brought a stop watch. I timed 5 laps at random for each for Bubba and RC.

Every lap I timed RC was 2:43 to 2:44. Very Consistant. Bubba's best lap I timed was early in the moto and approximately the same as the slowest lap I timed RC, 2:44. That's a huge accomplishment on a track that favors power. However, every other lap I timed Bubba he was 2:49 - 2:50, or 5+ seconds slower than RC. Both RC and Bubba had huge leads each moto. Both were freakishly fast in some sections - way better than anyone else.

BTW, Bubba was on the mighty 250F that race. He lapped up to about 20th, as did RC.

My take is Bubba's overall moto times on the 125 were substantially slower than RC on the 450, even though Bubba's best laps were comparable to RC's. IMO, now that Bubba does not have the luxury of slowing down at the 15 minute mark, he is hitting a wall he never reached before. Next year he will be prepared.

 

[Philip]

I agree Okie, I guess my meaning did not come through. I think Bubba has done more than Travis, but unless he figures out his problem, thats all anyone will say. I also agree this is physical, coupled with an unfamilier place for him mentally. I like Bubba and hope he succeeds are at least gives it his all. But when someone has so much potential and fails then everyone will always say what shoulda been(ie Travis). I think if it is OK to dog RC then it has to be the same for Bubba. It would not be fair to just all bow down to the great bubba for any reason other than his racing accomplishments. Everyone seems to fall over bubba b/c he is more flashy than RC, but this is not a debate over who drives the best hummer. It is however a debate about who can run consistantly and win a #1 plate. Bubba has yet to prove either......in the 250/450 class. I do respect the ones he has won in the jr. class. The talk was all about "wait till bubba moves up especially outdoor where he is really fast."

 

[Micahdawg]

Did anyone catch the McGrath interview in Cycle World where MC said, "I hope bubba doesn't turn out to be another Damon bradshaw....some dynamite wins, but never a championship."

Micah

 

[zcookie49]

I'm going to my first MX national ever this weekend in Lakewood, and I really wish Bubba was going to be there. :(

Ryan[/QUOTE]

...
Not to be rude, but that sucks... I have been fortunate to see him race every year at Budds Creek and he definately puts on an awesome display.
.
Just remember though, you'll get to see RC probably 30 seconds before the pack :p

 

[kelseybrent]

From www.cyclenews.com:
Love the "I didn't realize that I was going so much faster" crap.

MOTOCROSS - James Stewart's Statement
Posted by Brendan Lutes
What Happened 7/22/2005

The following is a brief statement from James Stewart.

“I want to thank all the fans who have supported me this year as I transition to the 250 class. As you have seen from the press release Kawasaki sent out, my doctor recommends that I sit out this weekend. I was looking forward to racing on the new track in Colorado, we tested there a few weeks ago and the track was fun. I felt great last weekend at Unadilla until Ricky and I tangled together.” Stewart added, “I personally called Ricky today, and explained that I did not mean to land on him while we were racing for the win at Unadilla. I would never land on anyone on purpose, especially a Champion like Ricky who I have always respected, and I am glad that Ricky was not hurt. The reason it happened is that I needed a strong drive from the turn before the jump to carry momentum up the next hill, so I was sweeping the outside. That's what I was doing every lap, and I didn't realize that I was going so much faster and that we would come together. I hope the fans get to see some great racing this weekend, I will be back soon and riding my heart out.”

James Stewart, #259

 

[ellandoh]

bubba has nothing wrong with him except a deflated ego, period! he has to come to terms with playing second fiddle until the unnatural beast retires and that is a fact he cant face or accept right now .

the lack of conditioning is not only physical but mental, it is easy to give 110% concentration for acouple of freakishly fast laps, 40 minutes is impossible to give 110% concentration and when someone is still in front of you whom is not yet being pushed over or even to their limit yet , it gets real frustrating when youve been hyped up by so many people.

bubba may not have purposely crashed on rc but his subconcious allowed him to do it , period , IMO he is a very smart and experienced rider and i have no doubt he saw it coming. for a split second his rage allowed him to slip and by the time he reacted it was too late

 

[Ryone]

Hey, if he really called RC to clear things up, his stock just went up in my book. I said from the get-go that I didn't think he meant it (conscious or sub-conscious)

Thumbs up Bubba

 

[JMD]

Bubba made a pretty gracious statement, and it's good that he called RC. But he shouldn't have waited a week to do it. That makes it look like he was pushed into it by bad press and fan pressure. Still, it was a pretty good statement. I hope he means it.

 

[dirt bike dave]

From www.cyclenews.com:

"The reason it happened is that I needed a strong drive from the turn before the jump to carry momentum up the next hill... "

James Stewart, #259

Is that a subtle dig at the KX250? To me, it reads a little like he's partly blaming the collision on the bike. Like maybe the collision would not have happened if he had a 450, and did not need so much more corner speed than RC, just to carry hills.

 

[pace]

I think it's a pretty gracious statement, and wouldn't dissect every sentence looking for hidden implications. Bubba may not read this forum, but he and the team have a pretty good handle on what's being said out in the motocross fan base. He was probably advised to issue this in response to the negative press he's been getting on his 'tangle' with RC.

It reads a great deal more respectful than most of what comes out of his mouth. :cool:

 

[Okiewan]

It's amazing the insight some people have!

It's also no wonder the kid and Kawasaki aren't saying much, no matter what he does or says, the haters will find something to bag on. It's a lose - lose deal for him.

 

[john3_16]

No one would sit out for a simple head smack.

Bubba has a history of doing this so it's not neccessarily something else...He elected not to race a 125 SX because of a head smack before...I don't know how many of you have noticed but when you bang your head pretty hard one time if you're not allowed to completely heal then even small blows to the head like those in a small tipovers can lead to concussions...What usually would take a hard hit can be accomplished with just a jolt of hitting the ground without the head making contact.

Travis went through this in his 125 title defense because he didn't allow his head enough time to heal..No I'm not comparing Bubba to Travis but I am comparing what can happen with a head injury so it's probably a good idea for Bubba to sit out because of hitting his head.

 

[jboomer]

Like a bunch of women, swooning over him.... :think:

He makes an apology almost a week after the incident, probably after all his friends were ragging him about the uproar on the internet. Sure, better late than never, but saying it doesn't necessarily make it sincere. :ahhh:

 

[ellandoh]

if i did what he did and my legs still worked properly i wouldve had to make amends ASADP , but that is me

they say better late than never, in this case, i have to say, he did what he had to do, by someone elses suggestion

 

[xsnrg]

From www.cyclenews.com:
Love the "I didn't realize that I was going so much faster" crap.

He obviously was going much faster or he wouldn't have landed on top of him. I don't think he meant faster as in he was doing better, I think he meant their relative velocity at that moment. Don't see anything wrong with that statement in that context...I doubt if Ricky would either.

 

[CJG]

From www.cyclenews.com:
MOTOCROSS - James Stewart's Statement
Posted by Brendan Lutes
What Happened 7/22/2005

The following is a brief statement from James Stewart.

“I would never land on anyone on purpose,”

James Stewart, #259

That's not what he said in his interview for "The Great Outdoors- Another Perfect Season Special Edition". Here is that segment of the interview- James Stewart"I just don't like getting dirty dude. For real dude. Just don't roost me because I don't like it. I remember at Budd's Creek dude. The first practice, Sunday practice, I was riding behind, and couldn't get around Buckelew dude. So I'm getting pissed dude. I was like getting roosted and I couldn't get around him. Dude this[pause] I'm the only three digit number that's supposed to be up here. Like just having fun. And so I'm like 'Dude he's roosting me, roosting me' and there's like this one single dude. I hit that thing wide open and he was still in front of me. And I'm like in the air going[makes sound of revving motorcycle]. And like my target was to land on him. For real, I was so pissed that I kept getting dirty and I could not pass him. So I hit it wide open, and he looked up and went like this[acts like he's turning], and I landed right next to him. I for real was going to land on him dude. I didn't care. I was going to end the whole race season, the whole year. I was that pissed. I was just wide open landing[makes sound of revving motorcycle]. It was awesome!"

 

[weimedog]

If thats for real, and not just a kids bragging and telling stories; an attitude adjustment is required. For his career as well as others on the track. The AMA might need a push from their insurance companies..I'd hate to be on the wrong side of a liability suite where Bubba lands AND seriously injures another rider. There is enough history in his pro racing to make the case people drop around him more than most. This year its happened twice. That statement is a damning thing when its all piled together as it is insight to intent. Maybe riders dropping is not as random and accidental as it needs to be. Enough stuff here for some to take it and run should the opportunity arise. Bubba and his people along with the AMA might want to research and re-assess a bit before coming back.

AMA wins because of the liability issue...
Bubba wins because his true ability can be shown without the pressure of trying to be the spoiled brat bad ass always expecting to get his own way, or else(What? dropping a competitor??). (Just ride and learn this year Bubba and things will work out..time is on your side!)
We all win because we see intense racing as Bubba grows that will rival the great duals of the past.

 

[brit yz125]

Got a 'dude' count for that quote?

Give Bubba a break. None of us here need to bow down to him, just respect what a talent he is. When he puts those goggles on, he is a racer, simple as. You've got to have that sort of determination to win at such a high calibre of racing, that's why we all resort to forums like this, because it's easy to slag someone off when you're not in their position. Racing incidents happen, and we see a lot of 'close ones', so occasionally they will collide, especially at that speed. I dont think you can read between the lines in his first quote, he's just telling it how it is. Have'nt we already discussed 2 strokes taking different lines to 4 strokes? A rider of Bubbas calibre will get it figured out, it's just a case of when.

 

[weimedog]

I guess I'm only 1/2 taking the "lines" defence. I've been there enough in the past to know there is limit to where you take the attitude..its MY line, I'm going to force it approach. He could see what was in front and in his line.

Read that statement about the incedent...thats a typical PR deal. Written by professionals. I would much rather hear it from Bubba where I could actually see his reaction to the larger situation at hand. Like the interview..that has more insight to where he is mentally

I agree we shouldn't "bow down to him" or expect him to "bow down" to ANY one else, including RC! One of the things I really like about Bubba is he IS truely riding his heart out!

But Motocross is not about taking people out because you think, at some level; your the only one who should be up front having fun. Its dangerous enough as it is to where that mentality has NO place in this sport. A young fella has to loose that (if it's there) before Physics ruin someones career.

Understand I would think the same way if it my own kid. I would want to guide him away from those self destructive short term lapses of judgement by attacking the core reason...goal being to set him up for a LONG career. RC has done that. Bubba can as well. I hope he can take stock of this deal and move on..in a constructive way.

 

[justice29]

lol, everyone's writing Bubba off.. :rotfl: OMG, talk about funny. Unreal. :coocoo:

I personally believe there's been something wrong with him all season. Dizziness, lightheadedness to the point of having to stop x 2, poor performance (People beating him now that he used to lap and should NOT be beating him now), etc.

Who is beating him now that he used to lap? That's BS.

I don't think there is anything chronically wrong with him aside from poor conditioning. He is riding above his head and making careless mistakes. :ahhh:

Now, if he suffered a concussion last week, then he should sit out this race and perhaps a few more.

But to attempt to attribute his "poor" performance to some mysterious medical condition is just as silly as the people that are ready to write him off.

He is an incredibly talented rider with lots of speed and innovation, but he's also very young and has a lot to learn and needs to ride within himself.

Simple as that.

Go RC......he is the G.O.A.T. :nener:

John

 

[Shermanator]

Come on guy don't you remember last year when Bubba lapped RC, Reed, and Windham? :laugh:

A lot of riders find the 250 man class impossible when they move up.

Who is beating him now that he used to lap? That's BS.

I don't think there is anything chronically wrong with him aside from poor conditioning. He is riding above his head and making careless mistakes. :ahhh:

Now, if he suffered a concussion last week, then he should sit out this race and perhaps a few more.

But to attempt to attribute his "poor" performance to some mysterious medical condition is just as silly as the people that are ready to write him off.

He is an incredibly talented rider with lots of speed and innovation, but he's also very young and has a lot to learn and needs to ride within himself.

Simple as that.

Go RC......he is the G.O.A.T. :nener:

John

 

[Okiewan]

I don't think there is anything chronically wrong with him aside from poor conditioning.

You came to that conclusion looking thru you highly trained medical eyes?

EVERYTHING in this thread and the hundreds of others just like it is pure, unadulterated speculation. There is NOT ONE opinion that can even be considered an "educated" guess. Sure makes for great internet fodder tho.

Bottom line? There are many amoung us that LOVE to see people fail. Simply really.

 

[pace]

Bottom line? There are many amoung us that LOVE to see people fail.

..which is odd, given the amount of whining about the outdoors being a one-man-show.

 

[dirt bike dave]

Speculating on Bubba's problem is certainly not the same as loving or wanting to see him fail.

He's one of the biggest names in the sport. He's having a horrible year. He's not talking about it. People (not only the haters) speculate because they want answers.

BTW, as explanations go, being in inferior shape to RC is probably the best case scenario any Bubba fan could hope for. But I guess you are not supposed to mention it unless you are his personal phsician.

 

[Philip]

I think his apology is genuine and I respect that. I for one am glad he did it. I really would hate to see bad blood between those guys. :cool: