McGrath-Where is his speed?

[Saratoga]

Is McGrath injured? This would be the only reasonable explanation for him not to be a threat. Sure he is older but that would not hinder his performance if he is in good shape. Is that arm pump rumor true? He must be so frustrated not to be a contender.

 

[Lostrider]

I think MC's main problem is he just can't seem to get a good start. Although he does seem a little slower this year, that or everyone else is faster! It is definitely more competitive this year than I have seen in the past. I think It's going to come down to the last 2 races to know who will win it this year.

 

[MRKRacing125]

We all know MC is King of the supercross series. I really think he loves just to ride, and I think that his racing seems more like a job to him than a love for the greatest sport! We all know MC is fast, but there isnt anyway of telling what is wrong with him unless you are MC, and I think he is hiding behind something when he says, " All I need is a better start." Maybe he is injured. Who knows!

 

[Anssi]

Maybe he just worked too hard(physically) off-season to catch up with RC. Since he never was the leanest, meanest supercrosser out there, maybe he just tried to do too much, too fast.

 

[JuliusPleaser]

My thoughts exactly. He looks leaner and in better shape now than he did last year, but he could have over-trained. Maybe he'll get back to his old self before the season ends.

 

[nephron]

Funny you say that. For some reason, I remember MC saying just THAT about LaRocco last year during SX.:eek: They were asking MC why LaRocco hasn't seemed to win anything in a while, and he said he thought LaRocco spent too much time training & came in overtrained & stiff.

...how prophetically ironic..:confused:

 

[kelsorat]

How can a rider overtrain. It does seem ironic. The riders have all progressed and trained extra hard just to match Ricky's speed. David Bailey spoke about all the riders in the 250 class having to bring their riding up a level or be faced with Ricky winning all the races. He said it almost every SX race and every National. Jeremy sat out a Nationals season (as he wishes), but I believe that the 2001 MX Nationals were a turning point and wake up call for all the riders. Match Ricky's speed or else.

 

[Duneman]

David Bailey yesetrday said everyone is pointing the finger at Mc's trainer for having Mc lift weights. when I was 18 I raced in the CMC in Southern Ca. and sarted lifting weights, lifting weights will make you slower than anything. before I was lifting I could do 80 pushups but could only bench 200 pounds, after I started lifting I could bench 250 but could only do 40 pushups. lifting weights will make you stiff and tight. I quite and was riding faster in no time. Joging crosstraining and riding long motos is how he should be training.
:D

 

[Anssi]

Originally posted by Duneman
lifting weights will make you stiff and tight.

Oh puh-leeze.

If you just start pumping iron and ignore everything else (mobility exercises, stretching), then maybe. Otherwise, lifting weights will quite possibly make you faster and more explosive in your movements.

 

[Duneman]

well I guess what I meant was that if you lift to build bigger muscles. i jogged and stretched and was an amature boxer and trained very hard. but lifting to build bigger muscle will slow you down if you already are a talented rider who already has the muscle needed to go fast. lifting is great but I had to switch to lighter weights, alot lighter and do longer reps. I finally quite lifting free weights and found other ways to train. nothing is better than cross training and long motos. I was very athletic, but lifting is not the answer.

 

[KTM400MAN]

I have to agree with Duneman on this one. I know by recent experience, that the same has happened to me. I suffered a severe shoulder separation
back in early October, and had to hit the weights to strengthen and tighten up the muscles in and around the shoulder area. I tried to keep the weights light and higher reps(20-30 reps. I stretched before and after workouts, as always and still did cardio. At first things were all good, but strangely enough, as I started getting stronger, I started having arm pump problems. I have now gone back to mainly cardio, and very light weight( even though it doesn't seem to be making me stronger, at least it is better than being stiff) and lots of abdominal work. Also I have made sacrifices to ride more, and so far things are improving greatly. Just my .02$ worth. Erik

 

[moto1313]

I hate to break the news....

I hate to be the bearer of bad(?) news, but McGrath is DONE. I predict this is his final year of racing. He is his old self-this is all that is left. He was a great rider and champion, but his days of winning multiple times are definitely over. He will be lucky to win at all this year. There are just too many riders now that can easily match his pace, now add a bad start and he can't even catch up. Look for a couple podiums, but don't expect him to win-those days are done.

 

[S.FL MX'r]

I think it is from a lack of racing at that level. The racing is too intense at the level they are at. If you are just a second off a lap several guys will go by you this year. When McGrath stopped racing in May everyone else kept racing for the next 5 months. Look at how much faster Tim Ferry was from about April until the end of the outdoor season. I am sad MC is not winning but I am not surprised.

 

[ML536]

Too much Bud Light. :D

 

[Montana300]

Somebody check his 'born on' date, I think he's expired :ugg:

 

[willstyle]

MC was the guest on the "Lovlines" radio program. (Adam from The Man Show's radio program) Jeremy said that his back was injured and the last race he was able to lead 7 laps and that he was feeling better. He is 30 now, but he says he is still having fun. He has a contract with Bud Light/Yamaha for a couple more years. He still has something left.

Will

 

[Senior KX Rider]

Don't count him out of the win column yet. I think he will get there. I like it better when one rider does not dominate the series:)

 

[slo' mo]

Originally posted by Senior KX Rider
I like it better when one rider does not dominate the series:)

Amen to that! Though a big MC fan, I loved the fact Iron Mike won what is hopefully the first of several, and that Pastrana or a host of others could be on the top of the podium. Don't forget the Cobra, who seems like the man to beat so far. We just need to naturalize him so he can be a 'Murican!

still would put money that MC will take one or more this year.
:cool:

 

[Pokie]

Le Cobra... a 'Murican... if you can teach 'im to speak gooder so 'e will lose zat aksent!... may be 'e should speak French and Davey Coombs interprets with a 'andy electronic traductor...........
He does ride pretty and smooth though! sacre' bleu!

 

[theMotoMan]

As much as I hate to admit it, yes the cobra is looking very smooth. What is it about him though? I just can't get excited about DV winning! And I'm a Yamaha fan too! I find myself rooting for Pastrana or LaRocco.