Stewart Injured

[Senior KX Rider]

Looks like Langston thinks that he could build an insurmountable points lead with Bubba out for 3 rounds.

racerx

May 7, 2003

Grant Langston switches to the 125 class

Team Red Bull KTM just doubled down on their chances of winning the 2003 AMA/Chevy Trucks U.S. National Motocross Championship in the 125 class by giving Grant Langston the go-ahead to switch classes.

"I got a call at two this morning from Kurt Nicoll giving me the okay," said Langston when he phoned the Racer X office this morning. The former 125cc World MX Champion has suffered through injuries during the last year and half. "I have to tell you, with Bubba out now, the 125 class is wide open, and I really think I can clean up in that class. I told Kurt last night I needed to know as soon as possible so I could begin preparing this morning, and after they all talked it over, he said to go ahead and get a 125 ready for me."

Langston came within three laps of winning the 2001 title from Mike Brown, but suffered collapsed wheel near the end of the final moto of the season at Steel City. Langston was originally set to ride the KTM 250SX outdoors, but now must be added to the list of title favorites in the 125 class, which includes the veterans Brown and Red Bull KTM teammate Ryan Hughes, as well as a long list of 125cc up-and-comers.

 

[Senior KX Rider]

You know that Brown is thinking the same thing BUT if they get enough people fighting over those points the lead may not be so big that Bubba can't overcome it :aj:

 

[Kawidude]

Does that seem like a chicken move to anyone else? Wouldn't a 125 title mean more to Langston if he came out and actually beat Bubba for an entire series? I like Langston and Bubba, and I'm sure Langston will take the title either way (if he wins it), but it seems a little shady to me.

 

[Senior KX Rider]

Its going to be a GREAT year in the 125 class :thumb:

 

[MTC]

Maybe Langston will ride KTM's new 4-stroke? Probably not, but stranger thinks have happened.

 

[Patman]

Originally posted by Kawidude
Does that seem like a chicken move to anyone else? Wouldn't a 125 title mean more to Langston if he came out and actually beat Bubba for an entire series? I like Langston and Bubba, and I'm sure Langston will take the title either way (if he wins it), but it seems a little shady to me.

That #1 plate would be something KTM would be VERY happy to have so I'm sure they would be pretty happy with Grant especially considering it's a lot better than a mid top 10 finish in the 250 class.

 

[motochic]

Are you guys sure Ryan's coming back? I'd love to see him out there racing again! Do you know if there's an article on any website about it? Thanks-

 

[Kawidude]

Originally posted by Patman
That #1 plate would be something KTM would be VERY happy to have so I'm sure they would be pretty happy with Grant especially considering it's a lot better than a mid top 10 finish in the 250 class.

Yep, I don't doubt that. I guess maybe Grant is due a little good Karma after his rear wheel blew up.

 

[dirt bike dave]

After the way Langston took out Bobby Bonds at Hangtown '01, he might still be in a hole as far as karma is concerned.

 

[marcusgunby]

I think Grant is right to switch to the 125-i believe the 250 is the sporn of the devil, as no rider seems to do well on them, this includes Dobb,Crockard,McGrath.They have too much motor and not enough suspension/handling finess.

 

[zcookie49]

racer x reports that the DR installed a metal plate for his broken clavicle, still shooting at 4- 6 weeks...

 

[Kawidude]

Originally posted by dirt bike dave
After the way Langston took out Bobby Bonds at Hangtown '01, he might still be in a hole as far as karma is concerned.

Oh yeah, I was there and I remember that happening too. Okay, maybe he's even right now in the karma department. ;)

 

[nephron]

I really think I can clean up in that class

:eek: Not only are those big words, but how could he say that in light of Rhyno being on the same team? Weird.

 

[bclapham]

i watched ryno on that 125sx at the world cup GH race. he wasnt that far behind Dubach on the 450f!

 

[HiG4s]

Preston should stick with 125, I think he would be able to get several 1st without Bubba there, even with Langston back on a 125.

 

[angry jim]

HiG4,
I disagree about Preston. He did poorly last year in the nationals. He is way too big for the bike. In the nationals power to weight ratio is more important than in SX because of the long straights and big hills on most tracks. Plus, Preston looks good on the 450.

 

[TheGrinch]

I have to agree with angy jim. Preston performed poorly in the outdoors last season. I think he would do better on the 450F. I like Preston but I think he is better at Supercross than he is outdoors.

 

[Tony Williams]

Originally posted by bclapham
i was in ECC the other week looking at bikes, i was talking to the guy, he asked me "where are you from with that accent", "i am from the United Kingdom" i replied. He turned and said to me, "wow, your english is really good. How long have you spoken english?"

I like telling 'em that I was born in London. So they'll tell me "I don't sound like it". Uh, I've been in the U.S. a very long time....

Gotta practice on my motherland accent :confused:

 

[HiG4s]

Originally posted by angry jim
HiG4,
I disagree about Preston. He did poorly last year in the nationals. He is way too big for the bike. In the nationals power to weight ratio is more important than in SX because of the long straights and big hills on most tracks. Plus, Preston looks good on the 450.

I think the key is torque, not HP and while Preston is too big for the CR125 I thought Honda was going to be running the pre-production CRF250 outdoors? Preston would fit it much better than a 125. And while Preston does look good on a 450, I'm sure Honda would rather take a chance on first in the 250 class and a first int the 125 class than a first and a third or forth in the 250 class. If anyone has a good shot it would be Preston in my opinion because Bubba would have to continually be thinking about how Preston took the SX title because of crashing and now has a chance to do it again outdoors, and unfortunatly, when Bubba thinks he crashes more.