Are the Monday Morning Quarterbacks Right?
All over the internet people are saying, "James Stewart is a quitter." And this photo by Don Meada seems to prove they may be right!
It's hard to sit back and listen to all the talk about doing battle out there on the track and then watch the guy with the biggest mouth (okay, second biggest - Alessi has the biggest) ride off the track cause he feels dizzy. Who's going to believe that after the effort Chad Reed put in. Stewart looked great in practice. Even had time for a few heel clickers. Chad hit the ground hard and suffered a mild concussion. If anyone should feel dizzy it's Chad. But without any fan fare, Chad road like a professional. He sucked it up and stayed on the course for the thirty minutes plus two laps. He never gave up, he never backed off.
Some might think I'm being too hard on the kid. He's young. He's a rookie. He's.....too stinking bad! He's paid to get out there and ride. He's paid to win races not pull off the track if he gets the sniffles. He's paid because he has more talent then that little guy who just keeps winning. The problem isn't his talent, the problem is his heart and the people who decided he needed to race Vegas.
Racing Las Vegas was a big mistake. It was all about ego. Kawasaki wanted a presence there. James wanted to beat everyone there. It was big lights, big TV time, big crowds, big, big, big! And James wanted it all. What he should have done was stay home and get ready for the Outdoor Nationals. The Supercross series was already decided the day James broke his arm. There was nothing for James at Vegas except more "James."
Everyone's biggest fears may be coming true-James may be the next Pastrana. What a shame that would be. Two of the most exciting riders to watch go down because they can't get the mental game mastered so they can keep it on two wheels. I remember when Travis was just a rookie. He was blazing fast and what a joy to watch. He could do things on that bike that would leave you shaking your head in disbelief.
Now, enter James. He dominated the 125 class without any problem. Remember when he waited for Chad Reed to pass him during a race only to come back and regain the lead a few laps later? What about his "Bubba scrub?" Have you ever seen him quad things no one else even thought about? Yeah, Phoenix comes to mind. So does the Vegas 125 Shootout, Dallas 2003, and numerous heat race and practice get offs that could have been worse.
I want James to succeed. I want him to win big. But I want him to earn it. I want him to do it with a bit of class. I want him to go out there and use his head not his press release. I want him to win with the same determination and hard work that the other Floridian Champion with little legs does. Never a complaint or excuse. Never a grab for the lime light. Never concerned about the blingbling.
When you're the best, you don't need to say a thing. Others won't be able to shut up about it. Just get out there and ride. Then I can print an apology. And I will!
BTW- That short guy, that Floridian with little legs? That's Ricky Carmichael, winningest rider in MX/SX history.
It's hard to sit back and listen to all the talk about doing battle out there on the track and then watch the guy with the biggest mouth (okay, second biggest - Alessi has the biggest) ride off the track cause he feels dizzy. Who's going to believe that after the effort Chad Reed put in. Stewart looked great in practice. Even had time for a few heel clickers. Chad hit the ground hard and suffered a mild concussion. If anyone should feel dizzy it's Chad. But without any fan fare, Chad road like a professional. He sucked it up and stayed on the course for the thirty minutes plus two laps. He never gave up, he never backed off.
Some might think I'm being too hard on the kid. He's young. He's a rookie. He's.....too stinking bad! He's paid to get out there and ride. He's paid to win races not pull off the track if he gets the sniffles. He's paid because he has more talent then that little guy who just keeps winning. The problem isn't his talent, the problem is his heart and the people who decided he needed to race Vegas.
Racing Las Vegas was a big mistake. It was all about ego. Kawasaki wanted a presence there. James wanted to beat everyone there. It was big lights, big TV time, big crowds, big, big, big! And James wanted it all. What he should have done was stay home and get ready for the Outdoor Nationals. The Supercross series was already decided the day James broke his arm. There was nothing for James at Vegas except more "James."
Everyone's biggest fears may be coming true-James may be the next Pastrana. What a shame that would be. Two of the most exciting riders to watch go down because they can't get the mental game mastered so they can keep it on two wheels. I remember when Travis was just a rookie. He was blazing fast and what a joy to watch. He could do things on that bike that would leave you shaking your head in disbelief.
Now, enter James. He dominated the 125 class without any problem. Remember when he waited for Chad Reed to pass him during a race only to come back and regain the lead a few laps later? What about his "Bubba scrub?" Have you ever seen him quad things no one else even thought about? Yeah, Phoenix comes to mind. So does the Vegas 125 Shootout, Dallas 2003, and numerous heat race and practice get offs that could have been worse.
I want James to succeed. I want him to win big. But I want him to earn it. I want him to do it with a bit of class. I want him to go out there and use his head not his press release. I want him to win with the same determination and hard work that the other Floridian Champion with little legs does. Never a complaint or excuse. Never a grab for the lime light. Never concerned about the blingbling.
When you're the best, you don't need to say a thing. Others won't be able to shut up about it. Just get out there and ride. Then I can print an apology. And I will!
BTW- That short guy, that Floridian with little legs? That's Ricky Carmichael, winningest rider in MX/SX history.
