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Supercross & Motocross
EMIG: Stewart’s Struggles Boost Rivals’ Confidence
SPEED's Jeff Emig analyzes the opening of the '12 Supercross season, explaining how James Stewart's off start has positively impacted his primary rivals.
JGRMX/Toyota/Yamaha's James Stewart (Photo: Yamaha Racing)
PROGRAMMING NOTE: Round 3 of the Monster Energy Supercross Lites West Championship from Los Angeles, CA will air on SPEED Monday, January 23 at 12:00pm ET. #SXonSPEED
At this point in the season, the Ryans (Villopoto and Dungey) have established themselves in this championship, while Chad Reed and James Stewart both appear to be finding their way.
I’m less concerned with Reed than Stewart, because Reed had a good race at Anaheim and a smart race last week. It’s probably not the position he was hoping for, but he didn’t make any big mistakes once he was behind. You kind of want to build a foundation to start the season. If you can win, great, but if not, just little by little build your confidence. Reed is doing that.
Stewart, on the other hand… They came out expecting to win. JGR hired Stewart as the rider they thought could come out and win. You kind of hear rumblings that they haven’t got the bike where the guys want, and the tire issues -- who knows what’s going on there? The bottom line is that James hasn’t made a lot of good decisions in the main event, and it’s put him at a real deficit already two races in, and I expected more from him.
James has always been a win or crash kind of rider. Second never has been good enough. It’s always been about winning. If before the season started you offered him a second and a third in the first two rounds, he probably wouldn’t have taken the deal. But, you look at it now and a second and a third would have been real nice.
It’s a long championship and I have all the faith in the world that Stewart’s going to be able to win, but the question to me is always -- and it’s been even important the past couple of years -- on his bad days, how bad is it going to be?
At this point in the season, the Ryans (Villopoto and Dungey) have established themselves in this championship, while Chad Reed and James Stewart both appear to be finding their way.
I’m less concerned with Reed than Stewart, because Reed had a good race at Anaheim and a smart race last week. It’s probably not the position he was hoping for, but he didn’t make any big mistakes once he was behind. You kind of want to build a foundation to start the season. If you can win, great, but if not, just little by little build your confidence. Reed is doing that.
Stewart, on the other hand… They came out expecting to win. JGR hired Stewart as the rider they thought could come out and win. You kind of hear rumblings that they haven’t got the bike where the guys want, and the tire issues -- who knows what’s going on there? The bottom line is that James hasn’t made a lot of good decisions in the main event, and it’s put him at a real deficit already two races in, and I expected more from him.
James has always been a win or crash kind of rider. Second never has been good enough. It’s always been about winning. If before the season started you offered him a second and a third in the first two rounds, he probably wouldn’t have taken the deal. But, you look at it now and a second and a third would have been real nice.
It’s a long championship and I have all the faith in the world that Stewart’s going to be able to win, but the question to me is always -- and it’s been even important the past couple of years -- on his bad days, how bad is it going to be?
SX Seattle
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