RC, RV, What's The Difference?

This past week after the Moto des Nations, I had a chance to reflect on what really happened, and the true significance of that race. No one really pointed it out, but in my eyes, it was a sort of "passing of the torch" from the GOAT, Ricky Carmichael, to young RC look alike, Ryan Villopoto. Because while it was Ricky's last outdoor motocross race for the rest of his career, RV really stole the show. Not to take away from Carmichael at all, but what Ryan did was simply amazing. Not only did he beat all the greatest riders in the world, but he did it with a 200cc "disadvantage." I think that was a sign of things to come. If anyone is going to challenge Ricky's records anytime soon, its going to be the Washington native, Villopoto. That dude can flat out haul.

This was actually Villopoto's second MXoN, if you remember last year in England, RV rode hard, but Caroli had the upper hand and took the overall. Well the story was way different this year in Budds Creek. Villopoto had Caroli's number, and Super Tony, had no answer. Antonio Caroli is a great rider, and I have a ton of respect for him, but there was no way in hell, even if he was feeling good, that he was going to catch the USA champ. The des nations is going to be a great race every year for a while now, knowing those 2 will be going at it in MX2 and eventually MX1. The point is folks, Villopoto is for real. We havent seen anyone that dominant since... RC. And we haven't seen anyone attack a track like that since... RC. And we haven't seen any short, fast redheads, riding for mitch payton, completely revolutionize the sport since... you guessed it, RC.

Picture from Transworldmotocross.com

The Red(head) White and Blue Take The Chamberlin Trophy

For the third year in a row, team USA was victorious in the world renowned Motocross of Nations. It was an amazing day in Budds Creek, that saw riders from team USA winning every moto. This was the first time in over 20 years that the MXoN's would be held on American Soil, but track promoter Jonathan Beasley did more than his part to make the changes needed to hold a great motocross event.

The first Moto of the day saw MX1 and MX2 (or motocross and motocross lites) class do battle. But to some surprise, it was not team USA's Ricky Carmichael that dominated, but rather his teammate on the small bore, Ryan Villopoto. For some time now, at most nationals, RV and BT101 have been laying down faster laps than any of the 450 riders, and today was no different. Villopoto's fastest lap was as much as 2 seconds quicker than the GOATs. Ricky had a first turn crash that left him near last. But he would come through the pack to finish third behind Austrailias Chad Reed. So it was USA 1-3 after the first moto.

Moto number 2 was more of the same really. RV got the holee and took off without looking back, and this time it was the third USA teammate Tim Ferry, in the MX3 class that was there to represent the stars and stripes. But Ferry had a tough start and had to battle from the back, just like RC did the moto before, and eventually worked his way into the fourth spot where he would stay. Amazingly Villopoto went 1-1 on the day on a freaking 250F!! You'd be lying if you said that wasnt amazing. If only RC hadn't took a spill in moto 1, that woulda been a great race for sure.

The final moto of the day was all about the G.O.A.T. in his final motocross race of his amazing career. Him and Tim Ferry took to the Budds Creek track for the last time this weekend, and closed the door on everyone else's chances at taking the Chamberlin trophy from US hands. Ricky led wire to wire, and Ferry battled through the pack and finished behind him in the silver spot, while South Africa's (and newly crowned AMA champ Grant Langston) Rode like the true champ that he is up to third spot.

It was an amazing, and very emotional day for the Red(head) White and Blue team. But what an amazing day it was. Winning the Motocross of Nations on US soil, Ricky's last ride, and Villopoto and Ferry's amazing performances. God Bless the USA.