Matthes Blog: AMA Nationals = New GP's???

By: Motocross.com

Posted: 12/19/08

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I read with interest last week that Tyler Rattray, the 2008 MX2 champion has been let out of his contract with KTM to come over to America and race the nationals and he'll probably end up with the Pro Circuit team (like they need to get any better!) This comes on the heels of Tommy "Gun" Searle, the vice champion of the MX2 class, coming over to race for the MDK/KTM team next outdoors season. And if you keep going back, Ben Townley came over. All KTM riders, either World Champions or real, real close to winning a title. You gotta feel for KTM, they've lost some damn good riders.

What does this say about Europe? I don't want to come across as a "us vs them" mentality but it certainly looks bad for the GP's when they can't keep their young talent. I think one thing that the GP's can look at is that Townley and Rattray are not from Europe, they most likely always looked at their GP time as a stepping stone to come over to the USA (much like Chad Reed did). Searle is English and you know he'll adapt real easy to the lifestyle over here. At a time when a lot of people want to put the death sentence on the USA nats (and I heard more then one GP based media guy tell me that at the MXoN) it seems to me that more and more riders are coming over, or trying to come over, all the time. With Searle and Rattray both skipping Supercross, they are focusing on what they can be successful at and that's a good move in my eyes. I also know that Josh Coppins was seriously thinking of coming over last year before resigning with Yamaha.

If I was Youthstream, the GP promoters, I would look long and hard at the exodus of young talent and try and determine what's encouraging them to leave. I'm not an expert on what's going on over there so I cannot say with certainty what is making the guys leave but I have no doubt that a good part of the riders wanting to leave would be the possibility of making it big ($$$) in America. I know also from talking to some riders and teams that they are not happy with some of the new restrictions put into place by Youthstream, so maybe that's one place that they should look to improve to keep the teams and riders happy. Again, I'm not a pro at knowing what's going on but I do know losing the riders that they have can only hurt an organization.

What do you guys think the Youthstream folks can do to keep their riders happy?

—Steve Matthes

shenzi

Posted on December 30, 2008 07:38 AM

I think it has to do with Big Boobs. No, not the jumps on the tracks but those mega ones on the bodies of mostly California women and girls. Those don't run the streets of Europe and there is definitely a very strong attraction to those. That must be the real reason why those young lads are flying across the dangerous Atlantic ocean to come ride here.

Bigvin

Posted on December 23, 2008 03:58 AM

I feel its money and global recognition that drives them. They all grow up reading MXA, Dirtrider and the likes and have been dreaming of the day they make it to the hot bed of MX. Most of these young guys also want to be in an environment that is more familiar and everyone speaking English sure makes it easier for the average South African or Kiwi. With the poor prize money of the GP scene and diverse travelling schedule. Doing the same thing week in and week out in the U.S.A seems a lot more attractive and thats excluding the Euro weather. I dont think Tyla will have a problem adapting and if his pre-season goes well, I believe he will be right on the money for the outdoors.

actionsports119

Posted on December 20, 2008 05:31 PM

I think the GP riders with enough talent and support want to come over and race in the US. Stephan Everts maybe the greatest GP rider thats had his whole career there, but you got to think it eats at him a bit that he will never know how he would have cut it against the best

amr126

Posted on December 19, 2008 06:33 PM

I wouldn't sure about that. Last I checked the new top guy in the lites class is Dungey, who won the last 3 nationals. His main competitor obviously was Villipoto, who's been terrifying the GP's finest at the MXoN for years now. So to say that they'll come over and whoop ass may just be a little bit over the top.

dscott25

Posted on December 19, 2008 04:27 PM

The GP's loss is our gain. This is one of the most staked lites class ever. Unfourtnetly for the USA guys, I think they will have a very hard time beating Searle or Rattray. Dungy will give them a good run for their money. Metcalfe, Canard and Stroupe will be up there but I dont think any of those guys could beat Searle or Rattray as they are that freaking good. I hope more of the the top GP guys come over here. The more talent and competition the better. It would be great to see someone that could even keep up with Stewart as Reed cannot.