JAMES BRAVES A THIRD-PLACE FINISH AT A2
After the abuse that James’ body took during last weekend’s crashes in Phoenix, the defending SX champ had an irregular week of preparation for Anaheim 2. With a sore wrist, shoulder, and ankle holding him back, James was unable to ride all week, but showed up in Anaheim to give it his all toward staying in the championship points fight. Despite sitting out of the opening ceremonies to conserve some energy, James braved his way to the line for Supercross heat number one.
When the gates dropped, JS7 found himself chasing Tommy Hahn around the A2 circuit during the majority of lap number one, but threw down a pass just before crossing the finish line double for the first time. From there, Hahn made a pass back on James to reclaim the lead, but Stewart retaliated just a lap later to once again control the pace up front. On lap number six, James’ teammate Josh Hill, who rode incredibly well all night, snuck by to take over the lead. Safely within qualifying position, James followed Hill in for a relatively conservative second place finish.
A good start would be critical to accomplishing James’ goal of finishing on the podium in the A2 main event, and he did just exactly that. After rocketing down the start straight and crossing the holeshot stripe in the second spot, James immediately made a pass for the lead. James would go on to lead the first five laps of the main before giving way to Hill during the sixth go around, and then Suzuki’s Ryan Dungey got by on lap number 12. Despite riding through obvious pain, James held on to finish in a very respectable third place when all was said and done.
Collecting valuable series points, James now heads into another week of rehab on his injuries before lining up in the gate for round number four in San Francisco. “It’s tough,” James commented after the race. “I haven’t ridden all week, and about eight laps into it I just couldn’t hold on anymore. Ryan and Josh were riding really well, and I just didn’t have anything for them. I had sections where I was pretty good, but they were just on it. Congratulations to those guys, and I’ll just try to come back next week and see what happens.”
Just read entire blog and all the comments…. wow!!! Some people reallly amaze me with their words.
I beleive James says it best when replying back to Chris’ comment: CR really only wins when the leaders crash (or he crashes them out)… Just look at the tape folks. History doesnt lie. It is that very fact why I truely beleive CR only deserves 1 sx championship and not the 2 that he possesses. Im not trying to debate my opinion on that. That fact is CR didnt have to race anybody for it (James was out with an injury suffered from the likes of you know who).
Then I hear CR talking about Pheonix, not Blaming JS…. Uh of course. But why state that: “I saw an oppertunity to make a pass, so I went for it and thats it”. Come on really Mr. 2x champ? U were running 9th in the main, why reduce lap times to try to make a “jacknife” pass in a 180deg. bowl that was extremely conjested??? Not the mark of a pro, let alone a 2x champ.
I also want to quikly add that in regards to another funny comment in here about JS and RC…
JS was just entering the big class when RC was in his prime. I thought RC was well on his way to breaking all of “the king of sx… JM” records. I witnessed the fastest side by side racing ever then. Yes JS has matured sense then, and I madly respect the G.O.A.T. However, Ill be man enough and say this; There is a reason why RC retired before his 25th b-day, and it wasnt to be the next star in Nascar. Lets be real. There was a new sheriff in town. Those that know RC know what Im speaking of. But I digress on that…
In conclusion: CR, for the love of the sport, please find some speed before you decide to “professionally” race with these cats again. Your lack of “competitive skill” at this point in your career, is really putting a frown on the 1st half of the season so far. I highly doubt you’re willing to except the fact that you are only currently a mid pack rider, so stop taking our boy out man. Seriously! Also stop that crying too. I would’ve knocked more than your bike over if you “repeatedly” continued to “punch” me at nationally televised AMA events without any repercussions. Again I digress. Unfortunately Ive watched CR’s whole professional career as well, and man he always seem to find an excuse “not to race” after a crash. Remeber the “broken” collarbone… lmao yea right… So now its youre hand thats got you out for the whole sx season (with pay). Did you mess it up hitting JS with it after you tried that “ameteur” pass? Seriously, Im more interested in seeing a Mike Alessi comeback before you get it together.
Here’s a thought; I wonder how many times over the past three years JS wouldve crashed out the race if CR wasnt in the picture??? Hmmm… A2 was a beautiful “clean” race. Sense we’re all talking about whats good for the sport, in my opinion, CR needs to realize his present form as a “top 5-10″ rider, and retire while most of his fans still think he’s fast…
Yo, JS…. Im justa anotha person (FL native) out there thats seen you develop on the bike sense you were bout 15. You need to win this years sx championship more now then ever. This is your sport. Dominate like I know you can bro. Take care homie!!!
So what your saying that Chad has something like 37 wins. They all came by knocking or some body rides over there head.
dont let the rookie show you up.
Sup James.I kno you`ve heard this a million times,but i wanna start off by saying you`re an excellent rider.It seems that they say youre a more better rider when u came in third place in A2.It seems like to me that there tired of u always winning.Dont let the stress get to u bub…do what u do best.
Hey Bubba!
Goodluck in San Fran! Go get em Champ!
Show the world who is the king.
From your true north fans FULL THROTTLE EH!!!
Hey james, that myspace with the default picture of you sitting and smiling . . . i was wondering if that was really your myspace, if so i am a rapper trying to go big and capture my dreams before its too late, so i’m going to send you a rap vid, the rap is totally about you i would like for you to hear it, thanks for actually reading my comment unlike some other riders would, please reply in some way. Thanks -jake 122
Good luck during during Round 4, hoping for the best of you.
I love js but if he dont want to race the outdoors and will not ride for team usa i feel he has turned his back on the sport i love.And that makes it hard for suport him or his team/products i hope james has a change of heart.
dean this is BS how many times have Americans fans turned thier back on JS only to cheer for the aussie so who turn their baack on who ????
James, I really appreciate your blog page. CR’s Blog web administrator will delete any comment that’s not all “Go Chad”! So if you ain’t drinkin’ their Coolaide you ain’t making print on their funky little page. Whatever… The reality is that everybody doesn’t necessarily care for CR or Monster Energy Kawasaki for that matter. Even though they (MEK) won’t admit it, they’re missing you baby, I guarantee you that!! RV2, good luck filling JS7′s shoes. The sad part is I even own RV2′s outdoor 2005 KXF250 practice bike but can’t even catch a buzz on their team because of the negative image CR puts in my mind and I tell everybody that! And CR, It wouldn’t even matter if JS7 lined up in the gate BACKWARDS with 20th gate pick in San Francisco he’d still smoke your narrow behind any day (crashes included).
A Serious Black Fan has spoken.
U amazing on a bike james, but i think all these guys r getting stronger and faster.I think u always been stronger when u did race the outdoors nationals and think those yamaha setup are not good in the woops 4 u like the kawasaki was. pls man get back in the hunt don’t let these guys get a big head and think that they can run with u pimp
The most important thing is the following: RYAN DUNGEY – this kid is lighting it up! I AM NOT A DUNGEY FAN- but James needs to be focusing on Ryan right now. I think this week should be productive for him, he needs to finish every race at 2nd or 1st. James is the man, no doubt.
Get em Bubba!!
Well said Chris
You are right, Dungey is the kid for now and I do mean for now. Go get him James
I do believe Dungey will have his fair share of bad luck too.
Get well and ride on that edge that has brought you success
From your true north fans FULL THROTTLE EH!!!
youre the man james. lookin forward to watching you punt that dungey brat over a berm when you’re 100% again!!! braaaaap!
James, there’s word out that Larry is hinting your risk may need an operation and that you may only be able to hang on the next two races. Any truth to that? I can see that is must have been really hard to ride A2 with all those injuries, but no use wearing out your joints and racing further until you are all healed up. The human body can only take so much, and sometimes it just need time and rest to get it working right again.
your the man!!!!
Hey James,
I know your busy but I would like to see comments on peoples comments from you. That would be really cool for your fans. If you don’t have time I am sure they will understand. Your fans love and care about you for real, no joke. So anyways you take good care of yourself and godspeed.
James what were you doing holding Chads hand lol, and what was Partridge doing there its your track right.
Go to i hate JS1 at CR22.com, you’ll find some friends there. You’re a perfect human being after all right, probably the only 1 in the world, LOL!!
James,
First of all good job at A2 getting on the podium considering the circumstances, but just an observation, it seemed that Josh Hill raced you alot harder than he did Ryan Dungey……….Hell Josh almost wrecked trying to get over for Dungey to get by. I understand everybody wants to win and it’s a very competitive sport, but I think you need to re-evaluate letting people come stay at your compound and you sharpen their skills, when in an instant they’re trying to ” CUT YOUR THROAT”…………………..Just some words of wisdom from another “black” racer who has your best interest at heart. Take Care and trust everyone that smiles n your face is not your friend, young brotha!!!!!!!!
wvmxer374 as much as it pains me to say this you sir are an idiot, don’t you know that the more he helps people at his compound the better the competition gets and the better racing we see during the races. Yeah he helped Dungy during the off season when he and chad were team mates, but that’s how true champions also hon their skills to their games. It also helps to increase the level of competition that we as fans love to see. Being that JS is an ambassador of the sport he in doing his part to not only bring up the younger guys he is also proving that he wants this sport to grow it’s appeal here and around the world. So stop trying to make this a racial issue, because that is not what it is Brotha, and I too am a brother! It’s people like you that keep this black white thing going, when true racers just want to see good racing no matter what color the riders, because “when you have a helmet and gear on we all look the same”!
well put DOC………..
My statement was written from a racers point of view, not a fan………….I see this same racism everytime me or my soon to be 10 year old son go to the gate!!!!! I’m more concerned about James’ welfare, not the sport. And as much as people want to keep brushing the race issue under the rug, its as prevalent now as it was in this country in the 60′s. You Doc sound like a conformist and for lack of a better term, ” a house n—a”. So don’t you dare come on here as the “black” voice of reason and call me an idiot just to get the white masses to pat you on the head, BOY!!!!!!!!!
Forget all the racism and haters, let JS1 do all the talking back on his bike. People will always try and get to someone through race if they can’t do it any other way. James has got enough fans behind him both lack and white, and is man enough to laugh it off and concentrate on his racing.
I think Micheal Jackson said it best, “it doesn’t matter if you’re balck or white!” So get over yourself and stop making excuses as to why you can’t get ahead. Black or white, Talent is talent!! I would be a JS fan no matter what color he was!
hi james: i think jackie robinson said it best, it matter if your’re balck or white .jackie robinson became the first black player in modern american major-league baseball when he joined the brooklyn dodgers in 1947. in 10 major-league seasons he batted .311 and helped the dodgers win six national league pennants. in 1956 robinson won the spingarn medal and was elected to the national baseball hall of fame in 1962. so jamea forget all the racism and haters we love you james
WVMXER you seem a little sensitive so I will try not to hurt you feelings, but dude house and field N@!#$ haven’t been used since the 1800′s get with the times. I too am a racer and have between since the 80′s when things were even worse than you think you have it now and my day raced in the 60 in a era when you could ride dirty and no one would say anything about it, but it doesn’t mean that all people of different ethnicity have extremist views. And I’m not naive to the fact that racism exists I served in the military for 20yrs in and out of combat, but when it came down to it we got past our differences and had each other’s back. Now if you feel that the man is keeping you down…oh wait a brother is the man…, so that shouldn’t be the case. What I’m getting at is get over this racism issue it takes all of us to break the cycle and you coming on here spewing your narrow minded views only keeps the hatred going. As a true racer you should know that going out year after year and just blowing away your competitors isn’t fun, you need a level of competition to keep things exciting. That’s why JS has people at his compound to raise their level of competiveness. You see a black man racing who you want o see dominate. I see a man that is trying to show the world that he wants to get past the racial issue and bring all people to the sport. So is it his best interest you want or is it your own because you can identify with him only in color?
Doc