The Gossip - Go Green

Go Green - Part I

Nick Wey - After watching a dismal showing by him at Dallas, (he didn't even qualify and had to use a provisional) I figured I'd discuss what I saw.

First: he showed ZERO aggression. In the main, only two laps in, he was looking over his shoulder behind him coming into a corner. He was practically in last at that point. It almost looked like he was getting ready to move over for whoever was behind him. No one is coming Nick! In his heat, I watched him get passed in a section that bike should have no influence upon. It looked to me as if he just didn't want that position. He must have something mental holding him back, because no matter how bad the bike is, he shouldn't quit on it. Carmichael could still win on a KTM (terrible example, he could win on a KTM 50).

Second: I really think that he has lost confidence in the bike to the point he is afraid of it. Now he believes it can't win, and so he won't win (winning for him may be top five). I am willing to bet that if you put him on a Honda in his current state of mind, he would do just as poorly. He's lost his mojo, and doesn't know how to get it back.

Third: He is going to have a hell of a good year outdoors. That bike is a screamer. Alessi proved it capable last year, beating Wey on it week in and week out. I really think that once he stretches the bike's legs outdoors and realizes how fast it can go, he will like it, correction: LOVE it.

Fourth: He needs to sit out the rest of the supercross season (Ed's Note --- This article has taken much longer than intended - he seems to have stepped it up since). It is demoralizing to get 15th every week. This will accomplish two things (I love lists)

1. Re ignite his passion for the sport


2. Make him realize that if he doesn't get it together soon, he will be sitting out the races.
   

If you really think that the "lack of linkage" is Wey's demise, keep this in mind. His teammate, Martin Davalos, turned a faster lap in the Lites class on his KTM 250sxf than Wey did on his KTM 450sxf (Find that here). The bike can go faster, just not with Wey on it.

Why oh why did Wey ever switch bikes? Let me put in the S.A.T. testing format and see if you follow this logic.

Non factory ride IS TO good results
AS
Factory ride IS TO _____.

Correct Answer: GREAT RESULTS.

But the real answer is: Terrible Results.
Those SAT test makers think they got it all figured out...but what do they know?

His results on a Honda were great, and he was consistently mentioned as in need of consideration for a factory ride. Now that he has one, his results say he shouldn't.

How interesting.

He has succumb to the "go green" mentality as I like to call it. No, I don't mean the Kawasaki sales event. By going Orange (KTM), he made more money, I have no doubt. In the midst of doing so, his results wavered, but his income increased. Shouldn't we all be so lucky?

I bet he wipes his butt with one dollar bills now while crapping on a golden toilet. O.K. a little harsh, but really, why did he ever switch? I'll give you a hint: It wasn't the bike.

One last point however, he isn't that far off pace. If he dropped 1 second a lap, he would manage to be well inside the top ten fastest lap times. In supercross, a second is merely a tenth a corner (said like I could do it, sheah, right). With his veteran experience combined with his fitness, a top ten lap time might just put him in the top five.

All that said, I love Nick Wey (it's a closet relationship), and think he has been a shining example in our sport of a hard working rider. Best luck to him, I'm hoping to write something about his amazing outdoor results soon.


Edit #1: After I initially wrote this, the Navy Moto X event was held. Nick did well there, and I think showed that he is a slow starter. The event may have been just what he needed, as Justin Brayton passed him on a 250sxf in the heat to take the transfer spot, forcing Wey to the LCQ. Wey then won the LCQ, and with practically no time between LCQ and main, lined up again and motored straight on to the second step on the podium. If Wey thought the bike was to blame that day, the "eliminator" Brayton (coined!) in front of him made a strong argument otherwise. I think from LCQ to second ain't bad? Good job Nick Wey!
Edit # 2: Part 2 is coming...but I am stuck on one part of math!