So when Ryan Villopoto was coming through the ranks a few years ago we were all dissapointed because he wouldn't talk any trash. People wanted him to play the hero to the Alessis, but he never really went off on them. The old Millsaps/Alessi wars were a pretty big deal, but Team Villo played it closer to the vest. There was one break in the action at Budd's Creek in 2006, when Ryan took Alessi out in the second moto and then said "After all he and his dad put us through..." It was good. But basically, if you wanted a good quote, RV was the last guy you went looking for. Trust me, I went through enough press conferences with this kid.
Of course, you do have to remember that he is a kid. No sport thrusts 17-year-olds to the microphone like this one, and I knew that somewhere inside Ryan wasn't as nice, humble, shy and quiet as he seemed. You would see it when he was having casual conversation or hanging in the pits. He had a lot more personality than he let on...just like Ricky Carmichael at the same age.
Yeah, there was a time when RC was one of the worst interviews in the sport, too, and it had a bad impact on his rep with the fans. Eventually he figured it out (lots of practice) and became God-like in the eyes of the fans.
Well, Villopoto is starting to come out of his shell. Check out his interview with Ping here. Wasn't Carmichael known for being pretty cocky, too?
Wednesday, May 21
More Than a Mouthfull
Posted by Jason Weigandt at 9:32 AM
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18 Comments:
Unfortunately the more Ryan Talks the less I like him. Sure he is fast and it seems know one knows that better than himself. I was at St.Louis when Trey Bumped him in the turn. It wasn't a take out move, but was good racing. The more Ryan talks about it the more he looks like a cry baby.
You'd be cocky too if you were about to win your third Outdoor Motocross championship! (or if you were the 2x defending motocross champion) and the last time you were in a Outdoor race you mopped up the world including the GOAT. If one guy deserves to be confident, its RV1! Remember: THERES NO CRYING IN MOTOCROSS! so when Trey Trey gets booted around all summer, just remember, Trey Trey you made your bed now you have to lie in it! GOOD LUCK This Summer Guys! Its gonna take 201%
I wouldn't be cocky I would just be good. Actions speak louder than words, and are way more enjoyable to watch.
Keep the comments coming, guys. So far we have three completely different opinions on the same topic. And Ryan, keep talking!
Ryan is young, and maybe he should let his riding do the talking. But maybe he's tired of being the rider who pumps out canned cliches and rehearsed interviews. Come on, most of the "5 Minutes With" or other features basically read the same: replace name of rider and sponsors they'd like to thank, and there you have it.
Now Ryan is just letting it fly. Hyping up Husky. KTM. Painting a target on Baby Jesus' #1 Fan.
If he gets waxed all summer then it'll bite him in the butt. If he walks the walk then that's another thing. People like someone with color that can back it up on the track and will support them in one way or another until they don't ala One Punch.
I think people like to see the cocky guy fall on their face and the humble kid win championships
He sounds rather bitter. The again so did Jeff Ward when he went off on Chad Reed.
Maybe Pingree brings out the worst in people ?
Jason,
Since you have a voice of reason in this little "industry", please, once and for all, write an article, editorial or whatever to explain to the sissy pros that message boards, just like People Mag, US, etc. are to the entertainment industry... necessary evils. I mean, why are these guys, who are apparently so badass on the track and mentally tough, so weak when it comes to meaniningless trash-talking on the internet???
Or point out that every NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL team has a message board for the fans and no doubt are flaming away at the coach, QB, Pitcher, etc, etc. on a daily basis. When was the last time you heard any of these marquee athletes on ESPN whining about some stupid, meaningless comment a guy a their silly message board said?
If pro racers can't take the heat, go get a F'ing desk job. IT'S PART OF THE PACKAGE DEAL WHEN YOU ARE PAID TO ENTERTAIN...PLAIN AND SIMPLE!!!!!
But, glad to hear Ryan finally say something worth listening to...regardless of whether the content resonates with someone or not.
All of the best Athletes are confident in there abilities. If they were not they would not be the best. Call it cocky if you need too.
Just read that RV and Ice Ice Baby are competing in the MotoBowl. Will SBJ#1Fan push RV's ball into the left gutter?
I was a Big Ryan V fan until I actualy heard some of his interviews durring the supercross season. It seems to me like he has a Bad case of the "Big Head". Like Mama used to say" To big for his britches" I won't be standing in line for any Autographs. Thanks but no thanks.
Weege, Great post, and great interview by Ping with RV. Did you watch the soccer, "futbol", game today?
I was an RV fan before I read that interview. Now I am an even bigger fan. Very entertaining stuff
The thread on Mototalk which is discussing this interview is now 111 posts long. Yowsa!! They are going to town on there. Most of it is finger pointing and bad mouthing. Pretty much why I keep resisting the urge to sign up over there. There are some topics I really want in on, but often I just read them and shake my head.
I too like it when the riders actually speak. Not that I want everyone going all Terrel Owens on each other, but our guys are so reserved it gets boring just listening to the sponser list in every interview.
I too like it when the riders speak. It tells you alot about the person you might be rooting for. When Ryan V talks the more I dislike him. When Trey C talks the more I Love him.
Jason, what I'm wondering about is how the sanctioning body will react if RV finally takes his "revenge" he keeps talking about on Trey.
Will the treat him like they would if JLaw did it or turn a blind eye when/if it happens? Seems like they'd have to do something, especially if it's for points, but I'm expecting the latter.
Man DC and I are headed over to MotoBowl right now. Maybe RV will get his revenge right then and there. Does he have the balls (get it?) Anyway I love all of these posts, but whoever posted that the riders need to get over the message boards is BRILLIANT. Dude, if these riders think BobbyM is bad, yeah, they should listen to Sports Talk radio and hear what NBA/NFL players have to deal with. Just this morning while driving to the airport, this dude on XM went off for 30 minutes about how Kobe Bryant has the maturity of a nine-year-old. This is AFTER Kobe's team won the game! Boards are putting a crazy amount of power in people's hands. Isn't it way better here on the blog? (hehe)
That interview with RV was awesome, he actually had some character! The bland bla bla bla from everyone gets so old. RV rules!!
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