adsy Posted February 8, 2006 Report Share Posted February 8, 2006 I have just been reading the article about Pat Smage, first time i've read it. Why is he riding a 290 Sherco bike???? Their have been various posts on here regarding this kid, about him possibly riding in the Youth Indoor etc, and about getting a US rider into the WTC. The article also say's he wants to ride some Youth WTC round after his 16th birthday. Surely by riding a 290 he is going to struggle in any Youth WTC rounds where he would have to make the transition to ride a 125!! and similarly in any UK youth champs. Just my thoughts, seen as it seems that you guys in the US are trying hard to find someone good enough to compete at world level, I don't know how good this kid is, but it would be interesting to put him up against the likes of our Jack,Alexz and Ross Danby etc. Just because he can ride a 290cc under AMA rules, does'nt mean it is the best thing for him to do!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
city trials Posted February 8, 2006 Report Share Posted February 8, 2006 (edited) Patrick Smage is sponsored by Ryan Young Products/Sherco USA to compete in the Pro class, at the AMA/NATC National series. Patrick and his team feels the Sherco 2.9 gives him the best opportunity to podium in the Pro class. Here is Patrick Smage on the '06 Sherco 2.9 in his indoor practice arena. photo by Bill "Wild Bill" Smage Edited February 8, 2006 by City Trials Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
city trials Posted February 8, 2006 Report Share Posted February 8, 2006 More Patrick at practice. photo: Bill Smage Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
city trials Posted February 8, 2006 Report Share Posted February 8, 2006 Last one photo by Bill Smage Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
city trials Posted February 8, 2006 Report Share Posted February 8, 2006 Patrick spends time practicing bike-trials and uni-cycle trials also. He is a very fast learner and tireless at practice. Although we know the struggle with the transition at first will be great, we also know Patrick will find a way to over-come the cc and weight difference of the two bikes. Patrick has learned to play the cards that are dealt to him. The team knows the road to the World Championship level isn't going to be easy.... or everyone would be doing it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atomant Posted February 8, 2006 Report Share Posted February 8, 2006 Photos are nice but dont tell the whole story.. when can we see some video footage? I would love to see some. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mich lin Posted February 8, 2006 Report Share Posted February 8, 2006 The putting of US youngsters on full size bikes early is very well planned out by the US organizing body. They realize that if they force our best and brightest youngsters on these full size bikes at a very young age, the US will never have another world round contender. I was told face to face, point blank by the founder and head of the US trials organizing body "the NATC" that they do not want any Americans ever to be world round contenders again. They felt that really top level riders are bad sports and ruin the fun for the rest of the sportsmen riders who enjoy the US national age group championships. Which includes 17 differnt age groups and champions in the field of about 100 riders. We attempted this past year to conform with international standards and include a 125cc class at the US championship. Which would have prepared our youngsters for future world rounds. Sadly this proposal was not approved! It was substituted with a new class for grade school younsters on any displacement machines. It is not uncommon to see 10 and 11 year old riders on full size machines in the USA. Now some people in the USA would like to see some Americans do well at world rounds again. But few seem to realize that riders like Smage getting used to full size bikes and then having to return to a 125 would be a disadvantage. I've tried to point this out but nobody here seems to understand or care. They are the experts, I'm simply an old guy who makes them uncomfortable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwtajimbo Posted February 8, 2006 Report Share Posted February 8, 2006 So Young riders overseas ride 125. I remember reading in trials comp about Cody Webb struggling to come to terms with riding a 125. I guess I thought he made a decision to ride that bike. All younger riders must ride this smaller displacement, it isn't a choice? Similar to the AMA motocross situation? Just learning how this all works? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adsy Posted February 8, 2006 Author Report Share Posted February 8, 2006 So Young riders overseas ride 125. I remember reading in trials comp about Cody Webb struggling to come to terms with riding a 125. I guess I thought he made a decision to ride that bike. All younger riders must ride this smaller displacement, it isn't a choice? Similar to the AMA motocross situation? As of about 4 years go we in the UK fell in line with the rest of europe by making all youths up to 17yrs old ride 125 machines. Upto then we too had 14/15 year olds on 250 machines. The governing body then changed the ruling to give our youths a better chance against the continental youths, at first this was not universally regarded to be a good move, but now it has bedded in, we are producing some very talented youth riders. Now the youths have to learn how to get a bike up an obstacle using technique, and not just raw power. When they do eventually move onto a bigger bike, the technique is there as well as the power. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atomant Posted February 8, 2006 Report Share Posted February 8, 2006 Now the youths have to learn how to get a bike up an obstacle usingtechnique, and not just raw power. When they do eventually move onto a bigger bike, the technique is there as well as the power. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Coulndt agree more Adsy When I go practising with Ross it never ceases to amaze me what that 125 can do with him on it and its all technique and so nice to watch. He had a go on my 290 and made instant use of the extra power with his technique solidly in place. Learning the trade on a 125 is without doubt the best way to go for youths for sure. By the way, will Smadge be at the USA Youth round coz when we go over It would be good to see what he rides like if hes the best youth rider you have? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trialsurfer Posted February 8, 2006 Report Share Posted February 8, 2006 Not all of the US pro riders didn't want to ride the WTC lines in the US! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwtajimbo Posted February 8, 2006 Report Share Posted February 8, 2006 I just picked up a 125 sherco for my son to move up too, and you can't believe how hard 125's are to find in the states. I heard from a club member during my searching that Beta is not importing 125s any longer, only on special orders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mich lin Posted February 9, 2006 Report Share Posted February 9, 2006 I've got an almost perfect 125cc 05 Sherco for sale that has been on the market for over a month without a single call of interest. 125cc bikes are everywhere, call me if your looking for some, there are several for sale here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
austini Posted February 9, 2006 Report Share Posted February 9, 2006 One of our up and comming youngsters here in west australia who can ride any capacity machine has down graded from 250 to 125 for this season. The reasoning behind this move? because last year he rode a few italian trials and was seriously handicapped having to adapt from his 250 to 125.... Obviously looking at the big picture he wants to ride abroad (funds permitting)and next time wants to compete on an even playing field........... At the end of the day will any american youngster be prepared to ride in europe whilst they still continue to rides any capacity?????? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
northernnorm Posted February 9, 2006 Report Share Posted February 9, 2006 A quick rundown of bikes Pat has ridden : in1999 got a beat up TY 80 then that winter got a 2000 Beta 50 (automatic and gutless but light and had brakes) bought a new GasGas 80 in 2001 (again gutless but great suspension and brakes) it became obvious he was into pushing to succeed and with a good number of Sherco 290's owned and ridden in our club that seemed like the bike easiest to come by used and also having myself and 2 to 3 of my boys all on the same bike, parts inventory would be easy. In 2002 he finished 2nd to Ronnie Commo splitting wins on day 1 and 2 and losing out on the 3rd day at the 3 day youth championships. In 2003 he won at 13 against several 15 yr old riders(Stevie Darrow and Andy Bowman were the closest comp, Will Ibsen missed that yr, was at Sherco Academy I think).03 was the first NATC ride in a very sloppy Pennsylvania event which he was about last place in the ES class,then in 2004 won the ES title and in 2005 finished 3rd in the NATC EXPERT division riding about at the level of Ex-Pro Travis Fox and a bit behind Ray Peters (except beating Ray when Ray rode a Beta 80 in Vermont for a crowd pleaser?) So yeah he has been on a 290 for a while and I see how jumping on a 125 may be tough, I see by a Ross Danby hillclimb clip that what is probably the biggest factor riding w/ so little power makes the rider develop incredible PATIENCE just having to stay balanced waiting and wondering if anything good will ever happed at the drive wheel ,man they abuse those little 125,s which is great if someone is taking care of it for you. Enough for now . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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