When several 450 factory riders went out, privateers moved up in the ranks and results. But even when some of the big names returned, the independents stayed up front. Dig into the topic as Jason Weigandt reads his feature article "Middle Men" from the September issue of Racer X magazine. For more from DC, Weigandt, Matthes, and the rest of the Racer X crew, subscribe to Racer X.  

Racer X Read Out: "Middle Men"

A podcast from Jason Weigandt and the editorial staff of Racer X Illustrated and Racer X Online covering motocross, supercross, and dirt bike culture.

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Nate Ramsey, one of the all-time winningest 125/250F supercross racers, has carved out a great post-racing career, now as team manager of Rockstar Energy Husqvarna. Jason Weigandt rang up Nate Dogg to get the inside story on RJ Hamsphire's 250SX West Region title, and how stressful the day felt at Salt Lake City, as well as Hampshire's race strategy. Did you know finishing second in the heat race was actually an advantage? They also talk about old bikes, and how the 2022 new-generation platform that Hampshire vocally criticized has now morphed into a great race bike. Could Zach Osborne's 2017-2018 250F Championship bikes compete? What about Nate's old (legendary) Honda CRF450R? Yeah, bikes have come a long way. Weigandt chats with Ramsey about it all. The Racer X Exhaust podcast is presented by Yoshimura, OnTrack School and Racer X Brand.

Exhaust #255: Nathan Ramsey

Mike Webb tells more behind-the-scenes stories from working with Ryan Dungey and James Stewart with Team Suzuki. Plus, how it all shut down. Mike Webb lived the dream life, moving to the top of the racing food chain, as Suzuki team manager for the off-road squad and then transitioning into the top of the motocross and supercross team. From tons of GNCC championships to working with Ryan Dungey and James Stewart, Mike saw it all. However, it's not always as glorious as it seems, as Mike's time in the supercross paddock came after Roger De Coster and Ian Harrison left for KTM, and Suzuki's support budget was starting to wane. Mike inherited Ryan Dungey and the 450SX and 450MX titles, but Dungey wanted to leave with Roger, immediately. His Suzuki contract forced him to stay. Then Mike and company faced hard luck trying to defend the titles with Dungey, which left a mark. Mike eventually rebuilt with none other than James Stewart. Years later, Suzuki would shut Mike's factory program down, not once, but twice. There are some deep, deep stories from behind the scenes in this interview you won't want to miss. This is part 2 of our two-part podcast with Webb. The Racer X Exhaust podcast is presented by Yoshimura and Racer X Brand.

Exhaust #254: The Ex Team Manager, Part 2 (Suzuki's Mike Webb)

Mike Webb lived the dream life, moving to the top of the racing food chain, as Suzuki team manager for the off-road squad and then transitioning into the top of the motocross and supercross team. From tons of GNCC Championships to working with Ryan Dungey and James Stewart, Mike saw it all. However, it's not always as glorious as it seems, as Mike's time in the supercross paddock came after Roger De Coster and Ian Harrison left for KTM, and Suzuki's support budget was starting to wane. Mike inherited Ryan Dungey and the 450SX and 450MX titles, but Dungey wanted to leave with Roger, immediately. His Suzuki contract forced him to stay. Then Mike and company faced hard luck trying to defend the titles with Dungey, which left a mark. Mike eventually rebuilt with none other than James Stewart. Years later, Suzuki would shut Mike's factory program down, not once, but twice. There are some deep, deep stories from behind the scenes in this interview you won't want to miss. Enjoy part 1 of Jason Weigandt's interview with Mike Webb and be ready next week for part 2. The Racer X Exhaust podcast is presented by Yoshimura and Racer X Brand.

Exhaust #253: The Ex Team Manager (Suzuki's Mike Webb)

Jason Weigandt and Jason Thomas got some time this week to talk to Cooper Webb and quiz him on how he approached the final stretch of the season and got the points lead back to a tie with four races to go. Also, he reveals what he's learned about Jett Lawrence's riding style, why things work so well for him with Monster Energy/Yamaha Star Racing, and why he always had such a tough time keeping the weight off -- he has Hashimoto's disease, which impacts the thyroid. With a lot of research and hard work, and his own special brand of grit, Webb has set up an amazing final four races in Monster Energy AMA Supercross. Here's how. The Racer X Exhaust podcast is presented by Yoshimura and Racer X Brand. Plus, subscribe to the magazine now for a chance to win an Intense Tazer MX All Pro E Mountain bike plus a set of Thor mountain bike gear!

Exhaust #252: Cooper Webb

      There was so much anticipation for Adam Cianciarulo's pro career when it began a little over a decade ago, and now we can look back at it in full because he's announced his retirement. Jason Weigandt has a few thoughts from Adam to share (via the SMX Insider show's exclusive interview) and then Weigandt adds his own thoughts. Hardly anyone had expectations to live up to like Adam did, because he was entering the ranks right on the heels of a 15-year run of Kawasaki Team Green prospects going straight to the top immediately, through Ricky Carmichael, James Stewart, and Ryan Villopoto. Thus, the microscope was on Adam right from the start to see if he could be the next one, and for a brief moment, he delivered by winning supercross races immediately. Unfortunately, injuries then kicked in, leaving everyone wondering what might have been. Adam surely wondered this more than anyone, but was also able to gain perspective from it all. He might not have won all the races he would have won if he was healthy, but he might have emerged from the process as a better person. That's why his legacy is now not as one of the winningest riders ever, but one of the most liked.    The Racer X Exhaust podcast is presented by Yoshimura and Racer X Brand.      

Racer X Read Out: "Middle Men"

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