I’ve found that the older dudes can run the speed, but they don’t have the reaction time and crash when actually challenging on a day to day basis. One track here it there might suit them well, so they get a win, but over a long season it’s just too much.
Look at windham. He had the speed to beat those guys every night if he wanted to push and go fast. But with four kids and retirement looming, that steady paycheck was more attractive.
Ha, you know I saw windham the last time he came to town here, he podiumed even, maybe his last podium. He did a couple things that freaked me right out…the “transfer” jump where he jumps across a couple tracks…and a long stoppie that spanned some rough terrain. Rare to see someone who can do any tricks on SX…guess they’re too busy going fast
Crazy all these guys are younger than me and are too old to race. fuck I’m getting old. Even bubba talks about retiring, he fits the rider description you mention…crashes too much last couple years when pushing/pushed hard…