Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/764997
INTERVIEW 2016 CYCLE NEWS RIDERS OF THE YEAR P62 knows his limits, but that tip-over could have cost [us] the race." On the plus side, having two- consecutive American riders overall the event sends a strong message to the rest of the world. "That just shows that we have the caliber of riders to race and compete on a highest level," said Kallonen. "This is some- thing that other countries are now seeing, like 'wow, U.S. has the depth of [talent] and riders who can win. It's not even the same guy, this year it was a dif- ferent guy." II LAST-MINUTE SWITCH The team actually thought their effort was doomed before the race even began when disaster struck the day before they were supposed to leave for Spain. At the GNCC finale in Ohio, Ryan Sipes, who was the reigning overall ISDE winner, was injured in a crash while warming up for the race. "Right after the race I got a call from Antti and he said, 'You gotta come over to the KTM rig we have an emergency,'" said Kudla, who was at the Ohio GNCC. "We went over there and Ryan was in a sling. He broke his arm. "It was very stressful. It was kind of like, 'That's it. We're done.' A lot of people felt like, 'We're done. We're screwed.'" With less than 24 hours before they were due at the airport, the team faced the seemingly insurmountable task of replacing their top rider. "They went to every single team member and asked what they thought. Who do you think we should bring?" said Kudla. "It's not just Antti or me making the decision. It's a team." The team aspect was of utmost importance to Antti who insisted the riders go through the entire preparation process together. "I was [determined] to find a replacement that could be on the plane with us the next day," said Kallonen. "Yeah, there were big names thrown out there that they could fly in three days, four days later, join us, but really, the race is half preparation. Then the execution is the other half. Basi- cally I said, "I can't afford to have someone fly in, not being with the other team members from day one when we arrive because it already sets a little different of level of reception, like, oh, what have you guys been doing? We would have been a step behind." The team was realistic in un- derstanding they couldn't effec- tively replace their top rider, but someone prepared and available would make the cut. "We had Ryan's equipment there so it needed to be a Husky rider, and then actually, there was no better way than getting Ryan's teammate, Layne Mi- chael," said Kallonen. "He said, 'Yeah, I can fly with you guys,' so Sunday we were working Russell was the Cycle News rider of the year last year, too.