Mike Kay
Husqvarna
AA Class
For sure winning a stage is a big deal. In 30 years only 4 other Americans have done that on a bike.
If a rider wins a stage, but doesnt finish the race, they still have bragging rights. If Jonah DNF's he has still made a big statement. Sponsors WILL line up now for him, including possibly a factory. There is also a payout for winning a stage, so many tangible benefits.
Plus when its time to hand out the starting numbers each year, stuff like winning a past stage is given a lot of credit.
Perhaps most impressive in winning a stage is it means a rider has navigated well.
Guys like Ullevasetter (for example, and nothing against him, at all!) are known as fast riders, but tend to follow others tracks and not do a lot of 'breaking trail'
Jonah is now navigating and doing it well, and thats going to get him lots of attention and respect, more so than just finishing in the top 5-10
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But overall its total time. Not total position each race/stage for points, as in Baja 'series' racing for example.
If a rider wins a stage, but doesnt finish the race, they still have bragging rights. If Jonah DNF's he has still made a big statement. Sponsors WILL line up now for him, including possibly a factory. There is also a payout for winning a stage, so many tangible benefits.
Plus when its time to hand out the starting numbers each year, stuff like winning a past stage is given a lot of credit.
Perhaps most impressive in winning a stage is it means a rider has navigated well.
Guys like Ullevasetter (for example, and nothing against him, at all!) are known as fast riders, but tend to follow others tracks and not do a lot of 'breaking trail'
Jonah is now navigating and doing it well, and thats going to get him lots of attention and respect, more so than just finishing in the top 5-10
----
But overall its total time. Not total position each race/stage for points, as in Baja 'series' racing for example.