2018 Street Racing Olympics - My name is Johnny. This is Rick and it is a pleasure
to be here today. Here we are for the mens street racing
finals in Vicenza Italy. I'll tell you what Johnny we've got a
classic matchup today, you don't see this very often.
At turn 6 here they come,
warming up. As you can see you have USA on the on the Honda super bike and KTM is Italy.
Simple rules, winner is the best of three rounds. One round = a uphill and
downhill run. If the point total is equal, the leading racer will take the round.
I think those are very general rules and easy to abide by. They go again for
the second warm-up run on ten six, very famous turn there.
Men's street racing scoring - here we go, you get a point for passing an opponent. You get
a point for being the first out of a corner. Get a point for wheeling when leading the
race and you also get a point for any close calls. You know that could be
debated though Rick. I really don't know what might be close and what might not
be. You and I have both had disagreements with judges in the past on those close calls.
Yes we have. And here we go! Looks like Italy's starting quite a bit confident,
pulling off a wheelie. This isn't where the race actually begins it's right
after the track straightens out here.
Remember these first two corners are quite wider and a bit of a warm up.
USA on the Honda super bike, the CBR1000RR.
Honestly a classic, classic superbike - also known as the Fire Blade.
There is a culture behind this one. All right the race has officially begun!
USA out front popping off the wheelie to get them a point lead.
What I like about this course Johnny is you never know what the other traffic on
the roads going to be. No you're right Rick, it's very very dynamic indeed.
Wow, you can really see Italy here, keeping on the throttle. You have to be fully pinned to be
keeping up with the super bike
The bike probably tops out at about a hundred miles an hour, where the super bike actually
will top out about a hundred and eighty miles per hour (depending on the
gearing).
It's very good racing here. It seems like they are taking the time and being very,
very polite with traffic. I don't expect that to last. I don't expect so either, Rick.
I thought I might have seen a wheelie there, that they didn't count. Oh!
Was that a pass? First aggressive move of the match so far - on turn 4.
Italy taking the pass, and taking the corner, and doubling up his points.
Not for very long! As the US comes right back with another dagger.
Here they go in the corners.
This is where the KTM will thrive, and he does. He takes him with a pass.
That was a beautiful angle he took there, beautiful! And he took the corner and now he is
ahead by one point. Just like that, see! That's where the KTM is gonna get him, but
here he goes. Simple pass right there. That's an easy point for the super bike
every time.
He has to be aware.
Oh! What a close call there.
They gave him the point. That one is debatable, Johnny. You think so?!
He just got a triple up point, but not for very long as USA flies back
through it. I can't help but wonder if these judges
are playing hometown favorite. Well, I'm wondering the same thing but
honestly that seemed like a very dangerous maneuver.
I'm very surprised he's not taking him right here. It seems like
US is maintaining speed and keeping on the throttle, like he should be.
I dont know why he is slowing down right here.
He can't see forward or he is having troubles with the bike.
He seems to be looking down. Oh, he must be confused about the course! Italy takes the
point! Classic hometown advantage there.
You know that's a benefit of being a hometown king. Now he's just
absolutely showboating and taking all the points he can get it. Drops down a
wheelie for an extra point.
That tractor driver truly had a spectacle there.
He really did, Rick.
Well, this is the final corner before the straight, for the end of the uphill.
Wow! For Italy to take the lead by four points here, for the uphill run, for round 1
is really pushing the US back in the point lead.
and that wraps up our uphill run, for round 1.
I'm surprised they didn't give him a close call for this one, Rick. Don't you think?
This was quite, quite close with the other vehicle. This one.
You know we debated it, but look how close he is. He is riding on the white
line and that old-school Ducati could have gotten the head-on collision, at nearly full
speed by Italy. You know Johnny after seeing that a second time I tend to
agree that it was a close call. Well, here we go. Round one - downhill.
US really has to push it now. Unless he's doing some sort of strategy
and studying his opponent. I've been watching USA for a while now
and I don't believe that's an approach he normally takes.
I agree with you, Rick. I honestly think he's a multi-aggressive rider and just
seems to boot the throttle whenever he gets the chance.
Sometimes in a match like this, from the stage of this side, you try other (or
different) strategy to throw the opponent off. Yeah, that's very very
understandable. You know what I think is interesting about Italy? Is that the rider
is is not using his rear view mirror, whatsoever.
You know he tends to cock his head back to see where the opponent is and then just
continues to push it forward.
Seems like traffic is getting in a bit of a way for the United States, but he is keeping on
it very smooth through these cars. It's a dance, but they're still pushing.
They are still pushing, and you can tell with those breaks in the traffic because
the US just rolls the throttle. You can tell US is very comfortable on that stretch.
I would agree with you, Rick. Have you ridden this road before?
I have not. Oh my god, it's brilliant! It's absolutely brilliant, it's paved
perfectly and the corners are absolutely gorgeous. I bet you got some stories from
this road. I have quite the crazy stories on this road, Rick.
You'll have to tell me over a beer after this. Sounds great, chap.
Here he goes! Oh man, I mean US is really struggling to pass him. I don't know
what's going on. Wait till he plays those corners. Woo, I'll tell you what. This is,
this is where the United States will get the lead on this straight.
What? I don't know why he let up there. I don't think he can see through the corner,
Rick. That car was cutting off his angle. Wow, incredible speed being maintained by
Italy. You can tell he is out for blood.
The double-up point scenarios for the super bike are really on the wheelie
passes, because the supermoto ends up topping out around 100 miles per hour
Honestly that's where the superbike starts to pick up the front wheel in
second gear.
There's so many curves on this course it's hard for them to get those
stretches to really get that speed. I would agree with you Rick, there really are only a few spots on this
course where the US can take advantage of the power of the Superbike. Then he's gonna
have to do that.
I'm very surprised they did not give them the point for the wheelie there.
I don't know if they didn't notice it or the score is just too far gone.
It seems like the United States is accepting defeat on this round already.
He could push it more it just doesn't seem like he's warmed up yet.
Yes, he still still seems to be calibrating his machine getting used to where he's
picking it up and comfortable with. Now there's quite a bit of head-on traffic
to take the risk of a pass right now because it's very early on still.
I'll tell you what though Johnny if he doesn't come out a little bit more
aggressive in round two, it's over. Could not have enough said it better myself Rick!
This has been one hell of a round one between these two racers. Beautiful, Italy absolutely
demolishing first round you know this was essential that Italy kept on the
trigger here and just continue to push through it you can tell he's going 90
miles an hour that has to be the top speed of that supermoto. I thought Italy really
really came out playing to their strengths and USA did not capitalize.
As a courtesy it seems like US is letting Italy get the leg up here in the start.
under the second one. To be honest with you Johnny I
don't quite understand that after that first round performance. Well I honestly think
that US is going to win from the wheelie passes. Those a huge point
opportunities for him and he's really just setting up for the double point
maneuvers because Italy is going to take the double points in the corners everytime.
THERE HE GOES! Just how I said it pulled off the double point. A wheelie while leading the race
and the pass.
That is a good start. Let's see how he reacts playing from behind now.
Not giving it much room, that's for certain.
There is US with another wheelie out front giving him a three-point lead going in to
the first corner. When he does those right, he sure makes it look easy.
Oh he's going for it!
He got the double pointer! Just like that without a problem. Oh you can tell US is
quite angry right now.
He has got to keep on it! First gear topped out right there.
You can definitely tell they're playing this round a little bit more aggressive
Most definitely.
Beautiful pass.
Beautiful pass that was very proper etiquette of the United States.
Impressive to say the least.
Did he let him get the triple points there?
I think he caught triple points.
Did they give him a close call?
WOW! Oh My God taking the chance and it paying off
Over a 100 mile per hour wheelie lane split with oncoming traffic is absolutely insane!
Johnny, that truly was a power move.
Wow and not letting him get to this corner easy swoop.
It seems like they slowed down for the police there.
Understandable. Adding the police chase is quite a variable to add to street racing.
Let me tell you.
It seems like he's just cruising through here.
Italy must have let off being that the police was right on his tail.
You know I don't know a single street racer that hasn't had run to from
the cops the time or two.
It's very common that you see street racers
getting chased by the police.
Seems like this is the end of the uphill run.
They're ending it early because of the police, understandable.
Let's check out some of the highlights here for round two up hill.
It was all about the corners on this one.
The corners were very important but you see
that US is starting to break out the wheelie passes. I think that's gonna come
in handy and he's starting to learn.
Yeah, every time Italy's gonna take these
without a doubt and I mean that was a gorgeous close call
He was truly riding the edge.
He was riding the edge there, Rick.
Should be interesting how the downhill plays out.
USA has to maintain the corner points those are essential.
USA up by three with
Italy six and USA nine heading in to the first corner here.
We saw quite a bit of traffic on our way up let's see how it comes into play on the way down.
Very curious again you know he's just taking the traffic positions
here on the corners. Grabbed an easy point for him.
Oh My God he threaded that needle.
I still, I honestly, I don't think that was a close call that's very very slow not much risk taken.
That's an easy pass for the United States he needs to take him on these straights.
Surprised he failed to do so.
Wow a ton of traffic in the right lane.
A lot of traffic.
They have to continue to take the outside of these cars!
US cannot let them get away too far has to keep within sights.
Italy's pushing, he sees the opening, USA is trusting his intuition and pushing 130
That's topped out in third gear. A beautiful throttle roll.
Yet, he needs to maintain his position and focus around these corners and he just continuously doesn't.
As soon as he gets it he loses it I don't understand.
I don't understand either, Rick. I don't know if he's setting up for the double
point wheelie pass or what he's looking to get here
He's keeping him within his sights, that's very very important if he wants
to maintain anything but just like that Italy is tied it up and now USA is
playing the catch-up game before hitting these corners
A little slide on the bike there.
That's quite a spectators he understand, but again Italy is now taking the lead I
don't know what USA has up his sleeve here
If he has anything it has to be right up here he has to get a pass on right here
this is his last opportunity to get any points to tie it up and continue the
race. And he pushes. There he goes. Beautiful beautiful push in second gear
to bring him in front.
It's a little bit of aggression but I think his patience paid off there.
I would agree with you, Rick. It was very important that he did not
push it too hard that potentially go through a windshield of oncoming traffic
and die before the race is over.
That is not a good way to end a race.
Not a good way to race.
No one wants to see a butterfly of a human
body on their windshield.
Well said.
Here they are, at the common turn around. It's 12-12 USA out front, which means
they would take the round as the leading racer.
This close call can be debated only 36 miles per hour he was quite close though
and that he needed this dagger and you can tell the acceleration I'm very surprised
the supermoto didn't take him there on the initial acceleration
What do you think of that Rick?
Italy's coming out with some flash and seems
to be a little showboat to me.
Seems to be a little showboating to me as well.
I don't know if he's too confident, could play in his favor could not.
But I'm telling you, the US has to strike with wheelie passes if he wants to win
a race here and he has to get it right off the bat right here. It's essential he
takes to double points. Crucial. I mean, that is not a problem
right again
it did not seem like a stress whatsoever with getting that wheelie pass on that straight.
He is maintaining a beautiful speed around these corners you can see
in the rearview he is losing the supermoto
He's finally holding a lead so throughout this whole race he has not
been able to do this he let it go as soon as he got it.
I don't under...WOAH! I really don't understand why he slowed down there!
He let him get the double pointer and he
has a wheelie and he gets a triple point just like that he let him take the
lead I don't know why he let him steal it Rick? Complacent.
Complacent indeed.
And man, his ability to take these corners it's very difficult to keep on
a superbike
Just like that he's doubled the score of the US.
I really don't understand. He's gotta get these points back.
And he's just letting him take these corners you know he's really digging
himself a hole here. I don't know what he has up his sleeve
but 2-5, he is not looking good on the uphill run here. There's still a
lot of time left but you gotta make a move now. He's doing it! And here he goes!
OH, close call wheelie pass! Dear God! I was not expecting that. And it's all tied up just
like that. Well played USA. Whoa, here comes Italy Oh
held off by on coming traffic that was essential. Absolutely essential for the
United States to maintain a lead there.
I love how he's keeping on it you know he's not letting him catch up which is
huge right now really.
These truly are professionals and sometimes to them, more importantly than
when the Olympics is the pride of winning the race.
I would agree with you there.
You want to make sure you can hold that trophy at the end of the race and
not be in a wheelchair doing it.
I've seen quite a few racers actually, at the end of a bout
like this in a wheelchair not being able to even move anything from the neck down.
And the final point, nice and easy grabbing it. Oh he's pulling off the
wheelie! Front down! What a move! 9-5 USA's up.
Wow, what a beautiful maneuver by US.
Can he hold the lead?
Can he hold the lead, is the question Rick.
This is the, uh... turnaround spot, this last corner will not be counted.
Wow what a final round, Uphill run.
I would have to say so
I did not expect USA to come out ahead.
USA 9 Italy 5 here we go.
You know, this is where he needed to get the double points every time if he would
have gone for this round one he would probably ended up winning the round.
And this one really, this would've been catastrophic
Biker coming the other way nearly knocked his shoulder this could have easily been
a four biker pileup.
Here's the beginning of the final round
downhill run this is it this is where they risk it all.
This is where things will get a bit sketchy.
It's quite an interesting GoPro mount he has there, it has to be distracting.
Now this racer though is quite the veteran in the game is very used to,
and familiar with, people cutting in front of them just like that.
As you can see he laid off the throttle for just a moment before getting back on it.
And he knows he needs to take the lead and it seemed like Italy was not even moving there!
Again though, maybe Italy was just doing this to get the double pointer.
I think I might have been part of his strategy.
What a beautiful strategy, Rick. I had no idea!
Clever individual
USA cutting some solid corners here taking the straight route as he
should on the super bike in order to reach a higher speed.
And now the supermoto.
Oh,
seems like get a little bit of a slip up there.
Street racing's sure not the same as it was back here in the day, eh Johnny?
Not at all!
The bikes could hardly go 150
Easy lead maintained. The spectators are getting a show today. Wow,
that bike pulled out right in front of him, still with the turn signal on.
USA really keeping a solid lead here he has to know that he's losing him.
He is really pushing it right now on the down hill this is the monster we did not see
during round one. Looks to be a comfortable 12-8 lead but who knows how
this round will end.
Who know's Rick? I'm very surprised. I don't understand!
I don't know if that was a courtesy move or what but he just let him pull ahead
with two points there.
Hard telling Johnny.
Very difficult, indeed.
Wow quite...that's honestly the closest we've seen the superbike follow this supermoto
around a corner. Wow, he gets an easy pass. He was going for the wheelie pass there, to set
it down right before getting in front. Just lucky there wasn't traffic there.
He didn't seem very stable coming down. He really did not.
And there he goes again! He's gonna take the double pointer on the corner every time Rick.
It's all tied up honestly there's one last straight where he can possibly get the lead.
I mean he's really gotta unwind here. It seems like he's setting up, for
potentially the wheelie pass to win the race. For all the marbles. He really just needs to pass.
I don't understand why he didn't do a wheelie though.
He's doing it! Oh My God, is that the MaxPass!?
Johnny that was for pride.
That was for pride, showboating, and the Golden Goose.
That was absolutely brilliant riding!
That might have been a little payback for the wheelie at the beginning on the round, really.
Yes, it seems like he was trying
to make a bit of a statement there like this is my road, you're going to get slayed...
and fileted...
Oh my god, absolutely gorgeous racing as USA wins round 3, 15 to 13.
Again, just keeping out front, making the passes here.
Was very important running into this lap, traffic also cut off the line but Italy,
if they would have taken this corner and potentially pull ahead into the lead
The final showboat maneuver... I could not believe my eyes there, Rick.
And that'll do it for the 2018 Street Racing Olympics
Beautiful beautiful sportsmanship even more beautiful riding.
The final results USA Max Wrist in the #1 spot on the Honda Superbike followed by
Italy on the KTM supermoto. Brilliant brilliant racing, Rick.
Jonny it's been a pleasure.
It's been an absolute pleasure.
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