The tracks have been similar for 15 years. Just like Flat Track, everyone has the geometry for handling SX and MX ironed out. It's not like the 70's were Huskies went straight and Elsinores turn.
Anyhow, I think it mind over matter. Roczen can win, he has shown he can. But now he's lost.
Anderson has new people and seems motivated. Maybe he realized he would have to get a real job?
Sexton always been mentally weak, even in his amateur days. Throws it away a lot. I bet he was thinking that " I can't throw it away like I've done in the past". Splat
The Yamaha is basically the same bike since 2010 with refinements. Even Webb rode that 2015 yamaha at the US GP and Trophy des nation well. Then Yamaha said they would set it up instead of Star racing. It's been well documented.
J$7 hurt the Yamaha bikes reputation more than the bike being bad
I could go on.......I see it every time I go over to the ClubMX SX track. Some guys down here work with my wife with nutrition and mind performance. A couple should be at least on the podium if not winning. Mindset. Some just don't think they should win and therefore don't. They don't believe it. They don't really work hard, just think they do.
Zach Osborne came here last year to test and train for 2 weeks before the start of outdoors. He rode a bicycle everywhere on the grounds if he didn't run to/ from the gym/garage or clubhouse. All the rest ride a pitbike around. Zach wanted it worse than the others. No contest. He went over and above all the others. He took no shortcuts and therefore was mentally strong. Ate the way my wife showed him 10 years ago. Still does the program, even while at the Baker factory. He came to my resturant and still ate correct while his family enjoyed a tasty meal. He really wanted it, but his back is just trashed like many others, but isn't going to get an operation.
So much talent here at ClubMX and many of you see the Igram posts, I am sure. Only one wins. Wanting it and believing in yourself is by far the single most important factor.
Most have tough exteriors, but are fragile flowers on the inside.
Man, I could right a book on the subject. I hear about it every night from my wife. BTW, she's 63 and still races. She practices what she preaches