MXP: Hey Newf! Let’s start this week by talking about Haiden Deegan. Obviously, his sophomore year is going differently than planned. He does have one win in Arlington, but the other three rounds have been a struggle. We know he’s fast and has a bright future, but has he been given too much attention too soon? He doesn’t appear to know how to lose yet.
RL: It’s an interesting situation, for sure. What we see is a kid who thought this series was going to be a cakewalk. His attitude is not great, and the way he talks is very unattractive. Now, with saying that, he is a kid, and I chalk it up to the people who surround him. His dad has a lot to handle, and I think a lot of these podium interviews, “Welcome to the danger zone” are being pushed by Brian Deegan. If I’m Star Racing Yamaha, I’m trying to pull this crap in asap.
MXP: Where do you think Eli Tomac is mentally right now? Also, would you bet $100 of your own money that he wins a race in 2024?
RL: I mean, it is what it is. He’s getting beat and still not in top form. From what I can see, there are moments or even races that show promise that he’s trending in the right direction, but then he doesn’t really back it up. The injury was serious last year, and he took a lot of time off the bike. Personally, I don’t think his bike setup looks great out there. But to answer the question on the bet, yes, I would bet he still wins one. He’s Eli Tomac!
MXP: This week, we spent some time down at the GPF Training Facility in Georgia. Josh Woods and his family have been running GPF for a long time now. Josh raced in Canada back in the late 1990s and early 2000s, what is your best memory of Josh Woods?
RL: GPF is an awesome facility, and I will always remember my time spent there in 2006/2007. I have lots of memories of Josh, some from not even that long ago in Vegas, lol. We won’t get into those ones. I will always remember the speed he had in 2000. He was so fast and had that American style on the bike. Riding that KX250 would have been a huge disadvantage compared to Dubach on that 4-stroke. Josh could come through the pack and win motos.
