The REALITY of Racing James Stewart at his PEAK! - Ryan Villopoto

RV is one of the modern icons of Motocross. We are very similar in age and I followed his career from a relatively unknown amateur all the way through his incredible pro career. I have always wanted to have RV on the show, but I am glad it took us this long as we have actually got to hang a bit over the last 6 months. He's a legend of a bloke and a really fun guy to hang around... I hope that comes across in this show! We talk about Ryan joining BluCru, why redheads have the most championships, if he retired to early, how his speed would stack up today, and even though it is kinda old news now, we talk about the Ando / Jett situation and what it means for the sport, as well as our upcoming trip to New Zealand to ride with 2007 team mate and rival Ben Townley.
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[@gnarkillMTB]

Never got tired of seeing James cross rut in a turn and still yank a seat bounce for a quad no one else wanted to do

[@parkman8595]

RV still underappreciated. Dungey said the speed increased a lot from 2010-2014. Go back and watch the races, JS7 was still flying and still crashing in 2010 & 2011, and Chad Reed was flat out incredible at that time as well. RV winning 4 in a row in that era was insane.

[@BrutalL3G4CY]

RV underrates himself. Watched Reed in 11-12 when he came back to AUS for SuperX. He blew everyone away, the speed he had through the whoops was nuts. I love JS7 but the what ifs hurt, had the ability to take the GOAT status from Carmichael.

[@pay2000]

RV is in my top 5 all time

[@Markjacobs4477]

Dude only won

[@francoalvarez2749]

“I got James in he’s prime” WHAT?

[@Carpfishing4400]

I would only put RC and Mcgrath above RV in the GOATS list. He tops Stewart in my opinion. The guy was pretty much unbeatable when he was fit. 10x champ plus the Des nations wins. That 07 Mxon was unreal. Beat the best in the world by over a minute on a 250f as a 17yr old

[@hung8969]

“Idk it was easier to quad it than check up for the three” - James Stewart (on his pod with Ricky)

[@Leland387]

And look how humble he is. He is on Mount Rushmore for sure and is saying how he was basically worried about jumping a lot of the jumps. Crazy

[@Drtbykr1]

My hero JS7❤ says he hates triples so he did quads👍😂

[@josephcooedy4957]

James Stewart Toronto 2014 was a great race he was on a different level then everyone else that night

[@martycech5844]

Agreed… JS was Faster than anyone on This Planet, that night!

[@pay2000]

Buds Creek 2003 , last to first

[@huggybear3156]

Yes, Toronto 2014, he was spectacular. Totally in the zone and some of the best riding I've ever seen.

[@thomasrenfrow609]

Stew's prime was when RV was still on a 250.

[@odac43]

Rv was sometimes faster than stew on the 250f in 07-08.

[@TheShepdawg9]

Oh stop it. So james was past his peak by 24? Lol

[@Markjacobs4477]

Says the guy that raced him professionally I see

[@Skizzy7777]

@@TheShepdawg9lot of guys peak around that I mean injury’s don’t help but most guys retire around 28 Ricky did James did others also

[@TheShepdawg9]

@@Skizzy7777 yes... Around 24. People are trying to act like Stewart was last his prime at 24. Stop it

[@7pines77]

Villipoto was my favorite rider in his day. Always loved his style

[@BrutalL3G4CY]

The coolest thing i've heard is that you can go on a track walk and still hear the guys saying would Stewart do that.

[@jamesskinner8590]

Right!! Crazy he’s still in the conversation with the younger generation and his skills on the super cross track legendary imo and I think it’s great that JS7 is involved in the sport again because you gotta admit it was kinda boring without him!! JS7 really did some big things for our favorite sport!!! Some much needed Flavor for sure!!!

[@BrutalL3G4CY]

@@jamesskinner8590 I agree, i found it boring when Stewart was gone and RV retired. Dungey was boring to watch and tomac has really been the only one to make things interesting

[@grassrootsmx2890]

All these guys, JS RV & Co have given so much entertainment, just glad to witness this whole era and now with the podcasts and channels like this, it makes life enjoyable. Moto itself is a phenomenal thing.

[@claytonandrews7234]

Thanks for JUST SAYING SOMETHING, JUST QUOTING A POSITIVE ABOUT SITUATIONS. THOSE GUYS BROUGHT THE BEST ENTERTAINMENT IN MOTOCROSS EVER. YOU HIT IT RIGHT ON THE HEAD SIR. THAT'S WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT. THE BEST TIMES WE Had to be WATCHING.

[@grassrootsmx2890]

@@claytonandrews7234 So much appreciation for your comment friend. That was such a good event this weekend. The track and stadium looked fantastic. Wouldn’t have predicted the outcome. But all in all fantastic to watch. All the best of luck to you, take care.

[@gibso9395]

RV the most lethal rider besides RC and MC, that guy didn't lose that much to anyone through out his career, gnarly

[@Markjacobs4477]

If I was betting with a gun pointed at me, I’m taking RV every time, dude literally didn’t lose

[@wraith3951]

The one jump Ryan didn’t mention but really related to the first thing he said is/ was the big Azz jump at the 2014 Monster Energy Cup race #2 that he and James battled hard at. That race was epic and also a point where Ryan didn’t want any parts of a jump but because James jumped it, he knew he had to as well. Sadly he missed the Joker lane, broke concentration and wrecked on the one jump that he thought he shouldn’t jump. That was such a great race although I’m sad how it ended for him. Still a classic race!

[@TheGentilcores]

💯

[@athomerecordschannel]

Too be honest, Ryan NEVER raced James at his PEAK. While yes Ricky and Chad did.

[@unstoppableplayz6948]

Agreed 👍

[@joshsowell3804]

I’d call 06-09 peak stew. Can’t help but play the what if game if you give him 2008 and 2010 seasons back. At his win rate in those years that likely would’ve added 20 more wins

[@Leland387]

@@joshsowell3804I believe he got Chad at his best on Honda, sx and Mx Chad was on it. Stew is hard to say stew was doing stew things all the way up until he retired. Stew Toronto come back when poto was sick when he passed bam bam for the lead. Remind me of 125 last to first race

[@joshsowell3804]

@@Leland387 James definitely had a steep down curve in 2011-2013, whether it was the wrist, new Yamaha model, then I want to say I remember he hurt his knee in practice at a1 the first year on the Zuk. It looked like he was on the rise again in 14 but rv was so dialed in by then no one was beating him over a series. Not discrediting the ryans but James just didn’t look the same post 2010 outside of a few highlight nights here and there

[@jameszbierski391]

💯. Was gonna say the same thing

[@TheEpows]

Gotta get Jame Stewart on the pod!!!

[@arsenal-slr9552]

He's got his own podcast it's dope af

[@eye2eye949]

James stewart 2014 Toronto supercross 14th to 1st it was 🔥

[@LilSebastian_]

I still watch that go pro footage. That one rhythm section he was quading and the triple out of the other. Insane…

[@TnTBLANKS]

That 2014 season was a good one. I remember being at St. Louis and the stadium was on its feet and louder than most of the 450 main.

[@LilSebastian_]

@@TnTBLANKS Tomac is Stewart without all the crashes..

[@zwtvchannel]

That will be one of the most epic races of all time.

[@BrutalL3G4CY]

@@LilSebastian_ Tomac doesnt have the pace or take the risks Stewart did. No one has been like that.

[@jsdigger]

listening to Ryan Villopoto talk about how he didn’t feel like he as good or naturally talented as guys like James,McGrath,Windam, I realized that is the reason why Ryan trained even harder and wanted to win even more. Ricky is the GOAT partially because he didn’t think he was good enough so he trained harder.,even though they were actually really good they didn’t think the were. We got some of the best racing out of these guys!

[@aaron337]

That's why we call it "Stewable"

[@ElectricBikeLaboratory]

Am I alone to think James on a 125 was his peak? The guy regularly set the fast lap of the day even against 250s

[@jhamelin119]

2008 outdoors, 2009 supercross, 2014 supercross were james best big bike years.

[@joshsowell3804]

@@jhamelin119 he went 13 for 16 in 07 supercross

[@jhamelin119]

And that, 07 sx.@@joshsowell3804

[@TheShepdawg9]

No he didn't.

[@user-xo1mo5du7s]

He was the fastest man on a mini or a 125, but the big 450 was too much speed for him. That's why he crashed so much. He could muscle it around but never learned to control the throttle.

[@patbateman6729]

I just love RV opening up to us ,,,, Wow,,, he has to be one hell of a poker player!!!! just love getting to know him in retirement, and the happier side of him vs the down to business race face he had. Damn this is too good. Always keep it pinned!!!!

[@kungfu2toe]

Villopoto had more control than anybody ive ever watched. Maybe just maybe the best rider ever.

[@kungfu2toe]

Except the king

[@user-xo1mo5du7s]

With a longer career maybe, he definitely had the talent. He was my favorite to watch. It killed me when he retired.

[@LAUSTINDASAUCE]

I don’t think the flying tomato ever saw bubba in his prime. The 07 Kwai run James had was unreal. Meanwhile chad didn’t have his breakout until late on Suzuki.

[@ThorSuzuki1]

Chad on a 250 he was even faster than RC on many occations. He suffered a bot from the switch to 450's.

[@zimmermanlandscape9287]

2:30 RV was something different to be honest. Think about budds creek 07. 250/450 mxdn. I even saw that guy when dungey was 45 seconds out front of the rest of the class but still in second place because rv was 1:30 in front of third place

[@Rennsportmx]

The Daytona wall jump was the jump everyone else was like nope! Should have asked villo about Daytona wall jump that year

[@mattgardner6616]

I noticed he mentions stews two years on kawi. When he actually had four open class seasons on kawi. I know he’s results were not great in 2005, but i actually feel stews gap on the competition was magnified on a two stroke.

[@NotYourSpy]

The only person that could beat James Stewart at his prime was James Stewart

[@daneg]

eh...RC had him in MX. but I'd agree on SX.

[@KosmicHRTRacingTeam]

Usually but that happened often. Outdoors RC ate his lunch. I’d say there was a bigger difference with RC to JS in outdoors as there was JS to RC in SX.

[@user-xo1mo5du7s]

Because he always went faster than his ability. Ooops, crashed again.😂

[@daneg]

@@user-xo1mo5du7sI would argue he just lacked patience. much like jett in arlington/A2, JS7 never really grew out of the "win or die trying" mentality. /2cents

[@user-xo1mo5du7s]

@daneg that's my point he just didn't learn from his mistakes and improve. Sometimes you need to dail it back to go faster. He just kept pinning it and muscling the bike through until he crashed out. I loved watching James race, but also new the crash was coming.

[@Joeri0720]

Ryan most definitely raced Chad at his second prime. Those two guys were ripping until Chad hurt himself.

[@wisetoad]

Was a huge shame

[@kobymurrell1335]

Kawi to 09-10 was James prime. He got it at the tail end.

[@braaap6292]

That is wild how all the Josh's were the crazy natural talent riders, and the Ryan's were the more careful and hardworking grinders. Strange coincidence lol

[@mattgardner6616]

I think stews prime was everything until that 2010 season. If everyone was still riding two strokes, stew would be a god.

[@larry2281]

I think RV had glimpses of Stewart in his prime like the 2014 Toronto Supercross but wouldn’t really classify that as Stewart’s prime. In JS7’s prime, nobody is beating or catching up to him.

[@Uollie]

Was gonna say this too. James' prime was cut short by injuries following 2010 and on. RV was barely in the class at that time so he was still getting his footing in the 450s so yeah maybe he got his prime but for just one year in 2009.

[@kiplockhaven382]

James and Chad ruined each other in 10 and 11, which I would consider the end of their peak years. Their fault, but, fortunate for the Ryans as well.

[@JonnyJetson754]

Rv youre a beast dude 🍻

[@NotoriousReviews23]

Really wish they talked about MEC battle with James and what happened after he missed the Joker lane

[@thenikkidixx]

There are two riders on the plantet with the absolute titanium balls in mx and those two are RV2 and Herlings. Aint nobody riding the edge when needed to as good as those two.

[@StuartGoff-wp4yt]

Went to uk mxdn, rv was 250, hs 450, rv was just insane

[@jmard24]

he was talking about a2 in 2011. stew had a 2nd quad in his back pocket if he needed it.

[@Ryan-hw4ug]

Great stuff! Very cool to get an open perspective on how Ryan was able to do what he did.

[@gawdszn302]

He jumped it the whole main event though - that’s JS7 baby

[@williams2266]

I wonder what James has to say about that. Seems to me, James was at the end (semi-retired for the 3rd time) when RV came to claim the crown.

[@YFZriderdude15]

Well considering how humble James has always been in interviews, I doubt he would deny anything RV said about him being in his prime.

[@defconone681]

Yea id say RV never raced james in his prime days at kawi he raced Chad in his prime tho i think, iv grew up watching js7 since he was on a 65 and there is still no one out there that has his speed. There are some fast guys out there atm but james was always just on another level of fast imo.

[@robertbeattie3988]

James was the F'ing GOAT. His last good year in SX was 2014 and he was dominating the field, insane speed and doing insane jumps.

[@gawdszn302]

2015 he wins easily then suspension came

[@SereneSaturnPlanet-ps4bl]

Ryan was awesome racer. smart dude .

[@davidciesielski8251]

That was great, thanks.

[@xxSoCalxx619]

I can’t say he raced James at his prime, was James still arguably fast and capable of winning any given Saturday yes. RV was the James killer just like James was for Ricky.

[@ave0828]

Ngl.. never really liked Villipoto when he was coming up. After his nasty crash he had in 2010, I immediately became a fan. Went on to win 4 Supercross titles in a row. Everyone calls Dungey the most consistent rider, but during that stretch of winning titles, I dont think ANY rider was as consistent as Villipoto. He had such a smooth riding style. He even steered with his back tire most of the time, which made him such a unique rider as well.

[@johnnyskied]

JS259 Did supercross combos on his 125 that NO ONE ELSE did. Including Ricky on his 250.

[@jayoh5837]

Monster cup ‘13 I believe James pushed Villo out of his comfort zone

[@LarryLinton]

Best clip yet 👌🏼

[@harrisonpotter1792]

I feel like Ryan got in at a perfect time. Stewart was on his way out, Chad was out and he didn’t have the same level of competition. Never the less he was a great rider and still is

[@adampark6889]

Dude......he never got to race James in his prime. Sorry Ryan but no

[@902_Nick]

What do you consider his prime. 09 ? I think 125s was his prime myself

[@Tradmark454]

Its not his prime because he was beaten. Hard to say

[@mjccollo9173]

James.. and chad? No

[@haydenchandler8062]

The “bubble scrub” 😂

[@foggyjeweler7423]

NO way he competed with james at his prime.

[@user-xo1mo5du7s]

Yes, he did!

[@seanhaberman4619]

James was only in the 450 class for like 5 years before RV got there. How is that not his prime?

[@toneconsultant]

No. Nobody has ever had James top speed. All of those top guys have already said that. JS7 had the crash factor though so there's that, but no question JS7 was the fastest man on two wheels.

[@rickyparrish2570]

​@@toneconsultantTomac at his fastest would gap James.

[@jpesicka999]

@@toneconsultant he was top speed on a 125

[@kristerszigalovs2421]

2014 Detroit probably one of stews best races no one else was doing the lines he did consistently

[@mingomane1]

Toronto

[@sierrarider]

what about anybody racing RV at his peak? remember RV at Motocross of Nations 2007 - nobody on earth was going to beat him that day - he was a manimal !!!

[@dtha70]

He never raced 07-08 stew. That was peak stew.

[@BrutalL3G4CY]

I think Suzuki Reed was Prime Reed.

[@robwilly711]

One could argue that 2007-2008 was Stewart’s peak, before Villopoto moved up to the 450’s.

[@mike202224]

He never got James or Chad in their prime.

[@damonc338]

Too this day there still isnt a man that rail the outside of the track like RV. Him outdoors was muah.

[@mrcam172]

The biggest difference between stew and RV, is stew is more scared of losing than crashing, and RV is more scared of missing a race crashing than take a 2nd

[@johndunn9819]

Villapoto did race James during his peak. He beat him sometimes. Villapoto IS the Man.

[@SketchyKirby]

Basically if your name is Josh, you can hit any knarly jumps

[@mavcomonster313]

RV you were amazing…. But honestly you can believe what you want… James in his prime and Chad in their prime. You would have battled . Be humble Brother

[@anthonyrojas9989]

I do not think there has ever been anyone as fast as James Stewart on a Kawasaki

[@shaunhenson539]

Perfect example of a jump being Stewable 😂😂

[@JamesSmith-xn5zb]

Dude never raced james in his prime Stewart's last dominate year was either 07 or 08 when he won the supercross title on a yamaha

[@lucasmcmahon2615]

I think rayan had his arm in on corner speed that not many had

[@jamesperkins6901]

Stewart was at he’s prime soon as he was born

[@m00bz]

When Ricky retired a party of stew retired too the only what ifs you can say and argue about stew is what if he doesn’t crash out at thunder valley in 2012 and what if he doesn’t get suspended after highpoint in 14 that’s it I love stew but sorry just wasn’t the same guy.

[@drasticthompson1995]

JS7 is the 🐐

[@vindarm]

RV fastest man on the planet!

[@bmxican0704]

2007-2008 on kawi…09 Stewart on San Manuel might of been his best years. That Joe Gibbs Yamaha was notoriously a bad bike. Then he went to Suzuki, missed the time due to adderall. 2014 he won like 10 races

[@motosmith6387]

Which Justin are they talking about?

[@gawdszn302]

Brayton even on James podcast he says brayton would jump stuff first pretty often

[@user-fs7sk1iu4y]

James last prime year was 2011 he trew it way that year but ryan was right there

[@AA-lg5ye]

James was never in his prime with Ryan. He had flashes of his old self at times and smoked poto..

[@pay2000]

NOBODY danced on a motorcycle the way JS7 did. Ever. Period. Villiipoto, RC, Mgrath, NOBODY!!!!! He STILL is the most exciting to watch ride. His style is unmatched.

[@dagodigs]

No Stewart in 06-07 was prime James him and Ricky would of lapped you in 06-07 for sure!!!!

[@weissinger100]

Bring Josh Hansen on the show 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@cpellett20]

Stew’s prime was 06-10 (especially 2008). RV never raced peak Stew. Only rider who could match him at the time was RC

[@Mxer724]

RV never got JS7 in his prime.

[@gerrywagoner26]

Thanks for a cuss-free interview. Progress!

[@BrianLatimerFishing]

You can tell he’s having a hard time giving Janes ANY CREDIT. He can recall everything except James……

[@kirkdunn1379]

stewart on the zook was in his prime.....

[@pinceladas5860]

I thought villopoto was fast but when he came back for retirement in redbulls staight rithm and some random races villopoto was always last

[@pinceladas5860]

Lost a ton of respect because of that

[@jammer212]

Dungey even said James wasn't at his peak😂😂😂. he also said when he seen glimpses of it, you would think he was at his peak, so that's probably what Ryan is thinking about. if I was Ryan, I would wanna believe I beat him fare and square and would never wanna believe that James actually was better and didn't ever give what he had because of age 😂😂😂

[@pilesofbrass2177]

Hit like if you were pulling for kdub.

[@joshuasteel2109]

James NEVER rode any bikes as fast as the green bikes period end of story that is when they started calling him the fastest man on the planet. 🌎 Yamaha was a struggle and Suzuki he was comfortable but it was end of days time for his career so no doubt James prime on a 450 started on Green Bikes 🤙🏻🇺🇸

[@dickyoung944]

Your program would be much better without your foul language.

[@mizatthekizat8894]

Stewart was faster on 2 strokes. They changed to 4strokes half way through his career. Imagine how many wins he would have on 2 strokes

[@jaredgordon2798]

In my mind if you took the best riders at tgier peak villopoto would win he wasnt flashy but he just hauled ass

[@SymonSaysTV]

Villo is the best of all time, to me. I have never seen a more focused rider than him. 4 in a row against all those guys..! I mean come on.

[@OtisFlint]

Wait until you hear about this little ginger kid named Ricky Carmichael.

[@joshsowell3804]

He has the highest win% of them all. I think it’s like 44% or something. Rc, mc are right there. Of course James was something ridiculous like 67% up until 2011 Villo had that perfect balance of speed and consistency. Where he could go 90% effort and win a lot. Helps when your 90% is still faster than pretty much everyone’s best. James could out sprint everyone by a mile but prime rv was just a hauling ass terminator

[@chrisvids1820]

​@joshsowell3804 Villo is being humble when he's saying he's not as talented. He blew my mind when I watched him at Hangtown. On the uphill rhythm he was the only guy to successfully quad-double. Dungey tried once but cased hard. 2nd-5th would triple-tripple. And the rest of the pack pretty much double-double-double. I was standing there hanging over the fence. One of the coolest memories I have

[@usualsuspectsfor1k]

James would've won more titles if he didn't ride past his limit and crash so much

[@Jakosaccount]

Did you race james in his prime? Yes, Proceeds to list off times he raced him when he wasn’t in his prime.

[@chrishamilton1194]

You didn’t race prime James bud

[@rg807]

Stew would have won more if: a, he switched to a 4 stroke sooner, b, he didn't get suspended for 2 years in his prime, c, he never went to Yamaha. So, yea, Stew could have a lot more wins.

[@kerontucker4488]

Stewart prime 05-10

[@avzeolla3960]

I don’t think he got James or Chad at their prime.

[@tonycampbell4663]

WFO

[@jonsnow178]

Reality is he never races peak stew or peak chad

[@johnny_eason_iii]

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏🏆🏁💪🏼💪🏼

[@Horsepoweraddictsanonymo-dk6cv]

Yeah I don’t think he wants to admit he didn’t race or more so lost to the top level Js7 reached. Kawasaki Stewart was just 100% as fast as the bike would go