Two of the greatest champions in the sports history, Ricky Carmichael and Ryan Villopoto have had their say on Deegan’s move on Cooper Webb and both didn’t actually think it was that bad but Villopoto admits it may not have been the smartest move from Deegan and he believes Webb will return the favour next weekend if the gets the chance!
Speaking on the Title 24 podcast, Villopoto said: “It wasn’t dirty by no means, it was a very basic pass. Haiden ran it in on Coop a little bit but it wasn’t bad. My position on the whole thing is I believe Haiden would have passed Cooper back right away, I don’t think he needed to take it right then, maybe if he couldn’t get around Coop in two then, great but like Coop said being teammates and training partners and all that, it wasn’t a bad situation, it wasn’t dirty but I just think he (Deegan) is playing the short game, he isn’t playing the long game.
“Look at Jett, he was on top of the world for three or four years, look where he is at now, injuries and the past 24 months for him but in that scenario Jett has some allies on the track. I don’t know if Haiden is going to be in that position if he keeps playing the short game.
“But then we have a mass exodus of riders that are going to be retiring, Jason Anderson, Eli Tomac, Justin Barcia, possibly Kenny soon, you have five or six guys that won’t give him an inch but in the future they probably won’t be there! So the short game may be just perfect he may be playing his cards right – I don’t know. I don’t think it was dirty at all (the pass).
“I just think because it’s your teammate, there is a way you race in a scenario like, I think Haiden was going to get Coop fairly quickly (anyway).”
RC said: “He already had the inside, he was probably going to get him right there going down that rhythm lane, he would have had the preferred line, he was already up the inside. He ever so slightly touched Coop. I don’t know that him making sure Deegan making sure he doesn’t win the championship, I always feel those scenarios never really play out.”
RV added: “Making those enemies on the track, I think that’s a tough spot to be in, especially with your teammate when they are supposed to be giving you a little bit of leeway. A lot of times going in with that mentality of trying to ruin a guys race, typically your race is ruined , now, if they are by each other! He is going to take his shot for sure and I don’t think Bobby or Star Racing can stop it! This is his last race and he’s going to see the exit sign on the door and he’s going to be out of there. If the chance is there for the taking, I think he takes it.
Watch the full section from 18 minutes in below:
