Christian Craig retiring........

Shawn142
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Shawn142 9/6/2013 10:12am
9/6/2013 10:12am
jmx411 wrote:
Whats sad is everyone seems to agree that he is making the best decision because of his financial reasons. Its sad that the toughest sport in...
Whats sad is everyone seems to agree that he is making the best decision because of his financial reasons. Its sad that the toughest sport in the world isn't worth going pro or being one of the best at it because in the end you will still have to find another job. These guys should be able to retire a comfortable life after the things they put their body through in this sport.

No I am not blaming DC or Feld on this. I have said this before until we get big time outside sponsors the big money will never come in. Pro golfs didn't make anything before Tiger because gold companies were the main sponsors. When Tiger came the big time outside sponsors stepped up and so did the purses. We just need to somehow make this sport relevant
Pro golfers were making big money long before Tiger, and it was huge long before him too. The average golf tournament and major sporting even pull viewers in the 5 to 15 million range depending on sport. Football is obviously always at the top of that list. You know how many people watch MX? On average it's 50,000 for the Fuel broadcasts, and those NBC network shows that everyone here just can't seem to stand pull around 500,000. So you find at way to more than quadruple that viewership then the kids on the fringes of stardom in this sport will start getting paid a living wage. Until then just accept that certain things have to happen to "grow the sport", one of them is network TV coverage.
jmx411
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jmx411 9/6/2013 10:49am
9/6/2013 10:49am
jmx411 wrote:
Whats sad is everyone seems to agree that he is making the best decision because of his financial reasons. Its sad that the toughest sport in...
Whats sad is everyone seems to agree that he is making the best decision because of his financial reasons. Its sad that the toughest sport in the world isn't worth going pro or being one of the best at it because in the end you will still have to find another job. These guys should be able to retire a comfortable life after the things they put their body through in this sport.

No I am not blaming DC or Feld on this. I have said this before until we get big time outside sponsors the big money will never come in. Pro golfs didn't make anything before Tiger because gold companies were the main sponsors. When Tiger came the big time outside sponsors stepped up and so did the purses. We just need to somehow make this sport relevant
Shawn142 wrote:
Pro golfers were making big money long before Tiger, and it was huge long before him too. The average golf tournament and major sporting even pull...
Pro golfers were making big money long before Tiger, and it was huge long before him too. The average golf tournament and major sporting even pull viewers in the 5 to 15 million range depending on sport. Football is obviously always at the top of that list. You know how many people watch MX? On average it's 50,000 for the Fuel broadcasts, and those NBC network shows that everyone here just can't seem to stand pull around 500,000. So you find at way to more than quadruple that viewership then the kids on the fringes of stardom in this sport will start getting paid a living wage. Until then just accept that certain things have to happen to "grow the sport", one of them is network TV coverage.
I agree 100%. TV money is what you have to have for pro athletes to get paid. It still baffles me how in supercross stadiums are packed out but yet the numbers are still down for television
mx695
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mx695 9/6/2013 11:13am
9/6/2013 11:13am
What sucks about TV exposure is that they only show it on Fuel and NBC Sports . It cost a arm in the leg to get the tv package that has those channels . and over half the time they mess up the broadcasting with some other show conflicting times and what not . If we could have The races on Local Channels more That would help out tremendously IMO.
Adam43
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Adam43 9/6/2013 11:28am
9/6/2013 11:28am
No need for doom and gloom, congrats to the kid for deciding to go down a different path.

Pro racing grinds people up and spits them out, it's no different that any other sport that way. There's no shame in realizing the lunacy of it all and stepping away.

He's still young, he'll be always be fast, and he can enjoy riding for the same reasons he was likely attracted to it in the first place.

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newmann
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newmann 9/6/2013 12:19pm
9/6/2013 12:19pm
Quite a few doom and gloomers here, yet when someone comes along with what they are claiming is "good money" for a top 20 capable rider, a team and bikes everyone piles on and gives them shit. Fucking amazing.

To the kids looking for a way out and a new career outside of moto I'd like to hear some of their thoughts about all the sponsorships and perks given to top amateur riders that seem to disappear when they turn pro.
Taylor156
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Taylor156 9/6/2013 1:25pm
9/6/2013 1:25pm
Taylor156 wrote:
If he sticks to this really bummed, I was a fan of his dad back in the day and then CC. Hope the best for him...
If he sticks to this really bummed, I was a fan of his dad back in the day and then CC. Hope the best for him as always !

Just curious who is on Troy Lee next year ?
DownSouth wrote:
TLD has Cole Seely, Jessy Nelson, and Shane Mcelrath under contract, and possibly Malcolm Stewart stays.
thank you DS, did he just not get a offer and flipped out, I understand the injuries for sure but he is really talented and I would hate to see him go I think he has a lot of potential ! DONT GO CC !!!!
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Tumblin 9/6/2013 2:33pm
9/6/2013 2:33pm
You've showed the best the fast way around many tracks Christian. I loved seeing you move up on that Troy Lee 450.
Very impressed for all you've had to overcome and with making tough decisions. Best of Luck to you.
mx5471
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mx5471 9/6/2013 5:46pm
9/6/2013 5:46pm
I give Christian a lot of credit for making this decision. He knows everything about this sport from the bottom up. If you're 22yrs old, and have had those injuries, and don't have one of the few factory sponsors, with bikes, tracks to ride on, testing, and all that goes with it, you don't have a chance. You don't become a champion in this sport without it. You can't afford it on your own. This sport is laced with kids whose parents gave up everything, even their child's futures, with home schooling, living at training facilities, and doing nothing but ride, not to mention the horrible injuries some have suffered, all to try to get the very few top contracts. Most of them end up at 22 years old not being able to read or write , with no knowledge of the real world, let alone skills to survive, or thrive in it on their own. In recent times, most of the top guys have had support from factories all throughout their careers. You simply can't compete with it. At his age, it's time to think about your life and where your future lies, and I commend him for doing it. How long do you spend the money and the time, (that you could use productively in some other endeavor) , not to mention the physical risk, to go nowhere? I have no idea why the privateers do it. There's a reason why the top sponsored guys lap half the field in SX, and several in MX and he knows what it is. I think he made a smart decision, but most importantly, it was "his" decision. I wish him the best of luck in whatever he chooses to do, and if he applies the same energy in that area, that he did in his mx career, he will have no problem.
velocitygear
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velocitygear 9/6/2013 6:07pm
9/6/2013 6:07pm
Doom and gloom; I think not!

Jeff Alessi gives good insight: and Jeff is CLEARLY not the only one.

I feel when I'm 100% mentally ready and healthy and if the sport becomes healthy for riders to invest there entire lives I will make a second attempt. Right now it's not worth the risk to be taken advantage of as the show to not get a fair share of the pie. I think you will see a lot of people retiring or stopping in hopes that one day they can get what they feel they deserve as a person. Right now I'm going to school for 2 jobs, between those two jobs I can make a living to support myself and what I want and I'll race my bike locally to have run and stay in shape incase I find a way to make it work in the future. I feel really bad for kids like this who have come so far to cut it short. I hope they find themselves making the right decisions to.

Reality is just that! There is no justification for riders who risk their lives for half assed sums of money! Not to mention many of these riders families have sacrificed everything to get them to the "show:" Before you say that's their own fault, how about you look at the real problem instead of blaming people for following their dreams.

Why would anyone pursue this sport in 2013 knowing the possibility of failure?

TV coverage? For what? There won't be any riders left because it's a losing proposition from the start.

I suppose the economic demise is partially to blame but really, unless you're in the top 10 you're not making what you deserve. Risk and reward is so unbalanced it's not even funny!

The elite riders need to stand up for everyone else; Chad Reed was 1000% correct with trying to pursue a riders union, Chad, the Ryans and the rest need to stand up for something like a riders union. Otherwise, who wil, ever?

Monster and Feld surely will not!
50dippin
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50dippin 9/6/2013 6:10pm
9/6/2013 6:10pm


Good luck, and congrats Christian, your fiance is super hot!
bullpen658
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bullpen658 9/6/2013 8:21pm
9/6/2013 8:21pm
Moto is awesome but brutal. Life is bigger than motocross. Wise decision. CC is an awesome rider/racer and will be missed but I fully support his decision (as if he needed some fat ass dbag like me's approval).
kev472
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kev472 9/8/2013 2:57am
9/8/2013 2:57am
MtnBoy wrote:
Takes a man to make a decision like that. Good on him.

I hope he is successful in whatever he pursues
+2 best of luck to him
Trav138
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Trav138 9/8/2013 7:10am
9/8/2013 7:10am
Good luck Christian. Smart move you can ride for fun and enjoy life outside of racing.
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bonseff 9/8/2013 11:04am
9/8/2013 11:04am
Glad i got to see him crush that moto at freestone a few years back. Wish him the best in his endeavors.
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Randy_Nix 9/8/2013 11:30am
9/8/2013 11:30am
Hmm... So TLDs primary 450 rider is out. Hopefully mookie gets to fill CCs shoes on the big bike next year

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davis224
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davis224 9/8/2013 1:15pm
9/8/2013 1:15pm
A shocking but probably wise decision. Good luck to him, I'm going to miss seeing that style out there, loved watching him outdoors on a 450.
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Old-Man 9/8/2013 1:42pm
9/8/2013 1:42pm
Craig first lap at Lakewood 2011 BRAAAAP!
CC268
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CC268 9/8/2013 7:00pm
9/8/2013 7:00pm
Man its sad to start seeing racers I grew up watching leave the sport...but thats moto for you I guess
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jasonv43 9/8/2013 9:16pm
9/8/2013 9:16pm
Good for him for making a tough decision and walking away. Good luck in the future.
Taylor156
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Taylor156 9/9/2013 9:25am
9/9/2013 9:25am
Starts new job today already moved in not messing around that kid :

Christian Craig ‏@CCraig_59 4h
First day of real work today. Excited for this new chapter. Thanks everyone for all the support!
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GuyB 9/9/2013 11:04am
9/9/2013 11:04am
The hardest part for a lot of riders is deciding when to pull the plug. Props to him on a tough decision. I know he'd been wrestling with this for a while.
Mxdnusa
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Mxdnusa 9/9/2013 11:10am
9/9/2013 11:10am
Question..
Does any motorcrossers carry an insurance policy like Lloyd's of London to insure themselves against injury forced retirements? Something I have heard before in reference to other pro athletes and celebrities.
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Mxdnusa 9/9/2013 3:10pm
9/9/2013 3:10pm
Sounds like this sport for sure.

Sad to see him go and wish him well in future endeavors.
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lostboy819 9/9/2013 3:28pm
9/9/2013 3:28pm Edited Date/Time 9/9/2013 3:29pm
Mxdnusa wrote:
Question.. Does any motorcrossers carry an insurance policy like Lloyd's of London to insure themselves against injury forced retirements? Something I have heard before in reference...
Question..
Does any motorcrossers carry an insurance policy like Lloyd's of London to insure themselves against injury forced retirements? Something I have heard before in reference to other pro athletes and celebrities.
Yes, Emig had one when his throttle stuck and broke his back ending his pro career, of course down the road when he wanted to race for fun and not as a professional they didn't want to pay but that is a typical insurance company for you.
mx5471
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mx5471 9/9/2013 8:52pm
9/9/2013 8:52pm
He made the right move. No doubt about it. But he has more right moves to make, #1, to learn everything he can in his new job and strive to be good at it. I'm happy for him. Young, new job and ready to get married, and start a new life. It's exciting. I wish I was him. Sounds like his fiance's dad does real well, and gave him a job in his company, which is great, as long as things go well. But if she gets a hair across her ass, he'll be out quicker than you can read this. Her new guy will get the job. Divorce can be hell, as some of us know. I don't want to sound mean, but it's reality.

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