If you're following the Triple Crown motocross series in Canada, you know our guy, Filthy Phil Nicoletti, holds the points lead in the 450 Class by 10 points over Tanner Ward with just one round left to go. But even though he's looking at winning the title, he still took the time to sit down and answer your burning questions. This week Filthy gets into topics like riders having health issues, Jeremy Martin's moto win at Spring Creek, and Jorge Prado's unique technique.

As always, send him a question, [email protected] if you've got something you want answered by the most sullen man in the paddock.

Phil,
We’re seeing a whole lot of riders missing races due to general problems with their “health.” My question is, is this just code for something else and the teams just don’t feel like stating the real reasons why a rider is out? Kind of like just blaming any and all mechanical problems on electrical issues? I it’s a long year of racing, and about this time of the summer is when dudes start dropping out with mystery issues, so I was just wondering if it’s legit or not. And for the record, I’m sure some cases are totally legit, like Aaron Plessinger, for example, but some of this stuff has to be smoke and mirrors, right?
-Conspiracy Chris

Conspiracy,
There is always some sort of underlying BS 98% of the time. It’s so hard when it’s a health issue too in our sport because when it's a sickness or something, there is hardly anytime to recover. When you race 17 weekends of supercross in 19 weeks, that shit catches up to you. It ends of catching up to you in outdoors when the demand and duration quadruple compared to SX, too. The “health” side of things start creeping in. Then when you’re already in a hole, it’s hard to climb out of it. That’s why you need a “smart” trainer to be able to prepare and plan a WHOLE YEAR'S worth of training out. Not just whatever they think is right for that week because you sucked that race weekend and you should go harder because you sucked. But most of the time a “health” issue doesn’t necessarily mean a code word for the team, but I have seen it used when it had nothing to do with health. I also as a rider, don't like when a team says “electrical” issue as a reason for a mechanical problem. Even from a fan's perspective. It makes our sport look so much better when the team says what actually happened. I just feel like it makes the sport more intelligent and interesting when there is more transparency with that stuff. That’s just my own personal opinion.
-Phil

Martins’ Best Friend Phil,
I was reading this very column recently and you talked about being a little sad about missing Spring Creek this year. So if you had FOMO before the race, can you tell us what was going through your mind when you were watching Jeremy Martin win the final moto of his career?! Were you banging your head against your crossbar while digging your bare feet into your sharp footpegs wishing you were there in person!? And also, honestly where did that ride even come from? Obviously Jeremy is good at his literal home race, but c’mon, this was nothing compared to how he was performing earlier this season. How does this happen!?
-Corndog Dipper

Dipper,
Well I can assure you there were A LOT of people who talked shit on Jerma. A LOT. For him to get the last laugh at everyone has to make it the most bittersweet send off in the entire world. For him to get back to that level, where he belonged after all the heartbreak, was truly amazing. I was in the pits at Sand De Lee watching under our semi, screaming and yelling. Even with just the first moto holeshot I was stoked because at Pala and Hangtown he was actually scared to take off on the gate. For Star Racing to give him what he needed and wanted, and didn’t degrade him making him think he was insane with somethings to prove what he could still do, was great. I applaud them. Sad thing is, people don’t understand the talks he and I had about life and racing when he was at the bottom. Then the talks about coming back with Star and the regret if he didn’t do it, and the pain of it if he failed with it. The failing part at Pala was hard because I know who and what he is, and to see him go 20-20 was just unfathomable. Then the calls after Hangtown saying that he’s pulling the plug after crashing three times between Pala and Hangtown.  This sport is the highest of highs, and lowest of lows. Literally. I don’t know how else to put it. The Thursday before Millville the goal was to give it the best he could and try and go 8-8. For him to get the bike to where he wanted it to go 3-1 was godly. I don’t know what else to say. I just I was there to witness the feeling from the fans and all the people.
-Phil

Phil,
I don’t watch MXGP so I didn’t know much about Jorge Prado before he came to America. I still don’t know much about him, other than he’s apparently not performing at a level that’s up to his standard. But I digress. In podcasts, news coverage, etc, I’ve been hearing little things here and there about Prado being a difficult guy to pass, although our boys don’t seem to be having any trouble doing it this summer. Sorrynotsorry. From what I can tell, the difficulty doesn’t come from him being fast, but from him doing things like intentionally blocking lines and intentionally blasting a ton of roost at a rider coming up behind him. I think I heard JT [Jason Thomas], or maybe someone else, say that Prado has angered plenty of riders with these antics in the past. Help me understand the difference between what is being talked about with Prado here, and what’s considered fair play in racing. Because to me nothing I’ve heard sounds egregious, but then again I’m not hip to rider code at the pro level.
-Broome County Bushwhacker

Bushwhacker,
I think Jorge in the past has had some questionable cross jumps and whatnot. But that was years ago. I can’t really speak on much of that. I’ve never raced him or really seen him do it on a regular basis. But he does run a wide bike. He reminds me of Andrew Short. I even remember A1 this year. Jorge pulled the holeshot and it was like he was driving a semi truck. Some people just know where to place their bike to make it difficult on someone to get by them. That is a special art of racing dirt bikes. It’s not illegal to intentionally block lines. That’s just racing.
-Phil