Joaquim Rodrigues (108) cut across Alessi’s (800) front wheel in the first turn nearly putting the rookie on the ground in his pro debut at Millville in 2004. (Larry Lawrence photo)
It looked like Mike Alessi was ready to break through this year and finally live up to the hype he generated when he turned pro in 2004 and then he broke his knee cap in practice a few days after dominating the 450 National at Freestone.
Alessi was the most hyped rider possibly ever to come out of the amateur ranks. The 16-year-old boldly made his debut in the premier 250 class (now the 450 class) instead of coming in lower key in the 125 class like most rookies. A week before Millville Alessi had laid waste to his competition in the amateur ranks and tied racing sensation James Stewart for the most AMA Amateur Motocross wins at Loretta Lynn’s. It took nearly half a decade, but Alessi finally earned his first career victory in the premier motocross class a few weeks ago at Hangtown.Here’s a first-turn photo I took at the start of Alessi’s very first pro moto. It was at Millville (Minn.) in 2004. A ton of people showed up to see Alessi for the first time.
The highly anticipated pro debut of Alessi turned out to be a bust for the most part. He finished 31st overall with a 27-25 moto finish. Alessi lost control early in the first moto and crashed into Suzuki’s Sean Hamblin. Both riders fell. In the second moto Alessi ran as high as fourth in moto two, but his bike began seizing and he pulled off the course late in the race.
At times Alessi showed flashes of some pretty amazing speed. He was out trying to clear obstacles early in the weekend that only a few of the elite riders even attempted. He was a young kid trying too hard. It was like a hitter swinging for the fence at every pitch. He set what perhaps were some unrealistic goals and was trying his darndest to meet those goals.
Mike Alessi at Millville in 2004. (Larry Lawrence photo)
No doubt Alessi had few fans among his fellow pro riders at the time. Alessi looked like a ping-pong ball getting bounced around on the No. 800 Honda at the start of the first 250 moto. It was amazing that he didn’t crash before the first turn after he’d been bumped by what seemed about all 39 other riders on the starting straight.
Welcome to the pros kid.
Here’s hoping that Alessi recovers quickly from his broken knee cap and gets back to racing soon.
Rider Files 