Instinct Over Intent: Deegan, Anstie, and the Move That Everyone Has an Opinion On

What’s up moto dorks, BoogieDawg here. I’d love to say my writing hiatus was due to me shredding the waves every single day for the last two years, but truth is I haven’t posted a write up since the last time I was in the water. Fear not tho dawgs, I’m more than confident of both my Boogie and keyboard shredding abilities. Here goes.

Unless you missed your Verizon internet bill on Friday, you absolutely saw Haiden Deegan’s pass on Max Anstie in San Diego on Saturday. And because it was Deegan, you most likely have an opinion about it. Well, since you didn’t ask, here’s mine summed up in three words.

Instinct over Intent.

Those three words answer almost every question you could pose regarding that pass. Why did he do it? How could he do it to his teammate? Is he a dirty rider? Should he have done it? Is boogie boarding sick?

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Again, Instinct over Intent.

Before you read on it should be noted that I am NOT the biggest Deegan fan. I’m not NOT a Deegan fan, I just don’t follow him on YouTube therefore I couldn’t possibly be his biggest fan.

But I 100% believe that Deegan had no intention to do that to Max. I know he’s done some jackass moves before that were intentional… but that one wasn’t. He even looked over his shoulder off the next jump as if he was to say “oops”.

The pass on Max in San Diego was purely instinct. Not intent.

Deegan is the type of rider who races for one thing and one thing only, and that is to win. If a pass presents itself, for any position, and a competitor’s wheel is where Max’s was, that wheel is getting taken out. Tack on that pass being for the lead, in a main event, with the points lead in the championship on the line (a situation not a single person reading this has ever been in) that wheel is getting taken out. Not intentionally, but instinctually.

Was it dirty? Kind of. Is it surprising he did it to his teammate? Definitely. Did it look aggressive? Absolutely. Is boogie boarding sick? YES. But was it also super badass and a pure display of heart and top tier racing IQ? No doubt. Which trumps all those other things.

Race IQ and INSTINCT is what makes champions. Cooper Webb is a prime example. He doesn’t plan to pass for the lead on the last lap and throw up finger guns, it’s just what he does. Eli Tomac doesn’t plan to go into Beast Mode, it just happens. Ken Roczen doesn’t plan to scrub three feet under Justin Barcia at Straight Rhythm, HE JUST DOES.

Instinct over Intent.

All in all, everyone is welcome to their opinion (Merica) and I’d agree that Danger Dawgs past actions fit the mold of someone who would intentionally clean out his teammate for the lead.

All I’m saying is I personally believe that in this case, he wasn’t planning on, nor going for, the take out, it’s just that his racing instincts are so damn good that he involuntarily makes that move. Simply put: if he’s there and your front wheel is that close, you’re tasting the dirt.

Whether it’s his bloodline, YouTube subscriber number, or the spikes, that kid has IT and if he has the speed to pass you, he’s gonna.

Instinct over Intent.

It should be noted that if there was one rider to take it on the chin and say “Fair play. I’m a grown man I can handle it” it’s Max Anstie. The Brit is a class act and a racer who also has top tier instinct (aside from placing your front wheel in a Deegan clean out zone) so this oughta be fun to watch.

That all being said, time to hit the waves. See you dawgs at the 500 in March.

Images: @octopi.media