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Reading the postings and comments through many of the threads related to the MXDN, it seems that the MXDN is fading into the past. For decades I have always been a fan of this event, so, I sure hope I am wrong here. Most recently Eli Tomac and Team Green have taken their name out of contention as potential competitors, prior to that, Ken Roczen seemed less than excited to participate. I am not focusing on these two riders, just, using them as examples. There has been an overall flavor in many of the threads that makes it seem that riders and teams are finding the MXDN to be a bother or interference with business as usual. I find this surprising in an Olympic year where historically the desire to represent your country seems to gain importance. Perhaps I am reading things wrong, but is the MXDN on its way out?
Its the pinnacle of the sport.
Personally, I don't buy the whole "too many races" excuse. While these guys do have an insane schedule, back in the day guys raced whenever the could, and would sell there own grandmother to be apart of the MXON team...
I just think this sport is becoming more about business than passion....You have the exceptions, such as Cooper Webb who raced every off season race he could get his hands on, but for the most part, if these guys are seeing a good paycheck behind it, they aren't doing it....Which I totally get, its just sad that passion for riding a dirt bike at the professional level seems to be fading.
Just my thoughts...
I think MXoN is great, but the motivation to compete in it for sponsors and riders is really waning.
The Shop
The C class from Lorettas could probably win it
Now that I am dwelling on it I'm chapped Tomac bailed. He is one of our three best IMO
To the OP my response is how can you even question the validity of the MXoN?
Smh
Yes , it has certainly lost the luster over the last 5 years. Hard to say exactly why but it is a huge expense with little reward for the riders. The riders seem to have so many more sponsor obligations that the des nations keeps dropping on the priority list.
but we have been here before, in the early 90's a lot of the top riders like Bradshaw and Stanton did not want to go to Australia, but they still managed to send a team and win it,
in the early 00's after 9/11 and some other losses no one wanted to go and the US did not send a team, then they got beaten and RC got on board to bring the team back in 05 to win,
it will take someone like Tomac or Dungey to step and and want to lead the team to victory,
Supercross becomes a snooze fest after 5 rounds.
MXGP races looses its touch after a couple races with so many races on the schedule, the only thing that keeps it kinda interesting is the diversity of tracks.
The 12 rounds length of the nationals is just perfect, however, it's a pita to watch as a non-us citizen.
https://youtu.be/v1x38CYtRx4?list=PLOV4XwgAnSdXB4Mu9WeLgtHhQGyam9g9p
As for some of the posters in this thread stating the event is less important than 5 years ago...totally not true. Just because Kenny doesn't want to go, or Eli, or Dungey, that's on them, not on the prestige or importance of the event.
As with everyone, I would like to see more top American talent this year, but I also realize that financial priorities for both riders and teams have shifted elsewhere. That's the reality here, and money talks.
Pit Row
imagine the hot dog vendor or Beer tent guy being told you can bring beer and hot dogs work your ass off but you have to sell it at a loss.
Not to mention the USA series is over weeks before the race , riders are worn out and switching teams and not real interested in some made up event exploiting National Pride.
it will take another Ricky Carmichael to embrace this event and lobby for it among his peers
of course RC didn't have much choice since Kandel Wonder Wart Hog threatened him with a Voo-doo Doll and curse.
There's a different financial ballgame being played than 35 years ago, and it probably sucks for most of us MX fans. If you want further clue-in with regard to U.S. motorsports, take a look at the financial differences for NASCAR and more globally-oriented competition over the last couple decades.
TV contracts now, and going forward rule the day. What do MXDN TV numbers look like (and by that I mean $ contract value, not ratings), even comparative to, say, a single lowly AMA SX or even some shitty Energy Drink® Race?
The other thing that makes this race particularly ambiguous is the TV package. I don't recall seeing it on TV here except for once. And I rarely watch events live due to scheduling conflicts and commercials. I'm sure I'm not the only one.
But now after a bunch of losses they're thinking twice about going and being labeled as members of a losing team. And thats daft. Its only one more weekend for your country. I find it strange for a nation as patriotic as you guys are your riders keep turning down the opportunity to represent you.
I'd bet a cotton chomping dollar that there are more threads & posts on this forum dedicated to MXoN than any other event by long way. It's the only event on the calendar where everybody who knows anything about MX gets behind their nation's riders and that's why it's so special and way more than just a cool event.
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