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AMA Hopes to Boost Interest in Series by Creating Drama
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Following a premier-class race held last Saturday, Chad Reed, a veteran, multi-time champion who has in the past been involved in personal on-track drama with other riders, and has received penalties as a result, has been penalized by the AMA in hopes of generating increased interest in the sport.
"That guy did not move out of my way fast enough", remarked reigning 450-class champion Ryan Dungey during a post-race press conference in which the rider was visibly shaken. "Riders have an obligation to help champions retain their titles by not racing and by moving out of our way as soon as possible. We should not be expected to actually race and pass other riders on our way to winning the championship."
It is not clear to what extent the penalty will have the intended effect of increasing interest in the sport as attendance has been in steady decline in recent years. When asked for comment, and unnamed AMA official offered the following: "If this penalty does prove to increase series attendance and viewership, you can expect that the AMA will in the future hand out additional controversial penalties to riders as a result. Also, if the points between the championship contenders tightens any further, or if the series otherwise becomes in any way more exciting before the final round in Las Vegas, the AMA may be forced to revoke Chad Reed's AMA membership altogether."
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Following a premier-class race held last Saturday, Chad Reed, a veteran, multi-time champion who has in the past been involved in personal on-track drama with other riders, and has received penalties as a result, has been penalized by the AMA in hopes of generating increased interest in the sport.
"That guy did not move out of my way fast enough", remarked reigning 450-class champion Ryan Dungey during a post-race press conference in which the rider was visibly shaken. "Riders have an obligation to help champions retain their titles by not racing and by moving out of our way as soon as possible. We should not be expected to actually race and pass other riders on our way to winning the championship."
It is not clear to what extent the penalty will have the intended effect of increasing interest in the sport as attendance has been in steady decline in recent years. When asked for comment, and unnamed AMA official offered the following: "If this penalty does prove to increase series attendance and viewership, you can expect that the AMA will in the future hand out additional controversial penalties to riders as a result. Also, if the points between the championship contenders tightens any further, or if the series otherwise becomes in any way more exciting before the final round in Las Vegas, the AMA may be forced to revoke Chad Reed's AMA membership altogether."
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