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5/1/2009
Location
Morgantown, WV, USA
Edited Date/Time
3/4/2013 6:53pm
Now that everyone who feels slighted about not getting an autograph after the race has had a chance to insult all of the Team USA riders, here's some news: After the warm-up practice on Sunday morning, all three Team USA riders signed autographs for fans at their respective pit areas. No one was together, as they were all working out of different rigs, but Jeff Canfield of the AMA and MX Sports helped pull it together. I was not there as I was meeting with a fellow promoter in another part of the facility. The riders did not give away a lot of plastic or goggles because they had none to give.
After the race they did the podium thing, which took about a half hour, then they went to the press conference, which was another 45 minutes, and then they all had to go into a room and take a urine test for the FIM (they all passed, guess their aim is true).
After all that, it was pretty much dark, and time to eat dinner and celebrate, which they did at Alpinestars, along with all of the GP riders and teams that were invited in by Alpinestars.
And I was at St. Jean D'Angeley with Travis Pastrana in 2000 and he did not stay and sign every single autograph. No one can when there are thousands of people there. So please give these guys a break. It's a long day, a tough race, and they have lots of official requirements for the promoter, the FIM, the press and their own teams. Oh, and they had to focus some of their time on actually winning the race on different bikes than what they have at home, and that includes talking to mechanics, tire guys, goggle guys, team managers, parents, girlfriends, fellow riders, whatever.
Calling them out for being serious and focused on race day is really kind of strange to me, especially since they did sign autographs, but the original poster just wasn't there at the time to get the attention he hoped for. The Americans pay their own way over, there is no prize money, and the race is not on TV in America, yet they still come and give it their all, yet it's still not enough...
Next year Racer X will try to help out and make a Team USA poster or something to help out, but when it's all spread out and everyone is scrambling to win and do all of the things the race requires, there's just not enough time in the day.
But flame on, let's ruin a good win and a great day of racing somehow.
DC
MX Sports
After the race they did the podium thing, which took about a half hour, then they went to the press conference, which was another 45 minutes, and then they all had to go into a room and take a urine test for the FIM (they all passed, guess their aim is true).
After all that, it was pretty much dark, and time to eat dinner and celebrate, which they did at Alpinestars, along with all of the GP riders and teams that were invited in by Alpinestars.
And I was at St. Jean D'Angeley with Travis Pastrana in 2000 and he did not stay and sign every single autograph. No one can when there are thousands of people there. So please give these guys a break. It's a long day, a tough race, and they have lots of official requirements for the promoter, the FIM, the press and their own teams. Oh, and they had to focus some of their time on actually winning the race on different bikes than what they have at home, and that includes talking to mechanics, tire guys, goggle guys, team managers, parents, girlfriends, fellow riders, whatever.
Calling them out for being serious and focused on race day is really kind of strange to me, especially since they did sign autographs, but the original poster just wasn't there at the time to get the attention he hoped for. The Americans pay their own way over, there is no prize money, and the race is not on TV in America, yet they still come and give it their all, yet it's still not enough...
Next year Racer X will try to help out and make a Team USA poster or something to help out, but when it's all spread out and everyone is scrambling to win and do all of the things the race requires, there's just not enough time in the day.
But flame on, let's ruin a good win and a great day of racing somehow.
DC
MX Sports
This "owe me" attitude is bullshit. This also leads to the banner stealing and begging for rider gear after events.
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$189.95 - $239.95
IMO set up a autograph session advertise it, and whoever comes its all good. Those who miss it OH WELL. I didn't go to the MXdN this year so I can only speculate when others say the american riders blew the fans off. They (riders) don't have to sign anything if they don't want to, but at least set up something for the fans. For most europeans that will be the only time they get to see an american rider up close in their lifetime.
From your post DC, it looks like they did sign autographs, for however long that was. Whoever didn't get a chance to be there too bad.
Anyone having any complaints about team USA in the MXdN, how about you just go screw yourself.
Are there that many people who get butt hurt about everything Team USA does or doesn't do, or just the usual few village idiots who have something to complain about everything?
I'd say you're in pretty good company DC
Could always send Danny Dolan over there and TerryK to baby sit him while he is abroad.
These were pretty damn cool and framed up made excellent X-Mas gifts. These sticker kits could be sold at the race for a minimal fee if allowed. Or just have a graphics company sponsor them and hand them out for free.
How about autographed hats or T shirts that could be SOLD ahead of time or at the race to satisfy everyone who feels they need something personal?Don't price gouge, just offer them up at the regular outlandish price that hats and T shirts go for on raceday.
That's a long flight over, how about the guys use the time to autograph a healthy stack of handout photos (don't have to be poster size) or team decals as mentioned/shown above? This way the guys don't always have to be available for autograph sessions.
I'm sure plenty of people will still find fault, but it's a thought.
99% of the Euro fans loves to have team USA and the other AMA riders at the MXdN.
Wait, make that 100% but there's maybe 1% of people which in some way did not get what they hoped for and go home disappointed.
It felt like they were like soldiers on a mission and didn't care about us at all.
That's why the video surprised me. I'm starting to understand. It's just a diferent way of doing things. In america they are used to interact with fans for scheduled limited time while in europe do all the time. It's no disrespet to us, thats the way they act back home too?
Is that correct?
I, for one, think they were more "close" to the people than ever this weekend. I even saw Dungey sign a box of cigarretes, I was like wtf is this idiot (the fan) doing.
Pit Row
Uhm did you guys got already the results from that dope test?? A friend of mine (GP Rider) got one in the Belgian GP in Lommel he had to wait one 10 days for the results... Then a fellow cyclist of mine rides a B class here and he got a dope control also and he had to wait a little month before he had his results!! You guys have the results within 72 hours?? Special US/AMA treatment??
No one called them out for that, just for the after the race autograph signing. If someone went to the race in hopes to get an autograph and didn't then it needs to be communicated when and where then you would avoid the impression that the Americans just hide out which is the real complaint it would appear.
"Next year Racer X will try to help out and make a Team USA poster or something to help out, but when it's all spread out and everyone is scrambling to win and do all of the things the race requires, there's just not enough time in the day.
"Well, you make time for your fans. This is stepping up on your part and if you are able to do it that would be great. Perhaps if you can post on the internet the autograph session times and places, then people won't complain and be able to see the riders. If this was done or was anounced over the intercom it would seem as though some did not get the message.
In the US, I have never seen it as an issue and the riders always do autograph sessions in the races I went to. I have no beef with any of the riders in the US races, they are always willing to sign autographs. They even do signings at dealerships well advanced of the event and at some other events. I think they do a great job in the US. Maybe they can do a little better in the MXON with the help of DC
I have spent two days trying to say what DC just said, so all I'll say is "I agree".
I have the signed sticker set that you offered in 2000 to support the team. That was a great idea and it supported the team. Can you do something like that again. Cheers!
Oh hell, what would be the point?
DC
MX Spirts
Glad to see a guy like DC relaying what he saw over there. With it being over 20 hours just to get from the track from the US, I'm sure eyewitnesses aren't exactly on the American side of things...
Please don't feel attacked by it, it was just a question without any shit behind it. A question to know if France handles off there test faster. But it seems like some will search shit behind everything I say, isn't it ONE1FIVE
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