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One, reporting the news and being a pundit are not the same thing. Matthes is paid to give his opinion.
Two, the motocross industry is far too small to support a group of true professional journalists.
I certainly don't think there is much "real" journalism in motocross, but I give it a pass because the people in this industry are doing pretty well given the circumstances.
But if you're going to be a "pundit" then you cant use journalism as a defense.
And pundits dont demand access to teams/riders in the name of journalism. You'd have to be closely involved in the race scene to see how it goes. Certain media members pose as journalists to get access, and then the moment the podcast goes live they use that info to stir shit and play the pundit role.
Just because the sport is small, which you're right it is, doesnt give anyone an excuse for ignoring basic journalistic standards if they are going to call themselves a journalist.
This sport has never had a friendly relationship with it's media. And to the media's credit, it hasnt always been fair. Some media members are more promoters/propaganda agents than journalists, and that is fine. There is a place for that in every sport. And there is a place for pundits as well.
David Emmett comes to mind in MotoGP. He's a "journalist" that is VERY skilled at putting pen to paper. But he's not even coy in his bias' and personal issues with certain riders or nationalities. The riders know it. And their attitudes toward David and other MotoGP media like him range from "annoyed" to straight up wont allow him near their pits. It's a shitty situation that warrants criticism.
I'll give you another good example of a media member we all know and how Ive seen him operate and at times piss people off, yet not cross any lines. GuyB and his camera. Teams get nervous when he's clicking pic's. Riders hate the close up pics that show their settings. And when GuyB is inbound, whispers of "media alert" spread through a team. But there's a healthy respect there also. Nobody talks shit on GuyB because it's not personal. He's got a job to do and they know it. He get's access and Ive never seen anyone be a dick to him or talk a bunch of shit the moment he turns his back. He's a necessary evil as far as teams are concerned and things have always appeared cordial from what Ive seen.
Has he taken pics that have upset certain teams/riders? You're damn right. But has he ever been accused of having an agenda or going after a team/rider? Not to my knowledge. First of all, it just wouldnt be true. GuyB truly has no dog in the fight. He has his opinions on stuff, but you'd rarely know it. He simply doesnt cross that line. That's why nobody talks shit and nobody can deny him the access he deserves as a journalist.
There's nothing wrong with being Skip Bayless. But you dont see Skip getting locker room access either. He gave up his "journalist" card a LOOONG time ago. And if someone wants to really dig up dirt and cause controversy, go after the AMA like that guy at Cycle News used too. That guy rattled cages and did so in the name of journalism and he was fucking awesome.
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I think your points are good. And I think Matthes himself has often tried to distance himself from the journalist label.
I think it goes both ways. The media members in this sport need to do a better job of getting at least somewhere close to real journalism, and the sport absolutely needs to become more conducive to journalism. I can't help but shake my head at this industry most of the time.
Although we're now going to see if the tracker designers can use their noggins, getting multiple line options right with four-strokes is hard... Not like you just stick a 120foot option on the wide line to make up for it. They're going to have to super slow up the insides somehow.
Anyways, stoked for some bigger bowl turns next year! And sand rhythms and whatever else they decide to throw out there. Change will be good, especially from the track design aspect IMO. Hell anything that lets the dudes with raw talent stretch there legs is cool to me. Especially since we lack dudes like Stewart, Hill and others who consistantly raised the bar and forced everyone else to rise with them. Hopefully these changes will bring back some of that same excitement.
People should chase up his writings.
They'd be stunned by the BS within the AMA / Racing he exposed.
The utter antithesis of most "Motorcycle Journalists", and those like Loungos' mouthpieces (MXGeoff etc) , and the mouthpieces of FELD and others.
The Sport desperately needs a few more like him. We'd be far better off for it.
He was so damn good. He did journalism proud.
It takes a special person to be "that guy". It's one part troll, a heavy dose of narcissism, a sprinkle of clairvoyance, and a huge set of balls.
When u got all those ingredients EXCEPT the balls, you go after the low hanging fruit such as riders and their parents.
Pit Row
Matthes Nets
Pulp Nets
Steve Nets
Dude, that Matthes Net saved Mellross and his bike. Good thing that was there!
EDIT: Took me a while... Bit disappointed now.
Post a reply to: Matthes just took his shirt off!