Why has Pro Motocross ignored, betrayed and eliminated Women’s MX?

twotwosix
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Edited Date/Time 11/8/2021 10:56am
It’s pretty embarrassing to see where Women’s MX has ended up here in the US. When I look at other pro action sports I see women thriving. Not Moto. We killed their Pro division. It’s sad. I’m sure the Pattersons, Geigers, Fioleks and Baus of the world are disappointed looking at the sport nowadays…
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davis224
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10/24/2021 6:14am
Putting them at intermission on the main pro race wasn't a good placement, I'm sure they would kick my ass, but it was pretty underwhelming to watch in 09 at Red Bud after watching the 450 class... it would be cool to see it run like EMX, race on Friday or Sunday with a few other classes.
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yak651
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10/24/2021 6:16am
Have the ones you are saying that are disappointed done anything to grow the sport of women’s Mx? The promoters give a amateur class, not sure what more you want? The 2 stroke guys are always told to start a series if there’s is a market, women could do the same?
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Richy
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10/24/2021 6:20am Edited Date/Time 10/24/2021 6:21am
Pretty tough subject I'm sure man, I'm sure there's more to it than we know. Just as an uneducated casual dude looking in (that's me, I'm not saying you are), I'm right there with you in agreement.

Is it actually possible or feasible? Fuck knows.

A womens class and a true 125 class - whether televised or not - should be a part of the schedule.
I'm not huge on Luongo and Co and I know anyone can pick holes with certain rules and parts of their programme all day long, but simply looking at classes / structure, look at what MXGP manage to do.

Amateur kids, womens, 125's, amateur 250's, premier championships... can't knock that aspect of what they do.

Not really fair as a comparison as one is a legit world championship and one is a national championship, albeit the biggest and best, but still food for thought and makes you wonder, Simple point said long I guess, sorry.
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fins227
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10/24/2021 6:21am
The powers that be couldn’t care less about growing the sport! They’re just trying to extract as much as possible while possible. That’s why they focus so much on the past, to distract that they have no future plans.
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murph783
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10/24/2021 6:34am
I like the idea of bringing back a 2 day schedule. Women’s, 2 strokes, and maybe some amateur stuff Saturday, pros Sunday
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yak651
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10/24/2021 6:35am
Another point are there enough “pro” women to fill a gate? Pro MX had problem getting 15-20 guys that can stay on same lap. Home many women are going to be within 45 seconds of Jordan Jarvis? Unfortunately that isn’t going to make “must see” racing
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10/24/2021 6:41am
yak651 wrote:
Another point are there enough “pro” women to fill a gate? Pro MX had problem getting 15-20 guys that can stay on same lap. Home many...
Another point are there enough “pro” women to fill a gate? Pro MX had problem getting 15-20 guys that can stay on same lap. Home many women are going to be within 45 seconds of Jordan Jarvis? Unfortunately that isn’t going to make “must see” racing
There aren't pro women because none of us have anything to aspire to past local races.
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10/24/2021 6:45am
Why can’t women just compete against men? Gender is a social construct after all…
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soggy
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10/24/2021 6:48am
Why can’t women just compete against men? Gender is a social construct after all…
Actually it’s a physiological and genetic difference. These topics show who the bigots are at least.
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kijen
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10/24/2021 7:03am
Pro sports is about making money, being objective here, will WMX provide a profit or will it be a welfare series taking away from the mens series? In women sports i think that only womens tennis, soccer and golf bring any significant veiwers ship and they can can sustain thier series. Suprised you think its the promoters fault, they only provide what people want to watch. Just look at the stupid crap on tvSmile
Be objective vice emotional and its pretty easy to figure out.

Oh and saw Hannah Hodges at pax a month a ago, be far the fastest on the track ALL DAYSmile
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Nairb#70
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10/24/2021 7:16am
fins227 wrote:
The powers that be couldn’t care less about growing the sport! They’re just trying to extract as much as possible while possible. That’s why they focus...
The powers that be couldn’t care less about growing the sport! They’re just trying to extract as much as possible while possible. That’s why they focus so much on the past, to distract that they have no future plans.
You make a excellent point, but in today's inclusive society it seems the opposite could be true as well. Either way, WMX seems to be alive and well in Europe.
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Johnny Ringo
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10/24/2021 7:23am
It’s weege’s fault
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Nairb#70
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10/24/2021 7:34am
It’s weege’s fault
Silly
10/24/2021 7:42am Edited Date/Time 10/24/2021 7:45am
soggy wrote:
Actually it’s a physiological and genetic difference. These topics show who the bigots are at least.
You are correct - physiological and genetic differences used to be conveniently differentiated between “male” and “female” but then some idiots without any forethought created the internet and social media - a magical place where gender differences are diluted and meaningless and so we decided to just do away with the pressures of having to live up to certain physiological and genetic differences and led an entire generation to believe you can be anything you decide to be and that we’re all equal, even though we’re not.

So anyway, why don’t humans with vaginas compete against humans with penises again? I’m confused.
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roninho
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10/24/2021 8:13am
I'm really surprised the US doesnt follow the GP model with the 2 day format and add classes similar to EMX125, EMX250 and WMX to the races.

I think it's pretty safe to say that the EMX series have been great in terms of developing talent. And if talent development isnt a reason to add this to the outdoors then there is also the financial benefits. WMX and EMX125 brought in 35K in entry fees alone on saturday, and that is excluding income for additional camping spots & tickets to the race.
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FWYT
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10/24/2021 8:34am
Like others have said, probably a two day format would be best, if there is the market to support it.
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KurtJ99
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10/24/2021 8:57am
I like the EU format for two day racing. WMX and EMX are definitely fun to watch and a great opportunity for women and young riders to get on a National track on Pro days with TV coverage.
I don’t think we want to put down WMX by comparing lap times or play the gender card.
I watched WMX at Hangtown and was impressed by the top riders intensity and clearing big Pro-day only doubles. Ashley Fiolek whipping it over the finish line jump for the win.
As a spectator I enjoyed the Nationals more when there was a two day format.
Amateur two days before that.
Gates were packed, had to be more money.
Oh, and I spent more money then too.
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Phillip_Lamb
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10/24/2021 9:48am
The problem is similar to the Alta bike. They tried to make it something it wasn't.

The women's class in just about any sport, unfortunately, is not as entertaining. Even at its height, the only women they would feature was fiolek and that was cuz she was deaf and fast, but even then her speed could only match guys in the back 40. (Checked lap times from hangtown in last year)

For the series, they simply weren't marketable. It would be like trying to get a TV package for local pros, not the best of the world.

But I'll echo what others have said, the ama should at least be matching what mxgp does with an emx women's, 125 and 250 class
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Phillip_Lamb
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10/24/2021 9:51am
yak651 wrote:
Another point are there enough “pro” women to fill a gate? Pro MX had problem getting 15-20 guys that can stay on same lap. Home many...
Another point are there enough “pro” women to fill a gate? Pro MX had problem getting 15-20 guys that can stay on same lap. Home many women are going to be within 45 seconds of Jordan Jarvis? Unfortunately that isn’t going to make “must see” racing
This was a regular issue. Many round struggled to get near 30 ladies to sign up
RonSkj
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10/24/2021 9:52am Edited Date/Time 10/24/2021 10:02am
So we should get behind woman's mx because why? Just because they're woman? Because it's not fair? Do we also do the rest of the social, feel good stuff. Should they all get trophy's? Should a law be made that promoters must have a class for woman? What about the class for the LGBTQZ. And don't forget the economically depressed, the handicapped, the homeless (i mean un-housed,sorry)

Tickets to a pro moto event are sold to people that want to see the best compete, nothing more. If the best happens to be a woman, great. If not, too bad.

Fire away!
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10/24/2021 10:00am Edited Date/Time 10/24/2021 11:26am
For a professional sport to survive, enough people have to be willing to spend money to watch it to make it economically viable.
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Tim_Parker
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10/24/2021 10:16am
yak651 wrote:
Another point are there enough “pro” women to fill a gate? Pro MX had problem getting 15-20 guys that can stay on same lap. Home many...
Another point are there enough “pro” women to fill a gate? Pro MX had problem getting 15-20 guys that can stay on same lap. Home many women are going to be within 45 seconds of Jordan Jarvis? Unfortunately that isn’t going to make “must see” racing
There aren't pro women because none of us have anything to aspire to past local races.
Tell that to all the women race car drivers and truck racers. I’m all for women riding and racing, but I HOPE they aspire to be the best, or their best, and not base their skill level within their own gender.

I watched Jordan Jarvis at Washougal, she was flying and I can appreciate the obstacles she’s overcome to get to her level.
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spimx
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10/24/2021 10:36am
I would be happy if my wife would ride a little. Watching some race pro would be cool
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10/24/2021 10:45am
The single day format has killed the opportunity for support classes , and there seems to be little support in the current pro pits to go back to 2 day formats , most the mxgp riders would prefer it to stay 1 days too by the sounds
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jeffro503
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10/24/2021 11:01am
I think there are a few reasons , but if I had to guess , it would be our 1 day schedule. In the GP's they run multiple classes at the majority of the rounds.

On those days , every class gets covered in both Motos ( on the MXGP package ). Besides the main two classes , MXGP and MX2 , the rest of the classes run on Saturday.

It's not politically driven.....it's just that the vast amount of coverage that goes out to the rest of the world , are the fastest classes.

One other thing.... motorsports are and will always be different. Do you see a woman's class in Formula 1 , 2 , 3 or 4 , GT racing , V8 supercar , Nascar , ect.....?

If anything , MX gives women a big push in GP. They helped quite a bit here to for a while. Name other motorsport which have done that.
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piscokid
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10/24/2021 11:03am Edited Date/Time 10/24/2021 11:03am
scott_nz wrote:
The single day format has killed the opportunity for support classes , and there seems to be little support in the current pro pits to go...
The single day format has killed the opportunity for support classes , and there seems to be little support in the current pro pits to go back to 2 day formats , most the mxgp riders would prefer it to stay 1 days too by the sounds
What would change for the pros if the event was 2 days? If the schedule was the same and the support classes raced on Sunday, it wouldn't effect them at all.

During LL's this year, a bunch of us were talking about how cool would it be to have some amateur racing at ALL the outdoor nationals. Certainly all the classes that are racing at LL would be impossible to pack into a Sunday, but perhaps select classes at select events could incorporate the vast majority over the entire schedule. Maybe a different type of Championship for the amateurs?
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Alan Dove
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10/24/2021 11:06am
Unless the sport has a fundamental gender divide element (like athletics, tennis, football) from the outset it's very hard to promote a 'pro' system separate from the main show that gains traction.

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colintrax
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10/24/2021 11:23am
RonSkj wrote:
So we should get behind woman's mx because why? Just because they're woman? Because it's not fair? Do we also do the rest of the social...
So we should get behind woman's mx because why? Just because they're woman? Because it's not fair? Do we also do the rest of the social, feel good stuff. Should they all get trophy's? Should a law be made that promoters must have a class for woman? What about the class for the LGBTQZ. And don't forget the economically depressed, the handicapped, the homeless (i mean un-housed,sorry)

Tickets to a pro moto event are sold to people that want to see the best compete, nothing more. If the best happens to be a woman, great. If not, too bad.

Fire away!
The people that want to watch it should get behind it.
You can stick with only showing up to watch 2 motos and then running home for the AC.
APLMAN99
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10/24/2021 11:29am
The bottom line is that at the highest levels it’s all about entertainment and what people are willing to buy tickets for, or otherwise pay for.

It’s like the WNBA player who thought that their contracts should mirror NBA contracts, without regard to the revenue generated by the different leagues.

The USWNT (women’s soccer) had somewhat of a point, but I disagreed with their timing. At the time that their contract was signed the women’s team was generating quite a bit less income than the men’s team, but that changed and the women wanted their pay to increase before the next contract negotiations. I didn’t agree with that reasoning but I think that they won what they did because they were all part of the same organization whereas the NBA and WNBA are separate, even if some NBA teams own WNBA franchises.

For Women’s MX, the answer is simple. Hold events with only women’s classes and riders. That will tell you how big of a draw it is. I think that it will be sparse right now.

Hold a women’s professional tennis event and it will probably be packed.

The paying customers/spectators are the metric to use.
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wisey
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10/24/2021 12:02pm
murph783 wrote:
I like the idea of bringing back a 2 day schedule. Women’s, 2 strokes, and maybe some amateur stuff Saturday, pros Sunday
This. I personally think 2 day has a lot to offer that could help the sport and industry on many levels.

Saturday:
Qualifications
Future amateur
Amateur kids
Pro women
Pro Vets
Vendors

Sunday:
Pro Motocross



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