WHO NEEDS TO RIDE THE USGP AND WHO DOESN'T

http://motocrossactionmag.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm=&type=news&mod=New…




WHO NEEDS TO RIDE THE USGP AND WHO DOESN’T:
THIS RACE HAS ALREADY GOTTEN MORE PUBLICITY THAN ANY OTHER RACE THIS YEAR; WHO CAN’T AFFORD TO MISS IT
No American rider is bound by his factory contract to race the United States Grand Prix, and even Roger DeCoster, who waves the American flag every year about the pride of representing your country, probably will keep quiet since he only has one rider left for the AMA 450 Nationals.
But this is a once-in-a lifetime opportunity for many riders (since it was over 18 years ago that a 500 GP was held in the USA—and it was at Glen Helen and promoted by Roger DeCoster). For every pro racer who ever wished that he could race a Grand Prix—this is as close as they have ever come. The odds of any Americans racing the GPs in Europe, at least while they are at the top of their game, is nil. Glen Helen will be a special opportunity.
Roger DeCoster.
It should be noted that most factory contracts have a clause that allows the factory to tell its riders what races to go to (typically the factory is able to elect two or three races that aren’t in the Supercross or National series as being important to them).
SO, WHO SHOULD AND SHOULDN’T RACE THE USGP
First and foremost, this race generates worldwide publicity. It is already the biggest subject of talk in France, England, Italy, Sweden and Germany. We mean, all around the globe! For sponsors like Monster, Rockstar and Red Bull, who want to sell on the world stage (not just the USA), the Glen Helen USGP is a major opportunity to play to the biggest audience in motocross. Even Giuseppe Luongo admits that no race has ever generated as much sponsor interest as the 2010 USGP.

ENERGY DRINK SPONSORS: Red Bull will be at Glen Helen in force...they will bring their giant arches, balloons and banners because they are the Grand Prix sponsor. Are Monster and Rockstar going to sit on the sidelines while their main competitor wins a major coup? Most likely Monster will try to fight back. After all, they own American motocross and won't want to give up the biggest publicity bonanza without a fight. They have powerhouse racers who could steal Red Bull’s thunder. Monster will want to have a podium full of riders holding up Monster Energy cans. It would be the ultimate comeuppance to Red Bull.
Rockstar is the weak sister to Red Bull and Monster, and most people don’t think they, as a corporation, have the wherewithal to move their star riders in the direction that would get them the most publicity.
MANUFACTURERS: Grand Prix motocross belongs lock, stock and barrel to the KTM European team. When you add in the news that KTM will double the size of its American team for 2011, has won the vast majority of 450 Shootouts in 2010 and is the only player in the Big Five that is going to release all-new bikes for 2011— Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki and Honda have to see that the tide is shifting orange for the future. Can they afford to have the KTM 350SXF look unbeatable on USA soil? Every factory has European-based teams, but they aren’t beating the orange men. It would take the American Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha or Suzuki teams to get some respect.

PRIVATEER TEAMS: Every support team would do itself a major favor by racing the USGP. Valli, Star, Moto Concepts, Canidae, Troy Lee, Geico and others would instantly be considered American heroes if they lined-up at the USGP. This is in stark contrast to the way they are viewed at most U.S. races (where they play second fiddle to the factory teams).
JAMES STEWART: The USGP is tailor-made for James Stewart. Why? (1) Glen Helen is just across the freeway from the San Manuel Casino, which would be good for sponsor relations. (2) Stewart claims he wants to be put on the 2010 MXDN team...what better way to insure his spot than to the beat the European stars at Glen Helen. (3) Stewart could race this one race and then claim his spot on the MXDN (and, something that interests him, not race any more until the Lakewood MXDN). (4) Stewart has some grudges to settle with the Euro GP stars. Waxing them at Glen Helen would be sweet revenge. (5) Red Bull is Stewart’s major sponsor...wouldn’t they want their highest profile American rider to support their effort.

AMERICAN PRIVATEERS: You get sponsors and good rides by doing something. You don’t do yourself any favors by sitting at home. Exposure is where you find it...and for most AMA privateers, they can’t find it no matter how hard they try. No where will it be easier for an American to get some love than in front of an American crowd racing against the evil Europeans. This race is custom made for Kevin Windham (who was the last American to win a USGP back in 1999 at Budds Creek), Josh Grant, Nick Wey, Michael Byrne, Kyle Regal and Jason Lawrence.
WHO DOESN’T HAVE TO BE THERE? Face it, the USGP is a special race. It isn’t on any American teams budget (although they have to be there to lend their trucks and equipment to the European teams). Any rider who chooses not to race the USGP cannot be criticized. The riders have to do what is best for their careers...and in many cases the choice is at the mercy of the decision made by their team managers.
TEAM HONDA: Team Honda doesn’t look like a USGP contender. Andrew Short, although he could use more outdoor time, is just coming off an injury and probably should stay away from Glen Helen. On the other hand, Davi Millsaps should be standing by the front gate of Glen Helen with a sign that says, “Will race for food.” Davi needs an emotional boost and winning the USGP would be the best thing that every happened to him. Do we think Davi will race at Glen Helen? No.
TEAM YAMAHA: In truth, there isn’t a Team Yamaha anymore. Yamaha needs to rally all of its ancillary race teams and get them to any place that they can get some publicity. Not winning the Nationals, not winning the Supercross series and not even racing the USGP isn’t what the bean counters imagined when they farmed out the old Team Yamaha to private efforts. It’s easier to win a one-day event than a 12-race series.
TEAM KAWASAKI: Team Kawasaki and Team Pro Circuit will do what Monster Energy wants. Thus, you will know who gets the credit when Reed, Pourcel, Rattray, Weimer and Villopoto show or don’t show.
TEAM SUZUKI: Roger DeCoster has beat the bushes trying to get riders to attend the USGP’s that he promoted at Glen Helen and to be a part of the MXDN teams that he has managed—so it must be painful to go against your own natural inclination and stiff the new version of the USGP. We don’t expect Roger’s star rider, Ryan Dungey, to be there...and really Roger shouldn’t show up either because he will be embarrassed to finally get a United States Grand Prix and not be a part of it.