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His team manager won’t be Decoster.
When did Team USA start pitting together under the same tent at MXd/oN? I thought the manufacturers pretty much pitted together and offered support to riders of their brand, especially high profile riders like USA guys and the top tier GP guys. Does Roger D walk around the pits at that race and scrutinize everybody else’s bikes? I honestly don’t know. Only been to Budds Creek MXd/oN in ‘07 and didn’t have a pit pass. Never been across the pond for one.
Does Kawi know that Prado is #1 in MXGP & representing Spain? Pretty sure they'll have to send him every year.
They don't have to do anything and can even write into his new contract that he can't go
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Pretty sure Kitchen was higher on the MX2 wish list than Webb.
Masterpool as well.
The problem isn't with MXdN/MXoN, the problem is with Decoster being in charge of Team USA. Anyone arguing that Prado may be an issue is overlooking the fact that the problem is with Team USA only.
…this entire thread has nothing to do with the success of team USA.
It’s just seems some of you are butt hurt about Kawi making a decision not to spend the money to send bikes and riders to this event.
Maybe instead of grandstanding, jingoistic chest thumping and threatening a product boycott on a public message board, write Kawi brass a nice e mail in private or even a letter on paper if some of you guys still know how to do that- you can find e mails and snail mail addresses for Bruce Stjernstrom and other Kawi management on their site- and ask them nicely to re consider their position, because it’s important to you as a customer.
Rants on public social media and message boards are a lazy man’s way of trying to get what he wants, and there is so much of it out there that most people tune it out completely, but private communication from the heart is something that they cannot ignore.
Sure you won’t get any instant gratification from thumbs up here, but if you’re serious about Kawi contracted teams going to the event this is how you do it, As opposed to trying to shame a company publicly.
Some of you guys treat this event like it is World War III and we need to send our best troops, it’s only a fucking exhibition race, and nobody gets paid except the organizer, lighten up……
...and to their board of directors. This letter should also be copied to the Board of Directors of Kawasaki Heavy Industries. It can come up in the minutes of the meeting and can have an impact.
Can someone point me to the article where Kawasaki stated that the possibility of being scrutinized or managed by a foreign asset was their logic? I would like to see who from Kawasaki is credited with making this statement.
You know the only real winners of war are these heavy industrial corporations you are grandstanding to protect? Well them and the bankers.
A letter from the heart is a wonderful suggestion. It’s also not the only way to make an impact. Your way isn’t the right way, even if I agree with much of your position.
As I read that letter…I remember the look on Mathilde’s face as it all went down. She knew EXACTLY what she was watching as it played out right in front of her face…the look in her eyes went from bewilderment to out-right anger…
She was SOOOOOOO PISSED. And she was so right.
And who is the board loyal to? Shareholders. And what do shareholders care about?
The letter will only come up in the meeting if they believe it’s worth the time to talk about. Only one real way to make that happen.
This is such small potatoes for the BoD of KHI, Inc. lol but hey, control what you can control (which means I won’t be on green next season as well).
Do we absolutely know for a fact that an episode that occurred 7 years ago is the reason for their reluctance to work with De Coster ?
Even within this industry that seems incredibly puerile and somewhat hard to believe . Again not saying it’s not true just wondering if its 100%.
No we don't know for a fact...it's all speculation and rumor about Kawi and Roger....what we do know for a fact is that for budgetary reasons Kawi does not support the MXDN....but as always on vital speculation and rumor are fact....
I get the spirit of this, but not the timing. Who on Kawi were we wanting to go, but couldnt?
This may seem petty, but I don't buy Kawasaki and Honda bikes and products. Why?
1) Kawasaki won't support MXDN
2) Honda took a shit on 2-strokes
Maybe Levi if we had no other 250 option.
Pit Row
Kawasaki needs to support the MXdN like KTM does! .............................(next thread) KTM is going bankrupt!
I bet dungey would have preferred him not to do it as well but not his style to say something.
I understand the desire for it to be the biggest race in the sport, but the manufactured patriotism seems to be nothing more than a way to try to guilt racers into risking their livelihood to make money for the promoter these days. It seemed a lot more genuinely patriotic back in the 'old days' than it is now, where it is just a spectacle that can do more to hinder a racer's career through injury than anything else.
It's not like the racers are defending their countries from invading armies, so the faux patriotism is a bit extreme.
I applaud the racers who choose to do it, but it's hard to fault the guys who don't want to risk their bodies to enrich Luongo's team.........
Agreed . In a way I feel like it’s an event for a bygone era. Back in the ‘70’s & ‘80’s when we had 125, 250 & 500 GP’s completely separate there was the added excitement of seeing all the best GP guys race each other at seasons end. Back then the world was a much bigger place - no internet , expensive plane tickets etc - so when we got to see the top Americans race “ in the flesh” it was a huge deal for us because that would be the only time we got to see them race.
I think there was more genuine, good hearted patriotism back then too.Nowadays the event seems to have become almost a burden to the riders rather than a very special honor.
Maybe it should be held every two years and kind of go back to the old school format - 4 rider teams with all guys on 250’s for two motos on a Saturday and all guys on 450’s for two motos on Sunday.
Yeah I know that’ll never happen but that would make it pretty awesome IMO.
For real??
I mean, how many ‘pit-bits’ episodes are there in a season (31?) with intricate photos, nothing covered over.
Do you think in the week of MXdN Roger will be on his knees with a torch and a vernier Caliper without the Kawasaki techs asking him wtf he’s doing and the subsequent media hoo-haa created??
Gimme a break! There’s nothing he can see that he can’t see in the pit bits photos every week.
If this really IS a thing, why are Yamaha ok with it??
I’m not buying this theory one bit.
" manufactured patriotism"
Right on the money. That captures the sentiment perfectly.
I get the feeling that some top riders get guilted into participating by fans and the media, and after 31 races, the last thing they want is to travel overseas and race or free.
Even Nicoletti, who isn't making millions, said he was so burnt to a crisp from a year of racing and travel that he really didn't give a shit about the SMX money, but he did it anyway because he was quitting.
If you guys want to rant about something, rant about the robbery that InFront pulls off every year, all in the name of " The Olympics of Motocross". Well, the real Olympics at least pays the athletes for medaling in their event, about 40 grand for a gold medal for members of Team USA.
Luongo and family makes very large amount of money off of American's and other teams backs for this event and pay them nothing for the effort.
VIP tix are £900 this year, and all you get is some food and drink , flushing toilets, and a nice viewing spot - a very nice profit margin for Luongo and Steve Dixon, whilst the stars of this circus perform for free.
Sure the event is a blast to attend, Ive been to a couple now. But to USA fans, try and understand that no one wants to risk injury, spend large amounts of money, and travel a long ways for nothing besides a Chamberlain Trophy. Even Solders get paid...
I can't speak for other parts of the world, but in the United States it isn't the biggest race in our sport. You can tell that's the case, because top riders often elect to skip the event.
And as I understand it, the promoter is the only one who makes money off this worldwide spectacle? Until that money is shared with the racers, it is not the biggest race in our sport in my eyes.
I can explain it for you, I can not understand it for you. Perhaps it is easier for you to think multi-million dollar promotional ventures like a manufacturers AMA pro racing team reacts the way they do because they are "mean", "unfair", or best yet "dumb".
Well, I inquired. It ain’t got shit to do with any of the crap that’s being discussed here-in. As pointed out in other threads…MXON is simply not an event…especially when it’s not in the U.S. that they’re budgeted for.
It’s like this, KMC, USA has a budget for it’s own domestic market. There are other concerns like already having 31 races to cover plus testing & development. There was a mention of “risk” and a reference to Jason’s previous misadventures where he was LANDED ON at a certain MXON…AFTER WINNING…if I recall correctly…?
There are contract clauses that cover this stuff at KMC and there’s also a very simple,”Oh, Hell NO!” that’s heard when inquiries are made about Bercy or Australia…and don’t even think about bringing up WTFWSX…during contract negotiations 🤣
Roger (nor anyone-else’s name) was even a consideration. In-fact, plenty of people over there seem to like Roger; so, there’s always that.
I shouldn't say this, but I will. Roger is the best team manager in the history of our sport. Every single team he started with sucked before he turned it around. He completely redesigns the machines and turns them into dynasties, every manufacturer uses his clutch release mechanism and many other innovations. But he is a company man, and unless every rider is on his equipment there is a problem. A team manager in this situation should work logistics and book hotel rooms.
Well there you go ruining it for the conspiracy crowd….
I trust the media. They wouldn’t say it was due to petty shit for no reason.
Post a reply to: An Open Letter to Kawasaki USA