Big Lew Gets the Dozer Treatment

AH387
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4/13/2026 11:16am
I agree with you about everything but I do think this is a bit of a different situation entirely. He’s not even mentioning all the speculation...

I agree with you about everything but I do think this is a bit of a different situation entirely. He’s not even mentioning all the speculation around what’s been going on, he’s just saying that he did talk with the team and Lewis saying he barely did apparently isn’t true. Could just be a difference of opinion with the way the post race discussions went. Maybe someone on the team told Lewis that they think he could’ve been more informative while he maybe feels like he shit the bed and it’s all on him and there wasn’t anything more to be said? Who knows. I kind of wish he stayed off social media though, some of these tweets make him look a bit foolish and petty IMO.

Yeah, you are right. What I referenced from the other thread isn't 100% applicable in this situation. I guess it still sort of relates because to me I thought in Ian's interview Eli seemed to not admit that the tire was an issue and didn't give him much in the feedback, aside from "leave it in my hand's and I will handle it." And in general from Lewis's questions, the vibe was that there are now 4 very weird races in a row and how are they connected? What's been the problem?  The fans/media don't know, the Team in a way doesn't seem to know. So all that is left is speculation and running with what little info is given. So Eli sort of open's himself up to that, with how he handles things. And again, he has a right to do so, but you can't be surprised when it happens on the media side.

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The Moth
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4/13/2026 11:18am Edited Date/Time 4/13/2026 1:16pm
OFalk280 wrote:
Vital complains that the media in this industry doesn’t report on slightly controversial or secret things because they don’t want to piss off their friends, yet...

Vital complains that the media in this industry doesn’t report on slightly controversial or secret things because they don’t want to piss off their friends, yet when a media member does so they complain that he should have checked in with Eli first despite clearly having a source that (possibly incorrectly) gave him that information.

And then precede to crap on said journalist as a hack.  Vital eats their own and never seems to be satisfied, yet wants the sport to grow.  

I like Lewis Phillips, and I don’t think he had any bad intentions on this one. 

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7
4/13/2026 11:18am

You just described listening to any race discussion or bike test.   

I think you mean all moto media

1
soggy
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4/13/2026 11:25am

He’s been hanging out with Steve too much

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13

The Shop

Motofinne
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4/13/2026 11:33am

In the end of the day that tweet from Lewis was bad because it reads out like there was almost a falling out, or at least some friction. Almost like Sexton not speaking with anyone except his mechanic in the end of the time at KTM.

Lewis in general is awesome, but clearly there is some learning to do. 

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RACING
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4/13/2026 11:36am

I'll downvote the first part of that last sentence.

😄

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PNWMXer
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4/13/2026 11:41am
el j wrote:
Phillips comes across as a wanker sometimes. Reminds me some of the brit sterotype looking down his nose at us uncivilized Americans.One reason I like Weege...

Phillips comes across as a wanker sometimes. Reminds me some of the brit sterotype looking down his nose at us uncivilized Americans.

One reason I like Weege so much… fair, friendly, enthusiastic about the sport, courteous, still brings/ presents us with good info. Without a doubt the best moto has as far as guys that are not past champs in the booth or reporting.

Buckland wrote:

Weege told moto fans they were too stupid to figure out the MavTV app lol. They all have their moments.

Spoonguy wrote:
Weege has a hard time not discussing his contempt for race fans, it slips out all the time, that he thought they were too dumb to...

Weege has a hard time not discussing his contempt for race fans, it slips out all the time, that he thought they were too dumb to figure out TV is just one example. I don't think Lewis shares the same contempt, but he is guilty of voicing assumptions quickly. I think one of the problems with the sport's "journalism" is it hasn't evolved with its audience. The average age of people involved in the sport has risen dramatically as has their financial wellbeing in the past few decades, many of us are very well educated and affluent, the audience is full of business owners, doctors, and professionals. Very accomplished people, more so than many of these reporters. That the "reporters" talk down, condescend, and insult the audience is a bad move and shows not knowing the audience well.

The same Weege who apparently doesn’t know what a T-handle is..

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4/13/2026 11:54am
Buckland wrote:

Weege told moto fans they were too stupid to figure out the MavTV app lol. They all have their moments.

Spoonguy wrote:
Weege has a hard time not discussing his contempt for race fans, it slips out all the time, that he thought they were too dumb to...

Weege has a hard time not discussing his contempt for race fans, it slips out all the time, that he thought they were too dumb to figure out TV is just one example. I don't think Lewis shares the same contempt, but he is guilty of voicing assumptions quickly. I think one of the problems with the sport's "journalism" is it hasn't evolved with its audience. The average age of people involved in the sport has risen dramatically as has their financial wellbeing in the past few decades, many of us are very well educated and affluent, the audience is full of business owners, doctors, and professionals. Very accomplished people, more so than many of these reporters. That the "reporters" talk down, condescend, and insult the audience is a bad move and shows not knowing the audience well.

PNWMXer wrote:

The same Weege who apparently doesn’t know what a T-handle is..

Seriously. He does come off as a pretentious ass when he talks about the fan base at times, and to be fair I dont even disagree completely. We have a LOT of people in this sport that wouldn't be considered the "brightest bulbs in the room". However, when its coming from a guy whose entire career has been spent IN MOTOCROSS FOR THE LAST 30 YEARS who cant even tighten a chain?.....Come on dude. It actually befuddles me. How is he SO clueless on basic dirt bike parts? You can't change a pair of handlebars but we are the dumb ones who can't understand TV air time windows? lol 

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1
The Wolf Man
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4/13/2026 12:18pm
Mm471 wrote:
If your Eli you can’t do bare minimum interviews, say absolutely NOTHING about horrible performances and freak out when people try to figure it out. Dudes...

If your Eli you can’t do bare minimum interviews, say absolutely NOTHING about horrible performances and freak out when people try to figure it out. Dudes way too much of a vet to not know it’s his fault rumors and discussions happen 

Yes, but the riders and teams seemingly have no grasp of basic fundamentals of public relations. Busch. League. 

3
soggy
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4/13/2026 12:24pm
Spoonguy wrote:
Weege has a hard time not discussing his contempt for race fans, it slips out all the time, that he thought they were too dumb to...

Weege has a hard time not discussing his contempt for race fans, it slips out all the time, that he thought they were too dumb to figure out TV is just one example. I don't think Lewis shares the same contempt, but he is guilty of voicing assumptions quickly. I think one of the problems with the sport's "journalism" is it hasn't evolved with its audience. The average age of people involved in the sport has risen dramatically as has their financial wellbeing in the past few decades, many of us are very well educated and affluent, the audience is full of business owners, doctors, and professionals. Very accomplished people, more so than many of these reporters. That the "reporters" talk down, condescend, and insult the audience is a bad move and shows not knowing the audience well.

PNWMXer wrote:

The same Weege who apparently doesn’t know what a T-handle is..

Seriously. He does come off as a pretentious ass when he talks about the fan base at times, and to be fair I dont even disagree...

Seriously. He does come off as a pretentious ass when he talks about the fan base at times, and to be fair I dont even disagree completely. We have a LOT of people in this sport that wouldn't be considered the "brightest bulbs in the room". However, when its coming from a guy whose entire career has been spent IN MOTOCROSS FOR THE LAST 30 YEARS who cant even tighten a chain?.....Come on dude. It actually befuddles me. How is he SO clueless on basic dirt bike parts? You can't change a pair of handlebars but we are the dumb ones who can't understand TV air time windows? lol 

Bro there are riders that dont know right righty lefty loosey. 

While I agree wedge’s lack of mechanical skill is astonishing. He is not paid to be that. 

But if I hear one more explanation of a start device or scoop tire I’m gonna shake an angry fist in the air!

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The Wolf Man
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4/13/2026 12:26pm
Kyle978 wrote:
I like Lew, he's been a nice addition to moto media.I just find this whole "investigative journalism" stuff pretty gay and a waste of time and...

I like Lew, he's been a nice addition to moto media.

I just find this whole "investigative journalism" stuff pretty gay and a waste of time and energy. Just enjoy the racing, I don't know why we need answers to all the hypotheticals. 

The amount of time spent each week on podcasts, social media, etc. making predictions and assumptions that usually don't become reality literally a few days later is kind of weird. There's so many variables in motocross, those predictions almost never come true. They spent Sunday - Friday talking about what's going to happen, almost none of it happens on Saturday, then they scramble to find more talking points about it the next Sunday - Friday and make more predictions. 

IMO, we need more discussion on the bikes, videos and photos recapping the racing itself, and letting the riders speak on their race without the "tough questions" that these guys are desperately chasing for answers for. 

Heraring these grown men talk to a teenager and trying to pry information out of them to justify their job is kind of weird. 

In my opinion, there's a sense of entitlement to this information that I don't think is deserved. Motocross is a tiny sport, no one actually cares in the grand scheme. 

The moto media has gotten pretty bold. There seems to be a lack of respect for the riders to a certain degree that I don't agree with. 

 

The job of moto 'media' is not to blow the riders, it is to report. And provided it's clearly demarcated from their role as reporters, they can also offer conjecture and opinion. Blowing, deepthroating, and glazing riders is not the role of media. 

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BoxcarWilly
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4/13/2026 12:30pm
Mm471 wrote:
If your Eli you can’t do bare minimum interviews, say absolutely NOTHING about horrible performances and freak out when people try to figure it out. Dudes...

If your Eli you can’t do bare minimum interviews, say absolutely NOTHING about horrible performances and freak out when people try to figure it out. Dudes way too much of a vet to not know it’s his fault rumors and discussions happen 

100%

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1
4/13/2026 12:31pm
el j wrote:
Phillips comes across as a wanker sometimes. Reminds me some of the brit sterotype looking down his nose at us uncivilized Americans.One reason I like Weege...

Phillips comes across as a wanker sometimes. Reminds me some of the brit sterotype looking down his nose at us uncivilized Americans.

One reason I like Weege so much… fair, friendly, enthusiastic about the sport, courteous, still brings/ presents us with good info. Without a doubt the best moto has as far as guys that are not past champs in the booth or reporting.

Buckland wrote:

Weege told moto fans they were too stupid to figure out the MavTV app lol. They all have their moments.

Spoonguy wrote:
Weege has a hard time not discussing his contempt for race fans, it slips out all the time, that he thought they were too dumb to...

Weege has a hard time not discussing his contempt for race fans, it slips out all the time, that he thought they were too dumb to figure out TV is just one example. I don't think Lewis shares the same contempt, but he is guilty of voicing assumptions quickly. I think one of the problems with the sport's "journalism" is it hasn't evolved with its audience. The average age of people involved in the sport has risen dramatically as has their financial wellbeing in the past few decades, many of us are very well educated and affluent, the audience is full of business owners, doctors, and professionals. Very accomplished people, more so than many of these reporters. That the "reporters" talk down, condescend, and insult the audience is a bad move and shows not knowing the audience well.

ABSOLULTY !!!!! This is soo accurate. Great take.

1
Kyle978
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4/13/2026 12:42pm Edited Date/Time 4/13/2026 12:57pm
The job of moto 'media' is not to blow the riders, it is to report. And provided it's clearly demarcated from their role as reporters, they...

The job of moto 'media' is not to blow the riders, it is to report. And provided it's clearly demarcated from their role as reporters, they can also offer conjecture and opinion. Blowing, deepthroating, and glazing riders is not the role of media. 

Everyone wants the "why?" info on a bunch of home-schooled dirt bike aliens, and then wonder why shit doesn't make sense. 

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NV825
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4/13/2026 12:48pm

I like Lewis and his dry sense of humor, but his tweet reads to me like a complete breakdown in communication between KTM and Eli. I could see that pissing him off if he feels like it's painting him like what Chase did last year, when it apparently isn't the case. He's probably a bit more sensitive at the moment knowing he's letting this championship slip away.

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Timo
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4/13/2026 12:54pm
Mm471 wrote:
If your Eli you can’t do bare minimum interviews, say absolutely NOTHING about horrible performances and freak out when people try to figure it out. Dudes...

If your Eli you can’t do bare minimum interviews, say absolutely NOTHING about horrible performances and freak out when people try to figure it out. Dudes way too much of a vet to not know it’s his fault rumors and discussions happen 

He can't say he liked the yzf's better and wishes he was still on blue crew, so he has to avoid the media...

1
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el_donn
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4/13/2026 1:18pm

I mean Eli is making a point here. If someone wants to represent themselves as a professional journalist then they should speak/act/tweet like a professional. The “haha” at the end of that tweet from Lewis makes him seem like another dumb kid on the internet. Nobody has any idea what Eli is going through so to speculate and then also add condescending bits like that to the speculation and call yourself a professional is pretty retarded. You certainly don’t deserve respect from one of the fastest dudes on the planet when you act like that. I feel like moto journalists should actually be skilled and have experience in the subject they’re reporting. You can’t pretend to have insight on a guy who is one of the best ever when you have never even experienced winning a race, let alone multiple seasons as a championship contender. 

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dingaling
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4/13/2026 1:26pm

I thought the interview with Ian was fine. Ian did say that Eli basically just said leave it him and he'll figure it out. So...🤷🏻‍♂️

The problem is tweets etc. They can be mis read so easily with wrong intentions. The poster can also get the lines blurred between professional and casual opinions because it's so quick and easy to just bang something up. 

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KurtJ99
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4/13/2026 1:36pm

Vital MX: Nobody asks the tough questions, it's all a bro-down, there are no moto-journalists

Also Vital MX: after Lewis asks the tough questions, he's emotionally unintelligent, a tool, a wanker, maybe even a Mathes

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Spoonguy
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4/13/2026 1:36pm
Buckland wrote:

Weege told moto fans they were too stupid to figure out the MavTV app lol. They all have their moments.

Spoonguy wrote:
Weege has a hard time not discussing his contempt for race fans, it slips out all the time, that he thought they were too dumb to...

Weege has a hard time not discussing his contempt for race fans, it slips out all the time, that he thought they were too dumb to figure out TV is just one example. I don't think Lewis shares the same contempt, but he is guilty of voicing assumptions quickly. I think one of the problems with the sport's "journalism" is it hasn't evolved with its audience. The average age of people involved in the sport has risen dramatically as has their financial wellbeing in the past few decades, many of us are very well educated and affluent, the audience is full of business owners, doctors, and professionals. Very accomplished people, more so than many of these reporters. That the "reporters" talk down, condescend, and insult the audience is a bad move and shows not knowing the audience well.

ABSOLULTY !!!!! This is soo accurate. Great take.

Most be tough for people like Weege, Matthes, and JT to work for an audience they have so little respect for, assume are so ignorant, and hold in such contempt. Must be a lot of self loathing there.

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5
4/13/2026 1:38pm
el_donn wrote:
I mean Eli is making a point here. If someone wants to represent themselves as a professional journalist then they should speak/act/tweet like a professional. The...

I mean Eli is making a point here. If someone wants to represent themselves as a professional journalist then they should speak/act/tweet like a professional. The “haha” at the end of that tweet from Lewis makes him seem like another dumb kid on the internet. Nobody has any idea what Eli is going through so to speculate and then also add condescending bits like that to the speculation and call yourself a professional is pretty retarded. You certainly don’t deserve respect from one of the fastest dudes on the planet when you act like that. I feel like moto journalists should actually be skilled and have experience in the subject they’re reporting. You can’t pretend to have insight on a guy who is one of the best ever when you have never even experienced winning a race, let alone multiple seasons as a championship contender. 

So I agree 100% with you until you go down the road of media members reporting and doing their sort of fake hot takes etc but never winning a race or a championship. We'd have zero coverage considering most of the media doesn't even have a clue how to set their sag, look ahead past ruts or ride in 90 degree heat in MX etc. Excluding guys like Justin Thomas and Race day live guys or 2nd men in the booth. 

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LP31
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4/13/2026 1:43pm
scido wrote:
lol lil Lew has been a bit too big for his boots lately. Ive stopped listening to LvK and the Vital pods because of Lew. Hopefully...

lol lil Lew has been a bit too big for his boots lately. Ive stopped listening to LvK and the Vital pods because of Lew. Hopefully some self reflection is on the cards for the aussie Journo. Mid season slump perhaps? 
 

He is from the UK not Aus 

1
Shred
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4/13/2026 1:46pm

Eli should wear his hat backwards next week just to send Vitards over a cliff.

Maybe we can get all the riders to do the hat thing. Hat forward = Happy, backwards = not.  Less need for reporters, and teams can see they need to work harder to get a forward hat.  

Funny thing is, I don’t think there is anything to the Chase hat backwards thing at all.  Just he has always worn hats backwards some.

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LP31
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4/13/2026 1:46pm
Kyle978 wrote:
I like Lew, he's been a nice addition to moto media.I just find this whole "investigative journalism" stuff pretty gay and a waste of time and...

I like Lew, he's been a nice addition to moto media.

I just find this whole "investigative journalism" stuff pretty gay and a waste of time and energy. Just enjoy the racing, I don't know why we need answers to all the hypotheticals. 

The amount of time spent each week on podcasts, social media, etc. making predictions and assumptions that usually don't become reality literally a few days later is kind of weird. There's so many variables in motocross, those predictions almost never come true. They spent Sunday - Friday talking about what's going to happen, almost none of it happens on Saturday, then they scramble to find more talking points about it the next Sunday - Friday and make more predictions. 

IMO, we need more discussion on the bikes, videos and photos recapping the racing itself, and letting the riders speak on their race without the "tough questions" that these guys are desperately chasing for answers for. 

Heraring these grown men talk to a teenager and trying to pry information out of them to justify their job is kind of weird. 

In my opinion, there's a sense of entitlement to this information that I don't think is deserved. Motocross is a tiny sport, no one actually cares in the grand scheme. 

The moto media has gotten pretty bold. There seems to be a lack of respect for the riders to a certain degree that I don't agree with. 

 

The job of moto 'media' is not to blow the riders, it is to report. And provided it's clearly demarcated from their role as reporters, they...

The job of moto 'media' is not to blow the riders, it is to report. And provided it's clearly demarcated from their role as reporters, they can also offer conjecture and opinion. Blowing, deepthroating, and glazing riders is not the role of media. 

But the all do it

Lew - Chase crap

Matthes - Ferry

Weege - Brayton

JT is legit though

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PRM31
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4/13/2026 1:51pm Edited Date/Time 4/14/2026 4:48am

Unless more supporting info is presented, comments implying Eli is pulling a Chase ‘no communication’ with the team should probably not be made. I’d be pissed too if comms with the team is fine.

I think Lew does a good job overall, but not this specific event.

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sh274s
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4/13/2026 1:58pm
el j wrote:
Phillips comes across as a wanker sometimes. Reminds me some of the brit sterotype looking down his nose at us uncivilized Americans.One reason I like Weege...

Phillips comes across as a wanker sometimes. Reminds me some of the brit sterotype looking down his nose at us uncivilized Americans.

One reason I like Weege so much… fair, friendly, enthusiastic about the sport, courteous, still brings/ presents us with good info. Without a doubt the best moto has as far as guys that are not past champs in the booth or reporting.

Buckland wrote:

Weege told moto fans they were too stupid to figure out the MavTV app lol. They all have their moments.

Weege did? That guy can't figure out how to use a keurig coffe machine 

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truck
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4/13/2026 2:02pm

Just remembered that another rare tweeter appeared last year to correct a Lewis Phillips, Ian Harrison report. Maybe Ian is using Lewis to communicate with his riders? 

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1
Buckland
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4/13/2026 2:08pm
el j wrote:
Phillips comes across as a wanker sometimes. Reminds me some of the brit sterotype looking down his nose at us uncivilized Americans.One reason I like Weege...

Phillips comes across as a wanker sometimes. Reminds me some of the brit sterotype looking down his nose at us uncivilized Americans.

One reason I like Weege so much… fair, friendly, enthusiastic about the sport, courteous, still brings/ presents us with good info. Without a doubt the best moto has as far as guys that are not past champs in the booth or reporting.

Buckland wrote:

Weege told moto fans they were too stupid to figure out the MavTV app lol. They all have their moments.

sh274s wrote:

Weege did? That guy can't figure out how to use a keurig coffe machine 

Interesting how that works, isn't it? Almost like they sometimes have ulterior motives.

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mvmx
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Dirty Jrezz Shore, NJ US
4/13/2026 2:11pm

Big lew* - When you live in the state of coco butter and spring break and not to praise the always local talent - your a fag,  blow a load and drop ur balls then come back with the facts. Can't believe you made elito-mac cal you the hack you are... 

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4/13/2026 2:29pm

Mathes called the scoop tire Eli's "blankie" in the review pod, Lewis called the scoop tire his "emotional support animal" to Ian Harrison, Eli's boss... This is a grown man we're talking about, and one of the best riders the sport has ever seen, and this is the respect he gets?

I think the moto media has gotten a little high on their own farts lately and feel too comfortable taking jabs at the guys out there putting their lives on the line for our entertainment.

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