Big Lew Gets the Dozer Treatment

surfrider47
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98
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12/27/2023
Location
South Pole AQ
4/13/2026 2:37pm
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...

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.

Steve Mathes is a bum. Looks like he's insulting Eli to get views - I wish everyone would stop listening to him. Never liked his arrogance, and him coming onto vital to defend Rich Taylor after shutting down my favorite track (LACR) was his nail in the coffin for me. 

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35
soggy
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8415
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12/3/2018
Location
UT US
4/13/2026 2:42pm
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...

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.

Steve Mathes is a bum. Looks like he's insulting Eli to get views - I wish everyone would stop listening to him. Never liked his arrogance...

Steve Mathes is a bum. Looks like he's insulting Eli to get views - I wish everyone would stop listening to him. Never liked his arrogance, and him coming onto vital to defend Rich Taylor after shutting down my favorite track (LACR) was his nail in the coffin for me. 

This weeks review pod is so cringey. Matthes comes off as a tool. He won’t even engage JT when Jason backs him into a corner over the Roczen talk. 

It sucks that as a fan of the sport if we want info we have to listen to these guys. 

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14
4/13/2026 3:07pm
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...

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.

Steve Mathes is a bum. Looks like he's insulting Eli to get views - I wish everyone would stop listening to him. Never liked his arrogance...

Steve Mathes is a bum. Looks like he's insulting Eli to get views - I wish everyone would stop listening to him. Never liked his arrogance, and him coming onto vital to defend Rich Taylor after shutting down my favorite track (LACR) was his nail in the coffin for me. 

Mathes eats bananas for the shape, not the taste 

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16
OwenJakes
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sebree, KY US
4/13/2026 3:15pm

Matthes is a fat disgusting animal

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53

The Shop

Kyle978
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1692
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Location
Dirt, NM US
4/13/2026 3:25pm
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...

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.

Well said. 

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3
Spoonguy
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Mc Kean, PA US
4/13/2026 3:28pm
OwenJakes wrote:

Matthes is a fat disgusting animal

Might be a little too name - calling there Owen, but I get it. When you look at the riders and fans he constantly insults whether openly or passive aggressively, all the while a lot of them are far more accomplished humans than he is, he seems like a pretty small person. Like alot of these talking heads, his only achievements are being discussing the achievements of others, nothing else. His career is an observer rather than an achiever. Even his "helping the privateers spiel", his boss is the main guy taking advantage of privateers, and just Matthes's collection of memoribillia in his studio could support many privateers a few seasons. I love it when he talks about all of them going to a Ruth Chris for steaks on a race night, privateers are probably going to Sheetz. Yes, he is a hypocrite, leech, and shill.

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26
OFalk280
Posts
310
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Location
Elwood, IL US
4/13/2026 3:34pm
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. 

Ah yes let’s only allow people who have numerous friends in the industry, which almost certainly will make them have inherent bias be journalists. They’ll definitely want to ask the uncomfortable questions they hated and avoided during their racing career. Not to mention the lack of professional experience in that skill set. Seems to work EXCEPTIONALLY well for RC in the booth, as evidenced by the numerous threads and posts every single week…

8
JMR1976
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Aptos, CA US
4/13/2026 3:37pm
soggy wrote:
This weeks review pod is so cringey. Matthes comes off as a tool. He won’t even engage JT when Jason backs him into a corner over...

This weeks review pod is so cringey. Matthes comes off as a tool. He won’t even engage JT when Jason backs him into a corner over the Roczen talk. 

It sucks that as a fan of the sport if we want info we have to listen to these guys. 

We have Cooksey Hopper Slowie the sport is full of great journalists.

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14
4/13/2026 3:39pm
AH387 wrote:
This was touched on in another thread but this is an example of what I was saying about what happens when you don't want to talk...

This was touched on in another thread but this is an example of what I was saying about what happens when you don't want to talk about things. I get it that it's Eli's right to not talk about a potential injury or bike issue, I respect that. But if you go that route then it does open it up for fans and media to speculate. I don't really care enough to watch every single interview but it didn't sound like Lewis just made that up, based on the Vital interview with Ian. I also think for a guy that stays pretty low-key on socials, Eli picks weird times to respond and be defensive. I'm a big Eli fan, so I'm not talking bad but just giving my opinion.

Eli's reply was too well worded. I'm guessing it was his wife.😐

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10
GrapeApe
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Mc Kinney, TX US
4/13/2026 3:42pm Edited Date/Time 4/13/2026 3:46pm
OwenJakes wrote:

Matthes is a fat disgusting animal

Spoonguy wrote:
Might be a little too name - calling there Owen, but I get it. When you look at the riders and fans he constantly insults whether...

Might be a little too name - calling there Owen, but I get it. When you look at the riders and fans he constantly insults whether openly or passive aggressively, all the while a lot of them are far more accomplished humans than he is, he seems like a pretty small person. Like alot of these talking heads, his only achievements are being discussing the achievements of others, nothing else. His career is an observer rather than an achiever. Even his "helping the privateers spiel", his boss is the main guy taking advantage of privateers, and just Matthes's collection of memoribillia in his studio could support many privateers a few seasons. I love it when he talks about all of them going to a Ruth Chris for steaks on a race night, privateers are probably going to Sheetz. Yes, he is a hypocrite, leech, and shill.

Man you guys really take this stuff seriously. I can't imagine dedicating that much brain space to a podcaster in a hobby sport that is my escape from real life.

 

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2
4/13/2026 4:03pm
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...

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.

I had the same reaction—the disrespect of Lewis to Ian was a disgrace, Metthes parroting that was disgusting. Both need to pull their heads out of their asses and realize who they are and what they are to the sport. They aren’t the headline, take a break from the narcissism boys. 

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15
4/13/2026 4:21pm
OwenJakes wrote:

Matthes is a fat disgusting animal

Spoonguy wrote:
Might be a little too name - calling there Owen, but I get it. When you look at the riders and fans he constantly insults whether...

Might be a little too name - calling there Owen, but I get it. When you look at the riders and fans he constantly insults whether openly or passive aggressively, all the while a lot of them are far more accomplished humans than he is, he seems like a pretty small person. Like alot of these talking heads, his only achievements are being discussing the achievements of others, nothing else. His career is an observer rather than an achiever. Even his "helping the privateers spiel", his boss is the main guy taking advantage of privateers, and just Matthes's collection of memoribillia in his studio could support many privateers a few seasons. I love it when he talks about all of them going to a Ruth Chris for steaks on a race night, privateers are probably going to Sheetz. Yes, he is a hypocrite, leech, and shill.

GrapeApe wrote:
Man you guys really take this stuff seriously. I can't imagine dedicating that much brain space to a podcaster in a hobby sport that is my...

Man you guys really take this stuff seriously. I can't imagine dedicating that much brain space to a podcaster in a hobby sport that is my escape from real life.

 

Then go be a rail fan and follow trains. Dont know. google it

17
yak651
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Location
Appleton, WI US
Fantasy
4/13/2026 4:27pm
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. 

LP31 wrote:

But the all do it

Lew - Chase crap

Matthes - Ferry

Weege - Brayton

JT is legit though

JT - Vince

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1
yak651
Posts
8551
Joined
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Location
Appleton, WI US
Fantasy
4/13/2026 4:28pm
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...

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.

Graybeard wrote:
I had the same reaction—the disrespect of Lewis to Ian was a disgrace, Metthes parroting that was disgusting. Both need to pull their heads out of...

I had the same reaction—the disrespect of Lewis to Ian was a disgrace, Metthes parroting that was disgusting. Both need to pull their heads out of their asses and realize who they are and what they are to the sport. They aren’t the headline, take a break from the narcissism boys. 

Eli has boycotted Pulp all season, don’t think Steve can get any further out. Might as well have fun with it

1
1
8tensolutions
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Location
Salt Lake City, UT US
4/13/2026 4:57pm

Lewis not posting a response in here, a thread directly about him in the forum for the company he works for, seems like a miss on his part.  I guess he knows it wouldn't do any good.

10
13
MXMattii
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BE
4/13/2026 5:21pm
CPR wrote:

That’s not the comment of a happy man.

He shows himself vulnerable, easily offended. He shows the world that he's not in a good head space and he's out of the championship. Lewis didn't made that tyre mistake...

7
13
The Moth
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Location
Los Angeles, CA US
4/13/2026 5:40pm
Lewis not posting a response in here, a thread directly about him in the forum for the company he works for, seems like a miss on...

Lewis not posting a response in here, a thread directly about him in the forum for the company he works for, seems like a miss on his part.  I guess he knows it wouldn't do any good.

Why would he?  Look at some of the responses so far. Steve Matthes, who has nothing to do with the topic, is even being brought into it and personally insulted. 

The commentary isn’t on Lewis or even Matthes; the one’s who look bad are in the comments section. 

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6
kpiper
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AZ US
4/13/2026 5:47pm
MXMattii wrote:
He shows himself vulnerable, easily offended. He shows the world that he's not in a good head space and he's out of the championship. Lewis didn't...

He shows himself vulnerable, easily offended. He shows the world that he's not in a good head space and he's out of the championship. Lewis didn't made that tyre mistake...

Very surprised Eli would even be looking at any social media, let alone responding to it. He has more important things to focus on. This is an indication of how much his recent slump is hurting him mentally. Sad to see. He is still a Legend of the sport. Hope he can rebound for a win or two before the series ends.

1
3
Nutellalord
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563
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Anaheim, CA US
4/13/2026 5:57pm
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? 
 

I never listened to them bc of Lewis.  Genuinely unbearable 

6
7
MXMattii
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Location
BE
4/13/2026 5:58pm
Lewis has a couple of options. 1. Spill the beans on who told him that Eli barely spoke to KTM. 2. Take this on the chin...

Lewis has a couple of options. 1. Spill the beans on who told him that Eli barely spoke to KTM. 2. Take this on the chin to try to salvage an amicable relationship with Eli. I say spill the beans. Who told you that Eli barely spoke to KTM, Lewis? 

Journalists protect their sources because otherwise the sources bleed out... So spilling the beans? Yeah it seems you don't know how it works!

4
11
Nutellalord
Posts
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Anaheim, CA US
4/13/2026 6:09pm
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. 

 

Don’t we already have like 15 weekly podcast recapping the race itself?

3
1
Harv379
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Location
UT US
4/13/2026 6:20pm

Tomac taking after the anti christ? Idk. Kind of embarrassing for him to get involved in such petty drama tbh. He should quit worrying about twitter, fix his shit & get back in this points fight. 

1
3
Harv379
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UT US
4/13/2026 6:22pm
MXMattii wrote:
He shows himself vulnerable, easily offended. He shows the world that he's not in a good head space and he's out of the championship. Lewis didn't...

He shows himself vulnerable, easily offended. He shows the world that he's not in a good head space and he's out of the championship. Lewis didn't made that tyre mistake...

kpiper wrote:
Very surprised Eli would even be looking at any social media, let alone responding to it. He has more important things to focus on. This is...

Very surprised Eli would even be looking at any social media, let alone responding to it. He has more important things to focus on. This is an indication of how much his recent slump is hurting him mentally. Sad to see. He is still a Legend of the sport. Hope he can rebound for a win or two before the series ends.

Agreed, well said. 

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aeffertz
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4/13/2026 6:27pm

Tough couple of weeks for Big Lew Grinning

7
Frable544
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Paso Robles , CA US
4/13/2026 6:29pm

Not a fan of Lewis at all, especially when him and Sexton polish each others nuts in their interviews.

10
14
DadBod86
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Pittsworth, QLD AU
Fantasy
4/13/2026 6:41pm
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? 
 

LP31 wrote:

He is from the UK not Aus 

Don’t confuse the poor bugger

2
olds cool
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Claremont, NC US
4/13/2026 6:57pm

The posters that are going WFO in this thread should never say anything derogatory about the Non-Moto section.  I’m just sayin’…🤦😂😎

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Park Boys
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4/13/2026 7:02pm

Adam Wheeler is the only truly legitimate journalist in the sport and he left for Moto GP.  

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1
T-Fish
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Sparta, WI US
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4/13/2026 7:07pm

You guys can hate on him all you want. I still think Lewis is a fantastic addition to this side of the pond. 

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