European fans appreciate riders more!

Well said art fag.

Fans are pretty hardcore and very very into it over there, been there many times racing, such a different enviroment for sure!

Yeah, you guys are so sophisticated.

It's like Cowboys at a Rodeo. Over there Motorcycles are a way of life because if you don't ride one your options are public trans or walking. Just look at how many really cool scooters they sell over there. Here bikes are a "choice" so we look at them differently.

Cowboys at the Rodeo are the same way - they make their living on horses working cattle and such, so the Rodeo creates a kinda "pride" thing. Because over there EVERYBODY rides at least a scooter you get the same kind of connection.

Make no mistake, motorcycle racing over there is huge, huge HUGE.

I think most people, us Brits especially, tend to like an underdog - To most Americans, Pourcel racing the lites class is anything but.

Personally I have nothing against Pourcel. With that said, I don't think he belongs in the 250s and any foriegner that wants to hang on his balls while he dominates a class he should be dominating better go ahead and do so now because it's going to be a whole new story next year. Not refering to anyone in this thread, but there seem to be a lot on this board who want to rub it in that Pourcel is so much better than everyone else when in all actuallity, he should be better than the lites riders. He belongs on a 450.

I don't get the whole sandbagging talk with CP. For one, it's no longer viewed as a feeder series, it's a Pro class just like the 450's. I for one think people should be given the choice to ride whatever they want...some people just suit a smaller bore bike better. Does anyone give Mike Brown or Ryan Hughes shit for hanging in the 125's most of their careers? Secondly, the guy was almost paralysed 3 years ago. Thirdly, I don't blame him for sticking at it another year. He had one season under his belt in US supercross. I don't know whether he had much SX experience in France, but even so, it's a completely different. The tracks in the US are fucking insane compared to some of the crap I've seen in Europe. Another year of SX experience on the Lites bike will be invaluable. You've also got to consider that he couldn't find a 450 ride, and Mitch wanted him back for another year. I for one would not ignore the advice and advances of Mitch Payton.

As Rob pointed out, I think us Brits do favour the underdogs. Case in point....few things in life give me more pleasure than watching Wales lose at rugby. However I couldn't help but cheer them on during that awesome come-back against Scotland a couple of weeks back.