Weege-USA MXDN Disconnect

I wonder how many Kawasakis stayed on dealer floors because of Eli’s refusal to the MXdN.

I wonder how many Monster cans remained in the convenience store fridge due to his lack of participation.

Fans being pumped on a rider doesn’t pay the bills. Fans being bummed on a rider doesn’t make the rider’s paycheck any smaller.

Seely paid his own way? That tells me all I need to know about that event!

I may be way off base, but I would argue that A1 is the biggest and most celebrated event of the year. There's a reason why the MXDN doesn't broadcast live on television.

Juice_Mann wrote:

I may be way off base, but I would argue that A1 is the biggest and most celebrated event of the year. There's a reason why the MXDN doesn't broadcast live on television.

I agree. I did not have a house full of people and two barrels of beer at my house for the des nations...

Juice_Mann wrote:

I may be way off base, but I would argue that A1 is the biggest and most celebrated event of the year. There's a reason why the MXDN doesn't broadcast live on television.

Because they have a season package to watch it on?

Juice_Mann wrote:

I may be way off base, but I would argue that A1 is the biggest and most celebrated event of the year. There's a reason why the MXDN doesn't broadcast live on television.

What is attendance of A1 in cushy stadium vs at last MXDN? Maybe A1 beats them, but doubt any other SX race does. Plus the crowd is there for the racing, not the scene. Why does the MX season have to end so soon? Give the racers a couple off weekends so they can recover and maybe then we wouldn't have so many riders burnt out at age 27...plus then can't use the excuse of long lay over from end of season to the MXDN

kkawboy14 wrote:

Seely paid his own way? That tells me all I need to know about that event!

Not sure what your point is but I'll bet there are plenty of riders from plenty of countries who pay some or all of their own way to race the MXdN.

Juice_Mann wrote:

I may be way off base, but I would argue that A1 is the biggest and most celebrated event of the year. There's a reason why the MXDN doesn't broadcast live on television.

BobPA wrote:

I agree. I did not have a house full of people and two barrels of beer at my house for the des nations...

Haha exactly!

Juice_Mann wrote:

I may be way off base, but I would argue that A1 is the biggest and most celebrated event of the year. There's a reason why the MXDN doesn't broadcast live on television.

agn5009 wrote:

Because they have a season package to watch it on?

As does Supercross but they still broadcast it on live television.

This may just be perception, but it seems that for riders in many countries the MXdN is seen as a rare opportunity to represent your country and compete against the world's best riders all in place, whereas a large portion of the riders/teams/factories in the US appear to view it as just another race if the financial reward isn't there they won't go.

kkawboy14 wrote:

Seely paid his own way? That tells me all I need to know about that event!

I doubt he.paid his own way. Hrc paid the tab.

Juice_Mann wrote:

I may be way off base, but I would argue that A1 is the biggest and most celebrated event of the year. There's a reason why the MXDN doesn't broadcast live on television.

yak651 wrote:

What is attendance of A1 in cushy stadium vs at last MXDN? Maybe A1 beats them, but doubt any other SX race does. Plus the crowd is there for the racing, not the scene. Why does the MX season have to end so soon? Give the racers a couple off weekends so they can recover and maybe then we wouldn't have so many riders burnt out at age 27...plus then can't use the excuse of long lay over from end of season to the MXDN

Not exactly sure what half of your response has to do with my statement. The event seems bigger regardless of why the crowd is there or at what age the riders get burnt out.

I hope the US sends their best riders when they can. But ultimately I don't give a shit. I'm going to watch and enjoy whether we send our A-team, B-team, or even no team at all. Great racing is great racing, with or without Team USA.

Since it was brought up: apart from being the first race of the season, I don't get the hype for A1. It's just 1 of the 17 races. There's nothing special about the race.

Juice_Mann wrote:

I may be way off base, but I would argue that A1 is the biggest and most celebrated event of the year. There's a reason why the MXDN doesn't broadcast live on television.

BobPA wrote:

I agree. I did not have a house full of people and two barrels of beer at my house for the des nations...

Wait what??? Two barrels of beer?

I will be awaiting my invite for the next A1! Guess I will bring either my smoked ribs or pulled pork.

The fact that a motocross fan can state that A1 is bigger than the MXdN pretty much sums up the losing attitude that is pervasive amongst our "culture".

Patriotism, national pride and respect for your own country seem to be on a severe downward slide with the up and coming generation. So many signs point to an unnerving sense of "meh, who cares" syndrome.

OP makes a good point, The fans want it , Why are they ignored ?

Here's 2 scenarios , RedBull we want you to race for us. Rider okay but I don't want to do the MXdN
Redbull = okay

or the second answer, You want our X million dollars we want you at that event too.

500guy wrote:

OP makes a good point, The fans want it , Why are they ignored ?

Here's 2 scenarios , RedBull we want you to race for us. Rider okay but I don't want to do the MXdN
Redbull = okay

or the second answer, You want our X million dollars we want you at that event too.

OR Honda....."hey Seely, pay your own way"?


Risk the shot at the MEC $million to pay my own way? Simple answer for me!

Juice_Mann wrote:

I may be way off base, but I would argue that A1 is the biggest and most celebrated event of the year. There's a reason why the MXDN doesn't broadcast live on television.

yak651 wrote:

What is attendance of A1 in cushy stadium vs at last MXDN? Maybe A1 beats them, but doubt any other SX race does. Plus the crowd is there for the racing, not the scene. Why does the MX season have to end so soon? Give the racers a couple off weekends so they can recover and maybe then we wouldn't have so many riders burnt out at age 27...plus then can't use the excuse of long lay over from end of season to the MXDN

Running a website, I feel you get a good look at what events are the biggest, and you are right, A1 is the biggest traffic weekend of the year on a consistent basis, but MXoN is #2 on a consistent basis above all other events. I would guess for Euro sites, MXoN is clear winner, though. World wide, they're probably about even. It amazes me that that in itself doesn't drive the industry into full participation.

As far as this year, though, American traffic for the MXoN was lower than it's been for us since 2012 (that was only our second year open as a website), so the lack of participation and in turn results definitely hurt US interest. Maybe therein lies the plan. If they don't participate, interest flutters and they can skip it without any recourse? That might be a little tin foil hat, but hey, it's Vital.

I’d like to see it written into the contracts. MXDN/MXON is the only MX event of the year that I am happy to pay $30 for the stream.

I think older fans like the MXoN because they see it as patriotic like the olympics. Us old farts have seen all the ups and downs for the US team for decades at this race. New young fans I believe would rather watch SX in the states in a nice dome with seats if they even like motorcycles. Most could care less or don't even know what the MXoN race is. Also the number of new fans and new riders in this sport is dwindling and is only going to get worse. Watch the younger crowd at a race, they are more interested in playing with their smart phones than watching the race. They are looking down at their phones all the time wherever they are. Most are there to just party. Times are changing, so many things that were important for the older crowd are slowly fading away. The younger crowd could care less about those things or don't even know about it. This sport is going to see a drop in riders and fans in the future. Just look at Golf, Nascar, and many other sports that are loosing interest. I grew up on a very nice and popular golf course in Florida, it is now closed. Nobody plays golf anymore and the ones that did are dead now. Houses will be built on that property instead. Also did you know that even guitar sales are terrible, and companies like Gibson and Les Paul are really struggling. Kids don't want to learn how to play guitar anymore, it takes too long to learn. I have a friend that works for Gibson Guitars and she will probably loose her 30+ year job with Gibson at the end of this year. The younger crowd is changing just like we did different things than our parents did when we were younger. Ask a young person what they thought about "Tom Petty" dying. Most of them will not even know who you are talking about. R.I.P. Tom Petty.

Frank Tuesday wrote:

I hope the US sends their best riders when they can. But ultimately I don't give a shit. I'm going to watch and enjoy whether we send our A-team, B-team, or even no team at all. Great racing is great racing, with or without Team USA.

Since it was brought up: apart from being the first race of the season, I don't get the hype for A1. It's just 1 of the 17 races. There's nothing special about the race.

I think a lot of the hype has to do with getting to see the riders on their new bikes for the first time (unless they race MEC) and just the unknown of who really will be the top dogs. I prefer MX over SX any day of the week, but I must admit I get most excited for A1.

Juice_Mann wrote:

I may be way off base, but I would argue that A1 is the biggest and most celebrated event of the year. There's a reason why the MXDN doesn't broadcast live on television.

yak651 wrote:

What is attendance of A1 in cushy stadium vs at last MXDN? Maybe A1 beats them, but doubt any other SX race does. Plus the crowd is there for the racing, not the scene. Why does the MX season have to end so soon? Give the racers a couple off weekends so they can recover and maybe then we wouldn't have so many riders burnt out at age 27...plus then can't use the excuse of long lay over from end of season to the MXDN

Atalanta does, by probably 15,000-20,000 people. Off the top of my head, probably eight to ten of the SX rounds match or beat a MXdN for in-person attendance...

kkawboy14 wrote:

Seely paid his own way? That tells me all I need to know about that event!

mxb2 wrote:

I doubt he.paid his own way. Hrc paid the tab.

He didn't pay for his bike to get there, but Cole did pay for his and his families flights, hotels, rental cars etc. Osborne said he was in about $10,000 out of pocket for the trip. I've heard similar numbers from other riders that have gone.

I've had J-Bone tell me when they took Barcia...for staff flights, lodging, food, rental cars, extra pay for days gone...shipping two complete bikes and parts, and other necessities...they were in over $40,000 outside their normal budget.

That doesn't include Barcia and his family's travel of course...just the team related stuff not including the rider.

kkawboy14 wrote:

Seely paid his own way? That tells me all I need to know about that event!

mxb2 wrote:

I doubt he.paid his own way. Hrc paid the tab.

ML512 wrote:

He didn't pay for his bike to get there, but Cole did pay for his and his families flights, hotels, rental cars etc. Osborne said he was in about $10,000 out of pocket for the trip. I've heard similar numbers from other riders that have gone.

X2, no reason for hrc to pay for his family bills . Def should pay Cole's fees.

Juice_Mann wrote:

I think a lot of the hype has to do with getting to see the riders on their new bikes for the first time (unless they race MEC) and just the unknown of who really will be the top dogs. I prefer MX over SX any day of the week, but I must admit I get most excited for A1.

I think it could be argued (at least from my standpoint) that the majority of the excitement surrounding A1 is more due to not having any consistent racing for almost 3 months leading up to it.

mxb2 wrote:

I doubt he.paid his own way. Hrc paid the tab.

ML512 wrote:

He didn't pay for his bike to get there, but Cole did pay for his and his families flights, hotels, rental cars etc. Osborne said he was in about $10,000 out of pocket for the trip. I've heard similar numbers from other riders that have gone.

mxb2 wrote:

X2, no reason for hrc to pay for his family bills . Def should pay Cole's fees.

They shouldn't have to, they already spend way more out of budget for an event the rider is choosing to do. Many of these riders have in their contracts a number events they can do outside of their race schedule per year where their equiptment is provided but any travel or extra needs of the riders are handled on their own accord.

The other countries federations take better care of their riders in this situation.

The motocycling federation here in Australia cut the funding for mxon. Gibbs and ferris did a few coaching clinics to help with the funding leading up to the event. Im sure both riders would still be out of pocket though.

ML512 wrote:

Atalanta does, by probably 15,000-20,000 people. Off the top of my head, probably eight to ten of the SX rounds match or beat a MXdN for in-person attendance...

If Atlanta is doing only 15-20K then that is a humongous drop from what is was doing 2000-2012. The event used to sell out the Georgia Dome, 70,000 + people, most years well over 60,000.