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abilene, TX
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ktmwoods
2/18/2018 11:45am
2/18/2018 11:45am
OK- as speeds increase, tracks get gnarlier, riding gets more aggressive, injuries get more serious, careers get shorter, why not more protective gear in SX and MX? The sight of Roczen in only a thin race jersey getting chewed up by a rear tire and a swingarm, etc makes me wonder why athletes in this sport do not invest more into protecting their bodies? NFL, Hockey, olympic ski racers, even NBA players have a lot more invested into specific body protection components so that they are not so beat up and theoretically can stay in the game / on the field and have longer careers. I get the weight tradeoff, but at the rate the significant injuries are decimating the field of riders, it might be smart to be better protected VS a 250 lb steel ‘meat grinder’ coming at you? With new-age materials and more science, you might add 1-2lbs of protection and survive a hit that might otherwise sideline you for an entire season. Sport is brutal enough without intentionally exposing yourself to more damage IMO.
Comfort? Ha!
I have zero compassion when I see these "jersey-only" fools all scraped up.
The Shop
I absolutely understand these guys want to be light and flexible - who doesn't? Perhaps it will take many more years for protection technology to catch up with the speed these modern MX machines are capable of propelling these guys, but there has to be a better way. I don't know what it is, but there has to be a better way.
Flip that coin and understand that we're a niche sport. If we were as big as the NFL, perhaps more companies, inventors, etc. would be involved in finding solutions. I really think that is key. In other words, if MX was huge, we'd have a lot more "brains" looking into protection technology. Just my 2 cents.
We need more companies in the sport that genuinely want to make us safer, and not just take our dollars.
Rule changes could help that push. The rule makers need to be convinced
But the main reason more protection usually isn't worn is the lack of cool factor and getting the sponsors shown on the jersey.
You guys ever heard of a catcher in baseball not wearing a cup because they're uncomfortable? Lol Stupid is stupid.
KR won plenty with specially made protection...geuss SX requires more freedom of movement and comes with extra dangers.
And we see the results..
Feld would probably be happy if they rode topless to attract more female viewers.
Although i like fashion, ive often thought mx is to fashion driven in many areas
Most of the top guys are going to shed as much extra as they can if they think it'll allow them to perform just a little bit better.
Pit Row
i agree, it's a dangerous sport and it's always going to be.
Plus the risk Vs. reward in MX is ridiculous.
Barcia's issue well he should of jumped the triple.. But nothing other then a steal glove would of saved him from that..
Lets just let the racers be racers.. They are fine..
The promoting body needs to implement safety standards to suit their business and not to accommodate riders comfort. You show up to the line without the proper attire then u go back to the pits. Any other professional Motorsport has safety guidelines set up by the braintrust and not the riders/drivers
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