Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/128153
"This spat between Anthony 60bert and Mat Mladin is quite silly! However, it is stuff like this that can jump-start interest in the sport." Gobert vs. Mladin Two words come to mind when I read the recent ravings of these two talented but somehow misguided riders grow up. Both of you. Now, I am no shrink (neither do I have a whole lot of talent on a motorcycle, before you get on the keyboard and reply in anger to me, Mat), but it seems to me as though both of these riders are venting off some misdirected anger. In Mladin's case, perhaps you, because you can no longer mouth off to the fat cats in the AMA for fear of payback, or maybe because you still haven't quite gotten over the disappointment of the 1993 season with Cagiva. For whatever reason, why do you have to bring yourself down to such a level? To even reply to Gobert's comments, from my perspective, puts you on equal footing with him. You have won three AMA Superbike Championships - I believe that says it all. As for Anthony Gobert, what can I say that has not already been said about this sad waste of talent? A few years back, you were going to show Mick Doohan how it's done in GPs amongst a variety of other wild predictions. Well, the truth of the matter, kid, is the only arse you have kicked is your own. Come to think of it, you have done that quite a few more times than you have won championships. You kind of smoked your own career (literally). You know what, you have no one to blame but yourself, so cut the crap, ride that bike and shut up. How about taking a look at the career of another of your fellow countrymen' Troy Bayliss? He's already got a World Championship under his belt. Just a little over two years ago, he was on the seat you so abruptly vacated at Vance £,. Hines. Grow up before it's too late, kid. The weird thing is, I admire these two talented riders. Sean Me 6/0In, Yonkets,NY Gobert vs. Mladln II It always livens up a series to see the stars mix it up off the track, but these guys seem awfully serious about it. They seem to be going back a ways, too. Mladin's act is certainly getting old. He loves to whine about the difficulties of racing a four, but his recent competition has all been fours. A while back, he was belittling the World Superbike field, claiming only Carl Fogarty had any talent. I notice, however, that even without Fogarty, he's far from the track come Sunday at Laguna Seca. Mladin's strength has always been working the AMA points system that so heavily favors finishing over wins. During his championships, even with the top U.S. talent in Europe, he's never really dominated. Now that the competition is heating up stateside, he's going to have a tough year. Well, I'm sure he'll have plenty of good excuses. Gobert is certainly making things interesting. He's always been so talented. Seeing him focused and serious is good news for AMA road racing. Watching him and Nicky Hayden will be a treat. PatrIck Ward-Sellz Forest Knolls, CA Gobert vs. Mladln III My goodness, we do have some egos going in the AMA Superbike class now don't we! I think Miladin and Gobert need to take a chill pill and not worry about who thinks who is faster. Trophies will suffice for that argument. BrlanBames San DIego, CA Now It's Our Fault Just a note to say that, when I read Cycle News, I don't expect to see such trash as that which is currently being published from Mat Mladin and Anthony Gobert. These guys are undeniably great road racers, but apparently that is it. They are both poor sports and come across as prima donnas. I can't believe that Cycle News would publish their statements. What good is going to come from turning a fine publication into a snivelers column? Just a friendly heads up from a long-time racer and Cycle News subscriber. Clean it up and think a little bit about your own (as influential media folks) responsibility. Please publish this if you'd like, I'm sure that there are lots of people out there who agree. Teme SIngleton VIa the Internet This spat between Anthony Gobert and Mat Mladin is quite silly! However, it is stuff like this that can jumpstart interest in the sport. Does anyone remember Jimmy Connors yelling at chair umpires during tennis matches? Personally, I think it's very entertaining. It makes me want to tune into the races just to see what kind of fireworks there will be. Stay Tuned! Chrfs6ramm Coronq. CA Now We're Good Gobert vs. MJadin. Now that's why I buy Cycle News! And that's why I buy tickets to the races. I love to see the unedited, unclean stuff. Leave all the dry press releases on the cutting-room floor. Paul Royd Yla the Internet Coming Down On Bubba It's become quite apparent in recent Western rounds of the 125cc Supercross events that James Stewart is a threat. His speed, talent, and determination are unmatched. His early success shows just how much promise this young and charismatic rider has to offer his team and his fans. However, it's also obvious that more than one rider has been left on the ground due to Mr. Stewart's overly aggressive passing techniques known as "take-outs." I sat and enjoyed the ABC coverage of the Dallas Supercross, but I was stunned to see how Stewart attempted to use Ivan Tedesco's front wheel as a berm. Look at the footage closely - he never tried to slow down. This begs me to ask: How big of a fine will Duke Finch give James? This isn't the first time he's done this to a fellow competitor. How big of a fine would it be if Tyler Evans cuts his sleeves short again? Or if the outdoor Nationals start and a privateer parks Stewart the way he's done others? Makes you wonder what the AMA's intentions are all about. Fairness and integrity for all the racers, right? As long as you've got a factory ride, sure. On another note, congratulations to Travis Preston on a smart, consistent ride for another win. Go Travis, I've got you picked for the title. Chuck Ball Sprfngdale, AK AMA's Duke Finch has said that he doesn't feel that Stewart's "run-ins" were malicious, but more of a case of rookie-iUs... Editor His display of riding skill could have seriously hurt Ivan Tedesco at the Dallas round. I hope his sponsors take a close look at his actions. It's a shame because Kawasaki is good to the sport and they deserve to be represented in a professional manner. His dad walking off was not good for the sport. It makes me wonder who the bigger baby is. Dave Sdabaf'Q$ BurlIngton, IL Defending Kurtis This is in regard to Mr. Bauer's letter (Voices, Issue #17, May 1). I did not take Kurtis Roberts' words "weren't up there with the best" the same way Bauer did. I do not think it was meant as an insult to the entire hospital and its staff, just his experience in particular. I think it is wrong to slam Mr. Roberts in this way. And, based on my experience, Kurtis Roberts is a member in good standing in "the real world." He deals with it on a daily basis. :Joe Fenech Ballico, CA CyYoung I have two observations regarding the picture of Jeremy McGrath throwing out the first pitch at the St. Louis Cardinals game. One: I didn't know he was a lefty. Two: Please tell me he got the ball there on the fly, and that it didn't bounce 10 feet in front of the plate. Ray Merkle WIlmIngton, OH And More James Stewart Jr. is not a Pro rider. ... U ... I _ McGrath is left handed and he got the pitch to home plate... Editor n _ _ s • MAY 8, 2002 5