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/128394
Brown Kicked Off MX des Nations Team absorb the cost of all those reserva- had expressed some concerns to me," their way. This time. For me to start some tions and preparations, and stay home. Whitlock said in the AMA release. ')\t Binghamton last Sunday, we discussed it again. ObViously, this is a very tough call to make, but everyone agreed that we have to big he-said, she-said debate over certain things being stated right now is pointless, do what's in the best interest of the hope now is that every rider, fan or partici- decision, especially considering that American effort." Whitelock stated that he spoke to Brown pant of this sport take the time to really look at what has happened here and learn this effort is all on Brown's coin, Mike was totally pumped to finally be realizing his MXdN dreams. However, with about the situation at Binghamton on Sunday from it, because I sure have. and then again Monday. "Mike Brown is an accomplished rider "I guess the only thing left for me to say is that I will be at Steel City and Glen Helen giving I 10 percent and doing the best I can with what I've got. I hope the fans will be out in full force supporting all the riders, no matter who they are. I also hope riders will put their efforts together to stop these politically driven decisions that will only end up hurting our sport." We spoke with the U.S. team manager ')\pparently, the decision to remove Brownie from this year's team came from Kevin Windham, Ricky Carmichael and Steve Whitelock. Completely caught off-guard by the those dreams now shattered, Brownie must focus on finishing up this year's National Series on a positive note, and then look towards preparing for the 2006 AMA 250 Supercross and 125 National Motocross Series, which he'll A fter being officially named as a member ~f this year's MX des Nations team, along with Ricky Carmichael and Kevin Windham, on July 23, at the Lakewood National in Colorado, Mike Brown received news last week that he had been bumped off the squad for 125cc National MX Series points leader Ivan Tedesco. Less-than- stellar results in the second half of the AMA Outdoor National 12Scc Series prompted the AMA to make this decision. Before Brown's release was made offi- cial, Brown's publicist, Dan Dilkey, of Netwerk, LLC, sent out this release: "Following a meeting regarding the Motocross des Nations last Sunday [August 21] at Binghamton, New York, that included Kevin Windham, Ricky Carmichael, Roger DeCoster and Steve Whitelock of the AMA (and not Mike Brown), and while smack-dab in the middle of preparations for his Motocross des Nations effort, Mike Brown was informed by the AMA this afternoon [Wednesday, August 24] that he will not be a member of the 200S U.S. Team as previously announced. With all personal and sponsor reservations confirmed, Mike must now unwind those efforts, personally 8 be riding. "Brownie only hopes that his replacement (whoever that may be) will be IIO-percent dedicated and committed to this effort, as he was, and wishes the rest of the U.S. Team the best of luck in their effort to bring the MXdN trophy back home to the U.S., which is where it belongs. "Mike, his team and his family would like to thank all of their sponsors and fans for their support of Mike's 200S efforts, as follows: Ken and Kirk Hayes and the entire staff at JIM'S Motorcycle Sales, Parts Unlimited, Thor, Randy Richardson and Michelin, Deluge Spring Water, HJC Helmets, Utopia, Alpinestars, Renthal, Etnie's Shoes, N-Style, Tokyo Mods, Vortex Ignitions, Plasticwerks, Haan Wheels, Big Minis, SDG, Bel Ray, Honda Red Rider's Club and The Netwerk, LLC." Shortly thereafter, the AMA confirmed Brown's release from the team. "The lineup for the American team representing the United States at the 2005 Motocross of Nations (MXoN) has been changed," the AMA said. "Riders Ricky Carmichael and Kevin Windham remain on the team, and Ivan Tedesco has been added to replace Mike Brown." AMA Pro Racing MX/SX Series manager and everyone appreciates the commitment he made to supporting the team," Whitelock said. "Ultimately, however, we have to send the team that has the greatest chance of success, and that is what drove us to make this difficult decision." On Friday, August 26, Mike Brown and his wife, Missy, released this statement: "First of all, I would like everyone who things that are simply not true... My only Roger DeCoster about the situation. reads this or has any interest in this sport to "We need to go with what makes the know that I appreciate all of the support that I have received from the fans through the years from the bottom of my heart. I have not dedicated myself to this sport for the last 12-plus years in order to impress, put on a most sense based on results," DeCoster show, or be someone I am not. I have put myself, my body and my family through all of this because of my love of racing. I started racing at 14 because I thought it would be fun and have not stopped since. When I real- ized that I might possibly be able to make a career out of it, I started treating [it] like a job and decided to go for it as long as I physicaily and financially could. You can like the way I do things, or not like it, that is your choice, but the decisions that I have made over the years are mine. I am fortunate said. '1'.nd we feel we have a better chance with Ivan [Tedesco]. It's too bad for Mike. This isn't the first time something like this has happened, and not just in the U.S. He should understand that we have to send a team with the best chance of winning, and his results have not been so good in the second half of the season. If you look at his results [in the past], he usually starts the season strong and not so good in the sec- ond half. "With all of the effort [that it takes to send a team to the MX des Nations], we shouldn't take any chances," DeCoster continued. "This isn't a race about making money, it's a race for your country. enough to have a family that supports me "I feel that part of the problem is too 100 percent and am very aware of who my true friends are. much pressure is made to make an "With that said, I want to make it very clear that Missy and I stand 100 percent behind the statement that was released by Dan Dilkey of the Netwerk on [Wednesday] August 24, 2005. It states the facts as they Steve Whitelock made the announcement and said the change was made in consultation with the team. were made available to me and we simply let everyone else know about it, as I myself was finding out what in the world was going on. The people who were involved in this decision know exactly who they are, how and "Over the past couple of weeks, Ricky, Kevin and Roger [DeCoster, team manager] why all this happened, and who stood to benefit from it. The sad thing is, they got SEPTEMBER 7, 2005 • CYCLE NEWS and I will not bother on commenting on announcement [for the team] too early," DeCoster added. "They want to sell things like T-shirts early to raise money, and that seems stupid to me. In this day in age, if we can't just send three riders over there, then there is something wrong. This isn't amateur racing, and selling T-shirts doesn't make sense. It makes the sport look bad." MXdN team member Ricky Carmichael has since written a letter to motocross fans regarding the team change situation, and that letter can be read in our Voices section (page 5) in this issue.