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/1385624
VOLUME 58 ISSUE 25 JUNE 22, 2021 P127 running wide during his clothing confusion and rejoining without losing the requisite position, then later another three seconds for infringing the rule that states very clearly that protective clothing must be correctly fastened at all times on the track. It also cost him his equanimity, castigating fellow riders who ex- ulted in his punishment by post- ing a message that "at least we can see their true faces." Don't expect him and Jack Miller (to mention just one) to be exchang- ing Christmas gifts this year. A week later in Germany, he was more philosophical, able to see the funny side. But his dismay at the time, and his resentment at extra punishment for misfortune that prevented a possible challenge for another win—that was also understand- able. After all, as he pointed out, he didn't do anything to disrupt anyone else's race (thankfully nobody behind him ran over his discarded chest protector), nor did he endanger anybody, except arguably himself, the road rash, had he fallen off, would not have been pretty. But rules are rules, and while it is clear that Fabulous Fabio didn't unzip in order to show off his pecs, even inadvertent trans- gressions must be punished. Mustn't they? Actually, the question picks at several fresh scabs in other ar- eas, where new regulations and the "rules-are-rules" principle have been causing distress. One new rule came in last year, that his lap time is canceled if a rider passes a yellow flag, no matter how minor the incident. Previously, this only applied when double yellow flags were waved, signaling a serious inci- dent or track obstruction. This very frequently causes chaos at the end of qualifying, when riders are going all out, and slip-offs are not uncommon. Many riders resented the loss of latitude, and the intervention of authorities when they were previ- ously allowed to apply their own judgement. Then the matter of track-limits, now electronically policed. A tiny transgression loses the lap time in practice, while an accumula- tion of them in a race earns a long-lap penalty. Except on the last lap, when again riders are pushing so hard that inadvertent slip-ups are more than likely. Now, there's an automatic loss of one position. No judgement on whether or not any advantage was gained. This has cost sev- eral podium positions and even race wins in the past couple of years. And never mind the increasingly ridiculous and perennially unsuc- cessful attempts to try to stop Moto3 riders from riding slowly in qualifying, waiting for a tow that might gain them more than a sec- ond lap-time improvement. Talk about trying to herd cats. The Stewards Panel, headed by Freddie Spencer, was institut- ed at the start of 2019, and you would think that the advantage of having such an illustrious leader would be the ability to apply considered judgement, to take matters case by case. Nobody likes to be punished, but it is easier to accept when there is a reasoned argument behind it. Sadly, it's not the case. Whether by choice or design, the panel appears to have taken a jobs-worth role, applying the letter of the law regardless of circumstances. And they gain no respect by doing so. CN "That's something nobody inside racing could remember. Even outside racing. If not, men would hardly be able to walk down the street with confidence, without having to check their trousers every couple of steps."