Cycle News

P24 IN THE WIND LASER INCIDENT RESULTS IN HEAVY FINES W hat might have started off as just a stupid prank and/or joke, turned into serious fines and punishment following the eighth round of the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship at Washougal, Washington, on July 20. It all started when someone pointed a laser at a few of the riders on the start line of the first 450 moto. One of those riders was the winner, Monster Energy Kawasaki Team rider Ryan Villopoto, who, immediately following the moto, complained to race organizers (MX Sports) about being targeted by the laser on the start line. Other riders also complained, including Lucas Oil/ TLD Honda Team rider Malcolm Stewart. Prior to the next moto (the first 250 moto), team members and other race personal scattered among the crowd in hopes of finding the culprit and soon spotted someone with a green laserpen in his hand, and that alleged person turned out to be retired Pro motocrosser Jeff Alessi, the brother of MotoConcepts Team rider Mike Alessi, who was also in the race. Jeff Alessi, who was wearing a MotoConcepts (MCR) team Malcolm Stewart was one of the riders who complained about being targeted by a laser at the start of the first 450 moto at Washougal. shirt at the time, was confronted by MX Sports' Davey Coombs, who immediately confiscated the laser, as well as his "hard card" (race credentials), which, as it turned out, belonged to his father, Tony Alessi, the team manager for the MotoConcepts Team and also father of MCR's Mike Alessi. (Transferring credentials is against MX Sports' policy.) According to Coombs, Jeff Alessi initially denied pointing the laser at the riders, saying he found the laser on the ground and then later blaming his exgirlfriend, who he claimed was across the track from him, for pointing the laser at Villopoto. Things escalated after the race when Tony and Jeff Alessi got into an open argument with a journalist who was asking questions about the incident. According to Coombs, Tony Alessi confronted Coombs again later in the afternoon. Coombs also added that he had no reason to believe that Mike Alessi had any involvement in the actual laser pointing, which could have distracted Mike's fellow racers and given him an advantage off the start, not to mention cause serious injury, but noted that racers are responsible for the conduct of their crew. After the race, MX Sports said it was taking the incident very seriously and was going to take a closer look at the whole situation, which they said will include videos, photography and eye witnesses, before making final judgment on the matter. MX Sports released its findings and actions on Monday, July 22, and heavy fines and penalties were levied against all three Alessi's and the MCR Team. Jeff Alessi's eligibility to obtain his AMA Pro Racing license has been suspended indefinitely and his MX Sports Pro Racing credentials revoked and has been fined $500.

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