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/1465013
least not on purpose, and I might be one of them. Hear me out. I know, I know, you hear it all the time that "rubbin' is racing." Okay, fine, but T-boning some- one just to make a pass isn't rubbin,' that's just irresponsible racing, especially when you're not encased in metal and steel roll bars. Obviously, the number-one problem with takes-outs is the injuries these tactics often leave in their wake. Motorcycle racing is risky business, there are no roll cages, and requires your full attention and concentration, so racing is hard enough without your fellow competitor trying to take you out in every turn, as well. But my main grievance with all these take-outs is they ruin what the rubbin'-racing crowd is all about—good racing! How many times have you seen the prospects of an exciting one-on- one duel form up on the track only to be cut short by an "ag- gressive" (okay, stupid) move just when things were about to get good and would most likely keep us very entertained for several laps rather than just a couple of turns? It was refreshing to see some good racing last weekend in Atlanta where smart heads prevailed, and some excellent racing and passing were the result. I don't know what the answer is, but I wouldn't mind seeing a little more consequence for those who cross the line be- tween aggressive and dirty rid- ing, anything that will deter such actions and extend what could be great battles on the track. Westbound? So, what's this I hear about Jef- frey Herlings coming to America? At least for one season? That's the latest big news coming out of Europe. It's a possibility that the current MXGP World Champion, Herlings, might compete in the 2022 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Moto- cross Championship. It's only a rumor at this point but it does make some sense. Herlings is on the mend from a foot injury and has no chance of keeping the MXGP number-one plate Take-Outs It's impossible to talk about the 2022 Monster Energy Supercross Series without mentioning all the aggressive riding, which has, it seems, gone beyond just being what many would deem aggres- sive. We've seen several riders resort to take-outs just to make a pass, or to keep from getting passed, which begs the ques- tion: when does aggressive riding become reckless riding or even dangerous riding? Is it simply touching in any form, or only when one of the two riders—usually the touch-ee—hits the dirt? Some people are getting to the point of not letting them touch at all, at P108 CN III OBSERVATION CHECK BY KIT PALMER JUST TALKIN' Take outs take out good racing.