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/146977
CN III VOICES P20 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR "Yes, the thing was on fire but, to me, he was too pissed to worry about that." Speedway World Cup While it was good to see the Speedway World Cup reported in issue 29 (July 23), I can't help but feel that the point was totally missed as to just how strong the American team performance actually was. The team's original goal was to qualify for the Race-Off, or semi final, which they did after a desperate struggle with Sweden in Event 2. Then they actually lead the Race-Off early on and were always in with a strong chance of winning the meeting outright and making it through to the Final. In the end, they were in second place and just five points short of the winners, Australia. It is also arguable that Team U.S.A. would have made a far better job in the final than host nations the Czech Republic did! The end result of all this is that the U.S now qualify directly for the 2014 event and is yet another significant step forward taken by the new wave of American speedway. While speedway in Britain and Sweden seems to be stagnating (although in fairness, Sweden were decimated by injuries to their major stars), it is a breath of fresh air to see the drive and enthusiasm of Team U.S.A together with its properly structured rider development system re-establishing itself on the world stage. This is a major success story for the American motorcycling media to celebrate and unfortunately on this occasion, you blew it! Apart from this, you are doing a great job! Mick Metcalfe Via the Internet We're doing our best to provide U.S. speedway fans with coverage of each and every World Speedway Grand Prix round and the coverage we "blew it" on from the World Cup… Editor Sykes Theory The picture on page 100 of Tom Sykes's Kawasaki blowing sky high (Issue 29, July 23) is very dramatic for sure. If you look at his right wrist, that explains it all. I watched the TV coverage and it was plain to see that when he pulled the ailing bike off the track he gave the throttle two quick blips. He knew then the problem was terminal, but what he did then made me lose all respect for this racer. I'm sure he was extremely frustrated at that moment, but opening the throttle to its stop until the motor disintegrated itself is an inexcusable action. I wonder what his mechanics thought of that - or his employers for that matter. Thad Wolff Thousand Oaks, CA Sykes Theory II Was I the only one who thinks that Tom Sykes grenaded his engine on purpose while coasting off the track in race one of the Moscow World Superbike event? You can see him twisting the throttle on and off perhaps in an attempt to "clear its throat" - but then he held it wide open seconds before the thing exploded in a ball of fire. It's no secret that he has been unhappy with his technical team's latest blunders and most likely that DNF exacerbated the situation. From my point of view, his body language showed disgust as he tossed the burning bike down to the ground. Yes, the thing was on fire but, to me, he was too pissed to worry about that. John Chaves Via the Internet Sykes signed a contract extension with Kawasaki at the Moscow event, which makes us believe he's happy with his crew and the team. We didn't see the race on TV because we were at Laguna Seca, so can't comment on the incident… Editor Letters to the editor can be sent to voices@cyclenews.com. Published letters do not necessarily reflect the position of Cycle News. Letters should not exceed 150 words and are subject to editing. Anonymous letters won't be considered for publication and each letter should contain the writer's name, address and daytime phone number… Editor