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/1545477
JULY 12, 2006 • C Y C L E N E W S 86 Online poll results from last week ISDE Bell Ringer Six-time ISDE gold medalist Chris Smith recently learned that one unique opportunity occasionally leads to another, and a simple ride on a new bike could land you at the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) ringing the opening bell. Smith's journey started with a demo ride on the Christini All- Wheel Drive bike early this spring. Afterward, he was so impressed that he asked if it would be possible to ride the bike in a local enduro. After the assembly of the first three production machines, he got his wish, riding one of the AWD bikes in the ECEA's High Mountain Enduro on June 25. But, at the same time, Matt Trattner of Tradewise, director of Christini's latest funding effort, asked if Smith would be interested in ringing the opening bell one morning. Trattner arranged the day with NYMEX's Madeline Boyd, senior vice presi- dent of external affairs; and Smith, along with a group of Christini investors and employees, was treated to breakfast in the executive dining room and a tour of the exchange floor on Tuesday, June 27. "I spent most of my life riding in the world's toughest events, but I don't think that prepared me for this!" Smith said to the crowd of traders and brokers on the Exchange floor after being introduced by Joe Feudi. "I feel like the kitty cat poking my head into the lion's den!" With that, he rang the bell and started another day of trading at NYMEX. "It was a once in a lifetime experience," Smith said afterward, "Both riding the Christini and ringing the bell. The bike is good, it's a competitive machine. I want to race it in a really fast event and see what it can do. I found out last weekend that it works great in a slow event, in the mud and rocks, but I want to see what happens when you really race the bike." Smith shared the bill on Tues- day morning with Robert Adley, state sena- tor of Louisiana, who rang the bell on the sec- ond floor of the Exchange. Smith also won the A250 class in the enduro. Christini AWD is currently campaigning the first series of AWD bikes in selected events on the East Coast. Paul Clipper Ben (Chris' nephew) kneeling on the left, and Chris Smith standing fifth from the left, next to inventor Steve Christini, along with NYMEX's Madeline Boyd standing on the far left and Christini investors and employees, in the lobby of the Mercantile Exchange. Steve Christini and Chris Smith on the NYMEX floor, with Smith's name in lights. Chris Smith rings the opening bell as Joe Feudi looks on. With his current lead of 42 points, do you think Nicky Hayden can hold on and become the first American MotoGP World Champion since Kenny Roberts Jr. in 2000? How much do you think Loris Capirossi's Sepang-winning Ducati Desmosedici MotoGP bike will go for at this year's Monterey Classic Bike Auction? A. Less than $200,000 B. $200,000 - $300,000 C. $400,000 - $500,000 D. $600,000 or above A. Yes 3076 (81.01 %) B. No 721 (18.99 %)