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/1545838
Now We're Biased Why is every article about Bubba Stewart overhyped? Is he fast? Yes. Is he African- American? Yes. Can he win a title? No. He has proven to be reckless and out of control. The media should paint a true pic- ture of the disappointing career of Stewart. Travis Pastrana was in the same boat when he came to the motocross class. I would also like to hear about other com- petitors, such as Davi Millsap's fantastic sea- son in the motocross class. If Bubba can make it to next season without a career-ending injury, he can pos- sibly get the title that he has crashed and bundled away the last two years. Ricky Carmichael is not likely to make many mis- takes (he hasn't throughout his career) by season's end, so Stewart is no longer a fac- tor for the title this season. Winning motos is great but by saying he salvaged 11th place it makes it sound like he finished the moto, which is not true. He crashed out (mechanical or not). This type of biased reporting was what led me to not renew my subscription. Murray Kapko via the Internet Xaus On His Side Nice photo of the various champion's mini Ducati models in the interview with Claudio Domencali and Paolo Ciabatti (Issue 23, June 14) - very authentic with Ruben Xaus' number-11 bike rubber side up. Very subtle - I love it! Great article. Great issue. Keep 'em coming. WM Zanin Woodbridge, CT Herrin Congrats Congratulations to Josh Herrin for his first podium finish in the AMA Supersport race at Miller Motorsports Park. Many had been waiting for Josh's 16th birthday (May 23) with great anticipation, and he has not dis- appointed anyone. Not far behind Josh was Michael Beck finishing fifth - a great finish in his first full AMA season. Props also go out to Chuck Graves for stepping up to help these prom- ising young racers. Rod Girard via the Internet Archives And McCormack Thanks for your (June 14, Issue 23) story on Jack McCormack and his experience with Triumph and Honda. I worked with Jack at American Honda Motor Co. in those happy days on West Pico Boulevard. He was great and he could still sell "Nifty, Thrifty Honda Fifties" even if he had to move the decimal point to the right one place. Honda recently announced that its pro- duction of Cubs had reached 50 million and that Cubs are still made in 13 plants worldwide. Bob Davis Vancouver, WA Wann's Final Word Excuse me Jethro, I mean Brian Cookley. I have always supported American riders as I did when I watched Kenny Roberts win Laguna or Bruce Penhall win his World Championship at the L.A. Coliseum. I originally said they should put John Hopkins on the number-69 Honda. Hmmm - isn't he American? My cable seems to be working fine as I watched Kenny Roberts Jr. finish fifth and Nicky Hayden seventh in the British GP. Maybe you should learn to read a little better out there in "Bishop-tucky!" Don Wann Whittier, CA Helping Bailey To all the motocross fans and riders who have watched David Bailey over the years, I just read the article in Cycle News about David's serious medical condition and he needs our help! I don't know David, but have watched him over the years both as a champion rider, commentator and most recently competitor in the Ironman race held in Hawaii. Based on what I've seen and heard, you can tell David is a winner and champion both inside and out. I'm going to donate money to the Full Circle Foundation (www.fullcirclefoundation.com) and pray for him to return to good health. In my opinion, what makes our sport so special is the young men and women who com- pete. The difference is that the true champions are winners both on and off the racetrack. David's focus and inspira- tion deserves our attention. Just a few bucks from all the fans could make a difference in this young man's life. George Stephenson II via the Internet Not Happy With Speed To start off with, this is the first time I have ever written any kind of a letter to any pub- lication. I just got finished watching the MotoGP race from Germany, and felt myself being a little pissed. Not only are there too many commercials during MotoGP to begin with, but somehow Miss Dolly Parton popped up right in the middle of an interview - and this was only seconds after a set of commercials. But here's the two toppers: Speed felt it necessary to cut away to make money on the last lap of a very close race; and if that wasn't enough they only had time to inter- view Valentino Rossi, so no words from Marco Melandri or Nicky Hayden - with their next stop being Laguna Seca. I work hard for my money like most peo- ple do, and I felt ripped off by Speed. Can some other channel step up, like OLN, ESPN, or better yet, one of the big four in America, so I can quit paying Speed for giv- ing me crappy service? I know this probably won't happen, but if Speed gets enough hate mail regarding this issue, perhaps out of the kindness of their hearts they could cut just two or three commercials and save me, and possibly others, from a heart attack. I will be at Laguna, and my wife will be taping the race for me, so the coverage shouldn't bother me too much. Mike Flynn Redwood City, CA More Attentive I agree with Mr. Zieminski (Voices, Issue #27, July 12) that car drivers should be more attentive. I have a solution as well: Make drivers properly accountable for their actions and impose significant criminal and civil penalties for those who cause colli- sions. There is no such thing as an accident on the road and in most places in the world "I didn't see him" results in jail time. At the same time you need to make sure that motorcyclists are also accountable. That means, both in my book and under the laws of most states, that they wear helmets. Going down on a bike is not an "if" ques- tion, it is a "when" question. As we know only too well from the substantial number of deaths on bikes here in Florida resulting from unhelmeted riders and I know from unfortunate personal experience, there is indeed a substantial a safety factor wearing a proper helmet. Let's make everyone properly account- able and let's take responsibility for our own actions as part of that process. Brooks Miller Coral Gables, FL C Y C L E N E W S • JULY 26, 2006 5 "In my opinion, what makes our sport so special is the young men and women who compete. The difference is that the true champions are winners both on and off the racetrack" V o l u m e X L I I I Sharon Clayton – President Robert NorVelle – Publisher EDITORIAL Paul Carruthers – Editor Kit Palmer – Off-Road Editor Steve Atlas, Jean Turner – Associate Editors Henny Ray Abrams – Contributing Editor Shan Moore – Contributing Editor Alan Cathcart – European Editor David R. 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