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/225297
VOL. 50 ISSUE 49 DECEMBER 10, 2013 P101 NO FOND FAREWELL Good riddance to the stopgap CRT bikes. They served their purpose, forcing the factories to cough up affordable semi-prototypes. There'll be a few lingering next year to perpetuate their many indignities. Their sluggishness created problems in qualifying, as they massed to take a tow, blocking the corners. They were little bother in the races. And of little interest. YOUR TiRES ARE RUBBERY Bridgestone knew before they became the control tire in 2009 they were in for a kicking. That's what tires are for. Especially when they're one-size-fits-all. But grumbles about sluggish development were nothing compared to when the company so badly misunderstood the demands of the resurfaced Phillip Island that their "special hard rubber" only lasted 10 laps. That's 27.64 miles. Surely a new low. DANCING WITH THE STARS Never seen such fancy footwork as Dorna and co displayed in Australia, coping with Bridgestone's (and in Moto2 Dunlop's) candyfloss tires. Midnight international teleconferencing with the all-powerful GP Commission basically rewrote the constitution. This gave the on-track Race Direction team carte blanche to make up new rules as they went along. Which they did, several times over the course of the weekend. QUOTE OF THE YEAR Dorna chief Carmelo Ezpeleta agreed, when questioned, that there were too many Spaniards at the top in racing. "But what can you do," he shrugged? "We can't kill anyone." Second place goes to Stefan Bradl, at a rather awkward press conference when a number of riders were asked their opinions on homophobia and sexism in racing, following the coming out of a noted U.S. athlete. "I am not gay," he said. "But if it makes you faster, maybe I will try it." CN LOOKING BACK 40 Years Ago December 18, 1973 A Triumph Trophy Trail in all its glory was pictured on the cover of Cycle News 40 years ago to accompany our test of the 500cc street/trail bike... We covered the El Trial de Espana that was held in Trabuco Canyon, California, and the winner was Marland Whaley... Giacomo Agostini made front-page news for signing with Yamaha... We covered the Arizona National MiniCycle Championship in Buckeye. 30 Years Ago December 21, 1983 Wheelie King Doug Domokos was challenged by Tilson Shumate in what we dubbed "Wheelie Wars" on the front page 30 years ago. We told the story of the two wheelie masters. Shumate had just set the record for the longest wheelie at 102 miles... We covered the Japan Super Motocross in Kyoto, where Rick Johnson captured his second career Supercross victory over Warren Reid and Broc Glover. 20 Years Ago December 15, 1993 Racing action from the Florida Winter Olympics was featured on the cover 20 years ago, and who was the big winner? Kevin Windham. Ricky Carmichael won all his motos in the 85cc ranks... We covered the annual Barstow-to-Vegas dual sport ride... We printed the first photos of the HarleyDavidson VR1000 Superbike. 10 Years Ago December 10, 2003 KTM's all-new RC8 Superbike filled the front page of Cycle News 10 years ago... We reported that Ricky Carmichael would miss the upcoming 2004 AMA Supercross Series because of a torn ACL in his knee that he suffered while testing with his Honda team... Lance Smail won the WORCS final in Stillwater, Oklahoma, but Ty Davis was crowned champ. Subscribe to nearly 50 years of Cycle News Archive issues: www.CycleNews.com/Archives