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/237705
VOL. 51 ISSUE 1 JANUARY 7, 2014 keeps well-hidden. Puig's looming presence in the Honda pit has never spread much good cheer, especially among factory staff; but the atmosphere last year dropped close to absolute zero with the arrival of Marquez and his own personal Svengali, former 125cc World Champion Emilio Alzamora. Clearly HRC chief Shuhei Nakajima knows which rider is more important for Honda's immediate future. Problem solved: Puig must go. He has been given a big job by Honda as a talent scout. In South-East Asia. About as far away as possible. Freed from this yoke, what will Pedrosa do? Blossom like a snowdrop is my hope. And if he casts off the conservatism in his riding, there'll be more fireworks. The meltdown? That started already. Valentino Rossi's comeback to Yamaha proved a damp squib, with the final fizzle his dismissal of crew chief Jeremy Burgess at the last race. Rossi has said he'll run five races and then decide on his future. Of course everyone hopes that he will win all five. Come on then, altogether now, let's test the power of positive thinking. Only one other rider troubled the rostrum more than once last year, but Cal Crutchlow has given away his chance of more of the same in 2014 with his move to Ducati. Not that the red bikes are doomed for all eternity, and there's every chance new boss Gigi Dall'Igna's former racing success will transform their fortunes. But it won't be in a hurry, and certainly not until the latter part of 2014 at the very best. The test for the Briton will be to his sense of humor. He's been the paddock funny man for the past couple of years, but then he usually had something to laugh about then. Back to Marquez, and the real prospect. More of the same. Which sounds a bit depressing, until you remember just how exciting he was in 2013. More of the same of that would fill the bill nicely. CN P91 LOOKING BACK 40 Years Ago January 15, 1974 The Cycle World International trials competition played out at Saddleback Park and was featured on the cover to mark our first issue of 1974. Alan Lampkin emerged victorious… We reported the passing of road racer Cal Rayborn. Rayborn was killed racing in New Zealand after he struck a barrier at high speed… We tested the new Yamaha TY250 trial bike and said it will do for the sport of trials what the Yamaha DT-1 did for off-road riding. 30 Years Ago January 18, 1984 We featured the Kawasaki GPz900R Ninja smokin' the tarmac on the cover 30 years ago to accompany our test of the hot new street ride… We reported the retirement of three-time 500cc World Road Racing Champion Kenny Roberts, who made the announcement at a recent Yamaha press conference… Goat Breker, Jeff Ward and Rick Johnson got the CMC Golden State MX Series started off with wins at Saddleback… Dan Smith won the World Championship Hare & Hound in Nevada. 20 Years Ago January 12, 1994 The Kawasaki ZX-9R Ninja was featured on the cover 20 years ago, as did the Harley-Davidson VR-1000 while in action… We started off the new year with an interview of the Hayden brothers… We traveled east to visit the street bike scene in Tokyo… We also tested the lastest DR350 from Suzuki… John Dowd and Ezra Lusk topped the opening round of the Florida Winter AMA MX Series at Gatorback. 10 Years Ago January 14, 2004 Chad Reed took center stage and a big piece of the cover 10 years ago after winning the opening round of the Supercross Series at Anaheim. Ivan Tedesco won the 125cc West main event… Darcy Lange topped the Arenacross round at the Metrocentre Arena in Rockford, Illinois… David Pearson and Brian Brown teamed up to win the Las Vegas 200. Subscribe to nearly 50 years of Cycle News Archive issues: www.CycleNews.com/Archives