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/369733
CN III VOICES L E T T E R S T O T H E E D I T O R "There should be mainstream National media coverage of this, in- cluding Sports Illustrated and a spot on The Letterman Show…" MotoGP TV I am in complete agreement with Joe Edone (Voices, Is- sue 33, August 19) about the American version of the Indy MotoGP coverage. Numerous laps were cut out of Moto3 and Moto2 when there was more than enough time in the allotted period to show the entire race. Then some power outage for the premier class? Deplorable. The disrespect continues for this world-class series. The announcers continue to mispronounce the riders names. Hmmm… Nick Harris, Gregory Haines and Dylan Gray seem to be able to do it. They might make an occasional mistake, but not continuing to mispronounce the names every time they're on air. I tweeted to Bob Varsha and Ralph Sheheen, veteran professionals, saying if they really did watch MotoGP, he'd know how to properly pronounce the names. His reply? "Actually no, you wouldn't necessarily." What? See, we get excuses and not even an apology. If that was my job, I'd make sure I knew. Even if it meant actually talking to the rid- ers, or even taking notes. Why? Because I'm a professional. I've been listening to Varsha since the early '90s, doing the broadcast commentary on ESPN for MotoGP. I still have the tapes I made of those old races. Why Fox Sports can- not just go with the regular world feed with Harris, Haines and Gray baffles me. Even Scott Russell pronounces the names better. Mispronouncing a person's name is disrespect- ful and when it's your job to do that correctly, it's even more disrespectful. I'm very glad that Fox Sports ran the replay of Indy MotoGP right before the Brno race, because we got to hear the team of Harris and company do the entire commentary. Funny, there was no "power outage" during the entire race for that coverage. We are still getting ball- sports-biased coverage and, to top it off, disrespect from American announcers who can't take the extra time and effort to make sure they say the riders names right. Gee, I can do it when I talk about the riders. Because I was taught in broadcast journalism how very important it is to pronounce words and names correctly, even if it means taking some personal notes and practicing saying the names. Because it's a big part of your job and you're not just talking to yourself or friends. John A. Stockman Tumwater, WA Better Wiles Coverage? Shame on Cycle News for the small blurb on the cover regarding Henry Wiles' 10th vic- tory at the Peoria TT round of the Grand National Champion- ship (not even his name?). Henry's accomplishments at Peoria over the last decade are equal to any of the greatest feats or records in any sport. There should be mainstream National media coverage of this, including Sports Illustrated and a spot on The Letterman Show for this personable and articulate ambassador of flat track! Can Cycle News help with this in any way? Bob Mundy Via the Internet I've got a good marketing/ PR plan: Let's write a letter and scoff at the only National motorcycle publication that even covered the Peoria TT and Wiles' 10 th straight vic- tory. Yeah, that should work… Editor An FZ-05? A guy who I ride with heard that the new Yamaha FZ-07 is go- ing to have a little sibling soon to compete with the Honda CB500F. Have you heard the same thing? Will you have to kill me if you tell me? Justin Maines Via the Internet I can't tell you what I don't know, but it wouldn't surprise us… 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 P16