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/448799
CN III VOICES L E T T E R S T O T H E E D I T O R "If you take someone out "on purpose"…you should be black flagged on the spot!" Black Flag Blues The FIM decisions need to be consistent. In the A1 250 main race [Tyler] Bowers took a guy out in a corner, and the FIM official just spoke to him as he pulled off the track after he finished the race. Bowers ad- mitted the move was pay back for something earlier in the day, but no fines, no loss of points and no black flag. Mark Matysek Via the Internet "A little elbow" can result in a career ending injury when the guy goes off the track into the Tuff Blocks. Had that happened, or if they allow this behavior to happen, when does it stop? Send a clear message this type of behavior is not toler- ated. Why [Mike] Alessi wasn't black flagged [for his encounter with Broc Tickle last year] is a huge mystery to me. Roger Sewell Via the Internet If you jump from the outside to the inside, then Canard had nowhere to go! Reed's black flag for what he did was well deserved! John Rude Via the Internet John Gallagher reacted too quickly throwing the black flag. I like Trey and Chad, and Trey made a racing mistake, and Chad used poor judgment in his retaliation, it happens! Adrenalin is raging between two racers fighting for podium positions in a Supercross main, and things will happen, but to black flag Reed was not neces- sary. The FIM, once again, has used poor judgment governing AMA Supercross. Jerry Sequeira Via the Internet If you take someone out "on purpose"—on purpose being the key—you should be black flagged on the spot! That's not racing period! Black flag him so it doesn't happen again. Ernie Roach Via the Internet Welcome to racing, bangin' bars and racing on a dirt tracks. It's Canard's job to know his line and how to han- dle his bike. Many riders get seriously injured because of negligence like that. Granted, it's unsportsmanlike on Reed's part, but a black flag is way over board. Robert Hankins Via the Internet Absolutely good call. Yes, Trey was overzealous trying to get around Chad, but it wasn't inten- tional like Reed's actions were. Jimmy Dillow Via the Internet Reed is a veteran, accidents do happen, but taking someone out on purpose 'cause you're crying to yourself should be black flagged, fined, suspend- ed and put on notice that if he does it again he is out for good. Patrick Mac Mount Laurel, New Jersey I don't justify retaliation, but Chad gave Trey a nudge of disapproval for the mistake in judgment that caused the crash. No way did Chad knock Trey down, the Tuff Block did— should not have been black flagged. If anyone deserved to be black flagged, it was Alessi last year for his stupid move on Tickle! AMA, you must be consistent. Don Wallace Via the Internet He [Chad Reed] keeps mention- ing cooler heads, but did he wait to cool off before he knocked Canard into a Tuff Block? Brad Bickers Via the Internet 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