Cycle News

VOL. 53 ISSUE 35 SEPTEMBER 7, 2016 P127 ferred to in his statement are the U.S. GP of the Americas, (held last Saturday in Charlotte, NC) and next weekend's U.S. GP at Glen Helen. I would be remiss if I did not mention that Tomac raced the MXoN both times he got a call in previous years. For years, riders have com- plained about the long American racing season, which begins with Supercross the first week in January and continues through the last outdoor motocross in August, with very few weekends off. It is indeed a brutal schedule and Tomac is not the first rider to use it as an excuse to beg off the MXoN, but he is the first rider to choose to compete in two relatively (to him) meaning- less races instead. The fact that Monster Energy sponsors both U.S. GPs, and, of course, the Monster Energy Cup, which fol- lows the MXoN in mid-October, clearly indicates that the Factory Kawasaki team is contractually required to compete in these events. I totally get that and the race on Saturday was outstand- ing, by all account (more on that in a minute). I will admit that I have not seen Eli's, or any other rider's contract, so maybe this issue is addressed in them, but I do not understand why no one foresaw the possibility that Tomac may be picked for the team and in- serted a clause relieving his U.S. GP obligations in that event. For years, I have heard riders complain about not being paid for the event and team manag- ers whining that no provision was made in the budget to cover the expense of sending a rider and support personnel. How are these potential issues not addressed in rider contracts and company budgets? Maybe they are, or perhaps I am missing something here (besides gray matter)? Watching Tomac wax the very same riders he would be facing in the MXoN during both motos on Saturday makes his not rac- ing the MXoN even more glar- ing. Team USA has not won an MXoN since 2011 and I think his moto wins could have gone to better use in Maggioro, Italy, in a couple of weeks. Now that I'm done whining, let's talk about that U.S. GP in Charlotte! What a race! I tried like hell to get there, but logisti- cal and weather complications left me watching the race at home, on my computer. There were many notable things, but the most amazing was the condi- tion of the racetrack, after two days of tropical storm deluge. Marc Peters and his crew did a fantastic job and the track held up well. It was definitely a fast track, which made Cooper Webb's second moto charge from 19th to first even more amazing. Webb's effort in his last race in the 250 class was one of the finest displays of talent I have ever seen. Almost equally impressive was the riding of Jeffrey Herlings, the two-time MX2 World Champion from Holland. With a huge points lead coming into the event, Herlings could have phoned it in, but he gave it 100% both motos and gave Webb props for his vic- tory. Austin Forkner is a super- star-in-training, with a riding style that reminds me of a young Ron Lechien. Adam Cianciarulo's crash in turn two of the first moto put a damper on the weekend. Reports from the track were that he dislocated his shoulder and photos after the crash showed Adam draped over a k-rail, with a doctor pulling on his arm to pop it back in place. However, in a 3:19 a.m. tweet, Cianciarulo stated he was "all good guys, just a bit bruised up." Here's hoping that is the case, he does not need another setback. Tim Gasjer came to the U.S. to put the finishing touch on his outstanding run to the 2016 MXGP World Championship and he did just that, clinching the title with a fourth in the first moto. He was faster in the second moto, taking second, but I'll admit I was a little disappointed that he didn't give Tomac more of a challenge. I hope that he will step it up next week at the U.S. GP at Glen Helen. With no planes to catch and no hurricanes to muck up the mix, I hope to see you there! CN

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