Ping,
Why does Supercross hate us Canadians so much? I just found out that the Toronto Supercross is off the schedule for 2015? This coupled with the fact that the country’s two largest cable providers stopped carrying Speed TV in the last two months, our only option for watching any SX races, and it sure feels like we’re being cut off here! I say screw these networks and cable companies, broadcast the events online as some type of a pay-per-view subscription. I’d much rather pay FELD or the AMA or whoever, to put my money back in to the sport and riders.
Oh…and why aren’t we getting a SX in T.O. next year? It was an awesome event this year, amazing racing, great conditions (one of the rider’s favorites of the season from what I read)! I understand it’s a long way from home for most riders and teams, but rearrange the schedule a bit, stop ‘zig-zagging’ all over that country of yours, and I’m sure they could figure it out.
Pissed off Canuck - Wes121
Mountie,
Seriously? You really don't know why we are so angry? Nickleback put folks here on edge, though most were willing to look the other way. After all, you offset those ass clowns with Pamela Anderson, Rachael McAdams and Natasha Henstridge. But then your country went ahead and produced the biggest idiot this continent has ever known, Justin Bieber. "The Beebs" has been bouncing from one felony to another since he was old enough to start hanging out with his real dad and we've had enough. I doubt you guys want to claim him but if you'll keep him north of the border I'll see what the Feld folks can do to revisit the Great White North again in the future.
PING
Hey David,
So…rumors, doping, sauce, no sauce….what do you think about the anti-doping restrictions and testing?? And, do you know for a fact that some of the riders are doing it??? (No names needed, just yes or no will be fine)
Thanks man! Hope to see you in Montana soon…
Jason Steffins
Helena, MT
Jason,
Hey, pal. I know this is probably what a lot of people are thinking. RV decides to sit out the summer and Alessi goes to Canada once they announce there is a drug testing program in place for the Nationals… It's Wada-Gate! Honestly, I think it’s just a coincidence. RV has an issue with his knee and, just as significant, he's not having fun. This isn't new for riders at the top level. Jeremy McGrath [one of RV's critics on this topic] spent his summers hanging out instead of grinding out the Nationals so he didn't burn out. Carmichael did the same thing towards the end. The expectation, pressure, workload and stress are a lot to handle and these guys do what they have to do to cope. I don't know if there are riders using PED's but I know that certain riders used to a decade ago. As for trainers, I know Aldon Baker has been a proponent of having more drug testing in racing so seriously I doubt he's pushing anything on his guys. He has a great program and the titles he's won with his guys has been due to a lot of hard work. Don't read into RV's departure too much. Just hope he comes back in 2015.
PING
Ping,
I like seeing the new technologies in bikes every year and all, but it seems to me like air forks kind of suck. I know companies justify using them by saying they weigh less, but isn't the main reason because they cost less to make? I've heard from a lot of people that the handling is not as good on bikes that have them. I'm sure Honda, Suzuki, and Kawasaki will continue to run them, and try to make them better, but what do you think about them? Do you think they are a good thing? Like a real improvement to the new bikes? I'm just not sure they could ever be as good as Yamaha's speed sensitive forks that have barely changed over the last 8 years, and still win the "best suspension" part of the shootouts every year.
Thanks,
Mason
Mason,
You said it, not me. But I'll say it too. They do suck. A traditional spring fork is more consistent and has a better feel than the best current air fork. The weight is listed as one of the biggest reasons the manufacturers are pushing these things but if they went back to what they had a couple years ago they would probably have better handling bikes. And pro riders are feeling the same way. Certain riders under the Team Honda tent and the RCH tent have both expressed their dislike for the air fork but were told they are not allowed to go back to a traditional fork. This doesn't make sense to me at all. It's not the same reason Honda won't let their 250 teams try a single exhaust system… they just want to promote their engineering design. A single exhaust system will make better power but it shoots holes in their marketing boat when they are trying to sell the duals. But the forks are made by Showa and aren't a part produced by each manufacturer. The whole thing seems weird to me. The only bike that comes stock with traditional spring forks is the Yamaha 250F. I wonder if that's what Christophe Pourcel will be running this summer?
PING
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