by Steve Cox
Team South Africa: Out of MXoN
Tuesday, August 24, 2010 | 6:02 PM
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PrintIt has been up in the air for a little while now, but now it's official: There will be no Team South Africa at this year's MXoN.
What doesn't make sense about this is that South Africa always fields a team, including last year in Italy, which meant they had to fly guys to Italy to race (such as AMA racer and former world champ Tyla Rattray). But this year, the race is in the USA and Pro Circuit is going anyway (to support Pourcel and Wilson, at least), so Rattray is easy. But what about the others, you ask? Well, the other 450cc guy would have been Gareth Swanepoel, who is filling in on the Star Yamaha team here for the last few Nationals. So he's already here, too.
But what about the MX2 guy, you ask? (Rattray is too old, according to FIM rules, to race MX2, so he would ride MX1 or MX3.) Well, that spot would've likely been filled by Kerim Fitzgerald, who is currently racing in Canada. So, in essence, he's already here, too! He's just across the border.
Yet money is the stated reason why the team won't be fielded in the USA for the MXoN this year, and it's a big loss to the Nations event to not have longtime motocross-friendly country South Africa represented, despite how apparently convenient it would be to do so.
Although Swanepoel and Fitzgerald weren't reached for comment, Tyla Rattray is very upset at his inability to race on what would've likely been a podium-contending team for his home country of South Africa.
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Silly season claims a whole Country! Ridiculous...
If their respective teams will supply the bikes, I'd get there somehow if I were them.
How expensive is it to sign up the team? You'd think that they could collectively swing it. This sucks.
Another victim of the world economy... ... ...
Maybe this is just like that buddy we all have who talks about going riding but then Sunday morning rolls around and everyone has to talk him into it. Come on South Africa, the bikes are all loaded, Tyla, Gareth, and Kerim are ready to go. Don't blow this off man we have been planning it all year! Come on, if you are worried about gas money we will all chip in just come ride man. We put your bike in first so if you don't go we will have to unload and reload the whole trailer! We can go to hooters on the way home...
The reason South Africa have sent teams in the past is because the riders pay their own way. Rattray paid for everything himself last year including shipping his bikes to Italy, air tickets, hotels etc. The South African federation never contribute towards the MXON, the riders usually don't even get a pit shirt. It bad cause other smaller countries and federations still make the effort and get a team to the MXON.
Yea Tyla did pay for the stuff last yr. That was nice of him. The problem is Italy might also be sitting out and not because of funds but bcoz of politics and BS. Really all this countries have the funds they just dont see the importance. As for Italy the issue is they want the Italians to wear the Ugly blue Jerseys they've had forever. This is a motocross team not Soccer.Italian sponsors dont want them wearing those blue jerseys. Now Reedy isnt a 100% for MXON either. This thing is gonna be USA or France. Aussie was looking good too but Reedy out I dont know. Its btw USA Dungey, Short and Canrd VS pourcel,Musquin and whoever that guys name is. Even tho its home soil we are not safe bcoz Pourcel might smoke Dungey and Musquin, Oh well y'all already seen the kid. Besides Roczen is in it too
My Bad! Andre Dearden was the reserve rider for South Africa and Colin Dugmore paid his way to Austria to represent South Africa!
Too mad and P.O. to be able to write anything contributing other than expressing my deep disappointment..... U know guys Ive never understood what role federations actually play in these events. If its clear the riders are paying their way, what role do the federations play other than giving their stamp of approval? Who cares what people think of their approval if (in the case of the smaller countries) logistics and the very very small quantity of fast riders means the right decision is made for them or is staring at them in the face? It doesnt take a genious to say who are the obvious choices for countries like Italy, France, Belgium, South Africa...etc...heck even the USA was an easy choice (except for those JS groupies). The only country Im scratchin my head over is the UK. Now there is a tough decision...one which is not obvious at all. OK just realised i was not mad enough to not comment. I guess that highlights why for me (a saffa livin in Europe) why the des nations has and always will be a GPs V Nationals affair. Its the most anticipated event of the year. It doesnt always produce the racing we hope for, but when it does.....man nothing stand close to it. Tortelli v RC, RC v Everts....will forever stay grafted on my hard disk!!
There is a transworld video that was posted today that shows rattray showing his 450 for the Des Nations. Ans what aboutLangston, wheres he at?
MXN is loosing his status ; 1 Italie isn't going to let Cairoli and Philipaerts race and they are both possible class winners ! 2 South africa, overall podium candidate isn't comming 3 Holland(the nederlands) aren't coming because afther the 15 year old superstar Herlings didn't wanna go out their to race a B finale because the team can't be strong enough (now Herlings is out anyway so now they sure won't come) 4 Reed isn't going to make it whit his epston bar virus And there is the whole story about ''the brittain who's canadian who's riding in the US'' Dean Wilson.