Ask Ping!
Friday, January 4, 2013 | 9:20 AM
ODI dates back to the 1980’s as the leader in grip manufacturing. Focusing primarily on the bmx and mountain bike industries through the 90’s and early 2000’s, ODI re-entered the motocross scene when they developed the patented lock-on grip system that eliminates wire and glue. Continuing to advance the way riders hold on to their bikes, ODI has worked closely with the teams they support such as Troy Lee Designs to create the product that is now being used by some of the top teams in the industry.
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PrintDear Ping,
After the Frenchie and the Brit last week, here goes one from a Spaniard. During the Nationals I have been wondering why Suzuki didn´t allow any kind of support to Mike Alessi, he was fighting with Dungey and beating a lot of guys on factory bikes with a RMZ with even the stock triple clamps as far as I could see in some pictures. Taking a stock-based bike to this position should be a superb promotion for Suzuki so I thought that for this season some support should arrive.
But just reading your (very interesting) interview to Mike Genova, I am shocked to know that. I like Suzuki’s, I have 4 in my garage, my son races them and I still ride at 53 so like and old guy involved in international business I can´t understand the brand behavior.
Do you know the reason? If so, can you please tell us? Because I´m sure that a lot of people is wondering about the same…
Best regards
Gabriel
If you can find a Suzuki logo on Mike’s 2012 bike I’ll buy you a hot tub.
This may come as a shock to you but the American Suzuki Motor Corporation isn’t raking in the cash because of the motocross riders they support. Dirt bike sales aren’t exactly keeping the lights on for them. They’ve already been through some pretty significant cuts and restructuring lately and money is tight. The MotoConcepts team made a bold statement last year by calling their bikes MCR models and not showing Suzuki any support. Sometimes you have to pay it forward to build a relationship with manufacturers and it likely rubbed Suzuki the wrong way. Or maybe that didn’t bother them and they really just don’t have any extra budget to help … Or maybe both. Either way, Mr. Genova would be wise to apply some tact to his negotiations with the manufacturers. Otherwise he’s going to be using hot tub money to pay for bikes for a long time.
PING
Dear Ping,
I am 24 years old and have been riding motorcycles since I was a little girl. When I first started riding it seemed that there were hardly ever any other women riding. Over the years MX has increasingly become more popular with women and we keep getting faster and faster. For the last 2 outdoor seasons I have been excited that people were paying attention to and stoked about the women's series, especially with an intense championship fight between Fiolek and Patterson. Then suddenly this year the series has essentially been destroyed by dropping it down to 3 races, not even on main event day. They say it comes down to money, but really how much more does it cost them to add 2 extra motos when they've already rented the track for the day? Do they need more sponsor support to seriously consider a full on women's series? Should women like JP or Fiolek start trying to qualify in the 250 class?
Sincerely,
Honda Girl
I will miss this smiling face at the races. Will she be at any of them?
Look, don’t blame the promoter or the track owners on this decision. Trying to wedge the women into Saturday’s schedule is difficult mostly because of the live television schedule. The bigger problem is that there are only a few girls who could potentially win on any given weekend and that didn’t change, or look like it was going to change, since the series started. That isn’t interesting to watch. If the fans REALLY wanted to see the girls they would still be part of the show.
I would suggest that the fastest gals line up and try to qualify for the National but to my knowledge there has never been a women’s qualifying time that was fast enough to put them in the top forty of the 250 class, which would qualify them for the motos. That’s something to think about. Don’t be dramatic and say that the women’s series has been “destroyed.” Instead, be thankful that there are still three rounds and potential for the series to grow again when the economy gets better. Good luck.
PING
Dear Ping,
I’m really jacked about the opener this weekend. The bikes, the Monster girls and the racing are the best. What are you looking forward to the most this Saturday night?
The Mule
Can’t wait for Saturday… Whoooooo!
I just finished watching press day at the stadium and I couldn’t be more excited for Saturday. The press conference itself was a real snooze-fest. Haha … No, seriously, I literally curled up into a little ball in the corner of the room and took a nap. It was fantastic. But once I got my forty winks and woke up the bikes were on the track. We all knew that RV, Stewart, Dungey and Reed would be fast. And they were. But I’m telling you that Barcia and Canard are both capable of winning on Saturday as well. Throw in some of the other past race winners like Hill [who looked great and has been turning faster lap times than Tickle in the pre-season, according to RC], Milsaps [who has lost 73 pounds!] and Josh Grant and you have a very interesting race. That’s before you even factor in guys like Windham [his opening ceremony transfers are worth the price of admission], Weimer [this guy loves potatoes], Justin Brayton [the flyin’ Iowan] and Mike Alessi on his hot tub time machine. Kudos to the MCR guys, by the way, because those bikes look, like, a million times better than last year. What am I looking forward to? I’m a simple man, Mule. I just want to say hello to some old friends, find a nice seat somewhere in the stadium, see some close racing and eat my body weight in concession stand nachos and pretzels with cheese dip. See you Saturday!
PING
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Yes I got it. @Ping HOT TUBE TIME MACHINE HAAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHaa. Made my day, Cant wait until tomorrows race. I have already cut off all contact with the outside world on Saturday. In my room with a big bowl of Buffalo Chicken Dip a 12pack and Steak and Cheese .
I agree with HondaGirl. They should add a few rounds at some of the pro-am races around the country. And, Ping, there's only a few men riders really a threat to win at any given round. Last year there was really only one. Regarding the Alessi's...they've burnt too many bridges.
I wish I had a hot tub time machine right now. I would jump forward to tomorrow night, order some wings and sit in the hot tub watching all the drama. Never really bought into the whole "this is gonna be the greatest series ever" stuff, but this year I think the racing will be unreal.
i would like to see a 125 two stroke class, one moto at the nationals. i think we could bring in a good compeditive show. young kids fighting it out. low cost fot the riders family. much better idea because the women could ride the class if they are fast.
The problem with exclusionary classes such as the WMX is that everybody knows that the reason there is a women's class is because women can't compete with the top men. I'm not being sexist, that is a fact. If you look at Fiolek and Patterson's fastest lap times compared to the 250 Class they'd qualify in about 65th place out of roughly 80 riders. The reason people don't take WMX as seriously as the 450 and 250 Classes is that it isn't on the same talent level.
I think it adds something knowing that those are girls out there. I never thought there would be so many girls that love to race and are that fast. But if they did try to race against the men it would take away from it. io love when I run in a road race and some girl who finishes way beind me gets first place prize money and I get nothing. I never understood why they need a handicap in running.
@Ping--sorry buddy but I have to disagree with your assesment on the Women also.. You said there was only a chance of a few riders who could win for the women, that was true on the mens side for sure.. The Womens races were sometimes better than the men as far as who could win.. The mens were a snoozer last season. And the ONLY reason my wife agreed to continue to go to Red Bud the last few years was because of the WMX was there.. So there is a ticket the Women sold right there.. If they dont have time for the WMX on live TV then run them first, before you start filming.. Or go back to the old Sunday racing and Saturday qualifiers, and quit worrying about the big money TV packages.. But to me we just lost out on more racing, the womens races were pretty good to me.. And the Women riders were easily more approachable for photos and things than the men too..Alot of the men still have that superstar mentality about them..
@smee113-comparing the women to the men is dumb.. Do the women compete against men in other sports?? Basketball, baseball, football, no.. So why in motocross, which is even more physical?? That is silly to even compare.. Its still motocross to me, even if the riders dont have a johnson.
In regards to Honda Girl's letter to Ping, Ping replies in part - The bigger problem is that there are only a few girls who could potentially win on any given weekend and that didn’t change, or look like it was going to change, since the series started. That isn’t interesting to watch.
David you just described the 2012 450 nationals. Just substitute girls for boys. Oh wait add the 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 450 nationals for good measure. By this reasoning the only show running would be 250 nationals - depending on how many could "potentially" win on any given weekend.
@please dont hate--Really?? You dont realize that women arent as strong as men?? Wow--were have you been, have you ever watched the Olympics?? Do women beat the men, or compete against them??? Just because you run at the same time as the women, you arent racing against them,its timed as two seperate races they are racing against other women, just like EVERY OTHER RACE IN THE WORLD.. Good lord where do they come from..
Last response was what I remember Ask Ping being about. Funny with a little bit of knowledge thrown in. More please. Have to say the 2nd seemed like, maybe harboring some ill will towards WMX?
I hate to make predictions...Got this feeling Barcia is going to win A1. I think the pace from the summer will help him charge right from the start, while the others may do the typical A1 drill. You know the "race to not lose" plan. These guys are lucky that they don't have to deal with Tomac, too. I expect the vets will prevail in the long run.
I bet Jessica Patterson can beat up half the guys on this site.
Misoheye I agree! But a little bird landed on my shoulder this morning and its song sounded like Canard Canard!!
Misoheye - I like my women properly thick and Jess would get a proper whoopin from me if you know what I mean...
I too believe it will be Barcia who wins tomorrow.....the otehrs will be looking for a podium and getting out of there in tact.....well except for Bubba? Who knows what his strategy will be?
TWO things, BD200 I TOTALLY agree whoever cut the womens racing should be cut. Let them grow and develop they brought more money from fans and friends to every race and their racing was getting more competitive and more girls were getting to the top speed- big stupid mistake !!
The Allessi's have burned bridges for as long as they have been racing and should be thankful that they have the team they have - If I was susuki that LAST people I would want to help is them. They chose to NOT promote Suzuki last year and are whining about lack of support ???? Who do they think they are ?? The ONLY reason MA was in second last year was all other top riders were out but RD. MA wont hit top 5 this year if all stay healthy. Why don't they start running clear Suzuki bikes and issue some opoligies for being typicle Allessi ####holes !! and then see if the company will offer support.
Nope. If I was "Mr. Genova" I would be running Yamaha stickers on their Suzuki's. Let them get credit for the holeshots. This is business, he knows it- I am sure nobody is advertising his hot tubs for free. Even if Suzuki is hurting for money, throwing the team a few scraps would have gotten them a bike in 2nd last year. They also dissed on decoster and look what that got them.
If one of the above statements is true and the top women would qualify around 65th out of 80 guys, the last 15 guys need to give up on the motocross dream and begin there careers at McDonalds and Walmart.
@BD200 - Really?? right back at you! In long distance running you think being strong matters?? Have you ever seen the guys who win marathons?! Ignorance is bliss!
@Please don't hate us...depends on how you define "strong"
@dinosaurmedia - True. BD200 was just a little harsh and anyone that is that sure of themselves is surely a fool.
@pleasedonthate---sure it matters, compare the womens times to the mens, and you dont think it matters??.. I'm not talking muscle bound genius .. Men are stronger, just look at the times and see who holds every world running record, MEN.If you dont understand what I am saying, then you are right, ignorance really is bliss..
Women don't ride in the mens TDF tour de france ,mountain bike,marathon equals lol, women have never WON the iron man in hawaii lol, women have never won the 100 mile leadville mtn bike race in colorado lol...WOMEN will never be equal to men case closed...
Ping couldn't you have been a little nicer to Honda Girl? But to your point, there is a reason there is no WNSCAR.....
Also, the only people Suzuki owes an apology would be RD & RD-then they should beg them back! Not aligning with the Alessi's is only smart thing Suzuki had done in 3 years...
I used to dislike Barcia a lot but, thanks to those around him, he is becoming very mature and wise it seems to go with his great talent. So I'm becoming a fan. I do get the feeling though that he is starting to believe the hype too much after the much overrated(as far as judging your SX champion) MEC...
Sorry, there is a reason there is no WNASCAR!
Ok, let's talk about that press conference. It BALLeeew! IMHO Emig and "Tail Whip" Shaheen did a pretty good job, but the riders were lame due to lame questions. It reminded me of pretend journalism that 5th graders do with a cardboard TV and a paper towel roll for a mic. It was soooo canned! WTH?! Riders appeared almost amateurish with the exception of Reed who just played along with the joke and JS7 is obviously over it with the press. It was good in a way that a B movie is good.
BD200, that one ticket you talked about could be the only one purchased if it depended on the women to draw fans. If womens motocross were a big draw then TV would certainly cover it. They need to start their own series self funded and see how they can progress like local motocrosses do. This could have developed by the women themselves complaining last yes about not being on TV which created problems for them. When you are being spoon fed in a basket it is better off to let well enough alone.
When I have attended Nationals most fans visit the pits or snack bar when the women race and if they are at the end they go home. Personally I would love to race the Nationals in my own slow class and get TV time but that is not how the industry works, it is supply and demand. Like Ping says they need to work their way up from the 3 race series and earn support from the paying public and stop blaming the problem elsewhere. Oh by the way, the women Olympians sell tickets big time for their events so the comparison is not valid here.
I know some of the girls get and had good support, I just wonder how many have been racing since age 3-4 and have been supported like any of the young prospects. Maybe if they were groomed from conception to win like the boys they might do better. Thinking the only reason the girls aren't as good as the guys is because they are not as strong is narrow minded thinking. That type of thinking gets you nowhere in life and with the ladies. I wonder how many of the tough guys here can throw a whip like Tara Geiger?
I'm pretty sure the reason to cut the WMX program back is about the almighty dollar (due to our f'd up economy)... It's unfortunate as they have grown so much in the last ten years. I just hope it doesn't discourage anygirls that have the same passion for MX as many of us boys do....
@claxton--one point I disagree with, if fans are going home when the women are racing, I dont see them as motocross fans.. It was like getting an extra race to me.. And at Red Bud one year, in a battle between Fiolek and Patterson, it was the best race of the whole day.. They changed leads and were within a second of each other for 3/4 of the race.. Those who left missed a good one.. Dont care if its guys or girls, I am a moto fan..
@Misoheye--I agree, to see Ashley Fiolek throw a 220 pound bike around like she does and weigh a 140 pounds if she is lucky is unreal.. She is probably smaller than that.. Got to meet her and Tarah Geiger and Jessica Patterson, and several other ladies at Red Bud.. I will miss them this year for sure..
I think that it is sexist to have different series, there should be only one national series if you can qualify great, if not better luck next time. Same for any sport now that men and women are equal.
The real solution to the WMX problem is that they should be riding 125cc 2-strokes. Seriously, this would put them up on a pedestal and attract a heck of a lot more fans. At this point, no manufacturer is selling more bikes cause they are racing 250cc 4-strokes (and likely no one's buying decision is swayed either). I was at the race this year at Southwick and it was so sad to see a girl struggling to pick up her bike for like 10 minutes in a corner, and I think they would not only be able to handle the 125 better but it would add a lot to see them back on the starting line and give the fans something nice to smell.
Women suck at MX/SX...period. I don't care what anyone says, they f'n suck and boring to watch compared to men. Stop torturing the public and forcing stupid ass women's sports on us. Men and Women are not equal...not even close so get over it.
@pizzacorner--Nobody is forcing you to watch anything, If you like guys fine.. You can stay away from girls if you want..
Stick with reality, PC losers. Ping is right about the chicks. Certain sports will never be able to accommodate women. Motocross/Supercross/ENDUROCROSS, weightlifting, ultimate fighting, wrestling, you get the picture. Women's boxing is weird.
I'm no track star, but I quickly got fed up slowing down and waiting for my "went to college on a track scholarship" girlfriend in the past. Chicks suck at sports. They should stick to cooking, sewing and "being a biotch" contests. That's what they are good at. Did you know that only 44% of women under the age of 30 in developed nations know how to cook? WTF?!
Major fail for humankind.
Mxfoxhead311 hit the nail on the head. Put them on 125's. I would watch every minute of that. Might even be able to get some Austrian company that still makes them to step up with some sponsorship...
I would give a months pay to see @pizzacorn and Ronda Rousey in the cage....for the ten seconds it would take her to pop his arm out and snap it off and hand it to his boyfriend.......and I'd bet another 50 dollars lol that Ashley Fiolek could smoke 98% of the 'racers' on here including yours truly.
@tonewall...I'd pay to see that fight too. I tried a few years ago to follow Ashley at a sand track in Florida...I would owe you $50.
@tonewall : make that 99.5 % and you'd be right. I remember a few times several years back when Fiolek and Patterson's lap times were only a few seconds off of making the mens field. I'd bet there isn't a single regular commentator on here that could come anywhere near qualifying for a national.
@dino : your funny dude, but watch letting out that inside info, lol
bd200 - you made my point for me, thanks!
Misoheye said: "Thinking the only reason the girls aren't as good as the guys is because they are not as strong is narrow minded thinking. That type of thinking gets you nowhere in life and with the ladies".
Exactly! Mental midgets like bd200 think like that. I've been trained my whole adult life to believe women can do anything men can do just as good as men. I have been in combat zones with women that would make a lot of "men" cry from fear.
Ping said Weiner liked taters.Then he said Justin Brayton the flying Iowan.You think Brayton being from Iowa would be the one who lliked taters.Mybe he meant Weiner like Brayton's tater.
To say they're not as talented is bollocks, they're just as talented, they're just not as fast. I don't see how they have the pull to sell enough bikes to pay for their rides. I think that is all these is, a basic logic of economics. Must cost a arm and a leg to travel a country the size of yours, never mind race a motorcycle and not have time to work. I may sound like a femenist, I actually don't like watching the girls ride for their style. Sorry girls. I also got my arse handed to me by girls in the schoolboys but once we all developed they weren't as quick. Such a shame for them, they had it, just their development in the same way and now they're not built for it. Can't imagine how frustrating that is..
This has some unreal comments on here-- OF COURSE the girls aren't as fast as the guys, neither are the kids and they are back in SX !!! neither are the vets etc..
taking the women out will cancel 1000 people that would come to those races, thats ticket sales vender sales and gate fees. Its clear that the girls will have a tough time with doing this in a seperate series. What we had going was perfect and getting better each year. Nobody wants the girls trying to qualify with the guys but I will say this most of those girls would whip pizzacorners #ss.
Lets stop comparing weekend warrior racers to professional women racers. Just think of it this way, would you rather watch a top ten pro guy in a vid whipping the bike around in a video? or a woman with "dirty girl style/old man style" WMX racing is the halftime show..... I'm going to the beer tent.
@please dont hate--Now I am a mental midget because I realize that a 130 pound girl isnt going to be able to handle a 220 pound motorcycle like a 165 pound man can?? You are a complete and total idiot..
Let's face it, the chicks want equal everything with guys. Many chicks compete for guys jobs daily. Please hold the door open for me while I go use my body to get the job over the dude. I say if you chicks want equal everything else, then go get on the line with the guys. Say I'm rude. Let it be known, they have wanted it that way for many yrs, well then let them have it that way. just sayin
Supporting my son in motocross has brought us the opportunity to meet some these up and coming racer girls. Two particular standouts....Cierra Busby, Taylor Higgins. What happens to their dreams now. All that money they paid out to the sport.....now what. This isn't rite. Y'all just lost my wife, sister and my daughters ticket for redbud this year. Does that make sense?
The debate about womens racing brings me to a bigger issue which is it's prime time for independent mediaists to create, promote, and cover grassroots type events inspired by the growth and popularity of offroad / extreme sports and recreation.
Ping is 5 feet 3 inches in height. Did you guys know that?