Kit Palmer | April 20, 2022
Cycle News Observation Check
COLUMN
Just Talkin’
Take-Outs
It’s impossible to talk about the 2022 Monster Energy Supercross Series without mentioning all the aggressive riding, which has, it seems, gone beyond just being what many would deem aggressive. We’ve seen several riders resort to take-outs just to make a pass, or to keep from getting passed, which begs the question: when does aggressive riding become reckless riding or even dangerous riding? Is it simply touching in any form, or only when one of the two riders—usually the touch-ee—hits the dirt? Some people are getting to the point of not letting them touch at all, at least not on purpose, and I might be one of them. Hear me out.
Take-outs take out good racing.
I know, I know, you hear it all the time that “rubbin’ is racing.” Okay, fine, but T-boning someone just to make a pass isn’t rubbin’, that’s just irresponsible racing, especially when you’re not encased in metal and steel roll bars.
Obviously, the number-one problem with takes-outs is the injuries these tactics often leave in their wake. Motorcycle racing is risky business, there are no roll cages, and requires your full attention and concentration, so racing is hard enough without your fellow competitor trying to take you out in every turn, as well. But my main grievance with all these take-outs is they ruin what the rubbin’-racing crowd is all about—good racing! How many times have you seen the prospects of an exciting one-on-one duel form up on the track only to be cut short by an “aggressive” (okay, stupid) move just when things were about to get good and would most likely keep us very entertained for several laps rather than just a couple of turns? It was refreshing to see some good racing last weekend in Atlanta where smart heads prevailed, and some excellent racing and passing were the result.
I don’t know what the answer is, but I wouldn’t mind seeing a little more consequence for those who cross the line between aggressive and dirty riding, anything that will deter such actions and extend what could be great battles on the track.
Westbound?
So, what’s this I hear about Jeffrey Herlings coming to America? At least for one season? That’s the latest big news coming out of Europe. It’s a possibility that the current MXGP World Champion, Herlings, might compete in the 2022 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship. It’s only a rumor at this point but it does make some sense. Herlings is on the mend from a foot injury and has no chance of keeping the MXGP number-one plate this year, so why not go for the Pro Motocross Championship here? After all, Marvin Musquin is currently in a Supercross-only contract with KTM and his teammate Cooper Webb is struggling a bit right now while Aaron Plessinger is still recovering from injury, so KTM might like the idea of Herlings coming over and giving it a try. If anything, it would be a great attention-getter for the series and KTM.
Coming to America?
However, Herlings is far from healed and might not have much time (if any) on the bike before the AMA series gets underway next month. Plus, Herlings will have to learn new tracks and go up against America’s best racers, most notably Eli Tomac and fellow European GP racer and defending 450MX Champion Dylan Ferrandis, so it would not be a walk in the park for the rider many believe is fastest motocrosser ever. So, it’s all still talk for now.
Herlings wouldn’t be alone, however. His former KTM teammate Antonio Cairoli is reportedly contemplating leaving Europe for the AMA Nationals, as well, but only a few of them, not the entire series. Most likely the first two rounds. Cairoli officially retired last year but said back then he wanted to race again in the U.S. Evidently, Cairoli’s number-222 has been reserved for him, just in case.
Hitting The Street
From dirt to pavement, two new street bikes were announced last week. Harley-Davidson revealed its new Nightster and Royal Enfield its all-new Classic 350. Luckily, you won’t have to wait long for our first ride reviews of them. We have a date with Harley later this month, and we already swung a leg over the Classic 350 last week in Georgia. We also met up with Kawasaki last week in Hollywood to ride the all-new Z650RS “modern classic,” and our Road Test Editor Rennie Scaysbrook is aboard Suzuki’s new GSX-S1000GT as we speak.
Royal Enfield just announced the all-new Classic 350 and we have already ridden it.
Speaking of Scaysbrook, we are only six weeks away from him finally living his dream of racing the Isle of Man TT. This was an opportunity that first arose for our resident Aussie in 2020, only to be scrapped by Covid. He was stymied again in 2021, much to his disappointment (and ours, as we had to hear all about it for a second time). But finally, the world is returning to normal, and all systems are go. We can’t wait to see what Scaysbrook can do on the fast and terrifying course, even if we’ll be watching through our fingers.
Whew! Lots going on. So keep an eye out for these reviews and Rennie’s great adventure in the upcoming issues of Cycle News. CN
