gsxrboy

@jayacheess: If they are doing that, (making an example or not), or if they give exemptions after the fact to some and not others, this problem exists because the correct process wasn't followed by the whole team. If you're familiar with Quality Assurance procedures in place for say manufacturing an item, if the processes are all followed after an error, it's much much easier to correct and show you've done the right thing. Unfortunately it doesn't seem to have been the case here. The procedures are in place for riders and teams to follow not because they want to get in the way, but it DOES help them when something has gone wrong. It sucks majorly for MM, but he'll never make the mistake again himself of not informing/making sure the lines are followed. If it helps one future rider in the future to avoid this kind of mistake, they owe Martin a beer.

No bottle holder either.

Flat tracks like this negate the extra little bit of courage and technical bike handling skills that some of the riders have above the others. It turns the race into purely a sprint endurance race. This is likely the kind of track we'll see in the Olympics too. It's not the type of track riders want, manufacturers want and not the kind of race viewers want to see. I'd rather see 3 or 5 of the absolute best pitting skills against each other than a group of 45 in a sprint for the line. The way the womens skills and speed have progressed is amazing, and these fire roads wipe all that away. Boo I say.

Men: 1. Sam Hill 2. Martin Maes 3. Richie Rude Women: 1. Cecile Ravanel 2. Isabeau Courdurier 3. Katy Winton