The official MXGP magazine is a neutral, middling and emblematic publication for the FIM Motocross World Championship but it does have one unbeatable asset. Youthstream President Giuseppe Luongo pens a monthly column and the charismatic Italian just loves to sprinkle crumbs of breaking news into his exposition. Through the pages of the latest edition of the mag published last week Luongo confirmed some recent rumours that MXGP will revert to a metal mesh as a starting gate platform, recently trialled in the inaugural SMX meeting at the Veltins Arena. On the subject of which: Youthstream also publicly issued a strong rallying cry for the event that did not attract the anticipated spectators numbers and the promoters were analysing the fixture while not being forthcoming on details for future incarnations. Will the inaugural SMX have any bearing on whether Supercross can spread internationally? It is hard not to imagine that the management at Feld were casting some critical eye over proceedings in Germany.
Back to the start gate though. Watching the amount of time and craft that riders put into their slot can be quite revealing. Some seem to use the ten minute pre-race period (or longer; some MXGP competitors actually venture down during the second MX2 moto and already to move dirt or sand around) as a way to focus and get into a zone. Kicking the ground and preparing a line and rut for the best launch become almost a scientific exercise of clearing, packing, definition and optimisation. It is a wholly individual process and its clear that select riders really do not like to be bothered by media or other obligations while getting on with their ‘gardening’. Gate prep can mirror a rider’s approach to their profession; those that are diligent to the point of obsessive (carrying extra soil or sand in with their hands) and others that have a quick pad and just get on with it. Like chalking a cue, bouncing a tennis ball or practice-swinging a club, preparation might be a pre-game ritual or habit that a large portion of Grand Prix riders have had for most of their careers…and now they won’t need it. OTOR’s ever-reliable go-to MXGP star for insight, Shaun Simpson, provided some scope.
“I think it definitely gives you a mental edge…even over other riders when you look left and right and see your gate is packed better than theirs,” the new Wilvo Yamaha representative says. “I always felt my gate was one of the better prepared. I wanted something nice and straight, no rocks or anything that would give wheelspin. Even a nice ramp coming over the gate. When you rolled into it you’d feel that you were ready, and more so than the next rider. Nine times out of ten it would not equate to an amazing start but it gave that little jolt of confidence.”
When it comes to that most crucial of moments in a Grand Prix – and at some circuits a poor start can mean certain podium position loss – then the metal mesh should provide parity. There are unknown ramifications for tyre wear, traction, wet conditions, revised electronics and perhaps even different settings depending on the terrain underneath and on the other side of the gate. It means that teams will have a whole new dimension to their testing work during the coming months. On a superficial level the alteration to the makeup of a Grand Prix means that the phase before a race start will also change.
“I think you will see riders turning up a lot later now, maybe just a few minutes before the sighting lap,” Simpson adds. “Generally the start will be fairer. I think you will have more time to mentally focus. Good starts will come down to testing during the week and some different things in the engine for maximum traction on this mesh. You might be feathering the clutch. There will be a lot of different things going on and it is an exciting new ‘something’; a nice fair way to get on the same playing field.”
A small cultural shift then for MXGP athletes but I’ve yet to hear of somebody verbally ‘turning their nose up’ at the new gate. Yet another reason to keenly anticipate Qatar on February 25th.
Photo by Ray Archer
