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However, by going farther afield Youthstream can find gullible countries and governments who will stump up much larger fees to hold the race, on the promise of kudos, tourism and any number of other questionable benefits to the country. Historically these races have limited lives before the government realise it’s all smoke and mirrors. Eg Qatar.
Nonetheless, Luongo is skilled at selling his concept to new countries and that’s why we’re seeing races in countries like Indonesia and China. It’s at these money-spinning races where Youthstream make their big bucks compared to in Europe.
Now, Luongo gives a pittance in travel and freight subsidy to the top few teams (X kg free freight). However to get that subsidy you have to book through Luongo’s ‘appointed’ (ie basically his own) travel company so whatever subsidy he’s providing is more than covered by the inflated prices for the rest of the teams’ compulsory purchases through that company. GL can’t lose.
Smaller teams can’t afford to travel to these far-off locations so that’s why rider numbers are reduced. At the early-season fly-always numbers are higher because it’s a new season and some teams will stump up the cash in the hope that their riders will make a good start to the season. At later races many teams think it’s just not worth it.
Injuries made a dent in Indonesia this year for sure but that’s not the primary reason for low entries. Ask yourself how many riders would show up at an AMA national in Puerto Rico if there was no travel contribution...
Numbers were boosted in Indonesia by the addition of some locals who were lapped several times. They even scored world championship points when they didn’t even finish the race. That’s just wrong.
Luongo doesn’t care. He has a contract that allows him to do what he wants. He got that because the bent FIM back in the day were all in on the scam. Present FIM can do nothing.
It’s all fucked up.
"It's all fucked up"
You're a wordsmith, Rob. No truer words put here, well, with the exception of all the rest you wrote.
I dream of a World where GL (and, Davide L), lose, and lose Big(ley).
And, an (MX) World, where it's not all fucked up.
But, I'm, We're, getting ever older, and times running out on those hopes and dreams.
There are two ways this status quo could change but both are unlikely to happen in this century:
1.) FIM gets displeased with YS.
2.) There will be brand new federation for motorcycle sport that will completely replace FIM and new promoter for new MX World Championship.
Well, we can only dream.
But i see something interesting on the horizon for MXGP class. It is the dusk of payriders...Thanks to Rinaldi closing doors it seems that there will be two less payriders in the paddock. Probably one under the red and one under the green tent.
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