Pedrosa's Crime against Hayden

I just had to talk about,
and also see what is being said about, the most
outrageous moment I have ever seen in motorcycle racing
history. I see that there are many angles and diverse
comments about pedrosa's crash of Hayden. It is
always amazing to me to see how people can see the
same incident and have completely opposing views and
everything in-between. It reminds me of politics and
how people see their side as the right one despite
evidence to the contrary. In this case, I can’t
hardly believe that there are people thinking that
this was “just a racing incident.” Perhaps they’ve
never been on the track or only follow racing
superficially to say such an ignorant statement.
Others seem content in saying, “well Hayden should
have been racing better” or “He has been losing points
due to poor performances.” Perhaps these people are
not aware of the points formulas of winning a
Championship, but its basically an accumulation of
points. So for Hayden to be leading the championship
is a straight mathematical result of consistently
excellent performance, rather than a lack of effort
as some are implying. Those commenting
on the response to Hayden’s reaction saying he
should stop “whining” have certainly not worked for a
lifelong dream only to have it crushed, at the threshold
no less, of almost realizing that dream. What would have
been your passionate or lack there of reaction in
similar circumstances? There is certainly a lot of
blame to go around, but the most outrageously ludicrous
of the comments I have read so far, are the ones that
amazingly lay some of the blame on Hayden. That would
seem to me an equivalent of blaming a victim of
robbery that it was their fault for being robbed. By
saying, well they should have been more careful, or it
is their fault for having things that thieves covet.
It is outrageous to an infinite degree. I think
volumes could be written as to why Pedrosa was to
blame for his foolish sabotage upon the outcome of the
MotoGP championship. In the long list of offended
persons, the first victim is Hayden. All of the blame
should be placed on pedrosa. He was not racing
prudently, he was not being a team player, and his
flagrant absurdity resulted in him endangering the
life of Hayden. This is not a racing incident!!! This
is criminal. The only appropriate response by the
MotoGP authority would be to suspend him immediately
pending a thorough investigation. The Repsol Honda
team should fire him immediately for conduct
unbecoming of a teammate and lack of professionalism.
And other MotoGP teams should not consider hiring him
for the above mentioned reasons. Pedrosa should be
sued by those race fans in attendance that paid good
money and were deprived of witnessing a straight up
racing battle between the championship points leader
and the reigning champion. All the racing fans around
the world were also cheated, by pedrosa’s now infamous
madness, of seeing what should have been a historic
racing battle. To see it any other way is simply
irrational and dishonest regardless of who you support
in the championship.

You say "Was he wreckless and irresponsible? ""No. "" I’m amazed. If anything, this is perhaps the best characterization of how pedrosa rode his bike on Sunday. Did you pay attention to what Roberts said in his post race interview? He said (paraphrasing), he wanted to give Rossi ample space when racing for the lead so as not to endanger the championship outcome. This is from a guy who is not even on the same team as Rossi, and is a compatriot of Hayden. Yet he had the presence of mind at 150 miles per hour plus to realize the magnitude and importance of the race and the professionalism he should approach while competing and battling for the lead. Pedrosa should have had even more care on the track than Roberts for his teammate. Which logically leads me to believe that he was “wreckless and irresponsible?" Did you not listen to the commentators calling the race? Even they were stunned by pedrosa's lack of prudence and professionalism on the track in regards to his teammate. They commented on Edwards' and Rossi's "harmony" but had no such kind words for pedrosa's on track professionalism.

As far as not firing him on the grounds of his transgressions because he has been successful on the track (3 time champ); well, that seems to be the exact rationalization that allows pro athletes to operate with immunity despite their wrecklessness and irresponsibility. What a great response you will have when your kids look to you for integrity. "Well, it’s ok to be irresponsible son, as long as your team wins." Punishments is not only there to deter but also a statement of principle.

As a three time champ, it is even more baffling that pedrosa would try to put his bike in a space where there was none. A crystal ball is not needed to predict the outcome of such a foolish move. I think it is a fair assessment to infer something about his character. In this case, it was reckless and irresponsible. I had previously enjoyed watching pedrosa race because I saw that he is aggressive. Lots of talent is wasted on some of these awesome riders that don't have that aggressive edge, however, aggressiveness when not combined with prudence turns into childish wisdom with tragic consequences.

Perhaps he did not intend to sabotage the championship. However the effect is the same. Severe negligence is many times equivalent to purposeful intension. When a minor gets in car and drives recklessly and causes tragic damage in an accident, perhaps one can make the case that the minor did not "intend" to do it, but his irresponsible actions should be seen as such. I would think you might see it this way if you were the one injured. Would you say this is a "driving incident" or would you be more inclined to say it was an incident caused by irresponsible reckless negligence? Think about this seriously for a moment. It bears repeating, would you say this was a "driving incident"?

Perhaps there is no legal standing to sue somebody for this, and I don't think this would be the appropriate response in this particular case. But to quote one of the responses, it sure "pisses" me off that someone can drive negligently and have those unaffected arrogantly chalk it up to, "thats racing". That makes as much sense as calling the above example as "well that minor's driving." Is that what you would call it if you were the one rearended by a teenage driver haulling ... into you?

Well that is what pedrosa did. He is a professionally trained racer and a champion at that, therefore, it further leads me to believe that he was: reckless, irresponsible, and negligent.

I have no doubt that Hayden will bounce back. He has been tested before and has always answered the call.

No offense to anybody. I appreciate your response. Some of the best people I've met in my life and friends are motorcycle riders. That you are passionate about bikes already makes you kindred spirit. I enjoy reading what you have to say, even if you're wrong. (joking)