<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ May 7 2008, 07:40 PM)
<{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I want to ask people who have been thinking about the situations discussed in this topic what they think of two other scenarios.
Both of times the offending rider takes the same action, as follows: The rider is following a competitor closesly, looking to make a pass for race position. exiting a corner he gets superior drive to the rider leading him and moves alongside to get a run on them. He commits to a passing move on the inside and brakes, moving alongside the defending rider. He gets his bike significantly alongside so the defending rider is certainly aware of them and what they are attempting, but doesn't get far enough past for the defending rider to slot in behind and concede the corner.
1. In the first case the rider on the outside holds his ground, and eventually needs to move over on the offending rider to turn into the corner they are approaching. The offending rider at this point has a speed and line which will not allow both riders to take the corner and the result is contact. The defending rider is taken down and is furious.
2. In this case the defending rider realizes that the offending rider is commited to the pass and decides that it is safer to take to the run off area available, losing time but able to continue in the race.
In these two scenarios the offending rider takes the same course of action. The judgement and technique he exercises are identical yet the actions of the defending rider are hugely significant to the outcome. The first rider (Leon Haslam last weekend) is disqualified, labelled dangerous and many people feel hostile towards him. The second rider (Nicky Hayden, Assen 06) doesn't get questioned and in some cases is praised for his tough attitude.
Does anybody feel it is reasonable that a rider following the same course of action can be disqualified while another isn't even investigated? I would say that in these situations the outcome is heavily dependant of the other rider(s) involved and their actions, Hence why these things are considered racing incidents.
I see what you are saying Tom and it makes a lot of sense. However, it also says a lot about the irregularities in the handling of these incidents. When does a potentially dangerous move become dangerous? It's a very grey area, but to put every clash between riders down as a racing incident is dangerous for the sport. There has to be point where punting someone off on a corner is unacceptable, Max or Capi anyone?
The Haslam Sykes incident looked to me at the time like Haslam was getting panicky coz Shakey was on a charge behind him, and he admits in MCN today that he wanted to get by Sykes quickly because of Byrne approaching. Red mist? Misjudgement? Racing incident?
The thing that ..... me off is that, like the Checa incident, someone gets to the front, leads for the majority of the race and ends up on their arse, and out of the points, because someone else made the choice to go for a potentially risky pass.
Pete
