Yeah, I know....everyone's sick of this subject. But I've been reading through other posts on this subject (here and on other boards) and there is something else about this incident that is starting to bug me.
I'll call it "MX-TERMINOLOGY". It seems as though everyone who thinks the collision is RC's fault also seems to think that RC gave Travis a "brake-check". And here's my problem - it wasn't a brake-check in the "traditional" meaning of the word. RC attempted a "b-pass" - two very different things.
My theory is that people who refer to it as a brake check are new(er) to this sport. The real brake-check is given when the rider in front goes into a turn with another rider right on his tail, in the same line. Rider number one then applies the brakes, causing rider number two to either run into the back of rider one - or, rider number two applies his brakes hard enough to stall and/or bobble momentarily. In other words, rider number one is causing rider number two to "check his brakes".
Jimmy Weinert was the king (and disputed inventor) of the "brake-check".
What RC attempted (if it was intentional at all) was the classic "b-pass". Rider number one (in this case - Pastrana) has a slight advantage over rider number two (RC) going into said corner. Rider number two (again, RC) takes a line that will apex just ahead of rider number one's intended direction of travel. If rider number two executes the maneuver succesfully, he will end up in rider number one's line and "block" rider numeber one and "pass" him. Sometimes this can result in a colission between the two riders.
It's pretty clear that this is what RC attempted to do. However, RC's momentum came to a momentary halt and Travis tried to (unsuccessfully) wheelie his bike into RC to knock the Red Rider to the ground. Travis ended up on the short end of that deal, and RC looked like the Marquis de Sade.
As for RC looking back at Travis, I don't think it was intended as a "take that", look-back. I think it was a "what the heck just happened", look back.
So, whether or not you agree with my interpretation of the RC v. Pastrana incident or not, I hope everyone reading this (especially you newbies to the sport! - and I mean that in a good way. "Welcome one and all") has a better understanding about "brake-checks" and "b-passes". This reminds me of a afew years ago when Art Eckman started saying that "so-and-so rider was the second place hole-shooter!!". In case there's still any confusion, only one person gets the "holeshot". It's the first guy into, through, and out of the first turn. If you were second through last into and out of the first turn, you did not get the holeshot. You can pass "Go", but you do not collect the holshot award.
Got it?
I'll call it "MX-TERMINOLOGY". It seems as though everyone who thinks the collision is RC's fault also seems to think that RC gave Travis a "brake-check". And here's my problem - it wasn't a brake-check in the "traditional" meaning of the word. RC attempted a "b-pass" - two very different things.
My theory is that people who refer to it as a brake check are new(er) to this sport. The real brake-check is given when the rider in front goes into a turn with another rider right on his tail, in the same line. Rider number one then applies the brakes, causing rider number two to either run into the back of rider one - or, rider number two applies his brakes hard enough to stall and/or bobble momentarily. In other words, rider number one is causing rider number two to "check his brakes".
Jimmy Weinert was the king (and disputed inventor) of the "brake-check".
What RC attempted (if it was intentional at all) was the classic "b-pass". Rider number one (in this case - Pastrana) has a slight advantage over rider number two (RC) going into said corner. Rider number two (again, RC) takes a line that will apex just ahead of rider number one's intended direction of travel. If rider number two executes the maneuver succesfully, he will end up in rider number one's line and "block" rider numeber one and "pass" him. Sometimes this can result in a colission between the two riders.
It's pretty clear that this is what RC attempted to do. However, RC's momentum came to a momentary halt and Travis tried to (unsuccessfully) wheelie his bike into RC to knock the Red Rider to the ground. Travis ended up on the short end of that deal, and RC looked like the Marquis de Sade.
As for RC looking back at Travis, I don't think it was intended as a "take that", look-back. I think it was a "what the heck just happened", look back.
So, whether or not you agree with my interpretation of the RC v. Pastrana incident or not, I hope everyone reading this (especially you newbies to the sport! - and I mean that in a good way. "Welcome one and all") has a better understanding about "brake-checks" and "b-passes". This reminds me of a afew years ago when Art Eckman started saying that "so-and-so rider was the second place hole-shooter!!". In case there's still any confusion, only one person gets the "holeshot". It's the first guy into, through, and out of the first turn. If you were second through last into and out of the first turn, you did not get the holeshot. You can pass "Go", but you do not collect the holshot award.
Got it?