Riders Excluded For Looking Behind During Racing - Instances & Details

[piston197]

Probably the only thing Nicki Pedersen hasn't been excluded for!

I think Niki P has shut the door more times than Larry Grayson and if he is managing to do it without looking back then he must have wing mirrors ?

Still love the bloke though !

[martinmauger]

At Hull in 1980 I recall that Dennis Sigalos (almost certainly) and in 1981 the late Bily Sanders (defiinately) being warned for looking behind too often. Difficult to understand as they were both very good riders so very rarely crashed, were often leading or at least at the front and being heat leaders their job was to make the best out of each heat. Don't recall Mauger looking back that much, apart from team riding, having tremendous spacial awarenes he always somehow knew exactly where the opposition were on the track....

[Shale Searcher]

At Hull in 1980 I recall that Dennis Sigalos (almost certainly) and in 1981 the late Bily Sanders (defiinately) being warned for looking behind too often. Difficult to understand as they were both very good riders so very rarely crashed, were often leading or at least at the front and being heat leaders their job was to make the best out of each heat. Don't recall Mauger looking back that much, apart from team riding, having tremendous spacial awarenes he always somehow knew exactly where the opposition were on the track....

 

That's one of my points! How come people say there was a load more team riding back in the day, how they manage that without looking back to see where their riding partner was?

[steve roberts]

That's one of my points! How come people say there was a load more team riding back in the day, how they manage that without looking back to see where their riding partner was?

The art of team riding didn't always require riders looking behind them for their partner. Hans Nielsen would dictate a race from the inside allowing his partner to sweep around the first two bends, glancing across, but then filling any gaps on the inside allowing his partner to ride the outside line. It was down to understanding and didn't require checking out what the other was doing. Watching Nielsen and Wigg team riding, for example, was always a joy to behold as each instinctively knew where the other was. The Moran brothers relied on self belief as they had complete trust in each others ability. Trouble is the art of team riding nowadays doesn't involve riders riding side by side (the upright engines prove difficult, apparently, to allow such close proximity) but often riders of the same team following each other on the racing line!

Edited March 4, 2016 by steve roberts

[Tsunami]

The art of team riding didn't always require riders looking behind them for their partner. Hans Nielsen would dictate a race from the inside allowing his partner to sweep around the first two bends, glancing across, but then filling any gaps on the inside allowing his partner to ride the outside line. It was down to understanding and didn't require checking out what the other was doing. Watching Nielsen and Wigg team riding, for example, was always a joy to behold as each instinctively knew where the other was. The Moran brothers relied on self belief as they had complete trust in each others ability. Trouble is the art of team riding nowadays doesn't involve riders riding side by side (the upright engines proved difficult to allow such close proximity) but often riders of the same team following each other on the racing line!

The classic team riding is, as Nielsen used to do, for the better rider to control it from the inside at the back, and allow the lesser rider to ride his chosen line out front. The back rider can cover the inside, and drift out when required to block the line of the following rider. It worries me at times when I see the second place rider charging under his own teammate to get him to get a move on.

[Shale Searcher]

The art of team riding didn't always require riders looking behind them for their partner. Hans Nielsen would dictate a race from the inside allowing his partner to sweep around the first two bends, glancing across, but then filling any gaps on the inside allowing his partner to ride the outside line. It was down to understanding and didn't require checking out what the other was doing. Watching Nielsen and Wigg team riding, for example, was always a joy to behold as each instinctively knew where the other was. The Moran brothers relied on self belief as they had complete trust in each others ability. Trouble is the art of team riding nowadays doesn't involve riders riding side by side (the upright engines prove difficult, apparently, to allow such close proximity) but often riders of the same team following each other on the racing line!

Steve, I take it you mean Laydowns prove difficult...?

[steve roberts]

Steve, I take it you mean Laydowns prove difficult...?

It's only what I've read from different sources ('Backtrack' magazine) Even Kelly Moran found it so much different to handle compared to what he had been used to when he once gave it a trial.

[To The Point]

I remember Pepe Franc looking back even when he was in 4th position

[martinmauger]

Mentioned this to a mate who reckoned Joe Owen also had his wrist slapped for such transgressions. But surely it reasonable for a rider to glance round to check what is happening during a race provided he doesn't endanger either himself or the opposition. Personally it annoys me when in a team event, unless it's say a Fast Track Rider v a GP rider, a rider makes an 'off like a scalded cat'-type start and promptly disappears into the distance without any curiosity as to what is ocurring behind him....

Edited March 5, 2016 by Martin Mauger

[Shale Searcher]

Perhaps it ought to be reintroduced to individual meetings or team events where there is only a single rider representing himself, his team or his country, this would counter tactical riding to gain other riders/teams an advantage..... World Cup springs to mind....!!!