With the drama surrounding the Star Yamaha team refusing to send their riders to the MXoN unless teams pay $25,000 per bike, which according to the Pulp MX review show, they had not charged for team USA riders until this year, but it could become the new modis operandi.
Haiden Deegan was also rumoured to want money to go and, with the Lawrence brothers taking a break this year, no Ken Roczen or Simon Längenfelder there is less star power than 2026 despite Ernee being one of the most atmospheric venues for the event, so how can it change?
The answer to most things is money so why not offer team prize money for the overall results to give federations extra money to fund the teams and pay individual moto prize money.
Giving a rider like Deegan money to show up would be a slippery slope, why should Jeffrey Herlings not get paid then too as a living legend of the sport expected to go battle Deegan, if anything, Herlings should command a higher fee for his status and accomplishments in the sport to attend Ernee. Where would it end? Jett Lawrence would then be asking for money too and the domino effect of expense would become astronomical.
Prize money to the team result and the individual riders is more of a meritocracy and if Deegan or anyone else gets the win they will take home the extra money anyway.
Either way Infront Moto Racing may have a big decision to make on how to ensure the status of the MXoN as the biggest race of the year going forward. The truth is, seeing the stars of the AMA go against the MXGP stars is a vital for the global interest of the event as which country wins. That match-up has to be preserved and those stars going head to head is what sells tickets.
Deegan versus Herlings, Gajser, De Wolf, Febvre, Coenen and a reunion with Vialle is a huge storyline that fans can no longer look forward too at Ernee because money has blocked the racing the fans really want to watch. The fans are being robbed of memorable moments and so are the riders even Kay de Wolf tried his best to get Deegan to France!
A viable solution has to be found and quickly.
