Apparently, the metal grid behind the start gates, which was first introduced at the SMX Cup and will be used throughout the 2017 FIM World Motocross Championship, was an idea fostered by the teams, reports Alex Hodgkinson.
Both regaining world champions, Tim Gajser and Jeffrey Herlings, were rolled out to back the grid as “interesting”. But it appears that the innovation for ’17 has not been universally welcomed, with many riders reporting privately that the grip levels are significantly reduced when the tyres are dirty after a warm up lap.
The FIM confirmed that no ‘gardening’ or ‘cleaning’ will be permitted by riders or teams and that the FIM will jet wash the grid between starts.
