RUST magazine: RUST#32

ENDURO
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line-up of top name riders for next year. But
there are very few other positive news stories.
The squeezing of the paddock will see a
financial strain on organisers as big sponsors
previously linked to factory teams are likely
withdraw their support and we will see riders
jump ship to rallies or back to motocross; the
previously-packed Junior class will shrink too
as the youngsters struggle to find backers and
can see only limited prospects for the future.
The saddest part of all is that for the vast
majority of people in the paddock this sport
is not just a job, it’s a passion and a way of
life. Nobody here is making big money, gone
are the days of the ‘million euro contracts’;
teams, mechanics, riders, media, families
and fans have come back year after year
because this sport is in their blood and they
simply can’t imagine life without it. For the
riders, who put their heart and soul into
training, who sacrifice so much to be on the
start line every weekend, who dream of being
world champion, for them to be told ‘there’s
no place for you here anymore’ is the greatest
tragedy of this whole saga.
We at RUST stated that 2017 would be the
make or break year, but we’re now being
urged to believe that 2018’s superb calendar
of events and class restructure could bring
the series back from the brink. We’re going
to have to hope it’s an outstanding season,
because this sport simply cannot be allowed
to die.
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