The world of motorcycle racing has an intriguing anomaly, and it's not just about the bikes or the tracks. Meet Andrew Lee, a rider with an impressive record, yet his achievements are somewhat overshadowed by a peculiar rule.
The Enigma of the Superbike Cup
In the realm of MotoAmerica, a championship that prides itself on its fast and demanding motorcycles, the Superbike Cup stands out as an enigma. Despite its name, this championship doesn't award a physical cup, and more surprisingly, it doesn't even recognize race wins as wins.
Imagine racing 20 times a season, competing against the best, and yet, your victories don't count. That's the reality for riders like Andrew Lee and his predecessors, Nolan Lamkin, Ashton Yates, and JD Beach.
A Unique Conundrum
The Superbike Cup, an outlier in the MotoAmerica series, has its own set of rules. While it awards trophies and a grand prize, it doesn't acknowledge the first-place finisher as the 'winner.' This has led to some confusion, even within MotoAmerica's own communications, where the term 'winner' has been used interchangeably.
What makes this particularly fascinating is the conscious decision by the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) and FIM North America (FIMNA) to not count these wins. It's a rule that sets the Superbike Cup apart, and one that has riders questioning its fairness.
The Impact on Riders
For riders like JD Beach, recognizing these first-place finishes as wins could drastically change their ranking. Beach, currently ranked seventh among active riders, would jump to third with his Superbike Cup wins counted. Similarly, Andrew Lee's nine first-place finishes this season would boost his career wins, potentially putting him in the top 10.
From my perspective, it's a matter of recognition and respect for these riders' achievements.
A Step Towards Recognition
The Superbike Cup deserves its due. While an actual cup might not be necessary, acknowledging these riders' wins is long overdue. It's a step towards fairness and a chance to celebrate these riders' skills and dedication.
In my opinion, it's time to let the Superbike Cup riders have their moment, and let their cups overflow with the recognition they've earned.
