As pointed out in MXGP Mag #67 forward by Giuseppe Loungo ‘”Riders make our sport great”‘- sure ‘”the machine is important but the man is more important than machine”‘ and that is what makes MXGP so special, so unique, and so engaging to watch for fans all over the world.
And no more so at MXGP Opening Round in Argentina, March 3rd with crowds flocking to get glimpse of GP rider’s- a once in year occasion for next 2 years at least- ditto for similar scenarios in the following 18 MXGP venues.
The point is important in more ways than obvious- not only do Riders attract publicity for racing at FIM World MX Championship Rounds, but Riders are the stars of the entire Series.
Without the Riders there would be no racing, no GP’s, no MXGP-TV, no sponsors/Brands/industry products and services to be promoted across myriad of Media platforms.
All of which comes under scrutiny with Youthstream’s aquisition by Infront Sports and Media company as of Jaunary 2019.
Main thrust over course of time will be advancement of Media-Digital-TV productions of Youthstreams MXGP and outside Championship Series to further increase fan-base, commercial enterprise partnerships, global reach along with next level of marketing sponsors at venues- case of point being LED lighting banners at selected sections at track venues?
Break-down nuts and bolts even further- optimization of Riders on-screen time will be priority. For Riders at the heart of racing, for promoters selling Broadcast rights, for Brands/Teams exposure of product, and for fans wanting to know all info available over race weekend.
Media-Film coverage will certainly extend FIM World MX Championship following not just Live Action, but file ‘Rider stories’ footage to drip-feed viewers/readers in gap weekends.
Equally, visual content on who’s-who of racing, a peek at what goes on in between Qualifying and R1 in Team set-up, what Riders think, act on and respond to over course of Friday through to end on Sunday.
In comparison, sport genres differ with ease to gain on-screen time. Athletes playing pro-tennis, golf, soccer, basketball, or boxing are confined within field/play boundaries along with one-on-one or 12-on-12 players enabling athletes to receive sole focus of TV cameras for optimum exposure of sponsor gear-wear products.
FIM World Motocross Championship Riders on-screen time is unpredictable due to nature of racing. Key will be Infront Sports and Media/YS creativity of thought combined with technological acumen to bring the Rider to the people.
All of which brings Giuseppe Loungo’s quote full circle- ‘Riders make our sport great’ which makes the sports future look incredibly bright.
Words: Sharon Cox
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