How to get into motorcycle racing?

Is bumping others off track to get to podium position legal in motorcycle racing like motogp and superbike?

• I don't normally watch motorcycle racing but stumbled on a rather exciting superbike race in Donington while channel surfing. In the end of that race, in fact, the last turn of that race, Jonathan Rea bumped the 1st position BMW making the BMW slide which also hit the other BMW afterwards making both BMWs off the track and race. Since it's the last turn of the whole race, of course Jon Rea took first place, Max Biaggi second, Sykes third. But I was wondering if this kind of tactic is legal or illegal, in motorcycle racing or perhaps motor racing in general? Will those that have been knocked off the course in like the last turn complain about things like this? What are the regulations that govern these types of tactics? Cause if instead we move to track and field, speed skating, ski/snowboard cross, etc, a little bump or touch will give the judges a big excuse to disqualify the athlete. How come this is different in racing and instead this is considered a tactic in racing?

• Answer:

  Contact is allowed, but only up to certain point and that is what makes bikes racing exciting because it is so close. Really dangerous moves however are penalised. The BMW ridden by Melandri that was taken down by his team mate Leon Haslam was actually to blame for the whole thing, he came from so far back and let off his brakes trying to pass Leon that he pushed him wide. Johnny saw a gap and like any racer went for it, unfortunately just as Leon had started to recover & close his line. I have to admit I thought Johnny was to blame at first and was off my sofa shouting at the tv as I really wanted Leon to win, but I soon realised watching the replay that I was wrong and am definitely glad it was Johnny who got to the line first and not Biaggi!