Tuesday, 31 August 2010 09:59 by Ernesto Emmi

Many people were asking why a lot of riders were having problems with their knee sliders, or pucks, at Indy. And here is the answer: after the hurricane which flooded the track two years ago, forcing the use of the jet driers to clear some of the water, track officials decided to install a drainage system to prevent water accumulation. 

Luckily we saw no rain at this years grand prix, but an unforeseen drawback to the system emerged:  the drains were "stealing" knee sliders.  That is, because the drain covers were apparently constructed out of some form of plastic, they would flex as a rider passed over them with their knee down, creating a small ridge that would then rip off their knee pucks.  Exactly as we saw with Nicky Hayden.  The riders brought the issue to the attention of track officials as early as Friday, but no action was taken before the race.  It remains to be seen if the situation will be rectified for next year.