Video: Brother of AMA Pro Motocross rider Mike Alessi suspended for shining laser pointer at competitors

17 ryan villopoto.JPG

A green laser pointer was allegedly aimed at Ryan Villopoto prior to the start of his race last Saturday.

(The Associated Press)

On the day news of Dustin Pedroia's $100 million extension with the Boston Red Sox made the rounds, another "laser show" earned headlines.

Jeff Alessi, brother of AMA Pro Motocross rider Mike Alessi, was suspended indefinitely Tuesday for allegedly shining a laser pointer in the eyes of competitors at last weekend's Washougal (Wash.) National.

Ryan Villopoto and Malcolm Stewart both claim to have been targeted by a green laser pointer just before the first moto in the 450 Class, and the Joe Gibbs Racing team also said the green light was pointed into its hauler.

In the first 19 seconds of this video taken on a camera mounted on Villopoto's helmet, you can see a light flash in front before the starting gate drops.

When confronted by an MX Sports official, Jeff Alessi, a retired pro rider, initially offered more denials than Lance Armstrong, before eventually being caught red (or in this case green) handed with the laser pointer. Alessi even tried to blame his girlfriend, who was across the track from him at the time.

Making this crime even dumber was the fact that Jeff Alessi was wearing the shirt of his brother's team - Team MotoConcepts - and was wearing the AMA credential of their father, Tony.

A heated argument after the incident was captured on video. (Warning: contains foul language)

ChronicMX.com offers this reason as for why even this event shouldn't be surprising:

So true!! And in the immortal words of comedian Ron White: "You can't fix stupid!"

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