Impartial observer here, but yours seems the bizarre comment.
If a match is balanced to finish 45-45 or 46-44, wouldn't you find 8+1 more valuable than 7+2, if the 8 point rider gets you over the line where the 7 only gets a draw?
Of course 8+1 is better than 7+2. The bonus points are only for the paypacket. They don't count towards the match score, nor the riders average. in both match score and CMA calculation 8 is better than 7.
So sorry, yours is the bizarre comment.
The pay for the second half races wasn't enough for Doyle and Sayfutdinov to take part. Fair enough. They're subcontractors and have their own rates in mind.