Motocross Performance Magazine Canadian Motocross news leader
Well, it’s the final day of July, and as I predicted back at the beginning of this month, it went by fast. It feels like just yesterday that we were waving our flags to celebrate Canada’s birthday on July 1st. Now, we just finished up the 2023 MX Deschambault ECAN and getting ready for the biggest race of the year at Walton Raceway. So far, it’s been an entertaining summer, and the next few weeks should be even more exciting.
Last night my family and I made the long drive home from Deschambault, Quebec. So today, we’re all feeling a little weary. As always, we had a great week at the ECAN, as Daniel Thibault and his family and crew were gracious hosts. I would even go as far as to say that this year was the best ECAN to date, as the Thibault Family allowed Ryan Gauld and his AMO Racing crew to come in and run the racing side of things. Ryan wisely brought with him his entire AMO Racing crew, including medic Ron Cameron. AMO Racing rules were put in place and followed, and at the end of the day, that is all people want. As a society, most of us don’t mind following rules; we just want them applied equally to everyone and also enforced if and when someone breaks them. To my knowledge at least, there were no big issues this past week, and having AMO Racing there to run the racing side of the event made what has always been an incredible event even better.
Last week also represented the first time that I raced the ECAN and also the first time that I’ve ridden the MX Deschambault track since 1993. That’s thirty years if you’re counting, and trust me, last week, I spent a lot of time wondering where the past three decades have gone. Anyway, with my son still on the mend from his WCAN crash, the onus to represent the Pomeroy Family on the track was once again bestowed upon moi. I was hoping that Mom was going to step up this time, but she said that if she raced then I would have to carry the family load on the social side of things. Since it’s usually a good idea to play to your strengths, I signed up and raced the 50+ class. Since it’s been two years since I’ve lined up behind a starting gate, I was also using the ECAN as preparation for the upcoming Walton TransCan. Ultimately, I’m glad I did race last week because I was incredibly rusty when it came to my race craft. Even though I’ve been riding a bunch and training pretty consistently for six weeks, the moment the gate dropped for my opening moto on Thursday, my heart rate was maxed out before I even hit the first turn. From there, it didn’t get any better, and if there were some rookie racing mistakes to make on the challenging Deschambault track, I made them. Including going from first to third on the final lap of moto one, stalling the bike in moto two, and then casing the second biggest jump on the track so hard in the final moto, that it most likely shook the massive spectator tower. However, despite all of my issues, it was a fun week, and since my main goal was shaking off the rust, I would say it was a success.
The racing in all of the classes last week at the ECAN was top-notch, riders came from as far away as BC to compete. There were entertaining battles in every moto, from the 50cc classes to the Intermediate classes. Some of the top performances that I witnessed were from Hart Quinlin (50cc 4-8), Jeremy Bellefroid (65cc 10-11), Dexter Seitz (85cc-12-16), Bobby Gravel (250 and Open Junior), and Blake Davies (Open Intermediate). Of course, this is just a sample of the riders that were impressive last week at the ECAN, and now I cannot wait to see them all battle next week at the Walton TransCan. Before I move onto the Pro Racing yesterday I want to send my best healing vibes out to the riders who were injured this past week at the ECAN. Thankfully, there weren’t many, but for those who were, hopefully you all get well soon. One of these unfortunate riders was young WMX rider Tea Ferguson who was injured in the second Ladies 17+ moto on Friday when she got out of shape on the pro finish line jump and went off the track, and hit the nearby fence. Tea suffered a displaced fracture to her pelvis and is currently in a Quebec City Hospital recovering from a successful surgery. Tea is also the youngest of the four Ferguson sisters who drove out to Quebec from Manitoba to race the ECAN. Tea will recover, but it’s obviously going to be a long road ahead for the talented rider. I helped her wash her bike on Thursday, and in return, she washed my boots for me, so I just wanted to let her know that the motocross community is thinking of her and her family, and we’re all here to help, in any way we can.
Once the amateur riders completed their racing on Saturday, it was time for the pro riders to hit the track and Round 7 of the 2023 Triple Crown Series. It was a great day of racing yesterday as the temperature remained low, and the skies were on and off overcast all day. This kept the track in perfect racing condition, and the action on the track exemplified that. In the 250 class, Ryder McNabb came out swinging in the opening moto and took the win over Mitchell Harrison and Josiah Natzke. All three riders were close for most of the race, and it was some of the best racing we’ve seen all summer long. At one point, it was a four-rider battle for the lead as hometown hero Kaven Benoit was right in the fight. It was a great moto, and even though Benoit slid out and finished well back in fourth, the fans were thrilled. In the second 250 moto, Natzke pulled the holeshot and led right up to the 20-minute mark before Harrison made a pass for the moto win and the overall win at Round 7. Points leader McNabb, got passed by his teammate Benoit early in moto two and then rode safely to finish fourth. McNabb will take a 30-point lead into the final round at Walton Raceway. In the 450 class, Dylan Wright once again took the overall win with a perfect 1-1 moto score. Jess Pettis led both motos from the start, but eventually, Wright made his pass and then slowly pulled away. Dylan will take a big 45-point lead into the final round, so I don’t think he’ll be stressing too much here in the next week. Pettis wasn’t too far off Dylan’s speed yesterday but was just losing a half-second here and there. They all add up obviously, and by the end of each 450 moto Dylan had a comfortable lead. The final round should be really good as both riders have had success at Walton Raceway, and both perform great in the deep ruts. Pettis will need a miracle, but it isn’t over until it’s over.
Well, that is it for me this week. I’m sorry to cut this short, but I can barely see my keyboard after driving until 2 am last night. When I write this column next week, we will be on the eve of the 2023 Walton TransCan and the year’s biggest race. I can’t wait, and I’m sure everyone is equally excited. I hope everyone has a great week, and thank you for reading.
