MXP: We are now a few weeks past the final round of the 2024 Triple Crown Series at Walton Raceway. Looking back, were there a few riders who really impressed you this summer?
CP: Great question, and one that is going to be challenging to give a short answer to. Obviously, the four riders that were going for the titles at Round 8. They all (Pettis, Natzke, Benoit, Adams) put on one hell of a show at Canada’s most famous Raceway. Other than those riders, I think Wyatt Kerr and Dylan Rempel in the 250 class, and then perhaps Parker Eales in the 450 class. In my opinion, Kerr, who was returning from some very serious injuries in 2023, had a solid summer. It started with some hard work in the off-season down in Florida and then continued right into the Triple Crown Series. I think he can be a consistent podium rider in 2025, so we’ll see how that goes. Dylan Rempel was just steady once he joined the series in Lethbridge. Unfortunately, he suffered some untimely DNFs here and there, but overall, this kid usually gets good starts, and his best laps are late in the race. Finally, Parker Eales is just a good story in Canadian moto. He works hard during the week, and then comes to each round ready to race. I don’t know how he does it, but he does, and 6th overall in the 450 Series is very impressive.
MXP: What impressed you the most about the performances of Kaven Benoit and Jess Pettis this summer?
CP: Well, I’ve been fortunate to have been around multiple Canadian Champions, including Ross Pederson, JSR, Colton Facciotti, and now these two talented riders. While they all have different styles and personalities, I think their attention to detail is the common denominator with them (and all champions). Yes, they work hard on and off the bike, but it’s their ability to complete all the small things that go into building a champion. It was incredible to witness the high level of focus and determination both Benoit and Pettis had all summer long. Ironically, both of their best motos of the summer (I think) came in Moto 1 at Deschambault. Benoit was able to hold off Adams for 30 minutes in front of his hometown fans to take the much-needed win. Pettis went down early and then was able to charge back from 4th to take the win. Those two wins gave both riders the cushion they needed heading into the final round. Finally, I would also like to throw Eve Brodeur into this category. Eve had to battle through a lot of mental adversity this season, yet she remained as successful and professional as ever. She is such a positive role model to all riders in Canada, and it will be sad not to see her at the starting gate in 2025.
MXP: It’s mid-August, and the Triple Crown Series is already over. Are the riders and teams going to miss the indoor portion of the series this year?
CP: I think some of the riders will miss it as it gave them a chance to keep racing and make some more money. Also, a few of our riders enjoy SX/AX so they’ll miss it for sure. I doubt the teams will miss it too much, as it did add more cost to their already costly programs. I know I will miss it this year as it the indoor races added some excitement and meaning to the fall season in Canada. I hope these races return in some way, shape, or form next year. I feel like an SMX-type event at Gopher Dunes would work well. Maybe back-to-back weekend (four rounds) on a hybrid SX track where riders don’t need full SX suspension and great SX skills. There is a need for these types of events in Canada, so hopefully, we will see something like it return in 2025. In the meantime, I will still be building my SX track this fall so my son and anyone else can come and ride and work on their SX skills.
