Motocross Performance Magazine Canadian Motocross news leader
Photos by James Lissimore
Where do we stand entering Round 2 of the Rockstar Energy Drink Motocross Nationals? After a weekend of beyond-hard-pack conditions at The Wastelands in Nanaimo, BC, we transition onto the mainland of British Columbia, into the loose sandy soil of Whispering Pines in Kamloops. Certainly ‘Whispering Pines’ sounds more cute and cuddly compared to ‘The Wastelands,’ but don’t let the name fool you; the ground may be softer in Kamloops, but track conditions will be tougher and physical fitness should play a bigger factor.
Yes, the opener is in the books and with nerves out of the way, many riders look to really strut their stuff this Sunday in the ‘Loops. Granted, it’s only been one race, but it looks like we have a race on our hands and, I hate to say it—but if everyone stays healthy—this could be one heck of a championship.
Let’s go ‘Behind the Lens’ with James Lissimore to see how beautiful this series is shaping up to be already….
Let’s start off the beauty pagent with Colton Facciotti’s GDR Troy Lee Designs Honda CRF450R! Superb. Hands down this is the best looking bike in the pits. It says ‘Honda magic’ up and down and I bet John Nelson agrees. I grew up watching Jeff Stanton and Rick Johnston racing in the late 80’s and ever since I’ve had a soft spot for Red. It’s a nice sight seeing Honda back on the track and looking so good doing it.
Long live the two-stroke! I’m so happy CMRC’s Mark Stallybrass made the decision to allow 250 two-strokes in the MX2 class. It makes sense and more fun. I hate to judge, but if you don’t like the sound of a crisp 250 two-stroke, you ain’t a motocrosser. What a treat it is that we get to watch top contenders like Topher Ingalls and Kaven Benoit (in the East) showing that it’s not how many strokes you have, but how you use them.
An awesome start for Kaven Benoit of the KTM Royal Distributing Fox Racing team with a moto sweep of the MX2 class! Unfortunately not quite as thrilling of a start to the season as he would like, but Tyler Medaglia never really finds his groove in Nanaimo. He was a weapon last year in Kamloops, leading Facciotti and Metcalfe for laps in each moto before finishing second overall. With Kamloops featuring sandier conditions, could Benoit opt for the two-stroke 250?!
This one goes out to Fox Canada’s marketing manager, Jay Moore, who I could see taking this image and making a cool graphic for the web. Certainly Shawn Robinson always looks part in a set of motocross gear and he’s continuing to play the part, finishing 11th overall in MX2 (another rider racing a 250 two-stroke).
When Jeremy Medaglia jumped ship, Vince Friese jumped in, as a replacement rider on the MotoConcepts Racing Team. A tough day with bike troubles, DNF and an overall sour day, Friese still showed great speed taking a 5th in the first moto and showed he’s definitely a player in the MX2 series.
Monster Energy Thor Kawasaki’s Teddy Maier has reason to smile, with a second place in the first MX1 moto and fourth overall. I think he’s fast but for some reason never consider him a ‘championship’ contender. Now I think he’s proving me wrong.
Pat O’Connor dressing up Jeremy Medaglia’s new KX, which would go on to have a satisfactory effort in Nanaimo. Not sure of the whole story, but it’s only the first round and Jeremy has had limited time on the bike. Lots of racing ahead and like his brother Tyler, he’s a fan of the sand should do well in the ‘Loops.
Don’t we have a colourful looking MX2 class this summer! Every brand of bike and gear company has someone to cheer for; rookie and vet contenders, and a few American visitors to make things interesting. Variety is the spice of life and Canada has it this year at the nationals. KTM’s Kaven Benoit (24) takes a holeshot here with freshmen Jesse Pettis (139) showing he’s not afraid to go wheel to wheel with the men. Yamaha coming in hot with MX101’s Jesse Wentland (27) and OTSFF Rockstar’s Shawn Maffenbeier; Daniel Mathe (59) ripping in on a KTM 250 SX two-stroke and Jard Petruska (400), a young Canuck who earned a very respectable 9th overall.
This is what we like to see—bar banging, angry, I want to win racing! I can’t wait to hear Koster and Travers let their voices sing during the TV coverge of this event … “Just tenacious, Travs!!!” Haha, great stuff seeing MotoConcepts Racing’s Mike Alessi coming to Canada. Bummer we lost Metcalfe, but Alessi brings excitement to the racetrack and it showed in Nanaimo.
After bumping around with Bobby Kiniry (2) during the first corner, Alessi would go to grind with Facciotti in both motos (first time Colton, second moto Mike won) before winning his first Canadian national with 3-1 scores. We’ve got a great mix of riders going for it this year, Canadian and US. Whoever does win this year can be quite proud to have beaten this pack to Walton.
Floridian Kyle Chisholm rode to a quiet 6th overall on his OTSFF Rockstar Energy Drink Yamaha. Sure he expected more, but he’s a sand guy and like many guys, will show their true colours on different soil in Kamloops this Sunday.
Alessi, but we also get Josh Hill replacing Metcalfe on the Leading Edge Kawasaki team. Two big names to take on Canada’s big bad Colton Facciotti, and his Canadian brethren. Yes I agree it’s awesome to see Canadians get the ‘factory’ deals but we need to make sure our own have something to push them. There’s no doubt Canadian riders are better because of US riders coming north to race. (btw – how cool is it that three first-year Canadian pros – Wright, Pettis and Wrozyna – have factory support. Things aren’t too bad!)
Now we get to see our best take on the US guys when they are a little bit out of their zone; it changes things a little bit and makes things more interesting. As we’ve seen in two motos, Alessi and Hill are more than comfortable racing in Canada, even on a track that many really don’t like going to. Not an easy track to debut on. But Canada is more than in it, with Facciotti taking the first moto win (after knocking down Alessi with an aggressive inside pass) and keeping pace with Hill for the entire second moto. These guys want it.
Amazing racing so far in only four motos, with 16 more to go. See you in Kamloops!
