I’m not sure where to begin this week’s Gate Drop because in the last five days I’ve experienced two very different worlds. I guess I will start on the day that we left for California as it pretty much sums up the last month here in Southern Ontario. Even though I’ve spent my entire life living here, I’m still having a hard time coming to grips with just how crazy this winter has been. In the last three weeks my son has had eight bus days cancelled for school, our local roads have been closed on numerous occasions and my trusty snow blower has more hours on it in 2014 than the previous three winters combined. On Wednesday, we had to leave for the airport three hours early because they started to close all of the roads. It was crazy…but I digress.
This past weekend was my annual trip to the Anaheim Supercross and sunny SoCal, a trip I obviously look forward to each and every year. This year was a little different, though, as for the first time I brought Palms Jr. (my six year old son) with me. To make the trip multi-generational, my Dad came as well. Even though my Dad is only 70 and is in good health, you just never know what the future holds, so for the three Pomeroy boys to invade California definitely made it a very memorable weekend.
To begin the first subject of this story, let’s talk about another individual that seems to be handling his age very well. From watching every lap live from Anaheim 3, I can tell you that Chad Reed is for real this year. His bike, his riding and his fitness all seem to be right on point in 2014, and to see him ride in person for the first time this year, he looks to be doing it all very easily. Unlike 2011 and 2012 when I thought that even when Reed was challenging for wins, he was riding a little above his comfort level. So far this season he seems to be riding in complete control. Also, unlike the past few seasons where most of the other top riders figured the tracks very quickly while Reed had been left playing catch up in practice, right from the start of practice on Saturday Reed was on the leader board and looking smooth. After winning twice in the first five rounds, Reed’s next big challenge will be trying to beat Villopoto on a track loaded with traction. There’s no doubt Villlopoto has proven that when a track has traction and he has the option on steering the bike with the back wheel along with the front, he is very fast and tough to beat. Since most of the next two months are going to be raced on these types of tracks, Villopoto is still the man to beat. Whatever happens from here on out, it’s sure fun watching Chad Reed ride so well. I think it’s so good for the sport as it makes for such great headlines all over the world.
Out in beautiful British Columbia, the Kawasaki Canadian Arenacross Series moved back to the spacious confines of the Heritage Center in Chilliwack for rounds seven and eight. Yamaha rider Brock Hoyer was certainly the most successful rider of the weekend taking two main event wins, Tyler Medaglia took home one win and FINALLY after leading so many laps, Ross Johnson won his first main event of the series. There are few riders in the sport nicer than Ross Johnson so it’s great to see him get his first win. Hopefully he can grab a couple more on the final two weekends of this awesome series. While I wasn’t in BC this weekend, it sounds as though the biggest winners of the weekend were the fans as the legendary Damon Bradshaw showed up to check things out. By all accounts, it was quite a surprise to see him there but just plain awesome at the same time. Bradshaw is one of the biggest names in this sport, but he’s also one of the most mysterious so to get him out to any race on Canadian soil is great. I’m sure he posed for more photos this past weekend than he ever though he would. The series stays put in Chilliwack this coming weekend for rounds nine and ten. With only two weekends left, none of the riders can afford to make any mistakes if they want to take home this prestigious championship.
So as we move into the second weekend in February, there is Arenacross this weekend in BC, Supercross in San Diego and I’m willing to bet snow in Ontario. Can Chad Reed continuing his winnings way in a city that has been very, very good to him over the years? I for one sure hope so. Is any rider this weekend in BC going to be able to put together four consistent main events? I can’t wait to read Brent Worrall’s AX report from this past weekend to see what really happened and to get his prediction for this weekend. I hope everyone has a safe week, and if you’re wondering, Wiarton Willy saw his shadow so apparently winter is here for a little while longer.
