Last week I uttered a phrase to my wife that she had no idea what the heck it meant as she’d never heard it in her life. The phrase went something like this, “If ifs and buts were candy and nuts then we’d all have a Merry Christmas”. I don’t know about you guys but I’ve heard that one a few times over the years. Anyway, it got me thinking about a few “what ifs” regarding the 2014 Rockstar Energy Drink Motocross Nationals this past summer. To celebrate the final weekend of summer and also to do something a little different for this week’s Monday Gate Drop, here are ten “What Ifs”.
1.The first obvious one is what if Mike Alessi didn’t have any DNFs this summer. Would he be the MX1 Champion?
When you add up the points that he missed out on with his mechanical issues and going off the track in Kamloops, those points certainly add up to the title. However, I still say no and here’s why. I think Colton had a few more cards up his sleeve and another level of riding that he could’ve called upon if it was needed. Colton simply did what was needed to win the title and that was exactly what he was supposed to do. If Alessi hadn’t had those DNFs, though, things sure would’ve been even more exciting heading into the final round at Walton Raceway.
2. What if Liam O’Farrell rode the entire series this past summer?
Another good question about a real quality guy on and off the track. While he might’ve struggled at the first round in Nanaimo, I think he would’ve been fast in Kamloops, Calgary and in the mud at Regina. Therefore I think he would’ve finished the MX2 series in the top five. Over the last few years, Liam has learned what only experience can teach; he’s learned how to be a true professional. He works hard and is in great shape, and he just lets his riding do the talking. Hopefully next season we’ll get to see him go coast to coast on someone else’s dime to contest the entire series.
Liam O’Farrell had a great east series on his KTM 250 two-stroke. Hopefully his superb finishes in the MX2 class were enough to get him some more support for 2015.
3. What if Kaven Benoit hadn’t switched to the two-stroke in the East, would he still be the MX2 Champion?
My opinion is that nothing would’ve changed as far as the championship was concerned. During the first four rounds out West, Benoit was the fastest rider so I don’t see why that would’ve changed in the final six rounds. If he did ride the four-stroke, we might’ve seen a few mechanical issues from him as those 250Fs were put through the ringer on the eastern tracks, however he seems to ride both bike equally as well so I think he still would be the champ! It will be interesting to see what he does in 2015 as he did say after Walton that he was impressed how his two-stroke worked at Moncton and Walton. Maybe we’ll see him ride the two-stroke all summer.
4. What if Ryan Lockhart rode the entire MX1 Series in 2014?
I see two things happening with this scenario. First, I think Newf would’ve finished in the top ten in the final points standing and in the process would’ve got to put either a nine or ten on his Maple Ridge Motorsports Kawasaki next year. This would’ve been an incredible feat for the aging beauty from Springhill, NS.
Second, I think he would’ve been exhausted and sore right now and would be in need of a long vacation. When you’re his age it’s one thing to ride a few Nationals and do as well as he did, however a ten round series is a whole other ball game. Not to mention that if Newf did ride the entire series then fans wouldn’t have got to see him ride at the TransCan a few weeks ago, and that would’ve be sad.
5. What if Cole Thompson hadn’t injured his knee during the Supercross Series?
If Cole had been healthy this summer he certainly would’ve made things even more interesting in the MX1 class, for sure. As we saw last year, his speed and his smooth style were good enough for a few victories. I can only imagine that he would’ve been even better this summer after aggressively racing SX for three months. My prediction is that he would’ve been right in the mix for moto wins and for the MX1 Championship. Hopefully we’ll get to see this in 2015.
The 2015 Rockstar Energy Drink Motocross Nationals are going to be even more exciting with a healthy Cole Thompson on the starting line.
6. What if Jeremy Medaglia raced the MX1 class this summer?
This is a good question as I’m not sure his summer could’ve gone any worse. For JDags, the summer was just one problem after another. He got a late start on the Kawasaki and never seemed to get caught up. He’s a great rider, he was on a great bike and a great team; you’d think the #4 train would’ve rolled through the MX2 class this summer. However, a few mechanicals, a couple of crashes (including a big one in Moncton) and some really stiff competition made for a miserable summer. If he had ridden the MX1 class this year, I think he would’ve challenged for the podiums on most weekends, and since he did win an MX1 National last year, I’m sure he would’ve repeated that feat in 2014. Hopefully Jeremy can shake off his most recent injury and come back strong this winter for Arenacross and the 2015 Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals.
7. What if Tyler Medaglia hadn’t lost his goggles during the first moto in Deschambault?
While it was awesome to see Josh Hill get his first and only moto win of the series, I have to think that if Tyler Medaglia hadn’t lost his goggles early in that race then he would’ve won. As you recall, Bobby Kiniry was way out front and going for his second moto win of the year. At about the halfway point, his poor Yamaha ran into trouble and he was forced to DNF. With Facciotti playing catch up after a first lap crash and Alessi still trying to get comfortable in the wet conditions, the door was wide open for a new winner. Unfortunately for Tyler, he had to chuck his Oakleys early in the moto due to them fogging up. With his reduced vision, his pace slowed just enough to allow Josh Hill take the win.
Here is the Wasp Cam video of Mike Alessi’s second moto in Calgary:
8. What it Mike Alessi hadn’t got himself stuck in the starting gate during the start of the second moto in Calgary?
Like Alessi did in his Anaheim One heat race when he timed the drop of the gate perfectly, got to the holeshot and raced to the win, in the second moto in Calgary it looked as if Mike tried the same thing, however this time it backfired and he got caught in the gate. What followed was a few laps of unbridled enthusiasm as he went from almost dead last to the lead in one of the best come-from-behind motos ever. I was there that day and although I hate to see anyone have the embarrassment of getting stuck in the gate, I’m glad Mike did because his charge to the front was sure fun to watch.
9. What if Nathan Bles had ridden the entire MX1 series?
Like Liam O’Farrell in the MX2 class, Nathan Bles didn’t enter the series until round five at Gopher Dunes. Even with the late start, Bles looked instantly comfortable on his KTM450. Through the final six rounds of the series, he put in some incredible rides. Also like O’Farrell, this likeable kid is always smiling and always genuine; he just forces you to cheer for him. These young Canadian riders are a huge part of the glue that holds this series together. They deserve a chance to receive more support to ride the full ten rounds and not go broke doing it.
10. What if it didn’t rain cats and dogs in Regina?
If Mother Nature hadn’t unleashed her fury on the Moto Valley track, I think we would’ve some of the best racing of the series. The track was prepared perfectly prior to the rain. With its rolling hills and cool layout, the stage was set for a great round of racing. Unfortunately, the rains came and the track and the pits were quickly turned into a complete mess. With everything impassable, the second motos were cancelled. After their incredible first moto rides, Bobby Kiniry and Jeremy Medaglia were declared the overall winners for the day.
Like O’Farrell, Nathan Bles had a great east series on his KTM and definitely deserves alot more support next year. The sport in this Country can’t lose guys like this.
So that it is for me this week. With school starting tomorrow for many of our kids (including mine), I have spent this afternoon getting prepared. I hope everyone has had a great, final long weekend to the summer of 2014. It’s hard to believe that it’s now over for another year. It honestly feels like just yesterday we were at Gopher Dunes in April for the first race of the season. Well, we still have the fall and a few fun races coming up. I hope all the kids have a great first week at school. Please remember to get on your teachers good side early by being a well-mannered, hard-working and helpful kid every day. I’ve always said that this sport helps kids mature at an earlier age faster than most other sports. Well kids, let’s prove this by trying harder and being better in school than the rest!