Motocross Performance Magazine Canadian Motocross news leader
Just as we predicted back in May, the MX1 series has seen some incredible racing throughout the first four rounds of the 2014 Rockstar Energy Drink Motocross Nationals. As we head into the tough eastern rounds, Colton Facciotti holds a small points lead over American import Mike Alessi. These two riders dominated the first three rounds only to have Bobby Kiniry show them the way around at the final western round in Regina. For some expert analysis, we’ve called upon Ryan Lockhart to give us some insight as to which rider is going to shine in the east and take the MX1 Championship. Here is what Lockhart had to say:
1. Colton Facciotti – Honda
I’m going to put all my money on Colton once the chequered flag flies at Walton Raceway for the final round of the 2014 Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals. Colton has had a very strong western swing and has held the red plate since round one in Nanaimo. I think with the confidence and momentum that Colt has gained in the west, that’s going to make him near unstoppable in the east. He will be close to home and has tons of experience on the tracks in the east, which has him pointed in the direction to become the 2014 Canadian Champion. If Colton does win the title then I believe this will be his sweetest victory as he’s going to have to battle right to the end.
Can Colton keep it going in the East? The Newf thinks he can.
2. Mike Alessi – Suzuki
First thing’s first, Mike has been a great addition to our series. He’s brought a ton of US attention to our series, as Brett Metcalfe did in 2013. I really believe that Mike will win more motos than Colton on the eastern swing, but he will have a tough time matching Colton’s consistency week in and week out. Every weekend is a learning curve for Mike and that is tough to overcome when you are trying to win a championship. Colton and Mike have been in a league of their own up to this point and I only expect the same for the rest of the season. Mike is a proud individual so you know that he will fight for this title until the final race in Walton.
3. Tyler Medaglia – KTM
When I did my picks for the western swing I really underestimated Tyler. He has really impressed me so far this season and I know for sure he’s rolling with confidence as the series moves east. If it wasn’t for a bit of a slow start at Nanaimo, Tyler would be a lot closer in points to Colt and Mike. Tyler loves the sand, and with four out of the final six rounds being on sandy tracks we will see a lot of the big #3 KTM on the podium. If Tyler can finish the series in third again then I promise to never underestimate this kid again.
As we head into Gopher Dunes this weekend both Mike Alessi and Tyler Medaglia are chasing the big #45.
4. Kyle Chisholm – Yamaha
Kyle has had a bit of an up and down season in Canada so far. Bad starts combined with a few bike issues have kept him out of the top five where he belongs. Now that we’re headed east I think Kyle is going to start getting the results that he, as well as everyone else, expects. Since he was raised in Florida, he definitely excels in the sand and he‘s used to the heat. This is what the east is all about, plus he’s ridden most of the eastern tracks when he was up here a few years ago. I expect to see a #4 on his bike after Walton.
5. Bobby Kiniry- Yamaha
Bobby K has dug himself a pretty big hole to climb out of as we head east. His speed hasn’t been an issue this year but it seems like a black cloud has been following him around. He has had a DNF along with a few other motos that are not up to his expectations. Although he did win the last round in the mud at Regina, this may be just what he needed to turn his season around. If there is anyone out there that can get going when the going gets tough, it’s Bobby. He was born and raised in New York State so he knows how to race in the heat. No doubt Bobby will use the weeks leading up to Gopher Dunes wisely and will be ready to finish off the MX1 series in style.
Having grown up in Florida and being quite used to the heat and the sand, will we see a different Kyle Chisholm in the east?
