After an up and down summer in the 2023 Triple Crown Series, and a less than stellar performance at the Gopher Dunes SX, Julien Benek went home to BC and decided that things needed to change. From there, Julien started to really grind, posting several Social Media videos of him training and putting in lap after lap on a local AX track. The work certainly has paid off as his results in the final two Triple Crown Series indoor rounds were very promising. He was a consistent podium rider in Medicine Hat, and then at the final round in Calgary he won the final main event of the evening. Even passing Series champion Mitchell Harrison on the final lap to take the win. Most recently, Benek has been training in California for the 250SX West class in the 2024 Monster Energy Supercross Series, and on Saturday night in Anaheim, he impressed us all with a solid ride in the LCQ, and the main event. Unfortunately, as you will read below, Julien broke his thumb during Saturday’s qualifying session and will now have to miss a few weeks while he heals up. Julien is also suffering from Mono so, some time off right now could be a blessing in disguise. We caught up with Julien to get his thoughts on the opening round in Anaheim, as well as what might be next.
MXP: Hey Julien, we’re 48 hours past the opening round in Anaheim. You had a solid evening inside Angel Stadium, have you been able to let it all sink in?
JB: Yeah for sure. It felt good to finish second in the LCQ and make it to the 250SX West main event. I wanted to win the LCQ so bad and I was right there, but I didn’t want to make a mistake so I backed it down a little.
How did you feel in the main event?
I have nothing left. I was tired and my thumb was really hurting me by that point. After a few laps, I just tried to ride smart and finish the race. I know I could’ve done a lot better, but I was hurting.
Talk to us about your thumb injury. It happened in qualifying?
Yes, I just went into a bowl turn and lost the front end. When I crashed I put my hand out to brace my fall, and my thumb ended up bending back and breaking. I knew it right away and the pain was pretty severe. I ended up going to the Alpinestar Medical truck and they looked it over and gave me in injection of Toradol to help with the pain. I got another injection later on in the day also, so that helped to get me through the night. But, like I said, by the time the gate dropped for the main event I was done.
That is very unfortunate as you’re riding at such a high level right now.
Thank you! I feel great on the bike and even the speed I was going in the LCQ, that was only like 80% of my true speed.
So what are your plans now with regards to your thumb?
Well, I’m going to get surgery here soon and then I’ll most likely go home to BC and let it heal up. I’ve also been diagnosed with Mono so taking some time off of riding and training might not be a bad thing right now. I’ve been feeling really weak and low on energy, so I need to fully recover.
Mono is certainly no joke, especially when you’re an athlete and you try and push through it. We’ve seen in the past with some riders that if you don’t take time off then things can only get worse. I know you want to keep going here with SX, but you do have the summer to think about. You have to get healthy!
Yes, for sure. It sucks that I injured my thumb on Saturday, but it may end up being a good thing as it now forces me to take some time off.
So, no three-hour indoor bicycle rides when you get home (laughs)
No, those will have to wait for a bit.
Speaking of your training rides (a few months back). Did you just return home from the Gopher Dunes SX, and decide that you were going to really start training hard?
Basically yes! I was so embarrassed with my ride at Gopher that I came home and just thought enough is enough. I mean, I’d been training before that, but I just took it to a whole new level. Then, I started posting my workouts on Social Media and people started to comment, and that just added to my motivation and I kept grinding.
You sure did! Some of those long indoor rides were epic. Obviously, the training helped as you went to the final two Triple Crown Series events and rode great. You even won the final main event of the year in Calgary.
The training helped me physically and mentally. I just felt so confident going into those races knowing that no matter what happened on the track, I could push right to the end.
That is great Julien. Congratulations on those rides. So, you’re going to go home and rest up and recover for a few weeks?
Yes, that is the plan!
Do you have anything lined up yet for the summer?
As of right now, no I don’t. I’ve spoken to a few teams, and now I’m just waiting to hear back. It would be great to get on a team and have some strong support, but if I don’t then it’s not the end of the world. I’ll still try and go racing!
Well, you’ve certainly increased your fan base during the past few months Julien. Also, with your results on Saturday night in Anaheim I think you made a lot of industry people take notice. Congratulations, and good luck with your recovery. I know I speak for everyone when I say that we can’t wait to see you back on the track.
Thanks Palms! Yes, I’ll be back soon. Hopefully, I can heal up fast and then return for some 250SX West rounds later on in the series.