As I mentioned last week, November has always been one of my least favourite months. With winter arriving, riding coming to an end, and the sun not making as many appearances as it did in the previous months, this time of the year is a tough one to take for people who love summer. I would think that this is one of the main reasons why each year we’re seeing more and more Canadians make the long trek down to Florida for the annual Thor Winter Olympics which takes place at the famous Gatorback Raceway. This track and facility have been around for over 50 years and in those years it’s hosted big events like this one, as well as Pro Nationals and some Florida Winter AM events. In fact, you’d be hard-pressed to find a top rider in any country around the world who hasn’t lined up behind the Gatorback starting gate at least once.
With the Canada/USA border finally reopened and Covid restrictions lifted this year we have a plethora of Canadian riders currently down in Florida racing the Mini O’s. I think it’s the most Canadians Mini O’s has ever had, and I applaud all of them for heading to this iconic event to battle some of the best amateur riders on the planet. With the Supercross portion going on right now and the motocross portion later this week, there will be no shortage of race action over the next few days. As I write this the SX main events have just begun. You can watch all of the action live by searching “RacerTV” on YouTube.
So, while a few of our lucky amateur riders are battling down in Florida our pro riders are patiently waiting for this their next opportunity to shine. Unfortunately, Tanner Ward was forced to have knee surgery this past week after tearing his ACL in Chilliwack last month. Tanner was lucky to get in for surgery this soon and if all goes well with his recovery, he shouldn’t have an issue being ready for the 2023 Triple Crown Series. Tanner is the second one of our top 450 riders to have knee surgery in the past month as Dylan Wright had both of his knees reconstructed. I talked to Dylan briefly last week and he told me that he’s feeling great and so far his recovery has gone well and he’s getting stronger every day. Dylan also mentioned that he has resigned with the GDR Fox Honda Team for 2023 so it’s going to be great to see the champ back on red again for the foreseeable future. With both Wright and Jacob Piccolo under the GDR tent in 2023, this team once again has a great shot at winning both the 450 and 250 Championships. Speaking of Piccolo, he’s expected to race the final two weekends of the Future West AX Championships and make his Honda debut in the process. The Future West Series resumes this weekend in Chilliwack, BC. A few weeks ago, we took a look at the Triple Crown Series 250 class and which riders will be on which team for 2023. Here is what a few of the 450 riders are doing next year.
Honda Canada/GDR/Fox Racing:
Although Dylan Wright had multiple offers to change teams and series, he opted to remain a red rider for 2023 and race in Canada. After winning the past three 450 titles Dylan was most certainly in the driver’s seat when it came time to negotiate his next contract and as I said he had multiple offers to race both in Canada as well as in Europe. I know a lot of people out there wanted him to head to Europe or even to the USA for their outdoor series. However, unless you’re on a top-level team I’m not sure if there’s much money to make it in Europe. Unless you want to ride SX, there aren’t too many good rides in the USA either. When you look at everything, including having to get his knees fixed, racing in Canada next year makes the most sense for Dylan Wright and his overall program. I don’t know exactly what his contracts have been during the past few seasons or what his new one looks like, but I think we can all agree on two things right now. First, Dylan deserves every penny that he is being paid, and secondly, for the sake of his career and life; long-term, he had to get his knees fixed asap. I’d look for Dylan to be even better in 2023 and I would also look for him to race multiple rounds of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championships on his off weekends. We all know the success that he’s had for the past five years here in Canada but quite honestly, Dylan’s best days could be still to come.
Thor/Kawasaki/Pro Circuit Team:
On the 450 side of things, Team Green is set with Tanner Ward for 2023. Tanner is coming off an amazing rookie season in the 450 class and I’d expect him to be even better next year. Tanner is fit and smart and with a year of experience now under his belt, he should be able to challenge for race wins in 2023. At the final round of the Triple Crown Series a few months ago Tanner wasn’t too far off Dylan Wright’s pace so that is a great sign as he and the Kawasaki Team head into their second year together. There has also been talk that the team is close to adding another big sponsor to the program and if that happens, expect them to try and sign a big-name 450 rider from either the USA or even Europe. We’ll see what happens but this is a big year for this team as they’re also moving their entire operations to Walton Raceway. More on that in the coming weeks.
KTM Canada/ Red Bull/ Thor Racing Team
For 2023, I think the KTM Factory Team is set with Jess Pettis as their only 450 rider. Although Jess is coming off a tough year with multiple injuries we all know that he has the speed to win the 450 title next year. Jess needs a solid off-season; both staying healthy and really getting his 450 dialed in and set up for our unique Canadian tracks. If Jess can remain healthy and build some momentum through the off-season then 2023 could be his year. Also, look for KTM to possibly add a rider like Jeremy McKie in the 450 class as I think McKie is going to be a solid big bike rider in the future. McKie did a great job this past summer filling in for Piccolo in the 250 class so why not reward him with a little more support for 2023?
Troy Lee Designs/ GASGAS/ SSR Team:
First off, it’s great to see Team Owner Steve Simms recovering so well from his September crash and a long stay in the hospital. Steve is on the road to recovery and more motivated than ever to field a successful team in 2023. As far as who is going to be the team’s 450 rider as of right now it could be Tyler Gibbs who would obviously move up from the 250 class. Tyler is a technically sound rider and with a solid off-season of training, I believe he could be a good 450 rider. These days, so much of nothing is made out of moving from the 250 class to the 450 class. In my opinion, if you can be fit and strong and work on your decision making, then you can race a 450. Look no further than Jett Lawrence at Red Bud two months ago as he beat the world’s best while racing a 450 for the first time. Other than Gibbs and perhaps Marco Cannella, there aren’t a lot of Canadian riders available for 2023 and trying to bring in a rider from outside Canada obviously isn’t cheap. Steve runs a solid program and his riders have everything they need to win races. However, he does operate on a limited budget and that makes it challenging in today’s market to bring in a rider from the USA or Europe who can get themselves on the podium
GASGAS/ CMS/ Callus Race Team:
As of right now, this team will once again be centered around Tyler Medaglia as far as their 450 effort goes. Tyler is coming off one of his best seasons and I don’t see anything changing for next year with his program. With Mitchell Harrison and Eve Brodeur as teammates, this is one of the most solid teams on the circuit. The 450 class is going to be even more competitive in 2023 so it’s going to be fun once again to watch Tyler battle hard as the oldest rider in the class.
MX101 FXR Yamaha Team
From what I’m hearing things will remain the same with the Blu Cru as far as their 450 program goes for 2023. Armed with a brand new YZ450F both Shawn Maffenbeier and Westen Wrozyna are looking good heading into the new year. I know from talking to Kevin Tyler as we soaked up the Florida sun together a few weeks ago, that he’s very excited for 2023. With a new 250 rider in Sebastien Racine and Maff and Wrozyna to help mentor him, hopefully this team will be able to reach the top step of the podium next year.
Partszilla/ PRMX Racing
This team had a great 2022 season and thanks to the Kiwi Josiah Natzke, they were able to stand on top of the podium on multiple occasions. As far as who rides for them in the 450 class next year, I can see them moving Natzke up and then bringing back Felix Lopez. Natzke showed some solid speed on a 450 at the final round and given his size and strength I think he could do well if given a full season on the big bike class. In fact, I believe that with a solid off-season Natzke could win a moto or two next summer in the 450 class as he’s still improving and finding more confidence and speed. I’m excited that the PRMX Team found some well-deserved success in 2022 and hopefully next year is even better.
Well, that is it for me this week. In the coming weeks, I’ll find out who is riding for the teams that I did not mention above. Finally, Happy Thanksgiving to our friends and neighbours to the south. I also want to send a big congratulations out to Shelby Turner as she won her sixth Endurocross Championship in the Pro Women class this past weekend. Well done Shelby! Also, congrats to Trystan Hart who ended up finishing second overall in the pro class. Hart had a great season aboard his KTM and next year should be even better. Have a great week everyone and thank you for reading.