16 02 MXP Magazine by Motocross Performance Magazine

CANADA’S SOURCE FOR MOTOCROSS AND OFF-ROAD

ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK MX NATIONALS PREVIEW SETTING THE STAGE DYLAN WRIGHT WEST COAST WINTER DESCHAMBAULT QUEBEC’S NEW GRAND EVENT

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M O T O C R O S S P E R F O R M A N C E // V O L U M E 1 6 , I S S U E 2

MX P C O N T E N T S

C OV E R S T O RY: BRET T METCALFE The Australian is back on blue for 2016.

F E AT U R E S

RO C K S TA R E N E R GY D R I N K M X N AT I O N A L S Brian Koster talks about the main players in the 2016 MX2 class.

W E S T C OA S T W I N T E R A look at Dylan Wright’s offseason in California.

T H E 2 016 D E S C H A M BAU LT G R A N D N AT I O N A L The bigger and better ECAN.

THE WEST C OA S T O R A N G E B R I GA D E C A M P Palms goes camping with the Orange Brigade.

MOTOCROSS PERFORMANCE · MXPMAG.COM

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COLUMNS 24

FA M O U S L A S T W O R D S BY C H R I S P O M E R OY

Global Exposure

2 6 G U E S T

COLUMN WITH BRENT WORR ALL

Forward Focus

U P S H I F T BY B R I A N KO S T E R

Impending Battle

E V O LV E D N U T R I T I O N BY DREW ROBERTSON

Going Fast

9 2 I N S I D E WHITE

L I N E W I T H A N DY

Stock Values

F R O M T H E D E S K O F M A R K S TA L LY B R A S S

Dream Big

SPECIALS 12 20 88

EXPOSED

CAUGHT ON CA MER A GEARING UP

RO C K S TA R E N E R GY D R I N K M X N AT I O N A L S Brent Worrall lays out the very talented 2016 MX1 class.

A L O O K BAC K TO T H E 198 4 C O P E TOW N N AT I O N A L Mike McGill tells us how Mike Harnden got it done.

RIDE LIKE A GIRL Sierra Roth talks about why girls rule.

O FF - ROA D R I D I N G O N T H E W E S T C OA S T Jarrett May rides the trails in beautiful BC.

M X P C H AT T E R W I T H DEREK SCHUSTER Palms sits down with the new owner of Gopher Dunes.

PHOTOS BY JAMES LISSIMORE

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AIRBORNE C O M M U N I C AT I O N Photo by James Lissimore

EXPOSED KTM pilots Cole Thompson and Kaven Benoit say hello to each other over a triple at the team photo shoot.

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800 REASONS Photo by James Lissimore

EXPOSED Just as he did in 2014, Mike Alessi will enter the Canadian Nationals this summer as one of the favourites to win the MX1 title.

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LOOKING TO DEFEND Photo by Mike Vizer

EXPOSED After such as successful season in 2015, Matt Goerke is healthy and ready to defend his MX1 title against what will be the toughest field e er.

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MXP MAGAZINE

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MOTOCROSS PERFORMANCE VOLUME 16 ISSUE 2

FOR SUBSCRIPTION INQUIRIES CALL SUBSCRIPTIONS: 416-635-MXP1 PUBLISHER: Charles Stancer/Mark Stallybrass V.P. OF SALES AND MARKETING: Charles Stancer EDITOR: Chris Pomeroy SALES MANAGER: Al Jaggard SENIOR WRITERS: Brian Koster, Brent Worrall STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER: James Lissimore

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MXP has the exclusive rights to the CMRCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mailing list of racing license holders. Every CMRC license holder from coast to coast receives and reads each issue of MXP. In addition to this exclusive list of readers, we are partnered with several motocross and offroad enthusiast organizations across the country. TEL: 416-633-1202 Email: charles@mxpmag.com Online: www.mxpmag.com

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Left: Cole Thompson is thinking about being his own mechanic in 2016. Right: Tanner Ward checks out his new Orange Brigade underwear.

Left: You always have to wear a neck brace when Benoit is around.

Right: When the “Budman” speaks, everyone listens.

CAUGHT ON CAMERA

Left: The future stars of our sport receive very valuable instruction in California.

P HO T O S BY JA ME S L IS S IMOR E A ND M X P S TA F F

Right: Jacob Piccolo was definitely feeling it in his 2016 Fox gear.

Left: Aussies Michael Byrne and Chad Reed discuss what happened in Santa Clara. Right: The Canadian Orange Brigade attempt to stay warm in Santa Clara.

MOTOCROSS PERFORMANCE · MXPMAG.COM

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T H E

F A C T I O N

S H I F T M X . C O M

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Above: Jason Anderson gives his best whiskey throttle demonstration to Roczen on the podium.

Above: The Rock is all ears as Christian Craig tells him the line he’s going to take.

Above: Donk is about to get the blue flag as Benoit comes up behind him.

Above: Benoit is very particular about how he wants his chain adjusted.

Above: The Pacific Ocean puts everything in perspective for Tanner Ward.

Left: Friese and Alessi are getting ready to go green this summer in Canada. Right: Carey Hart must be happier lately as his main rider is starting to win races

CAUGHT ON CAMERA

Above: Palms gets his hands dirty after a long and hot day of riding.

Left:Matthes drops the gate in Santa Clara. Right: Factory Connection’s Mike Haist sets Thompson’s sag just right.

MOTOCROSS PERFORMANCE · MXPMAG.COM

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FA M O US L A S T WO R DS W I T H C H R I S P O M EROY

GLOBAL EXPOSURE

s I compose this column for what is now our second issue of 2016, it still blows me away at how fast Father Time moves. Looking back to this time last year, we were again on the eve of what we thought would be one of the best summer of racing Canada had ever seen. I remember right from the opening round in Kamloops, BC, the riders were tested to the utmost of their abilities and strength as a strong heat wave had its grip on our most western province. At both Kamloops and then again the next weekend in Nanaimo, temperatures soared into the 30s, making 2015 one of the most grueling starts ever to our pro nationals. In those opening rounds last year, riders like Brett Metcalfe and Jimmy Decotis

shined while the eventual MX1 and MX2 Champions, Matt Goerke and Kaven Benoit respectively, did their best to try to score as many points as possible. I will say that Benoit did win the overall at Round 2 in Nanaimo, however he did look a little uncomfortable in those early races. Well, here we sit, ready to do it all over again in 2016, albeit with a few signiﬁ cant changes to both the rider list as well as the schedule. Over the years this sport has taught me to try to be a glass half full kind of person most of the time. Sometimes that has been by choice while other times the unforeseen ups and downs of this sport has simply dictated it. While fans and media alike are certainly going to miss top riders like Jimmy Decotis and Bobby Kiniry, this fast paced sport leaves us no choice but to keep focused on what’s around the next corner. As we look ahead at what exciting things we might see this summer in Canada, it’s almost impossible to single out just one item. For instance, who would’ve predicted that on the starting line in Kamloops we were going to see this level of talent in both the MX1 and MX2 classes? Not to mention, thanks to the new Conx2share Live Video Streaming Broadcast at each and every round of the 2016 Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals presented by Motovan, fans from all over the world are going to be able to tune in live. How cool is it going to be for Brett Metcalfe’s family back in Australia to be able to log on to the internet and watch Brett’s every move in Canada? This broadcast is going to open Canada up to a whole new fan base from around the globe. Our tracks, riders and series as a whole are going

“Our tracks, riders and series as a whole are going to soon be more popular than ever. This added attention is not only going to help the pro series in this country, but it’s also going to trickle down to assist our sport at every level.”

to soon be more popular than ever. This added attention is not only going to help the pro series in this country, but it’s also going to trickle down to assist our sport at every level. Now back to the riders, or rather the stars of the show. For the teams that make up the Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals presented by Motovan, this o° -season has mostly been about free agency and one-upping each other. As one team would sign a top rider, the others were busy on the phones searching for a rider who was better and who was capable of winning races. This practice was front and center in the MX1 class as elite riders were inked to big money contracts in hopes of reaching the top step of the podium at every round. The end result, and what we’ll see in Kamloops, is a melting pot of the biggest stars that have ever gathered in Canada to compete in our National Series. Our current crop of contenders like Metcalfe, Goerke and Facciotti, will now have to deal with not just each other but also a new group of hungry warriors like Mike Alessi, Vince Friese and perhaps the biggest name to ever set foot at the Canadian Nationals, Davi Millsaps. Without a doubt, whether you’re sitting at the fence watching the racing in person or curled up on a couch in Australia watching the motos on a tablet, the action at the Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals is going to be incredible. With the bar to bar racing action that is forthcoming this summer, we at MXP came to the conclusion that Brett Metcalfe would be the perfect choice for the cover of this issue. This season will be Brett’s third on Canadian soil, however it will be his ﬁrst as a member of the now championship winning Rockstar Energy OTSFF Yamaha Team. With his lengthy resume of success, as well as his familiarity with how things work in Canada, Brett is one of the favourites to win the 2016 MX1 title. We wish Brett and all of his talented competition good luck this summer as they get set to race in a series that may go down in history as the greatest ever in Canada.

MOTOCROSS PERFORMANCE · MXPMAG.COM

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GUEST COLUMN WITH BRENT WORR ALL

FORWARD FOCUS

elcome friends and race fans to what is my first ever print column here at MXP Magazine. After contributing many articles as a senior writer for the past few seasons, I am sure some of you are familiar with my work. If you are not and are wondering where I am going with this, let me join you! In all seriousness, I thought I would share a little bit of my perspective on things that matter most. This sport has always provided me with a failsafe blueprint when dealing with everything that life, love, the pursuit of happiness and eternal Moto dreams has brought me. At a very young age I was introduced to this great sport and it pretty much molded and defined everything I hold in value as a human being. At the age of 6, I learned to ride a motorcycle in a church parking lot across the street from the dealership where my Dad purchased my first bike. From a young, fiery Red Head with a ‘no one is going to beat me’ attitude on race day to my current life with Moto media and mentoring involvement, there have been many ups and downs. I read a quote somewhere recently and it has since stuck with me and still puts a smile on my face when thinking about it. “Life is like Moto, one down and the rest is all up,” or something to that effect. I am sure that any one of you who have been around this sport for any amount of time could apply this somewhere. Time, yes it is a four letter word in my vocabulary, blasts through the hour glass faster than ever nowadays. The truth is like my Moto passion that is as steadfast and strong as the sun, the wind and the inevitable rain; nothing has really changed in that regard. My perspective on many things, though, certainly has. Looking back, yes, I would have made a few different choices but that is obviously not possible. What I can now look back on as bad choices, or were at the time, and the seeming adversity has given me many, many blessings in which I am thankful. Many say Motocross is a niche sport. I am not even sure what that word means and at this time am too stubborn to look it up. My best guess tells me

“What I can now look back on as bad choices, or were at the time, and the seeming adversity has given me many, many blessings in which I am thankful. that it has something to do with size and numbers in comparison to others. Maybe Motocross is, in fact, that in the grand scheme of things and life in general, not as important to most as I believe it is. That is fine by me as most of the people in the world that I interact with away from the race track do not think I am in their own words ‘normal.’ A compliment I guess, right? Well, getting back to vocabulary, what does normal even mean? In the house I grew up, that word was only ever used when the dishwasher or dryer was turned on. As a kid growing up I was involved in other sports but everything revolved around motocross season and going racing. Even in the winter, I can think of many hockey seasons that were interrupted by broken and sprained bones. I do not think I had one piece of plaster that was ever removed by a doctor; it was by either me or my Dad. It was usually followed by my Mom saying “Where’s your cast?” Yes, and of course there were always trips south to race at the big winter events so I could one day become a national champion. My parents did everything they could and then some. They made huge sacrifices that I was oblivious to at the time. My Dad was a tree faller and worked his ass off or years at one of the most physically demanding jobs a man could have. My Dad was as tough as nails, and I never questioned him and always respected his efforts. He was not always kind or diplomatic in his ways, but I always understood what he meant and why he did things. It was a great bond that I believe only came as a result of our

countless hours together on and off he race track working together to get better. He never taught me how to fish or throw a football or anything like that, but some of the invaluable lessons I will never forget. Spark - we all know what that is when it comes to making our bikes run, right? Well, I think back to one day and I could not have been older than nine when my Dad was cursing in a perplexed manner in the garage about no spark on his bike. Yes, a wrench, or two, was tossed and the tool box drawer was slammed. I, in my best untimely manner, intervened and said, you guessed it, “What’s Spark?” My Dad ignored me and went about his business. A bit later he called me back out to the garage, and pointed to his motor where the plug was out of the head but still attached to electrical rubber housing. He asked me to hold the plug against the cylinder and then proceeded to pull out the kick starter of his YZ400 and kick the bike over! The jolt of electricity that bolted through my hand into my 9-year-old body can still be felt recalling the day I learned just what spark was. Unorthodox you bet, but everything my father taught me I valued, even that. I also learned at a very young age what real toughness was in the physical and mental sense through him. On one particular weekend I remember being instructed to have everything ready to go after school on Friday for a weekend race some five hours away. My Dad would be home around 5:30 and we would head off. This particular Friday he was about an hour late and showed up at home in his underwear. When

MOTOCROSS PERFORMANCE · MXPMAG.COM

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he exited the truck I could tell there was something not right as he had pain written all over his face. He limped towards the house, then about halfway there was greeted by my mother! Turns out my Dad got what was called a kick back while falling a tree and the chain saw hit the ground and cut him open badly! The gash was about an inch wide and about eight inches long. Chainsaws, unlike knives, do not make nice clean cuts; he was a mess. I remember heading into the garage and sitting by my bike gear, gas and tools thinking I was going to miss the weekendâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s race. A selfish thought maybe, but I knew my Dad and knew he was tough and would be okay. With the sun now starting to set, the reality of not going racing was depressing. Within minutes of that thought, my Dad opened the garage door and limped down the stairs in his underwear with a towel around him. He had a small hand bag and my Mom followed with a large pot. Not knowing what was up, I sensed we were actually going racing. The three of us loaded the truck and I found out that pot my Mom was packing was salt water for my Dad to soak his groin to prevent infection. The only thing I remember about that race weekend was sitting in the truck admiring my Dad for

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his strength, courage and determination more than ever. Yes, I did end up winning a national title, and I know that would have never been possible without learning from my two great parents. I have had many valuable life lessons and memories from this road-lesstravelled type journey in sport. Even now that I have reached a stage in my life where my undying passion for motocross far outweighs the capabilities of my body, I still choose to give back as much as possible. I have been very fortunate to have so many good people around me that allow me to continue to get out to the race track. I consider each and every one of them my friends and have a great connection with most. To be able to experience vicariously through riders and their support systems has me living the dream of being a winner in this sport. Each and every one of you that gets out to the track and supports this sport is a winner in my books. I do not even think I know what a loser is. My parents brought me up to believe that my success would be determined by the company I keep and if I hung with winners, I would be just that. I cannot wait to see all of you at the races, you are all winners.

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U P S H I F T W I T H B R I A N KO S T ER

T H E I M P E N D I N G B AT T L E

s I sit here on a beautiful, sunny day writing this article, there is only one more round remaining of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series. Ryan Dungy clinched the title last weekend but it will still be a fun night of racing for the final round in Las Vegas. This year’s Supercross season has been highly entertaining. Even though injuries took out a lot of guys from the title chase, it was still good racing for the few who remained consistent for the duration of the series. Sure Dungy was the dominant rider showing an all new level of confidence and command of his motorcycle, which in itself made the series more interesting. I like the style and attitude of Jason Anderson and it’s hard not to like Ken Roczen either, but it was Dungy who stole the show. Tomac showed fl ashes of brilliance as did Canard and a bunch of others, but on the other hand, James Stewart had a very disappointing Supercross series. Who would have ever thought that James Stewart would get lapped by the leaders in a Supercross race? Stewart su˛ ered some ugly crashes; I am sure he is doing some serious soul searching after a dismal showing. Coming o˛ what I would consider a harsh and overly excessive suspension from racing, let’s hope James can regroup and build some confi dence in the outdoor championship hunt. There is no denying he is still a very thrilling rider to watch, and if he can nail down a few good finishes there is a chance his confi dence will soar and the rest of the competition will be fi ghting for second place. As Supercross winds down, all eyes will be focused on the Rockstar Energy Drink Motocross Nationals gate drop come June 5th in beautiful Kamloops, British Columbia. The MX1 class is stacked and the MX2 class looks to be the best it has been in a few years as well. With many key players signed and training for Round 1, there are still a few rumours yet to be confirmed. The fact that Davi Millsaps’ name is being tossed

around as a possible teammate to Kaven Benoit on the factory KTM team is a rumour I can’t help but want to sink my teeth into. Even though word on the street is that MX1 rookie Benoit is fl ying down south on his 450, Millsaps’ name is just too big to ignore. Could you imagine the intensity of our series if Davi actually comes north to race? It’s already poised to be a barnburner of a season with the multitude of talent confirmed but the # 118 would just add another dimension of hype. Davi is good, plain and simple, but never underestimate the status of our current title favourites. Remember, the tracks will be all new to Davi while the rest of the guys will know (for the most part anyway) the tracks and what to expect at each stop. Whether Davi will even show up remains a question mark but you can rest assured that the riders who are confirmed for the series will be fi t and ready to fi ght till the end to be crowned the CMRC MX1 Champion. These last couple of seasons have been amazing, but to think there is even more talent and more guys who are podium-worthy boggles the mind as we anticipate the series’ first green fl ag. It has been many years since the Nationals have been broadcasting the live audio via streaming internet but this year there is a big jump to do live streaming audio and video. In years past, we have had some connectivity issues as certain tracks’

locations haven’t lent themselves well to a solid internet connection. Now with video added to the equation, a lot more research and resources have been required to ensure a more solid, uninterrupted feed. As we speak, a lot of details are still being sorted through and ﬁgured out, and meetings are still occurring to prepare for a more trouble-free live stream. As host of the show it has been a tad frustrating trying to call the action for both the fans at the track and the listeners on the internet if we had connection issues, because you are multitasking in many ways when trying to solve the connection issues. When a solid stream is a go the job actually becomes a lot more enjoyable, and I’m sure a lot more enjoyable for the listeners both at the track and at home or on their mobile devices. Live streaming video has been requested many times over the years and now that it is becoming a reality, I believe the series’ viewership will increase to an all-time high. The races will also be archived, but as far as I know, I believe for only one week after the initial broadcast. Even so, that still gives any interested party ample time to log on and check out the weekend’s action. The live show will incorporate rider interviews as well as special on-air guests and most certainly some surprises along the way. The CMRC and SPI have held a steady course of improving things in a gradual manor that I feel is in time with the growth and the overall outlook of the series. By adding live streaming video at this time is spot on with the talent slated to ride in what could easily be touted as the “perfect storm” of 2016. Only time will tell how the live show will be accepted but I remain optimistic that with a good signal and a dedicated crew behind the scenes, the 2016 Rockstar Energy Drink Motocross Nationals will reach more eyes than ever before. With a goal of creating an increased following of what is arguably one of the premier outdoor motocross racing series in the world…come to the track, tune in for the live stream or watch the archive. Either way you will be in for a helluva ride!

“Whether Davi will even show up remains a question mark but you can rest assured that the riders who are confirmed for the series will be fit and ready to fight till the end to be crowned the CMRC MX1 Champion.”

MOTOCROSS PERFORMANCE · MXPMAG.COM

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B R E T T M E T C A L F E B

here’s a commercial currently on television that takes a satirical look at us Canadians. The premise of the commercial is to portray Canadians as very thankful and as a nation that constantly uses the word ‘sorry.’ While it is funny to view us that way, I guess in a way there is some truth to it as I do believe that we are very polite. However, sometimes through all of this niceness we lose track of just how lucky we are and how envious the rest of the world should be of Canada. Case in point is that in the last few seasons, this month’s MXP cover boy, Brett Metcalfe, has made Canada his racing home and has helped raise the level of competition to a level that we‘ve never seen before. Over the years, history has proven many connections between Canada and Brett Metcalfe’s native Australia. Whether it be in everyday life or in this sport that we all follow so intently, our two countries have been and will be forever aligned. Australian riders like Metcalfe, Chad Reed and Jeff eisk, years ago, have all made the trip over the Pacific Ocean in search of motocross glory on North American soil. Regardless of each rider’s results over the years, the one thing that has been a constant with any Australian that has come over is that these guys are fast,

professional and they never, ever give up. A perfect example of this intestinal fortitude was last season during the final moto of the series when Metcalfe had run out of time and had no chance of winning the MX1 Championship. Yet, to the delight and fortune of all the fans there that day, Metcalfe chased down Cole Thompson and won the final race of the year in grand style. Although it was a case of too little too late for the Australian, it was just simply the only way that Metcalfe knew to race - no quitting, right to the chequered flag. After ten years of competing against some of the world’s best riders in the USA, Brett Metcalfe decided in 2013 to make his way north to compete in the Rockstar Energy Drink Motocross Nationals. When he arrived on Canadian soil he was fresh off a ecade of being good, but just not good enough to win championships. While he’d work his butt off o win a few races, the ultimate goal of bringing home a title had eluded him. However, through injuries, multiple brand changes and poor luck, Metcalfe never gave up and became known as a rider and individual that could be counted on in any situation. Also, as a rider and as a person who thrives on attention to detail, Metcalfe also gained the reputation as a rider who is great at testing and analyzing what a motorcycle

“Although it was a case of too little too late for the Australian, it was just simply the only way that Metcalfe knew to race - no quitting, right to the

C K O N B

chequered flag.”

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is doing underneath him. This is not an easy thing to do when you’re traveling as fast around a track as Metcalfe does, but companies appreciate this talent and it has served him well over the years. I don’t think anyone will ever forget Brett Metcalfe’s inaugural season in Canada. Right from the opening round in 2013, Metcalfe quickly educated himself on the competition and on how things worked in Canada. After battling with his new surroundings during the first two rounds, Metcalfe gave us the first taste of his brilliance at round three in Calgary. After an extremely poor start in moto two, Metcalfe charged all the way from outside the top twenty to the lead in just 15 short minutes. That was one of the defining moments of his 2013 season as he raced all the way to his first professional MX1 Championship. With the number one plate hung firmly on the wall in his California home, Metcalfe had plans to return to Canada to defend his title. However, a late decision by Ryan Villopoto to have surgery on his injured knee forced Kawasaki USA to seek out Metcalfe’s expertise and have the Australian ride for them in the 2014 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championships. It was a huge blow for Canadian race fans and for the Monster Energy Thor Kawasaki Team that was counting on Metcalfe’s services. In the end, though, it was just another great chapter in Metcalfe’s racing book as he would battle all summer in the USA to finish an incredible fourth overall in the 450MX class. After his year hiatus, Metcalfe was back in Canada last season and ready to regain what Colton Facciotti had taken in his absence. For three months, Metcalfe, Facciotti and Yamaha rider Matt Goerke put on a show that was reminiscent of a Hollywood action movie. All three riders had their triumphs and setbacks during the ten round Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals. Although he wasn’t the fastest rider in every moto, Metcalfe took the points that were available to him, and in typical Australian fashion, fought for every inch on the race track. If it weren’t for two costly mechanical failures in Calgary and then again in Moncton, NB,

R E T T M E T C A L F E

some industry people predicted that Metcalfe might’ve won his second Canadian title. We will never know the real answer to that as Matt Goerke was a very deserving Champion, however those missing points would certainly have kept Metcalfe in the hunt for the 2015 MX1 title right to the completion of the series. When Brett Metcalfe first came to North America over a decade ago, his first team was Yamaha of Troy. So how fitting is it that for 2016 Metcalfe is back on blue this summer with the Rockstar Energy OTSFF Yamaha Team? After taking some time off t the end of last season, Metcalfe has been training hard and will be ready to go come the opening round of the series in Kamloops, BC. With off-season trips to his native Australia to compete in selected rounds of their outdoor nationals, as well as plans to race in the first two rounds of the 2016 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championships, Metcalfe has made sure that he will be race ready for his summer in Canada. Metcalfe and his new Rockstar Energy OTSFF Yamaha Team have also logged over a hundred hours of testing to ensure that his new YZ450F is exactly how he wants. With his speed, precision, fitness and the fact that he knows the tracks of Canada so well, Brett Metcalfe is definitely one of the MX1 title favourites in 2016. Even with a resume as his, who Brett Metcalfe is as a person transcends his racing career. His success on the track rivals that of how he treats people off he track. He is the type of person that shines in the spotlight, yet seems slightly uncomfortable and humble when he’s in it. To sum it all up, Brett Metcalfe is simply a good pro and a great example for all riders in this sport. We in Canada are lucky to be able to watch him this summer as he experiences his third season in our great country. It’s not every day that Canadian race fans get to watch someone with Metcalfe’s credentials, so hopefully everyone can get to their nearest national round and watch him live. As the battle nears for MX1 supremacy, we have honoured Brett Metcalfe with the well-deserved cover on this month’s MXP Magazine.

B A C K O N B L U E

“So how fitting is it that for 2016 Metcalfe is back on blue this summer with the Rockstar Energy OTSFF Yamaha Team.” X4 3 X M MO OTTO OCCRRO OSSSS PPEERRFFO ORRM MA AN NCCEE ·· M MX XPPM MA AG G..CCO OM M

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THE NEW

SERIES

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THE 2016 ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK

MOTOCROSS NATIONALS BY BRENT WORRALL | PHOTOS BY JAMES LISSIMORE AND MIKE VIZER

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Tyler Medaglia will be riding a Parts Canada sponsored

THE 2016 ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK

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Husqvarna FC350 in 2016.

nce again race fans, the highly anticipated and long awaited 24th Annual Rockstar Energy Drink Motocross Nationals is upon us. The upcoming season promises to be, what I truly believe, the best this country has ever seen. If, for whatever reason, you have not been able to keep up to speed with what is about to unfold, it will be an all-out war for the 2016 Canadian National MX1 title; I suggest you fasten your seatbelt and read on. Even though it might seem somewhat cliché, or part in parcel of the annual obligatory hype from this ravenous race fan, that is definitely not the case. The 2016 season will not only see a change in the landscape but it will also see a change in what it takes to win this highly coveted crown. Overcoming the many variables confronted on this marathonlike, cross country trek is something that many of these riders will welcome and in which they are accustomed. What Canadian race fans now have to get accustomed to will be an MX1 field that is deeper, talent-wise, than we have ever saw. I also believe that something else this series has had a reputation for is about to change in 2016! Let’s start with change; change is good right? I will let each and every one of you answer that for yourself. The fact of the matter is that this series has continued to evolve season after season, and change has always proved positive. This year, once again the first gate will drop in the North Thompson Valley just outside of Kamloops, B.C. at Whispering Pines Raceway, and the final flag will wave on the 20th Moto of the series just outside of Barrie, Ontario at RJ Motosport Park. Now with a start point and finish line place - how will the storyline that writes in between this summer unfold? I will be the first to admit that I cannot read a ‘Tarot Card’ nor am I able to foresee the future, but I do know this year’s MX1 combatants and this series very well. I want to take a closer look at what history has taught us about those who will line up and what I believe will unfold on the road to this season’s Canadian National MX1 title. Before I jump into contenders and shed any light on what I believe their strengths are, let me start with this: You know that saying that is often said about sport or anything for that matter, “Nice guys finish last!?” Well, maybe that is not the most appropriate fit here as I know most of these riders on a personal level. Don’t get me wrong, they are all nice guys! What I am eluding to is the series that has historically had a reputation for being somewhat gentlemanly when it comes to race conduct while battling, I do believe this is about to change! Let’s face it, with the stakes in Canadian Motocross in dollars and cents as high as they have ever been, it is almost a certainty that push will come to

shove. I think for evidence of this we need to look no further than the final MX1 Moto of last season. It was at that final round, heading into the last Moto with all the marbles on the line when 2015 title winner, Rockstar OTSFF Yamaha’s Matt Goerke and Gopher Dunes Honda’s Colton Facciotti came together. With that now history and a new set of players signed into the mix and set out in quest of glory, I have a strong feeling that we will see more of those types of battles very soon. On that day, no one got hurt and race fans definitely got their money’s worth. No one will argue that the national series is always at its best when it goes right down to the wire like last season. I can almost assure you, in that regard, things will likely be no different. At the time of writing, I believe we have no less than nine or ten guys lined up who can and will hit the podium. It is also quite possible that we will see some top level U.S. riders make an appearance or two as the series moves on. Let’s start from the top down here in the west with Rockstar OTSFF Yamaha and 2015 title holder and current target barer, Matt Goerke. Goerke will don the familiar colours of the Rockstar OTSFF Yamaha and look for a three-peat performance as top mark hitter. As most champions will tell you, and I am sure that Matt will not balk at saying, winning championships gets tougher each year rather than easier. Goerke, who is no stranger to adversity, pointed to the opener last year in Kamloops as one of the most difficult rounds on his way to the title. Heading into Round 1 last year, Goerke was only three weeks removed from having surgery on a broken collarbone. Matt told me that he knew a statement to his competitors that he was ready would be necessary to have in building momentum towards winning the title. I believe that a win at this year’s opener, in an even deeper pond of competitors, will be high on the priority list for the current champ. Goerke will also look to win sooner rather than later in the west. It was not until Gopher Dunes at the midway round of last season that he scored his first overall victory on his way to the championship. Less one sand round on this year’s schedule in the east, I believe last year’s champ will come out swinging hard early in this series. Matt Goerke is a winner and will be tough to deny a threepeat in 2016. Matt will be very hard to keep off f the podium, and will give his team and fans reasons to cheer loudly and often in 2016. Matt Goerke will have a new teammate this season under the title sponsor’s tent. The 2013 Champion, Brett Metcalfe, will ride a 450 Yamaha and look to avenge a season where his third place result could have been higher. Last season, Brett Metcalfe had one of his best rounds of the10 at the opener in Kamloops. Brett, who has been tuning up for his current Canadian title quest in Australia, is very capable of

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repeating as our National Champ. I know that Brett is not one to look behind but he had three rounds last year that he will use as fuel for a better result this season. Brett Metcalfe had a couple of mechanical issues last year and was also confronted with a flu-like virus the day of the demanding Gopher Dunes round. The change in venues this year will not affect Metcalfe’s chances as I would have to peg him as one of the most skilled and versatile riders this country has ever seen. High praise? Yes it is but very well deserved as Metcalfe was a 3-time winner last season and runner up three times as well. I believe that Brett Metcalfe comes in as one of this season’s hungriest competitors who is very crafty and will do whatever it takes to win. The #3 bike will likely be on the podium at every round as Brett Metcalfe is a proven winner. Metcalfe is also a very humble and personable individual that makes an extra effort to give back to his fans, the sport and up and coming riders. I think it is fitting that we next look to another team that will saddle up two more MX1 title contenders under the same tent. The Monster Energy, Alpinestars Kawasaki team will see the #800 bike of Mike Alessi and the #55 of Vince Friese under their awning. Both of these riders made a one-off appearance last year at the Calgary National for the Moto Concepts team. That day, Mike Alessi looked to build on the round there in 2014 that he called ‘The best race of my life.’ That unfortunately did not materialize as Alessi came into town a little banged up. What did happen last year in Calgary, I think it is safe to say, not many except Mike Genova and Vince Friese saw coming. That of course was a Vince Friese overall victory on a 450 Honda. Vince looked right at home on Canadian soil and was full value for the overall win. 2016 will see both these riders under the Jason Hughes managed team tent and I know both have their eyes set on the series top prize of the title. Friese finished second here in 2014 to Kaven Benoit in the MX2 class, as did Alessi in the premier class to our own Colton Facciotti. In speaking with both riders in the off-season, I know they are excited about the return to the Rockstar Nationals. Vince knows he can win races, and when asked who he thought his toughest competitor would be, he pointed to the outdoor skills and career accomplishments of his teammate, Mike Alessi. I also remember how disappointed Mike Alessi was when the championship eluded him here in 2014. He comes into 2016 wanting to add this title to his storybook career list of accomplishments. Mike Alessi is very grateful for this opportunity and I believe he will try to build momentum and break away early when the

Kaven Benoit comes into the MX1 class after a very successful MX2 career, which saw him win back to back championships.

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gate drops in Kamloops. Both of these riders have proven they can ride the hard pack and sand. I have every reason to believe that these two riders will frequent the podium throughout this 20 Moto marathon. I believe that now being teamed up with a team that focusses solely on this series and the fact that these two boys have been here before only improves their title hopes. When looking at the teams that will back riders born and raised on racing in our homeland, we too will have a few to cheer for. I think it is fair to say, and I am sure that Colton Facciotti and Gopher Dunes Honda Canada’s front man Derek Schuster won’t mind me saying, that this year’s #2 is likely our best shot at the title. I am sure as they are reading this they are thinking ‘Best shot?’, ‘We are going to win!’ If that is the case, which it likely is, I do not believe the four-time MX1 Champ will disappoint his fans and connections when it comes to speaking with his results. Will he win? Maybe. There again within this burning question are about eight or so other variables that he will line up against, round in and round out, to do their best to thwart his efforts. Colton, like many of this year’s contenders, is not only an accomplished veteran of this series but is also at this sport at the highest level anywhere. Colton Facciotti may not have accomplishments like top five overalls in the USA like some of this year’s riders can boast, but he knows what it takes to win. At 28-years-old, Colton, in the same fashion of an aging fine wine, seems to get better and better each year. With the talent pool growing year by year in Canadian Motocross, Colton Facciotti has annually silenced any critics by elevating his game to even loftier heights. Colton came into 2015 very banged up, but even with the hiccup of a shoulder separation mid series, still managed to win the last three rounds

of the chase with authority. He also managed to narrow the gap to 6 points by series end. That final Moto last year had many race fans, myself included, wishing there were more races. Fortunately, the off-season wait is over and time will tell what the future holds for the GOAT of his era. Yes, Colton Facciotti will also look to make hay early in the west and look to add a Red Plate to the Red Rider Honda! Rider #11 this year, Kaven Benoit, will be on a brand new look for the Parts Canada, Thor, KTM Racing Team in the MX1 class. The two-time, back-to-back MX2 Champion will showcase his talents and experience in the premier class. Benoit, much like Facciotti and the others he will line up against, has been in a few rodeos. With last year’s highly successful season on the KTM 250 two-stroke, although relatively uneventful on the race track, this year may be a little bit different. Why? Well, the sheer number of title contenders, which we would be foolish not to include him, is greatly increased. Also, if you are waiting for me to add into this equation that he will once again line up with a rider that he had a history with in 2014 (Vince Friese), wait no longer. Let me remind you, however, that is exactly what I said: ‘History!’ Unlike 2014, both of these riders will have many other things and many other riders to deal with, negating some of the things we saw that year. Maybe, maybe not. Either way, Kaven Benoit is the definition of a ‘Professional,’ and I believe he will be on the podium often. Would you be surprised if Kaven Benoit was crowned the 2016 Canadian National MX1 Champion? I know he would not be! I do believe Kaven Benoit will be one of the biggest and most pleasant surprises for Canadian race fans in 2016. Another newcomer and rider that will saddle up a KTM

Top: Matt Goerke is all set to defend his 2015 MX1 Championship. Above: This summer Brett Metcalfe will be under the Rockstar Energy OTSFF Yamaha tent.

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With brand new Fox gear and a brand new number, Colton Facciotti is hoping for a very successful 2016.

here for the first time is none other than Davi Millsaps. Davi is another rider coming in that only makes our great series even better! He is as fast and smooth as the day is long but has suffered some misfortune in recent years. After parting ways with the Kawasaki USA team, he once again found a home on the familiar orange coloured bike of KTM. Davi too has a very long list of top level accomplishments, and I believe his smooth, front running style will help him in a big way on Canadian soil. Here again we have a top level rider coming in with good connections, validating what it means to those investing to win this title. I assure you, Davi, like the good people behind him making this happen, will be playing for keeps. I know that Davi not only wants to win, but he believes he has what it takes to win this title. Davi Millsaps will enter Canada with a blank notebook but has always proved throughout his career to be a very quick learner. Canadian race fans are very fortunate to be able to get to see another world class competitor like Davi Millsaps up close and personal. There will definitely be no asterisk beside any of the numbers one through ten of the 2016 Rockstar Energy Drink Motocross Nationals. Canadian National #5, Truro, Nova Scotia’s Tyler Medaglia, will line up on a Parts Canada, Husqvarna for the second year in a row, and will look to build on last season’s valiant effort. Tyler, who is also a two-time MX2 National Champion from his victories in 2010 and 2011, knows the Canadian game and the tracks as good as any. After two back-to-back seasons of third overall finishes in 2013 and 2014, this season, Medaglia will also contend for podiums and race wins. In thinking back to last year’s opener at Whispering Pines, halfway through Moto one I had Tyler pegged as a sure and certain winner. That day, Tyler was rewarded with third for his efforts,

tying a series best result. Tyler will line up for the second straight year on the flashy and very flickable Husqvarna Motorcycle. I believe with that and how the season went last year, he will line up a little more confident and comfortable this season. Last season was the first in many years at the top level for the likeable staple of this series that saw him in a downsized race day set-up. Marching proudly to the beat of his own tune and the relentless support of his dedicated family, 2016 looks to be a good one for Tyler. Experience, fitness and familiarity will not at all be issues for Tyler this summer. He will also welcome the venue change to his neck of the woods in Pleasant Valley. I know Tyler will also cash in on the opportunity to thank all of those that have shared his pursuit and passion of moto glory in his 2016 podium speeches. Tyler’s race day set-up will have no shortage of backers lined up to get a closer glimpse of one of our true Canadian heroes. In rounding out the contenders in top-like fashion, let’s look at last year’s sixth overall finisher, KTM Redemption Racing rider Cade Clason. Cade was a last minute addition to the team last year as a result of an untimely injury to Nathan Bles. Clason, who hails from Club-MX, south of the border in Carolina, had a solid season for a first go around in Canada. Cade is a very personable individual who now comes in with a full set of notes on our series. Cade also has a full year of top level gate drops under his belt at the Monster Energy Supercross Series this past winter. Cade will run a top 100 number in the U.S. next year based on his points scored. He is a versatile rider who is very smooth and, in my opinion, much better suited to Outdoor Motocross than Supercross. Those variables to me smell like trouble for many of his competitors. I know that me saying he has a lot of potential to make noise

in this series has the Redemption Racing team smiling. Cade was new to the series last year and I am not sure if it was his high digit number of 761 that did not garner him a lot of respect on the race track or what. I was at some rounds and witnessed some of these incidents that I know Cade has not forgotten and will use as fuel and motivation when the gate drops at Round 1. Cade Clason can and will challenge for podiums week in and week out. Is it a reach to say Cade Clason will win this title? Only time will tell but I know for a fact that Cade gives Redemption Racing the best chance they have ever had at the top prize. Also rumoured to be coming back to Canada is the 2015 national #9 Dylan Schmoke. The San Diego native is also a veteran of this series and hit his best stride late last summer. Schmoke has been rumoured to be teamed up with Redemption Racing as well. I guess we will not know exactly what the deal is on Dylan and many others that will make a last minute decision to compete in the 2016 Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals until June. Do yourselves a favour race fans, don’t get left in the gate and get out to as many rounds of this series as you can. All of the hype and the excitement of the opener always delivers. If you cannot make it to the opener do not let that stop you. This series can and will not be won at Round 1. He who is crowned the 2016 Canadian National MX1 Champion will no doubt have earned it. I believe that 2016 will be the most gruelling, hardest fought battles for the MX1 crown that this country has ever seen. I know Head Referee Paul Kingsley may have other thoughts, but the way this race fan sees it, all is fair in love and war in the quest for the 2016 MX1 Championship. Buy your tickets now and get all the details at www.mxnationals.ca. Let the gate drop and let’s go racing!

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EXPOSED Vince Friese and Jacob Hayes are going to help make this a summer to remember in Canada.

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MOTOCROSS NATIONALS

few years ago, the MX2 class in Canada offered some of the best race action in our National Series. Of course, these last few years it has been the premiere MX1 class that has generated much of the fan and media attention. Last year, especially with the epic battles between our hometown hero Colton Facciotti, eventual Champion Matt Georke, and second runner-up Brett Metcalfe, the MX1 boys enjoyed the lion’s share of the hype that surrounded the Rockstar Energy Drink Motocross Nationals. As we head into the 2016 series, once again it is the MX1 class that has created the big buzz with more talent poised to do battle than we have ever witnessed before in this country. But never underestimate the racing that we get to enjoy in the MX2 class. Even last year, with Kaven Benoit’s dominance, the racing was still fantastic in the “little” bike division. This year there are a few new players involved in the MX2 class and some riders who are back again but on new brands of motorcycles. I suppose the biggest news is the announcement that Cole Thompson will remain on the KTM factory team but will now be competing for the MX2 title on a factory prepared 250F. This is a major shake-up, and for a rider who has proven himself a winner in the premiere class, Cole will be a serious favourite for the title chase. Another newcomer is American hot shoe Jacob Hayes, who will be aboard a factory Monster Kawasaki. Hayes edged out Thompson to take the victory in the Canadian Monster Energy Arenacross series, which left a serious rivalry between the two riders. As we head into the outdoors, it is certain this bad blood will create a world of excitement at the front of the MX2 pack. Returning speedster on the Gopher Dunes

factory Honda is another proven MX1 rider, Jeremy Medaglia. Jeremy can ride the MX2 bike with speed, style and confidence, and if he can catch a few lucky breaks early on in the season, he easily has the potential to rival for the crown and MX2 supremacy. This will be Jeremy’s second year on the 250 Honda so expect him to be comfortable on the bike and a regular podium threat. Another rider who is back in MX2 action but also a proven MX1 rider is Saskatchewan’s current favourite son, Shawn Maffenbeier. Since the retirement of Blair “Superman” Morgan, Shawn has taken over the honours of fasted Prairie rider and as well is a common crowd favourite. Having mentored under the tutelage of the great Bobby Kiniry, Shawn, like Bobby, is tough, strong and most of all determined. But for 2016 “Little Muff” will not be on his familiar Rockstar Yamaha but instead on an all new orange KTM. You can bet Maffenbeier will have his new bike figured out and dialed in before the gate drop in Kamloops and will add a dynamic presence in this already exciting class! One of our country’s brightest stars, Dylan Wright, will once again shine bright on his 250 four-stroke Yamaha. Dylan, who came up through the ranks under the guidance of Kevin Tyler and his proven MX 101 Yamaha program, will be rivaling the best of the best for podiums and even wins in the “tiddler” division. As one of the youngest podium riders in the history of the series, Dylan Wright brings one more year of experience into the championship stake and will be creating fits for the more established veteran riders! One more youngster, but this one out of Prince George, British Columbia, is the likeable Jess Pettis. Jess, who burst onto the scene as a Monster Kawasaki rider on mini bikes, is scheduled to be back on a Kawasaki after a couple of years on blue

“This will be Jeremy’s second year on the 250 Honda so expect him to be comfortable on the bike and a regular podium threat.” 5 0 M O T O C R O S S P E R F O R M A N C E · M X P M A G . C O M

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THE 2016 ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK

MOTOCROSS NATIONALS

Yamahas. Jess is close in age to Dylan Wright and will be in direct competition with the MX 101 star for ‘Best Up and Coming Rider’ as we head in the 2016 Rockstar Energy Drink Motocross Nationals. One American rider who has shown great loyalty to the Canadian circuit is Washington State’s Bradley Nauditt. Brad, who has raced primarily in Canada on the MX2 bike, is slated to be back again but this time aboard a red Honda. After several years off Hondas and on Yammies, Brad secured a deal with a local shop in the States and will be representing the Red Brigade once again. Brad was uber fast out

west in the Future West Arenacross Series, and with lightning quick reflexes off he start, look for Nauditt to be in the holeshot money as well as on the podium come this summer. Another American rider who has a ton of heart, natural speed and talent is Blake (Macho Man) Savage. Blake has been awesome on the Devils Lake Yamaha and is poised to be back in Canada, but at this point we’re not 100% sure what brand of bike he will be riding. If Blake can get on the right motor and suspension package, look for him to upset the results and earn himself regular podium appearances.

These are just a few of the confirmed upper echelon riders who will be competing for supremacy once the gate drops on June 5th in Kamloops. Rest assured, there will be a few “wild card” entries from abroad who will shake things up as there always has. As glorious as the racing will be in MX1, I am confident the MX2 class will be equally exciting and aid in providing one of the best value packed tickets in Canadian Motorsports…period! Come join the ride in 2016 and take in all the beauty and drama of Canadian Outdoor Motocross.

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15D_MX3S_Champs_sngl_MXP_layout 3/21/16 12:58 PM Page 1

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T S A O C T S WE

T H G I R W DYLAN

R E T N I W B Y A ND

HOTO | P W HIT E

ooking back at the 2015 season, Dylan Wright had a really solid season in the MX2 class, supported by his long-time sponsors MX101, Yamaha and FXR Racing. Finishing sixth in a ten round series was a big improvement from his 2014 season. Now that it’s the offseason, this is the time where you plan your strategy and figure out how to better your program for 2016. However, that’s not as easy as you might think. When do you start training? When do you go to ride and test? Who do you connect yourself with? For how long do you head south and train? So many questions and who really has the right answers for all of those questions. Well, I had a chance to sit down with the friendly Ontario native and ask him about his program going into the new season. It was actually a pretty simple answer. “I need to up my program from the year before if I am going to win the MX2 championship.” Then I asked him just how he was going to go about doing that. Dylan started to tell me how last year was a big improvement from the 2014 season, but there is plenty of room for improvement. For starters, Dylan knows by living in the Ottawa area that he doesn’t have many hard pack tracks to train on. Basically, the Ottawa region is built on a sand base, so the first item on the list was to focus on finding hard pack tracks that would help with future results. Last year, Dylan’s results were much stronger in the sand, so looking forward it made sense to focus on hard pack tracks. Next on the list was what coast to head to this year. Well, that was an easy decision. The choice pick would be the west. Southern California has its share of packed, baked tracks, and the best time to head there would be mid-

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January. You don’t want to go too long and end up burning yourself out, but you want to be there long enough to stay hungry and focused on your goals. The truck and trailer were loaded and Dylan set off o California. That has to be a really long drive from Ottawa but well worth it, I would say. Dylan stayed in Corona, California, which is the heart of motocross in the USA. Team engine builder Allen Brown has a home and a good size workshop that made it easy for Dylan to set up a base. You couldn’t have asked for a better location as Corona is only 20 minutes from about four different, good test tracks that really helped Dylan with his program. Allen Brown has been involved in the motocross world for a long time. Motocross started off n Canada for Allen as he grew up just east of Ottawa. One day, Allen packed his belongings and headed to California as it was his goal to get much more involved in the moto world. Allen started at KTM with the KJSC program and worked his way to the MotoXXX program as a mechanic for Kyle Lewis, then eventually became the team manager for the team. Now, Allen had Dylan under his roof, which was such a great opportunity for the young speedster. One of the goals on Wright’s list was to better understand the workings of a four-stroke engine and the handling and chassis department. We all know a few years ago Dylan was pretty hard on equipment but over time has learned to better understand how things work. This in turn will allow Dylan to be able to ride the 250F better and be able to give needed feedback to the team to better the set up. Not that easy for a young man, but if he is wanting to become a champion he needs to be able to explain what he is looking for in his equipment.

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Dylan had everything all dialed in and was ready to tackle the famous California tracks. Allen suggested they go try out a few tracks to get a feel for them. In January, most fast pro riders focus on supercross, which means the outdoor tracks are not that rough. As the supercross series heads east, this means the western series pros start testing and practicing outdoors – perfect! Everyone knows that all pros head to Glen Helen on Thursdays. The fast pros usually head to the track after lunch when the track starts getting rough. “What’s the point in heading to a smooth track to test?” says Dylan. “I am out here to learn from the best and ride with them; it’s pretty cool”, Dylan explains. “I pull up to the track and you see all the PC and TLD riders all set to test. Star Yamaha’s team is always there as well.” I asked him if he got a little nervous when he saw these guys out on the track. Dylan said, “I was the first couple of times, but now it’s motivation for me. I get out on the track and I push hard to follow Cooper Webb. I look at it this way, he started out just like me. I know he is faster but if I can see what lines he is using, that’s a big help. I can tell you, it feels so good when you can hang with some of the top pros. I know then that my program is starting to pay off. It’s not just ‘get on the bike and go,’ it’s practice and test time. Allen will have a list of items that need to be tested. If they make a difference great. If they don’t, well, at least

we tested them.” As I was interviewing Dylan, you could tell he has grown up a lot in the last six months since the last round in Canada. Dylan now has a different outlook on the program. Living so far from his family and girlfriend, he knows this is the time to put his head down and focus on his goal. What does a week look like for the MX101 MX2 rider? “Well, it’s not a vacation, that’s for sure,” Dylan explained. “It’s a full time job! Every day starts off early but I try to finish the day off round late afternoon so I can rest for the next day. If I’m not on the dirt bike I am down at the gym or on my mountain bike training. One area that I am really enjoying is helping Allen with rebuilding the practice bikes. I now get a chance to actually do a top end rebuild on my own 250F. I have always wanted to know how a four-stroke works. Don’t tell Kevin Tyler as he will now try to get me to work on my own bikes (lol).” Who do you practice with during the week? “I get to ride with the current CMRC MX1 Canadian Champion, Matt Georke. I really enjoy riding with Matt. He has been racing for a long time and knows what it takes to become a champ. The OTSFF Rockstar Yamaha team contracted Allen to rebuild their practice bikes over the winter so this gives me the opportunity to train with Georke and Metcalfe. When we first started testing in the sand, I was able to hang with Matt for a few laps but on hard pack he was gone. Now I am able to stay with him for a few more

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“Dylan now has a different outlook on the program. Living so far from his family and girlfriend, he knows this is the time to put his head down and focus on his goal.”

laps. When it rains we head for sand tracks. These tracks are usually not maintained so they are really rough.” I asked who does the cooking and cleaning at Allen’s house. “Well, I do. I enjoy cooking and I do what I can to help them out as I appreciate them allowing me to stay with them over the winter.” Now that Jimmy Decotis is not coming back to Canada, this makes Dylan the top dog on the team. I wanted to find out how Dylan is dealing with the added pressure knowing he is Yamaha’s number one guy for 2016. ‘’I am actually excited about the new season. The way I look at it is, I was pretty close to the top three most weekends last year. Now Jimmy and Benoit are not in the class anymore so that means two new guys will be there to beat. Yes, Thompson will be fast, so will Jacob Hayes. Thompson hasn’t raced the MX2 class outdoors in Canada or in the US for a long time. He also has the weight of his sponsors too. Hayes is a great AX rider. I don’t really know what his speed will be like outdoors for 10 rounds. To be honest, I don’t even think about it. Why bother stressing! I have my program. It’s solid. I know I have really stepped it up for 2016. I feel confident. I have addressed the issues that slowed me down last year. The MX101 team has always been fair with their support. I know it costs a lot of money to go racing and I really appreciate all the support I get.” What do you think about your two new teammates? “Well, I don’t know them that well besides saying hi to them at the races. I look forward to meeting them and getting to know them. I hear Jesse is riding really well. I am sure he has been learning a ton from his riding coach, Colton Facciotti. Now Hayden has moved to the MX2 class for 2016. That’s going to be cool that all three of us will be out there competing. I hear Hayden likes to joke around and keep it light. It’s always good to have a good balance under the tent.”

As you can tell, Dylan Wright has really matured over the past three years; it’s obvious that he has his goals set on winning the 2016 MX2 Championship. Dylan said that he would really like to run with the red number plate. “It’s okay if it’s the last few rounds. Down the road I would like to move to the 450 class.” I asked if he was thinking supercross at all as he lives down the road from some of the best supercross tracks in the world. “Funny you ask that. I have been tempted to put in a few laps but then I remember why I am here. I know my suspension is not set up for it nor am I, but yes, I would like to look at it one day in the future.” I asked if he ever bumped into Davi Millsaps and what advice would you give him about coming to Canada. “Lots of Americans have come up and thought it would be easy to win or at least do really well. We know that our tracks are a little different to the US prepared tracks. We also know that our current riders that have competed in Canada have raced the series for a few years. This is a huge advantage. Guys like Alessi and Metcalfe are going to be hard to beat this year. Come to think of it, there are six riders that can win the MX1 class. It would good for our series if Millsaps did come up, it would show our series is solid.” What track do you look forward to racing the most and the one you don’t? “Calgary has always been a good one for me. The two new tracks I have never seen before so those two tracks are ones I need to figure out.” What is one weakness you have? “Chocolate covered almonds. They are addictive. I can’t go a week without having a few (lol).” I believe if Dylan has any luck this year we will see this young Canadian rider up on the podium. Will it be easy? Hell no. Twenty motos over three months with only one week break is not easy. The strongest will survive this series. Who will it be? Well, I guess we will have to wait until August to find out.

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Viva

Quebec! THE

DESCHAMBAULT MOTOVAN

GRAND

NATIONAL AMATEUR

CHAMPIONSHIPS

BY STEPHEN ST. PIERRE PHOTOS BY JAMES LISSIMORE

he best amateur racers in the country will have the chance to showcase their skills this summer at CMRCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Motovan Grand National Amateur Championships being held at the fabulous Circuit Deschambault in the province of Quebec. The event will take place August 4th-6th and will be capped off ith Round 9 of the Rockstar Energy Drink Motocross Nationals on Sunday the 7th. The selection of Deschambault to hold this prestigious event is a change from the previous format, which saw the event being held at the same venue every year.

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Also new is the change in the qualifying process this year where riders will no longer have to qualify for the event. This means that qualifiers will be held at the event, if necessary, and amateur national qualifiers will not be held in any CMRC sanctioned region across the country. This format has been proven successful at several major amateur nationals that take place in the United States and will prove to be just as successful in Canada. In 2017, the CMRC Grand National Amateur Championships will be held in Western Canada. This will provide Western Canadians a better opportunity to participate in an amateur national when they couldn’t afford or justify the trip to Ontario in the past. The following year, the CMRC Grand National Amateur Championships will return to Eastern Canada then Western Canada, and continue to rotate from east to west each year. This is a much fairer and more equitable approach for all riders throughout

the country. Riders no longer have to get stressed about qualifying for an amateur national, Westerners won’t be forced to undergo the expense every year to chase a national title, and the cost to participate will be a fraction of the previous arrangement. It is highly expected that the 2016 CMRC Motovan Grand National Amateur Championships in Deschambault, Quebec will be the most popular and highest attended amateur national in our country’s history. Deschambault has previously hosted the Eastern Canadian Amateur Nationals, an event that has grown in participation and prestige over the years, and in 2016 will be the site where all Canadian amateur racers can vie for their national title in each respective class. The event is an affordable way for amateur riders across the country to compete against each other at the national caliber motocross facility in Quebec. The owner and promoter, Daniel Thibault, is hard at work to

With its mixture of big jumps and sandy soil, the Deschambault track is one of the best in Canada.

increase the size of the amateur pit area and spectator parking to accommodate the number of people that will be attending this high-status amateur national event. The track itself has been expanded as well and is one of the best in the country. Daniel has worked hard over the years to build a Motocross facility that is challenging to the riders and also great for fans. His track has played host to the Pro Nationals in 2003-2004 and since 2013 has become a regular stop on the Rockstar Energy Drink Motocross Nationals calendar. He continues to work on the track and the whole facility with a strong vision for the future. The track at Deschambault has a long history dating back to 1977 when a local Can-Am dealer wanted a place to showcase his motorcycles to help with sales. The terrain itself is a motocross rider’s dream with its elevation changes and soft, loamy, sand based soil. In 1990, Daniel bought the land and got to work with a chainsaw and bulldozer, but used the track mostly as a practice facility to train himself for his pro career. That same year he decided to hold a provincial event there and right out of the gate the track was a hit receiving praise by competitors, and was chosen as the best provincial race track in its first year of operation. By 1993, Daniel had become the sole owner of the track and continued to hold provincial races there. Legal issues over acquired rights and zoning forced him into the courtroom where he eventually emerged victorious in 2007 and was allowed to open the facility to the public. His victory in the courtroom was aided by his strong roots in the community and the overwhelming support of the local population. For 2016, Daniel has focused on four areas of improvement to his Motocross Park. First is the track, which is now larger with the addition of a new section comprising a steep drop-off, that will be a great test for the racers, and an exciting viewing area for spectators. He also brought in 1,000 truckloads of earth to mix in with the sand based soil. Next, he has trucked in 800 loads of gravel to improve the camping and pit areas in order

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to accommodate the racers, teams, and fans after receiving some past criticism in this area. Spectator parking has also been improved with additional areas being added from adjoining farmland he was able to acquire. The third area he has improved is in the area of irrigation and track watering. The land has been shaped in specific areas to help with the drainage and his watering system has been improved making it more accessible to all areas of the track. Daniel was quick to admit that having a father who is a plumber has allowed him to build a track watering system that is as good as any. Finally, he has improved the fencing system around the track to increase the safety of the spectators, and has elevated some of the spectator sections to allow them to see more of the circuit as well as providing another bridge location for spectators to cross the track during the race. The large, multi-level viewing platform allows you to see most of the track and is a fan favourite. Daniel left his job three years ago as a tradesman in refrigeration and air conditioning to work on his Motocross Park full time and has since invested around $300,000 in the facility. A big part of his daily routine is spent trying to bring new sponsors into a sport that he is truly passionate about. He believes that doing this will make the cost of racing more affordable and will help grow the sport. His registration fees for riders, as well as admission fees for spectators, are

The multi-level tower in the middle of the track has become one of the symbols of motocross in Canada.

the lowest in the country. He has a goal to provide the lowest prices he can in every aspect of the event including the camping costs. This philosophy extends as far as the cost of a beer for the fans. He accomplishes this without forgoing the level of quality riders and spectators expect at the national level. You can feel the passion in his voice when he recalls watching such Pros as Mike Alessi, Brett Metcalfe and John Dowd ride the track he built himself, but his absolute best memory of the riders who have ripped up his racetrack is when his childhood idol, “Rollerball” Ross Pederson, the most successful Canadian Motocross racer of all time, showed up at Deschambault in 1993. The facility is conveniently located between Montreal and Quebec City allowing it to draw racers and spectators

“The track at Deschambault has a long history dating back to 1977 when a local Can-Am dealer wanted a place to showcase his motorcycles to help with sales.”

from two major cities and beyond. Daniel has recognized the language barriers that exist for riders coming from outside the province and has put a lot of effort into assuring that his staff, in all areas of the operation, is bilingual. He praises his team of employees who are all riders themselves and spend most of their weekends riding the track. Each morning they hold meetings to discuss what went on the previous day and how they can improve things. Deschambault has played host to the Eastern Canadian Amateur National since 2013 and has seen the event grow in numbers and stature each year. This comes as no surprise to Daniel based on the success of the provincial events held there over the years where Deschambault has always attracted a record number of participants each year. Last year’s ECAN attracted 630 entries and with the added prestige of this event now being elevated to a National Championship and all the improvements Daniel has undertaken, participant entries should reach record levels.

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The site will open on Monday for participants and their entourages, with open practice sessions being held on Tuesday and Wednesday. Rider registration will take place Wednesday evening as will the opening ceremonies, which will be bilingual, with the racing action following the riders meeting starting on Thursday. Racing will take place over three days ending Saturday followed by the awards presentation in the evening. Giant trophies will be awarded in each class to the top three as well as plaques for those finishing from fourth to tenth. Medals will be handed out to the top three in each moto and to all Pee Wee participants. Special trophies will be handed out in two categories, one in the name of the great Quebec racer Jean Sebastien Roy, who will be onsite, and the other in the name of the late Fred Laflamme. This is the most affordable event of its kind in North America, and you can find all the costs and detailed event schedule information as well as how to register online on the Deschambault website - www.motocrossdeschambault.com. During the opening ceremonies there will be industry people on hand to explain the Honda and KTM contingency money available at this event, as well as explain the Yamaha bLU cRU program where the Yamaha rider who accumulates the most points at this event will be rewarded with a YZ of his choice for 2017 and a substantial parts credit to go along with it. Canadian Kawasaki Motors,

This summer the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top amateur riders will compete on the same track as the Pro riders at the 2016 CMRC Canadian Grand National Amateur Championships.

in collaboration with local dealer AS Moto, will be giving away a 2017 KX100 in a random drawing from the top ten finishers in the Super Mini class. Representatives from Oakley will also be onsite to help all racers with their goggle needs. Each night there will be awesome events under the big tent with comedians, DJs, as well as live music. The VR Medic group will randomly draw $7,000 in door prizes at the Friday night event. CMRC recently announced a new partnership agreement with Conx2share, which will allows users to

With his recent championships in the MX2 class, hometown boy Kaven Benoit is a fan favourite anytime he races in Quebec.

watch the CMRC Rockstar Energy Drink Motocross Nationals live on their smartphones or computers simply by downloading the free app. Conx2share will be extending this live streaming to the Grand National Amateur Championships in 2016 and will be providing live video coverage for every moto of the event. This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Motovan Grand National Amateur Championships in Deschambault, Quebec, capped off ith Round 9 of the CMRC Rockstar Energy Drink Motocross Nationals, will be the biggest week of Motocross in Canada this

year. Deschambault owner and race promoter Daniel Thibault recognizes this and is hard at work to assure the success of this prestigious event. He invites all racers to come participate and is looking forward to extending a warm welcome to everyone himself. He is very proud of what he has accomplished in Deschambault and recognizes the importance of a strong National governing body to continue to grow the sport in this country. He looks forward to holding National caliber events at his track for years to come.

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Two very interesting additions to this first Orange Brigade Camp of 2016 were Canadian speedsters Tanner Ward and Jacob Piccolo.

CAMPING WITH THE ORANGE BRIGADE

Over the years the KTM brand has had many “firsts” as it has attempted to lead the way in motocross. I remember the first time that I really took notice of KTM was back in the mid-1980s when they surprisingly introduced a KTM 80cc dirt bike. It was the first time that any manufacturer outside of the big Japanese four took the chance of venturing into the very competitive small bike market. Although BY CHRIS POMEROY | PHOTOS BY SIMON CUDBY AND KRYSTYN SLACK that bike only lasted a few years on the market, it proved even thirty years ago KTM was a company that wasn’t afraid to take chances and test boundaries. Fast forward to present day, KTM is leading the way more than ever with innovation and outside-the-box thinking. Case in point is the KTM Orange Brigade Amateur program, a group created by KTM USA to assist their top, young riders to be the best that they can be. With the popularity of the sport at the pro level these days, KTM decided a few years ago that it needed a program to help find and mentor its contingent of young and extremely talented riders. Once these chosen riders have met the criteria of not just race results and promise but also school marks and character, they’re put under the Orange Brigade umbrella and given full access to everything that the program offers. Not only are these riders given support at each and every large amateur event across the USA, they’re also invited to two Orange Brigade Camps held throughout the year. The two Orange Brigade Camps are spaced out to give the riders maximum instruction at key parts of the season. The camp that we attended in April was set up to make sure the Orange Brigade riders are on the right track as they head into the very important summer of racing. Items such as fitness, nutrition, riding technique, concussion protocol and proper interview habits were all reviewed at various points throughout the day. Yes, it was a lot to absorb in one day for these kids that range in age from 8-years-old to 16. But you have to remember that these are the elite kids of our sport, they’re supposed to be able to process large amounts of information quickly. Two very interesting additions to this first Orange Brigade Camp of 2016 were Canadian speedsters Tanner Ward and Jacob Piccolo. These two young riders are two of this country’s most promising, up and coming kids, and as you might remember last summer, both Tanner and Jacob won CMRC’s KTM Super Mini Na-

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CAMPING WITH THE ORANGE BRIGADE

Clockwise starting from the top left: With the California mountains in the background, Tanner Ward floats over a Cahuilla Creek jump. Tanner Ward and his KTM Canada bosses take in the Santa Clara SX. Canadian Super Mini rider Jacob Piccolo shows off some of his cool style both on and off the bike. Tanner Ward was all smiles at the West Coast Orange Brigade Camp.

tionals that took place at a selected Eastern and Western rounds of the Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals. For 2016, Tanner has moved to the big bikes while Jacob is very happy to begin his first season as an Orange Brigade rider where he will attempt to defend his 2015 Super Mini title on June 4th in Kamloops. Even though this was the first time that either of these two Canadian kids have attended an Orange Brigade Camp, both were welcomed with open arms by the KTM staff and other riders in attendance. After some early morning introductions were made, the riders all got dressed and headed out for some practice on the hilly Cahuillia Creek track. Although some of the riders’ names like Hayden Deegan, Max Miller and Max Vohland were all familiar to me, I had never witnessed any of them ride in person. When the riders completed their 10 minute warm-up session, they all assembled in a group for some important instruction from Buddy Antunez and official Orange Brigade instructor Nathan Ramsey. Both of these former pro riders have been coaching for a number of years, so not only do they know former pro riders have been coaching for a number of years, so not only do they know their stuff, they also know exactly how to explain techniques to our younger generation of riders. As with any good coach, it’s not only what you know but how

well you’re able to pass that information on to your audience. I made a point to eavesdrop in on the first instructional session and I was very refreshed to hear Ramsey and Antunez stressing the importance of proper technique and safety, instead of speed and lap times. Small details such as foot positioning on the footpegs, standing up and line choices were all at the top of the agenda for this talented group of KTM riders. This went on at various times throughout the day and you could just feel the riders absorbing everything like little motocross sponges. The morning session flew by quickly and our Canadian kids were having the time of their lives while they rode with some of the top amateur kids in the world. Before we knew it lunch had arrived and everyone sat down under the KTM tent for some very tasty, catered Chipotle. It was during lunch that I was able to talk to a few of these American kids and find out exactly what their programs consisted of. I was amazed to learn that even at

the young age of 13, these kids have direction as far as their diet and their off-bike training programs. In fact, a few of the riders were very reluctant to even take a bite out of their Chipotle burrito as it wasn’t on their eating program. As I spoke to a few of these riders, I was reminded of some advice that Rick Sheren gave me a couple of years ago regarding my own son. Rick told me to work very hard at keeping racing light and fun as long as possible, and to not get really serious until they reach the age of 13 or so. It was Rick’s opinion that as a rider reaches the beginning of his teenage years it was then time to get serious if they had any plans of trying to make it. If they started too soon then they risked the chance of getting burnt out just as they were ready to turn pro. Rick’s philosophy fit right in with the Orange Brigade program as the riders weren’t directed to get really serious until they at least had reached their very early teens. The more I found out about the Orange Bri-

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gade program the more it became clear to me that it isn’t just about support with bikes and parts. It’s a structured movement that gives these young riders the direction they need in all areas, both on and off he bike. A perfect example of this was after all of the riding and instruction was finished for the day, as well as a very fun wheelie contest among all of the riders, all were transported to a nearby hotel where they were given advice on how to give a quality interview. Even after all of the big jumps and high speed riding that they had done all day, the public speaking was the thing they feared the most. To help add to the pressure of the moment on stage, KTM enlisted the help of a few of their factory team riders like Justin Hill, Andrew Short and freestyle legend Robbie Renner. The kids had to stand before their heroes and say a few interesting things about themselves, and then they were given a little direction on how to make it sound both interesting and professional. Speaking in front of a room full of your peers is never an easy thing, however as the evening progressed, everyone relaxed and it turned into a fun and very informative exercise. When the day was over and the kids’ heads hit their pillows, I’m sure each and every one of them fell asleep very quickly. The next day when I saw Tanner and Jacob, their heads almost appeared bigger because they were so full of knowledge. Of course, the fun wasn’t over. After working so hard the day before, all of the Orange Brigade riders and their families were invited to The Deegan Estate just outside Temecula, CA for a day of fun riding, volleyball in the pool and of course, a few leaps into Brian Deegan’s famous foam pit.

As this first camp came to a conclusion it became clear that these Orange Brigade Camps exist not just for the selected riders that are available to participate in them, they serve as a benchmark of excellence that all KTM amateur riders can strive towards. Not all of the riders who were there in California had won championships, however they all possess that certain little something that sets them apart from their competitors. For our Canadian duo of Tanner Ward and Jacob Piccolo, they left this West Coast Orange Brigade Camp with greater confidence and a belief in themselves and their riding. They will definitely take this knowledge back with them to Canada and make use of it during their race season. Just as they did back in the 1980s with their surprised launch of their 80cc machine, KTM is rewriting how this sport is developing our young talent. With riding instruction, how to pay more attention to detail, and how to communicate better, most of what KTM is teaching these kids isn’t just about racing dirt bikes, they’re teaching life lessons that these individuals will use for well beyond their days of competing. That to me was the most important and impressive factor that I witnessed while I was in California. It was a tremendous trip and one that I will always remember. I want to thank KTM Canada for allowing me the opportunity, and I would like to wish all of these kids the best of luck as they navigate through their 2016 racing season.

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KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION

In the mind of a Champion, a victory is celebrated beside those who helped achieve it. Congratulations Ryan Dungey and the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team for claiming a second consecutive 450 Supercross Championship.

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The Showdown at Copetown BY MIKE MCGILL I PHOTOS BY BILL PETRO

THE 1984 COPETOWN ROUND OF THE CANADIAN NATIONAL MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIPS WAS THE SCENE OF ONE OF THE BIGGEST UPSETS IN THE HISTORY OF CANADIAN MOTO. ROSS PEDERSON WAS IN THE PRIME OF HIS ILLUSTRIOUS CAREER IN 1984.

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“Mike Harnden arrived at Copetown that fateful day sporting an impressive 16 point lead in the series over his closest rival Pederson.”

1 Before mullets became popular in the late 1980s, Mike Harnden had the stylish hair going in 1984. 2 At the end of the 1984 500 series, Harnden had earned the top spot on the podium. 3 Although he wasn’t a factor in the title chase, Paul Kingsley had a great day on his KTM.

e was so dominant during that era that he virtually never lost, winning practically every championship in Canada that he lined up for. Pederson had few serious rivals at the time but Honda Canada rider Mike Harnden was considered to be one of the riders who could give Ross a run for his money on a good day. On a late summer afternoon way back in 1984 in Southwestern Ontario at the legendary Copetown track, Harnden

achieved what many considered to be the unthinkable and beat the Rollerball straight up in a four race series for the 500cc National title. This is the story of what went down that day. Drama was nothing new for Copetown. Prior to the ‘84 National, Copetown had already been the site of many great and defining moto moments during the early years of the sport in Canada. The Hamilton based Steel City Riders organized the first big International Motocross event in this country in the fall of 1970. The InterAm, or as it later became known as the Trans-Am Series, hosted top European and American stars such as Torsten Hallman and Gunner Lindstrom from Sweden, and Brad Lackey and Tom Rapp from the US. Perhaps the biggest race to ever take place at Copetown was the 1975 Canadian round of the 500cc World Motocross Championships where a highly anticipated duel between title contenders Heikki Mikkola and Roger DeCoster never materialized. Instead, sentimental favourite Pierre Karsmakers rode his factory Honda to his first career GP victory. Fast forward to 1984 and the CMA National Series. Mike Harnden rolled into the Copetown facility that day with a healthy 16 point lead over Pederson in the series. To the casual fan this may have been surprising but the fact that Harnden was leading the points was really no fluke. “I’d made a conscious decision to concentrate on the 500 series that year as I saw that as my best chance to win a Championship,” recalls Harnden. Harnden’s preparations for the series were meticulous and thorough. Instead of heading south to Florida or California for the off-season, training as he had done in previous seasons, Mike decided to head to the epicentre of 500cc motocross racing and booked a pre-season training trip to Europe. “I met Hank Tice, who was the owner of White Power Suspension, at the

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The Showdown at Copetown 1

1 Dave Beatty looked great at Copetown with the big #8 on his bike.

2 Harnden had his #2 Honda dialed in during the 1984 500cc series. 3 After the race, Ross Pederson and his future mechanic, Dave Gowland, were forced to deal with a large group of autograph seekers.

4 Although Harnden didn’t win the battle at Copetown, he and Honda did win the 500cc war. 5 It’s great to see that companies like Bel Ray Oils are still around after 32 years.

6 Ross Pederson had nothing for the young Honda rider Rudi Zasko Jr. at the final round in Copetown.

Canadian 250 GP in Quebec in 1983,” remembers Harnden. “We hit it off and he extended an invitation to me to come over and train the following season. I don’t think he ever thought I would take him up on it but I packed my bags and showed up,” he laughs. Good to his word, Tice hooked Mike up with a bike and some A-Kit WP suspension. Perhaps most importantly, Tice also introduced Mike to a rider agent who was able to enter Harnden into all kinds of big off-season races that actually paid start money. Harnden’s European vacation ended up yielding all kinds of positive results. “I got to race a bunch of big races and even got into a 500GP,” recalls Mike. “And best of all I was able to bring the factory White Power suspension home with me that I got. Forks, shock and even triple clamps. I bolted them right onto my new Honda when I got home. Honda had no problem with me doing that.” Harnden had signed with Honda Canada in 1983 after previous stints on Can-Am where he was actually teammates with Pederson, and with Yamaha. “In ’82, I finished 2nd overall in the 250 National Series for Yamaha. They wanted to keep me and I liked the Yamaha but Honda was really ramping up their program and the offer from

them was just too good to turn down.” Harnden repaid Honda with another 2nd overall placing in ‘83 and then set his sights on the big prize for 1984. As the first race of the series in Kelowna, BC approached, Harnden loaded up his Dodge Maxi Van and prepared to make the trip west. “I travelled light,” he recalls. “Lots of guys were already running the cube vans at that time but for me it was just the cargo van with a small canopy. I had my race bike, a practice bike and usually my buddy Paul Kingsley’s KTM was wedged in there as well. At least I had a mechanic that year though. I was able to finally pry some money out of Honda for a mechanic and it really helped.” The series started well for Harnden. “I usually didn’t do that well out west but I got two third place finishes for 2nd overall in Kelowna and I was happy with that.” Harnden continued to ride well at the next round in Edmonton where he went 1-4 for a bit of a lucky 1st overall. The next stop for the series was Austin, Manitoba, home of one of the most notoriously gnarly sand tracks in North America. “Kids these days just wouldn’t be able to comprehend how rough that track was,” recalls Harnden when speaking of the Austin circuit. “They didn’t groom it all weekend and the whoops got so deep you could have easily hidden a Volkswagen Beetle down in between them. It was comparable to the roughest sand tracks I had ridden over in Holland, that’s for sure.” Perhaps Harnden’s European training was still paying dividends as he went 2-2 in Austin and took the overall once again. Things were going to plan and it was starting to look like a dream season could be at hand. Mike Harnden arrived at Copetown that fateful day sporting an impressive 16 point lead in the series over his closest rival Pederson. It was going to be tough for anyone to beat him now, thought Harnden confidently. Pederson would have to go 1-1 and Harnden could do no worse than 4-5 in motos and still win the championship. “I hadn’t finished worse than 4th in any moto yet so I was feeling pretty good about it,” recalls Harnden. Also feeling pretty confident that day was Honda Canada Team Manager Hank Howard who pulled Mike aside prior to morning

practice to show him the Mike Harnden 1984 500cc National Championship t-shirts that he had already printed up. Looking back on it now, Harnden agrees that “maybe he brought those out a bit early.” Practice did not go well for Harnden. “To be honest, I never really liked the new Copetown,” he added. Harnden refers to the fact that the Steel City Riders were forced to move the track location from its original site in the early ‘80s. “I loved the old track but I found the new one to be very fast and not too technical. It basically made it equal for everyone and that didn’t help me. I excelled when the conditions were rougher so I had no real advantage there.” After practice, Harnden began to, in his words, think too much. “I started doing the math. I started wondering if I should just take it easy or if I should go for it. Basically I was psyching myself out is what I was doing,” he states. As the gate dropped to start the first moto he found himself mired in the back of the forty rider field. 2

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“I totally screwed it up,” laughs Harnden. “I was tense and feeling awkward on the bike and I crashed three times during the moto.” Harnden actually looped out the big CR500 going up one of the Copetown hills and had to ride back to the bottom before he could get going in the right direction again. As if that wasn’t bad enough, in even more embarrassing fashion, Harnden executed a text book highside right in front of his mechanic, Ron Fraughts, and Honda boss, Hank Howard, who looked on in disbelief. When he was upright, Mike was finding it extremely difficult to make any ground on the leaders. “Everybody was going the same speed. I just couldn’t make up any time.” Harnden was actually able to pull himself together a little bit late in the moto, however, and battled his way to 8th place at the checkers. Harnden’s Honda Canada teammate, Rudi Zackso Jr., on the other hand, was having the race of his life. The eighteen-year-old rookie pro out of Edmonton, who was sitting 3rd in the points coming into the Copetown round, was really feeling it that day as he jetted out to a big lead early in the first moto. Zackso would manage to hang onto the lead until the very last lap of the moto when Pederson was able to sneak by him for the win. Still, a 2nd in the first moto put him firmly in line for a possible overall victory for the day, which, while it would have been a great accomplishment for the young rider, could possibly have spelled disaster for Harnden and Team Honda in general. Pederson’s win in Moto 1, combined with Harnden’s 8th place finish, meant that Mike had to get 1st or 2nd in the final moto to clinch the title. Things were a little tense in Harnden’s pit between motos to say the least. Harnden’s good friend Paul Kingsley remembers the stress that his buddy was feeling going into the final race. “Mike was the type of guy who would get very stressed out when things didn’t go according to plan,” recalls Kingsley. “Usually we would talk between motos on race day as we would generally travel to the races together but on this day I could tell he was very stressed and nervous so there was no talking. I just left him alone.” Someone who was talking,

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however, was the Honda Team boss, Hank Howard. Howard approached his other Honda sponsored riders, Zackso, Zoli Berenyi Jr. and Pierre Couture, between motos and issued the dreaded official team orders. They were not to pass Harnden during the race and if they found themselves ahead of Mike they were to slow down and let him by. There was a championship at stake after all. “He hoped that it wouldn’t come to this,” remembers Rudi Zackso, “but if it did, this is what we were expected to do.” Not surprisingly the team orders did not sit well with Zackso. Beyond the obvious reasons that he was in line to win the overall that day, Zackso just didn’t feel right about it. “My father always taught me to do my best,” recalls Zackso, “and for that reason I didn’t really agree with it.” Surprisingly, even though he was officially on Team Honda, Zackso also felt a kinship with Pederson and actually might have preferred his fellow Albertan to win the title. “Ross was always my idol,” remembers Rudi, “and we were from the West and there was always an East/ West rivalry and there always will be. That’s just the way it was. I had nothing against Mike but Ross was a hero of mine for sure.” So, whether Zackso and the rest of the Team Honda riders agreed with it or not the team orders were in place as the gate dropped to start the second moto. Harnden, after giving himself a stern talking to between motos, was back on form and grabbed the holeshot over a host of his Honda teammates, and of course Pederson. As the moto progressed, it was starting to look as though the team orders may not even

“In somewhat of an ironic maneuver, Harnden rammed the Rollerball from behind moving him a little closer to the line.” 5

come into play as Harnden began to stretch out his lead. At one point, his margin was up to nearly ten seconds, but as the twenty minute mark of the moto approached so did Pederson. “Yeah, after about twenty minutes Ross showed up,” recalls Harnden. “He showed me a wheel.” These two were of course no strangers to each other. They’d been racing each other for years so Mike knew exactly what was coming next. “Oh yeah, he tried to stuff me,” laughs Harnden. “I knew it was coming, though, so I just let him by.” As the series points sat, if Pederson won the moto and Harnden got second then the Championship would go to Harnden. Pederson obviously knew this so what happened next could almost be viewed as comical. Pederson slowed right down, but Harnden, afraid of getting taken out by the big Suzuki rider, refused to get too close to Ross or to attempt to make the pass. Of course this allowed third place rider Zackso to catch up but he was also under team orders from Honda not to make the pass on Harnden. A real log jam was forming at the front of the field as more Honda riders began catching up to the trio at the front. “It must have looked absolutely ridiculous,” laughs Harnden. Finally, being left with basically no other option, Zackso passed both Harnden and Pederson, which suited Ross fine because this finishing order would give him the title. “I wasn’t sure what was going to happen then,” recalls Harnden, “other than I expected that Rudi would follow team orders. And he did.” On the last lap of the race Zackso pulled to the side and let both Ross and Harnden go by.

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The Showdown at Copetown 1 Here, Zasko chases down “The Rollarball” over one of Copetown’s many, awesome hills. 2 Young rookie Allan Dyck would go on win to multiple titles during his great career.

Pederson, now realizing that both a championship title and a big fat bonus cheque were slipping through his fingers, made one last ditch effort to turn things in his favour. “Right before the finish line there was a little switch back and a big rut had formed in the corner,” recalls Harnden. “There was only one line through the corner and you had to take it.” So when Pederson got into the rut he just stopped and planted both his feet on the ground, determined to keep Harnden behind him. At least until another rider got through. “I wasn’t surprised,” recalls Harnden. “That guy would do anything to win, especially when money was involved.” In somewhat of an ironic maneuver, Harnden rammed the Rollerball from behind moving him a little closer to the line. Then he backed up his bike a few feet while fellow Honda riders Couture and Zackso patiently waited and rammed him again, holding it wide open eventually pushing the furious Pederson and himself over the finish line. It was finally over. Harnden

had won title if not the race. There wasn’t nearly as much of a celebration in the Honda pits after the race as many probably would have thought. “It was more of a relief than anything,” recalls Harnden. Harnden’s friend and fellow competitor, Paul Kingsley, who had been struggling with an arm injury and finished 9th overall that day, could not have been happier for his old pal. “It was really cool to see him win it,” recalls Kingsley. “I knew how hard he had worked to get to that point so it was just nice to see him do so well.” While the party wasn’t huge the feeling of pride in achieving his goal was for Harnden. “Hey, he was a hard guy (Pederson) to beat. Very few ever did and I was one of them.” The Championship was monetarily rewarding as well. “I got a nice bonus cheque from Honda and all kinds of publicity in the form of victory ads in all the magazines,” adds Harnden. “It was great but really that’s why Honda hired me. That’s what they expected when I signed with them.” Mike Harnden never really got the

chance to defend his 1984 500cc National Championship. The next April, while training in Europe for the upcoming season, he shattered his knee cap during the 500cc GP in Austria. While he did try to ride when he got back home he was in no shape and his title defense was, in his own words, “a disaster.” By the end of that summer, though, Harnden had worked himself back into shape and actually got the opportunity to represent Canada, quite successfully I might add, at the Motocross des Nations in Gaildorf, Germany when Pederson was injured. But that’s another story. Following the ‘85 season, Honda completely dropped out of Pro Motocross Racing in Canada and Harnden was unfortunately left without a ride. Eventually he was able to secure a limited sponsorship deal from Yamaha but the industry on the whole was heading into a very down period, and unless your name was Ross Pederson there was really no money at all to be made during that time. And so, after

the ‘86 season, and a relatively short seven year pro career, Mike retired from motocross in order to pursue a career in real estate. Today, the fifty-six-year-old Harnden works as a Sales Manager for IMSM Canada Ltd, a company based in Toronto that provides ISO consultation services. Up until recently he still got out riding a couple of times a year and likes to keep in shape by running 5kms two or three times a week. The Victory t-shirts have all disappeared long ago but the story of Mike Harnden’s Championship season will always live on as a colourful part of the history of Canadian motocross.

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In 2015, Sara King climbed to the top of the Women’s MX ladder by winning the CMRC Western Canadian Women’s Nationals.

Just like her male counterparts, Eve Brodeur spends her winters down south training and preparing for her racing season. This is just one of the reasons why she’s getting very accustomed to holding up the #1 plate.

One of the fastest women in Canada, Rachel Springman, gets cooled off after a long moto.

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Ride

Girl Like a

BY SIERRA ROTH I PHOTOS BY JAMES LISSIMORE

“Unlike hockey, where half the family is going one way and the other the opposite direction, driving to the races was all part of the family aspect of the sport.”

WHEN I WAS YOUNGER, RACING A DIRT BIKE AS A GIRL WAS NEVER SEEN AS “DIFFERENT.” I ALWAYS REMEMBER IT JUST BEING IF SOMEONE IN YOUR FAMILY RODE, THEN YOU WERE DESTINED TO FOLLOW SUIT. IT WAS RARE IF YOU DIDN’T. RACING AT CROSS COUNTRY RACES, IF YOU STARTED AS A YOUNG FEMALE, YOU WERE DIVIDED AMONGST THE BOYS BY SKILL LEVEL, NEVER BY GENDER. ACTUALLY, THE GIRLS THAT DID RACE WERE USUALLY SOME OF THE TOP RIDERS IN EACH SELECTIVE SKILL LEVEL. MOTOCROSS RACES WERE SIMILAR, YOU WERE DIVIDED AMONGST THE BOYS BY AGE. OF COURSE WE ALWAYS HAD THE LADIES CLASS, BUT I ALWAYS REMEMBER THE GUYS PUSHING TO HAVE YOU IN THEIR CLASS, JUST SO THEY COULD RACE AGAINST YOU. THAT USUALLY ONLY LASTED A FEW RACES UNTIL YOU WERE BEATING THEM, THEN IT WAS NO FUN AND GAMES TO THEM ANYMORE.

he minority group of girls that were attending the races weren’t your stereotypical ‘girls’ either. We didn’t really care if our hair was dirty or our faces were covered in mud, and most actually dressed like the guys. We got used to changing while a bunch of guys were hanging out in the trailer with us; that was just the norm. We also started learning the basics of bike maintenance, which your typical ‘girl’ would never even consider having as a skill. Life was just a heck of a lot more convenient participating in a guy’s sport with the rest of the family. Everyone would do bike maintenance together, ride together, pack up again and then head in the same direction to the races. Unlike hockey, where half the family is going one way and the other the opposite

direction, driving to the races was all part of the family aspect of the sport. It was an opportunity for everyone to wind down and catch up after a busy week with school, work, and preparing for the upcoming race. Going to the races was always the most exciting part, I think. Even though it was a competition and people were chasing points, being amongst your motocross family was by far the most re-

warding. You would have friends from all over that understood your love, sacrifice, and commitment to the sport because they were just as much hooked. Now if you are reading this and relating to what I am saying, you probably understand what I mean when I say when we were growing up, it was never seen as a male dominant sport. So what changed after us young female motocrossers weren’t so little anymore?

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Arguably the fastest woman in Canadian motocross, Eve Brodeur has ruled the East for the past two seasons. In the past few seasons, Women’s motocross has seen huge growth and it’s now the main attraction on Saturday at the Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals.

The Queen B, Rosa Parks, or just simply “Kourt.” Whatever you want to call her, Kourtney Lloyd is the leader of the pack in Canadian Women’s motocross. There is never a bad time for a congratulatory hug.

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Ride

Girl Like a

“Many women, including Sara King, Eve Brodeur, Kennedy Lutz, Lexi Pechout, Kassie Boone, and so many more, are redefining what it means to be an athlete.”

The fast women of the East pass under the famous Ulverton bridge during last summer’s CMRC Eastern Canadian Women’s Nationals.

Whether it’s catching air off the jumps or charging down the start straight, the current women of Canadian MX never back down.

An athlete is someone who is proficient in sports and other forms of physical exercise, correct? A professional athlete can be classified as a performer. Spectators pay to watch professional athletes compete; if they don’t play well, they won’t last long. Those who can make it a career have the most demanding work possible, both physically and mentally. They have to be in the best shape all year round and face the constant threat of injury that could end their career in a heartbeat. However, athletes, professional or not, all start out the same; young and oblivious to the world around them. We begin dedicating our lives around a sport. We learn what failures are and it fuels us to do better. We find amusement out of the sacrifices we make, we learn that brick walls are just there to show how badly we want to succeed, and we know that winning isn’t everything, but it is pretty damn close. As we all know, the female body performs differently than the male body when we become older. This isn’t rocket science as we see it in most sports. You wouldn’t put a female UFC fighter in the ring with a male UFC fighter. I mean, Ronda Rousey is pretty damn tough but I don’t know if that would end well. It is like any sport in the Olympics, you compete against other female contenders. Okay, so the guys started to “mature” (let’s face it, guys don’t actually mature that much) and become faster. However, women didn’t just stop training

and caring about their results. The guys didn’t start putting in more work than the women and I think that is where there is a misconception in this industry. With the technology these days, many women aren’t what they seem like in reality. A lot of girls have actually lost respect because of what they post on social media. To a certain extent, I think social media is the next best thing to promoting yourself and your sponsors, but there are just too many girls out there that don’t know where to draw the line. Not only do certain individuals lose respect, but in my opinion, it has given the entire women motocross community a bad picture. To some, women racing motocross consists of hair done, makeup loaded and looking pretty beside their bike they ride once a month. I just shake my head at those that call themselves a national or professional rider, when they don’t put in what a true athlete must invest. With that being said, men in this sport start expecting that to be the ideal situation and don’t give the women, who are actually putting in the work to be an athlete, enough credit. Not everyone in this community is like that. I believe, what we have going on in Canada and the talent we have to showcase is starting to revamp itself to what it used to be like. It is starting to be like what it was when so many of us first started out at a young age. Many women, including Sara King, Eve Brodeur, Ken-

nedy Lutz, Lexi Pechout, Kassie Boone, and so many more, are redefining what it means to be an athlete. They put in the work on and off he bike and have dedicated their time into what they are passionate about. I think when you compare them to the guys in this sport, they have to work just as hard, if not harder, to get the recognition they deserve. Riding once a week isn’t enough anymore, which definitely says something about the level of competition we have in this country. People are noticing this too, as their sponsor lists grow and more and more people are beginning to realize the benefits to sponsoring female athletes. Programs like ‘Ride like a Girl,’ sponsored by Laminacorr Racing and the BLK RDR program that Motovan just launched, will be a step in the right direction to having women racers convert from athletes to professional athletes. So how does a sport that has so many risks bring so many together as one community, specifically in the women’s category? After having to prove ourselves time and time again in this industry, I think the small victories become more honourable. We thrive for the feel good comeback stories you hear all the time about women athletes fighting for the spotlight. Being able to say, “Yeah, we used to be there, but now we are up here,” couldn’t be more rewarding. I think the more we struggle as a community, the stronger we become, not only as one but as individual athletes. What is also important to note is we don’t forget how far we have come. Remembering how it all started, remembering our own personal stories, and where we grew from is what keeps us going. Giving up isn’t an option anymore. Riding a dirt bike isn’t just for the men in this sport, as I made my point above. Racing brings joy into so many individual and family lives that it’s hard to walk away when times get tough. You don’t truly know what racing means until you experience it for yourself firsthand. It is like the saying, “Some lessons have to be experienced to be understood.” I am here today, sitting in a wheelchair because of this sport, but I don’t blame this sport for its risks. I credit this sport for the strengths I carry and the stubbornness to never quit. This sport has taught me, and I am sure others too, more things in life many will never learn in their lifetime. I have developed the most sincere friendships because of this sport and I have learned that once you’ve conquered the worst things in life, there is no need to fear anything else that comes your way. After all, I have some pretty badass moto chicks to carry me along the way if I can’t seem to roll it alone. Why? Well, didn’t you know women motocrossers are athletes too? You just have to look a little harder to find them.

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W E L C O M E

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~ Off-Road Riding is Alive and Well in BC ~

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BY JARRETT MAY | PHOTOS BY JARRETT MAY X X M O T O C R O S S P E R F O R M A N C E · M X P M A G . C O M

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hat is off-road motorcycle riding? Well, it is a lifestyle. Anyone that has ridden or raced motorcycles knows how much benefit you can get out of this sport. A sport that uses 50% man and 50% machine, there isn’t anything much like it. When you get on your motorcycle and start riding, and you are in the “groove,” there is no other care in the world. All you are thinking about is your bike, the terrain, what obstacle is next and how much fun you are having. All of your worries, your stresses and concerns in everyday life disappear once you are in the moment and there is nothing quite like it. If I had to put it into one word it would be “ALIVE.” When you are out riding with a group of friends, racing your heart out, or even riding by yourself just to get your fix for the day, sometimes words can’t describe the feelings you get while riding a motorcycle. Off-road motorcycle riding in the great Canadian Pacific Northwest is something special. There is terrain that is sought after from around the world that will make any grown man’s mouth drool, and it is all at our door step; an endless playground for Enduro riding

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for the weekend warriors, the Enduro road riders, Enduro trail riders, Hare Scramble racers, and Motocross racers. In beautiful British Columbia and into the Rockies of Alberta, there are many breathtaking riding areas that any rider could get lost in for days. The trail systems are large, and with enthusiastic and creative trail builders all across Western Canada, the trails keep getting better and better. With these amazing riding areas comes a great 18 round B.C. Provincial Enduro series sanctioned by the PNWMA, an 8 round Hare Scramble series on Vancouver Island sanctioned by VIDRA, and two Cross Country race series in Alberta with a combined 57 rounds sanctioned by CMRC and the CMA. As well, there are a few one-off vents that I will talk about later. There are over 40 Cross Country, Hare Scramble, or Endurocross-type events in Western Canada for 2016. Why would you want to go elsewhere? You can literally race every weekend if you wanted to, with much travel may I add. Within these forty races is a wide variety of different terrain; there is no getting “bored” while racing, that is for sure. The off-road motorcycle events have been very well attended in the past few years and the trail racing

Left: When you have as many bikes as this, there’s bound to be the odd traffic jam. Right: With some of the most beautiful scenery in Canada, riding in BC is always spectacular.

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W E L C O M E is on the rise. Who races these events? Anyone and everyone. There is a very wide variety of ages, abilities and genders. Twelve classes to choose from in B.C. and more than that in Alberta. The racing scene is diverse now that it can accommodate new beginner riders, the weekend warrior that comes out once and while to race, riders who just like to have a good time, and also the ones that compete at a very high level and want something more out of racing than just the enjoyment. There really are no egos, everyone seems to get along. It’s one big family that always has open arms for new riders to join. To change the tune somewhat; as a top rider myself in B.C., there is something missing up here in Canada (the Great White North). What is missing in Enduro racing in Western Canada that most of America has figured out, most of Europe, and Canadian Motocross, is one word: Exposure. I have been in this sport for over ten years now and unfortunately I have not ventured out of B.C. and Alberta to race, but I do watch anything and everything that is going on in the world. Canada is a little behind the times with our exposure for the sport, the races, and most

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definitely our racers. The racers that are known from Canada are known because they have ventured out of Canada to race. One being The “Graffunder Thunder,” Cory Graffunder. Everyone knows who Cory is by now. He has raced almost everything and anything for our discipline of racing. He is living every young Canadian Enduro rider’s dreams. Honestly, he is living mine, but Cory had to go out of Canada to get noticed. What if there was a legitimate series in Canada or even Western Canada that would keep our top Canadian riders here while gaining the interest of the grassroots, the weekend warriors, and also pros from America and even around the world. Could it be an Endurocross series? Hard Enduro race(s)? Sprint Enduros? Or something new and fresh? I believe it could happen here in Canada, I truly do. Look at downhill mountain biking and slopestyle. There are some world class events just in B.C. that see riders come from around the world. It can happen and anyone and everyone would enjoy it. In Alberta, a group of riders keep pushing for the sport to grow. The Corner Grass Racing crew has developed and organized some world class events

W E S T

“The off-road motorcycle events have been very well attended in the past few years and the trail racing is on the rise.”

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W E L C O M E including The Hard Enduro “Xtinction” and now help with the Red Bull Rocks and Logs, which has been running for a few years now and is on again for 2016 on June 26th. Over the past five years, they also had a full-on professional-like Enduro Racing Team, Corner Grass Racing Team (CGRT). It was so great to see a group push this sport and help out riders to better their racing, give the sport and their team riders more exposure so they can get noticed by the motorcycle industry, give them much tools to be successful while racing, and much more. I was able to be around the scene while CGRT had their full team engaged in racing. I was most definitely taking notes on what they were doing and was diagnosing if building a team would be a good idea or not. Well, either way, I went for it two years ago. With the inspiration from CGRT and some American teams like RPM racing, I decided to put together a team, but I don’t want to get in too deep in this article with regards to our team. Keeping it short, the main purpose with Ten Four Racing, our newly formed Enduro Team, is to give more exposure for our racers on the team,

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other fellow racers, always to seek new exciting ways to grow our great sport, get others to start racing, or to get a bike and enjoy riding. We are not solely focused on racing and would like everyone to know (in the motorcycle industry and the general public) that Enduro Riding and Racing is a very respectful sport; there are many amazing people that do so much good within it. I am truly honoured to be riding a motorcycle but I get disappointed when someone disapproves of off-road motorcycling. We are here to show that our sport is here to stay and evolve. The racing in B.C. has started and is in full force for 2016 with Alberta’s racing just getting started, but it is jammed packed excitement for the rest of spring, the whole summer and leading into the fall. Look to www.pnwma.com for the full race schedule for the BC Provincial Championship circuit along with the CXCC West Nationals. For the CMRC Alberta series check out www.cmrcracing.com/ Alberta, and for the other Alberta series sanctioned by the CMA, check out www.Secondgearclub.com. Happy trails and motos everyone; until next time.

W E S T “Off-road motorcycle riding in the great Canadian Pacific Northwest is something special.”

Left to right: John Stevenson , Myself, Al Wilson 559, and Fraser Stewart. Al and I have been racing with each other for 10 years now. We all love racing and hanging out together.

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DEREK SCHUSTER BY CHRIS POMEROY | PHOTO BY JAMES LISSIMORE

erek Schuster is a man that currently wears many different hats. Not only is he the main person behind Honda Canada’s premiere race team, the Honda Canada Fox GDR Team, but he is also a proud new father and one of the new owners of Gopher Dunes Raceway. Yes, it has been a very busy off-season for Derek, and with Round 1 of the Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals fast approaching, things will be getting even busier. We were able to track Derek down for this month’s MXP Chatter.

Q: Hey Derek, I guess the first question is how was your winter? Hey Chris, my winter was eventful! My wife Kerri and I had twins on December 1st so that has been keeping me on my toes, for sure! Q: Yes, we heard that exciting news, congratulations. Even though there’s not a lot of racing in Canada during the winter months, it’s still a busy time for you, not just with your new babies, obviously, but with the team also? Yes, the off eason is when everything is on the go for the next season, basically hitting the reset button and starting preparation for the upcoming year. With my family and everything going on with the track and team, this was definitely the busiest off-season I’ve ever had. Q: Looking back to last summer, what were some of the highlights for your team? I would have to say the highlight of the season was definitely just how strong we finished out the year. We obviously had some bad luck with Colt being injured in the off-season. The season didn’t start off ow we wanted, but I liked seeing how each member of the team dug deep and kept at it until we started getting some wins, so the hard work paid off. Q: Your team definitely made the end of the 2015 series very exciting. Hondvwa Canada was deeply involved in motocross racing over a decade ago and then they took a step back to regroup. Now they’re back and they seem to have a very good understanding of what it takes to be successful on the race track?

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Yes, for sure, they are a huge supporter of the team and have been a dream to work with. They are excited about racing and what we are doing on and off he track. They have been very hands-on and involved with coming to races and autograph sessions at dealers, etc. Q: Also, Honda Canada just doesn’t support your team, they’re a proud supporter of Gopher Dunes. Honda is also very involved with their rider training at Gopher Dunes. Our goal is to introduce more new riders to the sport and get them out to enjoy riding dirt bikes! Q: Let’s chat about Gopher Dunes for a minute; when did the track first open? My parents opened Gopher Dunes in the spring of 1986 and it’s been going strong ever since. Q: Wow, 30 years, where does the time go? What was your first cool memory of the track? I’m not sure if I have one specific memory as a youngster because I spent so much time there as a kid. My sister and I practically grew up at the track, whether it was riding, racing, or just working for our parents. They’re all great memories and I have met some of my best friends because of it. Q: I think all of us have so many special memories from Gopher Dunes. What if you had to pick a five rider showdown from all the awesome riders you’ve watched? Great question Palms, I would have to say Colton, Matt Goerke, JSR on a 2-stroke, Mike Alessi, and Dusty Klatt when he was on point in 2006. I will add that I think a lot of people underestimate Colt’s skills of riding in the sand. Q: I would have to add Mike Harnden with a paddle tire into that group. Over this past few months there has been some very exciting changes at Gopher Dunes. Can you talk about that? Yes, during the off-season we purchased the track from my parents who are now retiring. It has been a lot of work to put the deal together but we are very excited! A good friend of mine,

Wayne Carroll and his wife Carrie, have partnered with myself and my wife Kerri. We also have Colton’s mechanic, Justin Petker, as a full time employee now doing service when he’s not spinning wrenches for Colt, along with Adam Donck doing most of the track work as he has been doing here for a few years. We have a few exciting changes and plans in the works going forward that people will likely enjoy. Q: That’s amazing! So the future looks very bright for the toughest track in Canada. Yes, I would say so. I think my parents did an amazing job growing the business over the past 30 years and we hope to continue that to make the experience for riders better and better. Q: We’re sure you guys will do a great job. Back to the GDR Racing Team. You’re back with the duo from last season, Colton and Jeremy, but they will they be wearing new gear. Can you talk about your new relationship with Fox? Yes, some other exciting news that we announced over the winter was the multi-year deal with Fox. The rest of the team and I are very excited. They are great people over there, run a very professional outfit, and so far have been great to work with. I can’t wait to see what the future holds. Q: The competition will be tough in both classes this summer. What do Colton and Jeremy need to do to be champions? The competition is going to be tough this summer so I think it is going to be key in both classes to stay healthy and be consistent. Nobody is going to be able to dominate and win every moto, so I think it will come down to making sure your bad motos aren’t that bad so you don’t give up too many points in those motos. Q: Well Derek, we want to wish you, your family and your team the best of luck in 2016 and beyond. We look forward to watching your team this summer at the Nationals and we look forward to many more years of riding at Gopher Dunes. Thanks Palms, good talking to you and we’ll see you at the track.

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“I think my parents did an amazing job growing the business over the past 30 years and we hope to continue that to make the experience for riders better and better.”

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G N U O Y E S I R e h t n o and

BY SIER

R A ROT

achary Roth is the subject of this months Young and on the Rise. At just sixteen years old and from Edmonton, AB, Zach will be competing in the MX2 class on his Scona Cycle Honda with the national number 97. You have been the kid in the shadows for far too long. You don’t actually understand the potential you have as a motocrosser and as a human being. The challenges you have faced on the track and off ill far exceed what others will ever imagine. As a sister who unintentionally put high expectations on you from my own performances in sports, I would like to express how much potential you carry. I don’t think you know how much you have. Ever since I watched you wrench off our training wheels on your pedal bike, because you weren’t allowed to have a dirt bike until they were off, I knew you were out to prove the world wrong with every step you took. At just four-years-old you proved to Dad that you could ride the new KTM 50 on your own, because that PW50 just didn’t have enough power to get you up the finish line jump. Your love for dirt bikes was evident from that point on. You loved it so much; you convinced me motocross was better than soccer. For that, I thank you because if it wasn’t for this sport, I don’t think we would be as close as we are now. It became our family addiction. We spent more time together than most do in a lifetime. We were training partners, coaches to one another, and best friends. Sure we fought a lot (and still

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do) but it has never made us quit. Your amateur career was quite successful. Your first big achievement was your third place finish at the KTM Junior Supercross in Vancouver, British Columbia in 2006. You then moved on to bigger and better things in your racing career. Even though I stole some of the spotlight from you, or rather shared it, you walked away with many championships in both the motocross series and the off-road series in Alberta. Your level of determination showed as you began racing against those who were just a few years older and those double your age. Nothing seemed to intimidate you, not age, not bike size, not enemies, nothing. 2013 rolled around and you were making the big step onto a big bike. For most, it would take some time to get into the groove of things but that didn’t seem to be the case with you. You were cleaning house in the Junior class, keeping your eye on the prize: the upgrade to yellow Intermediate plates. However, life had different plans for our family, and I was left with a diagnosis of paralysis. At first, it was easy to blame this sport for which you had so much love. Your guilt, worry, and stress for your own safety on a dirt bike became evident. I watched you suffer in school, as kids saw these as weaknesses to capitalize on. You didn’t want to go to school, you didn’t want to face the world, and you sure as hell didn’t want to ride without your usual riding partner, who was

now on the sidelines. Something changed, though. I got back up in the saddle and a new you was born. You realized the real enemy was your brain trying to convince you that you can’t. You were out to prove the world once again. You started to excel with online schooling at home, away from all the negativity at school. At the age of sixteen you won three championships in the Intermediate class in Alberta, made new friends and learned what it means to persevere. Your small successes at the Rockstar Energy Drink Motocross Nationals even earned you a national number (97) that you will be proudly representing on your 250 Scona Cycle Honda this year. Zachary Roth, you have what it takes to be the best you can be, if you believe you can. As a sister who has watched you grow from taking your training wheels off o transitioning into the Pro class this year, I couldn’t be more proud of what you have accomplished in such a short time, both on and off he track. Your character is evident to many, as your support system continues to grow. Without the help of your sponsors (Factory Connection Suspension/Scona Cycle Honda/ DC Signs/Jon Burton/Gibson Tyre Technology/ Gaerne/Derrick Barr/Kyle Rice/Mom and Dad) and the rest of your motocross family, you wouldn’t be where you are today. In the end, though, it is up to you to show the world one last time what you are capable of; let 2016 be the year to do just that!

MOTOCROSS PERFORMANCE · MXPMAG.COM

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Gearing

ALPINESTARS TECHSTAR VENOM MOTOCROSS GEAR

The Jersey is made of lightweight fully-vented poly-fabric, with mesh inserts, for excellent breathability. The jersey also features a silicon grip at the back to keep it tucked in and sublimated faderesistant graphics. The pants have perforated panels and mesh inserts for increased ventilation. The patented Bebel knee design is reinforced with hidden stretch spandex expansion gussets. partscanada.com

MATRIX M64 ELITE STAND

FOX INSTINCT BOOT Fox’s premium MX boot, the Instinct provides instant step in comfort and support with zero break in required. The patent pending hinge provides lateral support and a lock-out that stops motion before hyper extension. The effortless patent pending buckle system moves fluidly as the boot flexes. The exclusive Duratec outsole and burn guard provide unmatched grip and durability. Visit foxhead.com/ca for more information

FOX V3 CAUZ HELMET Fox’s V3 helmet is athlete proven with innovative design functions to provide fit, protection and comfort. The V3 Cauz splash of colour will make a statement. V3 helmets are equipped with MIPS (Multi-Directional Impact Protection Systems), multiple composite construction shell, dual density EPS line, Dri Lex comfort liner, and 14 intake and 4 exhaust vents. Visit foxhead.com/ca for more information

FLY GRAPHIC AERO TAPERED HANDLE BAR

A new milestone in motorcycle stand technology and styling. The M64’s revolutionary design delivers the most durable and lightweight motorcycle stand on the market today. The plastic stand is made from a composite blend that is exclusive to Matrix Concepts. The M64 Elite Stand is the preferred stand of top race teams worldwide. Distributed in Canada by Matrix Canada matrixracingproducts.com

100% GOGGLE CASE Transport your goggles in style with our custom carrying case. The padded interior keeps all of your goggles, lenses, and accessories neatly organized and secure. EVA Molded top panel provides additional protection during transport and the 3-D molded rubber handle ensures a firm grip. The interior has pockets to organize cell phone, keys, wallet, and additional accessories along with a removable foam insert molded to safely store your GoPro camera. Distributed in Canada by Matrix Canada and Parts Canada ride100percent.com

The Fly Graphic Aero Taper Handle Bar is constructed from an aircraft grade 7075 taper-walled aluminum. Strong lightweight but provides just enough flex to dissipate shock and reduce rider fatigue. Because this is a tapered bar it starts at 11/8” diameter at the clamp then tapers to a standard 7/8”. This handle bar has a bead blasted surface for added strength and will provide laser accurate steering. All this technical information aside, THIS BAR IS COOL!!! Oh ya, it comes with a bar pad too. Visit your local power sports dealer to order. Visit gammapowersports.com or flyracing.com for more information. gammapowersports.com

MOTOCROSS PERFORMANCE · MXPMAG.COM

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NFX 2 GOGGLES This is a medium sized google that combines the NFX and NFXs patented frameless technology but added the integrated removable outrigger featured in the Vendetetta goggle. The NFX 2 goggles feature a swiftlock lock lens change system which enables the rider to changes lens instantly providing a faster easier and more secure way to adapt instantly to changing light and conditions. Simply flip the lever up to release the lens, pop a new lens, and with one quick motion lock it down. Armored venting makes clearing dirt packed vents a snap. On top of all these added features every NFX 2 goggle comes with a 10 pack of tear offs and a lens shield. Available in many different colour and graphics options. Ask your local power sports dealer for the Dragon NFX 2 goggle. gammapowersports.com

FXR MISSION LITE JACKET The FXR Mission Lite Trilaminate Shell Jacket is constructed of DWR coated 190gsm polyester with 4-way stretch. The fully seam-sealed jacket features Dry Vent™ System – oversized front pockets with integrated chest vents, waterproof/ breathable Hydrx™ laminate throughout with polyester tricot interior to keep you comfortable. The performance fit, pre-curved sleeves with waterproof zippers throughout suit an active lifestyle. The Mission Trilaminate jacket includes details that can be modified such as a shockcord adjustable hem, a removable, shock-cord adjustable hood and hook and loop adjustable cuffs with lycra cuff extensions. fxrracing.com

ROCK HARD RACE COLLAR Help protect against neck and collar bone injures with this light weight race collar. The Rock Hard race collar opens from the front making it easy to put on and take off. It can attach to more roost protector. Available in Adult and Children sizes. Buy your Rock Hard Race Collar from your local power sport dealer today. gammapowersports.com

FXR OGIO 9800

NEXT R-SERIES REAR SPROCKETS The Next R-Series rear sprockets are CNC machined for precision fit and tight tolerances. Constructed of heat treated 7075-T6 aluminum with a lightweight design and selfcleaning mud grooves the R-Series sprockets are super durable and look great with a matte silver anodized finish. Distributed in Canada by Matrix Canada matrixracingproducts.com

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The FXR OGIO 9800 Bag features a wide mouth lid opening for easy access to all gear compartments as well as large main compartments with adjustable dividers and padded helmet chamber. The SLED system increases durability and handling in the harshest of conditions. The iFOM (integrated foam) construction found throughout the bag ads great protection for your gear. Heavy duty oversized wheels with extra clearance easily glides over ground and floors. The secure hold compression strap system and telescoping pull handle make for easy handling and hauling. fxrracing.com

THE PIRELLI SCORPION™ MX32™ Championship winning and specifically designed for Mid-soft surfaces such as mud or sand to intermediate surfaces such as grass or compact and dry ground. Featuring V-shaped blocks on front tires improve braking stability and cornering side-grip, a special polymer carcass for increased heat resistance and reduced weight without compromising on stability and cornering , the MX32™ is the perfect choice for “Podium Performance “ and proven by 64 World Motocross Championships. pirelli.com

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EVOLVED NUTRITION WITH DREW ROBERTSON & PHOTOS BY NICK HILL

G O I N G FA S T

Motocross and travel go hand-inhand. Load the bike, tie it to the back of the truck or van and off ou go to the next race, or out to a track somewhere to practice.

H O W D O W E E AT O N T H E R OA D ?

Ideally we would prepare a couple of meals, place them in a cooler with 2-3 litres of water and we would be dialed. In this busy world, I understand that this isn’t always how things play out.

C A N W E E AT AT FA S T F O O D P L AC E S A N D S T I L L E AT H E A LT H Y ?

Here are a couple of comparisons from some of the more popular fast food places, showing a typical meal and a comparison to a healthier meal from the same place.

“ Ideally we would prepare a couple of meals, place them in a cooler with 2-3 litres of water and we would be dialed.”

BURGER KING WHOPPER 700 Calories 42g of fat 13g of Saturated Fat

KFC

DOUBLE CRUNCH pieces) 530 Calories 28g of Fat 6g of Saturated Fats

CHICKEN WHOPPER 570 Calories 25g of Fat 4.5g of Saturated Fat

FLAMETHROWER WICH 770 Calories 53g of Fat 15g of Saturated Fats

W E N DY’S CRISPY STRIPS (2 340 Calories 3 g of Fat 1.5g of Saturated Fat

TIM HORTON HAM & SWISS CLUB 440 Calories 12g of Fat 5 g of Saturated Fats

DA I RY Q U E E N

TOASTED CHICKEN 270 Calories 3g of Fat 1.5g of Saturated Fat

CLASSIC TRIPLE GRILL 970 Calories 59g of Fat 25g of Saturated Fats

430 Calories 20 g of Fat 3.5g of Saturated Fat

MEDIUM FRIES 380 Calories 19g of Fat

SIDE SALAD 20 Calories Balsamic dressing 2.5g of Saturated Fat 40 Calories 3g of Fat

ULTIMATE CHICKEN

MEDIUM COKE 210 Calories 58 g of Sugar

MEDIUM OJ 180 Calories 37g of Sugar

TOTALS 1330 Calories 61 g of Fat 38g of Saturated Fat

TOTALS 600 Calories 19 g of Fat 3g of Saturated fat

FISH FILLET SAND-

370 Calories 8 g of Fat 1.5g of Saturated Fat

M C D O N A L D ’S DOUBLE ¼ POUNDER 740 Calories 42g of Fat 19g of Saturated Fat

McCHICKEN 570 Calories 16g of Fat 3g of Saturated Fat

If you’re stuck eating on the road, look at the above examples and make the healthier choice; it will pay off n the long run. Until next time, eat healthy, train smart, recover smarter!!

MOTOCROSS PERFORMANCE · MXPMAG.COM

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THE INSIDE LINE ANDY WHITE

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W I T H A N DY W H I T E

e all have our favourite riders that we want to win and we have the riders that we really hope will have some breakout races. These hungry riders that are looking for that break are the ones trying so hard for support that will push them to the next level. Riding the same old practice bike is not going to really help them improve their game. These guys need equipment that will help them make it to the next level. How in the world will a privateer rider ever get the same attention or support level like Anderson or Seely have from their teams? That’s not going to happen, so what does a privateer need to do to get attention and some extra cash support to help with his efforts? Well, this is where a rider has to think out of the box and create some attention for himself. There are a ton of riders that finish between 20th and 40th every weekend, but how can they stand out from the others? Team managers and sponsors are looking for those riders to help promote their companies. I like to call this term a “Rider’s Stock Value.” Yes, the Dungeys and the Reeds get lots of attention and are paid big bucks. What about a rider like Alex Ray, a privateer rider from Oklahoma? Here is a rider that has been working his butt off or years as a privateer. These days, Ray is playing in the big leagues with a lot of other privateers looking to get that big break. I like how Alex gets in the face of the paying customers that attend the events from coast to coast.

S T O C K VA L U E S

Alex doesn’t hide in his truck during the pit party, he is the first guy out there handing out posters and talking with fans about his great program. He also makes sure he gets lots of pictures for his sponsors to use, plus Alex is busy all week posting on his social media. The more people that see his sponsors, the better it is for his sponsors. What is your “Stock Value” in the moto world today? Are you a rider that people want to connect with? Are you an Alex Ray level rider or are you a rider that just has his hand out? Times are still tough in the motorcycle world for extra cash flow. Manufacturers were spending big dollars before the 2008 financial crash. This really opened the eyes of the industry and now everyone is a lot smarter with their money, and because there is a lot less money to go around they have to be selective with where it goes. The people in charge receive a ton of requests each year. They have to separate the requests from “Wow, this one sounds great,” to “Hmmm, put this one in file 13 (Garbage).” When the manager looks over your resume, what is it that stands out to the person reading the information you supplied? It has to be really good for the manager to say, “This person will represent us well.” What are they looking for? Here are a few main things: Professionalism, Results, Social Media Skills and Social Media Reach. Okay, so you have all of those on your resume. Are you a rider that is well liked in the industry? Okay, check ‘liked.’ Are you easy to talk to and approachable? Is your set up clean? Do your bikes and gear look like you care about your product you represent? Are you a rider that other riders hang out with? Are you that guy or girl that stands out? Now you have a better idea as to what I mean about your “Rider Stock Value.” Our Canadian race teams are not just big semitrucks and cool looking awnings anymore. If you look at the list of top riders that are training their butt off or the first round at Kamloops in June, they are not just riding production stock bikes. Those days are long gone. Let’s look at Rockstar OTSFF Yamaha athlete Brett Metcalfe for an example. I am pretty sure he has been testing everything under the sun since November 2015 for the 2016 national series. Here is a rider that has been on factory teams for years but still knows that sponsors put the money in the teams to make the

program work. The sponsors put the big dollars in the teams because they know the riders will also help spread the word on who is supporting them. It sure makes the team owners’ life way easier knowing his riders are helping spread the word with social media. I can tell you, when I hear from a sponsor that your rider his doing a great job, wow that takes a huge weight off f your shoulders. So Brett is on the team for a few reasons: he is incredibly fast; he is a marketable rider; he is easy to approach and talk to; he knows how to work his iPhone too. Bonus! It’s a win win for the team and rider, plus sponsors. The series’ marketing department will even use him to promote the series. Wow, this sounds way too easy. Looking at all the riders that are coming up, most, if not all of them, have those qualities. The Rockstar OTSFF Yamaha program has Metty and Georke who are both solid guys with good histories. The Honda GDR program has 4-time Canadian MX1 Champ Colton Facciotti and his MX2 teammate, Jeremy Medaglia. Both these riders are well known in the Canadian industry. Monster Kawasaki has two riders that bring a ton of followers. We all know what I am talking about. It’s a win win for Monster and the series to have these two guys that qualified for all the supercross 450 rounds, plus they both have raced in Canada before with solid results. KTM Canada has two top Canadians on their program as well. Cole Thompson has a good history of winning and attracts lots of fans. Kaven Benoit is a 2-time Canadian MX2 Champ who will be moving up to the MX1 class this year. Kaven brings lots of French Canadian followers to the program. The word on the street is that Millsaps is coming up as well. This is huge for Canadian racing because Millsaps has a pretty big name in the industry. Everyone will benefit from Davi coming up for ten rounds. MX101 has been at this game for some time. They have signed three young Canadian future superstars; Dylan Wright will be quarterbacking the team with new additions Jesse Pettis and Hayden Halstead. Every rider just mentioned have qualities that help promote the team and their sponsors threefold. If you are looking to move up the “stock value” ladder, you better start working on a few more items than just turning laps at your favourite motocross track.

MOTOCROSS PERFORMANCE · MXPMAG.COM

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F R O M T H E D E S K O F M A R K S TA L LY B R A S S P HOTO JA MES LISSIMORE

DREAM BIG

f you’ve been following Canadian motocross news, you know we’re in for a summer of racing at the highest level ever witnessed in our country. The 2016 Rockstar Energy Drink Motocross Nationals will be hosting a good number of world class riders that have a huge following throughout the motocross community. These riders will bring a lot more attention to Canadian motocross thanks to social media, television, print and internet coverage, and now live streaming video. Canadian fans will have a much better opportunity to watch and follow each round of the series, and now the world can tune in to see what all the hype is about. Canada is now on the world’s motocross map. What does this all mean for Canadian racers? I truly hope that the series inspires riders from coast to coast to set a goal of becoming a Pro, to race the series, and receive the attention that it garners. We all know that only a small percentage will become Pros and an even a smaller percentage will be a top ten rider who can make somewhat of a living out of racing, but that shouldn’t matter. What matters most is teaching yourself to set a goal, and finding the motivation and drive to do your best, regardless of the outcome. Motocross racing is a fantastic sport to participate in and enjoy, not a retirement plan. I have found that my years of racing motocross taught me so many valuable lessons in life. It taught me how to be independent, keep my head down and focus on my goal, manage money, motivate myself to train, practice, work on my bikes and get my butt to the races every weekend, plus it gave me the drive to work at my job to earn the money that it took to keep on racing. I spent every penny I had for about a decade racing motocross and I don’t regret one penny spent. There are many positive memories I have from racing but there are also many situations I’ve been in that I’d rather not experience again. But that’s life. Motocross taught me to pick myself up when I was

“Motocross taught me to pick myself up when I was down, brush myself off and get back to my journey towards my goal.”

PHOTO BY JAMES LISSIMORE

down, brush myself off nd get back to my journey towards my goal. My dream and goal was to become a top Pro. I did become a Pro, not a very good one, but I achieved a goal all on my own dime and with no one but myself encouraging me to do what I loved to do. I went through over forty bikes and paid for all but one; my Mom paid for half of my first bike. The price of the bike - $400. I started in the industry mopping floors in the service department of a motorcycle dealership, so $200 was a lot of money when minimum wage was just over six bucks an hour. Regardless of my racing, I always knew I had to get an education. Keep racing but make sure you don’t neglect getting an education. That’s the best advice I can give any racer because eventually your racing career will end, but an education will last a lifetime. It might be hard for you to think past racing but trust me, time flies, and before

you know it you’ll be sorry if you didn’t invest in yourself by hitting the books. So the moral of the story is do everything you can to become the best you can be. Not all of us can jump on a bike with a natural ability to roost around corners, fly through the air or throw it around like a rag doll, but you can still get the most pleasure by riding, racing and dreaming about becoming a national champion. I’ll bet you a dollar that every Pro on the line at this year’s national series was once a young kid with big dreams to become the rider that was on the poster on his bedroom wall, or the guy that was on the front cover of his favourite magazine. The biggest difference between them and many that don’t make it that far is they never gave up chasing their dream. Remember, If you think you can’t you won’t, so put your head down, make the best of it, enjoy the experience and hang on for the ride. I hope you enjoy the nationals.

MOTOCROSS PERFORMANCE · MXPMAG.COM

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