17 06 MXP Magazine by Motocross Performance Magazine

CANADAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S SOURCE FOR MOTOCROSS AND OFF-ROAD

TANNER WARD Rookie of the Year

HONDA TEST RIDE

2018 CRF250R

41831514

FEBRUARY 2018 $4.95

JUSTIN THOMPSON THE NEXT CHAPTER

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RONNIE MAC

MAKING MOTOCROSS GREAT AGAIN 2017-11-28 10:34 AM

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A ARON PLESSINGER

P R I M E F I T PA R A D I GM T W E N T Y_ E I G H T E E N

T H E F I R S T. T H E F O R E V E R .

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@MARINBIKES #RAWR

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WHEEL SIZE : 27.5+ TRAVEL : 130mm/120mm

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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 17, I S S U E 6

MX P C O N T E N T S F E AT U R E S 30

M X P C H AT T E R W I T H J U S T I N THOMPSON

Beginning the next chapter in Canadian motocross 38

26 C OV E R S T O RY

Tanner Ward is your 2017 Rookie of the Year

ONE ON ONE WITH KEVIN TYLER

Andy White sits down with the boss at MX101 Yamaha. 44

T H E 19 87 M A S T E R S O F MOTOCROSS

Ross Pederson takes on the world in Italy 50

F I R S T R I D E : T H E 2 018 C R F 2 5 0 R

WHO THE HECK IS RO N N IE M AC?

Palms test rides Honda’s newest red rocket.

We sit down with the sports newest phenom. 62

L E X I P E C H O U T G O E S T O J A PA N

YO U N G A N D O N T H E R I S E W I T H DEXTER SEITZ

Lexi Pechout goes across the Pacific Ocean to compete in Japan.

Palms talks to Alberta’s next big star.

COLUMNS FA M O U S L A S T W O R D S

GUEST COLUMN

UPSHIFT

E V O LV E D N U T R I T I O N

FEMALE PERSPECTIVE

INSIDE LINE

2018 HOLIDAY BUYER’S GUIDE

8 16

by Chris Pomeroy with Jess Pettis by Koster

with Drew Robertson by Shelby Turner with Andy White

SPECIALS EXPOSED CAUGHT ON CA MER A

6 // MOTOCROSS PERFORMANCE · MXPMAG.COM

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ELBOWS UP Photo by James Lissimore FXR Racing teammates get close prior to the start of the Dash for Cash in Chilliwack.

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DOUBLE VISION Photo by James Lissimore Our 2017 champions are looking forward to a new season.

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NO ROOM FOR ERROR Photo by James Lissimore Holding your line is crucial during the start of a Pro moto.

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M X P M AG A Z I N E

VOLUME 17 ISSUE 6

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, Mike McGill SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR: Blake Breton STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER: James Lissimore CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: James Lissimore, Drew Robertson, Brian Koster, Virgil Knapp, Leticia Cline, Andy White, Matt Wellumson, Kourtney Lloyd, Krystyn Slack CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS: Krystyn Slack, Virgil Knapp, Clayton Racicot, James Lissimore, Bill Petro, Matt Wellumson, Frank Hoppen, Hoppenworld, Summer Denzler, Matt Wellumson, Steve Dutcheshen COVER PHOTO: James Lisssimore

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 off-road enthusiast organizations across the country including the FMSQ. TEL: 416-633-1202 Email: charles@mxpmag.com Online: www.mxpmag.com

ADVERTISING INQUIRIES CONTACT

CHARLES STANCER | CHARLES@MXPMAG.COM | 416-633-1202

Canadian Publications Mail Products Sales Agreement# 41831514 MX PERFORMANCE is published 7 times per year Canadian Postmaster: SEND ADDRESS CORRECTIONS TO: PO BOX 171 STOUFFVILLE, ONTARIO L4A 7Z5 SUBSCRIPTION RATES: (1 YEAR) CANADA $15.00CDN., U.S.A. $20.00US 416-635-MXP1

DESIGN AND PRODUCTION GROUP PUBLISHER & CEO: Tim Rutledge ART DIRECTOR: Patrick Dinglasan GRAPHIC DESIGNERS: Patrick Beltijar, Queue Gonzalez, Edward Shitani, Mike Chan PRODUCTION: Richard Robles

MX PERFORMANCE IS PRINTED IN CANADA

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Featuring the Double Flex Control System, the Comp Evo boots offer front-rear flexibility and excellent levels of protection. Its perfect anatomical shape, doesn’t contain an inner boot, but instead a soft memory foam padding, which offers exceptional comfort and a superior riding feel. The design of the exclusive Michelin® MX Hybrid sole offers multi-directional traction and stability, while being particularly hardwearing. COMP EVO MICHELIN® is the perfect choice for riders in pursuit of high performance levels coupled with extreme comfort and styling versatility. Now available in 9 different colors versions, each one studied to enhance the individual rider’s look. TCX® Focus on Style.

See more @ compevotcx.com

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MOTOCROSS IS REALLY JUST LIFE SPENT BEHIND A GATE.

CAUGHT ON

CAMERA

WHEN THE TRACK NEEDS TO BE PACKED, YOU JUST CALL IN THE KIDS.

TIM HORTON’S MAKES IT EASY TO EAT AND RUN THESE DAYS.

RIDERS WITH PAINTED HELMETS ARE JUST COOL.

JESS PETTIS UPDATES HIS FOLLOWERS.

THIS IS DEFINITELY A RACE FACE. NOTHING RUNS LIKE A KYLE BEATON DRIVEN JOHN DEERE.

TIME TO GO RACING FOR THE GIBBS FAMILY.

THE MEDICAL CREW HAD EVERYONE LOOKED AFTER IN CHILLIWACK.

CARSON BROWN WAS A RED RIDER IN CHILLIWACK.

THE RIDERS TALKED ABOUT HOW TO BEAT DAVEY FRASER BROUGHT SOME EAST COAST

THE NEWF.

FLAVOUR TO CHILLIWACK.

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STRAP IN. The all new 180 boot was developed o f f o f o u r c h a m p i o n s h i p p rove n Instinct boot. It features a precise fit, maximum support, and long lasting durability in an affordable package. The exclusive silicone closure strap system makes getting into and out of the boots even easier. The Fox 180 boot truly redefines the boundaries of what is possible with performance and value. Strap in and see for yourself .

FOXRACING.COM/CA FOLLOW US: @FOXRACINGCANADA

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HALF A MINUTE UNTIL THE GATE DROPS.

CAUGHT ON

CAMERA

THE KIDS TRY TO STAY FOCUSED DURING RIDERS MEETING.

TRYING TO STAY WARM INSIDE THE HERITAGE PARK ARENA.

THE PARENTS AND KIDS GET READY FOR THE GATE TO DROP.

ARENACROSS CAN BE TOUGH THE SEVEN

ON THE BODY.

DEUCE DEUCE JUST LOVES CANADA.

MAFF AND THE 722 DO ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS FOR GATE PICK. BIG NEWF AND LITTLE NEWF STROLL AROUND THE PADDOCK TOGETHER.

THE MECHANICS TRY TO STAY AWAKE PRIOR TO THE NIGHT SHOW.

THANK-YOU, YOU’VE BEEN GREAT, I’LL SEE YOU NEXT WEEKEND. OF COURSE, NOT EVERYONE HAD A GOOD WEEKEND IN CHILLIWACK.

THE CHILLWACK VIP SEATS.

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FAMOUS LAST WORDS W I T H

C H R I S

P O M E R OY

P H OT O S

JA M E S

L I S S I M O R E

THE NEXT CHAPTER

hat a year we just witnessed, not just in Canadian motocross, but throughout the world. Everyone’s favourite holiday Christmas is almost upon us, so hopefully you have all behaved yourselves throughout the year. I personally love the Christmas holidays; I love the weeks leading up to it and all of the preparation that must be done to ensure it’s as enjoyable as possible. Hanging lights on our house, trekking through the field of our local Christmas tree farm to cut down the perfect tree, all of my family coming up to visit and eat a massive turkey dinner, and of course the look on my son’s face Christmas morning. For me anyway, it really is the most wonderful time of the year. Of course, once the holidays are over, we will all turn the calendar to 2018 and welcome in the excitement of a brand new year. Then, before we know it, the riders will be lining up at Anaheim and a new Monster Energy Supercross season will begin. Oh yes, the relentless and sometimes ruthless hands of time just keep rolling along without any way of stopping them, or even slowing them down. In 2018, I will be celebrating my 45th year of this earth, my son will be 11, and my father will be turning 75. Where does the time go? I’m quite sure that I am not the

“DURING HIS RETIREMENT SPEECH, DUNGEY SPOKE OF NOT JUST THE PHYSICAL STRAIN OF BEING AT THE TOP OF THIS SPORT, BUT ALSO THE MENTAL STRAIN AS WELL. IT REALLY DROVE HOME TO US THE LIFE OF A CHAMPION AND JUST HOW DIFFICULT IT REALLY IS.”

only person pondering this question. I guess since nothing can be done about the aging process, I’ll just keep my head down and hope that 45 is the new 35! With a new series and a new race schedule to look forward to in 2018, there’s a lot to look forward to. Looking back at the 2017 season, there were definitely a few unbelievable moments. The first shocking thing we saw in 2017 was the incredible finale to the Monster Energy Supercross Series. After a 17 round battle, Ryan Dungey and Eli Tomac took the 2017 championship right down to the final main event of the season in Las Vegas. In the end, Dungey took home the title by just a few scant points, and then in a surprising but understandable move, he announced his retirement from the sport he’s loved for so long. During his retirement speech, Dungey spoke of not just the physical strain of being at the top of this sport, but also the mental strain as well. It really drove home to us the life of a champion and just how difficult it really is. Dungey expressed that his racing career had far exceeded his expectations and he had simply had enough. What an awesome champion Ryan Dungey was both on and off the track, he will certainly be missed. With Dungey announcing that he was done with racing, the Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals kicked off at Whispering Pines Raceway just outside Kamloops, BC. From Round 1 of the series, all the way until Round 10 in Barrie, the riders battled through heat, sand, mud, and just about everything else. In the end, Shawn Maffenbeier took home his first ever National Championship in the MX2 class, and his Blu Cru teammate Matt Goerke won the MX1 title. Goerke won the MX1 crown by just three points over Christophe Pourcel in an incredibly close fight. Both riders had their share of ups and downs throughout the ten round series and by the end there was no love lost between the two. It was a classic old school brawl right to the final moto of the summer, exactly what everyone wanted. With no Parts Canada TransCan to cap off the summer in Ontario, amateur riders flocked to events in Madoc, ON, Kamloops, BC, New York,

and Michigan to get some high-level racing done before the kids headed back to school. The fact that Walton had to be cancelled sent shock waves through the industry and it really drove home that no event is ever safe in this tough sport. With no Walton and the summer of 2017 coming to an end, the biggest bomb in almost three decades then fell on our industry as Jetwerx announced plans to begin their Rockstar Energy Triple Crown Series in 2018. With arenacross, supercross, and outdoor events planned, everyone wondered how there could all of sudden be two competing outdoor series in 2018? Well, thankfully for the athletes, the teams, the sponsors and the fans, Mark Stallybrass and Justin Thompson of Jetwerx were able to come to an agreement and the sale of the CMRC and SPI was completed. It was an unprecedented agreement between the two gentlemen and one that now allows a new chapter to begin in Canadian motocross. Mark has run Canadian motocross for 28 years and has brought the sport to levels that we could’ve only dreamed about in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. Now, with Mark joining Ryan Dungey as industry leaders who have just had enough of the grind, it’s Justin Thompson’s turn to take the reigns and guide the sport into the future. As I mentioned above, this was a year of unbelievable moments, and most certainly a year that no one will forget. Now, as we prepare for 2018 and the new season ahead, we must now think about the future. With the Rockstar Energy Triple Crown Series beginning on February 24th in Abbotsford, BC, everyone will have to be ready to go much sooner than in the past. Until then, enjoy the holidays and all the joy that they offer. It really is the most wonderful time of the year and it should be spent taking stock in everything that we have. Soon, the new year will be here and it will be time to build a new set of memories. We at MXP Magazine hope that Santa Claus is good to you, and we hope that 2018 is the year that all of your dreams come true. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! See you in 2018.

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GUEST COLUMN W I T H

J E S S

P E T T I S

P H OT O S

JA M E S

FULL STEAM AHEAD y summer had a lot of ups and downs but ended up very good, and I’m happy with how it went. It started out great at the first round of the CMRC Nationals in Kamloops where I qualified first and was able to finish a solid second place in the first moto. I followed it up with a fifth in the second moto after several crashes. I knew I had the speed and fitness to belong at the front and battle for the championship. Round 2 was in my hometown, Prince George. We had about twenty people stay at our house during the week. We had a great time with all of our moto friends, as we rode our dirt bikes, mountain bikes, and went to our cabin at the lake. Leading into the weekend, I had a lot of added pressure from media, friends, family and more. I was able to put together two solid motos, getting a pair of seconds for second overall on the day, which was a great race day. It gave me a lot of

“I AM NOW CURRENTLY DOWN IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PREPARING FOR THE 2018 WEST COAST SUPERCROSS SERIES WITH MY TRAINER, KEVIN URQHART.”

L I S S I M O R E

confidence heading into Round 3 in Calgary. Calgary didn’t go to plan, as Dylan Wright crashed at the start of the second moto, and unfortunately, I was right behind him and had nowhere to go. I had a really bad crash that forced me to DNF, then I headed to the Calgary hospital to get x-rays on my left shoulder. I was told by the doctor nothing was dislocated or broken. The week from Calgary to Round 4 in Regina, I took it very easy and rehabbed my shoulder the best I could. Unfortunately, on lap two of the first moto in Regina, I felt my collarbone completely break as I landed off of a jump. My adrenaline kept me pushing and fighting my way through the pain to finish the moto where I ended up fourth, but that was the end of it for me. My family and I packed up our motorhome and made the trek back to Prince George where my surgeon was able to get me in for surgery very quickly. I got a plate and twelve screws put in my collarbone and had to sit on the sidelines for a couple weeks. The day my staples were taken out, I went straight to the track to test out my collarbone. It felt great, and being a racer, that meant one thing: Time to go racing! I flew straight to Round 7 in Truro, NS. Only being three weeks out of surgery, I wasn’t expecting much for results, but I was able to get second in the first moto and my first ever moto win in the second moto, which gave me my first ever overall win. I surprised a lot of people, including myself, and was very excited to finally get my first ever win. For the rest of the series I had several podiums and ended up fifth overall in the series, which I was very happy about, considering I had a broken collarbone, surgery, and seven DNFs.

Thankfully, I had a great team, family support, and group of people in my corner that stuck behind me no matter what was thrown at us. I am now currently down in Southern California preparing for the 2018 west coast supercross series with my trainer, Kevin Urqhart. Kevin and I have worked together for a year now, and he has been a huge part of my success. Supercross is a huge learning curve and doesn’t come overnight, but the progress has been going great. I’m very excited to be racing supercross this winter as it’s been my dream ever since I started racing dirt bikes. My mechanic, Andreas, and I are driving our van all the way from California to Chilliwack, BC to race two weekends of the Future West Arenacross. Racing is my income and I need to collect as much money as I can to pay for my supercross training. After the two weekends of racing is complete, we will drive straight back down to California where I will practice and train straight into Anaheim 1. The gate drops on January 6th, and obviously I’m very excited. Since I’m racing supercross as a privateer, I would like to thank all the people that are supporting me to chase my dreams and race the best SX riders in the world: Vernon Motorsports, Neil Bradbury, White Spruce Enterprises, Dean Birks (Royal Lepage), Myatovic Brothers Logging, PG Klassic Autobody, Autochoice Mechanical, Spotless Uniform, Ross Thompson and family, Randy Macgregor, Outlaw Motorsports, MX101 Racing, FXR Racing, 6D Helmets, 100% Goggles, Mobius, Dedicated Ride, Ride Engineering, Rekluse Clutches, SSS Suspension, Bulldog MX Training, my parents, and of course all of my fans.

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UPSHIFT W I T H

“AFTER THE EXCITEMENT OF LAST YEAR’S SX SERIES, I CAN’T WAIT FOR ANOTHER SEASON OF THE WORLD’S BEST INDOOR RIDERS TO COMMENCE BATTLE.” ello everyone out there in Motoland. It’s been an interesting time for Canadian motocross these last few months with a leadership change in not only the Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals but the entire country’s sanctioning body. At this point there is still a lot details to be presented to the public but you can be sure Jetwerx is busy as busy can be sorting it all out. With the Des Nations and Monster Cup behind us, it was the Red Bull Straight Rhythm that had our attention and it was a fun spectacle as usual. It’s a great event that keeps the industry, media and fans involved in what was once just deemed the silly

B R I A N

KO S T E R

THE NEXT STEP season of nothing really exciting other than rider and contract rumours. And now, not long away, will be the gate drop at Anaheim 1 for another highly dynamic Supercross season. Also, this past fall I ventured out on my trusty old 2014 CR450R after over a year and a half off the bike and spun some laps at Moto Park a couple of times and at my friend Steve’s ranch in Port Dover, Ontario. To be truthful, my nerves had me on edge and I was full of nothing but self-doubt looking at the rather sizable jumps at MP, but hey, I guess it’s better to be slow than not ride at all. After tremendous talk and speculation, Jetwerx and the CMRC finally came to a resolution that will see a new organization take the helm of Canadian Moto. A lot of details still remain unclear but the new leadership is in stone. With a few press releases involving the Pro side of things, including the $100,000 Triple Crown series and a new rider numbering system, it is full steam ahead for the new kids in town. Having seen firsthand the transition from CMA to CMRC close to three decades ago and the improvements therein, these are certainly interesting if not exciting times. To say the pressure is on Jetwerx is what I would consider an understatement, but with their experience in the sport along with their dedication and drive, one must remain optimistic for overall improvements to both the amateur and pro side of Canadian racing. I mentioned Red Bull Straight

Rhythm earlier but really it was the Ronnie Mac show. How fun was he to watch? For sure he stole the show! For a sport that is so super serious at the upper echelon, it was a breath of fresh air to see the lighter side of things and how goon riding meets head on with the serious business of winning. Definitely there was a lot to take in. The event was well broadcast and attended, but it was Ronnie Mac that had all the fans on their feet clapping, cheering and smiling for days after… myself included. After the excitement of last year’s SX series, I can’t wait for another season of the world’s best indoor riders to commence battle. Who will win the title is anyone’s guess but before we get even close to that we will have plenty of action to take in. Marvin was impressive at Monster Cup with just a slight edge over Anderson and Tomac. Eli’s crash was some ugly, and after Dungy got into his head last year it looks like Musquin is poised to do the same. Tomac is so good when out front but when pressured he has been known to falter, so time will tell. Word is Canadian MX2 star Jess Pettis will be riding at least four of the West Coast 250 SX races on a privately back Yamaha. Jess has always been fast, but after what I would call a breakout season in the outdoors last year, a group of Canadian benefactors have stepped up to the plate to assist Jess reach his Supercross racing goals. Even with his badly broken collarbone, Pettis rebounded remarkably quickly to come back to his first race post-injury to snare the overall victory against a stacked field last year. Jess, who hails from Prince George, BC, is mature well beyond his 20 years of age and is well deserving and worthy of the support he has gained outside of his MX 101 team. It is always more fun to watch the US Supercross races when there is a Canadian to cheer on, so race fans, keep your eye out for Jess when Anaheim 1 rolls around. He will also be coming back to Canada between racing and training in California to defend his Canadian Arenacross title. Speaking of Canadians to cheer on in US SX, I just got off the phone with Cole “Tommy Gun” Thompson who is currently down in Florida training. Cole hurt his thumb really badly at Round 6

of MX2 action in Quebec and underwent surgery to repair the dislocation damage he sustained. He has been back on the bike since mid-October. Cole will be sitting out SX this year but expect him to be a force next year in Canada aboard the KTM 450. Motocross is tough, no question about it, and some may argue that it is a young man’s (or young woman’s) sport. To this I agree to some extent but try telling that to the plentiful number of vet riders out there riding and racing. Vet racing is on the rise and is something I always keep a keen eye on as an aging baby boomer. Being out of racing since 2012 and not riding due to various circumstances for a year and an half, I really wanted to ride again but was honestly scared. Sure, I’ve kept in half descent shape for a fella my age riding mountain bikes regularly, but I have definitely lost a lot of upper body muscle that comes naturally from riding moto. With a little outside pressure, I dusted off the ol’ CR, changed the air filter, oil and fuel, and low and behold she fired up on the third kick. Damn! Out of excuses! Okay, next stop MotoPark - a really fun, well-groomed track with a few friendly but rather big jumps. Once I was there, feeling intimidated and out of place, I wanted nothing more than to go home. If my mother was still alive I’d just want to bury my face in her loving arms rather than go out on the track. Damn! Another excuse lost! So out we go and boy did it feel good to accelerate like only a late model 450 can. With each session, another intimidating jump cleared, and mid-way through the third and final session, all jumps buttered but although still pretty slow in the turns, it was super fun. Whew! What a relief to get that monkey off my back, but shoot, did the body ever ache for at least five days afterwards Damn! Maybe I AM getting a little too old for this?

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TANNER’S EXPERIENCE AND ABILITIES ALLOWED HIM TO FIND SUCCESS ON THE VARYING TRACK CONDITIONS OF THE EASTERN TRACKS.

TANNER BY C H R I S P O M E R OY / P H OTO S BY JA M E S L I S S I M O R E

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OVER THE YEARS WE'VE SEEN COUNTLESS YOUNG AND FAST AMATEUR KIDS STRUGGLE TO MAKE THE DIFFICULT TRANSITION TO THE PRO CLASS. FOR THESE CAN'T-MISS KIDS, ONCE THEIR YELLOW BACKGROUNDS ARE EXCHANGED FOR WHITE OR BLACK, A RIDER'S MINDSET IS ALL OF THE SUDDEN MANIPULATED BY SOMETHING OFTEN REFERRED TO AS “PRESSURE.” BACK IN 1981, DAVID BOWIE RELEASED A SONG CALLED “UNDER PRESSURE” AND ONE VERSE REFERS TO IT AS THIS: “PRESSURE, PUSHING DOWN ON ME, PRESSING DOWN ON YOU NO MAN ASK FOR, UNDER PRESSURE THAT BRINGS A BUILDING DOWN.” THE PRESSURE TO PERFORM AND TO KEEP PERFORMING RACE AFTER RACE IS SOMETIMES A WEIGHT TOO HEAVY FOR SOME YOUNG RIDERS TO BARE. THIS IS ONE REASON WHY THE JOURNEY TO THE PRO CLASS IS ONE THING, AND ONCE A RIDER TURNS PRO THE NEXT TASK BEGINS, ONLY WITH A TOUGHER SET OF INSTRUCTIONS.

“Heading into 2017, Woodstock, Ontario's Tanner Ward was beaming with confidence beneath his flowing blond hair.”

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TANNER GAVE A BIG WAVE AS HE TOOK TO THE MX2 PODIUM IN DESCHAMBAULT.

eading into 2017, Woodstock, Ontario's Tanner Ward was beaming with confidence beneath his flowing blond hair. With a very successful amateur career already on his resume, Ward appeared ready to make the next step up to the Pro class. Thankfully, Ward was a graduate of KTM's successful Orange Brigade amateur program, and for the past two seasons he was constantly being groomed for future stardom. Also, with the CMRC's unique rules for allowing Intermediate riders to race in the national MX2 class, Ward could race against the best MX2 riders in Canada while still holding an amateur license. This is a great rule in Canada, and over the years I think it has helped to facilitate the success of some of our fast, young riders. Finally, prior to Tanner's first scheduled national at Gopher Dunes in early July, another opportunity came knocking. With just two riders under their tent, the Jean Sebastien Roy led KTM Thor Racing Team had room for Tanner to compete in the entire MX2 east series during the latter part of this past summer. So, with a solid team behind him, a few factory parts on his KTM250SX-F and a boatload of confidence, you could say that all the stars were aligned for

STANDING ON THE PODIUM IS EXACTLY THE PLACE EVERY ROOKIE PRO RIDER DREAMS OF BEING.

ONTARIO RIDER JAKE TRICCO WILL BE LOOKING TO TAKE THE INTERMEDIATE CLASS BY STORM IN 2018.

Tanner Ward to have a great introduction to the Pro class in 2017. Even with this strong support system, a rider still must go out and do all of the things needed to be successful on the race track. First, they must do the dreaded off-the-bike training that allows them to be one of the fittest athletes on the planet. For the past few years Tanner looked for advice from trainers such as Frankfit and most recently Kyle Keast. Once the gym training is complete, a rider must log lap after lap to build their endurance, as well as build a knowledge base on how their bike reacts in different situations. This is also referred to as “testing” and not every rider is capable of doing it. Some riders, especially at a young age, obviously know that they go fast but they haven't quite learned why they go fast and what to do to their bikes to make them go faster. It's a complicated process and one that is definitely associated with experience. This is one reason why Tanner was in a great position with the KTM Thor Racing Team. If he had any questions or uncertainties, his team was there to answer them. Yes, once the gate drops motocross is a purely individual battle against your fellow rider. However, to get to the starting gate with any hope of success a rider must have a strong support team behind them. When Tanner Ward arrived at Gopher Dunes for Round 5 of the 2017 Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals he was ready to go. On a track that was quite familiar to him, Ward impressed everyone in attendance with an 8th in Moto 2 and 15th overall on the day. From there, Ward went to Round 6 in Quebec where he once again exceeded expectations with another 15th overall. Sadly, Ward's teammate, Cole Thompson, was injured at Round 6 and was forced to withdraw from the MX2 series. With the third member of the KTM Thor Racing Team, Kaven Benoit, also out with an injury, by Round 7 in Nova Scotia, Tanner Ward was the sole rider under the orange tent. For some riders, this situation could've produced a lot of stress and, here is that milliondollar word again, pressure! However, for Ward, he rose to the occasion and for the final four rounds of the MX2 series, he put his KTM near the front of the pack. His second overall at Round 9 in Deschambault was not only the highlight of his season, but it also served notice that the quiet kid from Woodstock, ON was ready for the big time. Tanner's accomplishments this past summer has definitely earned him

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our Rookie of the Year honors for 2017. So, with Tanner Ward getting ready for 2018 and his first full season in the Pro class, who is the next rider to keep our eyes on? As we witnessed at the final round of the 2017 Nationals in Barrie, ON, both Marco Cannella and Austin Watling are ready for their assault on the Pro class in 2018. These two fast Ontario riders also happen to be close friends of Tanner's, and they've grown up battling each other. This friendly competitiveness has helped these three riders during their journey upwards. The trio of Ward, Cannella and Watling will enter 2018 with good solid teams behind them, and the potential of a long and successful pro career in front of them. As this group focuses on next year, which riders are next in line to follow in their footsteps? This is a very exciting time in Canadian amateur motocross as each region right across the country has its crop of fast, young riders. Out in BC, we have riders like Jacob Piccolo, the Gibbs brothers, Blake Davies and Burg Gilliomee, just to name a few. Gilliomee is an interesting story as he has come over to motocross from the enduro side of things. Atlas Brace Brand Manager Ryan Lockhart assures us that Gilliomee is a great kid and a future star. As we move east, names like Dexter Seitz and Ryder McNabb come to mind as riders with a lot of potential. McNabb just signed on to replace Tanner Ward on the Canadian Orange Brigade Team so he now has access to everything that Ward had for the past few years. McNabb is a great story as he appears to be just as good at rebuilding his bikes as he does riding them. As we keep making our way east in Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes, we have Jake and Luke Tricco, Sam Gaynor, Jeremy McKie and Damon Burbine as names that stand out. These are just a few of the large group of fast amateur riders that appear destined for stardom. Will they all eventually find the level of success that Tanner Ward did this summer? It would be extremely optimistic to say yes, after all, the road up the mountain is long, windy and full of braking bumps. But as we've seen in recent years with a few of these riders, nothing is impossible. This is such an exciting time in Canadian motocross. Who will be the next big star? We don't know at the moment, but we're sure can't wait to find out!

TANNER WARD LOOKED RIGHT AT HOME UNDER THE KTM THOR RACING TENT THIS SUMMER.

TANNER’S FIRST PRO NATIONAL AT GOPHER DUNES WENT VERY WELL AS HE FINISHED 15TH.

“This is a very exciting time in Canadian amateur motocross as each region right across the country has its crop of fast, young riders.”

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MXP Chatter with

Justin Thompson BY CHRIS POMEROY

P H OTO S BY AU S T I N WAT L I N G A N D S U M M E R D E N Z L E R

AS WE ENTER A NEW YEAR ON THE CALENDAR AND EVERYONE LOOKS TOWARD 2018, THERE ARE SOME BIG CHANGES AHEAD IN OUR SPORT. AFTER 25 YEARS OF BEING THE MAN BEHIND THE BEST RACING THAT THIS COUNTRY HAS EVER WITNESSED, MARK STALLYBRASS HAS OFFICIALLY HANDED THE REINS OVER TO JUSTIN THOMPSON. FOR THE PAST TWO SEASONS, THOMPSON HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN BRINGING HIS ONCE USABASED AX TOUR TO CANADIAN CITES LIKE SARNIA, BARRIE, LONDON AND CALGARY. HOWEVER, ON FEBRUARY 24TH, 2018, THOMPSON AND HIS JETWERX CREW WILL LAUNCH THE ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK TRIPLE CROWN, WHICH WILL INCLUDE BOTH INDOOR EVENTS AS WELL AS A NINE ROUND, COAST TO COAST OUTDOOR SERIES. WITH A VERY EXCITING YEAR AHEAD IN 2018, WE SAT DOWN WITH THE MAN BEHIND ALL OF THESE NEW CHANGES, JUSTIN THOMPSON.

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MXP: Thanks for taking the time to speak with us, we imagine that you’re very busy these days. JT: Thanks for giving me a chance to talk about our 2018 projects. We are absolutely wide open getting things dialed in for the Rockstar Energy Drink Triple Crown. From hiring new staff, to organizing venues and tracks, to navigating the CMRC buyout, it’s been a busy Fall, and I’m only expecting it to get busier. Before we get into the new Rockstar Energy Drink Triple Crown planned for 2018, can we talk about AX? What was behind the decision to move the AX Tour series from this Fall to next Spring? When we started to lay out plans for the new series, we went over every option, and the most appealing of those was to finish off with a more prestigious event, such as Supercross. With the schedule we developed there is a nice flow of AX to MX to SX, and we did not want to raise any confusion by running a back-to-back Arenacross program. We expect this will maintain fan interest throughout the series. The schedule was also built with an effort to keep team costs to a minimum. As it turns out, with the purchase of the CMRC and no races to run in the Fall of 2017, it has allowed us to focus our resources on building a strong organization to insure our success and the growth of the industry. Other than in Quebec and the smaller events they do in BC, Canada has never really had a sustained indoor series. Are you happy with how the AX Tour events have gone up here? Yes, we have been very appreciative of all the support we have received over the first two years of our venture into Canadian Arenacross. It’s been great to see the growth across the country since its inception. Moving into 2018 we are looking forward to seeing more amazing racing and then taking our show to the Outdoors at some of the best tracks in Canada. We are excited to bring a fresh new look to an already very successful series that CMRC has put on for the last 25 years.

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When you brought your USA inspired indoor events to Canada in 2015, was the intention always to eventually have an outdoor series one day? Yes, we had plans to do an outdoor series for over the past five years, but our planning was further down the road. Originally it was going to be an Arenacross Series with the addition of some Supercross events, and then build off that to eventually have all three disciplines (MX, SX, AX) in one race series. So yeah, we had the idea in place but timing was going to be delayed a bit. Once we started working on the project and landed a deal with CMA/FIM, it just seemed like the timing was right to make a push for our end game of building the Triple Crown. Well, fast forward to 2018 and the outdoor series is a reality. You must be very proud? Yes, it feels good to start putting our dream into reality, but it only lasted so long. Now it’s back to the grind to insure this series is not only going to be a success in Canada, but to put Canada on the world stage of racing series, such as the MXGP, or AMA Outdoors/ Supercross. We have tracks, venues, riders and teams that are world class, so we need to assure we have a racing platform that matches that prestige. Many have called this the ‘Next Chapter’ in Canadian motocross. Does it feel like that to you? I think that’s a good way to put it. Mark Stallybrass brought this country to a level unseen before, and put on some amazing races over the last 25 years. But like anything, it comes time for fresh blood and a new insight for growth. With doing anything for that many years, it gets old and you eventually get burnt out. We have some big shoes to fill, and I hope the next 25 years can be as successful as the last. Unlike indoor racing where there wasn’t already a series in place, for the Rockstar Energy Drink Triple Crown to be really successful, the long standing, 25-year CMRC Nationals had to be replaced as there certainly couldn’t be two national outdoor series in Canada.

MXP Chatter with

Justin Thompson Can you take us through the process of how you were able to get this done? This process was a lengthy one. Mark and I have been in talks since last March. The process has been a very long ordeal. It has been very professional. We didn’t always see eye to eye but we managed to work things out. Mark was ready to retire from the promoting to enjoy his summers off with family and friends. I believe he saw a chance for his legacy to live on and he was able to pass on the torch. So, with Mark’s retirement and Rockstar Energy joining forces with us, this cleared the path to reform the only Canadian Pro Racing Series into our Triple Crown concept; a vision we expect to generate a lot of interest in Canadian Motocross.

Former CMRC owner Mark Stallybrass obviously did a lot for Canadian motocross over the years. I was around in the early 1990s when there was very little money within the industry. Some of that was due to the economy, but mostly it was due to a lack of attention to the sport by the sanctioning body at the time. You also raced quite a bit in the CMRC series. In some ways you must feel pressure to live up to that legacy? Mark took the sport from being backyard “show up in your truck” racing, to a series that has milliondollar rigs, salaried riders, mechanics,

team managers and many more people making a career out of it. I think that’s amazing to be able to create a platform that gives passionate people a chance to live out their dream and make money doing so. I think Mark should be extremely proud with what he produced. That being said, yes there is a lot of pressure on us, but we have also put a ton of pressure on ourselves for years. I mean we built our business in the most cut-throat and competitive country in the world, the USA. That pressure and high standard that we have has pushed us to be in the position we are right now. The Rockstar Triple Crown is going to be a new look on what Mark has built over the last 25 years, and I think he will be happy with the plans we have.

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series. People just get comfortable with the familiarity of the Nationals they were racing, and there have been failed attempts in the past that make people believe there was never going to be change. Once Mark took a step back from promoting the series, it opened a lot of eyes to the fact that we are here and we are serious about making this Triple Crown the best series in the world. I believe we are one of the most passionate groups out there, and Jetwerx has a very well-respected track record around the world as track builders and promoters. Let’s talk about the 2018 schedule. The AX portion begins in late February in BC, and the outdoor series in Calgary in late May. Was the final schedule difficult to put together? The Motocross portion of the schedule is typically easy for the fact that these are tracks set to race motocross, so it’s just a matter of shuffling their local club races around to assure we have the date we need. But when you get into these high-end arenas, they have hockey, concerts, circus shows, rodeos, etc., so scheduling those are tough, on top of us flipping our schedule for Arenacross from Fall to Spring.

Not only are you starting up a new series, but you and Mark [Stallybrass] were also able to secure a deal for you to purchase the CMRC. Many people in the industry thought a deal like this would never happen, but you two were able to pull it off. Can you talk to us about how this deal came to fruition? Believe me, we doubted it at times as well, but Mark and I kept working on it lots of meetings and phone calls. There are so many moving parts involved with the Nationals and CMRC, it’s not so cut and dry. Our main interest was working on the National side of things and making sure we didn’t have competing

race series, which would just be awful for Canadian Motocross. This purchase has allowed us to put together a 2018 Pro and Amateur program designed to unite Canadian Motocross on a regional and national level. In your mind, what has been the most difficult part of this process since you first announced the Rockstar Energy Drink Triple Crown in August? The hardest part was making people believe that there is going to be a series, making them believe we had Rockstar Energy’s full support and the Triple Crown was no joke. It’s been our struggle from the first time we mentioned the thought of doing this

We’re sure by now that Jetwerx could run indoor events in your sleep as you’ve done it for so long. Does the outdoor part of this make you nervous at all? Not at all, we are excited about it. To have a chance to go into these amazing tracks, work alongside the clubs and owners, and put on a world class event, we are looking forward to it. Typically working at the indoor venues, you are dealing with a very strict timeframe and everything has to be spot on from building to tearing down. It’ll be great to get outside and bring our show to the Outdoor Nationals. Being able to have more time leading up to the race to pull it off will be great. We are typically doing full track builds the day before the arenacross races. The 2018 outdoor schedule has a few new venues on it. Can you talk about Popkum and McNabb’s track in Manitoba? I believe both tracks will be rider and fan favourites. Both have amazing elevation, great dirt, and being able to

THE NEXT CHAPTER:

The 2018 Rockstar Energy Triple Crown Series As the new year approaches and we look ahead to 2018, with this flipping of the calendar comes a new pro national series, including both indoor and outdoor events. The new series somewhat mirrors the old as it comes with full support from Rockstar Energy and the motorcycle manufacturers. Basically, the title sponsor is the same as the past CMRC pro series, the riders and teams will be mostly the same, and a few of the venues are the same, but that is where the similarities end.

With four arenacross events to kick-off the series, beginning on February 24th, the riders will have to quickly figure out how to race each other in the tight arenas from Abbottford, BC to Barrie, ON. From there, the series moves outdoors with the opening round of the nationals taking place at Wild Rose Motocross Park in Calgary, AB on May 26th, 2018. This is the earliest that the national series has begun in some time, so it will be interesting to see how Mother Nature cooperates in the Calgary area in late May. From Calgary, the series continues to move west to BC for Rounds 2 and 3, then to Manitoba for Round 4, before continuing east for the final five rounds of the nine-round series. The outdoor champions will be crowned on August 18th at Walton Raceway in Ontario. With the outdoor events complete, the Rockstar Energy Triple Crown heads back indoors in the fall for three supercross-type events in Ontario and Quebec. From February 24th to November 22nd, this new series will criss-cross Canada giving fans a variety of events in various popular motocross markets.

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MXP Chatter with

Justin Thompson

bring Pro Motocross Nationals back to areas it hasn’t been for quite a while will be good for the sport. Manitoba has got to have some of the best tracks in the country. We took a look at three amazing facilities and had to make the hard decision of picking only one. It really came down to logistics and accessibility of the venue, because you could honestly have a National at all the tracks we toured. We are excited about bringing Popkum in. The crew there has been working hard to make this happen, and they were on board with us since day one. Track changes have been in the mix since Spring of this year. All in all, some new blood will be good, and we

are looking forward to being at these new tracks and bring our expertise of track building to help them become great events. It’ll be much like we did last year with Prince George, just giving the track a few adjustments for a better race track. Also, the decision to bring back Sand Del Lee as well as Walton Raceway has been met with joy within the industry. How were you able to secure those two historic tracks? We have been in talks with both tracks right from the first thought of putting

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fantastic crew of people that work so hard to keep that place at the highest of standards. We are thrilled to have both tracks on the schedule. When you look at the 2018 schedule, what are you most proud of? I’m pretty happy with having a longer schedule, something that can keep people working almost year-round. Potentially this could open up more opportunities for riders, mechanics, and other staff to be on full time salary. At first it may be a shock to teams and sponsors, but in the long scheme of things, it will bring us a much bigger platform to market off of, and hopefully bring in better outside industry support. All in all, it’s going to keep people busier, and it also give riders a better chance to prove themselves and overcome an injury during the season.

on the National portion. Both Brett Lee and Johnny Grant have been huge assets in making this program a reality. There was a huge hole in the series when Walton was not the finale. For our sport it is hard sometimes to connect the dots between being an Amateur rider and a Pro, but once a year, in the middle of August, the two worlds got to connect and bring a special vibe that cannot be matched by any other race. Bringing it back this year is like bringing back a major piece of Canadian History, so this brings us much excitement and pride. As for Sand Del Lee, it is a track that so many pros list as their favourite national. It is an amazing facility and a

The Triple Crown money, the new numbering system, the races being on Saturdays, there are many things to be excited about for 2018. Yes, we needed to change things up a bit. The career numbering is good on so many levels. From marketing of a rider, fan recognition, or just being able to build a rider’s personal brand. It makes being a casual fan that much easier. It’s hard trying to re-learn everyone’s number year to year. The Saturday Nationals is mainly to help with our TV packaging and the eventual switch to some Live Television. It also keeps things in uniform with Arenacross and Supercross race days. It will also assure we have the best track conditions possible for the top guys to do battle. It’s tough trying to get the right amount of track prep having the Amateur portion on the Saturday, where you don’t want it to be too deep or over watered. So, by the time Sunday rolls around, the moisture is gone and the track is packed in, not to mention the bannering all needs to be redone. So now the track and facility will be top level for Saturday and that prestige can trickle down to the Sunday racing at Amateur Open nationals where the track can be less aggressive and easily toned down with our professional track builders on site at every round. With all this we have continued our global Caterpillar equipment contract to ensure dozers, excavators, skid steers, water trucks, tractors and more are at our finger tips at each and every round.

Let’s talk about you for a minute. I always enjoyed watching you ride as you were always one of smoothest riders on the track. Can you take us through your racing days? The good old days seems like forever ago now that I have been to so many races as a promoter over the last eight years. I turned Pro in 1999 after winning Walton 125/250 Intermediate and the Bronze Boot. Later that year I started prepping for Supercross in the winter of ’99. I ended up breaking my femur at Pontiac SX - Round 4. So that started my Pro career off on the wrong foot. It took me a few years to get my confidence back. I raced SX in the winter as well as racing the CMRC Nationals in the summer, riding for a few big teams both in the USA and Canada. I had some good results throughout racing the Nationals, but felt like I didn’t live up to my full potential on a bike due to my injuries. I started to focus my racing on Arenacross, and through some friends I met in Mississippi, I came across a cool AX series. I started racing that in 2003, making good money and really enjoying the racing. In 2007, the promoter of the series didn’t have his track builder show up one weekend, so he asked if I could fill in. It turned out to be a good fit. From 2007 to the end of 2010 I would build and maintain the track, and race it too. In 2011, I ended up buying the AXtour Series, and turned my focus 100% into the promoting side of racing. I haven’t turned back since. What do you think was the best race of your career? I would have to say in 2001 when I ended up 3rd at the Toronto Supercross, or closely followed by my Arenacross Tour Championship in 2010. For two years prior to that, I had lost the championship to Johnny Marley by less than a handful of points. So, it was a big weight off my shoulders to finally win in 2010. I always liked racing the tighter, more technicalstyle tracks. Arenacross and Supercross were definitely where I felt my best. What made you stop racing? Basically, having kids with my wife, Tia, and injuries started to get to me. I couldn’t get the fact that I had to support a family and lying in a hospital bed wasn’t going to work anymore. I was getting older and starting the promotion side of Jetwerx. Once I committed to doing Arenacross in the south I had no time to ride, and I spent the race weekends working.

The 2018 Rockstar Energy Triple Crown Series CONTIN U E D

Not only is the entire Rockstar Energy Drink Triple Crown series new, but so are a few of the venues that it will visit in 2018. For the arenacross rounds, the series will travel to Abbotsford, BC for the first time ever. This multi-purpose arena is only an hour from downtown Vancouver and is close to a lot of the motocross and off-road industry in Lower Mainland BC. The arenacross series will also visit the Progressive Auto Centre in Sarnia, ON for the first time. This 20-year-old arena has been home to the Sarnia Sting hockey club since its construction in 1998 and looks to be a perfect venue for a large arenacross event. With an additional stop in Calgary, as well as the Molson Centre in Barrie, ON, the opening rounds of this new series promises to be very exciting. Since Canadian fans really love outdoor motocross and its connection to the grassroots of our sport, we believe that much of the focus will remain with the nine outdoor rounds of the Rockstar Energy Drink Triple Crown. With the gate dropping on May 26th in Calgary, the riders will begin their summer long battle on one of the coolest tracks in the country. From there, the series moves to a new stop in Popkum, BC. We reached out to Ryan Lockhart to get his thoughts on this new track, and he replied by saying, “I think it will be good, with its proximity to the main highway and to the greater Vancouver area, the location is ideal. The track itself and the parking area need to be improved, but overall it should be a good event.” After returning to Prince George for Round 3, the 2018 series moves to its second new track of the season in Minnedosa, MB. According to all reports, the McNabb Valley MX Track is a thing of beauty and it should provide some great racing. With it being close to 2.5 hours from Winnipeg, it's a good trek from the nearest airport, but this track is only 30 minutes from Brandon, MB so finding hotels and restaurants close by will be no problem. With the western rounds over, the series heads east to begin its final five rounds at Sand Del Lee Raceway, just outside Ottawa, ON. This track has always provided great racing whenever the series has visited it in the past, and 2018 should be no different. Johnny Grant who helps operate the SDL facility had this to say about the nationals returning to this popular track, "It is great to see that the Rockstar Energy Na-

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The 2018 Rockstar Energy Triple Crown Series CONTIN U E D

MXP Chatter with

Justin Thompson At what point did you start up Jetwerx and go into the race promoting business? Jetwerx started as and continues to be a track building company. I paired that with our background in racing, as well as our technical background in websites, film/editing, broadcasting, etc. It just seemed natural to transition into the promotion side of racing. We enjoy bringing the best product possible to the riders, fans and families, and give them an experience that creates lifetime memories. When you look back at your life thus far, does it feel like all of the tough roads that you’ve been down have helped lead you to this moment when you’re about to take over Canadian Motocross? I feel like all my experiences in Motocross over the last 30 years has helped me shape an image of what needs to be done to better this sport in Canada, and really give the people at these races what they are looking for. I wouldn’t say I am taking over Canadian Motocross, but I would say I am going

to help continue the growth within the sport and have the chance to work with some amazing people along the way. I’m thrilled to be able to call Motocross racing my full time job, and I’m excited to build our dream into reality. Of all the things I have accomplished in my career so far, the best part of motocross for me is sharing the dream I have with others and them having the passion to believe in it as I do. That to me is Motocross. Sharing the passion with strangers that become family. Outside of motocross, what things do you like to do? I mainly spend time with my three daughters and my wife, along with my brothers. We are all super close and pretty much see them every day. Summer time activities are usually mountain biking or road biking. If I’m not doing that I’m building trails in my woods for the mountain bikes and I’ll get the odd round of golf in or maybe ride a 450 the odd time. In the winter I play hockey a couple times a week, but mainly just family time and work. I have been very fortunate so far in life with a great family, a great company and so many positive people in my life. I was

brought up to “believe none of what you hear and only half of what you see” so I never judge a book by its cover. This allows for very unique opportunities to become dreams that come true. Justin, thanks for taking the time to talk to us. Good luck with everything and we can’t wait for 2018. Thank you for the interview. I appreciate the support and I’m looking forward to seeing everyone in 2018!! I want to leave you with this as I found it very interesting that since day one Jetwerx has stayed true to its dreams. I wrote this mission statement as a dream on a note pad in 2001 and we have lived by it ever since: “JetWerx is committed to providing outstanding quality creations in a way that is safe, yet progressive to the sports in which they belong, and to the visions of the dreams they started from, so that we can continue to develop our reputation as one of the premier action sports companies in the world.“

tionals will continue to grow and develop under JetWerx for 2018 and into the future. I would like to congratulate Mark Stallybrass and his team for what they have accomplished over the past 25 years with the pro series. Kevin Tyler and I are extremely proud that SDL has been awarded a National for 2018.” From Ottawa, the series heads to the familiar tracks at Gopher Dunes, Riverglade MX and Deschambault MX, before wrapping at Walton Raceway on August 18th, 2018. With all nine rounds taking place on Saturdays instead of the usual Sunday program, the 2018 Rockstar Energy Triple Crown Series will be sure to pick up right where we left off last year as far as providing Canadian race fans non-stop outdoor action. With the outdoor nationals wrapped up, the Triple Crown series moves back indoors on September 22nd at the Delaware Speedway in Delaware, ON to begin its final three events of 2018. These final events in Delaware, Quebec City, QC and Hamilton, ON will give riders and teams another chance to battle indoors on some very tight tracks. With the final round of the 2018 Rockstar Energy Drink Triple Crown taking place in Hamilton at the First Ontario Centre, it appears to be the perfect place to hand out the Triple Crown $100,000 payout. There you have it, the 2018 Rockstar Energy Drink Triple Crown. With indoor and outdoor events, the riders will have their talents tested as they compete across Canada. With a few new tracks and facilities on the schedule, and with the outdoor races being held on Saturdays, as well as a new numbering system for the top riders, there definitely are some changes on the horizon. However, with all of these changes, we believe the one item that will remain the same is the high calibre of racing that Canadian race fans have been treated to for the past 25 years. With legendary names like Jean Sebastien Roy, Colton Facciotti, Brett Metcalfe, Matt Goerke and Davi Millsaps all being able to make claim that they were MX1 Champions in Canada, it will be interesting to see if the next 25 years can produce the same world class level of racing. If the 2018 schedule is any indication of what is to come, then there are definitely exciting times ahead.

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2018 MXP - Atlas - 2018-Brace-Facciotti-1.pdf

2017-11-24

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Stronger. Lighter. Wireless.

CMY

www.atlasbrace.com @atlasbrace

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KEVIN TYLER RAISES HIS ARMS AS HIS TEAM FINALLY SECURED THEIR FIRST EVER PROFESSIONAL TITLE.

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ONE ON ONE WITH

KEVIN TYLER B Y

A N D Y

W H I T E

P H O T O S

B Y

J A M E S

L I S S I M O R E

IT WAS A BREAKOUT SEASON FOR THE MX101 / FXR / YAMAHA TEAM IN 2017 BY NOT ONLY TAKING THE MX2 CHAMPIONSHIP BUT CAREER-BEST RESULTS FROM ALL TEAM MEMBERS. WE TOOK TIME TO GRAB TEAM MANAGER KEVIN TYLER FOR A QUICK CHAT AND REFLECT ON HOW THEY HAVE ENDED UP AS WE KNOW THEM TODAY. IT WASN’T THAT LONG AGO, BACK IN 2013, WHEN THE TEAM EMERGED WITH JEREMY MEDAGLIA AND SHAWN ROBINSON OUT OF THE RM MOTORSPORTS SEMI THAT DAN AND HIS CREW AT ROBINSON BROS. TRUCKING HAD CUSTOM BUILT FOR THEM. THEY WERE THE NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK AND WERE LOOKING TO MAKE SOMETHING HAPPEN. NOW, JUST FIVE SHORT YEARS LATER, THEY WERE ABLE TO SECURE THEIR VERY FIRST NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP. Andy: So, take me back to how yourself and Johnny Grant ended up on the ownership side of a race team those few years ago. Kevin: It was 2013 and Jeremy Medaglia had just split ways from KTM and was looking at options. Bryan Hudgin from Yamaha was approached by Jeremy for support, so a conversation was started as we had a long-standing relationship with Yamaha on the facility and school side of things since 2001. It was decided that there could be great upside for the facility and Yamaha to go racing with Jeremy on a 450 for the summer. So, the team was born on the pro side as for many years we had already been assisting amateurs in the region with the help of Yamaha in what we coined the Talent Factory. We had been helping Shawn Robinson out previously, so with those two together and the help of Dan Robinson and the RM Motorsports rig we were heading across the country as a pro race team. Andy: You guys had some early success that year as well, right? Kevin: Yes, right out of the gate Jeremy felt at home on the 450 and was flying. I could tell when I first saw him ride after the winter training that there were going to be some great results that summer. He was feeling so good that he asked what we thought

about him double classing and racing both the 250 and 450. That has always been a positive for us, and the way we are set up with our sponsors is that we are able to do some things that other teams are handcuffed and may not be able (or want) to do. So, we loaded up for both classes at Round 1 in Nanaimo, BC. It almost came to a crashing halt as Jeremy had a huge get-off in practice resulting in a mangled YZ250F. It was the end of double classing for him. Unbelievably, he was able to ride fantastically despite the pain in both motos and came home with 3rd overall on the day. It was a very big accomplishment for not only him in the MX1 class but the team as well. Another huge day would come in Quebec in the sand at Deschambault where he would take his very first overall again in MX1. It was one of those days that we all will never forget. That year also marked our Talent Factory rider Dylan Wright setting ‘The Dunes’ ablaze with his ride on the YZ250 two-stroke. He had been dominating the Intermediate class that year and showed exactly why as he lined up with best and put himself into the limelight as he finished 3rd overall on the day in MX2. Cliché again to say but that also marked a memory that will never be forgotten in the team’s ride through history.

Andy: 2014 and a change in the team structure and your role with Yamaha. Kevin: Yes, with the season we just had, Yamaha was very happy with the professionalism and the results we were achieving. They liked the idea of us being the stepping stone into pro racing and grooming riders to prepare them for the MX1 class. Yamaha decided that we would be the MX2 factory effort where OTSFF would race the MX1 class for them.

KEVIN AND HIS TWO RIDERS WAIT FOR THEIR RACE TO START.

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ONE ON ONE WITH

KEVIN TYLER Andy: Great timing with Yamaha introducing their all-new YZ250F with fuel injection that year for you guys. Kevin: Yes, of course it was very humbling to be asked to continue and serve a larger role with Yamaha. Johnny and I were very excited with our role and what the future would hold. Unfortunately, Jeremy decided to leave the program, so we were looking for a podium contender. After many phone calls and visits, Johnny and I decided that Jess Wetland, who you had brought up for a couple rounds with KTM the year before, would be our guy for the summer. All the while we continued to groom Dylan Wright as he turned pro and worked with Shawn, who would drop down and ride the two-stroke. Dylan and Jess Wetland would race the all-new bike for the summer. Jess was racing SX in the winter and a spill at the practice track late in the winter would leave him with a cracked scaphoid. That injury can be hard to diagnose as it’s small, and x-rays with shadows can hide things. So as the season progressed and the number of pills Jess popped continued as well, we soldiered through some ups and downs. Dylan was struggling with the power difference of where the power was and how to use it effectively, and we had some DNFs mixed with some good finishes. We again won an overall that year and hit the podium several times. Andy: So, 2015 was the year of “The Rippa.” Kevin: As we continued to grow and find our way over the winter, we were again looking for a teammate for Dylan as Jess had decided that SX and MX in the states is where he really wanted to be. We signed on with an online retailer, which was an unknown to most, called Canada’s Motorcycle as a title sponsor. Also, we switched from Fox head to toe into agreements with a small Canadian company called FXR (sarcasm on the small part) who too would assume the role of title sponsor to the program. They weren’t really known for their moto gear. Industry leader 6D, with their helmet technology, and Marco Dube hooked us into Forma

SHAWN AND HIS YAMAHA YZF250 WERE AT ONE WITH EACH OTHER ALL SEASON LONG.

boots to round out the switch. As the winter progressed there were so many great riders reaching out for the open spot in the program. We had some near signings all winter long that just didn’t get onto paper and we are glad they didn’t. We had narrowed our selection down to a few that included Jimmy Decotis and Justin Starling come March. With Dylan and Cale camped out at South of the Border MX Facility for the winter, it gave us a perfect spot to meet with the riders and have a tryout if you will with the team and a race bike. We made good strides over the winter with a more familiar bike and a year of beating the bugs out. We stressed on the decision but it was unanimous that Jimmy D would get the spot for the summer. I still remember the critics, as he was a SXonly guy, saying he was out of shape and would never last a summer in Canada in the heat. Round 1 in Kamloops came and Jimmy answered the naysayers with an exclamation point as he delivered a very convincing 1-1 in hot and tough conditions. A first for Jimmy, a first for the team that put us with our very first taste of running a red plate. We also invited Kris Keefer up for the first two

rounds to race as a team member as he used the content for an in-depth look and report on the team for Dirt Rider Magazine. Again, a little twist we were able to grab some ROI to our supporters with an angle that got us noticed that was not just results driven. Calgary that year was a big round for us, too. We had boss man Milt Reimer from FXR in the house attending his first National in a while, and the boys delivered with Dylan’s first ever pro podium and Decotis taking the win in Moto 1. It was the team’s first-ever double podium, which couldn’t have come at a better time. We had a few more double podiums that year in Gopher Dunes and Walton. We even brought up Jessica Patterson, the 5-time Women’s Champ from the AMA, to race a round of the Eastern Women’s Championship to create some buzz and excitement. She managed to win the overall and a lot more fans at the same time. At the end of the year, Decotis recorded the team’s highest overall, finishing 2nd place behind series champ Kaven Benoit. Dylan missed a round during the year with a practice crash that left him with a concussion, but mounted his best finish of his young career with a 6th in the championship.

Andy: The team was really starting to get the momentum rolling, then Geico came calling… Kevin: Right! Jimmy’s’ first love is SX and he is one of the greatest on the biggest stage in the world for indoor racing. The plan was obviously to have him back, and in the beginning stages while Jimmy went to Australia to contest and go on to win the championship, all looked full steam ahead. His Geico deal was SX-only and nothing for MX, so it looked like it would be alright for him to return to Canada and us for outdoor MX. As the SX series started in the states and Jimmy was finishing just off the box at the early rounds, Honda USA and Geico had second thoughts about letting Jimmy ride the Yamaha again north of the border. By March the decision was set in stone and in no way could he or would we even let him jeopardize his opportunity to ride with one of the elite teams in SX, even if it meant sitting the summer out. So back to the resumes we went [laughs]. By this time Dylan had matured into a solid podium contender and we felt, along with Yamaha, that it was his time to lead the team. It gave us a chance to consider Canada’s youth to find another

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diamond in the rough in which we could provide guidance and support. Jess Pettis had spent a year privateering it on a Yamaha after his few years on the Monster Kawasaki team. He was young, fit and hungry, which was the basis for our decision. Jess had a reputation for having explosive speed but being a bit fragile. As he matured and filled out, he packed on some serious muscle that would aid him if he happened to come off the bike and be able to remount and keep going - something his critics had held over him for years. Andy: So, a true Canadian team with two up and comers from Canada supported by a Canadian gear company as a title sponsor and you added a third rider with a twist? Kevin: I am always very conscious of making sure that we over deliver to our sponsors and supporters. Every team is vying for the same dollars and deals, so sometimes the differentiator can seal the deal. I think we have achieved that every year, and for 2016 we used that angle to support another rider while taking care of a position that needed to be filled. Hayden Halstead is a rider I knew from Ontario as he had raced with us many times coming up through the ranks, but I didn’t really know him well. As he has his class A license, he filled in for us the year before when our driver had to unexpectedly come home from the western swing for a week. The weight and length of our race hauler requires more than just a regular G licence (ask me how I know, haha). So, the deal was made to transport his bikes and parts, and help where ever we could. He became our logistics manager and got the race hauler around the country in exchange. This gave us three bikes on the track at a time, and our goal was to have all three in the top 10.

AT THE RACES KEVIN IS DETERMINED AND FOCUSED.

Andy: How did the season go with the three riders? Kevin: Three guys is a lot to manage especially when they are in the same class. On one hand the parts are all the same for the bikes, so that is a bonus, but the parts are all the same for the bikes so that can be a negative if lightening strikes, too. Luckily, we have always had enough on hand and never had a time where we were not able to provide for everyone to keep all of the bikes on the track. Like with everything, more people bring in more dynamics; riders each have a mechanic, maybe a girlfriend or some family. It does not take long to add up. On the positive side, we all get along very well and when needed there are lots of hands to help with every aspect of the weekend. A downside is with three riders racing six motos a day it is very rare for them all to have great days at the same time. The year started off with a bang with Dylan and Jess going 1-2 in Moto 1. It was very impressive and served notice that the riders and team had done their homework. We came out ready and swinging at the bell. Unfortunately, the second moto was not so smooth as most have seen the pics of Dylan “timing” the gate and being a bit off as he jumped the gate and was a long way down the start before the gate dropped for everyone else. The moto was restarted, and the ref assessed Dylan a 1 lap penalty which seemed odd and a little harsh. This rattled him no doubt, and as the moto started he was trying to make up too much, too fast and came together with another rider, leaving his bike broken and badly damaged. He tried to make his way around the edges of the track but the front wheel was locking up causing more crashes and tip overs. He slowly made his way across the last section to the mechanics area, “cutting across” so more penalties were incurred. His day went from bad to worse. Pettis was again up at the front looking to bring home his first ever pro podium. With two laps to go, his bike expired leaving him a long, frustrated walk back to the pits. The roller coaster of racing. The highest highs to the lowest lows all in four hours. Thankfully, the season had more ups than downs. The team logged many rounds with all three in the top 10 and quite a few of the coveted double podiums along the way. All three riders had the best overalls of their career, so it’s hard to be better than that. The highlight of the year may have been the final round where Dylan and Jess both stood

SHAWN MAFFENBEIER GETS A BIG HUG FROM HIS MECHANIC, CALE FOSTER.

atop the podium for 2nd and 3rd overall on the day. Meanwhile, Hayden was going full-ironman to gain maximum points to drop his overall number as low as he could. With unreal endurance, he gutted out two top 10 finishes, one in each class. It was a capping to the year, and with the whole team out cheering him on every lap on the biggest jump of the track showed the passion and comradery that the team is built on. The year was capped off with Jess winning the Future West AX series in both classes and taking home the #1 plate. It was both his and the team’s first pro championship and it was very cool. He had grown up in the barns out west and was the crowd favourite to see one of their own seal the deal. Andy: The 2017 off-season was maybe the most interesting you have ever had. Kevin: That is to put it lightly. The downside having great years and great riders is that there are always teams looking to acquire their services. This one was no different for us.

Andy: You are talking about Dylan’s move to the GDR Honda Fox team, correct? Kevin: Yes sir, that one stung a little. We have obviously had turnover from year to year, but I think ultimately it was kind of expected from Johnny and I as our objective was to keep the program rolling and bring Dylan along the way to a championship with us. From an amateur to title contender everything was on course. With Dylan growing up at SDL and us taking him under our wing at a young age there was more than just a rider / team relationship. Andy: With Dylan gone you were on the hunt again? Kevin: With everything going so well, apart from Dylan leaving, we couldn’t let that sidetrack us from our vision or our path to win the championship. I really did like the idea of having an all-Canadian team if possible. Of course, with the news of Dylan leaving, the phone lines lit up once again with riders looking to fill the spot. Shawn Maffenbeier was on the top of my list of riders interested in joining our program. He has had a long relationship with Yamaha in the past, and I always found him to be professional and mature in his dealings.

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ONE ON ONE WITH

KEVIN TYLER

both riders. Shawn crashed in a corner, and in the freakiest ways managed to skewer his boot with the break lever leaving him trapped under his bike. He eventually had to remove his boot to untangle the mess. Once finally going again he could only manage to recover to 16th. Hayes went missing after having a mechanical on the largest jump on the track. Thankfully, he was only bruised and battered but ultimately okay. Pettis was riding in pain with only a few laps to go and in a podium position but felt his collarbone give out. He soldiered on to finish 4th but was done for the day. It was confirmed by x-rays that this time he was done for a few weeks.

Andy: Wasn’t Shawn supposed to be with the team back in 2015? Kevin: Well, I do like to give him a hard time about that as the intention was for him to move from OTSFF to us for his season in MX2 that year. What can I say, sometimes it takes some a little longer than others to come around. Ultimately, he is here now and it feels right. All things happen for a reason they say. Andy: The 2017 MX2 title chase had a little bit of everything wouldn’t you say? Kevin: I said it before, the highs and lows of racing. It was a roller coaster of a season for just about every team in the pits that raced MX2 this year. I don’t think anyone could have bet on how the season would unfold, it was a new drama every week. It was almost like it was scripted for TV, just unbelievable. Andy: Take us through it, starting in Kamloops. Kevin: That place is like a second home to our team. We have had very good success there over the years. I think our off-season prep shows we are on the right track and prepared every time we get to Round 1. Sticking with the same program on key items makes a big difference. Allan Brown has been building our engines for the past four years, and we learn every year and make steps in the right direction while not getting bogged down in the bling and shiny. Joe Skidd with SSS has been a supporter since the beginning. He has an incredible handle on the tracks, and Yamahas of course since his Blackfoot days. Add in the major chassis tweaks with the Ride Engineering triple clamps and a few little factory parts that are tucked away and our base setting is very good. FMF have been with MX101 since the days of me racing when two-strokes ruled the world, as have DeCal works that always make us look like a million dollars. When something is working there are little tweaks that make the difference. Again, first moto of the year, Maff and Pettis come out swinging with a decisive 1-2 in Moto 1. Moto 2 sees Maff up

MAFFENBEIER SHOWS OFF HIS NEW NUMBER FOR 2018.

at the front into the lead early and just checks out, pulling away from defending champ Cole Thompson. Pettis was working his way forward until a midmoto tip-over that moved him back, which kept him off the podium with a 5th place finish. That moto right there, though, it was only the first weekend in the series but I think it brought the confidence that Shawn needed to prove to himself that he could win. Cole was so good the year before at sitting back and then striking, almost making it look easy on who ever was leading that it was mental breaking. The 1-1 with big leads proved that Shawn was here to win this year. Next up was Prince George and Jess’s hometown race. He handled the pressure like he had done it a million times before and delivered the ride of his career to date. He almost won the overall but a bobble late in Moto 2 let Thompson strike and take the win. Shawn had a decent first moto where he came from outside the top 5 to pass for the lead only to let a tip-over steal the victory forcing him to finish on the last step of the podium behind his teammate in Moto 1. Moto 2 is where the drama of the year started for us, with Shawn working his way forward

again from outside the top 5. He was forced to relinquish the red plate when a rock slammed through the skid plate, breaking it and the water pump cover forcing a DNF. Andy: Calgary was again a little up and down, right? Kevin: It sure was. Shawn put on a clinic passing all the contenders, making small mistakes and passing them again in each moto to again finish 1-1 on the day. The downside was Jess had an okay first moto, just missing the podium by a few feet in Moto 1 but was collected in a first lap incident that left him and the bike too bent to continue the moto. Straight to the hospital for him for x-rays was on the schedule. Hayden finished his second weekend in a row inside the top 10 and was showing that he deserved the increased support he received for this season. Enter Regina where it was Shawn’s turn to have the hometown crowd pressure. Jess had been cleared from the x-rays but his collarbone was incredibly sore, but he didn’t want to quit and decided to line up. Moto 1 saw Shawn running the opening laps right behind Monster Kawasaki’s Jacob Hayes. On the third lap the wheels came off for

Andy: Out of the west, you guys had a big deficit in points to make up. Kevin: The super consistent Cole was being steady and mistake-free out west and had a very large point lead heading to the eastern swing. The plan with Shawn was to win races - nothing to lose, just to go for it. We were going to miss Pettis for a couple of rounds, minimum, though he had surgery to repair the collarbone so he could be back to 100% without missing too many rounds. Gopher Dunes, in all its hot and rough glory, was another great day for Shawn because he took the overall. We Also saw Dylan Wright, at his team’s home track, show up with his best ride of the year, stealing a podium spot. Then things got bizarre at the new QC location at Benoit’s place the next weekend. In the first moto, Shawn jumped out to the early lead with Hayes in second and Thompson right behind. In a large sweeping left hander in front of the semis and leading to the mechanics area, Cole looked like he had a mental mistake and got very aggressive with Hayes for the pass. The two collided, and when Cole hit the ground the damage was done. He landed awkwardly and injured his thumb, leaving him with a DNF. Shawn made a mistake allowing Josh Osby by for the win, or did he? With only a lap left to go, the red cross flag came out on the jump after the finish line. Josh jumped, which is a against the rules, effectively handing the win back to Shawn. There was some confusion whether there was or wasn’t a protest, and it got Josh pretty fired up at me, though. I didn’t have to officially protest anything as it was clear as day on the TV review. Not to say that I would not have gone through with a protest if needed, but in this case, it was handled

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THE PHOTO THAT EVERY RIDER DREAMS ABOUT.

as it should have been. If that wasn’t enough crazy, add in that Thompson was then questionable for Moto 2, and his points lead that looked unsurmountable was suddenly gone. Moto 2 saw Osby and Maff out front again to finish that way finishing 1-2, and Thompson fought the pain to finish 7th, dropping his lead to 1 point as the race series headed east. Maff claimed another overall with fire in his eyes. Things were on fire by the time Pettis returned after only missing two races, which was incredible. Most doubted if he should be back, because they thought it was too soon. He quickly answered those in doubt with the duo putting on a show with Maff taking the first moto win and Pettis finishing an amazing 2nd right behind him. Thompson was unable to race after trying to ride both practices. It was then that he knew his season was done. Now the door was wide open as Thompson was out. Osby had a horrible first moto finishing 8th, and the bLUcRU was looking to be on a roll. Moto 2 saw the teammates just inside the top 5 as the race started to settle in. Shawn on his way to the front ended up being pushed off the track a couple times into drainage ditches, and then on the farthest part of the track his Yamaha came to a stop. With Osby leading and Maff appearing to have a mechanical problem, the championship just swung again. Then with only a few laps left, the scariest crash of the year saw Dylan and Josh collide mid-air, then Josh shot off the track and through the fence. Thankfully, it was not as bad as it appeared and ultimately Josh was okay but was done for the remainder of the year. Championship points swung back to Shawn. While all of this was happening, Jess was battling tooth and nail with Jacob Hayes for the moto win. Jess held on for not only his first win but also his first overall of his career.

Andy: There were three rounds left. What else could possibly happen? Kevin: My blood pressure wishes that it was quiet from there on out but that would not be the case. Moncton may have been the team’s race weekend as a unit. In both motos, Shawn and Jess were on a different level finishing 1-2 in both motos and for the overall. Hayden had one of his best weekends finishing 8th overall. It was a good weekend with all three guys putting in two solid motos. Next up was Deschambault for a good old-fashioned mud race. It rained leading up to the weekend and all weekend long. Amateur races were cancelled on Saturday and conditions didn’t improve much for Sunday. It would be survival of the fittest. Mud races are great when you are looking for that equalizer, not so much when you have a nice cushion in a championship chase and just looking to close out the year. That day was to be Hayden’s day, with his best overall of the year and tying his best; he led the team with a 5th overall. While Shawn just conservatively rode to 3rd in Moto 1, Pettis found a hole that swallowed him up, which took him several laps to free himself. Moto 2 saw Shawn with his worst start of the year around 10th. Pettis was near the front and fighting for a podium spot that he would eventually earn. Shawn, while making his way forward trying to

avoid a downed rider on one of the up hills, shot off the track and into the slop that had been pushed off the racing surface. The bike took on water and was done for the day. There was a big point swing again as the rider in second in the championship, Ryan Surratt, had his best day of the year finishing 1-1 on the day.

craziness of the year, Surratt had a big crash right in front of the spectators that caused him a DNF. With that, Shawn was guaranteed the championship, and with his 1-3 on the day he took the overall as well. So, when all was said and done, the team finished with 7 out of 10 overall wins and won ours’ and Shawn’s first Pro National title.

Andy: At the last round, were you just looking for everything to go smoothly so you could claim the championship? Kevin: Exactly. We came in with a slim point lead but had spent the week identifying the problem in the mud and finding the root cause. We had a great week leading up to it and tried to treat it just as any other weekend. Moto 1 again saw the familiar look of Shawn and Jess running 1-2, and again they ran and hid and finished that way. The drama this time was with Surratt who rounded the first lap in 17th. To keep the championship alive, he needed to move to the front quickly. He did just that, ending in a solid 5th. Moto 2 was for all the marbles, and Shawn knew he just needed a 16th or better if Surratt won the moto. When he and Jess rounded lap one, both were in the top 5. Around the half-way mark, Surratt was leading but was in a heated battle with Dylan Wright. Maffenbeier was content to sit back and watch the battle in front of him. To add to the

Andy: Let’s not forget Kennedy Lutz’s championship as well. I understand that was a last-minute addition to the team. Kevin: I really can’t take much credit for that win. Kennedy and her father have been with Yamaha for a few years and they have a solid program. I basically agreed to transport their bike to the races. I had a call from Rick from Schrader’s Yamaha based out of Yorkton, SK. He asked if I would help out. I said I would do what I could as she was already a Yamaha/FXR rider. It was turn-key. I had Peter, who is one of our mechanics, help her out at each round. We were really excited about the opportunity. Andy: What’s the plans for 2018? Kevin: To be honest, I want the same riders, mechanics and all the same sponsors back for 2018. I feel we had an incredible year and I would love to do it all over again. I would like to see that #1 plate under the MX101 tent!

NO CHAMPIONSHIPS ARE EVER WON WITHOUT A STRONG TEAM.

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ROSS, JEFF STANTON AND KEITH BOWEN WERE THREE YAMAHA RIDERS THAT TRAVELLED TO ITALY FOR THIS BIG EVENT.

1987 MASTERS OF MOTOCROSS The Italian Job - Rollerball Style BY MIKE MCGILL

PHOTOS BY BILL PETRO AND CARL BASTEDO

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ROSS PEDERSON WAS CANADA’S GREATEST MOTOCROSS RACER. PLAIN AND SIMPLE. IN SAYING THIS, I CERTAINLY MEAN NO DISRESPECT TO ANY OTHER GREAT CANADIAN CHAMPION SUCH JEAN SEBASTIEN ROY, BLAIR MORGAN OR COLTON FACCIOTTI, TO NAME BUT A FEW, BUT PEDERSON REALLY WAS A ONE OF A KIND, AND I REALLY DON’T THINK THAT YOU WOULD FIND ANYONE WHO WOULD ARGUE THAT. HIS 38 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TITLES WILL ATTEST TO THIS. PERHAPS MORE IMPORTANTLY, THE SUCCESSES THAT HE ACHIEVED THROUGHOUT HIS LONG CAREER RACING SOUTH OF THE BORDER IN AMERICA, AND AROUND THE GLOBE FOR THAT MATTER, HAVE NEVER COME CLOSE TO BEING DUPLICATED.

RACING OVERSEAS AND WINNING THE MONTREAL SX ARAE SOME OF ROSS’S BEST MEMORIES FROM HIS INCREDIBLE CAREER.

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The Italian Job - Rollerball Style

1987 Masters of Motocross

ROSS WAS FAMOUS FOR HIS FITNESS, HIS GRIT, AND OF COURSE HIS MILLION DOLLAR SMILE.

“INTERESTINGLY, THIS RACE ALMOST DIDN’T HAPPEN FOR PEDERSON AS ONLY THREE WEEKS PRIOR TO HEADING OUT FOR ITALY ROSS WAS IN A TORONTO HOSPITAL RECUPERATING FROM RE-CONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY ON HIS RIGHT KNEE.”

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WITH GREAT RESULTS IN THE USA, CANADA AND EUROPE, MANY FEEL THAT 1987 WAS ROSS’S BEST YEAR.

ith that being said, it would be hard to pin-point one actual season and say that it was Ross Pederson’s best, but 1987 would certainly have to be taken into consideration. Riding for the Yamaha Motor Canada Team that year, Ross had some of his finest results both at home and on the international stage. Ross was a regular down in the states, of course, and while he was able to consistently put in solid results in the US, his best finishes occurred during that ‘87 campaign when he scored a 3rd overall at the Hangtown National in the 250 class. He backed that up with a 5th at Southwick on the YZ 250 and scored another 3rd overall at Red Bud on his air cooled YZ 490. He even finished in the top 10, 9th to be precise, that year in AMA Supercross even though he did not attend all of the rounds. Pretty impressive. As was normally the case, Ross dominated everything in Canada that season including the Montreal and Toronto Supercross races against some stiff American competition, but perhaps his most noteworthy performance of that truly fine season came at the end of September when Ross travelled overseas to Italy to take part in Guiseppe Luongo’s Masters of Motocross event at the famous Maggiora circuit. Luongo, who certainly is well known to any motocross fan as head of Youthstream, which runs the GPs along with the FIM in Europe, was “a little bit on the outs with the FIM at the time” according to Ross’s long-time business manager, Carl Bastedo. Carl maintains that the Masters of Motocross Series was an attempt buy Luongo to break away from the FIM and create his own International Series. Therefore, the event was unsanctioned but, “it was a great opportunity for Ross”, remem-

bers Carl. “They were putting together a star-studded field of top American Pros and International riders to take part in this event and they wanted a Canadian representative as well. Who better than Ross?” Maggoria had played host to the Motocross des Nations the previous year so the track was well known throughout the international moto community. Of course, Ross was no stranger to racing Internationally as he had taken part in many of these types of races in his career. “He was to receive what was pretty much the standard fee at the time to race. All expenses were paid and a $1,500 starting bonus was tacked on,” explains Bastedo, and then it was up to him to earn as much of the purse as possible.” Bastedo remembers that the purse for these types of events in Europe were “quite good, and Ross looked at every weekend back then like it was payday. That’s how he looked at it and that’s why he raced so much,” explained Bastedo. Interestingly, this race almost didn’t happen for Pederson as only three weeks prior to heading out for Italy Ross was in a Toronto hospital recuperating from

re-constructive surgery on his right knee. Of course, as we all know, Ross’ recuperative powers and supreme physical conditioning have been well documented over the years, so in his mind there was never any doubt that he would be attending the race. His ability to perform at a high level, however, was somewhat in doubt. As Ross relayed to me in a recent conversation, however, “That was a special race and it was a big deal to be invited, so there was no way I was going to miss it.” The Masters of Motocross event consisted of a three 30-minute moto format and the field was pretty much made up of a who’s who of professional motocross at the time. A couple of US National Champions; Factory Honda riders Ricky Johnson and Micky Dymond made the trip to Italy along with multi-time World Champions such as Belgium’s Eric Geboers and Georges Jobe. They were joined on the gate by the current 125 World Champion, Cagiva mounted Dave Strijbos from Holland, along with former 125 World Champion and hometown hero, Italian, Michele Rinaldi. Several other notables were in attendance as well, such as American Factory stars Jeff Stanton,

Keith Bowen and Ronnie Tichenor. The rest of the field was rounded out by a slew of impressive World GP motocross regulars, and of course our man Ross “Rollerball” Pederson. What set the Masters of Motocross apart from most races that these riders would enter was the fact that, other than for the monetary gain, there was nothing else really at stake. No series points or no world or national championships to be had. The pressure to perform, while always present, was minimal in this case. The race was also taking place late in the season and, more than any other time of the year, it was really a good chance for the riders to get together, let off a little steam and have a good time, as well as compete in a high-level event for some serious money. Carl Bastedo recalls a huge Thursday night pre-race dinner that took place at an upscale restaurant right in the middle of the very ritzy Milan fashion district. The dinner was arranged and paid for by Luongo. Fifty riders and friends all got together and ate at one huge table. “It turned out to be a pretty wild night,” remembers Bastedo, but really a lot of fun. US Factory Yamaha rider and Pontiac, Michigan native Keith Bowen certainly agrees with Bastedo’s assessment on the evening. In fact, Bowen, while only 20 at the time, remembers always having a good time hanging out with the Canadian crew, as he refers to them, Ross especially, and that night in Milan was no exception. “Ross was a little older but always really cool and laid back off the track,” remembers Bowen. “I always had so much fun hanging around with the Canadians, be it at overseas races or even when training down in Florida. Bowen goes on to mention however that the “Rollerball” was certainly someone you wouldn’t want to mess with when you were on the track. “He was a big dude,”

IN ITALY, ROSS FINISHED 4TH OVERALL AGAINST A VERY STACKED FIELD OF RIDERS.

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The Italian Job - Rollerball Style

1987 Masters of Motocross

“NO MATTER, PEDERSON WAS CERTAINLY WILLING TO WORK WITH WHAT HE WAS GIVEN AND ELABORATES THAT THE ‘87 YZ REALLY SEEMED TO SUIT HIM, AND THAT’S A BIG PART OF WHY HE HAD SUCH A GOOD SEASON IN ‘87.”

remembers the diminutive Yamaha Ace who went by the nickname of “Bones.” “You didn’t want to tangle with him out there because back then, if you did, you knew you had one coming back your way. And he would hit you really hard,” chuckles Bowen. As far as equipment went, it seemed that everyone other than the Factory Honda riders were at a bit of a disadvantage for this race. “I was given a used YZ 250,” remembers Pederson. “It certainly wasn’t new out of the crate or anything like that. It was well used.” Ross brought his own forks, shock and ported cylinder with him from Canada. He carried them in a big duffel bag and brought them on the plane as part of his carry-on luggage, which amused his manager Bastedo to no end. “It was pretty funny,” recalls Bastedo, watching Ross trying to navigate down the isle of the plane with this heavy, awkward bag full of motorcycle parts slung over his shoulder.” Bowen, while he was a full-on US Factory Yamaha rider at the time, was in the same boat as Pederson when it came to his bike for the event. “No, I never took my race bike to those events,” remembers Bowen. “A pipe, a set of handlebars and that was about it,” he recalls. Both Bowen and Pederson agree, however, that the Honda riders, Americans Johnson and Dymond, along with Geboers, had their factory bikes at their disposal for this event. In fact, long-time Suzuki and Kawasaki factory rider Jobe had just switched to Honda prior to this race and would go on to win his 5th World Championship

for Honda the following season. Undoubtedly, he was mounted on factory equipment as well. No matter, Pederson was certainly willing to work with what he was given and elaborates that the ‘87 YZ really seemed to suit him, and that’s a big part of why he had such a good season in ‘87. “I was also in my prime I guess you could say,” Pederson goes on. “I was 27-years-old, I had a good bike that agreed with my style and I was in the best shape of my life.” That being said, going into the weekend, Ross was

not overly optimistic about his chances for a good finish at Maggiora due to the fact that he had just had what would have been considered major knee surgery a mere month before. But, as he had done so many times before in his racing career, Ross came through with an epic performance when he needed to. “I guess my results exceeded my expectations,” laughs Pederson. Indeed, as the gate dropped for the start of the opening moto, Pederson rocketed out to a fantastic 2nd place start right behind the Honda mounted Geboers. Mental strength and toughness were always a hallmark of Pederson’s riding style and he certainly mustered all he had on this day. As the moto wore on, Ross was looking great and showing no signs of having what had to have been a very sore knee. He continued to circulate in the top 3. “I was so excited,” remembers Bastedo. “I was running out onto the track in the mechanics area every time Ross would come around, waving my arms and jumping up and down like a crazy man. I’m sure some of the other mechanics must have thought I was nuts.” “I always did fairly well on these big, natural terrain, GP-style tracks,” recalls Pederson. “They just seemed to suit my style,” and at this point Ross divulges to me that probably his biggest regret in his racing career was that he never did go over to Europe to compete in the World Championship GPs full-time for a couple of seasons. “Those GPstyle tracks were really my forte,” he continues. “I think I proved at those GP-style races that I could run with

A LITTLE DIFFERENT FROM TODAY’S TOP RIDERS, THIS WAS ROSS PEDERSON’S 1987 RACING SCHEDULE.

anybody in the world.” Ross went on to explain that for him the secret to his success in these big races, where the competition was so tough, really centered around the starts. “The starts were so important as I felt that if I could start up front I was good enough to stay there, but when I was racing against top competition, like at this race in Italy, there was no way I was going to slice my way through the pack, not like I could in Canada.” Ross went on to explain that while starts were extremely important for him it was also very tough as he was a bigger rider, weighing in at between 185 and 190 pounds back in those days. Many of his competitors were much lighter and often had better bikes. For this reason, he practiced his technique relentlessly and became known for his good starts no matter where he was racing. Fortunately for Ross, bad knee and all, no slicing was required on this day as only Ricky Johnson was able to get by him late in the first moto, and he held on for a very credible 4th place finish at the checkers, placing behind only Johnson, who went on to pass Strijbos on the last lap for the win, and hometown boy Rinaldi. It was a fantastic first moto result for our Canadian Champion but he was not done there. Ross basically utilized a good gate pick, and the same game plan in the

second and third motos to score a 5th and 6th place position respectively. His consistent 4-5-6 moto scores were good enough to garner a 4th place overall finish and a nice payday. While others such as Mickey Dymond and Eric Geboers would have better individual moto scores, Ross’ consistently good rides landed him his impressive result ahead of big names like Rinaldi, Geboers, Tichenor, Jobe, Bowen and Stanton. Only Ricky Johnson, who was at the height of his formidable powers in ’87, went 1-1-1 in the three motos, and the current World Champion Dave Strijbos and US National Champion Micky Dymond would finish ahead of Ross in the overall tally. Pederson, being the true champion that he is, was humble about his results when we spoke. “I was able to get good starts and the GP-style layout suited me,” he explained. “That’s usually the way it went for me when that happened.” Pederson went on to say that in his opinion the sport has a lot more to do with mental toughness than a lot of people think. “Just knowing you can do it plays a huge role,” he explains. Pederson goes on to relay a story that when he would race US Nationals and GPs, sometimes he might have actually given some of his competitors a little too much respect. “It’s tough because I would read about all of these guys in the magazines all

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NOT BLESSED WITH THE PERFECT STYLE FOR INDOOR RACING, ROSS TAUGHT HIMSELF HOW TO RIDE SUPERCROSS AND ENDED BEING A VERY WELL-ROUNDED RIDER.

the time and then the next thing you know I’m out there following them around on the track. Maybe It wasn’t such a good thing to read about these guys all the time as a little doubt would start to creep in and you would start thinking things like “I shouldn’t be able to pass this guy, he’s a superstar. I’m doing well right where I am.” Ross goes on to a relay a joke that he would often share with his friends and mechanics in that “if every rider out there had the jersey of a Canadian rider on I would be able to pass them no problem.” Of course, Ross put a pass on many big names over the years, and credits the fact that he loved to ride and was willing to race pretty much anywhere or anytime for much of his career. In fact, manager Bastedo, while looking over some of his old notes, relayed to me the fact that even though he was sidelined for a few weeks with the knee surgery, Ross raced close to 40 times during the ‘87 season. “I don’t know,” says the Rollerball, “maybe I raced too much, but that was the only way I knew how to do it. That’s what worked for me.” In an almost unbelievable story, Ross related to me a time back in 1984 when he had just raced the 250 USGP at Unadilla in New York State on the Sunday. After finishing a very credible 6th overall, he and his mechanic drove through the night to get back to Canada and decided to stop at a gravel pit just outside of Niagara Falls, Ontario to ride for a couple of hours on Monday morning because “It was tougher to find places to ride in Ontario” compared to his home province of Alberta. That pretty much sums Ross up right there. In these days of internet and social media, there’s not much that gets by us motocross fans. Back in 1987 it was a different story, however, and the sheer magnitude of Ross’ exploits at this one-off race in Italy went pretty much unnoticed by most of the motocross world. I think there may have been a little write-up in Motocross Action Magazine several months after the fact but that was about it. A shame really, as this truly was an incredible feat by an incredible Canadian rider and champion. Ross’ long-time manager Carl Bastedo actually considers it to be one of the finest rides of his illustrious career. That would be tough to pick, considering all the great rides and results over the years, but if anyone would know it would be Carl. Nonetheless, it all makes for a great story and another interesting chapter in the history of Canadian motocross.

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FROM THE MOMENT I RECEIVED THE INVITE TO ZACA STATION FOR THE MEDIA LAUNCH OF THE ALL-NEW 2018 CRF250R, I STARTED MAKING PREPARATIONS FOR THIS UNIQUE EXPERIENCE. ALTHOUGH I'VE BEEN TO QUITE A FEW OF THESE EVENTS DURING THE PAST DECADE, EACH ONE IS DIFFERENT IN ITS OWN WAY; EACH ONE PRODUCES A LONG LIST OF LASTING MEMORIES. FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO AREN'T FAMILIAR WITH THE ZACA STATION MX TRACK, IT'S LOCATED JUST A STONE’S THROW FROM THE 101 INTERSTATE, AND ABOUT 15 MINUTES NORTH OF BUELLTON, CALIFORNIA. THIS AREA OF THE GOLDEN STATE IS CONSIDERED TO BE THE SOUTH END OF ITS FAMOUS WINE COUNTRY. IT IS ALSO ONE OF THE FIRST PLACES THAT THE EARLY SETTLERS CAME WHEN THEY FIRST ARRIVED ON THE WEST COAST, SO THE AREA IS RICH IN HISTORY AND THE TERRAIN IS VERY SCENIC. WITH THE BEAUTIFUL AREA SURROUNDING THE ZACA STATION TRACK, IT IS ALSO HOME TO A NUMBER OF CELEBRITIES SUCH AS PINK AND CAREY HART, AS WELL AS MICHAEL JACKSON'S FORMER NEVERLAND RANCH. IT IS A VERY SPECIAL PART OF CALIFORNIA, SO AS YOU CAN IMAGINE THE ZACA STATION MX TRACK IS EQUALLY IMPRESSIVE. WITH STEEP ELEVATION CHANGES, PERFECT LOAMY GRAPE GROWING SOIL, FLOWING CORNERS, AND JUMPS THAT WOULD PUT A SMILE ON ANY RIDER’S FACE, ZACA STATION MX IS THE PERFECT TRACK TO TEST RIDE A NEW BIKE.

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RIDING RED IN THE GOLDEN STATE

Since the inception of the first CRF250R way back in 2004, Honda has been at the forefront of technology with this model. In fact, in 2004 and again in 2005, Blackfoot Honda rider Dusty Klatt dominated the west coast MX2 class on that new red rocket. Since then we've seen riders from all over the world win championship after championship on the CRF250R models. However, in recent years the CRF250R has fallen a little behind on the curve as other manufacturers have drastically stepped up their 250F game. As we've seen, though, so many times over the years with Honda, they never stay down long and for 2018 they're back with a vengeance. The 2018 CRF250R is a thing of beauty, and this bike is virtually new from the ground up. With changes to the chassis, suspension, engine, as well as how to start this bike, the Honda faithful crowd are very excited for next year. The first item that we will speak about with regards to this all-new bike surrounds everyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s question: Does the 2018 CRF250R have more power? We are happy to report that the answer is yes! This new Honda does have more power, thanks to a completely redesigned 249cc power plant. For 2018, Honda has not only stayed with dual exhaust mufflers but they've also introduced dual exhaust ports as well. From the exhaust port to the muffler, each exhaust system is separate. The 2018 CRF250R also uses an all-new double-overhead-cam (DOHC) engine layout with a unique finger-follower rocker design. The bore and stroke have also been changed for 2018, as has the air intake system. All of these changes, as well as a different piston, a newly shaped crank, a stronger clutch, as well as new shared transmission/engine oil design. This new 2018 CRF250R engine is not only more powerful, especially at higher RPMs, but also lighter and more durable. The second set of big changes to the 2018 CRF250R is to the already proven chassis. Over the years Honda has always been one of the best handling 250Fs on the track. However, for 2018, Honda wanted it to be even better. This seventh-generation aluminum frame has been revised for more rigidity, improved front-end feel, and just an overall better feel on the race track. The shock mount has been lowered for a better center of gravity, as well as improved stability. The swingarm has been shortened to help reduce weight and to improve rear wheel traction. With the added power of the

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engine, Honda wanted to give the 2018 CRF250R more traction coming out of corners and better stability at high speeds. To compensate for the shorter swingarm, Honda increased the off-set of the triple clamps to not only improve front wheel traction, but also to help keep the CRF250F as one of the best handling bikes in its class. To handle the suspension needs of the front end, Honda has gone back to a coil spring fork for 2018. The 49mm SPG Showa Spring front fork is a massive upgrade from last season, and we haven't spoken to one rider who doesn't love this new fork. In keeping with the all-new platform of the 2018 CRF250R, Honda also added a lightweight Lithium-IronPhosphate battery powered electric

start, a larger front brake rotor, a new titanium fuel tank, blended body panels with 'In molded' graphics for greater durability, and a thinner, flatter seat and tank area for better rider comfort. All of these changes, as well as the chassis and engine changes mentioned above, have brought this new 2018 CRF250R into the next generation of quarter litre rocketships. More championships are sure to be on the horizon for all Red Riders. By 8:30am it was time to put on my fresh Honda Fox gear and head out to the track. Right from the first time I pushed the new electric start button and the 2018 CRF250R came to life, the sound of the dual exhaust system just resonated throughout the surrounding hills with a throaty thump.

“Dylan Wright raved about how good the front forks were on this new bike, and even though he rarely ever rides with stock suspension, he thought the forks and shock were good enough to race with.”

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RIDING RED IN THE GOLDEN STATE “We are happy to report that the answer is yes! This new Honda does have more power, thanks to a completely redesigned 249cc power plant.”

With a perfectly groomed track waiting for us, as well as an all-new motorcycle to ride, you just knew it was going to be a good day. As I headed out for my first laps on the Zaca Station MX Track I was amazed at how nimble the new Honda felt. At 238lbs curb weight, the 2018 CRF250R isn't the lightest bike in its class but with the new chassis, new front forks, as well as the added horsepower, this bike felt really light. With the Zaca Station MX Track having just about every type of obstacle and corner you could imagine, it was a great place to test out this new chassis. For the test ride, I had the Honda technicians (thanks to advice from Dylan Wright) increase my sag from 106mm to 110mm, plus we also went a little stiffer on the front fork compression. This change really made a big difference as it kept the front end up under braking as I blasted down the big hills. For whatever reason, I've felt that Hondas have always turned well and this new CRF250R is no different. As the day progressed the ruts got deeper and the bumps got bigger. Even with the suspension being bone stock and me not exactly being your average

175lbs 250F rider, both the front forks and the rear shock worked in perfect unison. Dylan Wright was with us in California so his feedback was very important. Dylan raved about how good the front forks were on this new bike, and even though he rarely ever rides with stock suspension, he thought the forks and shock were good enough to race with. After lunch as the track got rougher and more challenging to ride, the new Honda remained stable and predictable. Braking bumps were no issue, the deep ruts weren't an issue, and the harder landings were soaked up with ease. With the new engine design, the power has increased by 3% over the 2017 model. This is a welcomed change for consumers as the Honda has been the slowest 250F for the past few years. After riding the 2018 CRF250R for almost three hours on the hilly, power-robbing Zaca Station MX Track, I'm very happy to report that this new Honda has much more power! The new engine changes allow this bike to rev to the moon. In fact, the folks at Honda told us another 900 RPMs have been added to Honda's new rev limiter.

I would like to see a little more torque added to this new engine, because even with the changes to the ignition mapping, it didn't really add to the bottom end and mid-range. However, overall the 2018 CRF250R has been vastly improved in the horsepower department. These thoughts were also echoed by GDR Fox Honda rider Dylan Wright who was very happy with the stock 2018 engine. It was great having Dylan with us in California as it's always interesting to hear what a top rider like him has to say. As the California sun began its slow fall to the horizon, our day of riding came to an end. While the Honda technicians were busy trying to get the bikes prepared for the next wave of journalists to arrive the following day, I was taking my final laps on the Zaca Station MX Track. As I took those final few laps, I reflected on just how far the Honda CRF250R has come over the past 14 years. This new bike definitely brings Honda back into the fold in the MX2 class. With the chassis changes, the suspension updates, and the new engine design, Honda riders can rest assured that their bikes are as good or better than any on the race track. As the Honda marketing team did with the new CRF450R last year, the tag line for the 2018 CRF250R is “Absolute Holeshot.” With the added horsepower for the new engine, as well as the added traction created by the new chassis, the new CRF250R just might be Honda's new holeshot machine. One thing is for sure, Dylan Wright is very much looking forward to 2018 and his assault on the MX2 class. As we wrapped up our long day of testing, I asked Dylan what his thoughts were on this new bike. His reply was short but to the point. “My team had my race bike working very well last year, but with this new 2018 CRF250R, it already feels as good as my race bike in 2017. I cannot wait until the gate drops next year.” With that, we all packed up and departed from the track. It was an incredible day of riding, and I would like to thank Honda Canada and American Honda for allowing MXP Magazine to be a part of their event.

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WHO THE HECK IS

RONNIE

MAC? W O R D S

A N D

P H O T O S

B Y

F R A N K

H O P P E N

DEANER, THE MASTER MECHANIC FROM RONNIE MAC, TELLS ME: “RONNIE MAC JUST WAS BORN IN OUR HEADS AND WE JUST DID OUR FIRST PRIVATE VIDEOS FOR FUN WHILE WE WERE STILL RACING IN EUROPE. IT WAS IN THE NETHERLANDS AND WHILE WE WERE AT THE START THERE WERE 25 REAL DRUNKEN FANS FROM GREAT BRITAIN. THEY WERE GOING CRAZY AND YELLING RONNY MAC! RONNY MAC! RONNY MAC! RONNY MAC! RONNY MAC! IT WAS AMAZING AND THERE I KNEW WE WERE ONTO SOMETHING. “ AND HE WAS RIGHT!

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ONE OF THE MOST INTERESTING PODIUMS THIS SPORT HAS EVER WITNESSED.

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WHO THE HECK IS

RONNIE

MAC? I am Ronnie Mac from Shawnee, Oklahoma. American bred, born n raised here and kicking ass for years now. Riding a CR250 bike, the 1998 version, the best bike on the planet hands down.

CUSTOM GRAPHICS, RONNIE MAC STYLE.

ast forward to fall of 2017 at the Red Bull Straight Rhythm in Pomona, CA. Let’s walk thru the pits. Big semi trucks with bigger tents in front and lots of big names hiding before the race to give autographs to the masses. Mike Brown, McElrath, Hansen, you name it. OK, I name a few more: Musquin, Reed, Villopoto, Roczen. Everyone with some fans around them. But the biggest line of fans was at a beaten van with a beer company pop up shade in front. A crowd surrounded it nonstop. During the day, plus during the whole night. Even when the race was over, still followers not wanting to go home. Ronnie Mac knows how to make friends. Ronnie Mac might be the reason that this time I drove home with a big smile. Still tired but I felt again why we are doing this. It is the fun and good feeling which comes from this sport. We let it become too much business, too perfect. Beauty queen Barbies showing off their silicone body parts while hiding their personality with fake smiles. Those they learned from the riders. They have to put that fake smile on while signing thousands of autograph during the race day in the pits before they can go and hide in their million dollar RV’s. Everybody is afraid of doing something wrong and getting in trouble with their sponsors. And glad when the day is over. Ronnie Mac’s people are different. Real people with fake mullet, smiling from their heart, drinking beer during the day, jokes without borders and way beyond political correct. And Ronnie is riding the spokes loose, passing factory riders on their high end bikes with his 19 years old smoker. We will warn our readers that some of the words in this interview, as satirical as they are, might not be suitable for children.

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MXP: Thanks for talking to us on such a short notice and with long lines of waiting fans in the pits. RM: Yes, we better do it now, because we go back home tomorrow unless we want to have our wives and girlfriends leave us, if we stay a bit longer. Hey, wait a second. That does not sound like a bad plan at all! All right. We’re are you coming from and where do you live? I am Ronnie Mac from Shawnee, Oklahoma. American bred, born n raised here and kicking ass for years now. Riding a CR250 bike, the 1998 version, the best bike on the planet hands down. The bike Jeremy McGrath could not even hold onto to. The bike which forced him to change brands. I am here Red Bull Straight Rhythm, ready to win. RONNIE CELEBRATES HIS PODIUM FINISH AT THE 2017 RED BULL STRAIGHT RHYTHM.

Who is in your crew? RM: Well, I got Jimmy MCGARTH here, also MY MAIN CREW who are the SHAWNEE SICKOS . They are always behind my back and help me with other stuff. Beside that I am a one man show most of the time. What about the rumour Jimmy Albertsons is your brother? No, Jimmy Albertsons is just a sissy who tries to ride now and then and crashes his brains out. He does not even race. He wont drink the beer anymore and things like that. In my mind Jimmy Albertsons might be dead at this point. Are you a professional? Yeah! At everything I do I am a professional. You just ain’t see me ride. You ain’t never see me drink. Ain’t never see me drink and ride. I do all of them good. At the top level. Amateur or Pro. I do it all on the top! So what would be your dream girl? All of ‘em!

Many stars have energy drink companies as their sponsor. What is your choice of drinks? I mean it is just a damn shame. There are people out there who feed these kids all these sugary energy drinks which is really bad for them and they are all cracked out and play video games all the time. And on the social media’s and you know what, they cannot speak to people anymore. All of these kids are losing their ability to communicate socially because of all of these video games. When I was their age, I was drinking BEER! And see how good I turned out. Beer is all natural. Hops and Barley. You can grow it in your backyard and brew the beer up. It is all naturals. None of that monster junk pouring in your mouth. People asking me: “Ronnie, you are training for Straight rhythm?” Yeah, I’m drinking Pabst Blue Ribbon every night. That is how I train. Because PBR is the perfect mixture of water, hops and barley. And that is what ﬁlls me to go out there and win championships like this one.

RONNIE MAC AND STANK DOG BATTLE FOR TWO-STROKE SUPREMACY AT THE 2017 RED BULL STRAIGHT RHYTHM.

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WHO THE HECK IS

RONNIE

MAC? Why are you so much more different than the other professional riders? Because they all are lame. They are sitting there with their wives and girlfriends in their motor home’s and probably thinking about how to beat me. They have their fancy factory fourstroke bikes and their cool helmets with visors, Look at me, look what I have, those guys wish they were me! Speaking of your bike, what special modification have you done to it? Well, we just installed a beer bong on the front number plate. Because every now an then we get thirsty. And then these big long donky donk fenders. We cut those off, made them nice hart shape on the ends, dropped a bunch of weight there. We got the PABST Plutonium of course, we poor into the fuel. But that’s about it. In 1998 Honda built the bikes in America! The two-strokes that year were all built in America. To stimulate our economy, and stimulated other things. So that 1998 CR250 is the best bike. You don’t have to touch that damn thing. You don’t have to mod it at all. It is good out of the box. Well that’s good to hear, we’re sure everyone out there who owns a 1998 CR250 will agree with you. You have a very unique riding style, how did you get your style and can it be taught? It’s all natural talent. Natural god given talent. Every now and then people ask me: “Hey Ronnie, how you ride, how did you develop that style. Nobody can touch you, nobody can imitate it.” See, god gave me the gift to ride like a complete hard ass. And I cannot teach that anybody, It can’t be taught. It is an amazing talent that only you can be born with.

Here is a question that I’ve been dying to ask you. What are your thoughts about E-Bikes? They are pretty much a Dildo on wheels, that is the most I think about it. It is the most unamerican, well I mean really the most ununiverse thing, right? This isn’t even about America, obviously we are the best country in the god damned universe. We thought 4Strokes are bad, these electric bikes are worse. So if you are reading this article and you are having an Alta, go burn that thing. Does that answer your question?

I think it does, thanks. OK, what do you know about Ken Roczen? I mean, he tries really hard to be an American. He really wants to be one. But at the end of the day he’s not an American. Honestly though, me and Ken got along well and I think he’s a good dude. Ken won’t say it publically, but he’s told me that he wishes he could be on my team. Well that’s good that you and Roczen are buds. Are you racing with factory support and parts? PBR provides us with pallets of beer straight off the factory ﬂoor, so yes we are supported by the factories. That’s not quite what I meant but we’ll leave it at that. How the heck did Ronnie Mac become Ronnie Mac? I became Ronnie Mac because I was born Ronnie Mac, what are you talking about? What idea was behind him? There was no idea, I’m just the baddest mofo on two-wheels.

STYLE AND GRACE AREN’T EXACTLY TWO OF RONNIE MAC’S ATTRIBUTES.

Drinking Beer and riding a bike. Isn’t that just a little dangerous? What the hell else am I supposed to drink? Water, energy drinks? Beer is all natural.

In 1998 Honda built the bikes in America! The two-strokes that year were all built in America. To stimulate our economy, and stimulated other things. So that 1998 CR250 is the best bike. Time to put that helmet back on and ride, good luck and thanks for making my day. Thanks for talking to me and tell all those Canadians that hockey sucks! Editor’s Note: Ronnie Mac went out and almost won the Red Bull Straight Rhythm. Even a pretty gnarly crash did not held him back. He got second and beat even guys like Mike Brown and Ryan Villopoto. How can you not love this guy? If you want to see more of Ronnie Mac, you can visit his Instagram here - @uncleronnie69

What tips do you have for riders who want to ride like you ride? I tell them give up, because that’s never gonna be happening.

RONNIE MAC’S PIT CREW IS JUST AS COOL AS THEIR BOSS.

X0 6 X //// M MO OTTO OCCRRO OSSSS PPEERRFFO ORRM MAAN NCCEE ·· M MXXPPM MAAG G..CCO OM M

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2017 MXP - Matrix - LS-1 Stand.pdf

2017-11-24

2:18 PM

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L E X I

P E C H O U T

G O E S

Exploring In Japan B Y

L A W R E N C E

H A C K I N G

P H O T O S

B Y

H I S A S H I

H A R U K I

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Exploring In Japan exi Pechout is a truly remarkable young woman, at a mere 20 years old she has accomplished many incredible things. The Alberta-born motorcycle rider began at 3 years old at ‘for fun’ races as she calls it and has never looked back. Her parents Rhonda and Siggi, were heavily involved in the Albertabased Second Gear club and put on up to 19 races each year. They recently passed the torch over to a new generation of club directors and have earned a well-deserved rest from the ongoing challenge of hosting all types of races. There’s no doubt Lexi’s parents played a large part of who she is and her life’s path she has taken so far. Lexi’s most recent adventure was a trip to the island of Hokkaido, Japan for the Hidaka Two Day Enduro or HTDE this past September. I first met Lexi at a round of the Canadian Enduro Championship in 2008 or 09 on the side of a mountain, she was stopped on one of the brutally steep climbs in the Rockies just outside Blairmore, Alberta. She was only 11 years old and was stuck, the rear tire of her Honda CRF 150 spinning wildly with no forward motion. Once we got her bike over the steepest section she hopped on and took off she went along the trail. I remember thinking ‘this kid is amazing.’ Since that time Lexi has crammed a lot into her life over the past few racing seasons. One of her most notable

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accomplishments was an ISDE finish in Italy in 2013, an AMA Endurocross championship in 2014 plus 4 appearances at the X Games finishing as high as fourth in the X Games endurcross. Aside from being an accomplished motorcycle racer she is also a Husqvarna Canada ambassador and a staff member at Blackfoot motorcycles in Calgary. She occasionally works with high school students providing motivation to train physically and she maintains a typically active lifestyle. Early in 2016 the organizer of the HTDE contacted me and asked if I could recommend a rider from Canada to compete in the 33rd running of their prestigious event, Lexi came to mind and off she went with her boyfriend Jarrett in tow. “The trip to Japan was awesome,” she exclaimed. “ We had a great time, we were really well treated, Japan is so different, the people were really friendly, I met and spoke with so many people, they all wanted to try out their English, it was really fun.” Lexi’s trip began with a visit to a riding facility near the Tokyo airport called Narita where she met a bunch of university students who also ride off-road. They built their first endurcross track and asked Lexi to do some riding instruction. “It is a blast to teach them how to ride over the obstacles they made, it was pretty funny when they couldn’t make it over some things; they just sat down beside their bike and waited for help. I did a lap and everyone really liked that,” Lexi said of her day at Narita.

“A S I D E F R O M B E I N G A N AC C O M P L I S H E D M O T O R CYC L E R AC E R S H E I S A L S O A H U S Q VA R N A C A N A DA A M B A S S A D O R A N D A S TA F F M E M B E R AT B L A C K F O O T M O T O R C Y C L E S I N C A L G A R Y. “We stayed around Tokyo for a few days and visited, there is so much to see, we took the transit system which was fun, we figured out how to get around a bit. After that we headed up to Hokkaido, the North Island, and started getting ready for the enduro, we walked a few special tests and met the people from Husqvarna Japan and a local shop called Cyclone who also helped me out. I brought over my own suspension so we had to get that on the FE 250 I rode so that took a bit of time,” Lexi continued. The H.T.D.E. is a really well organized enduro, it is the longest running enduro in Japan, the event uses the same format as an International Six Days Enduro event, this year the course had 3 different special tests and 6 time controls. The main trail loop was 96 kilometeres around and a second shorter section of 25 kms was added in, the riders rode both sections each of the two days. There were three special tests integrated into the trail loops, the extreme test was right in the town of Hidaka and was 1.5 kilo-

meters in length. The other two tests were an enduro test on the local forest roads and the cross test at ski hill right beside the headquarters for the event. Lexi explained that the Japanese riders in the women’s class are really very good and would be strong enough to ride an ISDE. Lexi was the only foreign competitor in this year’s HTDE, in the past many celebrated riders have made the trip to Japan to ride including former World Champion Mika Ahola, KTM’s Heinz Kinigadner and the renowned Malcolm Smith. When asked about the terrain and riding conditions at the HTDE, Lexi explained, “It is like riding in a jungle among bamboo plants and palm trees, the surface was mostly slick, black mud. It rained during the days leading up to event so it was super slippery, the bikes have to be street legal so we used DOT approved tires that didn’t work as well as full knobbies in the mud. It was pretty gnarly in some spots too, when we got to some time controls all the girls were laughing with each other. It was really cool vibe among us so that

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made it really fun. Even though there is a bit of a language barrier we all got along really well.” In speaking with Lexi, it is obvious she was a great choice to send to Japan, she always smiled and took the time to speak with the many people who came to meet her. She also brought of number gifts to exchange with her many Japanese fans. She explained further, “culturally Japan is very different but enduro riders all seem to be the same when you boil it down. We like to laugh and have fun, one of the funniest things that we did was try and find a certain apple drink we really liked that was available in some vending machines, we ran around town trying to find this drink, I think they thought we were a bit crazy. We went to dinner with a bunch of people Jarrett tried something that Google translated as ‘bovine intestine’ I couldn’t eat it but he did. The other thing that was weird was the communal bath where you got cleaned up, they give you a robe and slippers and you go into common hot springs

completely naked with other women, it felt weird at first but the ladies want to come and talk to you, then it was completely normal.” Lexi’s trip was supported by Husqvarna Japan and Cyclone Motorcycle shop in Sapporo plus the organizing Hidaka Motorcycle Club. The club has about 30 active members who work on the HTDE and 150 volunteers pitch in to make the event happen on that enduro weekend. In all the HTDE is a good example of a classic European style of enduro, the format lends itself well to the terrain and the feeling you get from riding the HTDE is the incredibly satisfying feeling of accomplishment. After the timed special test scores were added up Lexi won her class and was given a nice trophy, a satchel and some dried vegetables to take home. Summing up her experience she said. “I think the most rewarding part of the trip was meeting many new friends and enjoying the ride, we saw some really cool sights, rode some beautiful trails and I can’t wait to go back and do it all over!”

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ND ON T H E A G R

DEXTER SEITZ BY CHRIS POMEROY

Dexter Seitz is a very fast 9-year-old from just outside of Calgary, Alberta and loves everything there is to love about two-wheels. When he’s not dominating the mini bike class, Dexter is ripping around on his skateboard and his BMX bicycle. Dexter is also very personable off the bike, and is very active on Social Media under the watchful eye of his Dad, JC, and his Mom, Jaclyn. So far in 2017, we’ve gone coast to coast talking to some of Canada’s top amateur riders. We would like to thank them all for taking the time to speak with us. For the final Young and On the Rise of 2017, please enjoy this interview with Dexter Seitz. It seems to be we will be hearing his name for a long time to come. MXP: First off Dexter, can you tell me how old you are and where you call home? DEXTER SEITZ: I’m 9-years-

old and I live in Indus, Alberta, a small town outside of Calgary.

My brother lives in Calgary, it’s such a cool city and a cool area. What is something cool about your hometown? It’s a small country town and we all live on an acreage so I have my own track and get to ride all the time. We only live 10 minutes from Calgary so we ride Wild Rose track that’s in the middle of downtown; its supercool!

Only in Calgary could you live so close to the city and yet still have a track at your house. How long have you been riding a dirt bike? I started riding when I was 3-years-old and I’ve been going strong ever since.

Do you remember your first race and how you did? Sure do, it was a couple of days after my fourth birthday and I raced a PW50 on the Pee Wee track at Wild Rose. I ended up finishing second, and then my Mom broke my first trophy. It was definitely an unforgettable day.

I know you haven’t been racing long, but do you have a favourite rider? Yes, Dean Wilson is my favourite rider because he’s a smart rider and one that works hard. He always has fun and he has taught me to never give up, not to mention that he talks a little funny so he’s funny to be around.

Dean does have a pretty unique accent. Do any of the fast west coast riders give you advice? Yes, I rode with Jared Petruska all summer and he taught me so much. He is really cool and has awesome style on a bike.

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It’s always cool when older fast riders can share some of their secrets. So, tell me, how did your 2017 season go? I had an awesome season in 2017. I stayed healthy all year and won two Canadian Grand National Championships, two Alberta AMSA Championships, and I also went to the USA a few times and won six Mini Warrior Championships. I actually just got home from the Mini Majors in California and finished with a fourth and a fifth overall in my classes.

That does sound like a great season, Dexter. What do you think was your best race of 2017? My best race was the Mini Warriors at Horn Rapids in Washington - it’s my favourite track. I won the Sportsmanship Award, all my motos, and my Dad and I won the parent and kid race. They have so many fun events there like paintball and tug-of-war. They called me “The Flying Canadian.”

That is a pretty cool nickname. With the racing season over and winter coming, what do you usually do during the off-season? I snowboard on a team called “Riders on Boards” twice a week and snowmobile around our acreage. I do a lot of BMX and skateboarding at indoor parks around Calgary, and I’m lucky enough to go to California a few times to ride and stay with my Grandma and Papa.

What’s your favourite thing to do other than ride dirt bikes? We live on a lake so I really like to waterski, wakeboard and jetski. I have a lot of fun on my BMX hitting up the pump tracks with my friends.

Sounds like you’re a busy kid, Dexter. What are your plans for Christmas and what do you want Santa to bring you? Hopefully my family and I can go to the mountains to snowboard, and then on Christmas Day we fly to California to ride. It’s the best time to ride there because it

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usually rains so we can ride the Sand Dunes. We always stay there until after Anaheim 1 and then fly back to cold Calgary. I wanted to ask Santa for a Rolex watch but my parents said no, so I’m asking for a new BMX bike. I think I have been good this year so I hope he brings one.

Well, I think you need a new BMX more than a Rolex so hopefully Santa is listening. Looking back at all of your racing results, which one are you most proud of? I’m most proud of the Mini Major race in California because during every moto I was battling in the top three. I didn’t realize I could go that well against some of the fastest kids in America. It was three days of racing and I was sitting in podium position going into Day 3 in both my 50cc classes, but I had a few bike problems and missed it by one point. That was upsetting, but I was still happy I finished 4th overall in 50cc 7-8 class, 5th overall in 50cc Mod class, and 6th overall in 65cc 6-8 class.

That is a great weekend of racing. With all of the tracks that you get to ride, which one is your favourite? I have four favourite tracks, actually. The club at my home track, Wild Rose MX Park, do a really good job and I love riding there. I also love Milestone, because it has huge jumps. Cahuilla Creek and Horn Rapids are sand tracks so you can keep it wide open all the way around.

I was confused how he knew my name. Then he said, “Do you know who I am.” I said NO, and then he said, “I’m Santa,” and then showed us a picture of him in his Santa suit. Then he turned around and started walking away laughing, it was very weird and crazy.

Did you ever find out who it was? No, that was the really strange part.

“I HAD AN AWESOME SEASON IN 2017. I STAYED HEALTHY ALL YEAR AND WON TWO CANADIAN GRAND NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS, TWO ALBERTA AMSA CHAMPIONSHIPS, AND I ALSO WENT TO THE USA A FEW TIMES AND WON SIX MINI WARRIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS.”

That is one of the strangest stories I’ve heard in a long time. Here is a school question for you: What grade are you in and what is your favourite subject? I’m in Grade 4 and my favourite subject is Art. I really like school, although it’s hard sometimes because I miss school because of racing. When I’m older I’d love to race dirt bikes for a living and also be an artist.

Sounds like you’re a very creative person, Dexter. Where do you see yourself in five years? In five years I’d like to be where Jacob Piccolo is, also I’d like to get on the podium at Loretta Lynn’s.

What are your favourite type of obstacles? Good question. I really like whoops, rhythm sections and big jumps.

What is your funniest or scariest road trip story?

Sounds like there is some SX racing in your future. Thanks for taking the time to speak with us, Dexter. Final question, who would you like to thank?

We went to an AX in Montana and then went snowboarding all day, so it was late and dark when we started driving home. There was a huge snowstorm and we were the only ones on the road. When we got to the Canadian border there was so much snow you couldn’t see anything. All of a sudden, this man with a long white beard came up to our truck and looked inside at me and said, “Dexter, have you been good.” I said yes of course but

I really want to thank all of my sponsors for helping me out: CWF Cycle Works Foothills, Fox Racing Canada, Ryno Power Canada, KTM Canada, XPR Performance, Pro Taper, Lime Nine. Also, thanks to Jared Petruska and Eric Senk for making me a better rider. I’d also like to thank the Wilson family for all of their help and support when I’m in California. Finally, thank-you to my Mom, my Dad, and Grandparents for helping me all this way!

2017-11-28 11:05 AM

2. 3.

1. Predator 2.0

2. 180 Boot

One of the most important features of the new Predator 2.0 is its lightweight structure. Forma worked on important technical aspects and details in order to ensure maximum lightness. Thanks to its Dual Pivot F.C.S. anti-torsion system, the Predator 2.0 does not compromise on security. The innovative double density rubber sole guarantees maximum resistance.

The all new Fox 180 Boot redefines the boundaries of performance and value. Completely redesigned and built off of our championship-proven Instinct, the 180 Boot provides a precise performance fit around the ankle and toe box giving the rider maximum support and comfort. The closure system marries support and rider movement.

BOOTS

Formaboots // $699.99

_______________________________ mddistributions.com

FOX // $329.95

_______________________________ foxracing.com/ca

3. Boots MX550 GREY/NEON ORANGE

4. SG10 Boots White/Blue/Red

Tried and tested, the 550 boots are engineered for high performance. Carefully crafted, important features include the multi-axial pivot, replaceable outsole insert, easy locking buckles and the free open entrance. Made in Italy, these lightweight boots combine durability and protection with mobility, grip and feel.

Completely new, super comfortable, off-road boots with an innovative and ergonomic design. Key features: the lightweight upper part combines microfiber inserts and pu protections. The razorback pivot system grants a strong lateral support, preventing ankle twisting while maintaining flexibility.

Importations Thibault // $599.99

___________________________________ importationsthibault.com/itl/

Importations Thibault // $679.99

___________________________________ importationsthibault.com/itl/

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#FORMA BOOTS

#MDDISTRIBUTIONS #MDDISTRIBUTIONS

New highly resistant and breathable inner quick-dry lining New shape and adjustable front plate New reinforced bottom insert for maximum lateral torsional security New ergonomic dual pivot connector

New adjustable security lock strap holder New stainless steel toe cap Only boot to have an anti-shock midsole New soft polymer padding with memory foam

New fitted flexible collar

New rear flexor with cushioned insert for better impact absorption

New double Velcro closure

About 700grams lighter

MD Distributions

418-925-8024 - mddistributions.com

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MXP

H O L I DAY B U Y ER ’ S G U I D E

1. SG12 Boots White/Blue/Yellow

BOOTS

Importations Thibault // $969.99 Grip Guard: On the inner side of the boot is the all new rubber “Grip Guard”. You can feel the exceptional grip of the bike, as well as offering a heat resistant padding against your inner leg. Interior Lining: On the inside, you will find the famous “Gaerne Memory Cell Foam”. Known for the most comfortable feel and fit, ride after ride. _________________________________ importationsthibault.com/itl/

2. Men FALCO BOOTS Boots Extreme Pro 3.1 Kimpex // $549.99

Men Falco Boots Extreme Pro 3.1 features “Micro-Synth” upper and “Air-Tech” vented lining. “Eso-Motion 2 MX” rear articulation system. Dual-Motion P.U. moulded shin-plate. All- Around P.U. chassis construction. Microadjustable and replaceable Alu-buckles. Heavy-duty leather heat-shield. Dualdensity rubber sole with reinforced arch support.

3. Sidi Crossfire 3 TA Motonation // $799.99

The new Crossfire 3 TA is an all-new model for 2018 for those riders who prefer that feel of a sewn-on sole vs. the more firm SR version. All new ankle pivot system is designed to have a “hard” limit of foot/ ankle hyperextension. The boot leg is fully assembled with screws, is stitch-free and entirely replaceable! ______________________________ Motonation.com

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4. Sidi X-3 SRS Motonation // $629.99

The new X-3 is Sidi’s most cost effective way to experience professional level boots. And now it is available with a sole that you can replace at home! Made with the same laminated Technomicro, it features the same cam lock buckles, Cambrelle® inner lining, heel and insole, and the revolutionary sole replacement system as the higher end boots. ______________________________ Motonation.com

______________________________ Kimpex.com

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H O L I DAY B U Y ER ’ S G U I D E

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5. Alpinestars TECH 10 Parts Canada // $749.95

The Tech 10 further advances the innovations that make it the most technical motocross boot ever. From the anatomical shape with front and rear sliding blades to the all-new closure system with light and durable buckle closure system, every component of the new Tech 10 boot has been continuously developed for uncompromised performance and durability. _________________________________ partscanada.com

6. 550 MX Boot Scott Sports // $549.95

Tried and tested, the new 550 boot was engineered for high performance. Carefully crafted, important features include the multi-axial pivot, replaceable outsole insert, easy locking buckles and the free open entrance. Made in Italy, this lightweight boot combines durability and protection with mobility, grip and feel. _________________________________ scott-sports.com/ca/en/

7. WHIT3 Label Boot

8. Comp EVO 2 Michelin ®

The WHIT3 Label Boot maximizes the minimums. It focuses on premium support and fitment from the ankle down, with just the right amount of protection and durability. The result is an entirely unique motocross boot that strips away what you don’t need, investing in what you do.

MX / Enduro High Performance Racing The newly designed, high wear resistant Michelin MX hybrid sole offers maximum durability and comfort. Double Flex Control System; PU adjustable shin plate; polyurethane toe guard, steel toe cap, internal high grip zone heat guard, rear polyurethane heel reinforcement, ankle and malleolus reinforcements.

SHIFT // $279.95

_________________________________ shiftmx.com

TCX Boots // $779.99

_________________________________ tcxboots.com

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H O L I DAY B U Y ER ’ S G U I D E

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7. 5. 3.

1. Atlas Air

2. Pod MX Knee Braces

3. TP199 KNEE GUARDS

The Pod MX knee braces are the ultimate solution for knee protection. Light-weight frames combine with the Human Motion hinge system and modular components allow you to create your own custom knee brace. Certified medical device available for reimbursement by health insurance! Find the Pod K8 and K4 knee braces in-store and online at Blackfoot Direct!

The first 3-in-1 modular knee protection. The TP199 can be worn as a low profile knee sleeve, knee guard or combined for full coverage support and protection. Designed specifically for Travis Pastrana, the official TP199 Knee Guards offers everything for those looking for complete support without the bulk of a traditional knee brace. They are perfect for both track and trail riders.

_________________________________ blackfootdirect.com

_________________________________ motovan.com

5. GPX 5.5 NECK BRACE

6. Youth Neck Support

7. Commander 2 Body Armour

The Leatt GPX 5.5 Neck Brace offers new features such as a new improved helmet side clearance with new adjustable, over the shoulder height and new on-board size adjusting. No parts needed. On board 4-angle rear thoracic adjustment, - 0, 5, 10 and 15°. CE certified as Personal Protective Equipment 89/686/EEC.

Specially designed for youth or smaller-framed riders, the Youth Neck Support functions when the helmet and support frame provide an alternative load path for the excessive energy that compresses the neck.

The SCOTT Commander 2 Body Armor features an important adaptation to the revolutionary neck brace integration system. The articulating plates on the back panel of this armor alleviate excessive pressure and discomfort when wearing a neck brace. It can be easily worn under or over the rider’s jersey.

Atlas Brace // $349.99 Refined for ’18, building on the superior comfort & mobility that Atlas is known for, a 7075 Aluminum release system increases strength and a wireless tether for durability. The chin pad is extended, and pockets in the padding result in a super-light 580 gram weight. All 8 colourways are available for the Air, Prodigy, and Tyke models.

ARMOUR / PROTECTION

_________________________________ Atlasbrace.com

4. Airframe Pro Jacket FOX // $339.95

The all-new Airframe Pro Jacket CE breaks the mold for complete upper body protection. The CE certification in the chest, back and shoulders gives you the confidence to ride at your limit. _________________________________ foxracing.com/ca

Leatt // $539.99

_________________________________ motovan.com

Blackfoot Direct // $799

Parts Canada // $159.95

_________________________________ partscanada.com

EVS Sports // $130.99

Scott Sports // $229.95

_________________________________ scott-sports.com/ca/en/

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MXP

H O L I DAY B U Y ER ’ S G U I D E

1. 6D ATR-1 Sonic

HELMETS

6D Helmets // $895.95

A True Game Changer. The 6D ATR-1 off-road motorcycle helmet has changed the industry forever. Introduced in 2013, it was the first motorcycle helmet ever manufactured incorporating technology that reduced angular acceleration and low-threshold impact energy transfer to the brain during crash impact. This was accomplished by 6D’s revolutionary ODS system. _________________________________ 6dhelmets.com

2. Airoh Aviator Helmets Blackfoot Direct // $589.77

Aviator 2.2 is a championship helmet with which Airoh has soared to the podium with Marvin Musquin, Zach Osborne, Jason Anderson, and many more! 100% Carbon Kevlar shell is one of the lightest and best performing. The helmet also features an expanded field of vision and new vent chin bar. Find the Airoh Aviator 2.2 in-store and online at Blackfoot Direct!

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3. V3 Preest Helmet FOX // $599.95

V3 helmet introduces the next level of visor technology, Fox‚Äôs exclusive Magnetic Visor Release System (MVRS) replacing the visor screws with magnets allowing the visor to release in the event of a crash, while also securely staying in place when needed. V3 helmet is also equipped with the Multi-Directional Impact Protection System (MIPS). _________________________________ foxracing.com/ca

4. Blade 2.0 Carbon Helmet FXR Racing // $460

The New Blade 2.0 is a premium, ultra lightweight, hand laid 100% carbon fiber shell coming in at 1250g. At a realistic price, the Blade is no-nonsense, great fitting, and with numerous safety features along with the clean straightforward design. _________________________________ fxrracing.com

_________________________________ blackfootdirect.com

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MXP

H O L I DAY B U Y ER ’ S G U I D E

5. Fly F2 Carbon animal MX Adult Helmet

6. GMAX GM86 raz/step MX helmet

Snell, DOT Approved. Meets or exceeds the toughest safety standards on the market. Composite construction shell – outer shell is constructed using state-of-the-art, aircraft grade woven carbon fiber and Kevlar® composite materials, which creates superior strength while remaining extremely light. COOLMAX® comfort liner & cheek pads. ______________________________ gammapowersports.com

Gamma Powersports // $479.95

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7. Zoan Helmet 631 MX BERM

8. Helmet MX550 Grey/Yellow

9. MT Helmet MX Stance Red

Whether it’s off-road, trail riding or motocross, you don’t need a heavy helmet holding you back. That’s why we made the all-new GMAX MX86. At a mere 2.9lbs., you get a helmet that’s ready to help you move to the front of the pack. The SpaSoft Coolmax interior will keep you cool and dry as you roost your friends. With a DOT and ECE rating.

Features: Standard: meets or exceeds DOT and ECE, Shell: thermoplastic composite construction designed for light weight and added strength. Venting: combination of 8 intake and exhaust located to enhance air movement. Interior: dual-stage EPS in head, cheeks and frontal areas. High quality wick away interior to help reduce moisture and odors.

The new SCOTT 550 Woodblock Helmet is a high end helmet that pushes the limits of ventilation and safety. Equipped with the latest safety technologies such as MIPS® and Conehead and the perfect cooling management with strategically placed vents, you will feel good and safe throughout your entire ride.

Aggressive, modern shell design created with CAD technology. Shell constructed with Advanced Polycarbonate Composite injection molding. Multi-density EPS liner including placement in chin bar laterals. Removeable and washable interior padding system offers a plush fit, wicks perspiration and is hypoallergenic and antibacterial.

______________________________ gammapowersports.com

Gamma Powersports // $139.95

Gamma Powersports // $159.95

Importations Thibault // $269.99

______________________________ importationsthibault.com/itl/ scott-sports.com/ca/en/

Importations Thibault // $124.99

______________________________ importationsthibault.com/itl/

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1. MT Helmets Mode JR (Stance Orange) Importations Thibault // $119.99

HELMETS

2. Suomy MR. Jump / Graffiti (Red/ YEllow)

3. Align ANSWER RACING AR3 OffRoad Helmet

Shell available in two sizes (M and L). The new composite materials are a combination of carbon and aramidic fibre. Internal polystyrene protective liner, available in three sizes (S, M and L). The special shape and construction featuring differentiated density increase mechanical resistance in the event of accidental shocks.

Align Answer Racing AR3 OffRoad Helmet feature made of injection molded polycarbonate. Sculptured, dual density, EPS impact absorbing liner. Silvercool moisture wicking liner is removable for washing. 9 intake and exhaust vents help keep you cool. 4 eyebrow vents help evaporate sweat. Wire mesh chinbar vent has foam filter.

Importations Thibault // $499.99

_________________________________ importationsthibault.com/itl/

Kimpex // $189.99

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4. MX 470 subverter

Kimpex // $269.99 LS2 presents their latest innovation for all motocross and off-road enthusiasts, the MX470 Sobverter. Made of ultra-lightweight material, the new MX470 was developed to be safe and comfy with an impeccable look. It includes a three-layer shell that allows the helmet to absorb any shock. _________________________________ Kimpex.com

_________________________________ Kimpex.com

1. 2.

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5. Youth Sector Level - Matte Parts Canada // $119.95

The all-new SECTOR helmet offers exceptional performance at an entry level price. With innovative styling, terrific balance, all-day comfort and extensive venting, this helmet is built to perform. The dual density EPS liner provides a more progressive impact absorption for different levels of impact coverage. _________________________________ partscanada.com

6. Z1R - Rise Helmet Parts Canada // $87.95

A perfect fit for the upcoming dirt season. The Rise is both DOT and ECE certified and has a dual density EPS. The wide eye port provides an excellent field of vision and makes a great fit for goggles. The Rise can function as either a MX or a snow helmet‚ giving you the flexibility to use it year-round. _________________________________ partscanada.com

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7. WHIT3 Label Helmet

8. MATRIX CARBON KEVLAR

TThe WHIT3 Label Helmet is here to elevate expectations for quality, value and style. Through simplistic innovations, the helmet gives you more of what you need and less of what you don’t. This refined approach led us to a brand new shell construction: an aggressive and unique design which eliminates bulk and maximizes utility and function.

The Matrix Carbon Kevlar is a lightweight competition Carbon Kevlar MX helmet providing superior value, a high quality liner for ultimate comfort and maximum venting. This ECE/ DOT safety standard approved helmet is available in 2 shell sizes with a large eyeport fits most goggles. The removable/ washable interior and cheek pads make it easy to clean. The comfort liner is designed using premium materials for maximum comfort and venting.

SHIFT // $179.95

_________________________________ shiftmx.com

Zox Helmets // $329.99

_________________________________ zoxhelmets.com

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1. Torrent Flannel Zip

DAYWEAR

FOX // $110

Sherpa lined men’s flannel designed for style and comfort in cool to cold conditions. It combines two favourites of the season: the soft feel and relaxed style of a flannel shirt, and the warmth of your go-to sherpa hoodie.

2. Race Division Tech Hoodie FXR Racing // $110

The Race Division Tech Hoodie is a polyester fleece shell with sublimated print. You will feel like a factory rider in this collection. __________________________ fxrracing.com

__________________________ foxracing.com/ca

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3. NORTH BAY 4. Flannel JACKETS Heated Shirt Parts Canada // $87.95 Jacket Olympia Moto Sports // $329.99

Designed to deliver extra warmth and durability, our North Bay heated liner is equipped with a two layer Polyester bonded fleece, a back cire Nylon shell at shoulders and four heating pads. 100% Polyester two layer bonded fleece. Back cire Nylon ripstop shell at shoulder and center back. Four heating pads with a three level temperature control at left chest.

5. 3LACK Label Tee SHIFT // $29.95

This Flannel Shirt features blue plaid cotton, long sleeves and a metal badge is sewn on the chest pocket. Regular fit. Official licensed apparel. Available at your local Parts Canada dealer | 3040-2112

A Tee for the bold and the fearless. Comfortable-fit tee with Shift graphics to let the world know you’re part of the motocross community. Moto Inspired apparel with a serious attitude.

__________________________ partscanada.com

__________________________ shiftmx.com

__________________________ olympiamotosports.com

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H O L I DAY B U Y ER ’ S G U I D E

1. Air Space Preme Goggle

2. Pilot Goggle FXR Racing // $120

GOGGLES

FOX // $89.95

See every detail with the Fox Air Space Preme Goggles. The Air Space goggle takes ventilation, peripheral vision, and comfort to a new level with Lexan® lens offering 100% UV protection and non-slip silicone strap for improved fit on helmet. _________________________________ foxracing.com/ca

FXR’s all new Pilot goggle has an oversized viewing area for excellent peripheral vision. The lens is impact resistant pre-curved poly carbonate for extra protection. The three density contoured face foam makes for a perfect seal. Comes with a clear lens, removable nose piece and available laminated tear offs and roll off system. _________________________________ fxrracing.com

3. DRAGON NFX2 GOGGLES

Gamma Powersports // $189.95 Features: Swiftlock Lens Change System, Patented Frameless Technology, Integrated Removable Outrigger, Injected Dual All Weather Anti-Fog Treated Lens, Impact Resistant Injected Lens, Armored Venting, Premium Quad Foam Technology, Silicone Beaded Strap Backing, Removable Nose Guard, Extra Wide Peripheral View _________________________________ gammapowersports.com

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4. Prospect Goggles Enduro L.S. Black/White

Importations Thibault // $138.99 The Prospect Enduro possesses the same great features as the Prospect goggles. It comes with a double lens and gives the enduro rider a maximum field of vision due to the extra height of the lens. In addition, it features an innovative SCOTT lens lock system that makes the lens stay in the frame no matter what impact is coming from outside. _________________________________ importationsthibault.com/itl/

10.

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5. Prospect Goggles MX

Importations Thibault // $128.99 The Prospect is a new highlight among MX goggles and has never been on the market like this before. It gives the rider a maximum field of vision due to the extra height of the lens. In addition, it features an innovative SCOTT lens lock system that makes the lens stay in the frame no matter what impact is coming from the outside.

6. Youth Enemy Goggles Printed/Splatter

7. Accuri Forecast

8. Racecraft +

9. Strata Mini

As if the championship-winning Racecraft goggle wasn’t already exceptional enough, we’ve armed it with several new features to achieve a new level of performance. The addition of a pre-curved, injected polycarbonate lens increases visual clarity and protects against the demands of today’s racing conditions. ______________________________ ride100percent.com

Ride with the big boys without emptying your parent’s wallet. The Strata Mini packs the same great features as its full-sized big brother with a fit that’s spot on for youngest riders. Complete protection with excellent field of vision for today’s Mini rider.

Ride 100% // $129.95

Ride 100% // $119.95

Parts Canada // $39.95

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The Thor Enemy Motocross Goggle offers incredible performance and value. With its aggressive styling and long list of features, the Thor Enemy Goggle provides superior vision and comfort in an incredible package.

This revolutionary mud specific goggle is a complete system comprised of working parts that function seamlessly together. Wider film, smoother pulls and an advanced cleaning system contribute to achieving our goal of providing the maximum amount of vision.

______________________________ partscanada.com

______________________________ ride100percent.com/

______________________________ importationsthibault.com/itl/

Ride 100% // $24.95

______________________________ ride100percent.com

10. Prospect Goggle

Scott Sports // $129.95 The Prospect gives the rider maximum field of vision. Innova Innovative SCOTT lens lock system that makes the lens stay in the frame no matter what the impact is. To avoid slipping of the goggle, it is equipped with an extra wide, no-slip silicone strap. Articulated outriggers highly contribute to the improvement of the helmet integration. Two lenses included.

_________________________________ scott-sports.com/ca/en/

11. Prospect Goggles

Scott Sports // $128.99

The Prospect is a new highlight among MX goggles and has never been on the market like this before. It gives the rider a maximum field of vision due to the extra height of the lens. In addition, it features an innova innovative SCOTT lens lock system that makes the lens stay in the frame no matter what impact is coming from outside. _________________________________ motovan.com

11.

12.

12. WHIT3 Label Goggle SHIFT // $59.95

The all new WHIT3 Label goggles have more of what you need, and less of what you don’t… and at a price you can’t ignore. Better sight equals better riding. _________________________________ shiftmx.com MOTOCROSS PERFORMANCE · MXPMAG.COM // 81

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H O L I DAY B U Y ER ’ S G U I D E

1. FLEXAIR Preest Jersey

2. Legion Offroad Jersey

JERSEYS

FOX // $94.95

FOX // $99.95

The highly-evolved FLEXAIR Preest Jersey uses TruDri main body fabric for a soft, lightweight feel, yet it is deceptively durable. This proprietary fabric technology features advanced moisture wicking properties making it suitable for a wide range of conditions. Targeted ventilation keeps you cool, dry and comfortable.

The Legion Off-road Jersey strikes the perfect balance of lightweight stretch and trail-ready functionality. The jersey uses a lightweight, 4-way stretch fabric to adapt to your every move. The highly durable ripstop fabric is used on the front, shoulders and outside arms for protection from encounters with hazards found on the trail.

________________________ foxracing.com/ca

3. Revo Vest FXR Racing // $130

FXR’s all-new Revo MX vest is a 4-way stretch material with a ultra slim collar design. This will keep you dry and warm with wind & water resistant material. Comes with durable YKK front & pocket zippers. Built in hand pockets with a rear back pouch to hold your goggles. This is a great item to have in your gear bag spring and fall.

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4. Fly Evolution Jersey

Gamma Powersports // $72.95 Low profile multipanel construction for maximum performance and a comfortable fit. ZeroSeam Armpit, Seamless construction that prevents chafing. _________________________ gammapowersports.com

5. Fly Ladies Kinetic Jersey Gamma Powersports // $49.95

Anatomically correct women’s fit for the ultimate in jersey performance and comfort. Multi-panel construction for maximum performance and comfort. _________________________ gammapowersports.com

________________________ fxrracing.com

5. 3.

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6. Fly LITE HYDROGEN Jersey

7. Kinetic ERA Jersey

8. Jersey Enduro Blue/Orange

Multi-panel construction for maximum performance and a comfortable fit. Athletic fit: fits close to the body with minimal excess.

Multi-panel Construction for maximum performance and comfortable fit. Mesh ventilation panels integrated into the jersey in key areas to help dissipate heat.

___________________________ gammapowersports.com

The SCOTT Enduro Jersey combines durability with breathability, and is built for varied and ever changing enduro terrain. High collar neck, padded elbows, durable chest and sleeves and mesh side ventilation make this a complete Enduro jersey.

Gamma Powersports // $62.95

Gamma Powersports // $49.95

Importations Thibault // $59.99

______________________________ importationsthibault.com/itl/

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9. Jerseys MX450 Vented BLUE/ YELLOW Importations Thibault // $59.99

The SCOTT 450 Angled Jersey is exceptionally ventilated and lightweight. This comes with a new and fresh design which makes it a must have for any rider. Years of product testing and rider-driven enhancements have resulted in this super comfortable, highlyfunctional jersey. ______________________________ importationsthibault.com/itl/ scott-sports.com/ca/en/

10. Men ANSWER RACING Trinity Jersey Kimpex // $92.99

Men ANSWER RACING Trinity Jersey features, strategically located laser cut ventilation holes. Minimalistic, spandex stretch neck panel. Articulated panels in targeted flex zones. Spandex stretch dart on sleeve opening provides a comfortable, tailored fit. Lightweight, welded cuff openings with Spandex darts to help maintain shape. ___________________________ Kimpex.com

8. 10.

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1. Youth Sector Zones - Jersey

JERSEYS

Parts Canada // $24.95

Get dialed in without blowing your budget. The Thor Sector line’s mix and match style provides multiple looks with a single pair of pants, all in one durable package. Burn gas, not cash. _____________________________ partscanada.com

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2. 3LACK Label G.I. FRO 20th Anniversary Jersey SHIFT // $64.95

The all-new 3LACK Label Jersey, with a multi-paneled, moisture wicking construction, features Jeff Emig’s 20th-anniversary graphics. In 1997, Shift and Jeff Emig set out to do things differently, crafting a narrative that would send reverberations through the sport for decades to come. _____________________________ shiftmx.com

3. AEROLITE OPTICA

4. FUSE AIR Rive Jersey

The Aerolite Optica is a lightweight jersey that has an adjusted performance fit for maximum flexibility. With tailored raglan sleeves and a comfortable hem cuff finish it is sure to provide the rider with an excellent fit. The strategic vented mesh panels offer an optimum airflow to keep the rider’s temperature cooler longer. Lean more at shotracegear.com

Optimized for maximum ventilation, the FUSE AIR Rive Jersey features innovative 3D Hexweave venting that is designed to bring the cool air in and leave the dust behind. Designed with the modern racer in mind, FUSE AIR Rive jersey delivers comfort, ventilation, and durability all in one stylish package.

Shot Race Gear // $49.99

THOR MX // $64.95

_____________________________ thormx.com

_____________________________ shotracegear.com

1. Alpinestars TECH COOLMAX® SOCKS

SOCKS

Parts Canada // $22.95

A highly effective sock constructed from innovative Coolmax® material to keep feet dry, these socks feature density cushioning throughout for added comfort and durability. ______________________________ partscanada.com

2. Recovery socks

SIXS // $48.99

CE approved “Class 2” compression socks with its special variable density weave, it compresses the muscle fibers in just the right points to assist blood circulation and therefore oxygenation of the tissues. This prevents lactic acid from accumulating in the calf muscles, which delays fatigue and drastically reduces recovery time. _________________________________ motovan.com

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H O L I DAY B U Y ER ’ S G U I D E

1. Kinetic ERA Pants

2. FLEXAIR Preest Pant

3. Legion EX Offroad Pant

Leather heat shield panels with Kevlar® stitching located on the inside of each leg for durability and heat resistance. Exclusive zipper lock system.

The new FLEXAIR Preest Pant features an entirely new chassis for drastically improved fit. The main body is cut from durable, 4-way stretch TruMotion fabric for unmatched mobility. And a new knee design provides a sleek performance fit over braces by removing excess material, eliminating binding, and improving movement.

These over the boot riding pants combine durability, excellent venting, and mobility, making them an ideal choice for enduro and dual sport riders. Built with the trail-ready toughness of Cordura® ripstop, the Legion EX pants can handle anything Mother Nature throws your way.

PANTS

Gamma Powersports //

_________________________ gammapowersports.com

FOX // $239.95

FOX // $299.95

_________________________ foxracing.com/ca

6. Fly LITE HYDROGEN Pants

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4. Fly Evolution Pant

5. Fly Ladies Kinetic Pants

Gamma Powersports //

Gamma Powersports // Revolutionary industry first MX pant with an integrated Boa® closure system. The Boa® system offers fast, onthe-fly micro adjustability that provides a truly “Dialed In” fit. _________________________ gammapowersports.com

Ultra-durable multipanel 600d construction to withstand the rigors of track and trail while providing extra breathability. Exclusive zipper lock system keeps pants closed and secure. _________________________ gammapowersports.com

Gamma Powersports // Patent pending 2d Buckle System®is the flattest buckle system ever made in MX pants. Built for safety, strength, and maximum adjustability. Invented by Fly Racing, and the first of its kind on the market. ____________________________ gammapowersports.com

7. Enduro Pants BLUE/ORANGE

Importations Thibault // $189.99

The SCOTT Enduro Pants deliver all you expect and need from an Enduro pair of pants. Durable chassis, directly injected, reinforced knees for an extra layer of protection, dual zipped vent panels and much more. If you are looking for functionality and design, this is your must have.

_____________________________ importationsthibault.com/itl/

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8. Pants MX450 Angled Importations Thibault // $189.99

The new SCOTT 450 Angled Pants are all about light weight and breathability. The completely revised pants feature a mix of lightweight and breathable panels combined with durable abrasion resistant nylon. Buffalo leather knee reinforcement is specially shaped for an aggressive riding stance. _______________________________ importationsthibault.com/itl/ scott-sports.com/ca/en/

H O L I DAY B U Y ER ’ S G U I D E

9. ANSWER RACING Trinity Pants Kimpex // $259.99

Answer Racing Trinity Pants features 320 denier multiweave 4-way stretch nylon knee panels. Durable, 900 denier poly seat panel. Drum dyed and de-bossed leather inner knee panels. Interwoven aramid inner leg heat barriers. Mesh lower leg panel allows for unobstructed air flow. Integrated knee and thigh TPR system with mesh-air flow panels. ______________________________ Kimpex.com

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10. Youth Sector Zones - Black Pant

11. 3LACK Label G.I. FRO 20th Anniversary Pant

Get dialed in without blowing your budget. The Thor Sector line’s mix and match style provides multiple looks with a single pair of pants, all in one durable package. Burn gas, not cash.

The completely redesigned 3LACK Label Pant, featuring Jeff Emig’s 20th-anniversary graphics. With a completely overhauled design, the 3LACK Label Pants perform maximizing rider benefits by focusing on materials, weight, and design innovation.

Parts Canada // $89.95

_______________________________ partscanada.com

SHIFT // $209.95

______________________________ shiftmx.com

10. 13.

12. Aerolite Optica Pants

Shot Race Gear // $169.99 The Aerolite Optica Pants offer a pre-curved fit for optimal performance and an intuitive racing position. The core construction in dobby fabric, light and resistant with Silicon waist and micrometric buckle to keep the jersey in position. The vented inner liner with stretch lycra insert and 4-way stretch spandex inner leg insert allows for ease of movement. ______________________________ shotracegear.com

13. Fuse Air Rive Pant THOR MX // $199.95

Our FUSE AIR pant is the next step in the evolution of motocross racewear. Designed with rapid flex knees, side cinch adjustment, and strategic ventilation, the FUSE AIR Pant delivers unmatched performance and style.

______________________________ thormx.com

11. 12.

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1. Catalyst 5 Aura

2. MXF PRORIDER S

3. Airline Race Glove

Superior Fit and function that is second to none! Catalyst 5 Soft Strap Airprene closure design. Single layer Clarino palm with silicone Deft Tag logo printed on palms for grip and Style. Simply the best fitting gloves on the market. Once you try you just can’t go back to others.

Latest generation of motocross gloves benefiting from the experience of FIVE MX GP riders. 4-way stretch spandex topside. Finger protection and FIVE logo made of sonic TPR. Mesh fabric finger tips for optimum ventilation. Comfort gel pad at thumb grip contact point to reduce blistering. Gel pad protection at palm to dampen shock and impact in a fall.

Feel the bike like never before. The Airline Race Glove is a minimalist motocross glove with an exceptional fit and lightweight feel. TruFeel technology sets this glove apart and allows you to control the bike with a whole new level of precision.

GLOVES

Deft Family // $47.99

__________________________ mddistributions.com

Five Gloves // $69.99

__________________________ five-gloves.com

FOX // $39.95

__________________________ foxracing.com/ca

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4. SLIP-ON AIR FXR Racing // $40

The Slip-on Air is the newest glove to FXR’s lineup. The cuff-less design with ultra-lightweight 4-way stretch material is combined with the single layer perforated AX Suede palms for maximum airflow and dexterity. __________________________ fxrracing.com

5. Men ANSWER RACING AR-3 Gloves Kimpex // $41.99

Men Answer Racing AR-3 Gloves features heat transfer sealed edge/cuff. Debossed palm pattern. PowerMesh (sample TCX 18-1561). Articulated lycra finger gussets. « Pinched » fingertip ends. Lycra outer index finger gussets. Tuff 0854 1 piece palm. Velcro – loop side and Hook side. Silicone finger grippers. Lightly padded palm panels. __________________________ Kimpex.com

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6. Youth Sector Glove

7. 450 Angled Glove

The all-new SECTOR glove rounds out our newest family of racewear designed to provide all-day comfort and functionality. These lightweight gloves have unmatched flex and breathability at an incredible price.

The SCOTT 450 Angled Glove is a high end, lightweight, breathable glove with everything you want and nothing you don`t. It features a molded airprene cuff with one piece closure on base of wrist and a Clarino™ leather palm. The SCOTT 450 Angled Glove is articulated for comfort and ease of use.

Parts Canada // $23.95

8. R3CON Glove SHIFT // $50.95

Scott Sports // $49.95

_________________________________ partscanada.com

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Your bike deserves

THE BEST

Hand your engine over to an expert .

Confidence inspiring off-road and enduro level durability with bulletproof D30® impact protection on the knuckles. The palm is a single layer Conductive Clarino® palm for maximum bar feel and touch screen compatibility. _________________________________ shiftmx.com

_________________________________ scott-sports.com/ca/en/

5. 6.

Parts & accessories

Nika-Tech cylinder replating Crankshaft reconditionning 7.

ASK YOUR DEALER www.cvtech-aab.com

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H O L I DAY B U Y ER ’ S G U I D E

1. Garage Sale Graphic Kits

2. TAG XT-1 HAndlebars

Garage Sale Full Kit includes decals for radiator shrouds, front and rear fenders and lots of extra stickers to dress up your forks and swingarms. Your cost: $59.95 Garage Sale kits do not come with any gas tank decals or airbox decals. +Add custom Number Plate Backgrounds with your race number for just $39.95

Born from a fusion of innovations, the TAG XT-1 Handlebars offer oversized 1-1/8” tapered bar technology, with the added strength supplied by a crossbar, and a comfort given from Patented Anti-Vibration Elastomer Insert, which reduces vibration up to 40%.

DeCal Works // $79.95

_________________________________ decalmx.com

Importations Thibault // $159.99

_________________________________ importationsthibault.com/itl/

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3. 520DX-GO KMC Chain // $99.99

KMC offers a full range of selection for regular motorcycle chains that feature the properties of high performance, durability and accuracy. The 520DX-GO is the perfect fit for all big bikes. The 120 gold links chain meets the rigid quality requirements and allows the products to contribute the best value due to consistent stability. _________________________________ mddistributions.com

4. Lucas Oil Slick Mist Lucas Oil // $n/a

Lucas Oil Slick Mist is a polymer paint gloss intensifier, which can be used on other surfaces such as glass, chrome and vinyl decals. Use Slick Mist as a traditional wax, quick detail spray or spray it on your vehicle between rinsing and drying for the easiest polish job ever. Just spray it on a wet or dry surface and wipe it off. It Works! _________________________________ LucasOil.com

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5. Lucas Synthetic High Performance Motor Oil Lucas Oil // $n/a

Lucas Synthetic High Performance Motor Oil is an excellent product that provides the consistent viscosity needed for precision ET racing. It’s blended with an exclusive additive package that includes lubricity agents and anti-seize agents that control drag like a zero weight oil, and protect metal like a heavy multiviscosity oil. Excellent for highway usage.

H O L I DAY B U Y ER ’ S G U I D E

6. LS1 Lift Stand Matrix Concepts // $139.99

This is the stand for everyone from mini rider, to the everyday rider, to the professional racer. Easy access 2-point pedal makes it easy to operate and elevate the motorcycle with minimal effort. Available in 8 different graphic styles _____________________________ matrixracingproducts.com

7. Chain Guard Ultimate Chain Care Kit

Maxima Racing Oils // $31.95 The Chain Guard Ultimate Chain Care kit will effectively clean, displace moisture and lubricate your chain. CleanUp, MPPL and Chain Guard are a winning combination proven to increase horsepower and extend chain and sprocket life. _____________________________ maximausa.com

_____________________________________ LucasOil.com

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8. Mika Metals Clamps Mika Metals // $89.99

Mika Metals Universal Rubber Mounted Clamps are made from 7075 Aluminum and are designed to replace the stock 7/8 or 11/8 bar mounts. They are CNC precision machined and allow for the use any of our Mika Handlebars. They use the stock rubber cones and are available in black, sivler, red and blue. Also new for 2018 Mika KTM clamps for small and big bikes.

9. Polaris 800 Dura Kit Mongoose Machine // $699.99

The DuraKit is the solution to the common piston slap” failure found in the 20112016 Polaris 800 engines. The Dura Kit is designed to eliminate piston slap by adding a cylinder spacer allowing for taller pistons which reduce the piston’s ability to rock in the cylinder.” _____________________________ mongoosemachine.com

_____________________________ mddistributions.com

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1. 2.

5. 3.

1. Radius CX

Rekluse Motorsports // $1299 When you need the best, look no further. This top of the line auto clutch product brings together all of our latest technology into one package. A TorqDrive equipped clutch pack, coupled with EXP and our Core technology results in significant advancement in auto performance with exceptional hook-up, lever feel and durability. Perfect for dirt & snow biking! __________________________ mongoosemachine.com

2. NEW 2018 MARIN BIKES B17-1

3. NEW MARIN HAWK HILL 2

The brand new 2018 MARIN B17-1 (shown), available in 3 different models combines the acclaimed 120mm travel MultiTrac rear suspension system with 27.5+ tires for an all day, all conditions trail bike ride. MARIN BIKES are used by the majority of Top Canadian MX PROS to supplement their training regimes! Find yours at Royal Distributing and TRAIN LIKE A PRO!

MARINS HAWK HILL hugely successful launch in 2017 will see for 2018 the addition of the HAWK HILL 2 (shown) and the HAWK HILL 3. MultiTrac suspension, light weight 27.5 Wheels, component groups covering 3 price points to fit your personal budget, gives you our best valued FRS MTB to get you out and training hard! The HAWK HILL used by MX PRO MIKE ALESSI !

_______________________________ marinbikes.com

ROYAL DISTRIBUTING // $2779.99

ROYAL DISTRIBUTING // $2579.99

4. Glide Kit for Showa SSF-Air TAC SKF // $239.99

The SKF Glide Kit replaces the stock cartridge rod seals and air divider piston seals in the new Showa SFF-Air TAC fork. The updated forks benefit from less seal drag and virtually eliminated stick/slip. The rider will immediately feel better small bump absorption during braking, less arm pump and smoother feel. _______________________________ mongoosemachine.com

5. Braking Batfly Aluminum 280mm Oversized Front Rotor Kit Sunstar-Braking // $376.9

Braking’s patented BATFLY design, now available in 280mm oversized diameter. Grooves designed to create a self ventilating mechanism allowing the rotor to cool down quickly & efficiently, as well as continuously clean mud & dirt from the pads surface for consistent, strong performance. Directional geometry with non-round profile & full floating design. _______________________________ braking.com

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MXP

H O L I DAY B U Y ER â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S G U I D E

1. Dunlop

2. Kenda K774 IBEX

The MX3S covers soft-tointermediate terrain and covers a greater range of terrain types. Multiple race-proven features help deliver more progressive cornering action, extra tire bite and aid in slide control, while a new rear tire pattern with innovative block design enhances traction while using fewer blocks.

110/100-18 Rear Super Sticky Designed for Endurocross and extreme enduro-type conditions. Super-soft and flexible rubber compound for maximum bump absorption and terrain compliance for obstacles like rock gardens and log crossings. High wet-traction compound developed by top pro Endurocross riders. Open aggressive drive pattern for max grip and clean out.

________________________________ motovan.com

_____________________________________ importationsthibault.com/itl/

Geomax MX3S // $54.99-182.99

TIRES

1. Honda Shuttle Roller Gearbag

BAGS

FOX // $309.95

4. Metzeler MC360 MS

80/100-21 Mid-Hard Tread Larger block size to increase contact patch. Continuous knob binding improving tearing and wearing resistance of knobs. Alternated knob shapes for maximum durability. Studdable for ice racing. Completely reversible front and rear. DOT approved.

110/90-19 Mid-Soft Tread Alternated shapes of the knobs for progressive cornering action. Parabola-shaped center knobs maximize carving and traction on soft/ mid-soft terrain. Optimal directional and steering feeling. Studdable for ice racing. Completely reversible front and rear. DOT approved.

______________________________ importationsthibault.com/itl/

Built for the racer on the go, the full-size Shuttle gear bag has enough room for all your moto gear with room to spare. Whether you scoot it through the airport or just from the garage to the truck, this gear bag will keep you rolling smooth. _________________________________________________ foxracing.com/ca

2. RIG 9800 Ogio // $359.99

The Rig 9800 features the SLED (Structural Load Equalizing Deck) System for increased durability and handling in the harshest of conditions. Wide mouth LID opening for easy access to all gear compartments. Large main compartment with adjustable dividers and padded helmet chamber. Several multi-use LID compartments for apparel and smaller gear. ________________________________ motovan.com

Importations Thibault // $183.99

3. Metzeler MC360 MH

Importations Thibault // $134.99

2 017

Importations Thibault // $154.99

______________________________ importationsthibault.com/itl/

5. Pirelli Scorpion MX32 Pro Front Importations Thibault // $157.99

Arrow layout of knobs and aligned side knobs give direction and stability. V-shaped knobs to improve braking stability and cornering grip. Shoulder knobs designed for precise trajectory when leaning into turns. ______________________________ importationsthibault.com/itl/

5. 2. 1. 4.

3. Transit Wheelie Bag

Parts Canada // $249.95 Designed to accommodate helmets, boots and protective gear. Oversized smooth rolling wheels coupled with increased ground clearance. Varying pocket sizes accommodate large and small items easily. Polypropylene molded base for remarkable strength and durability. ______________________________ partscanada.com

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EVOLVED NUTRITION W I T H

YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT

irst thing, how many of us plan out our daily meals? How many of us sit down and plan out meals for our young athletes? How many athletes plan out their daily intake? I have been a nutritionist dealing with athletes now for almost 20 years, so I know very few people and families do! What typically happens is something like this… the athlete gets up, has a small bowl of cereal, fruit bar, maybe a cereal bar, or a small piece of fruit, or my favorite is they skip breakfast all together and off they go. Their mid-morning snack? Their what? Who? Exactly! Most athletes skip this meal all together. On to lunch - this can consist of a wide variety of selections from sandwiches from home, cafeteria food, and pre-packaged foods, to cans of soup and everything in between. Mid-Afternoon snack… well, like the

D R E W

R O B E R T S O N

mid-morning snack, this falls by the wayside, then depending on practices, games and other activities, we see a very large consumption of food in the late afternoon through to bed, making up the greatest bulk of the athlete’s caloric intake. Okay, let’s review: After sleeping through the night, the athlete wakes up with low blood amino acid concentrations, as well as low blood sugar, then consumes a high sugar, low protein meal, they don’t eat again until noon, where they consume carbohydrates, which are typically processed with a small serving of either fruit or vegetables and a small serving of protein, again usually processed. During activity, practice, workouts or competition, the athlete typically just consumes water, or worse they don’t even do that!! Then the athlete consumes the majority of their daily intake during the latter part of the day, and because of the fluctuating blood sugar levels, they tend to consume a high amount of simple carbohydrates and various forms of junk food. Before we continue, here are some interesting points: Studies at Georgia State University demonstrate that hourly energy balance is at least as important as total daily energy balance and should remain as close to neutral as possible throughout each of the 24 hours. What does this mean? Well, having well balanced meals that offer up approximately the same number of calories at each meal is just as important as the total number of calories we intake each day. A fair number of sport athletes have been shown to be deficient in a host of vitamins and minerals, leading to impairments in nervous system function, metabolic processing, and oxygen delivery/consumption. It’s hard to get the requisite amount of vitamins and minerals in only one or two meals. Now, this doesn’t mean that athletes should start popping multi-vitamins. What this means is re-focusing of our daily intake towards fruits and vegetables; not just at one or two meals but at EVERY meal.

“HAVING WELL BALANCED MEALS THAT OFFER UP APPROXIMATELY THE SAME NUMBER OF CALORIES AT EACH MEAL IS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS THE TOTAL NUMBER OF CALORIES WE INTAKE EACH DAY.”

Now let’s get started on correcting this and getting the athlete, both young and old on the right track to nutritional excellence. First off, both athletes, young and old, need meals that are easy and quick in the morning, as most like the rest of us are on the run and busy. Here are a few examples of quick and easy breakfast meals:

Breakfast Shake

• Dry oatmeal • Greens supplement • Yogurt Protein powder • Fresh or frozen fruit • Peanut butter Blend together

Breakfast Mush

• Dry oatmeal • Yogurt Frozen berries • Protein Powder • Greens Supplement Mix this together using enough yogurt to make a mush-like mixture Make sure to mix these meals up, and when you have the time, make yourself a good sit-down breakfast, using eggs, maybe some whole wheat pancakes, fresh fruit, lean turkey bacon, or lean chicken sausage. Sometimes I hear “I’m not hungry in the morning,” well sure, if you have been skipping breakfast or having a breakfast that consists of small amounts of food your body will adapt to this. So yes, for the first few weeks you might feel a little full, but have no fear, just like your body adjusted to not eating it will adjust to eating, and I’ll let you guess which one is better for us! On to the snacks. We normally have snacks that are full of processed carbohydrates and artificial ingredients - we need to change this. Here are a few examples of easy, quick and healthy snacks:

snacks

• Snack shake Fruits (fresh or frozen) • Protein powder • Yogurt Flaxseeds

Snack Mush

• Cottage cheese • Frozen berries • Mixed nuts • Protein powder or Yogurt Protein powder • Banana • Peanut Butter ground up Flax Seeds Easy and quick Fresh veggies Hummus dip in Hard Boiled egg

Every time we eat we should be making sure that we get fruits and vegetables, good carbohydrates, good fats and high-quality protein - this rule includes snacks. Now on to lunch. This is one of the easiest meals to fix. Simple plan: double up on dinner! We can pack this in small Ziploc containers, and if needed heat up before we consume.

Other ideas:

• Chicken Sandwich • Chicken breast (sliced up) • Small piece of cheese • Alfa sprouts • Slice of tomato On the side • Mixed nuts • Mexican Tuna • Brown rice Tuna • Salsa Sunflower seeds • Celery (chopped up) • Green or red pepper (chopped up) • Ground flax seed Mix this all together in a Ziploc container and heat before eating. This is a good example of a dish that you can make 2 – 3 servings; just add more tuna so retain the same ratio.

Pasta Salad Extreme

• Whole wheat pasta • Chicken Breast (cut up) • Green, Red and Yellow peppers diced • Broccoli (sliced) Italian Dressing • Ground flax seed • Olive oil This is a great dish cold or hot. This is a good example of a dish that you can make 2 – 3 servings; just add more chicken so you retain the same ratio. Now let’s have a look at dinner, this is the one meal that we do usually eat a fairly well-balanced meal. Having said that, here are a few suggestions to help improve your dinner selections: • Add a variety of beans and lentils as this will add some good fiber to your diet • Always use whole grain versions of foods instead of the processed • ALWAYS include vegetables with this meal. Have fresh fruit or fruit smoothies for dessert. If you and the rest of your household adopt these suggestions and ways, the athlete, young or old will adopt to them and follow along as well, especially when they see and feel all the positive effects of what eating well can do or us!!! For further information regarding these and other healthy eating techniques, please contact me at: drew@evolvednutrition.com

94 // MOTOCROSS PERFORMANCE · MXPMAG.COM

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FEMALE PERSPECTIVE W I T H

“ALL THE OFFICIALS PROCEEDED TO QUICKLY COME UP AND OKAY THE FACT THAT I NO LONGER WAS GOING TO RACE MY BIKE.” t’s been a crazy and exciting year for me. Starting with winning the CMRC Western Canadian Women’s Motocross Nationals for the third time, to bringing home my third ISDE Gold Medal in France, I just recently became the two-time AMA National Women’s Endurocross Champion. I managed to defend my title against some pretty big female competitors. KTM USA backed rider Kacy Martinez finished 2nd and Red Bull Honda rider Tara Gieger was 3rd. I won 5 of the 7 rounds this year, with one round in particular I want to talk about. The 6th round was held in Boise, Idaho. It was more technical than the previous rounds with a tough uphill matrix (logs consecutively spaced a bike length or less apart), and a

S H E L BY

T U R N E R

P H OT O S

M J S M OT O P H OT O

UNFORGETTABLE SUMMER firewood pit (chopped pieces of wood to form a pit of logs). The tricky part of the firewood pit was there was a really big log getting into it, making it very easy to go over the bars. I had qualified earlier that day to race in the Amateur A class. I normally race this class as practice for the Women’s race as it is an hour before. I got a solid start and rode consistently the whole race. I passed a number of people in the matrix and the wood pit section. Before I knew it, I rolled over the finish line in 3rd place. I was so excited to finally make it on the podium in the Amateur A class, because I am now the first girl to ever do this. As I kept saying to my Dad, “I can’t believe I just did that.” All my hard work was starting to show even in the men’s class. Needless to say, I was super excited. I later went down for my Women’s race. I parked my bike behind the telehandler tractor outside. There were three other bikes leaned up against it so I figured everything would be fine since I was only going to be gone for a few minutes to see where they were in the schedule. When I came back to get my bike, the Women’s class was already staging and getting ready to get on the line. When my Dad and I got to my bike, there was a man looking

at my pipe, which was now twisted up under my rear fender. The guy told us that he thought this bike just got ran over. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing! It was quite dark out so it was hard to see, but it was clear that my bike had been backed over by the telehandler. In a bit of a panic, my Dad laid his boot to my pipe and got it “good enough.” I jumped on it and of course my front tire wouldn’t move. We jerked around with it for a few seconds but I was already supposed to be on the line for my race. I only have one endurocross bike, so I was racking my brain as to who would have a bike that would be similar to mine that I could jump on and race. I decided my best bet was Kevin Dupuis’ bike. He is a fellow Canadian racer. Kevin and his family are really good friends of mine and I knew that he would let me ride his bike with no questions asked. The only thing was, he was currently on the track racing. My Dad and I quickly ran into the building; everyone was looking at us with questions. When Kevin came off the track we immediately flagged him down. He was extremely confused but let me take his bike. Just as I pulled it onto the line, Kevin came running over and said that he bent his front rotor in the last race so I had no front brake. Luckily, Morgan Tanke’s mechanic had an adjustable wrench so Kevin quickly straightened out the rotor while I was on the line. At least I would have a front brake now. All the officials proceeded to quickly come up and okay the fact that I no longer was going to race my bike. Once the gate dropped I quickly found out just how strange Kevin’s bike felt compared to mine. I run a lowered seat so I couldn’t touch well, the clutch disengaged in a different spot, making

getting over the logs and the matrix that much harder, the suspension was set up totally different, making it hard to corner and ride the rocks, and the different gearing made the power I had in first gear outrageous. I literally held on for dear life. I managed to lead for a lap but quickly found myself holding down second. With one lap to go all I had to do was get through the course smooth. My arms were on fire from holding onto Kevin’s fire breathing dragon, and when I came around the mechanics’ corner all I could see was my Dad and Kevin along with a wall of other people cheering me on. Unfortunately, coming off the matrix I laid it down. I quickly got up and I could hear the two-stroke of Kacy right on my tail as I crossed the finish line in 2nd. I had done it! I rode a completely foreign bike to a podium finish. I can’t thank Kevin enough for letting me race his bike, but I sure as heck never want to do it again! Thanks to my sponsors who always have my back and give me the opportunity to do this crazy sport called dirt biking! A&E Racing, FXR, KTM Canada, Arai, Oakley, Alpinestars, Vee Rubber, Tire Balls, Ryno Power, Motovan, Atlas, Laminacorr racing, FRS Suspension, FMF, M7 Designs, Dubya, SRT, SXS Skid plates, my Mom and Dad, and all my friends and family. To keep up with my racing, you can follow me on social media @shelby50turner.

96 // MOTOCROSS PERFORMANCE · MXPMAG.COM

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www.dragonalliance.com

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THE INSIDE LINE P H OT O

JA M E S

WITH ANDY WHITE BROUGHT TO YOU BY

L I S S I M O R E

THE SILLY SEASON “FOR EXAMPLE, LOOK AT DEAN WILSON, NO ONE WANTED HIM IN 2017. THERE WEREN’T MANY YAMAHA 450 TEAMS OR RIDERS COMPETING LAST YEAR, SO HE WENT OUT AND BOUGHT A YAMAHA YZ450 AND PITTED OUT OF A VAN WITH HIS DAD AS HIS MECHANIC.”

e are coming up to one of my favourite times of the year when we find out who is going to ride for who for the 2018 season. The Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series is only a few weeks away, and believe it or not, there are still some riders that don’t have a ride. There are B teams that are still trying to figure out if they have the budget to run the full series or just the Lites series. Most teams try to get a verbal commitment from a rider and then they use the rider’s name to shop him around and see if they can pull some well-needed dollars to pay for the show. I read this past week that one of the west coast Lites teams was going to take a year off and regroup to make a comeback in 2019. I guess the riders they were looking at have already signed and it’s just not worth the effort. Most or all of the top riders have found homes and are busy testing. Davi Millsaps is one rider that looks like he will be missing for a few or even up to half the series. Yamaha was lucky to snatch up Justin Barcia before another team picked him up. When you think about

it, is Yamaha lucky to have Justin? Well, I actually think they are in a tough position; they had Millsaps all signed up but he went down hard while testing. Unfortunately, that’s just bad luck right before the season starts. I think Barcia is the lucky one in this story, because it didn’t look like anyone really wanted Justin on their team for 2018. It pays to at least commit and keep at it just in case a team loses a rider. For example, look at Dean Wilson, no one wanted him in 2017. There weren’t many Yamaha 450 teams or riders competing last year, so he went out and bought a Yamaha YZ450 and pitted out of a van with his dad as his mechanic. The YZ450 was probably one of the toughest models of bikes to set up in 2017. I am not really sure why he chose that brand. If I was him I think I would have picked up a KTM or a Husky, because currently there are lots of riders competing on those bikes. I think there is way more of a chance that you might get a call. Plus, Dean spent the past three years on a KTM. It would have been the easiest model to get used to, in my opinion. Anyway, Dean got the call from Rockstar boss Bobby Hewitt and said, “Hey Dean, are you interested in finishing the year on CP377’s factory Husky?” I am sure Dean said yes before Bobby even mentioned how much they would pay him. That’s a pretty cool story, and look what Dean accomplished this past year. There is another rider that seems to enjoy the last-minute deals, I think he feeds off it as do his fans. Chad Reed is the bad boy of MX and really doesn’t give a damn. He has lots of money and plenty of heart. Guaranteed he will be there for the first round at Anaheim on January 6th. Mark my word on it. I am a big Reed fan and I like that he is still willing to give everything for this sport. When he posts pictures from his race shop you see other brands of bikes. The picture he posted showed the handlebars of one brand only. Pretty sneaky. Like I said, this is a game for the champ and his fans love it. I was at the round in Anaheim a few years ago when he got a great start and ended up winning. Every supercross

fan was standing up for the entire 20 lap main cheering #22. It was pretty awesome to hear the fans going nuts. So, will he be on a Husky or Honda? Who knows, and I don’t really care as long as he is there throwing it down. Now it’s time for some Canadian moto scoop. Where will the 2017 CMRC MX2 Champion end up for 2018? Shawn is a rider that teams are looking at right now. MX101 only had a one-year contract with him. This means he is sitting back and looking at all offers. Does Kawasaki make a move and buy the #1 plate and use it to promote their brand? Does KTM replace Cole Thompson as he has moved up to the 450 class for 2018? Does MX101 have the budget to sign him for 2018? The next question is, who does Kawasaki sign for 2018? The word on the street is that Jason Hughes is now working for Kawasaki as a regional sales rep in the BC. That would be a little strange to have their sales rep manage the team at the same time. Anyway, does the team sign Alessi again or go after Dillan Epstein? I see Disco Stu at Huber Motorsports has signed Tyler Medaglia for the next two years. That’s great news for the two-time MX2 Champ! Does this mean that team will try to put Tyler on a 250F and put him in the MX2 class? The rules did say you can drop back in to the class after five years. There are so many options for so many teams and riders. I know Jess Pettis is all good as he signed a twoyear deal with MX101. If Shawn leaves MX101, Pettis would then be the number one rider for that team. He could potentially pull it off. Jess had a solid start to last year’s series until he broke his collarbone. I am sure by early 2018 we will know who will be riding for who. Like I said, this is one of my favourite times of the year. We will just have to see how the cards fall. See you at the races.

98 // MOTOCROSS PERFORMANCE · MXPMAG.COM

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Zox-MXP-Z-MX10.pdf 1 19/06/2017 4:22:46 PM

Z-MX10

PREMIUM LIGHTWEIGHT FIBERGLASS

CMY

WWW.ZOXHELMETS.COM

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