Report and photos by Allison Kennedy

While Dusty Klatt headed to Morden on an eight-race winning streak, JSR arrived looking more determined than ever. Klatt’s first moto DNF opened the door for JSR’s first win in four rounds. The spectators lined the fence for the second moto, expecting an epic Klatt/Roy battle. What happened next was something we haven’t seen much of this season: Klatt got out front and started to pull away but rather than running away from Roy as he has for the past few rounds, Roy put his head down, found some fast lines and reeled him in. At the end of the day, Klatt saw his points lead dwindle, leaving him just three points ahead of the five-time defending champ.

In the MX2 class, Honda Canada Blackfoot’s Jimmy Nelson picked up his first MX2 West championship after sweeping both motos. Richmond Kawasaki’s Teddy Maier was fast all day and held off his teammate Gray Davenport for second in the series. Davenport, who came to the opener in Nanaimo on his own, gave Richmond Kawasaki another podium finish.

With Morden as the last chance to show your speed, a number of MX2 riders stepped it up, particularly KTM’s Michael Sleeter who finished third overall. Suzuki OTSFF’s Jeff Northrop, Morgan Yamaha’s Kevin Johnson and KBR’s Kyle Beaton were also in thick of the battle. The series resumes in Moncton, New Brunswick on August 5 and 6 with the return of the MX2 East series and the continuation of what is now turning out to be the best MX1 title fight since 2001.

Out with the old…

…in with the new.

Teddy Maier, Jimmy Nelson and Gray Davenport: The MX2 West series podium.

After soaking each other with champagne, the MX2 West podium shifted their attention to the trophy girls.

JSR leads the pack in the second MX1 moto. Klatt stole the lead shortly after and pulled an eight second lead before JSR reeled him in to earn his second sweep of the series.

Blair Morgan found the podium in both motos, completing the Blackfoot sweep in the final moto of the day. With Lange and Gracyk both on the injured list now, Morgan is charging for third place in the series (he's in third now), hoping to give Blackfoot the series sweep as well.

Bill Tanner cheers on JSR in the second moto.

Michael Sleeter (181) chases Teddy Maier (26) and Jeff Northrop (25) in MX2 action. Nelson swept both MX2 motos but the battles behind him were this tight in both races.

With the Maier/Davenport points battle heating up, things got ugly under the Richmond awning.

Simon Homans claimed his first podium finish of the series with a third place in the first MX1 moto. Unfortunately, a nasty crash and DNF in the second moto cost him some valuable points.

After a first moto DNF, Dusty Klatt was unable to hold off JSR’s second moto charge. It was a tough day for Klatt, who saw his points lead shrink to only three points. He skipped his podium interview and headed for the rig. With two weekends off, Klatt will no doubt be looking to come out strong in Moncton.

What a difference a day can make. JSR is back in the title hunt, trailing Klatt by only three points heading to Moncton. The five-time champ looks healthy, fast and determined. He hasn't looked this happy since ... well, since Ste-Julie.

Michael Willard picked up his second third overall in a row in Morden. Willard will return to his title defence in the MX2 East class at Moncton.