Our goal, from day one, has been to give Canadian racers the exposure they deserve and bring the sport in Canada to a new level. For 2007, we have created the Racer X Canada Factory Rider for a Day program, which gives a different up-and-coming racer a chance to experience a factory-like experience with all of the exposure and attention the boys in the big rigs normally receive. There is no way we could get this project off the ground without the support of our sponsors and supporters. Ignition Racing, who is best known for developing their noise reducing dB dawg, has signed on as the title sponsor, and Maxima Oils, Dunlop tires, Pro Wheel, Ride Industries, Universal and Trans-Canada Imports, Lime 9 MX, Destroyer Films, and Ogio have made sure our team will be using the best products in the industry each weekend.

Our first Factory Rider for the weekend is MX101/ Yamaha Canada's Jeremy Medaglia. Please read on to learn a little bit about the fast 17-year-old from Kemptville, Ontario. Be sure to stop by the RXC Factory Rider Fun Mover, say hello to Jeremy, his family, the RXC crew, and pick up a limited edition #181 Medaglia RXC shield sticker!

JEREMY MEDAGLIA
BIRTH DATE: March 25, 1990
BIRTH PLACE: Ottawa, Ontario
HOMETOWN: Kemptville, Ontario
CLASSES: 125, 250 and GP intermediate
SPONSORS: MX101, Yamaha Canada, Hindle Exhaust, Bondi Engines, Wrex, Blur, Phat MX, Gaerne, M2R helmets

Age started riding: 3

Describe your first race: It was at Sand Del Lee and it rained all night before the race. I had a KTM and a three-wheeler and the time. My dad said we should bring the three-wheeler just in case it was really muddy. The track ended up being so muddy that I raced the three-wheeler and all the of the KTMs were getting stuck and I ended up winning!

Favourite food: Pasta with meat sauce.

What do you eat/drink on race day? Water, meat on a bun, fruit and snacks like granola bars.

Favourite track: Bremen MX in Georgia.

Best road trip story: I have had a lot of trips over the years that consist of just watching movies, playing video games and sleeping. One of the best trips was when I was going to a race in the States and Tyler [who races for Suzuki OTSFF this year] and I were playing MX Unleashed. He said I would never beat his lap time at this one track. I must have played the game four hours straight; I got bigger blisters from the controller than at the race! In the end, I did beat his lap time, about two minutes before we got to the track and you can just imagine how much I rubbed it in. As you can see, my road trips aren’t any different from the ordinary.

Name four CDs that you own now: 30 Seconds To Mars, Atreyu, T.I., AFI. I’m not too crazy about music but I like a little bit of everything.

Best race you have watched: Mike Alessi versus Grant Langston at Hangtown in 2005.

Name a highlight in your racing career: Scoring points last year at the Ste-Julie Canadian national.

Best thing about racing in Eastern Ontario: The people. I have been racing in this area my whole life and have met so many good people.

Who are your picks to win the Canadian championships this year? I am going to say JSR, my brother for MX2 East and Jimmy Nelson for MX2 West.

Your best skill on a motorcycle: So many people worry about doing jumps but my dad always pushed me to work hard in the corners, so I would have to say corners.

Other sports you're good at: Hockey

Best place on earth: At the racetrack with my family and friends.

Worst place on earth: Hospital
 
Who's in better shape, you or Tyler? That’s a tough one. When it comes to stamina and endurance we’re both pretty close because we practice and train doing the same things, but as for strength, he’s got me there.

Goals for '07: Get some good finishes in the MX2 East series, qualify and do well at Loretta Lynn’s. Be successful at Walton and mainly just ride safe and stay healthy.

Who's in your regular crew? My family (mom, dad and Tyler).

For more on Jeremy Medaglia, click here for Danny Brault's interview.