- press release -

(Ste. Julie, QC – May 25, 2008)

Banner Weekend for Team Suzuki/Rockstar Energy/OTSFF

It was a banner weekend for Team Suzuki/Rockstar Energy/OTSFF at the opening round of the Monster Energy Motocross Nationals in Ste. Julie, QC. With Tyler Medaglia recording an impressive 2nd overall in MX1, and his brother Jeremy Medaglia securing an equally impressive 3rd overall in MX2, Team Suzuki proved to be the top finishing team in Ste. Julie, putting a rider on the podium in both classes. Tyler nailed down 3-2 moto finishes on his way to climbing the MX1 podium while Jeremy carded 4-4 moto results to do the same in MX2. 

In the first MX1 moto, despite still recovering from illness, Tyler took the holeshot with his potent new fuel injected RM-Z450. He then rode a valiant race, fending off his pursuers for most of the moto, eventually finishing in 3rd at the checkered.

When the gate dropped for moto two, Tyler again got off to a promising start, this time rounding turn one in 5th place. Two laps later, he took command of 2nd place which he would keep until the end of the race.

“I was kind of nervous this weekend because I was sick all week and unable to ride or work out, but I knew I had real good speed coming into the race and everything turned out okay for me,” said Tyler. “I didn’t know what to expect and considering everything I’m quite happy with my results.”

In MX2 action, Jeremy Medaglia will remember his debut in the pro national ranks as a more than auspicious beginning. In the first moto, he shot out of the gate to arrive at turn one in 2nd place. Although he slipped back to 10th place on lap one, by lap five he had worked his way back into 4th. He would finish there nine laps later. Another good start in the second moto saw Medaglia dive into turn one in 6th place. A few laps later, he settled into 4th, defending that position until the end of the moto.

“I knew it was going to be a tough weekend for me, being my first MX2 National and all, but I came to Ste. Julie with a clear head and I didn’t really put a whole lot of my pressure on myself,” said Jeremy. “I got some good starts so that was a confidence booster. I just put my head down and see where I would end up. Third overall was definitely a nice place to end up for my first big race.”

For the Team’s other MX1 riders, Brady Sheren and Mitch Cooke, the day did not quite unfold as well as it did for the Medaglia brothers.  In moto one, Sheren found himself caught up in the pack for a 19th place start while Cooke was even farther back in 29th place. By the end of the moto, Sheren had clawed his way into 15th, Cooke managed to record a 17th place finish.  A crash on the third lap of moto two saw Sheren exit the track with an injured ankle. Cooke, meanwhile, couldn’t quite find his rhythm, finishing the race out of the points.

In women’s pro championship racing, Team Suzuki/Rockstar Energy/OTSFF’s Missy Hacket unfortunately broke her collarbone during a practice crash. She was replaced by Jocelyn Killough who rides for Team Suzuki’s B team, Battleford Supercycle Suzuki/OTSFF. Jocelyn stepped up to the plate nailing down 4th overall on the strength of consistent 4-5 motos.

Team Suzuki/Rockstar Energy/OTSFF would like to thank all their fine sponsors for helping to make the opening round of the MX1 and MX2 Nationals a great success. Congratulations to Jeremy and Tyler for their podium finishes; ditto to Jocelyn for her top-five finishes in the women’s class. We wish Missy a speedy recovery and are looking forward to having Brady back at Round 2 this weekend.