By Allison Kennedy

With two of the four rounds of the MX2 West series in the books, Blackfoot Honda’s Dusty Klatt has won all four MX2 motos with a substantial lead each week. Behind Klatt are a string of talented Canadian and U.S. riders who are still hoping they can make up the gap and become the 2005 western champ. Yamaha’s Kyle Beaton currently sits in second place in the points, just 16 points behind Klatt. This has been Beaton’s most consistent start to a season in his pro career and he now leads third place Jeff Northrop by 12 points. Sitting in fourth place is another Richmond Racing Kawasaki rider, Teddy Maier. After a dismal weekend in Mission , Maier picked up the pace in Nanaimo with 2-2 finishes. Maier is now just five points behind Northrop, leaving him a total of 33 points behind Klatt. We spoke to the three riders currently chasing Klatt after Round two—all three shared the Nanaimo podium with Klatt. Here’s what they had to say about their place in the current standings.

RXC: You had another good weekend Kyle. The first moto went a little smoother than the second. Tell us about it?

The first moto went good. I got off to a great start once again. I led until about the halfway point and then Dusty got me and then Teddy got me right away. I rode pretty tight at the beginning and things weren’t working out that good. I loosened up at the end and held on for third. In the second moto, I got a bad start. I think I did the biggest smoke show out there on the start line. But I just charged hard, I ended up going down though. I was riding way better in the second moto though, I just had that one mishap. The front end slid out off the face of the tabletop and just threw me. I had a broken visor but Rob from M2R got that all fixed up.

You were on the gas after that crash, charging back to fourth place. Did you know how far back you were?

I had no clue. Dan, my mechanic, was just putting "Push" on the board and I was just working my hardest. I ended up getting third overall so that’s good staying consistent. Hopefully I can do a bit better and give Dusty a run for his money next weekend.

You’ve had a good start to the season. Are you happy with where you stand?

Really happy. This is probably the best spot I’ve been in since I started and hopefully I can just stay consistent and have no problems.

What do you think has made the difference this year?

I’m a lot more fit this year. I’ve been working hard with Todd, my trainer, and we’ve got a good fitness level going. And the four stroke too, that’s definitely been playing a big part in it. I don’t know. I’ve just changed my riding style a little bit this year. I’ve just been taking my time instead of going out there on the first lap and trying to win it.

Teddy Maier: Richmond   Kawasaki  

 RXC: You finally had the weekend you’ve been looking for. Tell us about it?

My starts are good, I have some confidence now. Last weekend was bad. I had some bad luck, I was riding good but I had some bad luck. I don’t know what the points are now, it’s going to be hard to beat Klatt unless he gets hurt or something and I hate to say that. I’m just going to keep plugging away and be consistent and hope I can be right up there.

How did you feel about your speed today?

I felt pretty good. I have a blister on my thumb and my hands started to get sweaty and stuff. He [Klatt] wasn’t pulling away from me that hard until we got into some lappers. The lappers man, they just race you, they were cutting me off and stuff. I made a couple of little mistakes and then I played it safe. I don’t need to get hurt again.

How are you feeling heading into Calgary? You rode well there last year.

Next weekend should be good. I’m looking forward to that. Dusty—this is his home track and last weekend was too. You can tell, he’s just so comfortable out there. I followed him and he’s got some good lines and stuff. He just knows that dirt and how he can push it, and push the limit. I think that’s the main thing. Last year at Calgary I was just as fast as him so … it should be good.

Have you been happy with your decision to come back to Canada?

It’s fun. I like it … except for last weekend.

Jeff Northrop: Richmond   Kawasaki   

RXC: How was your weekend overall?

Not good. I went 5-3 for fourth overall. Yeah, I just feel like I should be winning these races you know? Especially, back home, I’ve been training really hard, riding really good and then it just seems like stupid stuff happens out there. I don’t know. I don’t want to blame it on anything but I think it’s got to be something.

Something like what?

I don’t know, but I want to say it’s been the tracks. It’s been a bit muddy and I think that just works in the favour of the guys up here a bit more. When you are used to a track and it’s muddy, it just makes it a little bit easier. I’m just hoping to get on some dry tracks. That’s what happened here ... second moto it was dry with a few more lines and I did better. It has to be the mud. They say Calgary is flooded but hopefully it’s not.

Do you think you have the speed to run up front?

I don’t know, I don’t think my speed has been all the way there. I don’t know if I’ve just been riding a little too cautious at the beginning of the rounds but I know I have the speed for sure, I just need to bring it out. Maybe this podium is the start for me. I just want to get to a good track and have a good race.

MX2 West Top 10 Standings

1. Dusty Klatt 105

2. Kyle Beaton 89

3. Jeff Northrop 77

4. Teddy Maier 72

5. Kevin Johnson 69

6. Shane Bess 68

7.  Colton Facciotti 64

8. Eric Vallejo 52

9. Tony Sherman 42

10. Nate Tierney 40