The Monster Energy Motocross Nationals are looking pretty sharp and we're only two rounds into the series.

By Danny Brault
Photos by James Lissimore

Just when we thought things were starting to harden up in the Monster Energy Motocross Nationals, the sand of Gopher Dunes worked its way into the bikes, bearings, riders, and results and shook things up.

The biggest shocker of the weekend came when Team Toyota Yamaha/BlackfootDirect.com/Fox Racing’s Colton Facciotti’s rode only a few laps on the on Sunday, before finally pulling out of racing all together. Facciotti sustained a first-degree shoulder separation last weekend in Ste-Julie, but everyone thought he would be good to go after sweeping both motos that day. Unfortunately, it was later discovered that Facciotti had also fractured his collarbone; if he crashed or jarred his shoulder again at Gopher, he could complicate things further and possibly miss more trounds. So, taking in advice from his team and trainers, Colt stripped off his gear, grabbed a lawn chair, and cheered for his teammates. I’m sure it was tough, but there are 14 motos remaining—and anything can happen.

In MX2, things got interesting when some new faces jumped out front early, and the heavy hitters struggled with starts, bike problems and crashes. Schrader’s Yamaha’s Shawn Maffenbeier grabbed both Royal Distributing holeshots on his YZ250F. Despite falling backwards after the halfway mark, it was nice to him up front, representing the flat lands of Saskatchewan. Could the 16-year-old be the next “Superman?” We’ll see! Monster Energy Leading Edge Kawasaki’s momentum took a quick blow with Nick Evennou and Teddy Maier having one tough moto each. However, they are still sitting second and third in the championship.

What else went down in the Dunes? Take a read….
 

Paul Lamb "Chops" came out of nowhere to finish second overall to Eric Nye in MX2 at Gopher Dunes. Well, that's not totally true. Paul has raced in Canada before, and finished fifth in the second moto at Ste-Julie a week ago. From what I hear, Lamb "Chops" is not following the series west, so that will surely shake up the leader board.  

Rumour has it that Royal Distributing/Thor/Riverside KTM Canada's Eric Nye "The Science Guy" (what's with the nicknames, eh?) discovered a magic potion to make the Gopher Dunes sand feel more like the hard packed California tracks he's used to. It definitely worked, as Nye won both motos and now has a 20-point lead over Nick Evennou.  

Poor, Nick! After going 2-2-3 through the first three MX2 motos, the Leading Edge Kawasaki rider came together with another rider over the big finish line tabletop at the Dunes, causing him a DNF. However, he's still in the championship hunt and sits second in points.  

The Schuster's - and Snap-On Canada - spiced things up at the Dunes, awarding the top mechanic in each class with a brand new Snap-On toolbox. Nye's mechanic, Shawn Porter, accepted his trophy from Snap-On's Glen Caley. Suzuki mechanic, Steve Simms, took home the prize in MX1, thanks to his rider, Tyler Medaglia's overall win in MX1.

Clearbrook Yamaha's Kyle Beaton (right) joined Nye (middle) and Lamb (left) on the box with his 4-2 scores for third overall.

KTM Canada is receiving some flack for bringing up Florida's Jacqueline Ross for the Canadian Women's National Series instead of hiring a Canadian. While we normally get frustrated with Americans stealing rides over Canucks, it's hard not to fall in love with Ross' aggressive riding style and that sweet, sweet sound of her KTM 144 SX. Ross swept the Ladies motos and has a comfortable lead in the series.  

What a week it's been for Jocelyn Killough! First, she was given a ride on the Suzuki/OTSFF/Rockstar team after Missy Hackett broke her collarbone in Ste-Julie (get well soon, Missy!) and then she finished 3-3 for second overall this weekend at Gopher Dunes. 

Gopher Dunes will be the last time we see Doug DeHaan at the Canadian Nationals this summer. Why? Because he's flying back to Austria shortly to be by his wife Claudia's side when she gives birth to a beautiful (and fast) baby boy! DeHaan's highlight of the weekend came when he was running third in the opening laps of the first moto. "Man, I was feeling so good, I felt like just pulling off at the whoop section and ending it right there!" joked DeHaan afterwards.

Okay, let's get this straight before there is anymore confusion: Tyler Medaglia (13) won the second MX1 moto straight up. It didn't matter that Kyle Keast (8) fell on the last lap - TM was the man of the day! I was only joking with him in his 5 mins with this week, and thought it would "spice" things up from normal interviews. He took it as joke, so everyone else should too. Speaking of no love for Medaglia, he has earned a RXC cover before and I'm betting he will again.... Here's hoping we see these two warriors carrying their momentum into Morden, along with the BC duo of Dusty Klatt and Colton Facciotti!

The real Mitch Cooke returned this weekend. Don't be fooled by Cooke's 6-6 moto finishes as they are not indicative to his riding. Cooke admitted to me that the passing of two of his buddies four weeks ago is still affecting him mentally, causing him to lose focus and he wasn't leading his normal lifestyle. "I realize now that those guys wouldn't want me to be like this, " said Cooke. "They'd want me to do what I do and that's racing motocross."

Monster Energy Cernic's Kawasaki's Dusty Klatt won't be able to get Gopher Dunes out of his mind for at least a week. That's because he lost his contacts during the first moto after removing his goggles while leading, and sand worked its way up into his eyes ...

... but Klatt held for the moto win and finished third in the final moto for second overall. He's now second in the series, 12-points behind Medaglia.  

Watching Blair Morgan (12) in practice made me a little upset that I didn't pick him in Motoleague. "Superman" did what he does best in both motos: working his way from behind for two top five finishes and fourth overall. He's also now fourth in the championship. 

Klatt's teammate, Jeff Gibson (3), holeshot the second MX1 moto and led for a few laps, before fading back to 10th. Not sure what's up with Gibson, but I'm expecting him to pick things up as the series heads out west.  

photo: Danny Brault

Check out Billy Rainford's mugshot on his CMRC credential! 

photo: Brault

Men amongst boys: Medaglia, Klatt and Keast were the top MX1 survivors of the Gopher Dunes national this year.

See you at the races! 

photo: Brault