By Danny Brault

On the road again … just can’t wait to get on the road again. The Mez and The Giver are back in the Chevrolet, back on the road, and I’m still referring to myself in the third person for some strange reason. Kerim “Kermee” Fitz-gerald and his better (looking) half, Chloe, are joining us as well for the 15-hour journey to Moncton, New Brunswick for Round 5 of the Monster Energy MX Nationals at River Glade.

I hope everybody had a nice relaxing weekend off. I know I did. One of my non-moto buddies, Jay “Pipes” Doherty, invited me to an afternoon social at his mom’s boss’ place. As it turned out, the bossman was a millionaire with a big house, five cars, and an autographed set of Muhammad Ali boxing gloves. To top if off, he paid 80’s rocker, Kim Mitchell, to perform in his backyard! I’m no Kim Mitchell fan (although I don’t mind jamming to “I am a wild party” and “Patio Lanterns”) but it can’t be cheap to have the leg-kicking rocker hanging out at your house. I was surprised to see that Kim lost his locks and shaved his head. Not a bad look, but it doesn’t really scream, “rock ‘n’ roll.” Anyways, nothing to do with motocross, but it was fun nonetheless.

I caught up with some of Atlantic Canada’s moto-alumni this week for a “Moncton Memories” feature on the website, and man, did they ever crank up my spirit for racing. Larry Northrup, Earl Doucette, Larry McCaw, Glen Hoar, and Ryan Lockhart and his dad, Scott, all shared their best memories from River Glade, which has held nationals since 1980. (Click here to read them.) All of the guys told great stories, but it was Toys for Big Boys’ Northrup’s comments that really stuck out.

“What I like most about down here is that it’s not the River Glade national—this is the Atlantic Region’s national. We were the first ones to do this amateur day before hand to have something going on. It gives everybody ownership in it, right? Everybody feels good about it, ‘It’s national weekend, I’m going racing on a national track. I’m racing on the same track that JSR is!’ For kids, that means a lot.”

It certainly does mean a lot to those kids, Larry. I can’t wait to be part of the Atlantic community. Going to the River Glade is like going to a family reunion; everyone knows each other, everyone’s into it, and they go absolutely nuts for their local heroes like Mitch Cooke and Ryan Lockhart. In fact, if one of those guys wins a moto this weekend, they will be carried into the city of Moncton and voted in as mayor.

Blackfoot East has made their annual trip from Newfoundland to Moncton. They’ve been camping out at the Cooke’s place in Brookfield, NS since Tuesday, taking in Wednesday Night Motos at Pleasant Valley and creating friendships and laughs everywhere they go. If you spot Rod and the boys at The Glade, be sure to stop and say hello. They are the salt of Canadian motocross.

“The Spanish Fly” Johnny Montes will race his one and only national at River Glade. The Atlantic Motoplex rider told us this week that he’s having his best summer yet, enjoying life at home and Saturday night campfires at the races, and he’s working hard to get into the boil-maker’s union. You read right, Johnny Montes is ready to enter the workforce. He’s so dedicated that he even can’t make it to Sand Del Lee or Walton because he has safety courses to attend. I wonder if he’d let me tag along for his first day on the job. Wouldn’t that be an interesting story? Read what’s on Johnny’s mind here.

One unfortunate thing about this weekend in Moncton is that some goofball concert promoter went and booked the Eagles for Saturday night, leaving us moto fans and racers with nowhere to sleep because the hotels were booked up back in February. That’s cool for Eagles fans, but not cool for spectator attendance at The Glade.

We’re going to be missing a few warriors this weekend, unfortunately. After his best ride yet in Nanaimo, Suzuki/OTSFF/Rockstar’s Brady Sheren was caught up in a first turn crash in the second MX1 moto at Edmonton that left him with a broken hand. Sheren didn’t actually go down, but was hit by Chuck Mesley’s Honda that went flying across the first corner. Sheren will miss the remaining rounds, but should be back in time for the Montreal Supercross. Hmm, I wonder how Sheren will finish at Montreal following his fourth-place and top Canadian ride at Toronto in March….

Grande Prairie’s Drew Clegg was supposed to pit with Label It Racing in River Glade, but the privateer Honda rider has decided to stay home and hold onto his points lead in the Alberta Provincial Series. It’s too bad as Clegg has had some good showings in the western rounds, but if he comes east, he will no doubt lose some valuable contingency from Honda for winning the provincial title.

While Label It has Jason Burke returning to action after injuring both of wrists in Raymond four weeks ago, their MX2 rider, Davey Fraser, remains on the sidelines with a busted wrist and cracked ribs. Team manager Brad Coles has brought in intermediate racer, Brandyn Cowie, to replace Fraser. Roost Clothing caught up Burke right here to see how things have been going.

So what’s going to go down this weekend at The Glade? We’ll find out when the gate drops, but it’s hard to bet against the boys in blue. In MX1, Colton Facciotti has won 7 of the last 8 motos, and his veteran teammate Blair Morgan has been on the box in the last two rounds, even keeping pace with Colt in the second moto in Edmonton. While Blackfoot’s Aron Harvey had a rough start in Ste-Julie, the Nevada kid has improved steadily and is undefeated in the last four motos. He’s now only 12 points back of Eric Nye in the MX2 championship.

The Medaglia brothers and the Suzuki/OTSFF/Rockstar team are not settling in with three rounds to go. In fact, team manager Andre Laurin hired Ryan Hughes to come live, ride and train with Tyler and Jeremy for three days this week. “It all started with Cole Gress and Suzuki U.S.,” said Laurin on how Hughes entered the picture. “We had talked to Ryan about racing for us this year but he was busy building his new riding and training facility. It’s definitely not cheap but we figured it would be a good investment for these final races.”

Tyler says he’s soaked up everything from Ryno. “It was awesome. He doesn’t hold back and tells you how it is. He’s a heath nut and taught us everything from nutrition to training to riding. It’s not that I’m getting tired but I just need to use my energy more wisely. I’m hoping to work some more with him this fall and winter.”

Not sure how much of a difference three days can make, but Tyler seems fired up and ready to go. His little bro, Jeremy, told me in Edmonton he wants nothing more than to win one of these things. Can’t wait to see how these two do when we visit their hometown national at SDL next weekend.

After bike troubles in Nanaimo and some arm pump issues in Edmonton, Kyle “KD Beets” Beaton is just looking to have some fun out east. I was a little disappointed to hear Beets say that he “threw his season out the door already” in a 5 mins with … on Monday. Sure, his season hasn’t been all roses, but he’s been on the podium three times, won a moto in Regina, qualified for his first AMA national (on his first try), and is only four points back of third in the MX2 series. Not a bad year in my opinion. Think positive, Beets; there are still three rounds and six motos left. Anything can happen.

Leading Edge Kawasaki’s Teddy Maier has been on the podium in the last two rounds since returning from an ankle injury. He hasn’t really had great starts either. Maier, Nye, Harvey, and Beaton appear to be the fastest 250F guys right now and any one of these guys can win motos. KTM’s Mason Phillips is showing podium potential as of late, and the South African, Fitz-gerald, could be a wild card if he gets a start.
Speaking of Leading Edge, the team gathered in Moncton this week to work on a promo with the Destroyer Films duo of Chris and Cody. James Lissimore sent along this note and photos….

“I flew in today to Moncton and hung out with the Destroyer Films boys as they filmed a Team promo video with the Monster Energy/Thor/Leading Edge Kawasaki team. Here are a few photos that were kind of funny. Nick has his holeshot technique dialed in and was trying out his new hyperbaric chamber. Chris and Cody had the dolly set up so I'm sure we'll see some epic shots from the day. Anyways, I'm at Cody's place tonight in Fredericton so I'll talk to you tomorrow.”

Thanks, Liss! And kudos again to a wicked sweet Privateer Report. I’m sure the working-class heroes and their sponsors appreciate it. If you missed it, click here.

Here is a stat for you readers: Yamaha has won nine out of 12 overalls (MX1 and MX2) this year. (Facciotti (5), Harvey (2), Hibbert (2).) Kawasaki and KTM are the only other two manufacturers with overall wins. Maier and Klatt each have a win for Kawi while Nye swept the MX2 motos for KTM at Gopher. Let’s break it down one step further and see which riders have the most moto wins:

Facciotti – 9
Harvey – 4
Nye - 3
Hibbert – 3
Klatt – 2
T. Medaglia – 1
Maier – 1
Beaton - 1

Things may get shaken up this weekend as rain is in the forecast. We haven’t really had a mud race yet this year. We had some showers Sunday morning at Morden, but nothing to waste a pack of tear-offs on. After his win in the muck last year at Morden, Cooke has to be considered. Despite lackluster results so far, Cooke did show some aggression and desire in Edmonton. I know he loved the muddy conditions this week at Pleasant Valley.

Cracker Promotions will be on hand selling Team Canada swag to help raise money for our Des Nations team. So swing by and support Team Canada by purchasing some goodies and then head over to the pro pits to get them signed by Team Canada’s Dusty Klatt, Colton Facciotti and Tyler Medaglia. Every loonie counts!

Future Team Canada prospects, Dean Wilson and Richard Grey, made us proud this week, winning motos at Loretta Lynn’s. Orange Motorsports KTM’s Grey won the first 85cc 12-13 moto while Team Green’s Wilson picked up a win in 450 B Mod. We received this update yesterday from Evolved Nutrition’s Drew Robertson:

“Second day of racing here at Loretta Lynn's, and the first day Dean Wilson hit the Tennessee dirt. In his first moto of the day, 450 B mod, Dean got a great jump, grabbed the holeshot and never looked back. On the 8th lap in Dean recorded the fastest lap of the week so far and when the checkers came out he had a 10 second lead!

“In Dean's second moto of the day, the 250 B stock class, he didn't have the greatest jump off the gate, going into the first corner in 10th. Dean put his head down and charged forward, earning a well deserved 2nd at the checkers!”

Thanks, Drew! I can’t wait to see Wilson return to Canada in three weeks for the Walton TransCan. He’s the obvious favourite in intermediate, and hopefully we see him sign up for a pro class on Saturday.

RXI’s Davey Coombs has been keeping an eye on our amateur stars as well. Davey actually wrote a great article on Wilson in Racer X Canada two years ago and ate dinner alongside the Grey family at Walton in `05. He sent along this photo and update on Richard.
 
“Canadian upstart Richard Grey is competing in the 27th Annual AMA Air Nautiques Amateur National Motocross Championships at Loretta Lynn's Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee this week. After winning his first moto in the highly-competitive 85cc (12-13) Stock on his KTM, the Keswick, Ontarian rode to a hard-fought seventh in the second moto after a mid-pack start. He now stands third in the standings with his 1-7 moto scores (all three motos count towards the title) behind Honda rider Joey Savitgy (3-1) and fellow KTM rider Kody Kamm (2-3). Grey's final championship-deciding moto will likely be run on Friday afternoon.”

For complete results from Loretta Lynn's, follow this link.

 
The Walton Golf Classic continues this year. The event is used to raise money for the “Walton Injured Riders Fund” and it’s always a good time for industry folk and riders. It’s a four-man best ball format and the cost is $25 per person. Organizer Greg Workman asks for anyone wishing to play to come up with a four-man team ahead of time. Singles will be paired up. If you’re interested in sponsoring a hole and helping out some injured riders, the cost is $200. Please contact Greg at 905-702-3854 or Billy Whitley at 936-674-6311 for more info.

KTM Canada’s race director, Andy White, who suffered some heart problems a month ago before the Morden national returns to the track this weekend. “I received good news this week!” says White. “The doctors gave me the ok to get back to the racing. I was told to take it easy for the next couple of weeks. I am on my way to Moncton to watch some racing.” That is good news, Andy, we’re looking forward to seeing you back at the races!

Okay, time to prep the Sturgess Cycle 2-5-9 and get ready for my debut in MX2 this weekend. I’ve been working my butt off in the last week (a week worth of training/riding is enough preparation for a national, eh?) and can’t wait to see where I fit in the mix. All you MX2 contenders, check out these Sturessonline.com helmet cam shows (Ste-Julie, Gopher Dunes, Morden, Regina, Nanaimo) to see what you're up against. It's frightening, really.

Thanks for reading!