By Danny Brault

Photos: Allison Kennedy

Two-time U.S. Arenacross champ Darcy Lange is back. After taking the summer off to allow his injuries to heal, Lange spent two weeks in California testing the new Kawasaki models, then flew to Toronto for the first round of the Canadian Arenacross series. In practice and qualifying, Lange looked fast but in the main events he seemed to ride tight and slightly below his potential. However, that is just one race and his first since last winter. We caught up with Darcy following the 250 main at Toronto, to discuss his return, the Canadian AX series and his upcoming supercross opportunity.

RXC: So, Darcy, how did it go for your first race back?

Darcy Lange: It was a good warm-up. It was my first race back since last year, I’m pretty frustrated in the way I’ve done, but we’ve got next weekend and a few more after that. So hopefully I can make some points up and do a little better.

Well you haven’t been on the bike that much.

No, I’ve got about eight or nine days on it. I feel good, I just feel rusty coming out of the corners. I’m not hitting them right and my arms are pumping up a little this weekend. But no excuses, Colton and everyone are going really fast. It’s going to be tough.

Are you excited to race the Canadian Arenacross series?

For sure, I’m pumped. I’ve got supercross coming up this year and it’s a good warm-up, it gets your heart rate up quick and the tracks are fast, so you learn how to get into the corners fast. So yeah, it’s good.

Riding isn’t racing, so do you think you were getting tight out there because of nerves?

Yes, and when I get in front, I just ride real tight when people are behind me and I get thinking too much. Then I got cleaned out by [Marco] Dubé and went into the 250 just pissed right off and had one thing on my mind and that was getting him back. I shouldn’t be like that. I have an opportunity and I should just get out there and race; that’s why I’m here.

So what are your plans now? Will you head back to California?

I fly back to California tomorrow and we’re going to do a bunch of testing with the production suspension. The team is back down there now, so things are going to start rolling in that direction for supercross. I’ll just fly back up here and do these races every weekend.

Is there any word on who else will be racing with the Richmond supercross team?

Kyle Chisholm is finalized and Teddy Maier. I don’t know what they’re trying to do for another west rider, though.

So it sounds like the team is a satellite team for Pro Circuit Kawasaki.

Yeah, pretty much. It sounds like Kawasaki will be behind us 100 percent, so our bikes will be pretty much the same as theirs.

You have had top ten finishes in supercross before, so you must be looking forward to be running an entire series?

Yeah, when I did those that year I didn’t ride to my full potential. I was behind guys that race in arenacross and I beat every weekend. I’m pretty excited to do it because for one, it has been my goal for my life and Kawasaki this year—they are awesome bikes.

Do you feel stronger after taking the summer off?

Yes. My ankle is healing up, everything was pretty much 100 percent as soon as I got back riding.

Did you miss the racing the Canadian nationals?

Oh yeah. After watching Mission, I went home and rode everyday. But a week isn’t enough time to get into shape. I mean, it was hard, for sure, it was my first year watching. But I will be back next year.