Decal Works Presents Monday Gate Drop

As it’s been for a long time, this week’s Monday Gate Drop is brought to you by the fine hockey loving people of DeCal Works. We only have a couple of weeks left before Christmas, so now is the perfect time to go to www.decalmx.com and within a few minutes you can design and order your very own set of custom graphics.

Here we are on the first official Monday of December and the countdown to Christmas has definitely kicked into overdrive. While the calendar says that it’s December 7th, someone has forgotten to tell Mother Nature what time of year it is. This past weekend my family spent most of our time inside a hockey arena where it was as cold as it always is, however there were a few Ontario moto families that got their bikes back out and spent some time riding. Obviously riding in December is a very rare occurrence in Ontario at least, but I guess we’ll take it when we can get it. I know that there is an El Nino this winter in the Pacific Ocean and the winter oceans currents are approximately three degrees warmer than usual. Whenever this weather phenomenon happens it always moderates the early part of our winters, and that’s exactly what is happening right now. It’s kind of cool when you hear or see stories of some die-hard Canadian motoheads out riding in December. It really drives home just how much we love our riding in this country.

Speaking of riding in December, tonight I’m flying out to California to get what I really feel is an opportunity of a lifetime. On Wednesday, a few selected journalist and I will get the chance to spend the day test riding the 2016 KTM Factory Edition models. These new KTMs are going to be incredible as the ‘Factory Edition’ models come from KTM all decked out with the best features available. If you want to ride a motorcycle that is as close to Ryan Dungey’s as possible, these models are the bikes for you. On Tuesday the media will all meet at the KTM SX track where these new bikes will be unveiled. Newly signed Slaton Racing/ KTM Canada rider and Canadian hero Cole Thompson will be on hand to greet us and say hello. Then hopefully we’ll get to watch the pros ride some SX before we all get to ride the Factory Edition KTMs on Wednesday. As you all can imagine, I’m very excited to gear up and get some December riding in myself on what are arguably the most advance dirt bikes that money can buy. Look for a full report on mxpmag.com and follow my trip on Twitter (@mxpmagazine) and Instagram (@mxpmag).

Also heading out on a media tour this week is our Social Media guy Doug Mochrie of Holeshot1 Media. While I’m heading to California, Doug is currently in Salt Lake City for a big Nitro Circus press conference where they will talk about their expanded 2016 Canadian Tour. This tour next year will, for the first time in Nitro Circus’s history, be visiting slightly smaller markets like London, Ontario and Prince George, BC. Yes, the home of Cycle North Honda and Jess Pettis will welcome a Nitro Circus Show in September of 2016. We can’t wait for Doug to return on Tuesday from SLC to see just what the leading movement in action sports had to say about 2016 and beyond.

From media launches and press conferences to actual racing, let’s begin our next discussion with what happened this past weekend in Australia. Normally we wouldn’t pay too much attention to what is happening Down Under, however, when our favourite ‘Little Rippa’ is racing and going for a SX title, we have to take notice. Heading into Saturday’s final round, Jimmy Decotis held a substantial lead in the SX2 class points. Even after a first turn pile up in the main event Saturday night, Jimmy D remounted and cruised around, did what he had to do and took home the 2015 SX2 class Australian SX Championship. Jimmy will now return to the USA and begin the next chapter in his racing career, which is ride with the powerful Geico Honda Team for the 2016 Monster Energy SX Series. With his speed and confidence at an all-time high, I predict some pretty good things from Jimmy in 2016. In fact, it wouldn’t surprise me to see him in the top five consistently and possibly on the podium a few times. Jimmy is a born SX rider, and there is no doubt that if he can stay healthy and get through the first few rounds of the West Lites class with a few solid finishes, look for him to be a real player in the championship battle. Of course, the better Jimmy D does in SX the less of a chance we have of seeing him race the Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals next summer. I would think that if he does really well in SX then Geico Honda will offer Jimmy a ride for the 2016 outdoor season. Like most Canadian race fans, I’m in a tough spot as I will be cheering for Jimmy is SX but I also hope we see him back in Canada next summer as the MX2 Series definitely needs him. Here is a sample of the official press release from Jimmy’s Australian Honda Team after clinching the 2016 SX2 Championship:

As for Decotis, despite the huge start he gave the field after his first turn tangle, he put the bit between his teeth and charged hard, moving inside the top ten in rapid fashion and then ultimately getting to seventh before motoring home to the flag, confident in the
knowledge the SX2 Australian Championship was all his.

“Man, what a night!” exclaimed Decotis after the Final, as he celebrated the Penrite Honda team’s third SX2 Championship in the past five years.

“That first turn was just crazy. After I finally got back on the bike and got going, I knew I would have to charge hard and fight to win this Championship.

“But I knew what I had to do. Once I came through and got to seventh, I knew that would be enough to get the job done.

“I’m just rapt for the whole Penrite Honda team, everyone at Honda, and all the sponsors that made this Championship possible.”

“I’ve had the best time here in Australia. The fans are awesome, and to be taking home the Championship, I couldn’t have asked for more.”

So with the SX series wrapping up Down Under, out in BC it was the final round of the 2016 Future West Moto AX Championship in Chilliwack. This exciting series began in Armstrong, BC just over a month ago, and since the gate dropped, the racing has been nothing short of amazing. With battles in every class, our Western riders should definitely be very proud of themselves. After eight action packed rounds, it was Cycle North Honda’s Ross Johnson who took home both the Pro Lites and the Pro Open titles. This year was Ross’s third season of winning this AX Championship, so congratulations to him and his biggest fan (outside of his family) Kourtney Lloyd; this duo definitely makes a great team. Here are the final points standings from both classes. Although Newf didn’t win a main event like he was supposed to, I’m going to do what I can to get Canada’s favourite Vet rider an MXP cover in 2016.
Pro Lites

1. 1 Ross Johnson 162
2. 474 Jake Anstett 152
3. 18 Brad Nauditt 148
4. 101 Ryan Lockhart 127
5. 313 Kyle Swanson 115
6. 96 Noah McConahy 110
7. 39 Jess Pettis 66
8. 55 Keylan Meston 63
9. 222 Chris Howell 57
10. 87 Kyle Springman 54

Pro Open
1. 1 Ross Johnson 174
2. 101 Ryan Lockhart 154
3. 18 Brad Nauditt 150
4. 313 Kyle Swanson 111
5. 96 Noah McConahy 111
6. 474 Jake Anstett 105
7. 39 Jess Pettis 76
8. 222 Chris Howell 67
9. 176 Colby Wellings 62
10. 51 Brock Leitner 55

So with the Future West Moto AX Series now completed for another year, it feels like the official Holiday season can begin. With only a few weeks remaining until Santa visits, it’s never too late to start behaving or to get out to buy that perfect gift for someone. Whatever you do, though, please travel safe and do your best to be a little extra patient. Again, I’d like to send a big congrats out to Jimmy D and Ross Johnson on their recent indoor titles. While these two riders weren’t born on Canadian soil, they both love this country and consider it their second home. I’d personally love to see both Jimmy and Ross racing in Canada next summer! Well, that’s it for me this week. I hope everyone has a great week and most importantly, a safe week.