DIGGING DEEP IN THE DUNES: KTM Red Bull Royal Distributing MX2 and MX1 PR

DIGGING DEEP IN THE DUNES:

Facciotti and Klatt leave it all on the track

Monday July 16. St-Bruno, QC – After a three break to rest and re-group, riders and teams hit the rev limiter as the CMRC Motocross Nationals resumed action last Saturday at Gopher Dunes in Courtland, ON.  It was a new beginning of sorts for the KTM Red Bull Royal Distributing Fox Racing’s MX1 riders, with BC native Dusty Klatt having spent two weeks out East, adjusting to warmer temps and softer tracks, and Colton Facciotti allowing time to rest his nagging shoulder injury.

Right away it was evident that Klatt’s time out east has paid off, as he logged the third fastest qualifying time and looked more comfortable on his 450 SX-F. Also quickly evident, sadly, was what progress Facciotti had made on his separated shoulder, was now torn apart by the body jarring Gopher Dunes track. “We gave Colton the option of sitting this one out, but he won’t take it; he wants to keep racing and finish the year on the podium,” says KTM Canada’s Race Manager, Andy White.

Moto one saw the two KTM riders separated by about 25 riders, with Facciott rounding lap one in fifth-place and Klatt crashing in the first turn. While Facciotti kept a solid pace going to salvage what points he could and finish fifth, Klatt put together one of his most impressive rides yet, passing riders lap after lap to come from 28^th to 6^th .

 

Klatt would rebound in the second moto, however, coming around the first corner in second before jumping into the lead two corners later. After maintaining the lead for five laps, Klatt would succumb to sand specialist Matt Georke, before spending most of the race battling for second with Tyler Medaglia. Klatt would eventually cross the finish in fourth.

“I didn’t realize how close fourth-place was until it was too late,” recalls Klatt. “I was having trouble with lappers for part of the race, but it’s the same for everyone. I’m happy though; this is probably the best race I’ve had at Gopher Dunes in the last four years, so that feels good. My 450 SX-F is working really well right now, and I’m excited for Ste-Julie and Moncton, two tracks that really fit my style.”

 

Similar to the first moto, Facciotti started off strong, but by the halfway mark, the defending champ was in obvious pain and his lap times slowed by almost 10 seconds from the first to last lap.  “My shoulder was feeling better than ever … until we hit the track today,” says Facciotti, who managed to run the leaders’ pace early in both motos, despite injury.

“I don’t think anyone realizes how much pain Colton is riding in,” adds White. “Even we have a hard time knowing because he’s so quiet about the injury; he still believes he can win one of these things. I’m happy with how our guys rode today. Dusty gave it everything he head, both motos, and I give credit to Colton for even lining up, let alone finishing fifth.”

 

KTM RIDERS ON THE BOX AT CANADA’S TOUGHEST NATIONAL:

Kaven Benoit and Jeremy Medaglia finish second and third in MX2 class at Gopher Dunes

Monday July 16. St-Bruno, QC – After a three week break, the CMRC Motocross Nationals resumed action last Saturday at Gopher Dunes in Courtland, ON.  Known as “the toughest track in Canada,” Gopher Dunes more than lived up to that billing this year, especially when you add in the equally as evil heat and humidity. In fact, as a spectator, you were getting tired watching riders go round and round the whooped out sand monster. While most racers couldn’t wait for motos to end, KTM’s Jeremy Medaglia and Kaven Benoit were begging for more.

The opening MX2 moto saw KTM Canada/ Duroy Racing’s Benoit jumping out to a great start before taking the lead a few laps in. Things didn’t go as smoothly for KTM Red Bull Royal Distributing Fox Racing’s Medaglia, unfortunately, who was caught up with other riders in the first turn. As Benoit continued to gap second place, and eventually earn his first win of the year, Medaglia put his head down and charged all the way from 20^th to 3^rd place at the checkers. Surely Medaglia wanted the win, but watching him catch and pass riders every lap provided a great show for fans!

 

After cooling down in KTM’s ‘pit-pool’ between motos, Medaglia came storming out of the gate in moto two with a great start and the early lead. At about the halfway mark, Medaglia began feeling pressure from Teddy Maier, while Benoit rode all alone in third. Despite laying down fast, consistent lap times, Medaglia lost the lead late in the race to a slightly quicker Maier.

It was a strong ride and result for Medaglia, but the kid isn’t satisfied. “It’s good, and I’m still right there in the championship, but I’m not putting in all of this work for second or third. I’m here to win,” he said afterwards.

 

“Gopher Dunes is always a true test of man and machine, and I’m super impressed with the way Jeremy and Kaven rode today,” says Andy White, KTM Canada’s Race Manager. “The guys rode strong every lap and put their KTMs on the podium in both motos. Hopefully we can do it again this weekend in Ste-Julie!”

 

Please visit ktmcanada.com or Facebook.com/KTMCANADA for the latest news, photos and videos featuring the KTM Red Bull Royal Distributing Fox Racing Team. Or follow us on Twitter:

 

@ktmcanadamx

@coltonfacciotti

@Dustyklatt

@jeremymedaglia

 

 

Results –Round 5 of the CMRC Motocross Nationals
Gopher Dunes. Courtland, ON

 

MX1
1. Matt Georke 1-1

2. Bobby Kiniry 2-3

3. Tyler Medaglia 4-2

4. Dusty Klatt 5-6

5. Colton Facciotti 6-5

 

MX2
1. Teddy Maier 2-1

2. Kaven Benoit 1-3

3. Jeremy Medaglia 3-2

4. Topher Ingalls 4-4

5. Richard Grey 9-5

 

Championships points after Round 5 of 9

MX1

1. Matt Georke – 247
2. Bobby Kiniry – 211
3. Tyler Medaglia – 182
4. Colton Facciotti – 175
5. Dusty Klatt – 143

 

MX2

1. Teddy Maier – 231
2. Jeremy Medaglia – 211
3. Jared Allison – 154
4. Kyle Beaton – 142
5. Brad Nauditt – 141

KTM Canada thanks all of our sponsors for their generous support in 2012!

Red Bull, Royal Distributing, Fox, Dunlop, FMF, Factory Connection, DID, Talon, DUBYA, DT1 Filters, VP Racing Fuels, Acerbis, Cometic Gaskets, T.M. Designworks, Matrix, Motorex, Renthal, GoPro, Shorai Batteries, Mechanix Wear, Magnum, Hinson, All Balls, Four Werx Carbon, Podium Grafix, CL Brakes, SteadyMate, Ride Engineering, Nihilo, Dalton Insurance, Custom Decals, and IMS.