Mike Alessi Wins in Quebec

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MotoConcepts Racing: DESCHAMBAULT Report

SPOKANE, WA (July 28, 2014) – The seventh round of the Canadian Motocross Nationals started off with thunderstorms that casted over qualifying practices at the Deschambault race track near Quebec City. Founded in 1976, the rock-free, hard pack track is a premier race facility that rejoined the CMRC circuit last year after its 2003/2004 debut. Located in the heart of Canada’s French territory, this challenging and especially demanding track gave Smartop MotoConcepts riders, Mike Alessi (#800/450), Vince Friese (#719/250), and the new addition, Jeff Alessi (#801/450), a break from the sandy soils of the previous two rounds. “Consistency was our main focus this weekend”, stated by team manager, Tony Alessi, “there were a couple of times where Mike and Vince could have pushed for position advancements but the risk was not worth the reward in the long run”.

It became a full family affair this weekend as Mike’s younger brother, Jeff Alessi, joined the Smartop MotoConcepts team for the last four rounds of the CMRC nationals. Recently, Jeff has been busy conducting riding schools in the States but when team owner, Mike Genova, called and invited him to join the team for the end of the season he knew this was an opportunity he could not pass up. His father Tony said, “We were expecting Jeff to be around the 10th position range and he executed that very well”. Jeff’s efforts secured him 9th place in MX1 Moto one, 12th in Moto two, and a gratifying 8th overall for the day.

The MX2 championship was in close range for Vince Friese but after this weekend the reach for the top position has extended to a thirty-three point difference behind points leader and Canadian native, Kaven Benoit. Friese unfortunately had a bad jump off the start in Moto one and rounded out the first corner in the 14th position. He pushed through the field of riders ahead of him as he weighed out the risk to reward ratio with every pass. Even with rutted and choppy conditions, he was able to protect 4th place, trailing seconds behind 3rd. Friese learned from his mistake and he found himself contending for the holeshot in Moto two. After running in second for over half the race the unpredictable track conditions caused him to cross-rut and sent him over the bars after a gnarly high-side. A 7th place finish and 4th overall was a respectable compromise for the cards he was dealt that day.

Mike Alessi came into the seventh round twenty-eight points behind yet another Canadian native, Colton Facciotti. With that knowledge, Alessi knew consistency each weekend would be his key to success, even if the championship seems to be a long stretch with only four rounds left. In Moto one, Alessi came around the first turn in 6th and finished his first lap in position four. He would make his way up to second by the time lap eleven rolled around and resided there until the race was over. Alessi grabbed a third place start in Moto two and within 2 laps, made his way past Bobby Kiniry for second. Facciotti had already begun to pull away from the #800 bike but Alessi knew he didn’t need to finish first in order to receive the overall for the day. Comfortable and content, he chose to play it safe, ride within his comfort zone and focus on the goal of consistency set for the day. The podium held Alessi at the top, now only twenty-seven points behind, after taking second in both Motos.

We wish to thank our sponsors including Smartop, JT Racing, FMF, Ohlins Suspension, MotoGraphics, Alpinestars, NorthWest Steel Fab, WASPcam, Boyesen, Dunlop, Mika Metals, UFO, CV4, Leo Vince Carbon Products, Peg Armor, VP Fuels, Guts, DT1, MotoOptics, Works Connection, Galfer, Supersprox, Excel, Hinson, and Victorville MC Center.