Monday Gate Drop

Hello and happy Monday to all. I hope everyone had a great weekend regardless of whether you spent it at a race track, a beach, at home or somewhere else. Weather wise it was pretty decent weekend at least where I live, both Saturday and Sunday started off a little foggy, however by noon the sun was out and the temperatures were climbing. Not bad as we’re approaching the end of August and the end of summer as most people know it. In most parts of Canada the kids will be going back to school next Tuesday, so if you know a teacher or see one walking around slightly depressed, please give them a hug as their summer is coming to end also.

If you were one of the lucky riders who attended the MMRS Madoc National then by all accounts you had a great time. I heard the turn out was good and the racing was exciting, especially seeing Dylan Wright on a YZF450. Is there anyone out there who thinks Dylan should race the 450 class in 2015? I mean, besides me. Here is my thought process. First, for a 16 year old this kid is as strong as an ox! He’s tall, fit and since muscle mass equals weight, he’s not the lightest kid on the track. Also, through the grapevine (actually Kevin Tyler told me) he rides a 450 very smooth and calculating as I’m sure the fans in Madoc got to witness first hand on the weekend. Now, I don’t want to talk about some of the problems he had this summer on his 250F because this isn’t a debate, however, there certainly were some issues that come with a rookie just simply trying too hard. You can’t blame Dylan for this as he is just a teenager and new to the pro class. My point is that he’s big and strong and more mature than most kids his age, heck if Dylan were playing hockey coming out of the OHL, and he had all of these intangibles, I’m pretty sure he’d be headed straight to the NHL. Again, this just my opinion and I also could be sold on the fact that maybe a few more years on a 250F would be more beneficial to Dylan long term.

Like almost everyone in Canada, I paid special attention on Saturday to the final round of the AMA Nationals in Utah. Knowing that Colton Facciotti was lining up quickly reminded me how cool it is when we have a Canadian in the field. Unfortunately, the day didn’t go as planned as Colton had a big crash on the first lap of moto one, and although he did get up and charge back to 16th. After the race he was very sore and on the advice of the Asterisk Medical crew he went to the local hospital to get checked out. The hospital in Utah gave Colton the okay to fly home on Sunday so that his own doctors could check him out. His injuries could range from just bumps and bruises to a broken collarbone so we’ll just have to wait and see. Obviously, if he has a broken collarbone than it might put his MXON in jeopardy for the end of September, as Colton may just want to heal up properly so he’s ready to go for 2015. It’s all just conjecture right now until Colton sees his doctor.

It’s too bad because everyone knows what Colton is capable of and with his resume he certainly doesn’t have anything to prove other than to himself. It’s just unfortunate to be saying Colton Facciotti and the word injury in the same sentence again, especially after his magical summer. I spoke to him this morning and although we started off talking about Utah, the conversation quickly turned to his championship run in 2014. Here is what the champ had to say.

MXP: Colton, I hate to have to ask you this again but how are you feeling?

CF: I’m okay a little sore as you would expect but I’m laying on the floor in my basement so I can’t be that sore.

What! I pictured you to be sitting on your deck with a beverage soaking up some sun and relaxing?

(laughs), That would be nice Palms but there’s no time for that. I have to keep working!

Well, let me speak for everyone when I say how proud we are that you got back up and had a really good moto in Utah despite your crash. The crash sounded like a good one?

Thank you, and yes it was a good crash, if you’re going to do something you might as well do it right.

Was it one of those crashes where you had time to think about how much it was probably going to hurt?

For sure, I rode the front wheel for a while so I knew it was coming. If the bike hadn’t got me than I’d probably be okay but it followed me in. But that’s racing, I was thinking about calling it a day but so much work and effort went into getting me down there that I at least wanted to do something. Once I got up and started racing, I was sore but not too bad.

 Well, last to 16th works for me. That was a pretty gutsy ride all things considered. So you ended up going to the hospital for observation and then you flew home yesterday. What is the status of your injuries?

They said I just bruised my lung so that’s why I was coughing up blood. That all checked out fine, the only issue is the x-rays showed a piece broken off the end of my collarbone but they didn’t know if it’s new or from an older injury. I have to see my doctor this week and have him compare this new x-ray to an old one, and then we’ll know for sure.

Hopefully the news is good and you can keep training for Latvia and whatever other races you have planned. I selfishly want you to race the Monster Cup so your boss has to build you a SX track (laughs). Lets talk about the summer for a minute. With everything you’ve been though the last few years, was this championship perhaps the sweetest for you?

Not really, they’ve been really cool in their own way. Yes, I’ve been injured a few times recently but that’s part of the sport and all you can do is train hard and come back. That is what I did this year and it all worked out nicely, so yes this year was incredible but so were all the others.

Did you approach this summer differently racing against Mike Alessi. For instance, we all know what a great starter he is, so did you work harder on your starts?

Not really no, he signed up late, so all winter I trained without knowing he was coming up to Canada. Metcalfe was supposed to race but didn’t, so I just did my own thing and made sure I was ready. I knew that if I was at my best then I would be competitive regardless of who came up here, that’s all I could do. As far as starts, it was more about getting used to them on a Honda than anything. You can practice them all week but as soon as you get to a race it feels different and you react different with nerves.

Do you feel like you rode better than you ever have this summer?

I wouldn’t say better, but I was certainly more aware of what to do and what not to do. Some weekends I was faster and some weekends someone else was, so I just tried to focus on each moto and do my best. Alessi was really fast this summer and it’s unfortunate that he had a few mechanical issues, however that’s racing and we’ve all been there. If he comes back in 2015, he will be even more prepared so he’ll be tough.

 I have a feeling that you and your GDR Team will be even more prepared also?

Yes, we learned a few things as the summer went on about the bike and how it reacted to different conditions. It was all good though and I was really happy with my Honda this year.

Was there one race that you thought was a turning point for the championship?

Not really, maybe Deschambault was a really good race for me and I was able to pull away. Honestly, I felt good right from the first round and just tried to carry that right through the entire series. I felt like I got better starts in the East so that was a big thing. I don’t know, the whole series was good for us and it was great to win the MX1 title again.

Well Colton, heal up and we’ll catch up soon. Again, great season and congratulations.

Thank you very much!

Well there you have it, straight from the horses mouth so to speak. Colton is going to be fine and hopefully the MXON and even the Monster Cup won’t be an issue. That’s it for me this week. I hope everyone has a safe week and a great long weekend. Finally, congratulations to Denaye Giroux who tied the knot over the weekend. Although it’s sad to see her off the market, it’s looks as though she made a beautiful bride!! We wish you many happy years Denaye and Brendon.