Motocross Performance Magazine Canadian Motocross news leader
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Well friends, once again that fasten seat belt sign has been lit as the 30 second board is about to go up on our flight into what promises to be a very exciting weekend of racing. For as far back as I can remember I do not believe as much attention and focus in its 63-year history has been placed on the first round of the World Championship that will kick off in Qatar tomorrow. That, coupled with the second consecutive weekend of racing in Atlanta where fittingly after Chad Reed’s victory last Saturday night in the main event retro, will be the theme.
Chad Reed was full value for his win last weekend, and even though he admitted to tightening up early, he was able settle in as the pace setter and focus on his lap times to get the job done. Love him or hate him, Chad Reed’s feat of victory is beyond impressive and I am pretty sure I am not alone when I say I did not have him on my radar as a potential winner last Saturday. Lesson learned as history has shown me that every time I sell a winning Motocrosser short they remind me of something that is commonplace in our sport, and that is winners are that for a reason and never quit.
Knowing what a great guy Chad Reed is off the track, I was very happy to see him win in Atlanta last weekend. I hope he can pull a few more wins off before the series is over.
I have had personal experiences with Chad Reed that validate he is a first class individual, and I will be forever grateful for his giving Steve Matthes a jersey off his back to help raise money for my expenses when injured in 2011, as well as having him, only two weeks after his knee surgery in 2012, hobble up a set of stairs in the press box at the Seattle Supercross to chat with me just days after my release from hospital. Yes, Chad Reed is a winner, in my opinion, in every sense of the word, and it was nice to see him get rewarded this past Saturday for his efforts. I assure you it has not been easy for Reed to stay focussed amidst the many media and mental distractions that can defeat a rider`s cause in a heartbeat. Thinking back to the conversation I had with ‘The Man’ Roger DeCoster in Anaheim, asking him about confidence and it’ importance, he admitted that outside of talent it was the most important ingredient. My interview with Roger can be found at www.canadianmotoshow.com. I am very much looking forward to Saturday night’s retro look and track layout in Atlanta this weekend, and yes, I believe the man driving the bus, the points leader Ryan Dungey, is every bit as confident as the rest of them.
The Lites class to me has a completely different look heading into the second Atlanta, as I believe where it looked like Marvin Musquin was in a league of his own, the first round Jeremy Martin has changed that perspective drastically. Yes, they are only two rounds in but if what we saw last weekend was any indication, Martin will have something to say about Marvin’s quest for the title. Jeremy was undoubtedly the fastest, smoothest rider last weekend to earn the victory. It is not looking like Justin Bogle has the top step speed just yet, but once again, he is a proven winner and I assure you if I say it can’t happen it will, right? What I am sure of, though, is this weekend in Atlanta the dirt will be more seasoned and the winner will be the first to get the checkered flag.
Beginning this weekend in Qatar, Ryan Villopoto will be far far away from the stadiums of the USA. After today’s opening round MXGP free practice Villopoto had the 11th fastest time.
Moving on to the biggest news in the world of Motocross racing not only this year but probably ever is that of American Ryan Villopoto lining up tomorrow in Qatar for round one of the 18 round World GP series. Villopoto announced his retirement from AMA Supercross at round one of this season in Anaheim on January 3rd. Villopoto is the current and four-time champ of the sport in America’s most financially focussed discipline. Ryan’s skills in the confines of the stadiums, coupled with his ability to ride the rear wheel of a motorcycle like none other while achieving his outdoor titles, has seen him write his hall of fame script. Villopoto has overcome adversity a number of times in his career, and is setting out to put an exclamation mark on not only on his accomplishments but his bank statement.
Ryan Villipoto will become the highest paid rider in GP history with his all up front, multi-million dollar deal that will see him set out in an effort to dethrone six-time reigning champ Antonio Cairoli. This series is literally an all-out round, world Motocross marathon war with 18 scheduled rounds, which still has one venue in question. From what I have gathered, it looks like next week`s round scheduled for Brazil on August 16th will be moved to Latvia due to uncertainties in the Brazilian region. This great series will conclude on U.S. soil at the fabled Glen Helen Raceway on September 20th, and will be a great build up to the Ernie, France edition of the 2015 MX of Nations.
I have been following everything and anything related to this series, and its schedule, since the rumours of Villipoto making this move, which seems to go against the grain, has come to fruition. Quite often it is a contrary-like move where European riders, after achieving world supremacy, make the move to the American soil to contest the AMA Championship series, most recently being the likes of Marvin Musquin and Ken Roczen. Many of the chat boards have Villopoto running away with this series, and even though it is possible I do not think it will happen. Cairolli is the six-time defending Champion who won 15 of 34 Motos last year, and he will not be Villopoto’s only threat or competition. Ryan will have to overcome many scenarios and make MacGyver-like improvisations weekly in adjusting to the many diverse variables in culture, climate and terrain to achieve his goal of a championship. It can be done but in order for Ryan to be the only American born rider, since `Bad Brad` Lackey in 1982, to achieve world supremacy in the 500cc class, he will need to harness everything he has in his experienced toolkit. Good luck Ryan.
Before this ‘Friday Flight’ lifts off, I want to throw a mention out for the Canadian Women’s Motocross National series, which begins on May 30th in Kamloops, BC in the West. Foot soldiering forward with their blue collar efforts, Camille Bunko and Denaye Arnett are once again in the midst of putting together a great series to eclipse their top shelf effort of last year. They are currently looking for partners to team up with their winning efforts, and have some great packages in place to team up with your willing products and services. Also in the East, Leah Clarke and Sylvain Brodeur are currently doing the same. There is huge value for potential partners with both these series as all eyes of the Canadian Moto media world and race fans are on this great product throughout the series. They can be contacted through their Facebook pages – Cdnwmx Canadian Women’s National Series or at their website www.cdnwmx.com.
Enjoy the races this weekend friends, and whatever you do, please do your best to stay safe. Only 93 more sleeps until the first Rockstar National gate drop of 2015 in Kamloops, B.C.
Until next week, Brent ‘Airmail’ Worrall…out!
Only a few more months and the gate will be dropping on the 2015 Rockstar Energy Drink Motocross Nationals in Kamloops, BC.
