FXR Presents the Mid-Week Report With Andy White

After the season wrap-up I was really wondering what I would have to talk about in my next midweek report, but then I heard that there was going to be a Canadian invasion at the Ironman race in Indiana. In hindsight I wish I had been more proactive and made plans to head to the States to check it out. Fortunately, I knew quite a few people that were going to be there so I was able to get reports on what was happening. How cool was it that there were over seven Canadian riders signed up to compete in the 450 class? I don’t think we have seen that many Canadian riders at one US event before, and to boot there was still a tight Lites championship on the line too.

After qualifying in 5th, Tyler Medaglia got to line up beside some pretty famous company for moto 1. photo by Matt Wellumson

When I looked at the Canadian roster competing in Indiana, I realized that every one of them had a good solid year. I guess if you have top results and everything is going your way, why not take the confidence down south, expand on it and see what happens? Kaven Benoit wasted no time getting dialed in on the 450 after winning his MX2 title in Canada. Time to start riding the big bike now because Kaven is no longer allowed to race the MX2 bike after winning the series twice. I see Jeremy Medaglia was signed up to race the 450 as well. His father Derrick had mentioned to me earlier in the season that he thought Jeremy is a better 450 rider. That can’t be easy racing a 250 all year and then jump right on to a 450. It’s too bad his back was still sore from Walton and he wasn’t able to line up. I was surprised Kyle Keast made the trip south, but super pumped to see he is so motivated to continue racing. Kyle is not the fastest guy in practice and I was worried he would hold back, but I’m glad he hung it out and was able to put in a good lap to qualify for the two motos. It was kind of funny that the guy that he raced against both motos was the same guy he battled against in the last few Canadian rounds. That guy was Seth Rarick. I was really happy to see Colton Facciotti line up as well. I knew he would qualify in the top 15, which he did. I think all of us hoped he would finish in the top 5 but after looking at the list of who was there for the final round, I realized that was one stacked class. I think he rode great. The guys in front of him are all factory supported riders that make some good money racing dirt bikes. I hope Colton was happy with an 11th overall for the day. I know we are. Let’s not forget Tyler Medaglia. I think everyone was doing a double take at the monitor when they saw Tyler sitting in 5th. It was incredible. I thought it was ironic how Jeremy had the same thing happen to him back in 2010 at Southwick. He was second fastest for practice after advancing from the C practice section. Tyler looked solid battling with Benoit and finishing just in the top 20. It was cool to see Shawn Robinson and Eric Jefferies take a shot as well. Not the easiest track to qualify on but hats off to them for trying. It’s a shame they didn’t make it because there were times when they came pretty close to qualifying.

With four riders competing in Crawfordsville, things were pretty crowded under the Honda Canada GDR tent. photo by Matt Wellumson

With only 2 points separating Marvin Musquin and Jeremy Martin it was down to the final two motos of the year, and everyone was anticipating some good racing. Well, I almost fell of my chair when I saw Marvin pushing his KTM back to the mechanics’ area. I am sure everyone that was watching it on TV or at the track, whether you support him or not, felt sorry for the guy. That just sucks how the season ended for him and nothing he or the team could have done. It’s just one of those things that happens that is out of your control. In my books they are both champions. I really liked how Dungey didn’t just roll around the track to finish the year off. He gives it 110% all the time. I heard that the braking bumps were like the size of whoops and the ruts in the corners were huge.

I was really excited to see the legends compete as well. Ricky might be a few pounds heavier but he’s still got it. I thought Ferry and Windham would have been in better shape, but then again why would they need to? It was pretty cool to see Guy Cooper sky it out over the triple. The dude is 53-years-old. To bad John Dowd didn’t make the show. It would have been cool to see him smoke the GOAT! Maybe.

There was also the MMRS Madoc National on the weekend. I see Cole Thompson and Dylan Wright showed up for the big cash payout. Other notable pros that showed up included Liam O’Farrell, Drew Roberts, Westen Wrozyna, and Jean-Christophe Bujold. It sounds like they had a really good turnout again for the annual event.

Our Canadian riders were very focused before the racing began at Ironman Raceway. photo by Matt Wellumson