Motocross Performance Magazine Canadian Motocross news leader
Welcome to this week’s Yamaha Motor Canada “Behind the Lens” from the 2016 Monster Energy MXON in Italy. Last year’s event proved to be a great one for the Canadian team of Tyler Medaglia, Shawn Maffenbeier and the rider in this week’s photo, Kaven Benoit. It was a great day for Team Canada in Italy a year ago as our three-rider team battled hard all day long to eventually finish tenth overall. All three riders rode great that day on the famous Maggiora track, but it was Kaven Benoit’s opening moto that grabbed everyone’s attention and really proved to be the pivitol moment for the team’s success.
I have only been to the MXON’s once and that was way back in 1987 at Unadilla. The rain that day was pouring down, and all you could do was try to keep somewhat dry. I still to this day recall just how loud and excited the crowd was when the gate dropped for the opening moto. The loud cheers that erupted as the top riders in the world slipped and slid through the muddy, sweeping right hand turn at the bottom of the Unadilla start straight will be etched in my brain forever. With this is mind, I can only imagine how loud it was last year when the opening gate dropped at the Maggiora track, the site of perhaps the most famous MXON in history back in 1986. This moment must’ve been surreal and could really only be appreciated by the fans who were there a year ago.
In the opening moto of the 2016 MXON in Italy, Kaven Benoit was able to get off to an awesome start and eventually finish up in 8th place. Photo by James Lissimore
As the riders came through the first turn last year in the opening MXGP/MX2 moto, at the front of the pack was none other than one of our Canadian heroes Kaven Benoit. As you may remember, a year ago Kaven was in a very good place both mentally and physically as he had just come off a terrific summer in the MX1 class. Not only did he win his first ever MX1 National in front of his hometown Quebec crowd, but he battled his teammate and eventual MX1 Champion Davi Millsaps hard all series long. By the time Kaven and his Team Canada teammates arrived in Italy in late September, he was beaming with confidence and ready to introduce himself to the world.
When the gate dropped for the opening moto, the entire Canadian crew had to blink to make sure their eyes weren’t playing tricks on them. Battling for the lead was none other than Kaven Benoit aboard his KTM 450 rocketship. After staying near the front for most of the race, Kaven slipped back a little in the late stages and ended up finishing in an unreal eighth place. His impressive ride not only got Team Canada off on the right foot, but it also let the entire motocross world know that Team Canada had come to Italy to race! This James Lissimore photo was taken in the opening few corners of the race as Kaven battled MXGP stars Antonio Cairoli and Glen Coldenhoff. Hopefully this coming weekend in England will produce more special moments like last year for Team Canada.
