FXR Presents the Mid-Week Report with Andy White

Summer is finally here! Around these parts, summer also means the humidity levels rise quickly, and I hate it. I have never been a fan of the intense heat in mid-July. I do like, however, when some of the race series down south take a few months off so the riders won’t overheat from the hot temperatures. Because our summer is so short, I don’t think we really have that option here in Canada. If we shut down for the month of July we would only have 3-4 months of racing. I hear the humidity will be gone just in time for the national this weekend in Ottawa. I know there are quite a few western riders already practicing in the east and I bet they’re not liking it very much. I remember when I was racing the nationals back in the ‘80s and ‘90s. I loved racing in the west. The temperature would be hot but you didn’t feel like you were in a sauna. The riders that live and train in the east will have a big advantage if this humidity sticks around, especially if it’s here for Gopher Dunes. There is no real shade at that track.

Gopher Dunes doesn’t look that bad in this James Lissimore photo.

 I attended the Southwick National last weekend. I love that place. The track is incredible. It has lots of natural sections and tons of sand. Keith Johnson and John Dowd scored a 10/10 in my books for getting this track in shape. I didn’t see one thing that I would have changed. Okay, maybe I’d have a full air-conditioned VIP area (lol). The Will Call at the entrance is well indicated and the pits were well set up. The track was watered and lined with banners. The VIP areas were jam packed with fans. I like how you could get up close to the start area. You could lean right on the fence and watch the riders get ready. The pit lane from the pits to the start is lined with fans. This is a great way to see your favourite riders up close. The temperature was super hot, and as it’s an east coast race, the humidity was high as well.  There is plenty of shade at Southwick so you didn’t have to sit in the sun all day and bake like you would at Glen Helen or Hangtown.  

 Tomac and Marvin put on an exciting first moto. Marvin held off the factory Monster rider for pretty well the entire race until the last lap when Eli made the pass. I am pretty sure Eli wanted to sit behind Marvin and push him hard for the first moto. We know Eli is in incredible shape and he can ride sand. Marvin is a great rider but I don’t think he has the speed to stay with Tomac. I feel this was a Tomac strategy to push the factory KTM rider hard in the first moto and wear him out so he would be spent for the second moto. I think the plan was working well until Tomac went down twice and handed the overall to Marvin. I think Tomac should have just put it in cruise mode and not tried to win by 45 seconds. The Lites class also had really good racing. The top 7 riders were really close the whole moto. It’s not easy to pass in the sand. Have you tried passing a rider in a sand berm? If you get too close, you get roosted and sand will end up in your goggles, guaranteed!

Who is going to be on Team Canada in 2018? Photo by James Lissimore

This week’s national in the US is at Redbud in Michigan. This will be a good test to see who should be on Team USA for the MXoN event. I think Tomac is at the top of the list. The next 450 rider could be Barcia or Baggett. I guess we will see who looks better. In the Lites class, it all comes down to who is healthy by the time that event happens. I would have chosen Osborne, but he is out, and then perhaps Jeremy Martin. No wait, he’s out too. How about Plessinger? He is probably the favourite right now.  I believe Team Canada will be announced this coming weekend. It is not an easy call, for sure. Colton is looking solid; Thompson and Benoit are on the gas, too; how about Tyler Medaglia? I think the Lites class will be the toughest one to pick. Pettis is very strong this year; Maffenbeier has the speed and the experience. I am glad someone else has the job of picking the riders. Go team go!