Motocross Performance Magazine Canadian Motocross news leader
After months of speculation, the news finally was announced late yesterday of the riders that will be making up Team Canada as we head to the 2018 MXoN at Red Bud! Our 2018 team of Jess Pettis, Kaven Benoit and Colton Facciotti is one of the best we’ve sent to this prestigious event and I’d like to congratulate Canada’s Team Manager Kourtney Lloyd on her choices. While there were many different options for this year’s team, these three riders will be sure to do their best, and everyone from coast to coast will be pulling for them. Let’s now take a moment and go over what each rider will bring to Team Canada and their chances at Red Bud in October.
So far in 2018, Jess Pettis has showed a lot of speed and maturity in his riding. Now appears to be the perfect time to introduce this kid to the world. Photo by James Lissimore
Jess Pettis:
Other than maybe Shawn Maffenbeier and perhaps Dylan Wright, I’m sure no one is questioning this pick for the 250 class. Since the gate dropped on the 2018 MXTour in Calgary, Pettis has been one of, if not the fastest rider in this class. As of now, Pettis is the red plate holder in the 250 class after his dominating performance at Gopher Dunes. So, there is no one out there who can say that Pettis isn’t deserving of a spot with Team Canada. There is no doubt that Maffenbeier would’ve brought with him a ton of experience and focus to Red Bud, and while Wright doesn’t have as much experience as Maffenbeier, he most likely would be the most entertaining rider to watch charge through the pack at Red Bud. I can just picture some Euro riders lining up after the race wanting to have a chat with our Canadian superstar. However, for two motos against the world’s best riders, I like Pettis for his ability to get good starts, his raw speed, as well as his talent to not be bothered with who is lined up beside him. I think Jess Pettis is capable of having a race at Red Bud that will garner him International attention.
After Kaven Benoit’s incredible performance in Italy two years ago, how could you not pick him for Team Canada this time around? Photo by James Lissimore
Kaven Benoit:
With other 450 riders like Tyler Medaglia and Cole Thompson at Ms. Lloyd’s disposal this year, is Kaven Benoit the best pick for Team Canada? With all due respect to Tyler as well as Cole, I mean we can’t forget that Tyler has basically been Captain Canada for us in the past, and Cole had his best ever USA National ride at Red Bud a few years back. But we cannot forget the race that Benoit had two years ago in Italy at the 2016 MXoN’s. It was unbelievable for those who were there cheering our team on. Benoit was on fire that day and it almost got him a MXGP ride the following year. Also, so far this summer, Benoit has shown incredible speed and at one point he’d won five 450 motos in a row. Even though his 2017 season was a complete write-off, I’m willing to bet a lot of money that Benoit is just chopping at the bit to get back in front of an International audience. Not many Canadian riders over the years at this high stress event have had performances as good as Benoit did in Italy. To give him another opportunity to compete against the world’s best as a member of Team Canada makes perfect sense.
Look for Colton Facciotti to bring his best to Red Bud in October. Photo by James Lissimore
Colton Facciotti:
When talking about riders that should be on Team Canada this year, how can you not pick Colton Facciotti as one of them? Overall this summer, he’s been the fastest 450 rider on a few different track surfaces. He currently holds the red plate with a 25-point lead in the 450 class, and he’s as fit and as happy with his bike as he’s ever been. I know that in years past one of the knocks on Colton is that when he travels overseas to race it doesn’t always bring out the best in his riding. Whether this is true or not, who cares for 2018? With this massive race taking place approximately 8 hours from Colton’s home, you know he will be at his absolute best. Finally, with rumblings that this could be his final season of racing, the MXoN’s at Red Bud might be Colton’s last outdoor race of his incredible career. He will be at Red Bud with his family, his trusted mechanic, and with the weight of a country on his shoulders. I personally couldn’t think of a better scenario for Colton Facciotti to go out and have one final, memorable race. Colton riding off into a red sunset on a red Honda, all while waving a red and white Canadian flag. It’s what Hollywood movies are made of!
There you have it, our 2018 Team Canada. There were really no bad choices for our team this year. With the race being so close to home, I’m quite sure all of the riders I mentioned were eager to go to represent Canada. I’m also sure that most of our top riders who aren’t on the team this year will be at Red Bud cheering on their fellow Canadian riders, at least I hope they are. We are now just over two months from this enormous event at one of the most famous tracks on the planet. I think it’s time to start waving our Canadian flags and getting excited. Go Canada Go!!
