Yamaha Motor Canada Presents The Monday Gate Drop

Good day, and welcome to another edition of the Yamaha Motor Canada Monday Gate Drop. This week’s Gate Drop is brought to you by the completely redesigned 2022 YZ125. Yamaha’s newest 125 machine features multiple changes for 2022 including a new intake system, complete with a new Carbrator and V-Force Reeds. This bike also features a new cylinder, piston, updated suspension settings, as well as updated brakes. With increased horsepower and the same great handling that we’ve come to expect for all of the YZ models, the new 2022 YZ125 is sure to be a winner next year.

Before I get too far into this column I first have to say that it might be on the short side this week and I seem to have caught a cold that’s been going around. Anyway, I just had some Vitamin C as well as a cold pill so we’ll see how it goes. The first thing I want to talk about is Dylan Wright and the Paris SX this past weekend. Heading into the weekend I feel like everyone I spoke to agreed that since Supercross isn’t really Dylan’s jam, the hope was that he would ride safe and do his best to make it through the weekend in one piece. Well, I’m happy to report that Dylan did more than just make it through the Paris SX in one piece, he also rode incredibly to finish in 10th overall against some pretty stiff competition. On a fast Paris track that featured some big jumps, a couple of technical rhythm sections, but no whoop section, Dylan looked right at home and if it wasn’t for getting taken out in the second of his three races, his overall finish would be much higher. However, as I said, he rode great and I know he’s excited with how the race went overall.

Honestly, I was almost more impressed with Dylan’s results in Paris than I was with his finishes in the MXGP events he raced. The first reason I feel this way is because I know how hard it is to fly across the Atlantic Ocean for a weekend of racing an indoor SX. Your internal clock is messed up so you’re tired and not at your best, to begin with. Also unless you’re Marvin Musquin, Antonio Cairoli, or Roman Febvre, you’re most likely racing a strange bike with a few of your own parts on it, you’re racing in an environment that you’re not used to, and finally, since you’re in an indoor setting, as the day goes on the bike fumes make all of the above even more challenging. Basically, from the time to land until it’s time to fly home you never feel like yourself and mistakes can easily happen. However, Dylan seemed unfazed by this and all day he rode solid and never gave up. He looked comfortable on the track and overall his speed was great and just off of the top riders. When you combine all of the above as well as some of the issues that Dylan has had in a few of his past SX races, that is why I was so impressed with his performance on Saturday in Paris. It really was a perfect ending to what has been an incredible two months of racing for Dylan on the world stage. When you factor in his results at the MXoN’s, his five MXGP’s, as well as the Paris SX this weekend, I would be shocked if he doesn’t get a good offer to race in Europe in 2022.

Also in Paris this weekend we saw the return of 39-year-old Chad Reed who was racing in his first SX since Salt Lake City last year. I thought Chad rode well and I’m quite sure if the track had been more technical he would’ve finished even better. Very few riders have done more International races than Chad Reed so he knows how to ride both safe and fast when you’re body and mind aren’t quite right. It will be interesting to see what Reed does when he gets back home to the USA? Has the Paris SX and the small amount of training he did for it given him the bug to do more and perhaps race a few rounds of the 2022 Monster Energy SX Series? Or, did it simply cement the fact that he retired last year for good reason and he’s completely happy to keep things status quo. Either way, I’m glad Reed made it through Paris in one piece and it was great to see him back racing a Supercross.

As expected, the big winner in Paris was Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider Marvin Musquin. Racing in front of his home fans Musquin was unbeatable all day long as he took the dominating victory. By all accounts, this is Musquin’s final year of racing so I’m sure this Paris SX win was extra sweet. Also, it sounds as though Musquin is having a great off-season, and heading into Anaheim 1 he’s been the fastest of the three KTM factory riders at the test track. This past weekend also marked the first SX win for KTM’s new 2023 450SX-F Factory Edition bike as the team will be racing it in the 2022 SX Series. Anyway, Musquin looked great in Paris, as did another ageless wonder Justin Brayton. With Musquin, Reed, Brayton, and Caroli on the gate, the Paris SX could’ve passed as an off-season Vet race.

Moving from Paris to Gainesville, FL and the 2022 Thor Mini O’s where Canada was very well represented in almost every class. It was great to see and hear about so many Canadian’s who took advantage of the Canada/ USA border opening to head down to Florida. All week our riders did us proud and like Dylan Wright in Paris, they proved that Canada is a nation for talented motocross riders. Congratulations to all of our riders who made the trek to Gatorback Cycle Park for the 50th Anniversary of the Thor Mini O’s.

Finally, before I go I’d like to pay tribute to one of our talented riders who 32 years ago went to the Mini O’s but sadly didn’t return home. Back in 1989, Ontario rider Rick Joseph was as talented on the bike as he was a nice kid off of the bike. You might have heard Rick’s name before as his memory and legacy are celebrated each year with an award at the Walton TransCan. The Rick Joseph Award is a fitting tribute to Rick and whenever it’s awarded to a rider at the end of TransCan I’m always reminded of what a great kid he was. Rick and I were about the same age when he passed away and for most of 1988 and 1989 were both competitors on the track as well as good friends off of the track. When he crashed in Florida I remember Bill Burr calling my parents to say that Rick was in bad shape and that the doctors feared the worst. However, we were all well aware of Rick’s mental, physical, as well as spiritual strength so that gave us some hope that he would pull through. Unfortunately, thirty-two years ago today Bill Burr called my parents again, only this time he gave them the shocking news that Rick Joseph had sadly passed away in the night. I had already left for school when Bill had called so when I arrived at school my Principal took me into her office (I thought I was in trouble for something) and told me the horrible news. That was a tough day, as was the following week when we had to attend Rick’s funeral in Brantford. However, as difficult as the circumstances around his death were, I never once thought about not racing or that it could happen to me. Whether it was my fearless age (I was 16 at the time) or the motivating talks I had with my dad as well as with Bill Burr, I just knew that Rick would want me and everyone else to keep racing and keep having fun. Anyway, today I pay tribute to Rick Joseph and his life that was sadly cut short in 1989. He was a great rider and a great human being and, incredibly, his legacy is celebrated each year at the Walton TransCan.

Well, I hope everyone enjoys their final few days of November. As I stated a few weeks back, I hate November and I’m glad it’s coming to an end. Please have a great week and thank you for reading! If you have any questions or comments feel free to email me at chris@mxpmag.com