Good day, and welcome to this mid-October edition of the Monday Gate Drop. As we head into the second half of October, it’s certainly starting to feel like Fall outside (at least here in Ontario). I feel like we’ve had our consistent and enjoyable Fall riding season, and now we’ve reached the point in the season when good riding days are few and far between. However, it happens every year and we always find a way to make the most of it.
Speaking of good riding days, late last week I headed to Sand Del Lee for the Yamaha Motor Canada Media ride day. This two-day ride provided me with the opportunity to ride new 2024 YZ models, including the all-new 2024 YZ250F. With an all-new chassis, and some major engine improvements, the team at Yamaha has taken the already successful 2024 YZ250F package, and made it even better. Like the YZ450F this past year, the YZ250F received a new lighter frame, a flatter and more streamlined cockpit area, as well as a new intake system, and new ECU settings. These changes certainly give the new YZ250F a more modern feel. When you’re on the track the bike feels not only lighter, but also more connected to the track. In the past, this combination has been challenging to get right, however, with this new platform that the YZ450F, and now the YZ250F has, Yamaha has gotten things right. I personally love how the new YZ’s feel when you’re on the track, and I’m excited that Yamaha has chosen to go the same route with their 250F program as they did with their 450F program in 2023. Look for a full report this week on the 2024 YZ250F where I’ll break down exactly what has been changed on this bike and how these changes work on the track.
We had a great couple days of riding at SDL as it’s always great to travel there and hang out with Kevin Tyler, and the Yamaha Motor Canada crew. As I mentioned, the weather was perfect, and although the track started off a little soft and wet, it dried up quickly, and in the end the conditions ended up being perfect. The MX101 Yamaha Team also had their riders there, including Sebastien Racine, Austin Jones, and they even flew in the newly retired Shawn Maffenbeier to assist with the festivities. I haven’t seen Maff since the final round of the Triple Crown Series MXTour at Walton Raceway back in August, so it was good to catch up with him. So far, Maff is enjoying retired life, and his new role as a Yamaha Team ambassador. Obviously, he can also still ride a dirt bike pretty well so, it was great to see him on the track and going fast on the new 2024 YZ’s. All in all, it was a terrific Fall riding experience and thank you to Yamaha Motor Canada, and the MX101 crew for making it happen.
This coming weekend it’s back to racing for the Triple Crown Series as the indoor portion of the series heads to Medicine Hat on Saturday night. This weekend will see a true AX event as the venue is a traditional hockey arena. As we’ve witnessed numerous times in the past, whenever the gate drops in these tight confines the action is intense, and in some cases tempers flare. Heading into Medicine Hat, Thor GASGAS Team rider Mitchell Harrison has to be the favourite as he looked great at the opening round last month. Jacob Piccolo is another rider who was solid at the opening round, and could win this weekend. I was impressed with Jacob at Gopher Dunes as he did what he needed to do to secure a podium finish. He should get better results this weekend, and most likely even better at the final round in Calgary on November 4th. The MX101 FXR Yamaha Team is coming in hot this weekend with both Sebastien Racine, and Austin Jones lining up. I thought Racine was really solid at Gopher Dunes, and if he can get a good starts this weekend, he could be a podium guy. Jones wasn’t happy with the way he rode at Gopher Dunes, so he will be looking for some redemption. Quinn Amyotte will also be fast this weekend, and I don’t think it would surprise anyone if he took the win. Honestly, in this type of tight racing, all you need is a good start, stay on two wheels, and anything can happen. Unfortunately, a few riders who attended the opening round won’t be on the starting line this weekend. Cole Thompson has decided to stay back home and train for the next rounds of the Australian SX Series, as well as possibly the next round of the WSX in Abu Dhabi. Tyler Gibbs has already travelled to the USA to get ready for his AX debut with the Creo Racing Team. Tanner Ward isn’t heading west this weekend, also Preston Masciangelo is still recovering from this crash at Gopher Dunes so he won’t be in Alberta. However, even with a few missing riders the race action should be good, and also the amateur portion should be strong as well. In the past, riders from Alberta and neighbouring BC have jumped at the chance to race indoors. Also, this weekend features a WMX class as part of the amateur program.
Another big event that is going on this weekend will take place at Gopher Dunes. Their annual Vet/Vintage race is set to happen on the back track on Saturday, so that will no doubt be entertaining. But, on Friday evening in Frank Schuster’s shop there will be a well-attended Legends of MX dinner and get together. This event was the brain child of Lawrence Hacking and Glen Nicholson, and since its inception a few months ago, the response has been amazing. There are over 100 tickets sold to this event and with names like Ross Pederson, Doug Hoover, Blair Morgan, Serge Gregoire (just to name a few) all in attendance, this event will be unforgettable. Ryan Gauld will be the MC for the evening, dinner will be provided by the local Lion’s Club, and the endless bench racing will be provided by pretty much everyone. What a night it’s going to be, and I cannot wait to see everyone. Also, most of our legends are planning on racing on Saturday, so if you’re not coming to the dinner on Friday, then it will be cool to see these guys back on the track on Saturday. Even Ross is planning on suiting up and riding! Look for a full report on Monday as I’m sure I will have a plethora of stories to share.
In some off-road news from this past weekend. Our own Trystan Hart finished fifth overall at the next to last FIM World Hard Enduro round in Spain. Hart came from well behind to grab fifth, and now with one race remaining in the series, he now sits third overall. Hart had this to say about his race in Spain.
“Yeah, I started two and a half minutes back due to my penalty, and on this track, I had to fight through a lot of traffic. I was able to catch up to fifth and sixth on the second lap, so that was really good. But then I had a big crash trying to make a move and ended up bending my bars and breaking my starter button, so that knocked me back. I kept on pushing though and at the end, second to fifth were all in the final quarry together, so it was really, really close. Not quite the result I wanted but I’m super happy with my performance today.”
Well, that is it for me this week. I hope everyone has a great week, and hopefully you’re able to get some riding in before it gets even colder outside. Please keep checking the mxpmag.com web site this week as tomorrow I will have a Jess Pettis interview up. Also, this week I will have my Red Bull Imagination 4.0 story live on the site, as well as my thoughts on the new 2024 YZ250F. Thank you for reading, and if you have any comments or questions please email me at editor@mxpmag.com.
