MXP: Hey Newf! Although we’ve witnessed this type of riding in the past from riders battling for a championship, Haiden Deegan’s tactics in the final 250 race last weekend appeared excessive. Please give us your thoughts on Deegan and that final 250 race in Las Vegas.
RL: I didn’t like it one bit, but I think that is mostly because this is the type of behavior we expect from Deegan. I do understand that he had his back up against the wall and wanted to win and I’m sure the pressure he feels is something that none of us will ever understand, but in my opinion he should of just went and won the race. He was the best guy and sometimes shit happens; like him getting cleaned out in St Louis. It was embarrassing for the sport with the way he was riding and to top it off, getting hurt and possibly being out for MXON is just not worth it in my eyes. Yes, we have seen this type of stuff before but this was next level and just seemed over the top.
MXP: Darcy Lange was a rider who perhaps doesn’t get as much credit as he deserves, given his relatively short but successful career. What impressed you most about Darcy’s racing career and what was he like to race against?
RL: Darcy was for sure super underrated for his accomplishments, especially with that run he took in 2007 with Pro Circuit Kawasaki. Heat race wins and main event podiums is something that I don’t foresee any other Canadians doing anytime soon. It’s a shame that he got sick shortly after that, but man he could have won that SX championship. Darcy and I turned pro the same year and I just always remember his loose style and will to win.
MXP: This past week, I went down the YouTube rabbit hole on the 2006 CMRC Pro Nationals. You were #19 on the OTSFF Suzuki in the highly competitive MX1 class. The class was stacked that summer with young, talented riders, as well as experienced riders who were fast. You held your own inside the top ten in pretty much every moto, and ended up 6th overall. What do you remember about that 2006 series?
RL: I love a good trip down YouTube memory lane. 2006 was a good season for me. You and I had a good off season and I was prepared coming in. I remember that Suzuki 450 being good and I had speed. The biggest thing for me was it took 4-5 rounds to get my mind set where it needed to be. The beginning of the year I was a solid top 10, but my results improved a lot towards the last three rounds where I was pulling holeshots and even leading laps. Got a couple top five’s and barely missing the podium in a few moto’s. I just wish the mental game was a little stronger, but it was one of my best seasons overall.
