Most of us who attended the Walton TransCan two decades ago remember Cole Thompson, a pint-sized phenom from Brigden, Ontario, tearing through the soft, rutted Walton Raceway circuit on his way to back-to-back 65cc championships. The youngest of the Thompson brothers, Cole was clearly gifted, and even back then, his riding left little doubt that he’d one day rise to the top of the Pro Class. Still, few could have predicted just how far his talent would take him—or that we’d be here, all these years later, talking about his next trip around the globe to race Supercross. But here we are.
Early next week, Cole will board a flight to Sydney to compete in Round 3 of the Australian SX Championships, riding for Penrite Racing Empire Kawasaki. After that, he’ll return to his new home in South Carolina—a place he and his partner Chloe recently purchased—to rest and recharge before heading to Argentina for the opening round of the 2025 World Supercross Championships. Once again, Cole will be aboard a KX250, this time representing the powerhouse Venum Bud Racing Kawasaki Team.
Cole is no stranger to international travel or stadium racing. Next week marks his 15th time crossing the Pacific Ocean—a journey that would rattle most, but for Cole, it’s just another chapter in a lifelong passion. In the world of two-wheeled racing, he’s what we call a Supercross Specialist. When he’s not racing in the WSX or Australian SX Series, you’ll find him under the bright lights of American stadiums, competing in the Monster Energy Supercross Series for the Heartbeat Hot Sauce Solitaire Yamaha Team.
At 32, Cole is a rare breed in today’s motocross landscape. While most riders grind it out under the scorching summer sun on outdoor tracks, Cole has already conquered that terrain—winning multiple Triple Crown Series titles over the past decade. Now, thanks to his deep Supercross experience, he’s earned the freedom to choose when and where he races.
As we’ve seen in other high-octane sports like tennis and Formula 1, hopping across time zones before competition is no walk in the park. Long-haul flights can bring dehydration, illness (especially this time of year), and mental fatigue. And once athletes land, they’re often swept into media and sponsor obligations—no time for rest. It takes years of trial, error, and discipline to train the body to travel and still perform at peak levels. Cole has mastered that art. His results speak volumes: second overall in last year’s Australian SX Championships and third in the 2024 WSX Championships. Teams like Penrite and Bud Racing Kawasaki know that when they sign Cole Thompson, they’re getting a rider who shows up ready to deliver. Between now and the final WSX round in South Africa, Cole will log over 70,000 air miles. Great for his frequent flyer status—not so great for his body. But that’s the life he’s earned, and he wears it well.
Cole’s whirlwind adventure kicks off next weekend in Australia. From there, it’s back home for a breather, then off to South America, Vancouver, back to Australia, Sweden, and finally South Africa. We’ll be following his journey closely as he battles through two elite series. Best of luck to Cole—and if any young rider out there needs a reason to sharpen their SX skills, look no further than Brigden’s own.
