MXP Rankings — Number 9

Advancing to Pro, especially for many young riders in Canada, becomes a necessity in the search for competition. Less dense racing, great distances to travel and a long haul to the Amateur battleground of Walton, Ontario means for many young kids seek competition close to home.

That often means rapidly moving through the ranks to Pro. Rushing through the amateur ranks in search of riders to push their talent. In the flat fields of Saskatchewan, the sport of motocross produced perhaps one of the most talented riders ever, Blair Morgan. While Morgan was dominating the Pro scene, another talent was quietly advancing to the forefront on the same baked tracks. This week’s number 9 on MXP Ranking of top Canadians lining up in 2013 is Shawn Maffenbeier.

In 2007 at the young age of 15, Maffenbeier, his long standing friend, mechanic and father tackled the Nationals. Even though there wasn’t instant success, with more than a few ups and downs, Maffenbeier began to ride with the tenacity many young Pros struggle to find.

Following the 2010 season was when Shawn finally streamline and apply his work ethic to his program, and partnered with renowned Canadian trainer Todd Schulmik. Schumlik and his PerformX program had previously worked with Canadian Champions Jean Sebastian Roy and Blair Morgan. Fitness and confidence were then brought to the table for the hard working Maffenbeier. Shawn finished 12th overall in the 2010 Monster Energy Motocross Nationals, and was Canada’s fourth fastest Canadian and top MX1 rookie. He carried the number 23 plate into the 2011 season.

In 2011, the Yamalube Schrader SMX Racing Team’s #23 Shawn Maffenbeier broke the barrier with several top 10 finishes. A 7th overall in the brutally rough Kamloops track sent notice that he would be one of the contenders for a single digit. Maffenbeier continued to build momentum throughout the season and often battled within the top 5. He would end the season with National
number 6.

His assent would take a small side step in 2012. Maffenbeier’s speed and his ultimate weapon, conditioning, were at their highest. Unfortunately, in Kamloops, where he broke out the year before, he crashed in a scary dismount. Bruised and beaten, he tried for the next four rounds to limp through and salvage points. By series end Maffenbeier began to reclaim his form with 8-7-7 overall finishes in the last three rounds.

However three DNFs, including a non point scoring day at Gopher Dunes, did the damage. Despite it all, he finished 10th overall. A respectable finish but below the expectation he had laid out for himself in Nanaimo.

For the 2013 season, the announcement of the new 250cc two-stroke rule was greeted favourably, allowing Pro riders to compete on the bikes in the MX2 class. Whispers of what Pro team would sign a rider to race the two-stroke began immediately, and soon the first announcement came through. Maffenbeier signed his first Pro deal with the OTSFF Rockstar Energy Yamaha team for the 2013 Monster Energy MX Nationals. The Swift Current, SK native will campaign the MX2 National Championship for the factory team aboard the new YZ250 2-stroke.

“We believe in Shawn’s potential to make a dent in the MX2 title hunt and we’re glad to have him aboard for the season,” said Team Manager Andre Laurin.

While in his home province he is well known with many supporters that already know he has what it takes, the deal with the OTSFF Rockstar Energy Yamaha team transformed him into a title contender to the rest of Canada. Work ethic and superb conditioning are what makes Shawn Maffenbeier one of the favourites for the upcoming Nationals, and what makes him #9 on the MXP Ranking list of top Canadians lining up in 2013.