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Behind The Lens With James Lissimore-Round One In Kamloops

 

The Kamloops area provide a perfect backdrop for the opening round of the 2015 Rockstar Energy Drink Motocross Nationals presented by Motovan. With it’s sandy soil and long lap times, the riders were treated to the ultimate motocross test to begin their series. After four long motos in the hot sun, Jimmy Decotis and Brett Metcalfe emerged victorious in the MX2 and MX1 classes. As the series now moves West to Nanaimo, James Lissimore gives us his perspective of what happen at the beautiful Whispering Pines Raceway.

 

Thanks to James we get a glimpse of what it’s like to be under the Monster Energy Thor Kawasaki Tent at round one.

The Whispering Pines track was a tricky mixture of sand, loam and deep ruts. It was definitely a tough test for all of the riders.

After a long winter of training, Dylan Wright was very happy to finally be in Kamloops for round one.

Honda’s newest rider Jeremy Medaglia grabbed the first holeshot of the 2015 season on his Honda Canada GDR red rocket.

It’s great to see Blake Savage back on Canadian soil for 2015. After doing alot of riding with Ken Roczen this winter, Blake’s speed and fitness is great as he begins his Canadian summer.

It’s truly amazing how much the style of riding has changed in the last five years. Here Dylan Wright shows us a little modern day one leg swag over a Kamloops jump.

When your rider is having a rough day, figuring out what to write on the pit board sometimes isn’t easy.

At times the racing was pretty close in the MX1 class.

Matt Goerke needs to keep his goggles on during the podium celebrations. The 2012 MX1 champ had a solid day and finished second overall.

Tyler Medaglia definitely won the hardest working rider award on Sunday as he fought for every inch of his very impressive third overall.

Racing for the first time on Canadian soil, Cole Martinez was fast and smooth on his way to fourth overall in the MX2 class.

Here team manager and race day father figure Kevin Tyler reminds Dylan Wright just how good he rode under the hot Kamloops sun.

Dirt Rider Magazine Editor and testing hero Kris Keefer is back in Canada for the first two rounds of the series. Although the 35 year old struggled a little in Kamloops, it was great to see KK120 out there battling against the kids.

Keefer was a little bummed at how the day went on the rough Kamloops track. However, he is one of the few riders looking forward to racing on the Nanaimo track this weekend.

It was great to see Jared Allison hanging out in Kamloops. As usual he had a huge smile on his face!

Jeremy Medaglia looked very fast and smooth on his new Honda. If he can stay healthy, I think 2015 is going to be a great year for the youngest Medaglia brother.

Jeremy came into round one well prepared and very focused.

JSR experienced just about everything possible during his first race as the KTM Team Manager.

The Dozer is back in the West. Kyle Keast has a decent day in Kamloops going 9-9 for ninth overall.

It was great to see the Husqvarna brand back at the highest level in our sport. Their top rider Tyler Medaglia rewarded them with a trip to the podium.

Making his way from Williams Lake BC, home Province hero Brock Hoyer has an amazing day going 8-6 for eighth overall in the MX1 class.

Something tells me that none of these riders are going to read this pit board at this point on lap one.

These two had a lot to cheer for in both classes on Sunday as Tyler and Jeremy Medaglia rode incredible on the rough Kamloops track.

Florida native Matt Goerke ws right at home on the sandy and rough Kamloops track.

The excitement was so high at round one that some of the riders were going upside down!

Although most people expected good things from Jimmy Decotis at the opening round, few thought he dominate and go 1-1 like he did. This kid is for real!

Still in recovery mode from his off-season broken pelvis, Colton Facciotti had an alright day finishing just off the podium. Beginning this weekend in Nanaimo, expect Colton to get stronger as the series moves on.

In his first race back in over a year, Cole Thompson had a rough day in Kamloops. However, he still looked smooth and fit on his 2016 KTM450 SX-F.

Even though it was his first race in a long time, Cole seemed relaxed and confident at round one.

Nathan Bles’s replacement rider at Redemption Racing Cade Clason had a very solid day in Kamloops and finished a very impressive sixth overall.

Engine tuning magician Chris Bondi of Bondi Engines goes to work on Bobby Kiniry’s Yamaha just prior to his second moto holeshot.

Cooling Kaven Benoit’s two stroke off after a hot day of playing in the sun.

The opening laps of the second MX1 moto saw a freight train of our top riders all trying to get the better of one another.

Although Benoit came up a little short of winning at round one, he still looked ready to defend his 2014 MX2 championship.

Even the littlest of motocross fans were excited that the 2015 Rockstar Energy Drink Motocross Nationals have begun.

 

Chris Pomeroy: 1989 Rookie-of-the-year and former nationally ranked pro racer who turned into a dirt oriented scribe
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