Can Tyler Medaglia win? We ask him

By Danny Brault

Photos by James Lissimore

There’s a reason that fans love the Medaglia brothers, even when they don’t want to, because Jeremy and his older brother Tyler are always there to win. They’re not happy with seconds or thirds; it’s win or die trying for the most part and fans admire that competitiveness. There’s no doubt they make it show, whether it’s indoors, outdoors or some backyard game of basketball.

I recall going into last year’s Rockstar Energy Drink Motocross Nationals, Tyler Medaglia had just switched from Honda to KTM and, even with limited time on the bike, believed he could win races. “I felt awesome last year,” he says. “I was in really good shape, had been riding a lot and even with the change, I liked the KTM a lot so it was a an easy transition.”

That feel good attitude resulted in a third overall in the 2013 MX1 Championship for Tyler and his KTM. He became a one-man wolf pack after his teammate Colton Facciotti was injured in moto one, at round 2 in Kamloops, BC. Medaglia stepped up right away, nailing the next moto holeshot and gave Brett Metcalfe a good run for his money. He would continue to battle up front, but it was hard for anyone to beat the world renowned Metcalfe, who is currently battling with the Dungeys and Canards of the world in the US instead of defending his Canadian title.

It was a long, painful winter for Tyler as he waited to hear back from KTM Canada on whether he would be riding a Husqvarna or remain on a KTM, which is essentially the same bike except for some minor cosmetic and subframe differences. Fortunately, things came together at the last minute; after first choosing Husky, KTM’s Race Manager, Andy White, switched Tyler over to the factory KTM race team after Cole Thompson was out for the season with a knee injury. The more things change, the more they stay the same, eh?

Happy with his bike setup from last season with suspension from Joe Skidd at SSS and similar motor package that included the hands of famed engine builder Andrew McLean, there wasn’t a big need for a lot of testing so Tyler continued to focus on his riding and training at home. Interesting to note, while Red Bull pulled back from the KTM team, Jeremy Medaglia and Colton Facciotti for different reasons (most likely to reduce budget), they are still with Tyler for part two of a two-year contract. What a Rockstar, I mean, Red Bull, getting to run that sweet lid for another summer!

Let’s get to the million dollar question: can Tyler Medaglia win races and possibly the championship this year?

“You say that like you’re surprised?” Tyler responded when I questioned his thoughts on being where he is at after four rounds. I admitted that I wasn’t surprised, but it’s a tight race this year and there are a lot of fast guys from the US. “No, I’m happy where I am right now but I want to be winning. I’m excited for the eastern rounds to start. Out west, other than Kamloops, the tracks don’t really get that rough and you don’t test guys’ endurance as much.”

After four races, with six to go, Tyler is 34 points out of the lead, which belongs to Facciotti. Making up that amount of ground is possible in 12 motos, that’s a lot of racing. However, considering the speed and consistency of Facciotti right now, it will be a chore. In second is Mike Alessi, who has a 25-point gap on Medaglia and won’t be making it any easier on moving up the ladder.

Things could change quickly in the east as Tyler has a history of doing well at Gopher Dunes and Sand Del Lee, and two more tracks have soft soil that makes for rougher and tougher conditions.

Other than the opener in Nanaimo, Tyler hasn’t finished outside the top four and has two overall podium finishes to his credit. Looking at the results board, if the KTM rider takes another third place in the series, it’s an impressive feat with names like Hill, Maier, Chisholm, Kiniry, Alessi, and Facciotti on the line.

Tyler has certainly spent his fair share of time riding and racing at the Gopher Dunes track growing up (and as part of the GDR Honda team), but Facciotti lives nearby and rides there quite a bit (he’s now on the

GDR team), and then we have Mike Alessi who snuck around Eastern Canada, riding Deschambault – Sand Del Lee – Gopher Dunes – Walton – so he can hit the ground running when the Nationals arrive at each.

Everyone on the gate, except for Hill, has had time on the Gopher Dunes track and knows what to expect (and guess what? It’s going to be hot and humid again, haha!), plus we have Canada’s favourite (well my favourite) Kyle Keast lining up for the first time this year, and he always creates a stir in the MX1 class as the hometown hero.

“I want to win and get a good contract for the next few years,” finishes Medaglia before we hang up. “I know I can do it; I’m getting good starts and running with those guys, and I have the fitness. The east will be different I think. We’ll see.”