Decal Works Presents the Monday Gate Drop

As we welcome in the month of April, we at MXP Magazine want to give a huge thank you to DeCal Works for their continuing support of this column, as well as Canadian motocross in general. DeCal Works loves Canada and everything that we offer this sport. So if you’re in need of a set of customs graphics to welcome in the brand new riding season, then all you have to do is log onto www.decalmx.com and within minutes you can design and order a set. Trust me, it’s that easy as I did it last week and they will be arriving in ten days.

In Ontario at least, the dreaded Polar Vortex is back! Where is the Spring of 2016?

I know that I usually begin my Monday Gate Drop column by talking about the weather in some regard, but for this week I don’t even want to talk about it. As nice as it’s been this past weekend in the western part of this fine Country, it has been downright nasty in Ontario. My son was in a hockey tournament on Friday and Saturday in Aylmer, Ontario, and after it concluded we had the worst drive home on the famous 401 highway. It was a full on blizzard almost the entire way home, and cold. I read on Social Media that Gopher Dunes was still open this weekend, however, Moto Park was forced to close its doors until the snow melts. With the 2016 Ontario racing season only a few weeks away, it can warm up and stay warm anytime.

Well, if I’ve made you feel sorry for me, please don’t as once I braved the snow and cold and dropped my family off at home, I then made my way to the airport early yesterday morning to catch a plane to sunny and warm San Diego. Actually, as I compose this in my hotel in Temecula, CA, the sun is hot outside, and as soon as I wrap this up I’m headed to the pool. The reason for this trip is twofold as myself and my distinguished colleague from DMX, Billy Rainford, were invited here by KTM Canada to cover this week’s West Coast Orange Brigade camp. Why is this important? Well, also attending are Canadian Orange Brigade riders Tanner Ward and Jacob Piccollo Both riders will be on the track early Monday morning with some of the fastest KTM riders in the world. Being a part-time riding coach myself, I’m very excited to see what these Orange Brigade Camps are all about and how the instructors are going to educate these already very talented riders. It should be a lot of fun and I’m sure Tanner and Jacob are excited about what they’re about to learn.

Tanner Ward will be on the track today in California at the West Coast Orange Brigade Camp.

Also on this trip and staying at my hotel are JSR and Kaven Benoit, as the KTM Canada Team has headed west to do some testing and complete their 2016 Team photo shoot. Obviously, Cole Thompson is already living out here, so this week presents a great opportunity to get together and get some work done. I texted Cole yesterday and he said that although he’s sore from a practice crash last week, he’s feeling better and he’s looking forward to getting some time on the 2016 KTM250SX-F Factory Edition that he will be racing this summer. Another reason to come all the way to California might just be because the KTM Team’s third rider lives here. Now, nothing has been confirmed, but according to more than one industry source, Davi Millsaps will be the rider to make this trio one of the most powerful teams in Canada. Hopefully, we have some time to head out to the test track and the team photo shoot to see for ourselves. If this is indeed true, Millsaps will join an already star studded cast of riders in the MX1 class in Canada, which are names like, Goerke, Metcalfe, Facciotti, Friese, Alessi, Benoit, Medaglia, Clason, and now maybe Millsaps. Wow! That is a very impressive list of riders who will be on the starting line in Kamloops on June 5th, 2016, and since we’re still two months away from Round 1, there might be a few more names that decide to head north.

This James Lissimore photo was taken at last year’s KTM Canada Team photo shoot. On Tuesday I will get to watch the 2016 version in person.

Davi Millsaps certainly gives KTM Canada a great one-two punch in the MX1 class, as he will compete alongside two-time MX2 Champion Kaven Benoit. If this Millsap rumour is true, I think it gives Benoit even more motivation to have a great first year in the MX1 class. If I had to make a pick right now, I’d say that Benoit could be the surprise rider of 2016. Not only is Kaven in his absolute prime right now at 26 or 27 years of age (I’ll have to check his birthday), but he also knows how to win and how to deal with pressure. I don’t buy into the thought process that he’ll struggle on a 450 because it’s his first year on the big bike. Benoit has JSR-like strength, combined with Facciotti-like finesse, so a 450 should be no issue for him. The only thing that I believe Benoit will have to adjust to in the early rounds of the Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals this summer is the pace at the front of the pack for the first 15 to 20 minutes of each moto. That early moto sprint speed is something that you can only replicate when you’re actually in the moment. You can try your best to do it when you’re training, but it’s never the same. Benoit will be going up against seasoned pros who will be well versed in this fast paced exercise, and it may take him a few rounds to feel comfortable. Also, with sprint masters Vince Friese and Mike Alessi on the track, the early moto hectic pace may be faster than we’ve ever witnessed before in Canada. Oh man, this is going to be fun! For me, as soon as the teams begin to get their photo shoots in order, it always seems to start an imaginary countdown towards summer and the opening round of the Nationals. As it always does, the next two months will fly by and before we know it, Kamloops will be upon us.

With all of the talent in the MX1 class this summer, Matt Goerke is certainly going to have his hands full as he tries to defend his 2015 title.

Although I spoke above about the MX1 class, we definitely can’t forget the MX2 class as it will also be full of exciting racing. As mentioned, Cole Thompson comes in as one of the favourites to win the 2016 championship without a doubt. Jacob Hayes also enters the series as one of the potential frontrunners; isn’t it going to be exciting to watch Jacob and Cole renew their AX Tour battle from last fall? From this talented duo we move to Canadian riders Shawn Maffenbeier and Dylan Wright. I think both of these riders will win motos in 2016 and if they can stay consistent in the west they will make things happen once the series moves east. Another title favourite in the MX2 class has to be Honda Canada GDR Fox rider Jeremy Medaglia. Jer-Bear comes into 2016 with what I believe to be his best shot at winning an MX2 title. From all reports, his riding down south has been excellent, he’s fit, he knows the tracks, he has a strong team and a great bike; all the stars could be aligned for Jeremy this summer.

Finally, it was great to read this past week that the MX101 FXR Racing Yamaha Team has signed BC rider Jess Pettis to compete alongside Dylan Wright in the MX2 class. Pettis is coming off his best season yet as a pro in 2015. He was able to stay healthy and build the confidence necessary to compete against Canada’s best MX2 riders. Pettis is maturing and getting stronger by the day, so I look for him to turn a lot of heads this summer.

Congratulations to Jess Pettis on his new ride with the MX101 FXR Racing Yamaha Team.

Well, there you have it, what started off as a description of what I’ll be doing this week in California, quickly turned into a mini National preview. I hope everyone has a great week and I hope the weather is nice for you. It’s time to get out there and get some consistent riding in, especially where I live in Ontario. As always, I will keep you updated from California as I spend some quality time with the powerful Orange Brigade. Take care and be safe!