Dylan Wright Blog: First Time

I’ve been riding dirt bikes since I was four, and I’ve been racing them since I was five. I watched and admired the Pros ever since then, working my butt off to become one of them someday. Amazingly, that someday for me is right now. It took a while for that to really sink in.

As I rode my last moto at the 2013 Walton TransCan I knew it was my last amateur race, but my focus was on winning that moto. As I won my Intermediate championships and received the Bronze Boot, I was caught up in the moment of achieving some of the most important goals I had set for myself as an amateur racer. I realize now that those moments were the beginning of my transition to becoming a pro motocross racer.

When did reality really set in? Well, that’s hard to say. I guess it started when the CMRC assigned me a 2014 Pro racing number after Walton. (I will be racing #34 this coming season). But the “real deal” was signing my first ever pro motocross contract with the MX101 Yamaha team in the fall. This set the ball in motion for what I expect will be one of the most exciting and intense years of my life.

Sure, I had the opportunity to race in the Pro class as an Intermediate rider last year. I’m really happy with some of the results I got. It was definitely a very really cool experience that gave me a good idea of what to expect for the year ahead, but somehow, I realize that lining up at the gate this year just won’t be the same.

A lot of things are going to be new to me:

* My first pro contract: While I know I’m still racing motocross because it’s what I love to do, I realize that there are some expectations I have to meet now. I have a responsibility to my team and my sponsors and I’m going to do everything I can to live up to those expectations!

* My first time racing many tracks on the circuit: I’ve never been to the West or East coasts of Canada. I’m really pumped to have the opportunity to tackle some of these tracks and see some of the country. Because it probably won’t be possible to practice on the actual tracks we’ll be racing on, the plan is to watch some of the videos of past races to get a feel for each facility. I’m also hoping to talk to some of the more experienced racers to get their insight and any advice they’re willing to share with me. To help avoid the jet lag and get more familiar with the terrain and dirt in the west, we’re thinking about staying out there with the rig so I can ride some of the other local tracks. Our team is so lucky to have a semi equipped with awesome living facilities. We’re hoping to make the best of it.

* My first time flying: While that may not seem like a big deal to a lot of people, I think that it’s going to be one more thing to add to my list of cool memories of this coming year.

* My first full-time mechanic: While I’m grateful to my Dad and all the other guys (Derek Medaglia, Richard Clarke, Kyle Athrens, James Gourlay, etc.) who have worked on my dirt bikes before, the past few weeks spent with Cale Foster have proven to be absolutely amazing. Who knew there were so many different things you could adjust on a bike to adapt to my style of riding?! His knowledge and experience are incredible. The result – I am getting smoother and faster all the time on my new YZ250F.

* My first time doing full winter training: For the past few years, off-season training primarily consisted of regular visits with my trainer Rob Mouland, at FitQuest, and about three weeks or so spent down south getting in some riding around March Break time. This year, I continued to work with my trainer, but I got to spend three weeks in Florida plus another five weeks at the South of the Border training facility in South Carolina. What about school? Well, for my second semester, my parents made arrangements with my high school so I could spend most of the winter and early spring training while I did my courses online.

* My first race as a Pro: May 31, 2014. Nanaimo, B.C. Regardless of the outcome of that race, it’s going to be a milestone I will never forget! I am pumped and ready to go!

Not in Kansas anymore: Beginning in two weeks Dylan Wright will be going up against some of the worlds best riders at the 2014 Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals. Each week you’ll be able to read about Dylan’s season right here on mxpmag.com. photo by James Lissimore

At Gopher Dunes last year, I got a taste of the podium. Words can’t describe how exhausting and exhilarating that day was for me. All I know is that on that day, I realized that I could be a contender and that I just might have what it takes to get on the box. So … I’m really hoping to add a first place finish to the list of “firsts” for me in 2014.