Motocross Performance Magazine Canadian Motocross news leader
As the MX2 series moves east we get a slightly clearer picture as to who our championship contenders are. Few people observe this class closer than our resident MX2 expert Kyle Beaton. With six tough rounds left in the 2014 Rockstar Energy Drink Motocross Nationals, Beaton takes us through his predictions for who might come out on top to be our 2014 MX2 Champion. Here are Kyle Beaton’s predictions:
1. Kaven Benoit – KTM
Now that we’re heading east I believe this is where Kaven will really shine. As long as he can stay healthy and have no bike issues, I think it’s his championship to lose. Another interesting thing about Kaven in the east is that he will be switching to a KTM 250 two-stroke. I think this will help him on the four sandy tracks but will hurt him in Moncton and Walton. This is definitely a gutsy change to make as he enters the east with the MX2 points lead.
2. Austin Politelli – Kawasaki
After a somewhat slow start in the west, I think Austin will put together a strong east coast swing this year. The pressure is not on him like it was last year at this time as he’s not the points leader, however he’s got some work to do if he wants to finish second. We saw his speed come back in Calgary so I think he’s feeling a lot better on the bike. In Regina he was able to limit the damage in the mud to finish third. I would expect him to be training very hard during the break and come out strong when the series resumes.
It will be cool to see both Benoit and Ingalls on the powerful KTM 250 Two Stroke in the east.
3. Jeremy Medaglia- Kawasaki
It will be very interesting to see how Medaglia does in the east. He has more time on the bike now and I’m sure they’re getting all the bugs worked out. He’s also proven in the past that he rides the eastern tracks very well so he will be tough to beat. As we head into round five, he’s a little behind in points so he will have his work cut out for him if he wants to make those points up. However, this is the east and anything can happen. Knowing Medaglia, as I do, he will certainly make it interesting.
4. Shawn Maffenbeier- Yamaha
It was very hard to put Shawn in fourth as I think he’s riding amazing this year. I think he will continue to be a frontrunner in the east as he was very successful on these tracks in 2013. It will, however, be interesting to see how Shawn handles the newfound pressure of being near the lead in points heading down the stretch. This is new territory for him so hopefully he can lean on his older, more experienced teammates for advice. If Shawn can stay cool then he’ll battle for this championship in the final six rounds.
After winning the previous round in Regina Beets says that Jeremy will continue to do well in the east.
5.Vince Friese- Honda
So far in the 2014 MX2 series, Friese has been the most talked about rider due his antics both on and off the track. However, you can’t get away from the fact that he is one of the fastest and by far most aggressive rider in this class. We saw some cracks in his armour in Regina when the conditions got tough and I can’t help but think we might see the same in the east. When you ride like he does you’re very hard on equipment. At the eastern rounds when it’s hot and humid, these 250Fs need to be taken care of as they tend to run very hot. I think Friese will still win his share of motos in the east, but I think that mistakes and mishaps will cost him the 2014 MX2 title.
Minus the girls and all of the sponsors, this could be a podium shot from the 1990’s as these three won’t be going to dinner together anytime soon.
