Follow Team Canada through Deutschland

Next week, Team Canada and their small entourage will depart to Germany to compete in the 2013 MXoN. The team is made up of three very good riders: Tyler Medaglia, Jeremy Medaglia, and Cole Thompson. With their race bikes, a support truck and a great track awaiting them, chances are pretty good that this team will do very well in Germany. Since we will all be following the team’s progress very closely, we thought we’d take a look at their weekly itinerary in Germany so we know exactly what they will be doing each day.

Even though the members of Team Canada are scattered from Sarnia to Halifax, they’re all meeting in Toronto to fly over to Germany together. With any team in any sport, it’s very important to get everyone together as soon as possible so the team can bond. It’s especially important when travelling a long distance that the team gets together before they depart so no one has yet to feel the effects of jet lag and everyone’s personality will be at their best. After that, there’s nothing like a long flight for everyone to bond and talk about their upcoming experience overseas. Team Canada has chosen Air Canada flt#876, which departs on Monday, September 23 at 21:45 and arrives in Germany at 11:15am the next day. The aircraft they will be travelling on is a Boeing 777, which has the latest in comfort and amenities so the team will be in great hands as they fly over the Atlantic.

This is the aircraft that will carry Team Canada over to Germany.

Once they arrive in Frankfurt on Tuesday morning, the team will rent a few vehicles and then travel to where the Sarholz KTM shop is located. Sarholz is a large German KTM race team that has agreed to give Team Canada all the support they need for the MXoN. Without this support, participating in a big race like this would be almost impossible, especially if you want to do well. Since the three races bikes were shipped over to Sarholz a few weeks ago, the crate will be waiting for Team Canada’s mechanics to begin getting them ready for the weekend.

After a very well deserved night of rest, the Sarholz team will be taking our riders to a practice facility not far from their shop so they can dial their bikes in and get the blood flowing. Anytime you get to throw your leg over a bike in another country is very exciting so no doubt Tyler, Jeremy and Cole will be super pumped to get some riding in before the weekend. After riding on the Wednesday, the team will sit down in the evening for their first team dinner. As with travelling, these team dinners are extremely importantly for moral and to help make everyone feel comfortable. After all, for this event, the entire team has one common goal.

Team Canada will be in good hands at the MXON as the Sarholz Team has a pretty sweet set up waiting for them.

From the Sarholz team headquarters, Team Canada will jump back in their rented cars on Thursday morning for the three hour drive to their hotel in Brehna, Germany. This hotel is called the Hotel Bavaria and is located just forty minutes from the Teutschenthal track. This area of Germany is very nice and is rich with history. Since it was part of the former East Germany, there is a unique mix of new and very old buildings. The closest large city is Leipzig, Germany, which is a thirty minute drive from Team Canada’s hotel. If the team wants to do some sightseeing Thursday afternoon, this is the place to do it as it’s full of cool tourist attractions and lots of history.

After another important team dinner on Thursday evening, it’s on to Friday, which is when things start to get more serious. Friday is sign up and tech inspection. This will be the first time the riders will get to see the track. From the photos, the Teutschenthal track looks like the Ste-Julie, Quebec track on steroids. I think all of our riders will feel right at home on it. Also, since they all have their race bikes, I’m sure their confidence will be high as they take to the track.

It is me or does the Teutschenthal track look amazing. Hopefully Tyler, Jeremy and Cole think so an it brings out the best in them.

Once Friday’s official duties are complete, the team will go back to the Hotel Bavaria to eat and get some rest for the weekend. Saturday will bring the all-important qualifying races to see which teams get into the A final and which have to go to the B final. Obviously, Team Canada’s hope is to get to the A final. Without any unforeseen problems, they should be able to do that. This team is made up of fast riders that are all great starters and are very aggressive. The other teams may not end up liking Team Canada but they may all know who they are by the end of Sunday.

Sunday is race day. Since the team is going into the event very well prepared, I’m sure it will reflect upon their results. However, regardless of what happens, we know every member of the team will do their best and will represent Canada with pride. After the race, the team will travel back to their hotel and prepare to fly home on Monday. Look for updates next week on mxpmag,com as we will be following the team’s travels. After reading this, you should know what they will be doing each day while in Germany. Good luck to Team Canada. We’ll be cheering for you.

Fox Canada will have the team looking good in Germany.