As always, the track in Nanaimo, BC provided some awesome racing action on it’s hard pack and dry soil. In the MX2 class, Kaven Benoit rode flawlessly on his KTM 250 two-stroke winning both motos and recapturing the red plate. It was a great performance and one that few expected on his pre-mix burning machine.
In the MX1 class, Benoit’s teammate Cole Thompson rebounded from a frustrating weekend at round one in Kamloops and took home the overall. Thompson’s smooth and patient style served him well on the slippery Nanaimo circuit, and his 1-2 moto score gave Cole and his KTM team a clean sweep on the day. Once again, James Lissimore was on site and captured these incredible racing and behind the scenes images.
While I haven’t heard the official story, I think the riders got together years ago and came up with this name for the Nanaimo track.While some complain about the track, no one ever complains about the scenery while they come to Vancouver Island.Dressed in his brand new Fox Flex Air gear, Kaven Benoit had everything under control in Nanaimo and dominated both MX2 motosWhen you crash on lap one in Nanaimo, there is no doubt you’re going to get up covered in mud.Ironically, Morgan Burger’s performance in Nanaimo matched his flashy ‘money’ gear as he finished a career high 5th overall on Sunday.So far in the two rounds of the 2015 series, Cade Clason has been very consistent and once again finished 8th overall in the MX1 class.Bobby Kiniry rode very well on Sunday and was the only one to turn the table triple section into a huge double, double jump in moto two.Kaven Benoit’s clean double moto sweep was very impressive on Sunday. I haven’t seen two-stroke riding in Nanaimo that good since 2005 when his team manager JSR won the opening round on his Honda CR250As the series moves East to Calgary this weekend, Benoit will once again trade the his black backgrounds for red ones.Americans Cole Martinez and jimmy Decotis get a little friendly before the start in Nanaimo. Both riders had a day they like to forget at round two.Decotis’s points lead was short lived in the MX2 class as he DNF’d the first moto on Sunday.After a tough opening weekend in Kamloops, Cole Thompson bounced back in a big way and took the overall in the MX1 class this weekend.This weekend saw some very rare weather greet everyone in Nanaimo. Here the sun shines bright at the morning rider’s meeting.Honda rider Kyle Keast races under his sponsor’s bridge in Nanaimo on the way to 9th overall.In his final round of the series until Sand Del Lee, 35 year old Kris Keefer rode great all day to finish 9th overall in the MX2 class.Colton Facciotti is still racing himself back into shape after his off-season injury. While he’s not winning yet, our 2014 MX1 champ is doing his best to stay in the points race. After two rounds Colton is only eight points out of the lead.The new staging procedure is way to complicated to explain with words. It must be seen to be fully understood.Matt Goerke’s mechanic Steve Simms makes his demands pretty clear in Nanaimo.
It was great to see Dusty Klatt in Nanaimo again. Klatt has enjoyed a lot of success on this track and he gave some great insight as he helped Brian Koster with the announcing on Sunday.Second moto MX1 winner Matt Goerke weights the outside footpeg perfectly as he fights for traction through a Nanaimo corner.Jeremy Medaglia’s Father Derek tells his son just how proud he is after the race on Sunday.After starting the day on pole position in the MX1 class, Teddy Maier once again had a tough day at round two in Nanaimo. Teddy’s speed is very good so look for him to do well this weekend in Calgary.MX1 points leader Brett Metcalfe had two goasl heading into Nanaimo, to ride safe and go home in one piece. Metcalfe managed to accomplish both and left his least favourite track still holding the red plate.Ryan Lockhart’s 15th overall doesn’t show just how good he rode in Nanaimo. In moto two, Newf went from almost dead last to 17th on the tough Wastelands track.Brad Nauditt had his best race so far in 2015 as he finished 4th overall in the MX2 class.Colton Facciotti soaks the crowd with champagne after a long day of racing.The hardware the goes to the day’s winners at a pro national.After two long and hot motos, Tyler Medaglia’s Husqvarna gets cooled off in the pits.For yet another year, James Lissimore and the traveling circus of the Rockstar Energy Drink Motocross Nationals say farewell to beautiful Vancouver Island.
