Motocross Performance Magazine Canadian Motocross news leader
It’s always an exciting time when we welcome in a new year as it always provides us with new opportunities as well as a fresh start. Well, here we are in the early part of 2022 and we’re back with some more weekly questions for Ryan Lockhart. As you probably know, Ryan has been in the industry for over two decades and during that time he’s worn many hats. We believe it’s this experience as well as his fun-loving nature that makes his insight so valuable and so entertaining. So as we all guide our way through the first part of 2022 here is this week’s Matrix Concepts Canada 3 Q’s with Ryan Lockhart.
MXP: Let’s take Future West AX first. Finally, after a few months of Covid-19 restrictions, flooding, and just about everything else that the residents of BC have had to deal with since November the FW AX Championships will resume this weekend. The weather looks decent and you have Shawn Maffenbeier coming to help you with your riding schools. What else can people expect this weekend in Chilliwack?
Yes finally. We have had just about everything thrown at us that’s for sure, but the time has come and everything looks really good for the weekend. Part of my deal with Future West is testing the track and I did that on Wednesday. We have a great layout in store for everyone and even an elevated start. On the Pro side of things, it will be a little weak as most of our Pro riders are already down south getting their outdoor prep started but the amateur entries are looking strong especially in the 50cc and 65cc classes. Maff and I are doing the schools which will be fun as I always like working with different instructors to learn what they have to offer to better my teaching skills.
MXP: This coming weekend the 2022 Monster Energy Supercross Series heads to Glendale for Round 5. This is the first Triple Crown event of the season which means three shorter main events. Roczen is a good starter, Tomac hasn’t been bad, Anderson and Sexton are being aggressive right now, who do you like for the overall on Saturday night?
It’s been a couple of years since we have seen the Triple Crown format and I think it’s pretty simple to assume that all of us fans are excited. I like the format but there is no question that it always favors the great starters. I really think that the Honda boys have to be the favourites as they have been upfront in almost every start this year. If Jason Anderson can show that sprint speed like last weekend he is going to do well. If I have to be put on the spot for the overall winner in the 450SX class I will go with Anderson. He’s riding so well and his confidence appears to be at an all-time high.
MXP: Our next question is about Ken Roczen. He’s been through a lot over the past five years with injuries and illness, but he’s also won a lot of races and made a lot of money. Ken is also a dad now and as you know that is a life-changing event and it most certainly makes you think more. On Saturday night Kenny holeshotted the 450SX main event and looked like he was going to pull away and win, but sadly that didn’t work out for him. Do you think the window for Roczen winning a Supercross Championship is closing or has it even closed?
There is no question that Ken has been through so much like you said. Just when we think it’s over he comes out swinging and we are all like where did that come from. I feel like nowadays when the elite riders have all those stars aligned they can win on any given night and it’s not like when we had McGrath, RC, Villopoto, and Dungey, those guys would just dominate all the time regardless of the circumstances. Things have changed. Personally, I do not think we will see Ken win a SX title before he retires and I do think retirement is in the very near future. I do think he will win more races this season and I wouldn’t be surprised if that comes this weekend with the Triple Crown format. His body is beaten up and I think the risk he has to put out every given weekend is just too much for him. But when his body, mind, bike, and track are in sync he is extremely hard to beat. Unfortunately, when you’ve been through as much as he has those days don’t happen as often as you’d like.
