Monday Maniac #14

Monday Maniac #14

By: Ryan Gauld

Finally the Toronto SX week is over. This race is like the way people celebrate their birthdays now. It’s not just a day anymore; it’s a birth-week or birth-month. The work that myself and the entire MXP crew was over the top. From stories to blogs to pictures and then the most viewed videos on the web, it was a long week of work just to ensure that the race in Toronto got as much attention as it possibly could. I’m certain we covered every inch of it and I know the 45,000 thousand plus fans that were in attendance got a decent show. All in all, Toronto SX 2012 was a success and the growth that Feld is seeing from that event is making them smile.

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MXPFilms short edit from Toronto

2012 Toronto Supercross Adventures from MXP MAGAZINE on Vimeo.

It’s now quiet time for a bit here in Canada……….. Wait, what am I saying (too many late nights)? It’s the beginning of April and the moto season is heavily on the throttle. First race on Southwestern Ontario is in less than two weeks away at the outstanding facility called Gopher Dunes. Gopher has been open for more than a month so all the racers that have cut some laps should already be prime when the gate drops on April 15th for the ANQ . That’s right the very first race is an ANQ. I’m not that stoked that the first race of the year has so much emphasis on it, but the way the weather has been, it’s given all of us lots of time to prepare and be ready. I just like to have the first race as more of a social event than an all out brawl to gain points for the biggest race in Canada that happens in August every year. You may have heard of it, I believe the name is Trans Can. I guess there’s no better way to start the season than by saying “when the gate drops, the BS stops.” By the way that’s the all time best sticker I have seen on a trailer from back in like 1991 at Gatorback, FLA. So we will see you there. MXP and MXPFilms will be on hand to see who’s on the gas, who’s on the ground, and who’s there to just enjoy the best sport in the world.

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This video by Kyle Sheppard was also featured on ESPN http://espn.go.com/action/fmx/blog/_/post/7755908/fmx-gets-shine-time-toronto-supercross

So the AMA Monster Energy SX title is over. A season that was going to be the best ever became one where the series winner was declared the soonest. Ryan Villopoto was the man that accomplished this. I’m sure the Ryan Villopoto haters will always put an asterisk beside his name for the 2012 title. The field wasn’t there, some racers got hurt, he got lucky, etc., etc. , blah, blah. If you’re one of those people you’ve obviously been sniffing the glue, or maybe it’s a nice can of Dupont you’re huffing. This guy was the man this year. Not only did he beat the best when they were on the gate, he beat them into submission by lasting the entire series. Yes, it ended with an awful lot of “damn that was a boring” race, but to see what this kid has done after missing the sport for two years with injury, then bouncing back and not losing a single title for the last year and a half is pretty remarkable. These are the kind of stats that only one man has ever racked up. Funny thing is he also has red hair and is just a little guy by the name of Rick Carmichael. So congrats to Ryan Villopoto for doing what only a handful of others has done. Winning back-to-back titles is very special.

Your 2012 AMA Monster Energy SX Champion Ryan Villopoto – back-to-back!!

Photo by Rich Shepherd

What about the Justin Barcia meltdown? I’m betting Jeff Stanton was looking for a place to hide after seeing what that kid did after the incident with three corners to go. Tears, roosting, yelling, and basically a full blown Indiana University coach Bobby Knight-type snap fest. Hey Justin, shit happens out on the track. You’re a champion. Please don’t show us your true colours again. It’s not good for anybody. he was fined $5,000 for this incident by the AMA

Relax Barcia, things happen. Keep your cool!

Photo By Rich Shepherd

So how about that Bobby Kiniry guy? Dude gets off the couch in early January when he gets the call from the Rockstar Valley Yamaha team, makes mains every weekend, but really is just getting better and better. He threw down a 9th in Toronto in front of his second family on the eve of him gracing the cover of the latest MXP Magazine. Then this past weekend he gets a third place start and rolls across the finish in 6th. OUTSTANDING!!!!!!!!! My hat goes off to this guy. He’s not only filling in for injured rider Ryan Morais, he is getting the team their best finishes ever since they started racing Supercross. (Well, maybe not the best but I don’t care if I’m wrong. Bobby K is my hero!!) Good on ya BK. Now you know how you can fit into the series when you get an opportunity like you did. Run with it boy. Run as fast as you can to the bank and to the phone because when the season is over you’ll be on the top of every team’s list when they’re looking for riders to join their team. The confidence under the helmet of a guy like Bobby Kiniry is like Eminem after getting letters from mad mothers or gay rights people; there is no stopping him. Let’s hope he keeps this rolling and it floods over into the Canadian nationals that start in June. Way to go Bobby!!

Bobby Kiniry got his best finish ever this past weekend in Houston. Couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.

Photo by Rich Shepherd

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Ami and Jaime MX Adventures from Toronto. These girls did a great job.

Toronto Supercross Adventures from MXP MAGAZINE on Vimeo.

The season is upon us. I’m pretty much WFO from now until Montreal SX. I don’t have a day off or weekend off until October. I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing, but it’s a thing regardless. Be sure to read through the latest MXP and enter for a chance to win a huge box of swag from Metal Mulisha on page 34. Thanks to those guys for throwing us some great stuff and good luck to the people that enter.

Click photo or HERE for PDF version of the contest

Braaaappp!!