This number has brought all of us so many memories. It will be hard not seeing it on the gate each weekend anymore.
Photos by Rich Shepherd
This particular Monday Maniac comes with sad news. The retirement of one of the most popular riders to ever lay a leg over a bike was announced. At 1:30pm on Saturday, January 19th, Kevin Windham called it a career after 19 seasons. From a fan’s perspective, this is a tough pill to swallow. Kevin made us all smile and cherish this sport more than any other rider in its history. From Kevin’s perspective, it’s a little easier to understand if you have ever made it to a point in your career where your mind and body just won’t let you be the competitive animal you once were. I watched when Jeremy McGrath had to make the same announcement, now I watched Kevin Windham. These are moments that are tougher to handle than one would think. I am sad to see Kevin make the call but as a racer I completely understand his decision. I think it will really set in next weekend when the #14 is not on the gate. I remember him as an amateur prodigy, his debut in 1994 at Mt. Morris where he nearly won his very first moto, and when I played football with him in 1995 at Gainesville as a couple of 17 year old kids, him being Factory Yamaha US and me being Factory Yamaha Canada. I have followed Kevin’s career very closely to this day. Kevin you were an inspiration to me each and every time I got a chance to watch you race. You were truly born to be a motocross hero. Now that you are retiring it’s time to give whatever else you choose in life the same thing you gave so many of us in motocross: hope. Good luck!
Kevin Windham’s final opening ceremonies. He ended it the way he started – on his front wheel giving the fans something to cheer for.
A very humbling moment for the popular rider. At this time the stadium’s roof, if it had a roof, would have blown off from the loudness of the cheers. It was surreal and I wasn’t even there.
Rounds 7 and 8 of the KTM BC Arenacross Series went off this weekend. Coming into the event it was all GA Checkpoint Yamaha’s Spencer Knowles up to this point. The young star seems to have finally figured out how to be consistent and looks to be in total control of the series with four rounds to go. His consistent finishes this past weekend of 2-2-1-2 have given him a 33 point lead heading into the final four races in February. The title sponsor of the event, KTM, had one of their best riders at the event. Dusty Klatt made his KTM Arenacross debut with good results going 1-2-3-4 in his races. The man chasing Spencer and the title, Yamaha’s Brock Hoyer, sits back only 4 points in the Pro Open class. His 3-1-3-4 finishes has him close to Spencer in points but it’s going to be tough to close that gap if the same riders are all within a spot or two of each other. US friend Brad Nauditt showed his face with his new eyes this weekend and also took a main event win. His 6-3-4-1 scores proved he was a threat each time the gate dropped. The series now takes a short break and picks up on February 1st and 2nd in Chilliwack. It looks like the first cover of 2013 for MXP’s first issue will come down to a couple of Yamaha pilots. Who’s it going to be, Spencer Knowles or Brock Hoyer?
There are times in this position when you really get treated like gold because you are part of the media. MXP was recognized as Canada’s best media source by Oakley Canada and invited us down to their World Headquarters in Foot Hill Ranch, California. I was the lucky one that got to travel down and take in this unreal experience. The event was to launch their all new MX Goggle called the “Airbrake.” Let me start by saying this goggle will revolutionize the sport as we know it. The amount of different things you can do with it to make your race day easier, clearer and more comfortable will blow your mind. It’s hard to think that a goggle could change the way you attack the day at the track but the new “Airbrake” does just that. You will be more confident and more organized for any situation at any race track now with this new goggle from Oakley. The other amazing part of the event was the tour of the facility. Over 200 employees work for Oakley and the production area runs 24 hours a day. The amount of time and effort that goes into making each pair of goggles, or glasses, well let’s just say if you got this tour you would never complain about paying the price for a set of Oakleys ever again. The company has been running strong since 1975 and to this day is still the #1 sunglass and goggle company in the world. After what I was treated to I can see why. James Stewart, Ryan Villopoto, Ryan Dungey, Ricky Carmichael, Eli Tomac, Will Hahn, Mike “Too Tall” Bell, Johnny O’Mara, Jeff Ward and so many others were on hand to welcome this new product to the family. We were able to watch this pretty sick intro video inside the theatre Oakley has inside the office that holds 350 people. All the names above chatted about the new “Airbrake” that they have all been wearing for the past few months. I then got to sit with James Stewart and Eli Tomac for some interviews, plus I caught up with Ricky Carmichael who yelled across the bar “What up Canuck?” hahaha That made me feel pretty cool. It was an amazing night. Big thanks to Oakley for recognizing MXP and sending me down for this truly amazing one-off event.
Round 3 of the Monster Energy Supercross took place in Anaheim this weekend. It took three rounds but finally Ryan Villopoto took home a victory. He did it in dominating fashion as well, grabbing the lead on lap 6 and never looking back, stretching his lead to 7 seconds by the finish. Trey Canard continued to impress with a solid 2nd place ride. Grabbing 3rd was the rider from down under, Chad Reed, who got a little gift as Davi Millsaps tipped over with two laps to go. Davi hung on for fourth and will still wear the red plate heading into Oakland this weekend. In the 250 class, Eli Tomac is still perfect but the gap is getting closer between him and Ken Roczen. Tomac had to get past his toughest competitors to take the win and show how much control he has of this title chase. The interview Ken did after the race was awesome. Basically he stated that it is tough getting 2nd right now but he’s not giving up. He’s closer each week and a win is coming. He knows it. I love this kid’s attitude
A beautiful moment with his wife Dottie. Kevin Windham says goodbye to the sport. Both he and Dottie are two of the most special people to ever be part of motocross. Dottie was there every step of the way with Kevin through the ups and downs of his career. That’s a strong woman!
Congratulations to Patrick Beaule for finishing the grueling 2013 Dakar event in 62nd position overall. This is Patrick’s 2nd time racing the Dakar and he has finished both times, incredible. Only 67% of the motorcycles finished this event that covered just over 8000km over 14 days.
At the finish, Patrick proposed to his girlfriend (now fiancee) Frederique Saindon and she said yes! Surely the most memorable event in Patrick’s life and racing career!
That’s all I have for this week. Be sure to stay tuned to mxpmag.com all week for reports from A2, KTM Canada Arenacross, Oakley, and much, much more. Thanks for tuning in. To end this off I just want to say thanks again to Kevin Windham for all he’s done for me and the sport of motocross. You’re truly one of a kind.