The moment everyone was waiting for finally occurred this past weekend in Calgary. After months of anticipation, the gate dropped at the opening round of the 2024 Triple Crown Series. The weather was perfect, the Wild Rose MX Track was in excellent condition, and the riders were ready for battle. In the 250 Pro/AM class, Kaven Benoit came out swinging and took the overall win with a 1-2 moto score. The 450 class is deep with talent this summer, and Jess Pettis drew first blood at Wild Rose MX using a solid 2-1 moto score to win his first overall since the 2021 season. It was a great day of racing at the opening round, and it was great to see so many fans come out to watch our best riders compete at Round 1.With Round 2 coming up this weekend in Lethbridge, let’s take one more look back to the opening round with photos by James Lissimore.
The view of downtown Calgary was once again incredible on Sunday. Racing is his first ever pro race, Drew Adams was very fast in Calgary and easily won the second 250 class moto. Quinn Amyotte has a podium finish in his sights before coming together with a lapper while running fourth in moto two. Just as he did a year ago, Kaven Benoit took the first 250 class overall win of the series. Racing with a very heavy heart, Eve Brodeur rode to a solid second overall in the Thor WMX West Series. Blake Davies had a great day in Calgary, going 6-6 for sixth overall.Fresh off an incredible snowcross season, Crayden Dillon drove out west to race the opening rounds of the Triple Crown Series. Daniel Elmore had an off day at the opening round and finished outside of the top ten in the 450 class.Mitchell Harrison rode strong in his first 450 race and found himself on the podium. Austin Jones struggled off the concrete starting pad and his starts suffered. Last year, Wyatt Kerr had a massive crash in Calgary that put him out for the season. This year he rode hard to finish 9th OA.Preston Kilroy had a solid day at the opening round going 5-5 for sixth overall in the 450 class. It’s been a long time since the KTM Canada Red Bull Race Team won both classes at a national. Newcomers to the Triple Crown Series Tiger Wood and Gage Linville fly together over one of the many Wild Rose MX jumps. Unfortunately, Tyler Medaglia had a bad crash on lap one of the opening moto and suffered a concussion. Josiah Natzke had a mixed day in Calgary. but he still managed a solid 4th OA in the 450 class. Jess Pettis did what he hasn’t done since 2021, beating Dylan Wright and winning the 450 class OA. Jess Pettis pulled both 450 class holeshots in Calgary. Aaron Tanti is very fast and once he get into National shape he’s going to be a front runner. Zach Ufimzeff went with the retro look for the opening round of the 2024 Triple Crown Series. Tanner Ward was very fast at the opening round, especially in the second 450 moto. Dylan Wright shows us that his oil drain plug is doing okay. Dylan Wright hadn’t lost a 450 class overall win since 2021. In Calgary, he traded moto wins with Pettis. The 250 Pro/AM class podium from Wild Rose MX Park. Your 450 class podium from Wild Rose MX Park.
