MXP Chatter: Michael DaSilva goes four-stroke

By Danny Brault

Nothing compares to racing in the big leagues. As proven time and time again, a rider could win everything at the amateur level, but it doesn’t mean squat when they begin racing the Rockstar Energy Drink Motocross Nationals.

Take it from Michael DaSilva, who suffered through his first year of racing the nationals last summer, learning how important it is to come prepared physically and mentally to the national starting gate. The longtime Duroy Racing KTM Canada supported rider had great success as an amateur in Quebec and at the Walton TransCan, but those results didn’t transfer immediately into the pro ranks. That said, DaSilva gained more than he lost while racing the entire 9-round national series in only his first season as a pro. He ended the year 15^th overall in the MX2 series, was a consistent top-15 finisher and even scored a 5^th place moto finish in Deschambault.

We caught up with DaSilva to find out what he learned last season and what’s he doing to correct his mistakes going into the 2014 Canadian Nationals.

MXP: Hi Michael, it’s been a while. What’s kept you busy this winter and spring?
Michael DaSilva: I went down to South of the Border (SOB), as most know, for two months to train with the guys at SOB and really get ready for the Nationals. Last year I didn’t come into the year as prepared as I should have. Ever since I’ve been back home in Quebec this spring, I’ve been training and riding as much as I can.

In which way were you not prepared for your first season racing the Nationals?
I feel like I wasn’t ready with my mental state; I wasn’t confident enough in my physically shape to complete a 30 minute moto. It’s hard because if you don’t believe you can complete a 30 minute moto you most likely won’t be able to.

Is that lack of preparation attributed to you not riding or training enough?
A little bit of both. I was still in high school last year and didn’t have enough time to prepare. I didn’t take it seriously enough and was less prepared than I should have.

I noticed in your sponsorship press release with Golden Tyre that you had a KTM 250 SX-F not a 250 SX behind you. Will you be on a four-stroke or two-stroke this year?
This year I am definitely riding a 250 four-stroke. I rode it all winter so I got used to it. I already feel much more aggressive and faster than I was on a two-stroke.

Why the change? Not as comfortable on the 250 two-stroke as a 250F?
It’s a mix of not being as comfortable and it didn’t suit my riding style. I wasn’t aggressive enough on the bike and it caused me seconds on the track. Going back to a four-stroke is the best way to do it this year.

 Are you racing the full 10-round National series?
Yep, I’m planning to do the full series again this year. Go west and come back east strong.

You played out the full privateer experience last summer, traveling across Canada in nothing but a truck and small trailer. What’s your set-up like this year?
Pretty much the same deal, but one of my sponsors, my Dad’s employer, stepped up and is lending me a small motor home to go out west with. We’ll pull a small trailer with bikes behind it. I think it will help to be more comfortable and feel more at home instead of being stuck inside a small trailer and having a hard time sleeping at night.

Along with improving your physical conditioning, what else did you learn last year that you are bringing into your program this year at the Nationals?
To look down the starting line and tell myself that I can do it—that I am able to be up there with those guys. If I put in the time and effort, I can do just as good anyone out there. As far as training goes, I’ve been putting in a lot of 30 minute motos. I went riding yesterday and did a 36 minute moto with my Dad and I felt really good. He pulled me off to check the gas in my bike but I felt like I could keep going. My fitness is definitely there going into this season.

Amateur and pro racing are obviously two completely different things. It seems a rider could win everything as an amateur, but that doesn’t predict instant success in the Pro class. More than speed, I think confidence becomes the biggest factor in determining results at the Nationals.
Being strong mentally is key; it’s no walk in the park, that’s for sure. With my experience gained last year, I can build on that and come in a lot stronger and healthier. I showed my speed at Deschambault last year, getting fifth in that first moto. I know I can do it every round this year with my fitness being there. I’ve been working on my starts as well, but coming in feeling stronger mentally will be the biggest thing.

While training down south, did you have a chance to do any racing?
I raced at SOB; there was a Loretta Lynn qualifier in March. I raced 250 Pro Sport and 450 Open A and I won both overalls. I was right up there with those guys; Josh Clark and Jeremy Taylor were there. That was a confidence booster to come out of there with a win.

Are you riding a 450 as well?
Yeah, I do. I train a lot on the 450. That’s helped me a lot with my fitness. You do 30 minutes on a 450 and then get onto a 250 and it feels like nothing.

While training and riding at South of the Border in South Carolina, did you have a chance to ride with some other fast guys?
A week or two weeks after the race, Dylan Wright, Matt Georke and a few other fast riders showed up at SOB. I think it really helped me speed-wise.

On the track, does everyone get together and battle or stick to themselves?
It depends. Sometimes we all do motos together with a full gate drop and we go out at the same time. Other times, we disperse a little and then keep track of where the other rider is at, and see if we’re gaining or losing time. That was our biggest gauge.

I find it odd that when racers reach a certain level, they stop racing each other during practice. It’s like they are afraid to reveal a secret or something. Why is that?
I love trying to catch up to someone, follow them and see what’s making them faster than me on the track; check out their lines. But then, I feel like when someone gets behind me, I don’t want them to do that. I’m not there to make them faster; I’m there to make myself faster. So I think that’s one reason why pros don’t race together while practicing because we don’t want others to see our lines. And if you have a bad day, it boosts their confidence and can hurt yours.

You’ve been fortunate to grow up racing in Quebec; there’s no shortage of great tracks and also racers to look up to. Who would you say is one racer that you looked up to most from your region?
From Quebec, it would be JSR. He was always there, he rode hard and knew what he had to do. I try to be like him, and know that when I line up on the gate, my only goal is to win the race. A second or third is nice but winning is way better.

Do you keep in contact with JSR or say Kaven Benoit, asking for advice on how to go faster?
In the summer, JSR helps me out a little bit with pointers before the races. When he sees I’m doing something wrong, he will tell my Dad and my Dad shares it with me.

You now have one full season of racing the Nationals under your belt. What are your favourite tracks on the circuit?
My top three tracks would be Sand Del Lee, Deschambault and Walton.

Are you finished high school now?
Yep, I’m finished high school and going into college in August after Walton. I’m taking Computer Sciences and Technology at Champlain College.

What’s your dream job after finishing college?
Outside of motocross, to become a software engineer.

By the way, I’ve got to say that I’m always impressed with how well you speak English!
[Laughs] I went to an English school all my life, so I speak English better than I do French. At home, we speak English all of the time. Both of my parents are English. My Mom was born in Italy and my Dad was born in Quebec, but he went to French school and learned English on his own. His family all spoke English.

Finally, before I let you go, you’re back on KTM this year; who else is supporting you in 2014?
Duroy Racing, KTM Canada, Motovan, Oakley, Goldentyre, Zox, Answer, Skull Candy, Kutvek Amerika, TCX boots, Evo Suspension, SMX, Yoshimura, Leatt Brace, Massyf Hydralique, ODI Grips and Bars, Bow Motorsports with race gas, and Steve Driver of V.R. for providing a motor home to go out west. The guys at South of the Border for their help, and of course my parents who are always backing and pushing me at 100 percent.

Thanks Michael. Good luck this year!
Thank you.