MXP Chatter: Tyler Medaglia

For years in the sport of motocross, whenever a rider could finish a series in the top three it was considered to be a very prestigious result. Even in the toughest economies a top three rider would usually be guaranteed a great ride the following season. However, for Tyler Medaglia, finishing third in the MX1 class in last year’s Rockstar Energy Drink Motocross Nationals has meant nothing but delays and frustration. With only two months left before the start of the 2014 National Series, Tyler is still searching for the type of support that will allow him to contest the entire series. With such a long list of top riders currently getting ready to compete this summer, it seems unimaginable that our nationally ranked number three rider may not be on the starting line at round one. We caught up with Tyler as he was at home recovering from a tough Arenacross Series in BC.

MXP: Hey Tyler, how are things?

TM: I’m good, just enjoying some time at home with the family. It’s been awhile since I’ve seen them.

Yes, you were down south riding and then you were out west racing; you’ve been on the road for some time.

It certainly does feel that way. I think I got run down because as soon as I got home I got the flu. I’m starting to feel better now so as soon as we’re done talking I’m heading out for a road bike ride.

A road bike? How’s the weather in Nova Scotia?

Today it’s about five degrees, so it’s not too bad.

Tyler Medaglia spent the winter racing in the Kawasaki Canadian Arenacross Championships with some great support from Maple Ridge Motorsports.

Well, good for you. Alright, there’s been a lot of talk lately about your situation so I wanted to get it straight from you. How are things shaping up for this summer?

Good question! I wish I had a definitive answer for you but the truth is I still don’t know for sure. As it stands today it looks like I’ll be going back to more of a grassroots set up and trying to go from there. I’ve been talking to Jim Kolman a lot. He used to help me out when I was younger so I have some history with him and I have a lot of respect for him. Hopefully we can get something going here soon and make an announcement.

Would it be a team or just you, and would it include doing all of the 2014 Rockstar Energy MX Nationals?

Yes and yes! It would just be me on the team with my sponsors. I still have Red Bull and I just re-signed with Fox Canada so I’m all set up there. We would obviously be getting more sponsors onboard and if I can get a good contingency package, I will definitely be heading out west and competing in the entire series.

That’s great news for the fans and the series. Like a lot of people, I’m very surprised at your current situation. Even back in the 1990s when good deals were hard to come by, if you were able to finish a National series in the top three then you were pretty much guaranteed support.

That’s what I thought too! I was very happy with how I rode last summer. I didn’t have a lot of time on the KTM before Nanaimo so we struggled a bit getting a good set up. But as the series went on I got stronger and stronger, and in the east I only missed the podium once, and that’s because I was sick in Quebec. If you had told me after Walton when I was holding the number three plate that I’d be sitting here in March with no ride, I definitely wouldn’t have believed it.

Tyler was a late addition to the KTM Team in 2013, despite this he rode great all summer and ended finishing as the top Canadian in the MX1 class.

Especially when you didn’t just finish third in the MX1 Series, but you were the top Canadian. Not to mention that you’re a great role model for younger riders, and you’re one of the leaders off the track when it comes to speaking up for track changes and safety?

I guess that’s just the way it goes sometimes. I’m not trying to give everyone a big sob story. I get that sometimes teams have to make decisions and someone ends up on the outside looking in. This time it’s me. The only thing that bugs me about everything is that I feel like I got strung along over the winter and nothing ever came out of it. If I knew in September or October what I know now then I could’ve found something else.

Well, sometimes stuff happens for a reason and it ends up working out in the end. Would it be safe to say that Tyler Medaglia is highly motivated right now?

That would be a huge understatement! I can’t wait to get out there and show that this is all a big mistake. I feel like right now I’m riding better than I ever have. Hopefully we can get a deal real soon and I can get back down south and keep training. Whatever happens, I still have my family and friends and I have a lot of support out here in Nova Scotia.

Yes, it seems you’ve made a nice life for you and your family out east. You like it out there don’t you?

It’s incredible out here. Everyone is really close and we have a great time. When you’re on the road as much as I am, I love coming home to Nova Scotia to relax and recharge my batteries. We also have some cool things going on out here with some Supercross races and other events. These races will allow kids to experience what it’s like to race on a SX track and learn some skills. I think it’s going to be really cool.

I love hearing about top riders giving back to the sport, when you know that they’re beginning to really appreciate the sport. Well Tyler, good luck with putting together a deal for this summer, we can’t wait to see you line up at Nanaimo.

Thank you very much and thanks for calling. I will let you know as soon as we get something set in stone.

With only a few chairs left before the music stops, hopefully Tyler can find enough support to put him on the starting line at round one in Nanaimo.