MXP Chatter With Daniel Elmore Presented By Troy Lee Designs Canada

Over the past couple of seasons, one of the feel-good stories in the Triple Crown Series has been the riding of Daniel Elmore. A native of Northern BC, Elmore has travelled the country searching for motocross glory during the summer before returning home each winter to work in the logging industry. After a few months of hard work, he then returns to the sport he loves and begins training hard for the upcoming season. Well, last month, while training hard at ClubMX in South Carolina, Daniel received a call from the TLD/GASGAS/SSR Team offering him a deal to race in the 450 class this summer. Since this was the call that Daniel had been waiting for, he quickly said yes, and within a few days, he was riding his brand-new red GASGAS MC450F. We caught up with Daniel to see how his training has been going and what his plans are heading into the opening round of the 2023 Triple Crown Series in Edmonton.

MXP: Hey Daniel! How is everything going down at ClubMX?

DE: Hi Chris! Things have been going great, and I’m happy with where I’m at with my riding and training.

That’s great to hear. How long have you been training down there?

I’ve been at ClubMX since early February, so about two months now.

You also trained there last winter. You must like it in South Carolina?

Yes, this is actually my fourth time back here. I do like it here, it definitely gets the job done, and it’s easy to just focus on riding and training.

There are obviously a lot of training facilities to choose from in the USA. What are some of the other things you like about ClubMX?

Yeah, there are quite a few options these days, and each year there seems to be more and more (laughs). The tracks and trainers here are pretty good, but I really like the guys I train with. Each year there is always a great group of fast riders, so you’re riding at your max every day. I just find it to be excellent preparation for the Canadian season.

That’s great! Nowadays, it’s important to train and ride with fast riders because everyone seems to be doing that. Okay, before discussing the upcoming season, I want to ask you about 2022. You started well in Kamloops, but the following weekend in Alberta, you got injured and missed a few races. What happened in Drumheller?

Yeah, I got off to a pretty good start in Kamloops and was excited for Round 2. Drumheller was pretty disappointing, the track just wasn’t good to race on, and I should have been more cautious. I ended up sliding out and high siding before the finish line, breaking my collarbone and separating my shoulder. I missed a couple of rounds but made it back for the end of the series.

Unfortunately, a few riders didn’t like the Drumheller round last year. So you took a few weeks off and then returned for the final few rounds. You had some really good motos after that, including a couple of top-five finishes. Which one are you most proud of?

Yes, I went back to racing after only taking three weeks off. I probably should’ve waited to heal up more, but I’d worked so hard in the off-season that I didn’t want to miss too many races. Obviously, I started off a bit slow but made good progress near the end. The final moto of the year is the one I’m most proud of. I got stuck in a pile-up off the start and had to charge from 30th all the way up to 4th. It was a tough moto, but I rode hard the entire time and was able to pass a lot of riders. That one felt great, and it was a good way to end the summer.

That was a great ride for sure. Looking back at 2022, were you happy with how things went?

Yes, I would say so. I had a lot of ups and downs, but I learned a lot, and those lessons will help me moving forward.

Once the racing season was done, you headed back home and spent a few months working, correct?

Yes, that’s right. I work in the logging industry, mainly operating a grapple skidder and power saw. I live in Northern BC in a little town called Telkwa. There is a lot of logging up there, so each winter, I work and earn money to go racing the following year. It’s not easy work, but you have to do what you have to do.

You’re right. You have to do what you can to live out your summer motocross dreams. Okay, let’s talk about this season. Originally, you planned on racing a Cycle North Honda, but then something cool happened. Can you talk to us about the first time you heard from Steve Simms and the TLD/GASGAS/SSR Team?

Yes, I was going to be riding Hondas with help from Kourtney Lloyd and Cycle North again. However, that changed about a month and a half ago. Steve texted me saying he was looking for a 450 rider and would I be interested. Of course, I said yes, but I would have to talk to Kourtney first. She was happy for me, and the deal with Steve came together quickly after that.

As you mentioned above, you’ve always worked so hard each year to make this sport happen for you. Getting the call from Steve with an offer to be on a team must’ve felt great.

Oh yes! That’s been one of the goals for a couple of years now, so I was super stoked.

How were your first few laps on the GASGAS?

They were great! Usually, it takes some time to get used to a bike, but I felt comfortable almost immediately. Since then, we’ve been doing a little testing and putting in as much work as I can.

Well, it sounds like you’re no stranger to working. So you’re currently putting in the laps at ClubMX with your teammate Tyler Gibbs. What is the plan for the rest of April and into May?

Just laps and more laps (laughs). I don’t know what the plan is after that. I’m trying to sort some things out now, so we’ll see what happens. All I know right now is that I’ll be at ClubMX for a few more weeks.

With your team being based in Ontario, it would be cool if you could head there at the end of the month and race a couple of the AMO races.

It would be for sure, especially with the opening AMO race being at Gopher Dunes. I’ll know more about what I’m doing in the next few days.

Heading into this summer and the 2023 Triple Crown Series, do you think you’ll be feeling more pressure with being on a top team. Or will you just be that much more excited and confident?

Honestly, the added pressure of being on a team will be much easier to deal with than the stress of doing everything myself. I actually do well with a little pressure, so it should be good.

That is a great way of looking at things! Away from the track, what are some of the things you like? For instance, what is your favourite food, movie, music, and training method, and how do you spend your off days at ClubMX?

Well, as far as food goes, I love a good pasta dinner. I like mountain biking and snowboarding and pretty much anything I can jump or go fast on. I really like strength training over cardio, but obviously, I have to balance both in this sport. During my off days here at ClubMX, I usually just get my bike work done and then rest and recover for the next training day. Sometimes I’ll read a book, watch a movie, or just hang out with friends. I’m pretty quiet and laid back, so finding something to do is not hard.

It sounds as though you’re in a really good place right now, and I hope you have a great season Daniel. Who would you like to thank, and do you have any parting words?

I would like to thank all my sponsors and supporters who got me to where I am today. Of course, I’d like to thank Steve Simms and the TLD/GASGAS/SSR Team for this amazing opportunity! My parents for all the help over the years, and everyone from back home for cheering me on. Thanks for reaching out Palms, and I hope to see you soon in Ontario.