MXP Chatter With Kourtney Lloyd

‘The Board of Directors of the Canadian Motorcycle Association is pleased to announce the appointment of Kourtney Lloyd of Prince George, BC as Team Manager for the 2016 Motocross of Nations project.

“We are particularly pleased that, after missing the event in 2015, we are able to celebrate our 70th Anniversary by having Canada represented at the classic event,” said CMA President, Joseph Godsall. “Kourtney is an ideal choice for this challenge.”

Kourtney is Manager of Cycle North Powersports and has extensive experience in managing motocross and snowcross teams here in Canada and overseas.

She replies, “I am so grateful to the CMA for this opportunity to represent Canada for MXON for 2016 in Maggiore, Italy. I am humbled and honoured by the support I have received since being chosen for the position and I will work hard to ensure that Team Canada has all the tools we need to succeed on a world stage. Thank you for believing in me.”

This was the press release that came out this week announcing Kourtney Lloyd as the newly appointed Manager of Team Canada for this year’s MXON in Italy. After a successful campaign in 2014, last year saw Team Canada take a hiatus from this massive global event. Now, with this announcement, Team Canada has been put in a great position for not just the 2016 event but also moving forward. We caught up with Kourtney last night to get her thoughts on this incredible opportunity she’s been given.

MXP: Hey there Miss Lloyd, or should I say Team Manager Lloyd, how are you tonight?

KL: I’m doing great Palms, I’m just chilling out in Prince George.

Well, I know you’re a busy girl so let’s get right to the point. How did this Team Canada thing come about?

It’s been in the works for a while now as I put in my name some time ago. When we weren’t able to send a team in 2015 it really bothered me and I wanted to try to change that for this year. To be honest though, when I did send my name into the CMA, I really didn’t think I would get it.

But you did and I personally think you’re a perfect choice for the position.

Awe thanks, I hope I am and I hope you still think that after the event (laughs). Even when I found out that I did get it, I was kind of doubting myself that maybe this is too big for me.

I read yesterday that it’s not a hard job at all so you shouldn’t have any problem with it (laughs).

Then it should be a piece of cake!

MXP: In all seriousness, there are obviously many different layers to organizing something like this, both pre and post-event. I’m sure you’ll do awesome at it. I’m very curious to know what your dad said when you told him.

Randy was very supportive and told me that he thinks I’m going to do a great job. Actually, his words made me feel a lot better about taking on this challenge. I just wish I could talk him into coming over to Italy.

Definitely, he would be a great person to give the riders their final pep talk before the race.

He would for sure, as long as the guys didn’t mind a pep talk laced with curse words.

Since you found out that you were chosen, what different things have you been doing? I mean, the event is still nine months away, but that time will no doubt go very fast.

With the event being in the Milan area, I’ve been researching everything from where to stay, how we’re going to get everything over there, what to do for food, what the dirt is like at the track, just a lot of little things like that. Everyone who knows me knows that when I take on a task, I’m all in!

I’ve actually been to that area a few times in the last few years and it’s breathtaking. I guess hotels and food would be one of the first items to get sorted out.

Yes, definitely. When I went over to Germany two years ago with Ross Johnson, the biggest issue was with the food. Don’t get me wrong, the food is good, it’s just that these athletes live on a specific diet and if they can’t get the proper food in them then their performance suffers. To deal with this I’m actually looking at renting a house and bringing in a chef to cook for everyone. This way they get the food they want, and I think it will be great for the team concept to be all staying in a house together.

You see Kourtney, it’s ideas like this that make you perfect for this job. How has the response in the industry been to this announcement?

That is the one thing that has surprised me; so far the support has been overwhelming. People have been calling, texting, emailing me, just offering their support. Andre Laurin has been a huge help to me and he will be a big part of this effort. I’m very excited for the next few months and putting this all together.

Obviously none of our riders are racing right now with the exception of Cole Thompson, so I’m guessing that you really can’t evaluate anyone until the Nationals begin in June.

Yes, you’re correct. I had to submit a list to the CMA with the names of the group of riders that I thought might be eligible, but it’s not binding or anything, so the final three will get chosen in the summer.

We’ve witnessed over the years our riders have some pretty special performances at the MXON, but in all reality those great rides have been few and far between. Now, there’s no question that this event is the toughest on the planet to do well at, but our riders are some of the best in the World and they should do well every year. Have you given any thought about how you plan to get the best out of whomever is chosen to represent Canada?

That’s a great question Palms and one that is hard to answer. I don’t ride so it’s not like I’m going to be able to tell them which line to take or where to start. However, what I can do is give them everything they need to feel comfortable in Italy and hopefully this will bring out their best.

Items like renting a house or getting a chef, I know this might sound like they’re going to get spoiled, but if that’s what it takes to be successful then that’s what I’ll do. A few years ago when I had Jeremy Medaglia and Ross Johnson on my Cycle North AX Team, Jeremy always liked red sauce on his pasta that I would make for dinner at the track. This was no issue, however, Ross only like white sauce. Well, I ended up making both every weekend so they were happy and comfortable. I believe it’s the little things that bring out the best in these guys, so that is what I’m going to focus on.

That’s very true and it sounds like a great plan. Okay, final question. With all the negative press last year and also in years past, how has the CMA been to deal with so far?

Honestly Palms, they have been great. Right from the first conversation I had with Marilyn Bastedo, things have been great. I assured her that I was capable of doing the job and that I wouldn’t repeat the mistakes she thought were made in 2014. So far everything has been great. I think that maybe she’s just really happy that she finally gets to deal with a female. (laughs)

You’re probably right, I’m sure it’s a refreshing change for her. Well, I hope it goes great for you and congratulations again on getting this prestigious position. You’ve always been the one to try and break down barriers in this sport and you’re doing it again with this. You’re the Rosa Parks of Canadian moto.

You’ve called me that before and I like it. It should be fun, there will be a lot of people helping me so I’m definitely not doing this alone. Hopefully we can go over to Italy and do well, and then carry that momentum into Glen Helen in 2017.

For sure, thank you for your time Kourtney.

Anytime Palms, please say hello to that little guy of yours.