MXP Q and A

This weeks MXP Q and A is brought to you by the two wheel loving folks at Yamaha Motor Canada LTD.

Q: Now that we’re two rounds into the 2014 Rockstar Energy Drink Motocross Nationals it’s only fitting that this weeks question is about the first two weekends of the series. Allan from BC would like to know what I think of Mike Alessi so far?

A: Hey Allan, thanks for the question and I’m glad you were able to make it out to the Kamloops round last weekend. I don’t think anyone is really surprised at the overall speed of Alessi so far in this series. After all he’s been one of the top guys in the USA for the last five years or so. When he took to the track in Nanaimo for the first practice of the summer, I was blown away at just how fast he was and how powerful his MotoConcepts bike looked.

So far Mike Alessi has brought his A game to Canada as he’s been very fast. photo by James Lissimore

Now having said that, once the actually moto’s started Alessi’s speed didn’t appear to be too much better than say Facciotti’s or Hill’s. These three riders have been the fastest so far and there doesn’t seem to be too much between them. I think as the series goes on you’re going to see on some tracks Alessi will be better and on other tracks Facciotti will be the faster guy. As you saw this past weekend Alessi actually won the first moto but got docked for cutting the track, and if you listen to the Alessi camp, in moto two he had bike troubles and that’s why Colton was able to reel him in.

So speed wise I think Alessi is pretty much where we thought he’d be. The one thing that Alessi has lived up to is his starting ability as he’s been up front in every moto. I’m sure that he’s in the minds of Facciotti and company as they know that Alessi will more than likely be in the top three at every start. This pressure can start to affect a rider as it’s stressful knowing that you have to be perfect with your starts in every moto or Alessi will be gone! The MX1 class is going to get better and better as the series goes on as riders like Teddy Maier, Kyle Chisholm, Tyler Medaglia and Bobby Kiniry find their race pace and hopefully will challenge for moto wins. I hope this answers your question Allan, thanks for taking the time to send it in. If you have a question please email me at chris@mxpmag.com.

Canadian fans can looked forward to this type of racing all summer. photo by James Lissimore