Northern Notes: Jeremy’s Spoken

A column by Danny Brault

Here’s how selfish I can be:

When I first found out that Jeremy Medaglia and MotoConcepts parted ways—with only three weeks before Round 1 of the Rockstar Energy MX Nationals in Nanaimo—my first concern wasn’t ‘What is Jeremy going to do now?’ but instead I was disappointed because I had only just completed a very open and candid 10 page interview with him in the next issue of MXP. Now it feels like it was all for nothing (although there is some good stuff in there about other things than just his deal with MCR). Oh well, that’s the way she goes….

Forgive me for my selfish ways, but what is going to happen with Jeremy now that he and MC have split up? We’re at that point, or past it, where budgets really are spent and purchase orders submitted. Adding to that, young Medaglia has already crossed every ‘bridge’ in Canada, except for Monster Energy Leading Edge Kawasaki, and it doesn’t appear he will be crossing those back anytime soon.

I was talking with John Nelson at Machine Racing and he mentioned the idea of Jeremy riding a Husqvarna through his dealership with support from Medaglia’s former boss, KTM Canada (and Husky) Race Manager, ‘H’Andy’ White. Well, truth be told, it was more me suggesting this scenario to Nelson….

“Ha, yeah right”, Nelson replied. “I talked with ‘H’Andy today, that’s not going to happen. But maybe Marco Doo-bay can come back?!”

Keeping the rumour mill turning, I then sent Andy White a message telling him Nelson wants Jeremy on a Husky and that I had already gone ahead and shared the news online. Instantly my phone started ringing, but I reassured White that I was only teasing him.

I touched base with Mitch Cooke this week (look for a great audio interview with this racer-turned-entrepreneur next Tuesday here on MXP) and we discussed Jeremy’s split with MotoConcepts. Cooke says he could see GDR Honda providing a home for the MX2 contender. It’s true that GDR Team Manager Derek Schuster would love to have Jeremy on their team, but it’s not in the cards this year. A day late and a dollar short.

Kawasaki maybe? I asked Leading Edge Kawasaki’s Jason Hughes if he was interested in expanding his team and signing Jeremy, but he too says his dollars are spent, even though he would love to have a Canadian contender under his tent. Speaking of dollars, I flat out asked Hughes what it costs to bring a big name US rider like Josh Hill up to Canada, but he wouldn’t bite. My guess is $100,000 base salary plus bonuses. What do you think?

Negative or positive, what a PR-pimp Jeremy Medaglia has been as of late! It seems like the kid is the topic of discussion, no matter what site, forum or podcast you’re listening to. Sadly, this latest news flash is a serious downer but I’m sure JM will find a bike before Nanaimo … Cycle North Honda/ Husqvarna maybe?
It’s been a busy couple of weeks for moto-gpysy, James Lissimore. Since 2005, Lissimore has become a cornerstone of the Canadian Nationals. Plane, train or automobiles, the resident of Mission, BC always finds a way to get to the races. His talents definitely don’t go unnoticed and he’s now contracted by just about every major race team (and media source) to take care of their photo needs.

Over the last 10 days, Lissimore has traveled from BC to Vegas to California to Ottawa, photographing the Leading Edge, KTM Canada and MX101 Yamaha race teams. The Leading Edge shoot took place during an open practice at Milestone Raceway. Not exactly the best conditions for a team photo shoot, but Lissimore says it all went according to plan and they captured some cool images.

As for the KTM and Yamaha team shoots, both took place at Sand Del Lee earlier this week. First up was Tyler Medaglia and Kaven Benoit of the KTM Royal Distributing Fox Racing Team, and the next day he focused in on Shawn Robinson, Dylan Wright and Jesse Wentland of MX101 Yamaha. I once owned a 2002 YZ250 two-stroke, and looking at Robinson’s trick looking 2014 version, boy oh boy do I ever want one again!

Should be interesting to see how Robinson fairs on the 250 two-stroke in MX2. He will be the first to admit that he struggles with mental toughness at times, often not believing in himself, but last year Robinson put in a great full season on the 450. He ended the year 13th overall in MX1, scored a top-10 result in Calgary and was a consistent top-15 finisher. It’s been a while since he concentrated on the small bike class, but Robinson has the speed and style to be there, just needs to believe in it. You can do it, Shawn!

Never surrender, and enjoy your long weekend eh!