Although only one big signing has been officially announced in recent weeks, let’s assume that the Mike Alessi to the Monster Energy Thor Kawasaki is a done deal. So with Brett Metcalfe now headed to the Rockstar Energy OTSFF Yamaha Team, we definitely will see a shake up for 2016. Let’s take a look at these two deals and how they might play out next season.
First, let’s talk about the bigger of the two deals, the Brett Metcalfe to Yamaha signing. This deal came as a bit of a surprise to me and I think to most in the industry. Not only did Metty seem engrained in the whole Monster Energy Kawasaki family, but with the all-new 2016 KX450F set to make its debut soon, this seemed like a recipe for success next year. However, after this past summer’s failure to win a title when he was arguably the best all-around rider, maybe a change was inevitable. So, to change things up, not only will Metty be riding a blue bike next season, but he will also have a big yellow Rockstar symbol on his chest.
With more than likely only a few years of professional racing left in him, Brett Metcalfe would like to add at least one more MX1 Championship to his long list of accomplishments. In 2016 he’ll get his chance aboard a Rockstar Energy OTSFF Yamaha. Photo by James Lissimore
As much as this deal is tough to digest for the Monster Energy Thor Kawasaki Team, for the sport in Canada and the series, having a rider like Brett Metcalfe under the Rockstar Energy Drink umbrella bodes well for the future. Obviously, this is also a great deal for Metty personally as it appears to involve his post racing career. He’s had a great career so far; while I think he has a few more championships in him, he’s at the point where he has to give some consideration to what life will look like after racing.
So with Matt Goerke, the current number one plate holder, under the Rockstar Energy OTSFF Yamaha Tent and now Brett Metcalfe as well, you may see this team try to sign one more rider to help support these two top stars. This is certainly shaping up to be the dream team of 2016, and if everything goes as planned, Goerke and Metty could be trading wins all summer long.
Now that Metty has left the Monster building, Jason Hughes and company had to regroup and go out and find a rider capable of winning motos and possibly the MX1 championship. At any time these riders are hard to find, and as we all know, they simply don’t grow on trees. In talking with Jason, he had very few options. Names like Jake Weimer and Josh Grant were thrown about; both riders are at the point in their careers where a summer in Canada might do them some good. As far as Weimer is concerned, he could’ve been a great fit on the Kawasaki team, but he’s coming off a very serious injury. Can he really win up here? A couple of years ago I might’ve said yes, however, due to the fact the level of riding has been taken to such a World class level at the front of the MX1 pack in Canada, I highly doubt even a talented rider like Jake Weimer could win a title here.
Since he left last year, Mike Alessi has been searching for a way to get back to Canada full time. Well, now one of our sports most unique individuals will ride along side Vince Friese on the Monster Energy Thor Kawasaki Team in 2016. Photo by James Lissimore
So with Weimer a doubtful candidate and Josh Grant’s name still being talked about in the USA, the name Mike Alessi was put at the top of the list. It’s been no secret that the Alessi camp has been campaigning behind the scenes for another chance in Canada. After coming up short of the title in 2014, Alessi is very motivated to get at least one more shot at the MX1 title. After some careful negotiating, it appears that Alessi will get his dream shot as he will be teamed with Vince Friese under the Monster Energy Thor Kawasaki Team in 2016.
As we all witnessed in 2014, Alessi is capable of just about anything on the track. We saw him holeshot and run away to victory, and we saw him make a few mistakes that ended up costing him his first ever pro title. But we also saw a humble Mike Alessi. He was gracious in victory as well as in defeat, he loved spending time in Canada and he wasn’t afraid to say it. He was a great addition to the series in 2014 and I don’t see why it would be any different this time around, especially because next year he will be part of a team that is synonymous with both winning and being one of the most approachable teams in the paddock.
So there you have it, two of the big changes that will be part of the 2016 Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals. Whether you agree with these deals or not, the one thing you have to agree with is that the racing is going to be incredible. With Metty, Alessi, Friese, and Goerke going up against our Canadian contingent of Facciotti, Thompson, Medaglia and Benoit, we’re all in for some serious excitement in 2016. I for one can’t wait for the gate to drop next summer in Kamloops.