Motocross Performance Magazine Canadian Motocross news leader
On a day when most riders struggled with the tough track conditions and the high elevation of the Calgary area. The Royal Distributing Fox KTM Team ignored all of the adversity and once again found themselves on the podium in both the MX2 class and the MX1 class.
After regaining the points lead and the red plate that accompanies it, Kaven Benoit came into round 3 in Calgary with one thing in mind. With only two rounds remaining before the series heads East, Benoit wanted to race hard and extend his points lead in the MX2 class.
After a strong second place in moto one, Benoit felt like he had a lot more to give and wanted to prove it in moto two. When the gate dropped for the second and final MX2 moto of the day, Benoit wasted no time in making his way to the front of the pack. Moments after he took the lead on lap one, Benoit had clear sailing and never looked back. Lap after lap he extended his lead on the rest of the pack, and by the moto’s end he had took the race win and the overall for the day.
“Although I had a pretty good first moto, I was a little disappointed that I wasn’t able to win. Before the start of moto two I just told myself to get a good start and go for the win. During the parade lap I saw a few really good lines so when I got into the lead I was able to use them and pull away quickly. I really wanted to make a statement in that moto and I think I did that by taking the win.”
After last weekend’s big win in Nanaimo, BC, Cole Thompson came into round 3 feeling very confident that he was back on track with his riding after missing all of last season with a knee injury. For the third week in a row Thompson was racing on a track he’d never seen before, so like last weekend he was determined to learn things quickly
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During both MX1 motos on the treacherous Calgary circuit, Thompson used his superior throttle control to guide his KTM 450 SX-F around the track in the ultra-competitive MX1 class. After battling for the lead in both moto’s, Thompson was able to secure second overall and reach the podium for the second weekend in a row. Heading into round 4 in Regina, SK next Sunday, Thompson now sits third in the point’s standings and only a few points of out the lead.
“Coming into the start of this series I was a little nervous simply because I’d never been to any of the Western tracks before. So to be able to get the win last weekend and then back it up today with a second overall really means a lot to me. The track today was very difficult to find traction on, with all of the top riders so close you really couldn’t afford make a mistake out there. I’m very happy with my results this weekend and I’m really looking forward to Regina and then racing in the East”.
Royal Distributing Fox KTM Team Manager Jean-Sébastien Roy was once again very pleased with his team’s results in Calgary. “So far we’re reaching our goals each weekend. Both Kaven and Cole rode very well today on a track that I thought wasn’t in the best of condition. Next weekend is another hard packed track and then we head East to where both our riders will be very comfortable”.
MX1 Results:
1.Vince Friese 1-4
2.Cole Thompson 3-3 -KTM
3.Colton Facciotti 5-2
4.Matt Goerke 2-6
5.Cade Clason 6-5 –KTM
MX2 Results:
1.Kaven Benoit 2-1 – KTM
2.Jimmy Decotis 1-2
3.Jeremy Medaglia 4-3
4.Dylan Wright 3-6
5.Morgan Burger 7-5
