As the 2017 CMRC sanctioned Rockstar Energy Drink Motocross Nationals presented by Motovan continues to move east across the country, this weekend’s stop is Round 4 at the Moto Valley Raceway in Regina, SK. The soil in Regina is prime, dark, chocolate cake topsoil, which presents a real challenge to riders once ruts start to form in both the long, fast straightaways and corners. Moto Valley Raceway is located northeast of Regina, and with its severe elevation changes and large jumps, provides various terrific spectator viewing areas.
The first three rounds of the 2017 Rockstar Energy Drink Motocross Nationals have yielded some great racing action on the track, with some old rivalries being renewed and new ones starting to take shape. Fans can view all the racing action by downloading the free Conx2share app or logging on to www.conx2share.com and live stream every moto on either your mobile phone or computer. The live stream feed includes the sharp and entertaining commentary from a couple of the best in the business, Brian Koster and Marc Travers.
MX1
Rockstar Energy OTSFF Yamaha’s Matt Goerke will come into Round 3 with the red plate on his motorcycle and a slim 7-point lead in the series standings. Goerke rebounded well after struggling at the series opener and has two moto wins and two second place moto finishes in the last two rounds. Matt will bring a lot of momentum with him into this weekend, and has finished on the podium in Regina in each of his last two visits.
Rockstar Energy OTSFF Yamaha’s Matt Goerke battling with Honda Canada GDR Fox Racing’s Colton Facciotti in Round 3.
After Rockstar Husqvarna’s Christophe Pourcel found himself on the ground in the first corner of last weekend’s second moto, he was only able to move up to eighth place at the finish. Pourcel had finished on the podium in every other moto so far this season, and had the lead in the series going into Round 2. Look for Christophe to come out swinging this weekend in an effort to regain the series lead and the red plate.
Sitting third in the series standings, and only 12 points back of the leader, is Nut Up Industries Kawasaki’s Dillan Epstein. Epstein has been very impressive this season, and is coming into Round 4 with a lot of momentum after an impressive wire to wire win in last weekend’s first moto. He grabbed the Royal Distributing Holeshot and led most of Moto 2. Dillan’s easy-going personality is gaining him a lot of fans in Canada, and look for the talented American to be battling for the lead again this weekend.
Rockstar Husqvarna’s Christophe Pourcel found himself on the ground in the first corner of last weekend’s second moto.
Honda Canada GDR Fox Racing’s Colton Facciotti sits fourth in the series standings, only 4 points back of the top 3, and is still looking for his first moto win this season. Facciotti hasn’t finished a moto outside of the top 5 this year, and more than once has posted the fastest lap of the race. Colton has made a few small mistakes early this season that have forced him to play catch up, but look for the four-time Canadian Champion to be on top of the podium very soon.
Rounding out the top 5 in the series standings is Royal Distributing Motovan Piller’s Race Team’s Tyler Medaglia, who has adapted to his new motorcycle and team very well. Medaglia has been getting good starts and finished on the podium in the opening round, and was third in last weekend’s second moto. Tyler will be looking to improve upon his seventh place finish in Regina last year and put his Honda on the top of the box this weekend.
Rounding out the top 10 in the series standings are Monster Energy Alpinestars Kawasaki’s Mike Alessi in sixth, Royal Distributing Motovan Piller’s Team’s Kyle Chisholm in seventh, Redemption Racing’s Cade Clason eighth, Team PRMX Strict Kawasaki’s Scott Champion in ninth, and Rockstar Energy OTSFF Yamaha’s Tim Tremblay tenth.
MX2
KTM Canada Thor Racing’s Cole Thompson has the two key ingredients that make up a Champion, being fast and consistent. Thompson has a podium streak that goes back to the opening round of 2016, and the talented 23-year-old Canadian has finished on the podium in his last 13 races. Cole has the points lead coming into Round 4 but has not been the fastest in the MX2 class in 2017, and by his own admission has struggled in the early part of this season. Look for “Tommy Gun” to be on the gas this weekend and going for the win like he did in Regina last year.
MX101 FXR Yamaha Team’s Shawn Maffenbeier flying high at the Wild Rose MX Park in Calgary.
If not for a mechanical issue in Round 2, MX101 FXR Yamaha Team’s Shawn Maffenbeier would probably have the red plate on his motorcycle going into Round 4 this weekend in his home province of Saskatchewan. Maffenbeier has been the best in the class early this season, but sits second in the series standings, 19 points back of Thompson. Shawn will surely have the hometown advantage this weekend, and will be looking to avoid the disaster he experienced in Regina last year when he came in 11 points back in the standings and left Moto Valley Raceway 50 points behind eventual MX2 Champion Cole Thompson.
Coming off his second podium finish in the first three rounds last weekend, and sitting third in the series standings, is Redemption Racing KTM’s Josh Osby. Osby is only 6 points back of Maffenbeier but is 25 back of the series leader Thompson. Osby must find a way to beat these guys if he wants to stay in the title chase. Josh is looking forward to the series heading east and racing on the sand tracks, on which he says he is more comfortable.
Monster Energy Alpinestars Kawasaki Team’s Jacob Hayes sits fourth in the series standings and has been getting better each weekend. Hayes has to be happy with his start in 2017 after being forced to sit out the entire series last year following an injury he sustained in the opening round. Jacob pulled the holeshot last weekend in the second moto and held the lead for a few laps before finishing the moto in third.
Rounding out the top 5 in the series standings is Nut Up Industries Kawasaki’s Ryan Surratt, who has been turning good starts into top 5 finishes in the first three rounds of this season. Surratt has pulled a holeshot at every round in 2017 and it won’t be long before we see him make an appearance on the podium.
After starting the season with three second place finishes in his first four motos, MX101 FXR Yamaha Team’s Jess Pettis had a big crash on the opening lap of the second moto last weekend and did not finish the race. Pettis finished fourteenth in Round 3 and fell back to fifth in the series standings. Honda Canada GDR Fox Racing’s Dylan Wright’s early season problems continued in Calgary, and after finishing twelfth in Round 3 finds himself ninth in the series standings, 69 points behind the leader.
The MX2 Class has delivered some terrific Racing in the first few Rounds.
The first three rounds of the Rockstar Energy Drink Motocross Nationals presented by Motovan have taken place with good weather conditions, and the forecast for Regina this Sunday looks like the trend will continue. If you haven’t already purchased your tickets you can buy them online easily at www.mxnationals.ca/tickets. If you are in another part of the country and are unable to attend the race, you can see all the action live by downloading the free Conx2share app or logging on to www.conx2share.com and live stream every moto on either your mobile phone or computer.
MX1 Point Standings 2017 after 3 Rounds
1. Matt Goerke (Yam) 162
2. Christophe Pourcel (Hus) 155
3. Dillan Epstein (Kaw) 150
4. Colton Facciotti (Hon) 146
5. Tyler Medaglia (Hon) 134
6. Mike Alessi (Kaw) 122
7. Kyle Chisholm (Hon) 114
8. Cade Clason (KTM) 98
9. Scott Champion (Kaw) 88
10. Tim Tremblay (Yam) 87
MX2 Point Standings 2017 after 3 Rounds
1. Cole Thompson (KTM) 164
2. Shawn Maffenbeier (Yam) 145
3. Josh Osby (KTM) 139
4. Jacob Hayes (Kaw) 134
5. Ryan Surratt (Kaw) 127
6. Jess Pettis (Yam) 125
7. Tallon Lafountaine (KTM) 106
8. Hayden Halstead (Yam) 96
9. Dylan Wright (Hon) 95
10. Casey Keast (Yam) 93
Links and social media:
Web: www.mxnationals.ca
Event info: www.mxnationals.ca/event-info/
Tickets: www.mxnationals.ca/tickets/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/CMRCMX
Twitter: @CMRCRacing
Instagram: @cmrcmx
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/cmrcracing
Live Streaming: www.conx2share.com Twitter – @Conx2share
About Rockstar:
Rockstar Energy Drink is designed for those who lead active lifestyles – from Athletes to Rockstars. Available in over 20 flavours at convenience and grocery outlets in over 30 countries, Rockstar supports the Rockstar lifestyle across the globe through Action Sports, Motor Sports, and Live Music. For more information visit: www.ca.rockstarenergy.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/RockstarCanada/
Twitter: @Rockstar69CAN
Instagram: @rockstarenergycanada