By Stephen St. Pierre
Photos by James Lissimore
New Champions could be crowned this weekend during Round 9 of the 2016 Rockstar Energy Drink Motocross Nationals presented by Motovan at Motocross Deschambault, just outside of historical Quebec City. This weekend’s National follows a week of racing at Deschambault as the best Amateurs in the country have been competing in the CMRC’s Motovan Grand National Amateur Championships presented by Honda, making this the biggest week this year of Motocross in Canada.
The Deschambault track is larger this year with the addition of a new section, comprising of a steep drop-off that will be a great test for the racers, and an exciting viewing area for spectators. The terrain itself is a motocross rider’s dream with its elevation changes and soft, loamy, sand based soil. Both KTM Canada Thor Racing’s Davi Millsaps and Cole Thompson could clinch titles this weekend as they hold commanding leads in both the MX1 and MX2 classes.
MX1
KTM Canada Thor Racing’s Davi Millsaps will be going for his sixth win of the season, and with a 51 point lead in the series could clinch the championship this weekend. Millsaps has had the Red Plate on his KTM for all but one round, and is coming off back to back wins in the Maritimes. Davi has never seen the racetrack in Deschambault and will be competing against a number of riders who have had a lot of success at this circuit. Look for the American Superstar to leave nothing on the table as he attempts to win the series this weekend.
Last year at Deschambault, Rockstar Energy OTSFF Yamaha’s Matt Goerke took the victory en route to winning his second championship in Canada. Goerke knows that he needs more than just to win the last two rounds if he wants to repeat as champion. Matt’s ability to win in the sand is well known, and as fierce of a competitor as he is will no doubt want to see the championship go down to the last weekend.
Another rider who has done well at Deschambault is Rockstar Energy OTSFF Yamaha’s Brett Metcalfe, who was second last year and in 2013. Metcalfe is third in the standings and if he can finish ahead of Millsaps this weekend will assure that the championship will be decided at the last round. Brett is coming off a sixth place finish last weekend and is still looking for his first overall win in 2016.
Monster Energy Alpinestars Kawasaki’s Mike Alessi was a winner at this track in 2014 and comes into this weekend’s race off of a good performance in Round 8. Alessi ran well last weekend before running into problems with his goggles in Moto 1 and having to deal with no rear brake in the second moto. Mike sits fourth in the standings; if he can get out front early, look for him to finish on the podium on a track at which he feels quite comfortable.
After last weekend’s second place finish, a career best performance in the MX1 class, KTM Canada Thor Racing’s Kaven Benoit comes into Round 9 as the top Canadian in the series for the first time. Benoit has won four straight motos at Deschambault over the last two seasons in MX2, and no one has put down more laps there this year than him. The Quebec native will have the hometown crowd cheering wildly as he goes for his first win in the Premier Class, and looks to cement himself as the top Canadian Motocross Racer.
Unfortunately, Honda Canada Racing Fox GDR’s Colton Facciotti will be on the sidelines again this weekend, nursing an injured shoulder that he suffered in Pleasant Valley after going down off the start in the first moto and another first lap crash in the second moto. He plans to begin riding again next week so we hope to see him at RJ Motosport Park in Barrie for the final round.
Parts Canada Husqvarna’s Tyler Medaglia has finished in the top 5 in each of the last two years at Deschambault, and is coming off his best results of the year at Rounds 7 and 8.
MX2
Like his teammate Davi Millsaps, KTM Canada Thor Racing’s Cole Thompson could clinch the title this weekend as he goes for his sixth win of the season. Thompson has a commanding 79 point lead and could win the championship without a victory at Deschambault. Cole has been on the podium at every round so far this season. Last year he finished fourth in the MX1 class at Deschambault.
Redemption Racing Big Steel Box KTM’s Shawn Maffenbeier is second in the series but is feeling the pressure from third place Dylan Wright who has had better finishes over the last five rounds. Maffenbeier has been on the podium the last three years at Deschambault and with the title now outside of his control will be looking to take a firm hold on the second spot this weekend.
Since having a variety of issues in the opening rounds in Western Canada, MX101 FXR Yamaha’s Dylan Wright has been on a tear, moving forward in the standings each weekend, and now sits in third place. Wright finished in the top five last year at Deschambault and is coming off an impressive second place performance last weekend. Dylan will be looking for his second win of the year as the 18-year-old looks to continue moving up in the points chase.
Honda Canada Racing Fox GDR’s Brad Nauditt is fourth in the series, but after finishing on the podium twice during the first four rounds has only one top 5 finish since. Nauditt is getting more comfortable after switching teams for Round 6, and his pair of fifth place moto finishes last weekend backs that up.
After being called up to replace the injured Jacob Hayes at Round 2, Monster Energy Alpinestars Kawasaki’s Mark Worth has been a consistent top 5 finisher, and after last weekend’s fourth place result, Worth has moved into the top 5 in the standings. Mark will be looking to keep moving up as he goes for his third podium finish of the season this weekend.
After grabbing his first win last weekend, KTM/Factory Connection/Fox’s Dakota Alix has a lot of momentum going into Round 9. Since joining the series in the east, this talented Vermont native has not finished worse than fourth and has occupied every step on the podium. Look for Alix to be running at the front of the pack again this weekend.
Motocross Deschambault in Quebec will be the ninth of ten rounds of the 2016 Rockstar Energy Drink Motocross Nationals presented by Motovan. Some of the viewing areas at the racetrack have been elevated allowing spectators to see more of the circuit, as well, a new bridge has been installed for the public to cross the track during the race. The large, multi-level viewing platform allows you to see most of the track and is a fan favourite. 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 and live stream every moto on your mobile phone or computer.
MX1 Point Standings 2016
1. Davi Millsaps (KTM) 439
2. Matt Goerke (Yam) 388
3. Brett Metcalfe (Yam) 387
4. Mike Alessi (Kaw) 364
5. Kaven Benoit (KTM) 319
6. Tyler Medaglia (Hus) 303
7. Cade Clason (KTM) 300
8. Colton Facciotti (Hon) 297
9. Keylan Meston (Yam) 251
10. Morgan Burger (Yam) 246
MX2 Point Standings 2016
1. Cole Thompson (KTM) 453
2. Shawn Maffenbeier (KTM) 374
3. Dylan Wright (Yam) 342
4. Brad Nauditt (Hon) 304
5. Mark Worth (Kaw) 287
6. Jess Pettis (Yam) 279
7. Ryeley Gallup (KTM) 224
8. Hayden Halstead (Yam) 213
9. Dakota Alix (KTM) 201
10. Davey Fraser (Hus) 182