Royal Distributing Presents Young and on the Rise With Alexis Baillargeon

Every young rider has a dream to become a pro rider one day but very few make it to that level. Last month when the Rockstar Triple Crown series headed to Quebec City for RD 3 of the SX tour, one young amateur rider, 7-year-old Alexis Baillargeon from L’Epiphanie, Quebec had an experience that most could only dream of.

MXP: Hey Alexis, thanks for chatting with me today. What kind bike do you ride and what is your number?

AB: I ride a KTM 50SX and I race with the number 196. I’m hoping to move up to the 65 class soon when I am ready.

MXP: You started riding at a very young age, can you tell me about that?

I started at 2-years-old. One day I came home from daycare and I had an amazing surprise, my Dad bought me a PW50. I attempted my first race at 3-years-old and I won.

MXP: Do you race with any clubs or in a series?

Last summer, I raced in Challenge Québec Motocross series. I won the PW50 class, and finished 4^th in 50cc 5-6 year old class. Plus, I rode my first SX track with Rockstar Triple Crown Series.

MXP: Yes, I saw you out on the track, you looked amazing, but there was something special that happened at the Rockstar Triple Crown event.

Yes, I had an amazing experience. I had the opportunity to be a Factory Rider for the KTM Canada Team for the day. I got to have my bike in the pro pit area and share the same motorhome with Tanner Ward and Cole Thompson.

MXP: Wow, that’s pretty cool. Did you have fun?

Oh ya, I had a lot fun hanging out with Tanner and Cole, they were amazing to be with. It was like I was actually a pro rider. Plus, my Dad couldn’t be at the gate with me, so Mathieu Deroy, Kaven Benoit’s mechanic, took of care of me and got my bike ready and helped me at the gate. The track was amazing and all the fans were cheering everyone on. It was totally an unforgettable experience,

MXP: Do you have a favourite track where you like riding?

My favourite track would be the Deschambault motocross track, because there are long straight aways where I can ride my bike wide open, and there are big jumps, too. It’s the first track where I was able to clear a jump.

MXP: Do you have a hero or someone you look up to?

I’d have to say my hero is my Dad because he seems to know anybody famous that I like. Also because he has done so many types of racing and he’s always been competitive in Rally, Motocross, ATV, Karting, so I’m hoping I get to experience the same things he did.

MXP: Who is your favourite rider and why?

Travis Pastrana, because my father is his rally car mechanic. I have had many opportunities to meet him a couple of times and he’s so friendly. I could go in his rally car, and at the Nitro Circus show, he let me ride his scooter and BMX bike. He even gave me a piece of his pizza !!! He’s an amazing guy!

MXP: Is there are Canadian rider that you look up to, and why?

Cole Thompson, because he’s the best pro rider I know! He got the red plate and rides for KTM.

At the Quebec SX he came back from dead last to win the race!!! So cool and he never gave up. Now that he won the Championship, he is definitely the best.

MXP: So since you’re still young and haven’t raced that much, are there any big accomplishments you have achieved?

I would say winning the PW50 championship last summer. Plus, I got 4th place overall in the 50cc 5-6 year old class.

MXP: With the 2018 season now over, what are your future goals, and what do you think you need to do get there?

I’m hoping to stay focused, work hard and keep practicing so that I’ll be able to win another title and visit the podium more often.

MXP: What is your favourite part about going to the races?

I love hanging out with my MX friends; it’s like a second family. Everyone is so supportive, and camping and just the whole experience is awesome. Racing with my friends, too. We’re friends off the track, but when that gates drops, it’s who can get to that holeshot first and who gets to the checkered flag first. The we laugh about later. I love my motocross family.

MXP: What do like to do when you’re not racing?

I love to play outside and ride my bike. I also play hockey, which I am a goaltender for the CLL Warriors Novice B team.

MXP: Thank you for taking the time to chat with us today, but one last question, who would you like to thank?

I’d like to thank my Mom and my Dad for everything they do for me. Thanks JSR for all their support.

Mathieu Deroy from KTM Canada for giving me the opportunity of being the KTM rider for the day. A big thanks to Cole Thompson and Tanner Ward for hanging out with me in Quebec City. It was an unbelievable experience that I don’t think I’ll ever forget.

Thank you to the Rockstar Triple Crown Series too for bringing the SX Tour to Quebec City; I totally had a blast. I’m looking forward to competing again on the SX track.

Alexis Baillargeon is a very passionate and hardworking young rider with big goals and dreams. The future of Canadian Motocross is definitely brighter with Alexis Baillargeon at the starting gates, and with any luck, another factory ride could be in the future. We are looking forward to seeing him on the track and on the podium again in the future.

 

Words and Photos by Carrie Brown