*Editor’s Note:
Ryan has been out east all week at the GDR Honda Team Intro and travelling to the Future West race in Kelowna today, so it has been a busy week. So, Chris Pomeroy will fill in for Newf to answer some of the questions our readers sent in for this week’s Matrix Concepts 3 Qs.
MXP: The GDR Honda Team Intro took place this week. How was it, and do you think Tyler Medaglia and Tiger Wood will do in the 250 class this summer?
CP: The GDR Honda Team Intro was a standout event at Gopher Dunes, with Derek Schuster and his crew going above and beyond to create a welcoming atmosphere. The presence of not just the GDR Honda riders, but also numerous industry figures added to the event’s allure. During the press conference, the riders shared their thoughts on the upcoming Triple Crown Series, providing valuable insights into their mental preparation.
As far as how I thing Tyler and Tiger will do this summer. Obviously, they’re at each end of the spectrum regarding age and experience. However, what they do share at the moment is an inner peace with where they’re each at with their riding and machinery. They’re ready for Round 1, which is great news. I think Tyler will challenge for podiums and possibly Moto wins each weekend, and if he does that, then he’ll be a title contender throughout the series. Will he be the fastest 250 rider each weekend? I don’t believe so, but his fitness and experience will play a big role in his success, especially in the second half of the series, when the tracks get very rough and the temperatures get hot.
Tiger Wood will be interesting to watch this summer. Obviously, every stop of the Triple Crown Series will be new to him, so that can be a real challenge, especially to a young rider like Tiger. However, he seems to be a fast learner, in great shape, and on a great bike. I don’t see why this kid from Australia won’t be inside or at least near the top five each weekend.
Last weekend, we watched Jett Lawrence win his first 450SX Championship. This kid just keeps on winning every time he lines up on the starting gate. The Pro Motocross Championship begins next weekend at Fox Raceway. Can Lawrence continue his dominance this summer?
That is a great question. Thank you for sending it. Honestly, I can’t see why Jett won’t keep winning once the outdoor series begins. I don’t think he’ll go undefeated again, but I don’t see any other riders, other than perhaps his brother Hunter and Sexton, challenging him enough to take away the #1 plate. Last summer, we saw Jett ride around at 80% of the time and then pick it up when needed. This past March, I was lucky enough to spend an afternoon at their Dade City, Florida training facility. After seeing their outdoor track in person, you can see why Jett and Hunter are so prepared for the tracks they face on the weekends. It is extremely rough and rutted, and some of the jumps are massive. Jett will once again be great this summer, and I think he will repeat as the 450 champion.
With just over two weeks to go before the opening round of the 2024 Triple Crown Series, what things are going through the top riders’ minds as they make their final preparations for Calgary?
I think right now, it’s just about staying healthy, crossing all of the T’s, and dotting the I’s. The work has all been done, so it’s not like any rider will make any physical gains right now. I would also assume that all of the testing has been completed, and the riders have a set-up they’re happy with heading into Round 1. The most important thing right now for all of the riders is their mental state. There isn’t one rider out there who isn’t feeling a little insecure heading into Round 1, as no one knows exactly where they stand. Now, some worry more than others, but in the back of every rider’s mind, there is curiosity regarding where their speed is compared to their competition. These next 14 days are tough on our riders mentally for sure, and sometimes, there is a tendency to push a little more to ensure you’re ready. My advice would be not to change anything right now and just keep following the program you have in place. Ensure you’re staying hydrated, getting as much sleep as possible, and keep up with your normal training. As they say, you can’t win a championship in the opening round, but you sure can put yourself behind the eight ball. With that in mind, the riders should head to the opening round with the simple goal of putting in two solid motos and then move on to Round 2. That sounds easier said than done, but it really is a simple mental process that can only be complicated by overthinking the situation.
