Motocross Performance Magazine Canadian Motocross news leader
MXP: Hey Newf! Big weekend ahead for you and Team Canada at the World Vets. How are you feeling and what class are you racing in?
RL: I’m feeling good and I’m really looking forward to it. The weather is looking perfect with low 20-degree temps all weekend. I’m going to get a chance to ride the bike at Glen Helen on Friday as they have an open practice on the World Vet layout. I’m riding the 35 Expert class and the World Cup class in 30 plus. Shane Cuthbertson and Justyn McCabe will be my teammates in 40 plus and 50 plus. We should have a good shot to be on the podium.
MXP: Last weekend was the final round of the Triple Crown Series in Calgary. Mitchell Harrison mostly dominated; Jess Pettis was also fast but wasn’t quite on Harrison’s pace. Another rider who was very impressive was young Blake Davies. You know him well. He’s still very young but rides with a lot of maturity. I like this kid a lot both on and off the track. What are your thoughts on Blake?
RL: Harrison was really good this weekend and his whoop speed was impressive on Saturday night. It was easy to see that he’s been on the SX grind down south. It was great to see Jess back in action and getting some gate drops before the German SX Series begins.
I do know Blake really well and have watched him come through the ranks going all the way back to the 50cc class. He’s a great talent, has a great attitude, as well as a good family behind him. He’s a big kid for his age which is helping him at this point in his career. I love that he’s not intimidated to line up with the men of the series. Once he figures out his racecraft a little better he’s going to be really good and a force to be dealt with in the future.
MXP: James Stewart recently got inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. JS7 most certainly changed how people ride a dirt bike back in the mid-2000s and he was so entertaining to watch throughout his career. What is your favourite memory of James Stewart?
RL: I was fortunate enough to be on the same track as James back in 2006 SX when I was doing the series. In my opinion, he was the most talented and creative when it came to learning a new track and it was always so fun to watch. The ride he put in at Toronto in 2014 is one that I will always remember. From last to first and just the way he set guys up was one of the greatest supercross rides of all time.
