MXP: Hey Newf! The big news from last week came in two parts. First, the KTM Canada Team announced that Jess Pettis would not be back for 2025. Given that they had won a 450 title together this year, this was very surprising news. However, the biggest news would come on Friday when the MX101 FXR Yamaha Team announced that they had signed Pettis for two years. What say you on this exciting deal?
RL: Once we heard Jess was leaving, we all assumed he was going to MX101. It’s been no secret that Kevin Tyler and Yamaha have been looking for someone like Pettis for the last couple of seasons, but it has never worked out. Is this move surprising? Yes, but at the same time, Jess has been with the MX101 Team and won a championship there. It’s a good fit for both parties and will add some excitement leading up to the first round in June. Jess was very good this past summer, so it will be interesting to see if he’s even better in 2025.
MXP: While there was no specific press release on Monday or an official announcement, just a mention of it on your podcast and other Social Media platforms. It appears Ryder McNabb is coming back to Canada to ride for the GDR Honda Team. From your understanding, what happened to his AEO KTM deal in the USA, and how did the GDR Honda deal take shape?
RL: Since Ryder left GDR at the end of 2022, we have remained very close with him and his dad, Brad. We have always envisioned Ryder being back on the team it was just a matter of when. From what I know, nothing happened with AEO, but I think the long-term commitment started to become scary. The motorcycle industry is in the dumps right now, and I think having a solid ride and security overrides a situation of chasing the dream. Ryder is in a position where he needs to make money and produce results, and with the GDR Honda Team, he’ll be able to do both.
MXP: McNabb’s return to Canada obviously means another rule amendment for the 250 class. Take off your GDR Honda hat for a moment. Do you think the 250 class should be open to anyone and everyone, or should it go the other way and perhaps be Canadian only? This way, the class could focus on keeping costs down and developing young Canadian riders.
RL: I see both sides to it. I think that, with the current state of the Canadian market, we need to have guys in each class who will attract attention from around the world. This past year, we had a big boost to the series with some international flavour added to both classes. This puts more eyes on the series, and more eyes on this series helps it grow and hopefully put more money and support into it. That’s always the hope, but it’s easier said than done. Now I understand from the other side that the 250 classes are a stepping stone for the young up-and-coming riders. But I think we are past that and need to treat the MX2 class the same as the MX1. We need outside sponsorship for the series, and I think the best way to do that is to make both classes legitimate and open to whoever wants to ride. I would be more on board if the rule got changed to an age thing like MXGP. In MXGP, I believe once you’re 22, you have to move up to the 450 class.
