Greetings! Welcome to this early May edition of the Monday Gate Drop Column, which is once again brought to you by the awesome crew at Yamaha Motor Canada. For 2026, the Blu Cru is supporting a plethora of riders in both Amateur Racing as well as Pro Racing. However, today Yamaha Canada’s top rider, Jess Pettis is celebrating his birthday! Jess is currently busy preparing for the 2026 Triple Crown Series and we’d like to take this moment to wish the multi-time Canadian Champion a Happy Birthday!
This week, I begin with news from the Auburn Hills Raceway track and Round 2 of the 2026 AMO Racing OPC Series. As I’ve mentioned in previous columns, the weather in Ontario has been less-than-ideal this Spring, and it’s now getting to the point where we most likely won’t have much of a ‘Spring” this year. Soon we’re going to have a few days of warm weather, and then like some invasion from above, it will be mosquito season, and then the arrival of our usual hot and humid summer. Yesterday at Auburn Hills was a prime example of the inconsistent (at best) Spring weather we’ve been experiencing here in Ontario. The day began under sunny skies, but with high sustained winds from the West. Then, as noon approached so did overcast skies and just as my weather app forcasted, rain began falling around 2pm. Unfortunately, it didn’t take long to turn the track into a slippery mess for most of the second motos. But, to be honest, it was a good day overall, and the rain was at least better than the snow that started falling halfway through the day two weeks ago at Gopher Dunes. The AMO Racing OPC Series will now take next weekend off, before resuming at Sand Del Lee in two weeks. However, if you live in Ontario and still want to race on this upcoming Mother’s Day weekend, Motopark will be hosting their opening MP Cup event on Saturday/Sunday. If you’d like more information here is the link :
So, even though the second motos were muddy yesterday at Auburn Hills Raceway, most of the riders I spoke to at the end of the day actually preferred racing on the track in the adverse conditions. Obviously, the track slowed down a lot and became more technical for all of the riders. Prior to the rain, the Auburn Hills track was very fast and for the most part, pretty dry. Since the return of this track several years ago, there has been mixed emotions about whether riders like it, or dislike it. On one hand, riders love the natural terrain feel, as well as the multiple elevation changes. Also, everyone loves the new paddock and how easily accessible everything is. On a side note, whenever I try to explain how the paddock looked in the 1990s, no one believes me as it just looks so different now. It really is amazing how much work has been done to revamp this track and bring it back to the Ontario racing schedule. But, and here is a big BUT, the track needs a slight makeover in order to slow it down. I mean, I was talking to a rider who said that on their Lit Pro app they were clocked at 97 KPH on one straightaway. This is simply too fast for any rider to be travelling on any given track at any given time, even if it was for like one or two seconds. During practice yesterday I was standing on top of the main hill imagining what changes I’d make if I had a day, and a dozer. It wouldn’t take a lot to add some sections that would slow the track down, and make the recipe for success there more about riding the motorcycle and less about speed. Honestly, I know the bikes are different now compared to the 1990s, but the Auburn Hills track in those days was slower and more technical than today’s version.
One pro rider who decided the track was too fast and decided not to race yesterday was the new Guaranteed Comfort Honda 450 pilot, Ryder McNabb. Heading into the weekend his Team Manager told me that Ryder was racing on Sunday, as was their other 450 rider Tyler Shewchek. Well, I guess after riding Saturday’s practice session, McNabb wasn’t feeling 100% comfortable and decided to sit out yesterday. My media colleague over at Direct Motocross Billy Rainford posted a photo of Ryder sitting in a car yesterday with a caption explaining why Ryder wasn’t racing. Soon after the photo was posted, the comment section was full of people basically shaking their heads in disbelief about why Ryder wasn’t racing. Even one of our former Champions Shawn Maffenbeier chimed in with his opinion, and it wasn’t in support of Ryder’s decision. I also heard directly from the team’s manager yesterday that another reason Ryder decided not to race was that he had a large blister on one of his hands, and during Saturday’s practice sessions it opened up and got really sore. Now, I don’t know if that excuse is better or at least on par with the track being too fast and simply not wanting to take the risk, but I can certainly see both sides of this story. I can see why Ryder, who let’s not forget is coming off two seasons of experiencing what could’ve have been life altering health issues. By all accounts, he’s now healthy and has been training hard down in Texas for his rookie season in the 450 class. I’m sure in his mind, remaining healthy is a big priority considering what he has been through during the past two years. Remember, six months ago Ryder was supposed to be retired and going back to school. This summer will be without a doubt the most challenging three months of racing that Ryder has ever faced as he battles the likes of Dylan Wright, Jess Pettis, Harry Kulas, Tanner Ward, Sebastien Racine and Quinn Amyotte. So, one could make the argument that sitting out a so called ‘Nothing’ race yesterday was a smart decision by Ryder. However, I also understand how this decision could be viewed as ridiculous as at the end of the day, racers are supposed to race, and that as a pro rider, if you’re at a race and there is money to be made, then you better line up. I mean, would Dylan Wright show up for practice on Saturday, and then not race yesterday, I think everyone knows the answer to this question. Given both opinions above, I think it would’ve benefited Ryder and his team to at least line up, get a couple of gate drops in before heading back to Texas, feel the intensity of racing on the opening laps, and then if you don’t feel comfortable, back it down and ride around in third or fourth place. Or, at worst pull off and and know that you experienced a couple of pro level starts. I got asked on Friday how I thought Ryder will do this summer and you can read my answer right here: The 3 Q’s With Chris Pomeroy Presented By Atlas Brace Canada – Motocross Performance Magazine
Finally, it was good to see Tanner Ward riding so well yesterday as he went 1-1 in the Pro Class to take the win, and points lead in the AMO Racing OPC Series.
Moving on from Auburn Hills Raceway to the Mile High City, and what a night it was in Denver. When he had to, Hunter Lawrence rode perhaps his best race of 2026, dominating the 450SX main and pulling to within one-point of Ken Roczen, with just one main event to go in the 2026 Monster Energy Supercross Series. I mean, what can we say about this title fight that hasn’t been said multiple times in recent weeks. It will all come down to one race and which rider finishes in front of the other. Will it be the oldest Lawrence Brother, or the 32 year old German who has been to hell and back in this sport. Both riders have faced adversity in this sport as they travelled from far away lands to compete in the USA. Regardless of who wins, both will be very deserving champions, and I know the fans will embrace them. So who do you think will take this 450SX title on Saturday night in Salt Lake City? With what we’ve witnessed in the past few weeks it really is a toss up. If this past weekend is any guide, Hunter is the fastest of the two, and Roczen is going to have to ride a little out of his comfort zone if he wants to win. However, overall, Roczen has been the more consistent starter of the two, so if he can get out front early and use his incredible sprint speed, it could be lights out for Hunter. With so many unknown variables, one thing is certain, neither Hunter or Kenny have been in this position before; and have felt as much pressure as they will when the 30 second board go sideways in SLC. So far this year, neither rider has handled pressure with any consistency, so who knows what will happen this weekend. I can see both riders blowing their starts and having to come through the pack together. Actually, wouldn’t that be exciting! I honestly don’t know who to pick, and really, I’ll be happy to see either rider come out on top. Overall, it’s been an exciting season of SX, and it’s only fitting that it’s coming down to the final round.
Well, that is it for me this week. I hope everyone has a great week, and I hope all of our amazing Moto Mom’s have a great Mother’s Day weekend. Remember, it won’t take much to make them feel honoured this weekend, maybe some flowers, a small gift, a card maybe, or all of the above. But, most importantly they deserve a big hug and a thank you for all they do, both at the track as well as at home. Finally, my Motovan Rider of the Week is Bobby Gravel, who made a welcomed appearance yesterday at Auburn Hills Raceway. No, Bobby wasn’t racing as he’s still recovering from his injuries last summer, but he was there talking to people and soaking in all of the love and support from his extended moto family. After talking to him for a few minutes he shared that he is currently working at an airport handling baggage and doing odd jobs, and that his future plans include learning how to fly an airplane and hopefully become a commercial pilot. Obviously, with Bobby’s type of injuries, recovering is a process and there are many steps and huddles along the way. Thankfully, he is improving each day, and one of the big steps was returning to the races and taking in all of the sights, sounds, and smells. It was great to see him, and I wish he and his family all of the best. Thank you for reading, and if you have any comments or questions, please email me at editor@mxpmag.com.
