Throwback Thursday- Dusty Klatt

Well MXP readers, it’s Thursday and in today’s history savvy society that means it’s Throwback Thursday. Like most media outlets, we have a heap of old photos in stock. When I was looking through them this particular photo jumped out at me. Sometimes a photo can say 1000 words and I feel that this photo of Dusty Klatt seems to capsulate his entire career. Like a photo of JSR sideways and charging, or an old photo of the Rollerball bulldogging his heavy bike through a corner, a photo of Dusty Klatt scrubbing and staying low over a jump is what he was all about.

After a couple of modest rookie seasons on the National circuit and two fairly quiet MX2 titles, Klatt really burst on to the scene in 2006 on his red Blackfoot Honda. In fact you could argue that it was that year that the tide in professional Canadian motocross shifted from the old guard to the new one. I don’t think of any fan of Canadian motocross who had a pulse in 2006 can forget how dominant Klatt was on his potent CRF450. For the five years prior we had been used to the iconic Frenchman JSR simply owning the Canadian Nationals. However, 2006 was different. Although JSR was his usual fast and fit self, he was no match for the raw speed and style of Dusty Klatt. Since Klatt had been a teammate of JSR’s for two years up to that point, it was definitely a case of a student emulating the teacher, because once Klatt got the ball rolling at round one, there was no stopping him.

Although Klatt would never have another season quite like he had in 2006, up until his retirement in 2013 he remained one of this country’s top riders and he will go down in history as one of the most stylish, without a doubt. He scrubbed before anyone else did in Canada. He rode a 450 like a 250 two-stroke when all the other riders were struggling with the new, heavier four-stroke machines, and perhaps most importantly, he went about his business with class and a quiet confidence. This Marc Landry photo of Klatt on his Red Bull KTM is one of my favourites as it shows the picture perfect style that made him famous. Look for a Dusty Klatt feature in the upcoming Christmas issue of MXP Magazine.