Although this country has a greater number of young, very fast amateur riders than we’ve ever had before, how do we know where they might rank against each other? Other mainstream sports have this ranking system down to a fine art, but this increasingly popular sport that we all love does not. After speaking to numerous people in the industry we’ve compiled the first official list of the top ten amateur riders in Canada as they stood at the end of the 2015 season. Here is part two of our story with our top 5 riders.
By Brent Worrall, Andy White and Chris Pomeroy
Photos by James Lissimore
#1-Marco Cannella
Of all of our top ten riders, to put Marco Cannella at the top was perhaps the easiest choice. After a very consistent 2014 season in the Junior class, 15-year-old Marco Cannella came out swinging this past season and proved to everyone that he’s not only one of the fastest young riders in North America, but he’s also one of the hardest working. Under the watchful eye of Yamaha Motor Canada and the Moto Park Training Academy, Cannella is quickly learning what it takes to be a consistent frontrunner. While it’s not easy to be a focused 15-year-old athlete, Cannella is succeeding with not only his mind boggling speed on the track but also his humble demeanour off the track. He is determined and polite, and with one more year left in the Intermediate class, all of these great qualities are only going to improve.
When the 2015 season began, Cannella was riding a Yamaha 125cc two-stroke as his main goal was to have a very successful outing at the Loretta Lynn’s Amateur National in the USA. As he tore up the Intermediate class and the Schoolboy classes throughout the spring and early summer in Ontario, it became clear to those on the sidelines that they were watching someone special. On numerous occasions, Cannella would get off to a bad start on his under-powered 125cc two-stroke, and then after a few incredible laps he would be leading and pulling away to yet another win. With every rider he passed, Cannella got closer to where he wanted to be. When he finally did arrive at Loretta Lynn’s in late July, he was ready to win.
With the Loretta Lynn’s National being famous for the pressure it puts on its riders and the scorching heat that comes with the summer in Tennessee, to be successful there you must be fit and very focused. When the gated dropped on the Schoolboy Class, Cannella knew deep inside that he was both. After winning the first moto and remaining consistent in moto two, Marco knew that all he needed to do was get a good start and ride smart in the final moto for the title to be his. Relying on all of his hard work and training, that is exactly what Marco did. When he made the pass for 4th on the final lap, he had earned not only enough points to be crowned a champion but also the pride of an entire Nation.
After his big win in Tennessee, Marco came home, traded in his 125cc for a 250F and headed to the 2015 Parts Canada TransCan in search of the same type of success. After four long days of racing at Walton Raceway, Marco came away with the Schoolboy 2 Championship and the coveted Yamaha Factory Rider Award.
All in all it was a great year for Marco Cannella and his family. With one more year remaining in the Intermediate class, as well as a move up in 2016 to the ‘B’ class in the USA, who knows how many more titles could be his before he turns pro at the end of next season. For all of his accomplishments on the track as well as the class he continues to show off the track, we have Marco Cannella ranked as the #1 amateur in Canada.
#2- Casey Keast
When it comes to up and coming prospects in Canadian Motocross, Casey Keast is one rider that has been on most people’s radar for some time. Casey, who got his modest start in two wheel competition on BMX bikes, has pretty much been a natural from the get go. Now six years into his career, which will see him celebrate his 17th birthday in December, the sky is the limit for Casey Keast. To this point in his career, Casey has a long list of high profile accomplishments that include World Mini Grand Prix Championships, Western Canadian titles, two consecutive Parts Canada Walton Trans Can Super Mini titles, Provincial Championships, Future West Arenacross titles along with three appearances in the highly polished Monster Energy Cup. Casey Keast has also been a recent winner of a Yamaha Factory Ride award at the WCAN in Raymond, Alberta. Keast’s rise to prominence in the developmental ranks along the way has garnered the support of Kelowna Yamaha, Atlas Brace Technologies, King Concepts, Goldentyre, FoxHead Canada, BigSteelBox, EKKS Brand Goggles and Yamaha Motor Canada.
2015 would be the first season to date that Keast would see the type of adversity every motocrosser fears when it rears its untimely head. With a solid Spring and some great results south of the border, 2015 looked to be a great, final year on small bikes for Casey Keast. He capped off an up and down California Classic with a podium finish and also quickly pocketed two top qualifying tickets to the Dude Ranch at Loretta Lynn’s for the Grand National Championship. This will be Casey’s last year of eligibility to ride in the Super Mini class of that event, as well as on the two-stroke 125cc Yamaha in the Schoolboy 1 class. Things were also heating up in Canada as Casey balanced this schedule south of the border with a couple of provincial Spring Series races and the opening round of the Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals. The National series kicked off at Whispering Pines in Kamloops, BC where Keast handily won the opening round of the newly added KTM Western Canadian Super Mini Nationals. The field in that event was pretty thick with up and coming talent but Keast got the better of his competitors. Casey would also line up in Kamloops on the 125cc two-stroke on Sunday’s Pro day. What he achieved in experience above his decent results of 27-21 for 23rd overall was another huge stepping stone going forward.
The weekend after the Kamloops Pro National, Keast elected to exchange lining up in Nanaimo for the second leg of the Super Mini Challenge to chase his ticket to Loretta’s. Mission accomplished as at the famous Washougal circuit Keast was poised and got the job done with two top step performances. The following week in Calgary on amateur day at the Wild Rose track, on the first lap of Intermediate racing action, Casey Keast suffered his most serious racing setback to date. It is always unfortunate to see anyone have to go through something like the broken humerus that Casey suffered that day but accidents have no prejudice. Almost every racer faces it at some point on the way up the ladder, but this would be one of the first real tests for Casey and his family. Adding insult to this particular injury was the fact that the Keast family had not been able to attend this round due to work commitments. Mike Nichols from Goldentyre Canada was Casey’s support system that weekend; the Keast family has a sincere appreciation for his job of taking care of their son.
The humerus fracture saw Casey Keast, on doctor’s orders, forced to the sidelines for four months. Finishing up the school year knowing all of his competition and closest friends were at the race track did not sit well with Casey. He did take advantage of the time off to focus on what the future would hold when it came to life on two wheels. Sometimes it is a cliché to say that you never miss what you had until it is gone. Well, fortunately for Casey in this case, his arm would heal. He took full advantage of the Hyper-Baric chamber, lent to him by Oliver Benek, and was committed to returning with a vengeance. His focus was to finish off his season on a positive note by lining up for a third consecutive year at the Monster Energy Cup in the Super Mini class in Las Vegas, Nevada. Casey definitely lacked valuable seat time heading into this event but headed to Southern California the first week of October to get some seat time. Not really sure what to expect lining up for the first time in months in a body that had grown a full three inches, but Keast was set to cap off his Monster Energy Cup Super Mini career. He cited heading in that he was confident and comfortable, stating openly that the result was not the ultimate goal. Casey was keen on pocketing the type of intangible experience that goes with a top level event like that.
Casey Keast had the benefit of pitting under the Blu Crue tent with Chad Reed and was treated like the factory star that he one day hopes to be. When the gate dropped at this event in previous years, Keast has always been money off the start. In fact, he led last year’s second Super Mini moto until it was red flagged. Keast finished a best Moto finish in 11th in 2105 and ended up with an overall of 14th out of 23, and once again happily pocketed the experience that very few riders get the opportunity to acquire. Now with the season winding down, Keast keenly has his site set on next season and has a vision to continue to succeed towards his ultimate goal of being the best. Casey just picked up a 2016 YZ250F and may see some indoor action before the New Year. In 2016, the main focus for Casey Keast will be western rounds of the Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals (maybe the eastern rounds too if his results are there) as well as WCAN and the 25th Annual Parts Canada Walton Trans Can. Casey Keast hopes to stamp a ticket to Loretta Lynn’s for 2016, one he can actually cash in on. All the best to Casey Keast and his backers in 2016, Canadian race fans are the benefactors of your success.
#3-Austin Watling
Austin Watling is a perfect example of a good Canadian kid who not only exudes quality
skills on the track but off the track as well. Born in Corunna, ON, Austin has taken a long and consistent road to the top in his class. It’s because of this solid foundation that there’s no doubt in our minds that Austin Watling is on the road to stardom in this sport.
As with all of the riders on this top ten list, the biggest supporters in their lives are their families. Whether it’s their parents, siblings or a combination of both, none of these talented riders would be anywhere without their families. At any age, the life of a motocross rider is a challenging one. On any given day there are spectacular highs and mind crushing lows. Staying focused and keeping your self-confidence high can at times take a tremendous amount of effort. All of this pretty much exemplifies the racing career of Austin as he’s had pretty much everything thrown at him, and he’s not even 16 yet.
After spending a year as a Team Green supported rider in 2014, Austin decided to switch brands as he received support from his long-time friends at WCK Honda in his hometown. Austin adapted very quickly to the red bikes and from the start of the 2015 he was the dominant Junior rider in South Western Ontario. With a strong fitness base provided to him by the crew at Frankfit Fitness, Austin won moto after moto this year in SWO and eventually claimed both the MX2 and MX3 Junior Ontario Provincial titles.
When he wasn’t dominating the Ontario Regional races, Austin took his talents to the 2015 Parts Canada TransCan in August where he thrust himself into the spotlight. After some great battles with riders like Nick Denniston and Nathan Cryer, Austin claimed the highly competitive MX3 Junior title in front of his friends and family. During his successful week at Walton Raceway, Austin was also featured in a Honda Canada amateur video that was shot and produced by RTBA Films and MXP Magazine. Austin’s week at the TransCan was a perfect ending to what was a very successful summer.
Following the advice of his training crew at Frankfit, Austin took a few weeks off after Walton before beginning his training for the new Canadian National AX Tour, which took place during late September and October. This new national series allowed Austin to get introduced to the tight and aggressive racing that is AX, and thanks to the tutelage of fellow Frankfit athlete Cole Thompson, Austin felt comfortable right away. Throughout the eight round series Austin flourished on the AX tracks, and for the third time in a few short months, Austin brought home a title from a major event.
With plans to head down south this winter to the Frankfit and Thompson family training facility in Mississippi, Austin will no doubt continue to get stronger and faster as he prepares himself for the Intermediate class in 2016. He will once again be Honda mounted thanks to WCK Honda and Honda Canada’s amateur support program, and he will also have the undying support of his family and of all the new fans he made this past summer. Austin Watling is not only a great rider but he’s also a positive role model for all young riders out there, and that’s why he is #3 on our official list.
#4 Jean Christopher Bujold
There have been a lot of success stories come out of Quebec in the motocross scene, and we are now seeing a strong group of amateurs making their mark and standing out from the crowd. A young, future superstar from St Hubert, Quebec has dominated the amateur program in that province over the past year and is proving himself worthy of a solid pro career. JC Bujold is only 16-years-old and he is already starting to turn heads. It was probably a name you heard if you were at some of the eastern CMRC nationals this past summer. Living just outside of the Montreal region, JC doesn’t get much of a chance to practice at motocross tracks. What he really likes to do is hit the BMX Park with his buddies and focus on hitting the ramps and bowl. “I really enjoy hanging out on the BMX bike. It really helps me with balance and learning new tricks,” stated JC. Living near the big city of Montreal doesn’t allow him to load up the truck and hit the practice tracks that much, so instead JC goes to the gym and focuses on riding his BMX bike. Both JC and his father take personal training very seriously and hit the gym as much as possible.
His love of motocross all started at the ripe old age of 4. His dad had competed in some enduro events and thought it fit for young JC to try his luck at two wheels so he brought a Yamaha PW50 home and JC has been hooked ever since. The family has been going to the races for more than eight years now. He started off in the mini classes and worked his way up the ladder. This past year was a huge step forward for Bujold with names like Honda, Motovan and Claude St-Marie Sport supporting JC at the highest level. Having more support has also allowed the family to travel and compete at Loretta Lynn’s Amateur Motocross National and the Walton TransCan. When asked what his favourite tracks are, JC replied, “I am a hard pack rider. Walton and Ste. Julie are my type of tracks. Sand tracks are fun but I really enjoy riding on clay base tracks.”
The Atlantic Canada region, which is now home to Canadian National #5 Tyler Medaglia, has seen many riders throughout the years excel at the top level. The likes of Spring Hill, Nova Scotia’s Ryan Lockhart, Johnny Montes and Mitch Cooke, just to name a few, all with Atlantic geographical connections, have all done the region very proud. If you ever wondered who is coming up through the ranks and would have the type of talent, desire and fortitude to fill some of those large footprints left behind by those legends, look no further. Joggins, Nova Scotia’s Damon ‘Turbine’ Burbine, who is as feisty as he is talented on a motorcycle, has his sights set on leaving his own legacy to the region and the sport.
Burbine’s appetite for motorized excitement began at the age of two on a Kitty Kat snowmobile. From there things escalated quickly to where by age two and a half he was in full control of a four-wheeled Suzuki 50. By age three, Damon was on a PW 50 and was exposed to Motocross for the first time as his father Jason took him to an indoor race. It was at that point where Damon told his father that he wanted to race Motocross. Within short course, the Burbines found themselves trackside cheering on Damon while he was ripping up the race track on a KTM 50. In Damon’s first year of racing, he managed a 50cc CMRC Atlantic Canada Spring Series title as well as a 2nd in the Fall Series.
Through the early years of his career, Damon Burbine has continued to collect hardware and turn some heads while doing so. In 2010, in his second year of racing, he steamrolled through the CMRC Atlantic Canada series finishing a perfect 11/11 on a 50cc KTM. The year would also see Burbine take on the mighty Walton Trans Can for the first time with a very modest goal of hitting the top 10. The mark was eclipsed and far exceeded as Damon finished with a solid fourth for his efforts. 2011 and 2012 would see repeat performances of Atlantic Canada titles for Damon as well as his first ever podium overall finish at the Trans Can. 2013 saw continued domination on the 65cc in Atlantic Canada along with some top results on an 85cc in the 7-11 year-old class. The highlighted results of the year were an overall win at the ECAN in Deschambault on the 65cc followed by a solid 2nd overall at the Trans Can.
2014 would be an almost perfect season for Damon Burbine at all levels. He once again dominated the Atlantic region series as well as the Provincial Championship. Damon travelled throughout Quebec and New Brunswick chasing victories and succeeded with victories not only outdoors but also in every Arenacross race he entered. The ECAN at Deschambault would see him settle for second on the 65cc machine but he would hit the top step at that year’s Trans Can. At the 2014 Trans Can, an event that saw Mother Nature serve up everything imaginable, Burbine showed he has the kind of skill to negotiate and ride in any condition. Matching his brazen skill set with a character as calm and cool as most kids off the track, he is a young man possessed to settle for nothing short of victory once the helmet is buckled up.
With 2015 now in the history books, a look back on Damon’s results only continues to validate why we believe this rider has the unlimited potential to push the ceiling of his accomplishments as high as he desires. In 2015, he had pretty much a perfect season on the 65cc running the table in Atlantic Canada and once again capping off what is the final year on this displacement at the Trans Can. Throughout all of Burbine’s success, he has continued to develop his skills and add to his resume of accomplishments on his 85cc bike and Super Mini. The 2016 season will see Burbine compete as a Junior in an age bracket where many riders will be his senior in the age department. Burbine will contest the 85cc 12-16 year-old classes as well as Super Mini in 2016 and maybe even some Schoolboy races. In true form to his character, Damon has informed us that he plans to battle for wins in every event and series that he enters. Even though he knows the competition in 2016 will be the toughest he has faced to date in his young career, he is as motivated as he has ever been.
With high profile accomplishments like the ones Damon Burbine already has on his resume, along with his fearlessly forward focussed attitude and riding ability, we have every reason to believe the name Damon Burbine is one you will hear often in the near future. Good luck in 2016 to KTM Racing’s number 77, Damon ’Turbine’ Burbine.