Motocross Performance Magazine Canadian Motocross news leader
CMRC MEDIA
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Stouffville, ON – June 11, 2014)
With the two British Columbia rounds of the Rockstar Energy Drink Motocross Nationals in the history books, the Pro MX1 and MX2 Tour heads east to Alberta, where Wild Rose MX Park in Calgary will host Round 3 of the points chase this Sunday, June 15th.
Wild Rose MX Park, which has hosted national rounds since 2001, is known for its challenging jumps and supercross inspired obstacles. It is very spectator friendly and boasts a unique feature not seen at any other motocross venue in Canada: Calgary’s big city skyline in the background.
In the scheme of the Motocross Nationals, occupying the third event of the season on the CMRC calendar, Calgary has a special feel to it. Everybody involved, from riders to team staff, to the privateers’ supporters and family, have had a chance to get back into the swing of things.
If you don’t know where you’re at by the time you get to Round 3 at Wild Rose MX Park, your chances of improving your previous season’s rankings, never mind a shot at the title, are already in jeopardy.
A championship isn’t won at the first two rounds, but it can be lost there and at Round 3 things start getting a bit more serious and real. It’s more or less high time to pick up the pace and get your act together if you haven’t already done so or face getting left behind and coming up short on your season’s goals.
By Round 3 the title contenders have usually announced themselves and the up-and-comers have confirmed that they are exactly that, the next generation of contenders in the making.
In MX1, the title favourites have not disappointed. GDR Honda’s Colton Facciotti, MotoConcepts Racing’s Mike Alessi and Monster Energy Thor Kawasaki’s Josh Hill have left no doubt they are the ones most likely to end up with the No.1 plate at season’s end.
If anybody had any reservations about Facciotti being able to pull off a successful comeback this year, those doubts have been laid to rest. He’s on top of the scoreboard with 95 points, 13 more than second place Hill and third place Alessi. The two Americans are currently tied in the points, but that will more than likely change in Calgary.
The other confirmed contenders, Rockstar Energy Drink OTSFF Yamaha’s Bobby Kiniry, Royal Distributing Fox KTM’s Tyler Medaglia and Monster Energy Thor Kawasaki’s Teddy Maier, have shown flashes of what they are capable of at the first two rounds. But the trio, holding down the top-six in the points, are already trailing Facciotti between 25 and 30 points. Maier, in fourth place, is looking at a 14 points deficit on Hill and Alessi.
A lot can happen in the next eight rounds, but these veterans need to pick up the pace, especially No.2 ranked Kiniry, who has yet to finish on the podium. Maier and Medaglia have both been on the box: Maier with a second place in moto one in Nanaimo; Medaglia scored a third place moto one finish in Kamloops. Finishing outside the top-five in the other motos didn’t help their cause.
While the opening rounds of the MX1 points chase were interesting enough, the MX2 title hunt has offered up the most surprise. MotoConcepts Racing’s Vince Friese certainly left a few jaws agape in Kamloops. Although Friese, in his first Canadian Nationals season, was considered a rider worth keeping an eye on this year, he shook up the status quo last weekend with very convincing 1-1 moto results. A second moto mechanical DNF took him out of the mix in Nanaimo, after he recorded a fifth place finish in moto one.
Friese has shown he’s more than a rider to keep an eye on – that’s for the up-and-comers – the Californian is now a bona fide title contender, shooting into third place on the scoreboard behind Quebec’s Kaven Benoit and Saskatchewan’s Shawn Maffenbeier.
Defending class champ Monster Energy Thor Kawasaki’s Austin Politelli, who just got back on his bike after recovering from off-season injuries, rode a bit tentatively at Round 1. But he still finished third overall on the strength of 4-3 motos. At Round 2 a disastrous first moto saw the California native finish 16th. He rebounded in moto two, grabbing second place at the finish line.
Royal Distributing Fox KTM’ Kaven Benoit, a title favourite for a number of years only to succumb to injuries, impressed with a clean sweep in Nanaimo. In Kamloops he settled for second overall on the strength of 4-3 motos. But he is on top of the scoreboard with 88 points, 16 more than second place Rockstar Energy Drink OTSFF Yamaha’s Shawn Maffenbeier.
Maffenbeier, like Benoit an injury victim last season, has confirmed that he has what it takes to have a say in the MX2 title hunt. Although he struggled somewhat last weekend, recording 5-7 motos, in Nanaimo he rocked with 3-2 motos that secured him second overall.
The other confirmed title contender, Monster Energy Thor Kawasaki’s Jeremy Medaglia, got off to a tepid season’s start, currently finding himself tied in the points for fifth place with RTR KTM’s Topher Ingalls. 12-6 results at Round 1 are the main reason for the Ontario native’s unexpected current points ranking. Last weekend Medaglia rebounded somewhat with 2-5 motos that put him on the podium with third overall.
Ingalls is more or less where he is expected to be, and is in good shape to at least keep his No.3 ranking from last year. But he’s going to have to start putting in some podium finishes to make that happen for sure.
MX101 Yamaha’s Jesse Wentland, riding his first full season in Canada, has shown some flashes of brilliance that do not quite reflect his current seventh place points ranking. The Minnesota native has sent a message that he is capable of podium finishes and a likely candidate to finish the season in the top-five.
As was the case last weekend in Kamloops, BC, the defending MX1 and MX2 National Champions, Monster Energy Thor Kawasaki are also the defending track champions in Calgary. With Austin Politelli and Jeremy Medaglia the team is aiming for a repeat in MX2. Josh Hill or Teddy Maier will have to clear the task in MX1. Maier won the MX2 class in Calgary in 2012. An MX1 victory will add some icing on the cake. Hill, still gunning for his first Canadian victory, will want to write the overall next to his name.
Tyler Medaglia, twice MX2 winner at the venue, will be out to add the MX1 class to his laurels. Bobby Kiniry, with one win, and Colton Facciotti with two, will also be extra motivated to leave Calgary as top dog once again.
Points Standings after 2 of 10 rounds
MX1
1. Colton Facciotti (Honda) 95
2. Josh Hill (Kaw) 82
3. Mike Alessi (Suz) 82
4. Teddy Maier (Kaw) 68
5. Bobby Kiniry (Yam) 66
6. Tyler Medaglia (KTM) 65
7. Kyle Chisholm (Yam) 60
8. Dylan Kaelin (Yam) 53
9. Morgan Burger (Yam) 45
10. Austin Kouba (Kaw) 38
MX2
1. Kaven Benoit (KTM) 88
2. Shawn Maffenbeier (Yam) 72
3. Vince Friese (Hon) 66
4. Austin Politelli (Kaw) 65
5. Topher Ingalls (Hon) 62
6. Jeremy Medaglia (Kaw) 62
7. Jesse Wentland (KTM) 60
8. Brock Hoyer (Yam) 43
9. Dylan Schmoke (KTM) 42
10. Kyle Swanson (Hon) 40
Past Champions at Wild Rose MX Park
MX1
2001 Jean Sebastien Roy
2002 Blair Morgan
2003 Damon Huffman
2004 Jean Sebastien Roy
2005 Jean Sebastien Roy
2006 Dusty Klatt
2007 Paul Carpenter
2009 Colton Facciotti
2010 Dusty Klatt
2011 Colton Facciotti
2012 Bobby Kiniry
2013 Brett Metcalfe
MX2
June Brad Hagseth
2002 Brad Hagseth
2003 Jimmy Nelson
2004 Ryan Morais
2005 Dusty Klatt
2006 Jimmy Nelson
2007 Tucker Hibbert
2009 Dean Wilson
2010 Tyler Medaglia
2011 Tyler Medaglia
2012 Teddy Maier
2013 Austin Politelli
About Rockstar: Rockstar Energy Drink is designed for those who lead active lifestyles – from Athletes to Rockstars. Available in over 20 flavors at convenience and grocery outlets in over 30 countries, Rockstar supports the Rockstar lifestyle across the globe through Action Sports, Motor Sports, and Live Music. For more information visit: www.ca.rockstarenergy.com
Find us at: www.facebook.com/RockstarCanada ~ www.twitter.com/Rockstar69CAN ~ www.instagram.com/rockstarenergycanada ~ www.YouTube.com/Rockstar
You are receiving this Rockstar Energy Drink/CMRC Media press release because you have requested receipt, are on a general motorcycle industry mailing list or because your email address was forwarded to us by a friend or colleague. If you do not wish to receive Rockstar Energy Drink/CMRC Media press releases in the future, please advise us at anytime by replying to this email with ‘unsubscribe’ in the subject box. We apologize if we have inconvenienced you.
