Motocross Performance Magazine Canadian Motocross news leader
For this week’s Yamaha Motor Canada Behind the Lens, we go back to one of the new tracks that appeared on the 2017 Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals schedule. When the famous Ulverton track in Quebec got word that the municipality wouldn’t let them hold another event, the CMRC were left looking for another Quebec track that could hold a national event. Thankfully, with less than two months to spare, the promoter at Notre Dame Du Bon Conseil shifted into high gear and a new national track was born. Located not far from Ulverton, MX Bon Conseil provided a perfect solution for everyone involved. The only question, what would the track be like when the gate was ready to drop for Round 6 of the 2017 series?
After a massive amount of work and preparation, the Bon Conseil track turned out to be one of the rider’s favourite. With its sandy soil and undulating terrain, MX Bon Conseil provided the riders with a challenging track, and it provided the fans with some incredible racing. Round 6 was also a turning point in the MX2 class as the points leader at the time, Cole Thompson, crashed out of the first moto, and for all intensive purposes was done for the season. It was a massive blow to the defending MX2 Champion from 2016, and one that no one saw coming. As we know, from there Shawn Maffenbeier went on to win the MX2 title in convincing fashion, his first Canadian championship as a pro.
That day, KTM rider Tanner Ward was racing in his second ever pro national, and although he rode well, his 15th overall didn’t exactly set the world on fire. However, his strong 8th in Moto 2 served notice that he was both fit as well as fast. This James Lissimore photo exemplifies what the MX Bon Conseil track was like that day in July, and just how determined Tanner was in the eastern half of the MX2 series. It was rough, rutted, and the riders were doing everything they could to get around it fast. At times when you’re racing on a sand track you can be smooth and really flow with the rough surface. However, other times you find yourself just hanging on for dear life as the track seems to be dictating what you’re doing. In this photo, Tanner Ward is using every bit of speed and strength that he has in reserve as he tries to go fast. As I said, sometimes you can be smooth on a rough sand track, but sometimes you just have to send it!
