Motocross Performance Magazine Canadian Motocross news leader
During the first four rounds of the 2017 Rockstar Energy Drink Motocross Nationals presented by Motovan, there were a lot of entertaining races and a lot of great battles in both classes. From the opening weekend in Kamloops, to the fourth and final western round in Regina, the riders in the MX2 and MX1 classes put it all on the line to gain as many points as possible.
At Round 1 at Whispering Pines Raceway, fans got to watch Shawn Maffenbeier and newcomer Christophe Pourcel draw first blood. After that, the series moved north to Prince George for the first time ever. On the hilly Blackwater MX Track, the diehard BC fans watched in amazement as Cole Thompson and Pourcel edged out their competition to take the wins. From there, it was onto Calgary and then east to Regina for Roun’s 3 and 4. During both weekends, we saw intense battles as riders like Shawn Maffenbeier and Matt Goerke tried to make up ground in the points standings.
With the first four rounds complete and the riders now preparing for what will most likely be the toughest race of the series at Gopher Dunes, Cole Thompson is your MX2 points leader, and Matt Goerke and Christophe Pourcel share the red plate in the MX1 class. With the type of close battles we’ve seen in both classes, the final six rounds of this series is going to be incredible. For a recap of what went down in the west, here is a collection of photos from the first four rounds.
The gate dropped on 25 years of this awesome series in Kamloops, BC.
This was the MX1 podium from the opening round in Kamloops. Christophe Pourcel definitely made the most of his first race in Canada taking home the win.
Shawn Maffenbeier was the fastest MX2 rider during the first three rounds of the series. If it wasn’t for some bad luck in Prince George, he would be your points leader heading into Round 5.
Cole Thompson has had a great start to his MX2 series and brings a large points lead into Round 5 at Gopher Dunes.
During the first four rounds of the MX1 series, GDR Honda rider Colton Facciotti was very fast and very consistent. The only problem has been that Goerke and Pourcel have been just a little better.
The surprise of the series thus far has been the riding of Kawasaki rider Dillan Epstein. With multiple moto wins in the MX1 class, Epstein has quickly made himself one of the title favourites.
The Whispering Pines track was a great host for the opening round of the 2017 series.
Some might say that Cole Thompson got a little lucky at Round 2 in Prince George when Maffenbeier ran into bike troubles. However, you have to be good to be lucky and Thompson certainly has been good so far in 2017.
After an amazing battle in both MX1 motos, Goerke and Pourcel congratulate each other near the podium.
Thanks to a rock hitting his water pump cover, Maffenbeier has a lot of points to make up heading into the eastern rounds.
Hometown boy Jess Pettis had a great race in Prince George and almost won the second moto.
After a long battle, Pourcel and Goerke were this close over the finish line at Round 2.
In between the Women’s motos on Saturday in Prince George, a great lunch was served under the GDR Fox Honda tent.
In Calgary, the Maffenbeier/ Thompson battle was this close all day long.
After going down at the start of Moto 2, Pourcel’s mechanic had one simple message for Christophe as he battled from dead last.
Your don’t see Pourcel on the ground very often that is for sure, but he did run into some bad luck in Calgary. It’s going to be fun to watch him this weekend on the rough Gopher Dunes track.
Racing his new Huber Motorsports Honda, Tyler Medaglia was very fast during the first four rounds and hopes to bring the same type of results to the east.
Other than a good round in Regina, this photo pretty much sums up Dylan Wrights western swing. There is no doubt though that he will be better in the east!
The Moto-X Van greeted everyone as they arrive at Moto Valley Raceway in Regina for Round 4.
JSR, Kevin Thompson and of course Cole Thompson, go over lap times in Regina. Cole was unbeatable at Round 4 and dominated both MX2 motos.
Matt Goerke almost had both moto wins secured in Regina before having his chain derail on the final lap of Moto 2.
Thankfully though, Goerke was able to get his chain back on and finish the moto. Heading into Round 5, he and Pourcel will share the MX1 points lead and the red plate.
Shawn Maffenbeier also suffered some bad luck in Regina when he crashed and got his boot caught up in his Yamaha. Whether it’s bad luck or just fate, Maffenbeier just can’t win in front of his hometown crowd.
On the rutted and hard packed track in Regina, Thompson used his smooth riding skills to take both moto wins in the MX2 class.
Good-bye west and hello east. Round 5 at Gopher Dunes gets underway this weekend.
