2024 MXON | Thursday Practice Track Photos

Photo report from Team Canada MXON Thursday at Oxford Moto Parc practice track where the riders got their first seat time here in England.

By Billy Rainford

On Thursday, Team Canada MXON took advantage of the clear blue sky and headed to a practice track called Oxford Moto Parc, 1 1/2 hours northwest of London. We left Norton Park Hotel at 9:00 am to ensure we were there by the 10:00 start time.

Unfortunately, none of our 3 vehicles could actually find the entrance! In fact, one of us pulled up to the armed guard at the gates to the military base to ask for directions. The track ended up being just on the other side of the runway and we all found it and got parked and set up just after 10.

It was only 10C early on but the sun shone bright and the temperature rose to a balmy October 17 by early afternoon.

There were already a few teams parked and warming up when we got there, including Japan, Venezuela, and Great Britain.

Our 3 riders got dressed while the team prepped their bikes and got everything ready for what ended up being a full day of riding and start practice.

Here are some photos from Thursday.

Team Venezuela’s unmarked bikes in the pits beside us.

Jess Pettis rode with the Japanese Open rider Yuki Okura when he was out in California. He was buddies with Hayden Halstead and the two caught up quickly before heading out onto the track.

Ben working on getting the mapping all set up on Dylan Wright’s bike.

Josiah Natzke was there for Team New Zealand.

D-Spec will be the one spinning the wrenches for him.

Dylan and Kaven Benoit getting dressed and ready to go.

As I said yesterday, I’m impressed with the camaraderie between our 3 riders.

Jeff Ryan is a guy you want in your corner. He’s working with Dylan here.

Nico checking the sag for Jess before session #1.

Dylan pulling in to get some suspension adjustments from Colton Facciotti.

#28 Tommy Searle for Great Britainhasn’t been to as many MXONs as Tanel Leok, but he’s closing in on 20.

We all gathered by this one booter jump to snap shots of everyone as they got stylish over it. That’s #58 Luís Outeiro the MXGP rider for Portugal.

#29 Max Anstie is the MX2 rider for GB. He pulled in behind Jess but wasn’t able to close on him.

British photographer checking in with Dylan as Ben, Parker Eales, and Kyle Springman hold a meeting.

#30 is Conrad Mewse who will ride the Open class for GB and is known to be extremely fast at this track.

Carl Vaillancourt raced the 1989 MXON for Team Canada alongside Ross Pederson and Al Dyck in Gaildorf, Germany. Kevin Tyler joked that if Kaven Benoit could win a championship at 35 then maybe Carl is his guy for the team next year. I have a huge file of photos of KT shaking hands with people just for fun.

As I always say, I think these wide-angled shots are the ones we’ll enjoy looking at in the future. I think it’s fun to look at vehicles when they look old. We’ll see…

After riding was finished, they hit the grate for some start practice.

Matt Deroy arrived this afternoon and came straight to the track.

Enzo Lopes is the MXGP rider for Brazil and looked like he got faster and faster throughout the day.

I can’t say for certain but I think Dylan’s 2:12 lap times were at or near the top today.

Jess looked comfortable as the day went on and was also putting in quick lap times.

Anstie, Searle, and Mewse should be a strong combo.

Paulo Alberto will be the Open rider for Team Portugal.

#84 Anthony Rodriguez will ride the Open class for Team Venezuela.

#47 Bernardo Tiburcio will ride the MX2 class for Team Venezuela.

When we were finished at the track, we headed over to Matterley Basin to grab our media credentials. Poor Brad “Automotoco” Nemeth volunteered to drive and is paying the price. I think he’s still in the fetal position in a corner here. I’ll go check on him.

We have an early wake up call Friday and will then head to the track for start practice and then the Opening Ceremonies.

Thanks for taking a look.

2024 MXON | Thursday Practice Track Photos