Catching Up with…Cole Martinez
By Billy Rainford
In case you missed it in last week’s Frid’Eh Update…
Week #22 goes out to Arizona/Canadian, Cole Martinez|Bigwave photo
Welcome to the ‘double deuce’ edition of the DMX Frid’Eh Update Presented by RMR Online Outlet. Week #22 belongs to the rider we got to know last season when he picked up a ride with the Monster Energy Kawasaki team to race the MX2 class on the KX250F. Not everyone knew much about the rider who calls Arizona home but whose mother lives in Saskatchewan.
Cole Martinez showed up in Kamloops and #134 was an immediate factor, finishing with 4-4 motos for an impressive 4th overall. He kept the ball rolling in the first moto of round 2 at the Wastelands in Nanaimo by taking another 4th in the first moto. Unfortunately, when he tangled with another rider early in the second moto, a hard fall would sideline him for three rounds. Cole didn’t return until round 6 in Deschambault where 6-12 motos gave him 9th overall.
Here’s a look at his 2015 Rockstar Energy MX Nationals season:
Cole went on to compete in the 250 West Supercross series and had a few solid rides, finishing 14th. Here are the final standings:
Cole raced 250 West SX in 2016 and finished 14th overall|Bigwave photo
According to his Twitter account (@colemartinezz), he’s currently open to offers: “@pulpmx any fill in rides after this weekend?”
We grabbed him for a chat to talk about last season and what his plans are for this upcoming summer:
Direct Motocross: Hello, Cole. Thanks for taking the time to chat with us today. First off, if we can back up to last year for a second, how did the deal come together that saw you head north and race in Canada?
It came together with ‘Frenchie’ (Luc Caouette). I told him I’d like to race in Canada and I had Canadian citizenship, so it worked out.
You were a consistent 4-4 for 4th at round 1 in Kamloops, but then trouble struck in the 2nd moto in Nanaimo. Can you take us through that incident that would keep you away from the races until round 6 in Deschambault?
Yeah, it happened on the start. I came together with another rider and I ended up on the bad side of the deal. I ended up hurting my shoulder pretty bad.
You’re half Canadian but live in the USA. What did you think of our series up here?
It was good. I liked it a lot smaller and more mellow than the series here in the US . The thing I didn’t like was flying in two days early for the races.
What track was your favourite, and why?
Umm, I thought a couple of the sand tracks were really good. I feel I could have done a lot better in different circumstances.
Cole was teammates with #123 Brett Metcalfe last summer|Bigwave photo
Which was your least favourite, and why?
Moncton.
Were you impressed or surprised at the pace up here or did you know it was going to be tough up here?
No, not surprised.
What did you get up to after Walton?
Went home for a bit and had some fun with some friends – nothing too crazy.
You raced Supercross last winter. How did the series go for you?
In my opinion, it was a rough season for me. I rode really well but just couldn’t seem to put it all together to be up front. I think it was the best the west coast has been for a while. My lap times were there.
So, now we’re heading into the outdoor season in the USA and Canada. What are your racing plans for the summer?
Right now, my plans are to continue training and riding outdoors and hope a good fill-in ride comes up. I’ll be ready, just hopefully I get the opportunity…and I wouldn’t mind Racing in Canada as well, if something came up there.
Cole is currently looking for a ride either in the USA or Canada. Good luck getting things sorted out for this summer’s racing season, Cole|Bigwave photo
Well, good luck with your summer and we hope things turn out well for you. Who would you like to thank?
Thanks, man. Just everyone that sticks behind me, and all my friends and family.
Good luck, Cole. He showed he has the potential to do very well, but at that level he said you really can’t just show up at say Glen Helen, dish out $2000 and ride equipment that isn’t up to the task. Hopefully, he lands somewhere on a good ride. He is, after all, half Canadian!
