Frid’Eh Update #16 | Cole Thompson Interview | Brought to You by Dirt Care
Frid’EH Update #16 belongs to Cole Thompson from Brigden, ON and is brought to you by Dirt Care Cleaners and Lubricants
By Billy Rainford
Welcome to Week #16 of the DMX Frid’Eh Update brought to you by Dirt Care. All my closest friends, my non-moto ones, always ask me about crossing the border into the USA and whether or not it’s an issue or not. Our news makes it sound like they’re throwing people in jail after confiscating their cell phones etc.. Well, today marks my 3 week in a row crossing the border at Buffalo, NY. How has it been?
Well, these have been the smoothest border crossings I’ve ever encountered. Yes, a lot of it is because they aren’t very busy with Canadians choosing not to go south, but the border guards have been nothing but polite and friendly.
Today was the best. The line I chose ended up having a very friendly guard who was born in 1964. He told me his first dirt bike was a 1977 Suzuki RM 125 that he loved. Get this, I actually had to say, “I’m sure we could sit here and talk dirt bikes all day, but I should get going...” I literally said that to a border patrol guy! That was a first.
So, to sum it up, if you’re crossing the border for a legitimate reason, the border has been fantastic in my experience.
I decided not to take the route through New York State that runs through the Endless Mountains this time. It looks like I’ll be seeing a little part of that route next week when I drive to Pittsburg, so I’m heading straight across I-90 until I turn south on I-81 at Syracuse. Good times…
So far, the drive has been interesting in one aspect. The temperature started out at 19C and then dropped to 9C in Grimsby. By the time I got to Buffalo it was back up to 22C. Not sure what’s going on near the escarpment, but that was a wild temperature change!
My rest stop choices on this interstate have been either Popeye’s or Burger King. I had an original chicken sandwich at Popeye’s last trip and it was actually pretty tasty. I may go that route again today.
Jordan Wilsey from RussOgraphy is back in action shooting for DMX at MetLife Stadium. He’s already there for Media Day, so that’s great. He shoots tons of video so that will really help out this week. He’s also going to be in Pittsburg next week. He’s been posting to our Stories on Instagram so be sure to check it out.
I was happy to find out Cole Thompson still holds career #16 in Canada. I haven’t been able to catch up with him much at all this Supercross season, so this was a great chance to give him a call.
This season has been especially tough for the Heartbeat Hot Sauce Team Solitaire rider from Brigden, ON as he’s been battling illness and a sore back for most of it. We talk about that in our interview.
I need to get back on the road, so let’s get right to our chat.
Direct Motocross: Hey, Cole, I have to admit that I was actually surprised you still have the #16 up here! Is it true the last actual National you did here was when you placed 3rd at Walton One back in 2022?
Cole Thompson: Yes, possibly. Haha, I haven’t had the urge to return to the great outdoors these past few summers. Been enjoying my time off during those long hot days and sorta recharging before going off to race in Australia & WSX.
I have to ask you this, how does it feel to still be the best Supercross rider Canada has? You’ve been in this game for so long it must surprise you, no?
I appreciate the compliment, especially since it’s been a rougher Supercross season for me. That being said, I do give props to the Canadians that do come south to race Supercross. I’ve always said it’s easier to stay in Canada and only focus on motocross than show up to one of the toughest series in the world. I’m guilty of doing the same during my KTM days in Canada. Risk of getting injured and not being able to race Canada nationals was the reason I stepped away from Supercross during 2018 – 2021.
What is it that keeps you going? How old are you now?
It’s wild to say but I’ll be 32 this year and love riding and racing more than ever. Something special about dirt bikes for me, always loved it since I was young. Blessed to still have the opportunities to race around the world.
I remember you came to Gopher Dunes and were going to race a 2-stroke. Remind me of what happened that day?
The day didn’t exactly go to plan. Haha. During the first practice my 125 stopped shifting. Back up bike was my brother’s 250f and only so much you can do on a stock 250 in the deepest sand. First moto got stuck in the gate. Moto 2 ran up in the top 5 before fading to 6th.
I know you’re still not 100%. Can you take us through what got you this SX season and how you’re feeling now?
Initially, it started with an illness after round 2. Then some small injuries flared up all at the same time. Basically, from January to March I only put 8 hours on my practice bike. Showing up to races with no seat time and having to perform at the highest level has been a struggle. Seattle was the first race I didn’t have any pain or illness but got sick leading into the race in Philly and decided to sit out. A season to forget but we’ll keep digging.
If you were 100%, would you have been at the East/West Showdown in Philly last week? Derek Kelly was all alone in his pick-up!
Yes, the plan was to do the same and race with my teammate. Unfortunately, leading up to the weekend I knew it’d be better for me to rest up and recover instead of pushing through it.
Have the guys over there at Baylor’s got you on the trails yet? How close are you to making the switch?
I have so much respect for the GNCC off road world. Those guys are gnarly in every way possible. Stu did get me to ride the Endurocross track for a little race they did. But I can confidently say I’m not made for off road. Haha
You’ve only got the 2 SX races left before we head to the Playoffs. You’re sitting 13th in points in 250 West but I don’t think it’s impossible for you to crack the top 10 still. Is that a goal and does your contract with the Heartbeat Hot Sauce Solitaire team come with some motivating bonuses you can tell us about?
Anything is possible with 2 races. The goal for me is to finish strong and end the season on a high. No bonuses for top 10 but would be great for myself and the team.
I assume you’ll race all the Playoffs? Will the team rig head to all of them?
I’m not sure. Last year I did it because I had no upcoming races. Chloe and I decided the week before to go racing at Charlotte Speedway. Then did the road trip over to Texas. I was supposed to go racing in Vegas but signed a deal to race for Firepower Honda and opted to get an early start on testing.
OK, so then what does your summer look like? I know your name kept coming up when a team was still looking for a 450 rider up here.
Enjoy the time off and be seeing me on the water everyday. Haha I did have Walton Kawasaki reach out but nothing serious.
World Supercross again?
Yes, hopefully have something locked in soon
How many more years are you planning on chasing this?
Forever! You’ll never get a retirement post or announcement from me. I’ll slow down at some point and race less but never quit the sport.
Are you laying a foundation to be a rider coach or anything like that when you finally retire? Although, I think your style is sort of just natural to you but I’m sure you could really help some young riders.
I’m always open to coaching and helping the next generation. At the moment my focus is still on myself but as I slow down I’m sure you’ll see me helping in other ways.
Speaking of that, is anyone helping you with your riding or fitness these days while you’re riding down there?
No trainer or riding coach, not that I’m against it. It just becomes very expensive and at this point I know what I need to be doing for the most part.
And how and what is Chloe doing these days?
She’s been helping me renovate our house in South Carolina. Also still getting her to film my TikTok’s but lack of riding has been giving her a break from that lately.
Can you give us any predictions for our 450 class this summer? We’ll have Jess Pettis, Dylan Wright, and Phil Nicoletti, to name 3.
No predictions, but hopefully get some good battles.
Chicken. OK, I appreciate you doing another one of the Update Interviews with us this week. Between you and Tyler Medaglia we’ve done an awful lot! Good luck in Denver and SLC. Who would you like to thank?
Appreciate it, Billy. Thank you to Heartbeat Hot Sauce, Yamaha, and Solitaire Racing.
New Jersey Supercross
Don’t forget, this is another afternoon program and we’ll be out of there before the street lights come on!
This race will be live on NBC at 3:00pm Eastern as well as streamed live on Peacock. CNBC will re-air the broadcast on Monday at 1:00am Eastern. NBC Sports Audio is on Serious FM on channel 85. Race Day Live starts at 9:30am this week. That’s a lot of coverage!
250 EAST POINTS
1 24 R.J. Hampshire 117 4 20 25 18 22 8 20
2 56 Seth Hammaker 117 18 5 20 25 18 13 18
3 1 Tom Vialle 115 17 18 22 22 20 0 16
4 10 Chance Hymas 103 16 16 18 1 15 25 12
5 59 Cullin Park 91 15 11 13 9 14 22 7
6 41 Nate Thrasher 89 14 17 14 8 25 3 8
7 31 Max Anstie 78 25 22 16 15 0 N/A N/A
8 34 Daxton Bennick 77 -5 22 0 15 11 17 17 0
9 92 Maximus Vohland 74 -3 1 13 17 12 16 4 14
10 55 Henry Miller 57 11 12 10 0 10 9 5
11 83 Austin Forkner 53 5 15 5 10 12 0 6
12 60 Carson Mumford 51 12 14 11 3 11 0 N/A
13 87 Hardy Munoz 45 9 10 12 0 13 0 1
14 75 Gage Linville 42 10 8 2 0 2 20 0
15 47 Levi Kitchen 39 13 25 1 N/A 0 0 N/A
16 192 Jack Chambers 34 3 7 9 0 0 15 0
17 89 Trevor Colip 32 6 9 6 0 0 11 0
18 195 Lance Kobusch 31 8 0 0 0 7 16 0
19 50 Cameron Mcadoo 20 20 0 0 N/A 0 N/A N/A
20 148 Justin Rodbell 18 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 18 N/A
250 WEST POINTS
1 38 Haiden Deegan 171 17 20 25 22 25 20 20 22
2 100 Cole Davies 154 14 18 20 20 15 17 25 25
3 23 Julien Beaumer 145 22 25 22 18 16 14 18 10
4 30 Jo Shimoda 136 25 15 16 12 18 16 17 17
5 37 Coty Schock 115 16 16 17 14 22 5 14 11
6 36 Garrett Marchbanks 110 13 14 N/A 16 17 13 22 15
7 19 Jordon Smith 108 20 22 18 25 0 N/A 10 13
8 93 Michael Mosiman 99 7 13 15 17 20 7 16 4
9 63 Hunter Yoder 68 9 12 12 8 11 4 9 3
10 65 Lux Turner 63 11 0 11 11 13 6 11 0
11 52 Anthony Bourdon 54 15 11 13 15 N/A N/A N/A N/A
12 302 Parker Ross 51 5 7 10 13 8 0 8 N/A
13 61 Cole Thompson 47 12 10 0 3 9 0 13 N/A
14 166 Enzo Lopes 43 N/A N/A 5 0 14 N/A 15 9
15 91 Tj Albright 36 8 6 8 10 3 0 1 0
16 25 Ryder Difrancesco 35 18 17 N/A N/A 0 N/A N/A N/A
17 115 Gavin Towers 35 3 4 7 0 5 2 12 2
18 54 Jett Reynolds 34 0 9 9 4 12 0 N/A N/A
19 101 Dylan Walsh 31 0 3 4 7 10 0 7 0
20 134 Avery Long 20 10 0 N/A N/A 4 0 6 0
450 POINTS
1 2 Cooper Webb 278 18 20 14 22 22 25 25 22
2 4 Chase Sexton 266 25 16 18 25 17 20 20 17
3 94 Ken Roczen 240 22 18 22 20 1 22 22 25
4 27 Malcolm Stewart 204 12 15 13 12 25 18 13 16
5 32 Justin Cooper 203 15 11 16 9 18 17 18 18
6 7 Aaron Plessinger 184 13 0 0 13 14 13 15 20
7 51 Justin Barcia 181 16 14 12 10 16 15 16 12
8 21 Jason Anderson 151 20 9 20 15 20 16 11 14
9 46 Justin Hill 149 14 8 7 16 12 12 17 15
10 12 Shane McElrath 136 9 5 5 8 13 10 9 11
11 14 Dylan Ferrandis 135 0 13 6 11 0 14 14 10
12 49 Mitchell Oldenburg 103 6 3 9 5 11 8 10 9
13 57 Benny Bloss 101 0 6 10 3 9 0 5 6
14 17 Joey Savatgy 97 1 12 11 7 15 9 12 13
15 45 Colt Nichols 93 -5 0 4 8 6 10 11 7 7
16 3 Eli Tomac 80 17 25 15 18 5 0 0 N/A
17 1 Jett Lawrence 71 10 22 25 14 N/A N/A N/A N/A
18 96 Hunter Lawrence 62 11 17 17 17 0 0 0 N/A
19 11 Kyle Chisholm 52 2 2 0 4 7 5 2 3
20 86 Mitchell Harrison 47 5 0 0 0 6 6 6 5
We’ll have a young Oakley Olsen from Chilliwack, BC racing the KJSX this week at MetLife. We’ll be sure to capture his race for him from trackside!
OK, let’s get back behind the steering wheel and log some miles. Did I mention I just did another oil change in the van yesterday. Well, it hadn’t been done since last month! Lol I think that marks oil and filter change #55 in my driveway in the van. I’m getting pretty good at it…
Happy Easter to everyone. It seems a little odd that we’re racing this weekend, but oh well. Only 4 rounds left in this Supercross season. Crazy how fast time flies when you live it race to race!
Time to get back to playing “Up or Down?”, right, Pete Brooks? 
