Frid’Eh Update #43 | Michael DaSilva | Brought to You by RP Race Performance
This week, the DMX Frid’Eh Update belongs to Michael DaSilva from Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, and is brought to you by RP Race Performance.
By Billy Rainford
Welcome to Week #43 of the DMX Frid’Eh Update brought to you by RP Race Performance. The big news this coming weekend, of course, is the Vancouver round of the 2024 FIM WSX Championship at BC Place.
I saw on Facebook that some Vancouver Whitecaps soccer fans weren’t too thrilled that their home game had to be changed to an away game for Supercross. Let’s make the city not regret this decision and fill the seats!
I was at the last couple rounds of Supercross that we hosted in Vancity and they were not well attended. I hope that changes tomorrow night. I saw the dirt and it looks like the same grey moon dirt they used last time, and I don’t think people loved it. I know it didn’t look very good on TV or in photos.
We’ll have Mark “Hal” Haliday on the floor shooting for Direct Motocross. Fun fact: Hal was Bob Barker‘s caddy in Happy Gilmore. He’s shot some racing for DMX a bunch of years ago, so it will be fun to see what he comes up with in a stadium setting. He does a lot of photo/video work for theatres in Vancouver.
His Instagram handle is Moonriderpro. He loves an off-piste run at Cypress Mountain we called “Moons.” He can still be found out there as often as he can find the time, so say hello if you’re ever out there and see an old man go ripping past you!
Michael Dasilva was the rider who earned #43 for the 2024 Canadian Triple Crown Series MX Nationals season. I’ve known Michael for a long time and used to hang out with their family whenever we’d be at the same big AMA Amateur National all across the USA. We still joke about the 2010 Loretta Lynn’s race where it was so hot that every other outdoor sporting event in Tennessee was canceled, but not the MX races. It was insanely hot and humid.
They had a little kiddie pool filled with water. In the morning and afternoon it would be refreshingly cold and then at the end of the day it would warm up nicely to be like a mini hot tub for us to have a beer or two in.
Michael had one of the scariest injuries possible but is getting himself back to full strength. Let’s just say he got about as lucky as anyone with how close he came to a catastrophic injury (More on that in our interview).
He only did a couple rounds of the Nationals in 2024, Riverglade and then Deschambault, so this could actually be his last Frid’Eh Update interview!
Here’s what he had to say when we contacted him this week:
Direct Motocross: Hey, Michael. It’s that time of year again where I haven’t seen you in a while, so we need to catch up. First off, let’s go back to that scary crash and injury you had before last year. Tell everyone just how bad that crash was. Those injuries are…yikes.
Michael DaSilva: Hey, Billy, thanks for reaching out. That crash was a scary one. It was definitely one of the worst crashes that I’ve ever had. I believe that having been at a hard pack track and the way that I landed directly on my back and folding completely backwards really is what made the difference in it being such a scary crash. Things could have been different had it been a sand track maybe it wouldn’t have been as bad probably wouldn’t have escaped it with no injuries but it could have been less bad. To restate the extent of my injuries for those who don’t know and are reading this for the first time I fractured T5-6-7-8-9 and 10.
That scares me to read! I was following along with your progress before that and you looked like you were in the best shape of your life!
I genuinely believe I was in the best shape I have ever been. I put a tremendous amount of time and effort into my off-season training last winter and started immediately at the end of the 2023 season to ensure I would be where I needed to be. All that was left was to keep at it and put in the bike time.
How close were you to hanging it all up after that crash?
I think the thought of hanging up my boots crossed my mind a few times, however, I don’t think I would be emotionally capable of walking away from this sport. Although, many people have said to me in conversation time and time again with a look of disbelief on their faces: “You’re still going to go back to racing after that happened?!” The only thing I can say to them is that racing to me has always been more than just a passion, it’s a lifestyle. I hope one day that can be transmitted to my future kids.
You only raced the Riverglade (11-11 for 11th) and Deschambault (22-21 for 24th) last summer
the 450 class. How did those go for you?
The Riverglade National for me was an emotional day to say the least. Just to be back at the nationals at all this summer felt amazing. Unfortunately, the lengthy motos of 35 minutes in the 450 class took a toll on my back and when Deschambault came around I was dealing with a lot of pain and almost passed out after the second moto due to shortness of breath and lack of being able to breathe. To put it lightly, I was experiencing an episode of hyperventilation due to the inability to completely expand the diaphragm caused by the pain in my back.
But you didn’t run your earned #43, you ran #117?! How come?
Did I actually have #43? I thought I was higher so I was actually surprised when you told me it was my Frid’Eh Update! And for 1 or 2 races after I hurt my back, I wasn’t going to change my numbers.
What were you doing the rest of the summer?
The rest of the summer I have been giving courses to a handful of students in the Quebec area. Watching them race and put what we have learned to work is always satisfying. I also have been racing myself. However, I have not touched my bike since the last race in the beginning of September as I’m trying to give my back some time to rest and heal. I’ve been to the hospital a few times since and just got my MRI done this past Saturday and I’m hoping to get the results soon. These results should lay down the foundation for further recovery in hopes of being able to completely eliminate any lingering pain or issues I have.
Currently I am still experiencing back pain when standing up for 30 minutes or more for work and when
I sleep at night. The doctor had prescribed neuropathic drugs as a test to see if the pain would go away and allow me to sleep. Although it did help me sleep, I would wake up in more pain than ever due to not being able to re-position myself during the night to try and diminish the pain I would be in. It may seem like this was not a win but we did learn some stuff and I was able to regain some cognitive strength thanks to being able to sleep. As with the restless nights I was having prior to these drugs, that was only getting worse and worse.
You seem to be at that stage in life where you have to decide your future. What are you
doing for work these days and is this a career job?
I am at that stage. Some people may not know this but I am actually a University graduate with a degree in Sales/Marketing and I am currently working as an external sales representative for a company called Qualipieces. We sell aftermarket carbide runners, Rollerski’s etc. Qualipieces is also the parent company for B-PWR which is their backcountry snowmobiling division.
And what will you do this winter?
I won’t be going down south to train this winter, however, I will still get back to the gym and maintain a healthy and active lifestyle. Casually trying to get back to where I was at the start of the year 2024 in order to race next summer for “fun.” Any competitive person will know 😂 what that means… I would just like to be able to show up to the closer nationals in 2025 feeling like I’m ready to compete and perform to the best of my ability for the entire 35 minutes. Maybe I’ll throw in some snowboarding as well when I get the time to do so after work.
So, you’re going to try another season of racing or what does 2025 look like for you?
I’m definitely going racing. Not racing is out of the question for me! I think I’ll still be lining up in the +50 class at Walton 23 years from now. I could say I will be taking it casually and we shall see how that goes. I just want to get back on my bike, ready to race and not get injured. Have fun, throw some whips, and be a crowd pleaser. Racing will always be fun, I just have to find ways to keep it like that and I believe being fit enough to perform to the best of my ability is where that will start.
Man, I’ve seen you race all across the continent since you were a little kid. Looking back,
what’s your greatest race memory?
My greatest race memory will be the win that started this whole journey in the first place. 2007 65cc (10-11) Walton TransCan moto 3 when I crossed the finish line winning my first ever Canadian amateur national championship. I ghost rode the bike down the straightaway finish line before the podium and laid on my back looking up at the sky. I was so happy I will never forget that memory. From there on I went to win 5 more TransCan titles.
What are your thoughts on the current state of Canadian Motocross and the Canadian
Pro Nationals?
Right now with how things are going I think they are all right. The commentating could have gone a little smoother this summer and I think that the broadcast needs some work. When watching it as a spectator on TV you can tell we don’t have the same budget as they do for the Pro Motocross championship in the states, but that is normal. I hope for the sake of Canadian Pro motocross Nationals, some sponsorship funding can come from the broadcasts. Being able to reach a larger audience so that we can keep the nationals going and hopefully more fun to watch for our viewers is key. I also would like to see the pro purse get bumped up a little bit as I think many would agree, our sport is not cheap nor is it easy and we put everything on the line every time we go out and do battle with one another on sometimes very gnarly tracks. Also, rubbing is racing, let’s bring more of that into the mix. I miss banging bars with people and then talking to them after the race like nothing happened.
We all feel like it’s very strong in Quebec. How would you rate what’s going on there?
I think the racing in Quebec is incredibly strong. Honestly, I feel like the nationals are desolate compared to the Quebec racing scene. The amount of people we have in the pits – kids, parents, grandparents, you name it – it feels as though we are back to the numbers we used to have in 2010. Some classes obviously are still performing better than others but we do have probably the biggest pro gates for any provincial racing in all of Canada. We also have lots of fast 65 riders and a few others to keep our eyes on over the next few years.
What rider do you like keeping an eye on these days?
I like keeping an eye on Olivier Sylvestre and Talon Medaglia. Both kids shred in their respective age groups. Olivier won three challenge Quebec championships I think this year in 65cc (7-9), 65cc Open, and 85cc (7-11). As for Talon, everyone knows how good he rides, with his dad being Tyler he’s going to have one heck of a skillset. I was really cheering for him through the screen during the MXON 85cc race.
OK, thanks for getting caught up with us this week, Michael. Good luck and who would you like to thank?
Definitely, I would like to thank Yamaha Motors Canada, Motosport Saint-Césaire, Leatt, Kimpex, SSS, Oakley, BBL Plumbing services, Taylorracing, Seco Seatcover, kutvek, DRT Apparel. I would also like to give a special thanks to JMT Training coach Jonathan Mascola for all the help he has given me over the past year. His knowledge of motocross and the athletes he works with is key to his success and that’s what makes him so great for athletes in the motocross discipline. In addition, I’d also like to give special thanks to the entire team at R.E.S.E.T. Clinic in Montreal. Their team helped me in many ways this summer by having a multitude of professional health disciplines on the spot from physical therapy to osteopathy and kinesiology. It took a tremendous amount of time and effort from myself and them to help me get back to where I was this summer and they were there every step of the way.
How good were Michael’s answers?! Thank you for always taking the time to give us in depth, well-thought-out answers, Michael. As I eluded to in the last photo, it would be great to have Michael onboard as a contributor in Quebec. Let’s see if we can find some advertisers for possible content and see where this goes…
WSX Championship Round 1 – Vancouver | How to Watch
The 2024 FIM World Supercross Championship (WSX) season promises to be the best yet, with 28 hungry and talented riders – plus up to four wildcards at each GP – across two thrilling categories, all vying for the ultimate prize. Be they returning champions, Supercross legends or hotshot up-and-comers, they’ll all be ready to do battle over three headline events.
Coverage of the 2024 WSX season will be facilitated by 12 world-leading media outlets, delivering top-drawer Supercross entertainment to global audiences. A range of coverage packages are on offer depending on where you live, from two-hour live shows to highlights.
So, for those who aren’t joining us trackside for the GPs in Canada, Australia or Abu Dhabi, here’s your guide on how to watch WSX action in 2024, no matter where you are in the world.
How to watch WSX in 2024
Global
- DAZN
- FUEL TV
- FIM MOTO TV
With the exceptions of the USA and Australia, FUEL TV will broadcast WSX to fans all over the world, while DAZN and FIM MOTO TV will also present completely free-to-air coverage to global audiences. The trio of media platforms will show live event coverage.
Download DAZN on Google Play or in the App Store.
Download FUEL TV on Google Play or in the App Store.
Visit FIM-MOTO.TV to sign up.
North America
- FS1
- FS2
- REV TV
In North America, both the USA and Canada will have access to every 2024 WSX round via as live coverage on FS1/FS2 and live coverage on REV TV respectively.
Download Fox Sports on Google Play or in the App Store.
Download REV+ on Google Play or in the App Store.
To watch the dramatic season-opening WSX Canadian GP from BC Place, Vancouver, viewers will need to tune into live broadcasts at 19:00 local time Pacific Standard Time on Saturday, 26 October.
From: WSXChampionship.com:
Battle of the Heroes: Canadian talent on show
In motorsport, there’s nothing as special as a home race, and for two of our 2024 riders, the inaugural WSX Canadian GP at BC Place in Vancouver will mark an unforgettable experience.
Fire Power Honda’s Cole Thompson and MotoConcepts Racing rider, Noah Viney, are both poised to set the SX2 class alight, and when the gates drop in Canada, will carry the pride of their nation.
For Thompson, the 2024 season is a relishing prospect after the native of Brigden, Ontario, impressed the world last year after being drafted in by ClubMX mid-campaign to replace Enzo Lopes.
Despite only completing two thirds of the season, Thompson finished sixth in points after claiming a staggering second overall in the Melbourne finale, and as a full-time rider in 2024, could be on the verge of a breakthrough season.
Viney, meanwhile, will make his WSX debut in Canada and has high expectations for his rookie season in the series’ SX2 class.
A Canadian living in California, Viney cuts a cool, calm and polite figure in the paddock but becomes a hard racer when his helmet goes on. The 19-year-old is more than determined, and 2024 will undoubtedly be a pivotal season for the prodigy.
MVP Racing Team Headed to Triumph
If you follow MVP Racing on Instagram, you would have noticed that they are dropping some pretty heavy “hints” that they will be riding Triumphs from International Motorsports in 2025.
With returning riders Blake Davies and Julien Benek, this all-British Columbia team is filled with talent and potential. Triumph will be holding their 450 ride day in the next couple weeks, so we’ll be seeing them in the marketplace and on the track.
The rumour is that they’ll head to Georgia and be trained by none other than Mike Brown alongside Jalek Swoll and Austin Forkner. And they will be getting ready for some west coast Supercross in January!
Al Dyck keeps taking this team to new levels, and 2025 should be another step in the right direction for the only BC-based Canadian Pro team.
Shelby Turner and Trystan Hart Racing Endurocross in Idaho
Among others, our 2 top Canadians will be at Round 3 of the AMA Endurocross series in Idaho Falls, ID this weekend.
Date: Friday, October 25
Venue: Hero Arena @ Mountain America Center
Show: 7:00 PM
Points:
EX PRO
| Pos | Racer | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 1st#1 | TRYSTAN HARTINVERMERE, BC | 60 |
| 2nd#22 | JONNY WALKERLA MASSANA, AD | 46 |
| 3rd#10 | COLTON HAAKERCOEUR DALENE, ID | 40 |
| 4th#12 | COOPER ABBOTTSURPRISE, AZ | 36 |
| 5th#15 | MAX GERSTONNEW RIVER, AZ | 32 |
| 5th#501 | DOMINIK OLSZOWYKOZY, CA | 32 |
| 7th#39 | WILL RIORDANCLAREMONT, NC | 31 |
| 8th#513 | RYDER LEBLONDNEW FLORENCE, PA | 27 |
| 9th#96 | TIM APOLLEFINNE OT BILLRODA | 23 |
| 10th#99 | BRANDEN PETRIEPARKLAND COUNTY, AB | 21 |
Have a great weekend and enjoy the racing this weekend in BC. Keep checking our Instagram and Facebook pages for updates throughout the day and a full race report afterward.
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