Monday Morning Coffee
By Billy Rainford
Whew, it’s always hard to get rolling on the Monday following a round of the Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals. Did I race yesterday? No. Are my thumbs worn out almost to the bone? No. Am I still finding sand in all sorts of weird places? Kinda. Do I feel like I went to battle and lost? Yes!
Gopher Dunes National
Gopher Dunes lived up to its storied history and legend yesterday. No, it wasn’t the hottest day we’ve ever seen in Courtland, Ontario, but the humidity showed up just after 9:00am. I managed to forget my phone just before a moto and had to run back to the Redemption Racing rig (where I steel electricity to keep everything charged for the day) to get it. When I hurried back to the start line, I began sweating profusely and didn’t really stop for the rest of the afternoon. It was pretty muggy.
Most of the riders said it was really rough and brutal. When I saw some people talking with Parts Canada Thor Husqvarna rider, Kyle Regal, at the end of the day, I thought it was great that he actually said, “Southwick is hard-pack compared to this place!” Cool. That’s what we all want to hear to keep the legend growing. It may just be a flat field in the middle of nowhere, but the bottomless sand and ever-present humidity make the Gopher Dunes event the one riders either relish or dread. There is no middle ground with this place.
I think half the battle is just talking yourself into believing you love the sand. It sounds silly but if you can play mind games on yourself like that, it might just keep your attitude positive out there during those last few laps when others are wilting and sitting by the finish line waiting for the leaders to go by and take the checkered flag. I think a lot of riders are surprised at the end of the day with how well they finished. It’s the one track where it gets really hard to tell just what position you’re in out there. The rule is: just keep moving forward until they tell you to stop. After that, go check the results sheet.
Gopher Dunes Results
MX2
Canada’s Motorcycle FXR Yamaha rider #105 Jimmy Decotis was this close to #1 Royal Distributing Fox Racing KTM rider Kaven Benoit for the entire second MX2 moto. – Bigwave photo
MX1
Rockstar OTSFF Yamaha rider #101 Matt Goerke continues to lead the MX1 class. – Bigwave photo
Women’s East Nationals Round 1
The Canada’s Motorcycle FXR Women’s East Nationals also took place at Gopher Dunes Saturday. I think the big question was whether or not anyone was going to be able to put a stop to Eve Brodeur‘s dominance. Unfortunately for fans of close racing, the answer was no. Although a few others looked really fast and have obviously upped their games, failing any sort of bad luck, Eve should be able to repeat as #1. I know, I’ know…this is racing and you just never know, but wait until you ee how good Eve looks on her KTM 250SX-F 2-stroke. Trust me, she looks pretty damn good!
In the first moto, the Duroy Racing KTM Canada rider crossed the line with a 40-second lead and in the second she was out front by 20. Behind her, everyone was impressed with how much Laliberte Motosport Forma rider #10 Kim Normandin appears to have improved. Jeff called her for his dark-horse rider after seeing her in practice and he was right.
#79 Kassie Boone was also very impressive on her W1P Momma K Suzuki. I always wish someone would give her the support she needs to get her to all the races, but I don’t even think that’s what she wants to do. She said in her post-race interview with Jeff that she has the most fun just riding and jumping with her friends. Hey, it’s not about what WE want. Anyway, shes got the speed and she’s definitely not afraid of hitting the sky. She was having a blast clearing the big finish line table and scrubbing the jumps leading to it. She’s a lot of fun to watch. She finished with 4-4 motos for 3rd overall.
Coming into the season, #8 MX101 Yamaha rider Allie Argue was hoping to get out and challenge Eve for wins. Everyone struggled to stay on two wheels and Allie’s 7-3 motos gave her 4th overall. Watch for her to be closer to the front with Brodeur when we get to her home track this coming Saturday in Ottawa.
On a sad note, #110 Breanna Rose is always fast and was hoping to grab herself a nice low-digit number this season. Unfortunately, she “missed the landing of the 90” and managed to give herself a concussion, bruised jaw, and a broken wrist. Not good for the Windsor rider. Get well soon, Breanna. The series will definitely miss the Riverside Tavern Oneal Leatt rider.
Women’s East Nationals Round 1 Results
KTM East Supermini Nationals
Also taking place Saturday at Gopher Dunes was round 1 of the KTM East Supermini Nationals. All eyes were on Fox KTM Canada rider #184 Tanner Ward. The big question was whether or not anyone could challenge him for wins. Although 2nd place finisher #198 Nicholas Cryer was also blazingly fast, it’s going to take a special kind of ride to keep pace with the young Woodstock native out front.
Tanner is coming back from a bad string of pretty major injuries and so he’s only going to get faster as time passes. That’s not good for the competition. The battle behind these two riders was the one to watch. Jake LeClaire, Jeremy McKie, Jairred Killeen, Thomas Rendall, Ben LeClaire, Cameron Pytel, Zamair Darrell, and Sam Gaynor put on a great show and went at it both motos.
They’ve all got two more rounds to make a run at the top two riders, but it won’t be easy.
KTM East Supermini Nationals Round 1 Results
Watch for full photo reports on the two days of racing later here on the site.
OCMC Pro Ride Day – Tuesday, July 14th
If you’re a Pro rider and are headed to the Ottawa National at Sand Del Lee this coming weekend, be sure to stop in at the OCMC Pro Ride Day just east of Toronto and north of the 401.
The gate opens at 2:00pm and practice is at 3:30. This is a FREE ride to any local or traveling Pro rider.
Directions:
Brock Rd.
Pickering, Ontario
13.7km north of the 401.
OK, you should really get back to work. I think the boss is coming, and I have to get to work going through all these photos from the weekend. Also, watch for the Direct Motocross Canadian MX Weekly Wrap-Up Show presented by Canada’s Motorcycle and FXR later here on the site.
By the way, the racing at the front of both classes was some of the best we’ve seen so far this season. It was intense! Thanks for reading…
