Frid’Eh Update #51 | Alexander Fedortsov | Brought to You by Dirt Care

By Billy Rainford

Welcome to Week #51 of the DMX Frid’Eh Update brought to you by Dirt Care. Em and I just got back from visiting our neighbours from across the street who lived in that same house sine 1965. They bought it as a “starter home” and stayed there the rest of their lives because they loked this little crescent so much. We get it.

Last year, a fire started in their basement from mice chewing the electrical. To be honest, they were lucky to get out alive. We had them here at our house for a few days until their insurance got sorted out and they ended up going to a retirement home temporarily. Well, they loved it so much that they sold their house after fire damage was repaired and call this new place home.

Bob just had his 90th birthday! When we got there, he was playing chess with a young visitor whose sister works at the home. His mind is still sharp as a tack and he even drives. Krista told us to go grab coffee and we sat and chatted for an hour until we had to leave so Em could get to an appointment.

They are German and were there close to the French border through WWII. She was telling us some absolutely fascinating stories about what they went through during that time. All I can think of is that I really need to go back there and record these stories.

It was always interesting when my dad would visit and we’d sit in one of our back yards and they’d get talking. You see, my dad is from England and so you’d think they’d be natural enemies, but they were on the same side of history, so their conversations were also ones I really wish I’d recorded. Pretty soon there will be no one left who experienced it first hand, so I believe their stories need to be preserved.

OK, that’s it, I’m going to ask if they’d be willing to get their stories on record before it’s to late.

Anyway, we had a nice visit and he beat the young lady 3-0 in chess games. He taught her how to “castle” and she was pretty amazed by it. I know it but have never actually done it in a game. It was a very nice, short Christmastime visit. That’s what Christmas is all about for me.

When I’m typing the intro for Week #52, Christmas will have come and gone and we’ll be heading straight into 2026. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, everyone.

I have to say I was a bit surprised when I looked at the Top 100 numbers from the Canadian Triple Crown Series for 2025 and saw that Alexander Fedortsov made the list. I didn’t even remember him being up here until I looked back at some results!

He showed up at the final round at Walton Raceway and finished 5-4 for 4th overall in the 250 class. He was back in 8th in moto 1 and moved up to 5th. He started out in 3rd place in moto 2 and his lap times were closer to the to couple riders and he finished 4th. His 34 points earned were enough to put him 24th overall in points.

I first saw him ride when I was on my way back from Daytona and made my usual stop in at Club MX. Mike Bonacci pointed him out and told me to keep an eye on him as he ripped through the training session. He was young and you could tell immediately that he had something special.

Sure enough, a couple years later Alexander was the 2025 SMX Next champion after winning in Pittsburgh.

I was looking forward to talking with him this week because I knew he’d grown up over in Russia so I was curious to find out what that was like. Well, he wanted to keep it to racing, specifically, so that’s what we did. Here’s what he had to say when we spoke this week:

Direct Motocross: Hello, Alex. I was actually a little surprised to see that you were #51 up here in Canada for 2025. We’ve never done one of these Frid’Eh Update interviews with you so let’s back up to your beginning. First off, can you tell us how old you are, where you’re from, and how you got into Motocross in the first place?

Alexander Fedortsov: I’m 19 years old, I was born in America, but grew up in Russia. Got into the motocross after my dad started as a hobby and I started riding with him.

I think we all have this mythical and unrealistic view of what it’s like to live and grow up in Russia. Can you tell us what it was like and what amateur racing is like over there?

It’s usually a lot of local racing, region racing like in Canada and Russian championship is like the biggest race of the year. I don’t know how many rounds it’s right now because I haven’t been there in a while, so I can’t tell exactly.

I first met you a few years ago when you were first at Club MX. Mike Bonacci was pretty impressed with you right away. How did you find yourself being at Club MX to train?

So, we were trying to find a spot where I could practice and it would be convenient for us. And I was at the spot where I needed to learn how to ride softer conditions, ruts and Supercross. I heard about Club before that from Instagram, so we went to look at it and started riding. 

I don’t remember you before that on little bikes though. Did you come up through the ranks the usual way? What were your best finishes as a little kid?

I didn’t race in US on a small bikes. I only did Mini O’s in 2014 on 65, but it didn’t go well. So I just started on the 250 at Club and took it seriously then.

Who was your MX hero when you were little?

I would say Ryan Villopoto. Always liked him. But I like all the riders because each rider has a strong side and I want to learn it.

Let’s talk about your SMX Next history. You didn’t have the best results until it counted last year in Pittsburgh where you won the championship. How did you get it to click there?

Glendale went tough for me because I was not used to the really hard pack Supercross after riding a lot on the east. So we came back and started working harder with dad. After a month of correcting my mistakes I came to Daytona I was confident in myself. Daytona was an  amazing day for me, feeling really good all day. Then in the main event with a couple laps left to the checkered flag I got flat tire. I was bummed but it happens.

Birmingham was not the greatest. I didn’t feel comfortable on the track all day, so I tried to ride consistent but made a mistake on the landing that cost me the win. Foxborough qualifying was really nice, but then track conditions changed and it was really hard for bikes and my bike didn’t make it.

Then in the final round everything fell in place at Pittsburgh and I won the SMX Next Championship.

Wow, so you really should have had a couple other wins! You raced AM Pro Motocross through the summer with your best result being a couple 17th in the 250 class. Can you sum up your summer? Were you happy with how you rode?

I went into the summer with mindset to learn as much as I can about pro racing. So I can’t say I’m frustrated or happy. It was up and down in the summer. Overall, was really knowledgeable and helpful summer for me.

What brought you up to Quebec to race Kaven Benoit and Jess Pettis? You finished 2-1-2 for the win. How did the racing go?

When I parted ways with Club, I went to see my brother in New York. But then I knew Jayden Lacombe from the year before and I found out they have a 450 to race and I wanted to try 450, so we went just to have fun and try new bike. Turns out I felt really good on the 450 and did the Challenge Quebec with 1 day on the bike. Had good racing, I always enjoy racing Kaven Benoit and it was first time racing Jess Pettis. 

And then you were back in Canada to race the King and Queen event at MX Deschambault. How did that all come together? You won the crown so take us through that experience.

I was about to head down south, but got invited to race at Deschambault. It went really well for me. Had a great race with Kaven again. So overall I loved my time up in Canada.

And next up we hear that you’ll be racing on Olly Stone’s MX6 Racing team for Supercross on a Kawasaki? How did this all happen and what’s the plan? Is it SX and MX?

Yeah, I’m with MX6 racing. Met Chris the team owner and saw that team has a great perspective and everybody is working for the same goal. Going to race 250 East Coast, so getting ready for that.

Where is this team based out of and what does that mean for you as far as moving and training goes?

Team is based out of California, so everybody is training and working here.

Do you have any expectations of yourself now that you won the SMX Next title or will you just take it as it comes?

I just need to do my best and feel comfortable on the bike and everything will be good.

What’s your favourite thing to do when you’re not on a dirt bike?

It’s a good question. I like doing wheelies on the mountain bike and hitting the gym, honestly. I like hiking.

Did you grow up doing any other sports or were you MX all the time?

I was wrestling when I was younger and I did martial arts and Muay Thai.

And I always like to ask riders what kind of music they like listening to. What’s in your playlist?

I like smooth and relaxing songs. They make me feel calm.

Does your family have traditions for the Holiday season?

Usually just spending time together.

OK, I appreciate you taking some time with us this week. Good luck with your Supercross prep. Who would you like to thank?

My whole family and Chris, Olly and MX6 Racing. Thank you for having me.

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AMA FIM Arenacross Resumes this Weekend

Round 2 of the AMA FIM North American Arenacross Championship takes place at Ford Idaho Center Saturday, December 20th in Boise, Idaho. Cole Thompson made things interesting tor Ryan Breece with a list corner pass in traffic to take a win. Can he do it again as we get set to have this international series head to Toronto in early January?

You can watch the action live on the RydeTV app.

I’ll join a video Press Conference tonight with the AX gang and fire a few questions Cole’s way.

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2026 TransCan at Walton Raceway AFTER Pro National

The 2026 TransCan at Walton Raceway will now run AFTER the final Canadian Triple Crown Series #motocross National. If it had been run before the final Pro National like usual, it would have conflicted with Loretta Lynn’s.

Thoughts?

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Toronto Arenacross is Coming!

Toronto Arenacross at International Center in Toronto is Jan 9, 10, 11.

For more information on registering for either Pro or Amateur, click HERE.

For tickets, click HERE.

The series is in Boise, Idaho, this weekend and they’re hyping up the battle between Cole Thompson and Ryan Breece. It was definitely a good Main in California at Round 1.

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Have a great weekend and I hope you don’t have to spend it at a mall!