A New Queen of Walton

Photos by Angie Parker (unless noted otherwise)

 

Walton Trans Can

It was an up and down thriller for the ladies at the Walton Trans Can last week. Schrader's Motors' Denaye Giroux pretty much had been crowned the Queen of Walton after winning motos 1 and 2. But her bike died in moto 3. She was unable to finish and regretfully watched the rest of the pack race to the championship.

National Pros Heidi Cooke, Karly Podznekoff and Jocelyn Killough opted out of racing Walton although Jocelyn was there cheering on her "finance" Colton Facciotti in the men's pro MX1 class.

Results were everywhere. Sara Laliberte (6-4-2) and Amber Giroux (5-5-3) were the most consistent of the pack, placing them 1st and 2nd overall. Third went to Kate McKerroll who was 3-3-11. A crash with another rider set her back in moto 3. More on Walton in next week's column.

A couple pics...

 

Kate McKerroll and Kirstin MacDonald (#810) get their bikes untangled by track crew as Nadia Zager races by. A spectator had jumped the fence to assist the ladies until he was told over the PA that the girls could be disqualified for outside help. (Dan Stenning photo)

 

Colton celebrating his #1 plate? Nope. Fist's in the air because his long time gf, Jocelyn Killough, just said "yes." I wonder how the Walton crowd (and Colt, of course) would've reacted if she said no... Colt just knew. (Allison Kennedy photo)

Here's more from the final women's national round at Sand del Lee, Ontario, Aug. 9.

 

This prairie girl placed 5-2 for 3rd overall at Sand del Lee (the final round of the five-round Royal Distributing Suzuki Women's Nationals.) And she finished the 2009 season in 3rd.

 

I sat down with Denaye Giroux when the race day was done at Sand del Lee (and after I helped the Giroux family tear down their pit!)

 

DMX: You did much better than last year! No injuries, better results. How pumped are you?

Denaye Giroux: I’m very pumped. I’ve had my up and downs this season though. I had my bike seize in Kamloops and lots of crashes today, but overall it’s been really good. No injuries!

You’re dad told me that you fell twice today in your second moto. You started in about fifth and you finished second.

Yeah in the second moto I fell twice; I ran into two hay bales which sucks so everybody passed me and then I was stuffing some girls in the corners. Then you saw Sara almost take me out.

You were behind your sister, then behind Karly, you got in front of them and then you were behind Kate?

Yes, I passed Jocelyn then I passed Kate. On the very last lap I passed Kate.

Do you remember that pass?

No… I thought that I was riding strong and it looked like she was getting tired out, so it was good opportunity.

Do you think if you hadn’t of fallen and had gotten a better start, that you could’ve been closer to Heidi?

For sure! Just like in Moncton when I got the holeshot, I was right up with her for about half a lap… I was a head of her! It was pretty cool. I just need to work on my starts for next year.

How was it being in front of Heidi?

It was awesome. I was trying to take her out on every corner, trying to stuff her…

And then she passed you.

Then she passed me.

So you might go to Georgia and Florida this winter?

Well, I’m not sure about Georgia again, just because I miss so much work already, but I want to go down to California again and train with Todd (Perform-X). Because I think that’s what helped me out the most. And then I want to do the WMA Cup. Because last year I did really good so I can move up to Pro this year. I’m going to do that.

How do you qualify for pro for the WMA Cup?

For that I think you have to get top 5 and after that you can get your WMA Pro licence. I think that’s how it works. Their motos are super short down there. It’s probably like four laps.

What’s a training day like with Todd?

Get up really early. When we were in California, we’d get up really early.

What’s really early?

6 o’clock. And then get our stuff ready and go riding for the day. And then the next day we wouldn’t ride, we’d go to the gym and he’d give up new routines. At home when I was training, I’d get up at 5:30, because I’d have to go to work, go to the gym until about 7 and then come home, shower, get ready for work, go to work and then ride my dirt bike after work.

What have you done differently this year?

This year lots of gym-stuff, especially in the off-season, lots of cardio.

What was your most memorable moment from this year?

From this year, probably have to be Moncton when I got the holeshot and was ahead of Heidi.

How did you like the Riverglade track?

It was awesome. It was really comparable to stuff back home; really dry and fast.

You like the hard packed tracks?

Yeah.

Not a fan of Sand del Lee or Gopher Dunes?

Yeah, I’m not really a fan of Sand del Lee but I love Gopher Dunes, because it’s all sand. I just don’t like mixed.

Did you like Sand del Lee running the opposite direction this year?

I actually liked it better last year. It seemed to flow more. It was kind of one-lined.

Do you think that there are less girls riding this year?

Out west we had a full gate at both the western rounds. I don’t know about the east, I thought there were more girls that rode out here, but I guess not.

You won the ladies class at Raymond Amateurs?

Yeah, I won Raymond.

Was that an easy one?

Yeah… I kind of felt bad being there. I wish Karly or Missy or someone else was there.

Are you going to race Raymond next year?

We’ll see. Most likely.

Walton’s next?

Yes, Walton’s that.

Are you going to win that?

I’m going to win that.

What’s after Walton?

After Walton, I’ll take a few weeks off from training every day. Just take it easy for a few weeks. I have a couple provincials left, the banquet and then lots of work and I’ll see what Todd’s doing. See what his plan is.

Is motocross what you want to do or you heading to school for something else?

No, I don’t want to go to school. I just want to do this. If only we would get paid more, it’d be so much better.

Who would you like to thank for supporting you this season?

I would like to thank everybody at Schrader’s, Doug at Yorkton Dodge, Todd from Perform-X, Parts Canada, Pirelli Tires, Thor, Alpine Star, Curtis at Oakley, Joe Skid Suspension, The Kinsmen Club of Yorkton, and my dad of course.

 

 

Ste-Thecle

The fourth round of the seven round Quebec Provincial MX series took place in conjunction with the Monster Energy Motocross Pro Nationals, July 25 at the Ste-Thecle track in Quebec. A hard dry track saw 16 ladies line up under clear skies (the pros were not so lucky the next day).

Sara Laliberte conquered, winning both motos for the overall, while Kawasaki rider Cindy Trudel was second (2-2) and Amelie-Laurence Vaillancourt was third (3-3).

 

Ste-Thecle Top Ten: 

 

 

Ontario's Isabella Poncia-Myre and Granby, QC's Alexandra Raymond on the line for moto 2

 

 

Acton Vale, QC's fast girl (we all know who the fast guy from there is!) Sara Laliberte (#159) lined up next to Karyne Lefebvre from St-Hubert, QC

 

 

Ladies moto 2 off the line

 

 

Amelie-Laurence Vaillancourt (#19) edges out Sara and Isabella for the holeshot     Amelie finished 3-3 for third overall. Her best finish so far this year. She's third in the Quebec provincial standings.

 

 

Isabella rode her two-stroke to fifth overall (5-5)

 

 

Laval's Eve Brodeur finished 12th.  And she's currently in 12th after four rounds

 

 

Alexandra Raymond went 4-4 for fourth. She currently leads the Quebec Provincial series.

 

 

Sara took the overall at Ste-Thecle, winning both motos.

 

 

It looked like Amelie was getting smiles and positive feedback from her friend after the moto.

 

Cindy Trudel takes over the PA microphone after placing 2nd in moto 2 for 2nd overall. The St-Colomban, QC girl raced three of the four provincial rounds and currently sits in 4th.

The next round of the Quebec Provincial series is not until September 5-6 at Sand del Lee.

 

 

Championnat Provincial Motocross 2009

 

Sept. 5-6 - Sand del Lee, ON

Sept. 12-13 - Notre-Dame du Bon-Conseil

Sept. 26-27 - MXCité, Trois-Rivières

 

For more info go to www.cmrcquebec.com

 

 

 

 

This is why Isabel Rouillard hasn't been seen with her CRF 150R at the line this summer. Marco Dube's girlfriend is due soon! Isabel confirmed that they're having a boy. All the best from DMX!

 

 

Out of the Blue Fan of the Week

 

If you missed last week's interview with 2009 Canadian National Champ Heidi Cooke - click here