Frid'Eh Update #17 Presented by Orange Motorsports

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Lead photo by GuyB

Hello and welcome to the DMX Frid’EH Update number 17! It’s been a busy week here in Canadian and American racing so we have a lot to cover. Let’s get started…

First off this column couldn’t have happened without the generous support of Orange Motorsports in beautiful Ontario. Siert and the gang go to the Ontario provincials, offer trackside support, have great deals and somehow find time to help out Jeremy Medaglia in his quest to capture the MX2 title!

They ship anywhere in Canada and are THE place to go for your KTM parts and accessories. Check them out right HERE.

And how convenient because this week being the 17th week of the calendar year, we’re going to honor CMRC national number 17- Jeremy Medaglia. Jer-Bear is going to be on a screaming KTM 250SXF and gunning for the MX2 title this season. He’s been down in Florida, riding, racing, dating Ashley Fiolek and growing his hair even longer. Soon, he’s going to be just one giant ball of hair like Captain Caveman.

Jeremy had a rough season last year (a lot of dudes would love to have a rough season and end up with #17 but that’s the kind of talent this guy has) as he started out on the OTSFF RMZ450 due to team finance problems and he wasn’t ready for it. He had some DNF’s, some crashes and some problems that made him try to switch back down to a Suzuki 250F but it seems that the team and Jeremy couldn’t really agree on the deal.

So Jeremy headed out into privateer land, eventually securing a ride with Murphy Motorsports (who, by the way, I’m trying to figure out what they’re doing next year but haven’t heard back from Bill) and putting in some good finishes after he dropped down. He had a few more bike problems but he showed his speed more than a few times. Now this, an Orange Motorsports ride for the entire MX2 class plus Ontario provincials.

Jeremy Medaglia on his new Orange Motorsports KTM ride.

How’s he going to do? Well, I think he’ll be right up there for some wins and some podiums but I can’t see him holding it together for 18 motos. If you’re going to try and compete against the Eric Nyes, Teddy Maiers or even his brother Tyler Medaglia- you’ve got to be there and Jeremy, like Kyle Beaton, have to work on their consistency.

But if he can put it together, he’s got the speed to win this thing. Once again, for the 1739th time, I can’t wait for the drop of the gate at Kamloops!

As I type this, I’m in my hotel room in Seattle on the 18th floor at the Renaissance hotel  getting ready for tomorrow’s Seattle supercross. Too be honest though, I’d think I’d rather be at home right now with my wife because with Ryan Villopoto’s broken leg, the series has now gone from a barn-burner to a ho-hum. Suzuki’s Ryan Dungey clinched the title with RV’s crash and I say good for him. Just a remarkable accomplishment for the first year 450 rider and to have the whole thing clinched with three rounds remaining says something.

And with RV out for the outdoors look for an announcement soon on a  fill-in rider for the motocross season, it will be a familiar name.

There is the 250 west title to be decided though! Trey Canard trails Jake Weimer by 14 points with two races left. Certainly Weimer looks to be in control of this thing but as we saw with RV, anything can happen at any time.

Check out THIS podcast I did with Chad Reed after St Louis. Some, uhhh, strong words there for some people.

Check out pulpmx.com if you’re really bored.

Here's Dean-O with his race face on. I can't wait to text Dean for an interview this week and once again, get no reply. Lissimore photo

There is an interesting thread on Mxforum.com about the Gaerne Bronze Boot award and it’s disappearance from the scene. Soon to be the Alpinestar Bronze boot and there are people that are throwing some mud around. I spoke to some people involved with the situation and let me just say that this thing goes deep. I just thought it was a simple deal but there are some people that are seriously mad at this whole thing and I don’t even know where to start so I won’t.

Can we all just get along?

I heard some stuff this week in regards to this cool thing that we’re trying to do this summer for the nationals that just bums me out on the shit that goes on in Canadian moto. I just don’t understand it and allow me to rant a bit here.

For as much as guys like Joe Skidd and others have tried to say that I don’t help the series, am a crappy writer and am negative on the Canadian series, it’s simply not true. My actions speak louder than words. I am directly responsible for two six page feature stories in Racer X, I have brought up American riders to Walton, Sand de Lee and Montreal SX, I have written about Canadian motocross and its series each and every week in the biggest internet column on the web (Racerhead) when I was at Racer X and am working as an editor at DMX and not getting paid nearly enough for what I do. I’m not trying to brag or anything or like that, it’s simply the facts.

So can we just all get along and start rowing in the same direction here? It’s ok if you don’t own the boat and make money from the boat, it’s a boat and it’s desperately trying to row in the direction of your little island. Does that make sense?

Dusty Klatt was motoing down this week at Glen Helen. Photo by GuyB

Now it’s time to say good-bye to our newest editor Kyle Carruthers. It seems like just yesterday that Kyle joined the crew here at DMX…wait it really WAS yesterday. We here at DMX wish KC nothing but the best in his future endeavors and will see him at the races this summer.

So with all that, here’s James “flashbulb” Lissimore with his take on what went down this week:

Thanks Steve, well, after a somewhat mellow winter on the motocross front, things are getting hectic for me now and that's awesome. Last weekend, with the help of Matthes, I traveled to St Louis for Round 14 of the AMA Supercross series. Being the final round of the Lites East series, there was one last chance for Dean Wilson to take the win and man, he came close. After flying all day in practice, it was looking good for the main event. Unfortunately for him, Barcia got the holeshot and started checking out but even after going down, Deano still recovered to put on a great charge past Barcia's teammate, Brett Metcalfe, to take the second spot. I think we would have been treated to a real great race if Dean had been able to get the start alongside Barcia but he still proved he's got the speed to run up front. Funny thing happened during the parade lap though; Dean was rolling over a jump and he stalled his bike. That alone wasn't a big deal but he couldn't get the thing restarted. Eventually, a PC crew member had to come over and help him fire it back up. I'm sure that got his blood pumping.

I was excited for the 450 class as well. With Villopoto chipping away at Dungey's lead, St Louis promised to be a barn burner and it looked that way for the first half of the race. Dungey had the lead and Villo was slowly catching him when all of a sudden, Villopoto cut inside Dungey and they both went down. Sadly, I had just walked away from that corner when I heard the crowd go nuts(Murphy's Law I guess). After remounting, Villopoto assumed the lead and it looked like it was going to be another Villo win and another few points chipped away at Dungey's points lead when disaster struck. Again, I heard the crowd go crazy just after leaving the section(man, my luck was off) and Villopoto was on the ground, his season over with a badly broken leg. Just goes to show you can never predict what's going to happen in this sport. With three rounds left, for all intents Dungey has the Championship won and my hat's off to him. The kid put himself in the right position all season and managed to avoid trouble, which is half the battle in SX(just ask Stewart, Reed and Villopoto).

Lissimore's artsy-fartsy shot. Let's meditate now.

Now, I'll be attending my second straight SX round this weekend as I travel to Seattle's QWEST Field. It's only 2 hours from my house so this is almost a hometown round for me. We've got the Lites West series resuming this weekend and we should be in for a great battle between former Canadian National competitor, Jake Weimer(check the photo I posted in this week's Behind the Lens) and Trey Canard, who has kept his indoor skills sharp by kicking ass on Andrew Short's Red Bull Honda 450 in the east. The weather forecast isn't looking too promising right now so we may be in for a mud race(who builds a stadium in the Northwest without a roof?) so I'd have to tip the scales towards the Idaho native, Weimer. Actually, now that I think of it, Canard won the ridiculously muddy Daytona SX a couple years ago so this one is still wide open. It should be great racing either way.

I'm also pumped to see my buddy, Glen Hobson, this weekend. Dusty Klatt's former mechanic(he wrenched for Paul Carpenter last season) got a job working for Blake Wharton of the Geico Honda team this season and it would be great to see him get a win this weekend. Glen's work ethic is second to none so he deserves a spot in the winner's circle.

I don't get any rest after Seattle as I'm hopping a plane to Georgia to spend a week shooting with the Blackfoot Yamaha boys and I'm excited to get a look at the all Canadian lineup. With Tyler Medaglia now on the team you're looking at the 4 top Canadian guys all under one roof. That's a pretty formidable lineup and it will great to see them all in action. (ED Note: Whaaaaaa, I travel all the time..I’m on the go..I’m Lissimore! Geez James, try and follow my deal. One day you’ll wake up and be this tubby dude with bad skin and 4 Basset Hounds that lick you face in the morning to wake you up. Sorry-I’m bitter. Remember?)

If you haven't checked out this week's Behind the Lens, it's a good one. The photo and the story behind it explains how I came to be a motocross photographer working for this site. Funny how seemingly random events can all come together to take you in a direction you hadn't imagined. Here's the link: http://www.directmotocross.com/news/features/2010/04/behind-lens-muddy-mission-start

Also, I cooked up some Wallpapers from St Louis so grab one for your desktop: http://www.directmotocross.com/news/features/2010/04/thursday-wallpapers-2010-st-louis-sx

And finally, in a non motocross related note, I've recently had some time to get back out and start shooting landscapes again. If you read this week's Behind the Lens you'd know that shooting nature is how I got my start in photography and it's been refreshing to get back to my roots. I've compiled my favorite shots into a gallery on my website, www.lissimorephoto.com so if you're into that kind of thing check them out. Here's the direct link:

http://www.photoshelter.com/c/jkliss/gallery/Landscapes/G00000Y9707tzkYQ/

Ok, that's it for me this week. Time to get ready for Seattle!

Thanks James and it was fun to have you around last week, even when the cops were at our hotel and hauled the dude in the room across from us out! Thanks Weege for that awesome Ramada Inn “tip”…mental note, when a hotel is $45.00 a night-look elsewhere. The air conditioner was one of those ones that sounded like a F-14 landing.

The DMX Forma boot contest is ending soon, be sure to check it out and get your entry in right HERE.

Anyways, here is Andy and the gang down at KTM Canada doing my work for me and submitted this interview with their newest signee- Quebecer Kaven Benoit. Is it just me or is orange going to be the prominent color up front in the MX2 class?

KTM Canada, Inc., is proud to welcome Kaven Benoît to the KTM family. Kaven will participate in the whole 2010 national MX series on the orange brand. To get to know him a little bit better before the season starts, we decided to ask him a few questions:

KTM Canada question: First of all KTM Canada would like to welcome you to the Orange brand. Can you tell everyone who doesn’t know you where you are from and how many years you have been riding motocross?

Kaven Benoît : I’m from Notre-Dame-du-Bon-Conseil not far from Drummondville in Quebec and I’ve been riding motocross since I’m 4. It’s now been 17 years that I’ve been riding bikes.

Q.: You have won a lot of races locally and in Quebec and earned National number 27 last year after only doing selected National rounds. Can you give us a little resume of your 2009 season?

K.B.: My 2009 season was a really good one, I didn’t get injured and I got some good results. I took the 1st place in the pro250 and pro450 classes in the provincial series. I ended with a top 5 in Morden, Manitoba and I scored a few top 10. The end of the season I got an amazing with a 2nd position in MX2 at the Montreal Supercross.

Q.: Are you ready to compete on a National level for the whole series?

K.B.: I think I am, I trained really hard at the gym during the winter and now I’m getting use to my new bikes. I’m really taking this seriously and getting ready for the season starter.

Benoit last year at the Montreal SX. Photo by Liss

Q.: Will you be riding both classes in the Provincials and which class will you focus on for the Nationals?

K.B.: My favorite class is the MX2 one. I have the ideal weigh for that class so I’m taking advantage of it. Also I scored some pretty good results last year in MX2 so I will continue in the same path.

Q.: Are you excited to be on a KTM? Being on a new program and bike it will probably take awhile to get adjusted. What will you do to get up to speed before racing begins?

K.B.: Of course I’m really excited about this, I never changed brands before, it’s a first for me so it’s really different. I feel already good on the KTM 250 SX-F and I’m planning to train enough to be in top shape and ready in June for the first round.

Q.: There are many fast french Canadian MX stars…is there one in particular you look up to the most and why?

K.B.: I think JSR is a role model for all of us, he is the one from here that really made his mark on the national scene. For me, he is really a mentor; he gives us hard goal to beat so it’s really motivating.

Q.: What is your favorite Quebec track? What is your favorite National track?

K.B.: In Quebec we have a few cool tracks, it’s hard to choose from but I would say that Deschambeault and Notre-Dame-du-Bon-Conseil are my favorites. As for the national track I would say Ste-Julie.

Q.: Biggest accomplishment so far in your career?

K.B.: It would definitely be my 2nd place at the Montreal Supercross last year. It’s an amazing feeling in front of this huge crowd.

 Got this note from Heidi at KTM Canada also:

 Hi Steve,
Hope all is well. Just a quick note to let you know that KTM Canada will be sending out the 2010 MX Contingency information and rules etc...Monday. The announcement is a little late due to some budget
juggling acts, but we are pretty happy to offer it again to help the KTM MX'rs out there. We will send all the information and official announcement to all Canadian media so everyone will be able to take
advantage of the program.

I spoke to Rollerball last week about his new venture. Look for an interview here on DMX ASAP. Photo by DeClerq

Sounds great, it pays to ride orange this year. Support Orange Motorsports while you’re at it. Now here is Chris “number 3” Pomeroy with his contribution this week:

Thanks Steve,Good day everyone. I’m sure almost everyone caught the St Louis SX on CBS on Sunday, if you didn’t then you have to find a way to watch it, it was quite a race. The Lites Class saw my prediction from last week almost come true as Dean Wilson ended up 2^nd in the main. Dean rode great but could not match Justin Barcia’s speed on the tough St Louis track. I’m sure with all the problems Dean ran into after Toronto that ruined his chances for a good series finish, he is all about the Outdoors right now.   I think Dean will have a very good outdoor season. 

Speaking of a rider that is also pumped about the outdoors, hopefully you all listen to the Chad Reed pod cast.   With Reed’s injury this year, and the fact that he and his wife are expecting their first child anyday, Reed told Steve “I want #15 tattooed on my chest” Matthes that he is over SX and is focusing on the outdoors. Reedy also had some very critical words for the St Louis promoters and track builder’s for a few sketchy sections on the track. One of which ate up his teammate Ryan Villopoto and gave Ryan a broken lower leg, thus ruining his SX championship chances and probably his outdoors chances also.   Reed made some very good points in the pod cast, points that everyone involved in SX should listen to. For whatever reason, way too many guys have gotten injured this year, if this many top guys got injured in any other sport, there would be some serious investigations.   I think the problem is no one knows what to change to keep riders healthy, it might just be the fact that the injuries are just a by-product of the modern day sport of SX. But, there is no need for jumps like the one Villopoto crashed on, you are just asking for problems.

Congrats to Ryan Dungey on his 2010 450 SX title. Photo by JKL

So from the inside of stadiums across the USA to the vast sands of Courtland, Ontario, lets talk about a new team entering the Canadian Nationals.  National #8 Liam O’Farrell and young, up and comer Josh Koncir will both be riding a Gopher Dunes Racing/ Suzuki at round 1 in Kamloops. This is Gopher Dunes first attempt at sponsoring a race team to compete at the National level, but they are very serious and for those of you who have seen O’Farrell ride so far in 2010. This new team will have some good success over the summer. Between the OTSFF team and the Gopher Dunes team, Suzuki is going to be well represented at the Nationals this year, infact there will be 3 Suzuki riders in the MX1 class with top ten numbers.

 If you live in Ontario and you want to go racing this weekend, Auburn is the place to be. Spring racing at Auburn Hills is about as perfect as its gets in Ontario, rolling hills, loamy dirt, and fun jumps will be the order of the day, the finish line jump alone is worth the trip. The famous Auburn Hills finish line jump has been a staple at the track since its beginning. For those of you who remember when the CMRC started racing there in 1995 (I could be wrong) the finish line jump was about 20 ft longer than it is now. I remember I was scared to death to jump it the first time I raced there, I finally did jump it after Gauldy and Mesley told me it was easy. On a Honda CR 125, you were just grabbing 4^th gear at the base of the take off to get over it clean, at the time it didn’t really seem easy to me. Over the years it has gotten a lot easier, even some 60 riders jump it now, but it is still fun to watch. The racing should be great at Auburn on Sunday, it will be the final tune up before the Ontario Provincials begin next weekend.

Well, that is all for me. I hope everyone has a safe weekend.     

And that’s it for me as well, thanks for reading and remember, if you’re going to get drunk in a hotel room, it’s best to not talk massive piles of poop on your employer with other employees there!

Just my tip of the day…see you next week!

What a sight for sore eyes!