Catching Up with...Tyler Medaglia

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Photos by James Lissimore

Coming into 2010, the MX2 class is full, and I mean full of talent. So much so that we could see a different at each of the nine rounds. Last weekend at Kamloops it was new Blackfoot Yamaha rider Tyler Medaglia who stepped up and took the overall win. After two years in the MX1 class, Tyler is bringing lots of experience and determination to the small bike class.   I had a good chat with Tyler as he arrived home after a long flight from Vancouver, here is what the new MX2 points leader had to say.

DMX: Hey Tyler, congratulations. How are you feeling today after winning the overall on Sunday?

Tyler Medaglia: I feel really good. I had a long flight home and while I was on the plane it kind of hit me what happened in Kamloops, I am pretty excited about it. I worked so hard to get ready for this season, I was just really anxious to get it underway.

So you went 3-1 for the overall, can you talk a little about each moto.

Well, the first moto I had a decent start, probably about 5^th. During the first lap I ended up going down and stalling it, but I kept my cool and kept breathing and got my bike running pretty quickly. When I got going again I was around 32^nd, man I just charged as hard as I could and didn’t stop until I saw the checkered flag. By the end of the moto I was only 5 seconds behind the leader and I felt like I could keep riding, I felt great. Obviously, I didn’t want to crash, but I think the confidence I gained from that charge really set me up for the rest of the day.

The 2^nd moto I had kind of the same start and really focused on staying out of trouble and getting through the first lap. I made some quick passes and then passed Rife around the halfway mark, from there I just rode my own race and took the win.

I know you were confident coming into Kamloops. I’m sure everyone was, but did you expect this type of finish so early in the Series?

I didn’t expect to do that well in the first round, I just wanted to finish well and not have any problems. After that first moto though, I knew I could go out and win the 2^nd, my confidence just skyrocketed.  Even after sprinting the entire first moto, I felt great fitness wise so I couldn’t wait to go back out. The track was tough also, it had a lot of square edged bumps and was slick so it was hard to ride. I think I work harder than anyone else in the MX2 class so I did expect to do well.

A happy Tyler by the podium. Lissimore photo

You bring a lot of experience to the MX2 class. Do you feel that riding the MX1 class the last few years is going to help you this summer?

Yes definitely, I have been racing with guys that have a bit mote experience so I have really learned a lot. I know that the motos are long and I think I know how to be really patient, also, I know that I am on the best bike now so that really helps. Everybody at Blackfoot has been great, we are a really close team and I really like that. There is pressure to perform but I love that, it’s a good pressure. Like going into this past weekend, they knew Kamloops wasn’t my favourite track so they just wanted me to go out and ride my best and get some good points. Winning was just a good bonus!

You mentioned how fit you feel this year. Are you working with any trainers or just doing stuff yourself?

I’m actually just doing it myself. I have worked with a few trainers over the years and I’m kind of taking all the stuff that has worked for me in the past and making up my own programs. I have spoken to JSR about what I am doing and he thinks it great, so I am just going to keep doing it. I am living out in Nova Scotia so I get to train and ride with Mitch Cooke, we have been working so hard and hopefully things will keep going good. I just feel like I’m in a really good place right now, with Heidi, living in Nova Scotia, the Blackfoot Team, things just feel good. I hope I can keep the ball rolling. I just want to thank everyone who is helping me, Blackfoot, Yamaha, Red Bull, Fox, Heidi, my mechanic Troy, and Scott Fraser for letting me keep all my stuff there while I’m in Nova Scotia. 

That’s perfect Tyler, thanks for the chat. Good luck in Edmonton and the rest of the season.

Thank you very much, see you at the races.