Calgary Photo Report

Jun 22 2010 - 11:28am - James Lissimore

Just when things are starting to look predictable, fate has a way of throwing a curve ball. We were reminded of that this weekend as the series made it's way to Calgary, Alberta's Wild Rose Raceway. With Colton Facciotti dominating every moto so far, most talk concerned whether or not he would run the table and go undefeated for the season. But then disaster struck - after making his way into the lead in moto one, and looking like another Facciotti run away, he swapped out in a high speed roller section and hit the ground in a heap. For a moment, the entire Canadian motocross community held it's breath but reports from his parents and the Blackfoot team indicate that Facciotti will make a full recovery.

Still, the crash threw what was looking like a foregone conclusion for the championship into a wide open race. Can points leader, Bobby Kiniry, hang on to the lead? Will Dusty Klatt, who dominated the day in Facciotti's absence, be able to make up for his double DNF's at Edmonton? What about privateer hero, Kyle Keast, who finds himself in second all of a sudden? Or crafty veteran Josh Demuth? Or maybe Facciotti, who may be back for Gopher Dunes, will come back, return to dominance and still defend his title. All I know is that the door is open now.

MX2 featured some great racing as Tyler Medaglia and Teddy Maier are establishing themselves as the main favorites for the title, with the injured Shawn Rife the only rider seemingly able to match their pace, though not for an entire moto. Both motos featured great battles between the trio and the overall outcome was unclear right till the end. This title fight is going to be one to watch.

Here's some of my top pics from a hot and sunny day in Calgary. Click on the first image to view as a slideshow.

The pro pits and the Calgary skyline shine in the morning sun.

It doesn't get much more hometown than this for the mighty Blackfoot Yamaha team. Their dealership is located directly adjacent to the track.

Make sure you go this way.

Blair Morgan was in the house! The snowmobile and motocross icon came out with his kids to take in all the action and catch up with old friends.

KTM has a large presence in the MX2 class this season.

Shawn Rife was nailing the starts at Calgary. He holeshot both MX2 motos.

Rife and teammate Teddy Maier had a great battle in the first MX2 moto. Rife lead for the first half with Maier all over him before he finally got around to take the win.

Maier and Tyler Medaglia passed earlier leader Rife in moto two and battled it out for the lead and the overall.

Soon after making the pass for the lead, Medaglia went down in the corner after the finish line, allowing Maier back into the lead.

It was Maier's turn to go down while leading, allowing Medaglia back into the lead and the moto and overall win.

Tyler's brother, Jeremy Medaglia, joined his brother on the podium for the second straight weekend with 5-3 moto scores.

Eric Nye was consistent as always, finishing both motos in fourth place for, you guessed it, fourth overall.

Shawn Rife said the pain got the best of him near the later stages of the first moto but a bucket of ice water got him race ready for moto 2.

Jared Allison is having a great year so far. He went 6-5 for 6th overall.

Kerim Fitz-Gerald said his knee felt better this weekend and it showed. He had his best finish so far, going 9-6 for 7th ovearll

New Zealand's Rhys Carter had a good racing going in the first moto, battling for the top 10 when disaster struck - he went down hard, breaking his shoulder in the process.

Mama Medaglia doesn't take sides.

The Newf provides some inspiration for The Nye.

It was Skyjack city in the infield.

Heidi Cooke came out to cheer on her boyfriend, Tyler Medaglia, and size up her competition for Walton. Todd Schumlick lets the rest of the girls know how many titles they have to win to catch up.

Calgary was the final round of the Women's Western Series. Shelby Turner took the overall win and the Championship.

Turner receives her Number One plate from CMRC president, Mark Stallybrass.

The series podium for the West: Karly Pozdnekoff, Shelby Turner, Denaye Giroux(l-r)

Looking to forget his disasterous Edmonton weekend, Dusty Klatt started off well by grabbing both holeshots.

Are thoughts are all with Colton Facciotti, who crashed hard while leading moto one. His team says he will make a full recovery so that's great news.

With Facciotti out, Klatt ran away with the second moto.

OTSFF Suzuki's Bobby Kiniry finds himself with a 24 point lead atop the MX1 championship now.

Josh Demuth was solid again at Calgary. He scored his second straight podium with 3-3 scores.

Freddy Karrle had a successful reunion with the OTSFF Suzuki team. Karrle finished fifth overall in his first ride after replacing the injured Mitch Cooke.