DMX Frid’Eh Update #3 Presented by Rekluse

By Jeff McConkey and Billy Rainford

Week #3 in 2015 belongs to the same rider it did in 2014 – Tyler Medaglia. The older of the two Medaglia Brothers is one of the most-liked and respected riders on the circuit. He’s great with the media, respectful to his fellow riders, but one of the fiercest competitors you’ll ever meet. Hard work and dedication to the sport of motocross has always been Tyler’s calling card. If you were to show up at his local practice track, you would more than likely find him there before everyone else and still there long after the rest had packed up and gone home for the day – Tyler simply loves to ride a dirt bike.

 

I always tell the story of the time at the Riviere-Du-Loup Arenacross a few years back when Tyler tapped me on the shoulder and said I had to check something out. His race was already in staging but he’d found this crazy transfer outside the arena that would put him through a tight gate, over a grassy knoll, and then hopefully land a couple feet before he smashed into the building. Other riders were inside stressing over the upcoming race, but Tyler was outside having fun on this insane transfer. Anyway, we had a chat with the now-Nova Scotia resident to see what he’s been up to and what his plans are for the winter:

 

DMX: Hello, Tyler. It’s been a while since we’ve seen you. First off, can you sum up your 2014 season for us? Highlights? Low-lights?
Well, my season was pretty good; I had a solid training program and I felt great throughout the year.  The top highlight was winning Moto 2 at Ulverton and ending up 3rd in the season again in a relatively competitive field. The lowest light being Riverglade when Jer (his younger brother) got hurt and I rode terrible in front of my friends and family.  Another low light was eating shit on the hot lap at Deschambault.

This is probably a pretty big question, but what have you been up to since we last saw you in Walton?
I have been busy since Walton –  lots of time with the family at home, did all the Atlantic region races, and Des Nations was in there too. I got a power meter for my road bike so I’ve been pretty dedicated to my cycling in trying to be more competitive in that sport.

 

How many kids have you got this week? How is life as ‘dad’ going for you. Your dad jokes that Talon is just like him and you and that you will have your hands full. How is the new one? Like you or Jeremy?
I’ve got 14 kids now. Life as a dad is great. I love being with the kids. They are wide open so it’s somewhat organized chaos at the house non-stop. Millie is my little angel. She is like me – loves to eat! She’s definitely got some of Heidi’s sass though.

We were all trying to figure out where the 2nd-highest ranked Canadian MX1 rider would end up and now it looks like you’ve found a ‘new’ home. Can you tell us about the deal and what it means for the Nationals and other events?
I am just about to button up the deal with Husqvarna for the national series and hopefully some off road races. I have a FC450 at GPF with me now and I really love the bike so I’m exited to get things rolling this year.

 

What are your winter training/racing plans?
My plan is as per usual: train at GPF, go back and forth a couple times to see the family, and hit up as many races as I can down here.

 

Any Supercross races in your near future?
I think so. Last year I wanted to do the East Coast but I only had the 250 2-stroke. I am planning on doing Daytona this year so I have lots of time to properly train for it now that I already have 450s.

 

Thanks for the quick chat. Who would you like to thank?
I’d like to thank Freedom Cycle Husqvarna, Oakley, HAF Skate and Tattoo and my family/friends/fans.

It’s always great to talk with Tyler. I forgot to mention the time he told me he had an ‘interesting’ jump to try last time I saw him at GPF. We actually carried his bike up into a tree fort for him to jump off the rickity structure and into a swamp-like area. We both barely made it out alive! Thanks for the talk, Tyler, and see you next month in Georgia.

 

This week’s Update is brought to you by the gang out at Mongoose Machine who are the Canadian Distributors of the Rekluse Clutch system. You’ve seen the logo on the side of a lot of the top Pros’ bikes, so maybe it’s time you went over to www.mongoosemachine.com and grabbed one of these babies for yourself!

 

Jeff McConkey

Hey, guys. It’s finally the weekend and we are slowly getting closer to riding weather up here in The Great White North. The fortunate ones have their plans to head to south to Georgia, Florida and Alabama on the east coast. And the our counterparts on the west side pack up and head for sunny California. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, but in the end in…it sure beats the cold and the snow!

One of the only things keeping us sane so far this winter is the fantastic SX action we get every Saturday night. It has been a little tough to view it due to Speed not being on all cable providers, but the diehards are finding ways. Last week’s action did not disappoint in either class.

 

In the 250 class, Cooper Webb put in an unreal ride from well out of the top 10 to take the win with an aggressive last lap pass. In my opinion, Cooper is unbeatable right now. The only thing that will slow Cooper down is (knock on wood) injury. I don’t see Cooper riding over his head, so I feel confident in saying that he will be the 2015 West Coast 250 Champ.

 

In 450 action, it is still too early to say, but if Ken Roczen keeps it up, it’s lights out for the rest of the class. Last week, there was a black flag incident. I don’t want to get into it too much as it still chaps my ass. Let’s hope the racing continues to be great and the decision makers start making the proper calls.

Oakland Predictions:

250 West
1st Cooper Webb
2nd Justin Hill
3rd Malcolm Stewart
4th Shane McElrath
5th Aaron Plessinger

450 Class
1st Ken Roczen
2nd Trey Canard
3rd Justin Barcia
4th Jason Anderson
5th Eli Tomac

I’m going to cut it short this week. I just received my new Rekluse  Core EXP CLUTCH 3.0 from Kevin Kinrade at Mongoose Machine. I am very excited to get this installed and get some serious seat-time. Keep an eye open on DMX for a 3-part series. First, I will give the step-by-step install of the unit followed by an indoor test and an outdoor test (as soon as the mercury rises).

While browsing on DMX, be sure to check my weekly ‘Out Of the Blue.’ This week’s feature was with Alberta’s Danika White. It is a great read, and this gave Billy another chance to post a picture of the super-trick pipe on her KTM. Have a great week and remember to #smileforBC!

 

Billy Rainford

Hello, and welcome to another Frid’Eh Update. We have a return visitor to the #3 position for 2015. Tyler Medaglia gets the honour of being the second-highest ranked Canadian on the score sheet as we head into a new season. As we creep closer to the start of another Rockstar Energy Drink MX National season, things are really starting to heat up. We say this a lot, but with the talent slated to line up when the season begins at Whispering Pines near Kamloops, BC next spring, we should be on the brink of the most competitive series ever!

 

You can add yet another name to this growing list of podium threats as Lindsay, Ontario’s Kyle Keast has been announced as another MX1 rider to keep an eye or two on.

 

#30 Kyle Keast Interview

When Lindsay, Ontario, native Kyle Keast mentioned to me last year that he wanted another kick at the Pro Nationals can, I figured he was serious but didn’t give it much more thought. Then, when GDR team owner/manager Derek Schuster mentioned it to me a few weeks ago it started to sink in that we’re going to have one of the all-time fan favourites back on the track all summer long in 2015. And that’s good news for everyone!

We gave Kyle a call Thursday, after he was finished work, to get caught up on how the whole deal is going to play out. Here’s a look at that conversation:

 

DMX: Hello, Kyle. Last time we spoke, you were in the process of getting your work crew to a place where it would allow you more free time for riding. I guess you have that all squared away, huh?

Kyle Keast: It’s been in the back of my head to continue racing and I talked to Digger (Derek Schuster) at the middle of last year and asked him to keep in in mind that I wanted to do this. I wanted to be back on Hondas – that’s what I wanted to stay on. I asked him if there was any way he could help me out.

 

We talked a little bit after Walton and then again after the Des Nations and put a little program together. I bought a little 5^th –wheel Toy Hauler and business is going well and I have a crew that can stay on the jobs so I don’t have to be there every single day. That was my biggest thing the last two years to get it going. That’s going now so I can pay my way out west and I’m not struggling with money.

 

It’s been my plan for two year but I haven’t really told a lot of people. I just kept it on the down low until I could get the business going properly. Digger gave me the opportunity with some bikes and some parts so I’m back racing again.

 

So you’ve got Colton’s (Facciotti) race bike from last year and what else are you doing for bikes?

They have a ’15 and I pick it up this Saturday. I bought a bike myself, just to have a 3^rd bike and for my dad to ride. The whole deal was…he asked me if I’d be OK riding Colton’s race bike from last year and he spoke to Honda Canada and they were cool with letting him keep it. I was way more than happy to race that thing because it’s obviously a proven motorcycle. I got to ride it in the fall so I’m super-pumped on the bike and the whole program that Digger put together. I get a ’15 Honda Saturday for my practice bike and Provincials and then the race bike for the Nationals.

 

So, it’s you and Westen Wrozyna traveling together next summer. How well do you know him?

I’ve seen them around for years and years and I know Westen from watching him ride and just saying “Hey.” I’m not much of a talking guy in the pits as you know, so that’s all I really know of him. He seems nice and his family is nice. We met up over Christmas holidays and shot the shit and had a coffee and kind of got to know them.

 

I leave in around two weeks with Shandell (Przybilla) to go to GPF (Georgia Practice Facility) for a month or two, so Westen is heading down as well and he’s going to stay with us and we’ll get to know each other really well then. That was part of the thing with me and Digger: I have this other trailer so they’re going to pay for some of the trip and Westen is going to come out west with me and Shandell and will be staying with us for the 5 ½ weeks that we’ll be out there racing his 250F.

I’ll help him along the way…maybe with more the mental aspects. He’s got a lot of skill on the bike and he does know how to ride so I don’t think there’s any issue there. Him being a rookie and myself being a veteran it will be a good little mix and we’ll help each other out.

 

It’ll be nice to have another person there with me who I can train with. And him being a young kid, he’s got some little tricks that maybe he can help me with and me helping him not be so scared, I guess, when he gets to the gate.

 

Are we going to see an old school meets new school Keast scrub this year?

(Laughs) I don’t know if I’ll be doing too much scrubbing! We’ll see. Maybe I’ll practice it down at GPF.

 

You’re #30 heading into the season. What would you consider a success when 2015 is done?

My personal goal is to be top 5 at the end of the season. Honda’s and Digger’s goal, they’d like to see us in the top 10. After my season last year I know that’s what people think. They’re like, “Oh, he’s probably just going to top 10 if he’s lucky.” For me, my goal is to be right back to where I was before. I wasn’t in any shape whatsoever last year. I know that’s where I was losing it. With confidence and being in shape, I’ll be right back there. That’s my goal. I want to get some podiums. That’s my goal.

 

Well, thanks for the chat. I think people will be pretty excited to hear that you’re back and that you want to be back in the top 5. Who would you like to thank?

I’d like to thank GDR Honda, Troy Lee Designs, SSS – that’s a new thing for me. I’m actually excited to try his stuff – Oakley, Dunlop, and Keast Metal Works because that’s kind of funding the whole program out west.

 

Best of luck to Kyle Keast in his return to the full series in 2015.

 

Andy White Update

I’m sure a lot of you are still wondering what the heck happened to Andy White at the end of 2014. Well, us too. I’ve spoken with Andy several times since his departure from KTM Canada and he is busy turning the page and is currently testing out the motocross waters for a new full-time position. I spoke with him Thursday to see how everything was going and I think it’s safe to say we can all stop worrying about him.

 

When I spoke with him, he had just returned from a mid-afternoon cross-country ski and was currently enjoying a freshly brewed coffee and a moist piece of lemon loaf his wife had just taken out of the oven. He’s got a few irons in the fire and his phone has been ringing pretty steadily. He has something more substantial in the works but is unable to say anything, at this time. We’ll just have to wait and see where this long veteran of the moto industry – both on a bike and off – lands. Whoever gets their hands on Andy’s services will be very well-served as you won’t find many people with more experience in this sport. We’ll let you know as soon as we hear anything from the Andy White camp. Best of luck, Andy.

And if anyone would like to talk with him about future possibilities, I’m sure he’d love to hear from you at: andywhite12@hotmail.com

 

Save $5 on Detroit SX Tix with Walton Raceway

 

Matt Davenport Rowing for the University of Calgary Dinos

I saw this shot over on 2015 #35 Matt Davenport‘s Facebook page. I remember trying out for rowing way back when and I know how much work it takes – more than I was willing to do! Not only that, I was fully on board until they started asking for cheque after cheque. There isn’t even a motor! Good luck to Matt on the water, but, most importantly in his studies at Uni.

Motosport.com Arenacross Tour Heads into Starkville, MS

The Motosport.com Arenacross Tour heads into Starkville, MS for a double-header this Saturday and Sunday. The January 31st stop in Macon, Georgia, has been canceled. Here’s a look at the current Clash standings:

CLASH POINTS

1)  Heath Harrison     175

2)  Travis Sewell         99

3)  Josh Cartwright     74

4)  Cody Vanbuskirk   63

5)  Josh Osby             57

6)  Luke VonLinger     56

7)  Daniel Herrlein      54

8)  Scott Zont             54

9)  Johnny Moore       53

10) Jared Lesher        46

 

Amsoil AX Series Hits Colorado Springs

Hey, I’ve been there! And I know that the summit of the drive up Pikes Peak puts you at 14, 110 feet ( I got the t-shirt when I was in 8th grade). I’m not sure there are many places you can drive your car higher than that. Our old friend, Matt Goerke, heads into the weekend with the red plates. Be sure to check out www.arenacross.com to follow along with the action. Here are the current standings after two rounds:

1. Matt Goerke – 84
2. Jacob Hayes (2) – 68
3. Steven Mages (1) – 64
4. Travis Sewell – 64
5. Willy Browning – 63
6. Kyle Regal – 60
7. Daniel Herrlein – 50
8. Chris Blose (1) – 49
9. Robert S. Kiniry  – 49
10. Gared Steinke  –  44

 

‘What Bike Brand Will You be Purchasing in 2015?’ – Poll Question Answers

We asked you to tell us what brand (if any) you will be buying in 2015 and here are the results we got:

Yamaha 38

KTM 31

Honda 30

None 17

Husqvarna 14

Suzuki 11

Kawasaki 8

Other 3

Thanks for taking the time to vote in our polls each week. You don’t have to register or anything…just vote and go.

 

‘Was the Blag Flag Given to Chad Reed the Proper Call?’ – Poll Question Results

We thought it would be interesting to get your thoughts on the black flag Chad Reed received last weekend for his retaliatory move on Trey Canard.

Proper call:29%

Wrong call: 71%

The incident DID get some mainstream coverage, including this blurb from the San Francisco Chronicle:

 

It’s always interesting to read/hear news on our sport done by mainstream media. Any press is good press though…right?

 

Winter X Games Start

The Winter X Games are underway out in Aspen, Colorado, and we have a whole slew of Canadians competing, some of whom we’re used to seeing on the motocross track. Here’s a list of Canadians competing in the snowmobile disciplines:

Iain Hayden

Dave Joanis

Carl Kuster

Steve Martin

Ryan Simons

Tim Tremblay

Brett Turcotte

Good luck to all the athletes competing.

 

MMRS 2015 Race Schedule Released

DATE	TRACK	EVENT
APRIL 18, 2015	COCHRANE’S	MX SCHOOL/PRACTICE	9-4
APRIL 19, 2015	COCHRANE’S	FLAGGER SCHOOL/MX PRACTICE	9-4
PROVINCIAL SERIES 9 race series – drop 2 $10,000+ series payback and Amateur support Payback and trophies based on best of 7 total series points
DATE	TRACK	EVENT
APRIL 25, 2015	COCHRANE’S	MX PRACTICE	9-4
APRIL 26, 2015	COCHRANE’S	MX RACE	8-5
MAY 2, 2015	MUTTCO	MX PRACTICE	9-4
MAY 3, 2015	MUTTCO	MX RACE	8-5
MAY 9, 2015	THUNDER MUD	MX PRACTICE	9-4
MAY 10, 2015	THUNDER MUD	MX RACE	8-5
MAY 16, 2015	MADOC (LONG WEEKEND)	MX PRACTICE	9-4
MAY 17, 2015	MADOC (LONG WEEKEND)	MX RACE	8-5
MAY 18, 2015	RAIN DATE IF NECESSARY (LONG WEEKEND)
MAY 23, 2015	SAND DEL LEE ANQ, IRON MAN/MMRS SPRING SERIES
MAY 24, 2015	SAND DEL LEE ANQ, IRON MAN/MMRS SPRING SERIES
MAY 30, 2015	COCHRANE’S	MX PRACTICE	9-4
MAY 31, 2015	COCHRANE’S	MX RACE	8-5
JUNE 6, 2015	MUTTCO	MX PRACTICE	9-4
JUNE 7, 2015	MUTTCO	MX RACE	8-5
JUNE 13, 2015	MADOC	MX PRACTICE	9-4
JUNE 14, 2015	MADOC	MX RACE	8-5
JUNE 20, 2015	NO RACE
JUNE 21, 2015	NO RACE
JUNE 27, 2015	ROCKY RIDGE (LONG WEEKEND)	MX PRACTICE	9-4
JUNE 28, 2015	ROCKY RIDGE (LONG WEEKEND)	MX RACE	8-5
JUNE 29, 2015	RAIN DATE IF NECESSARY (LONG WEEKEND)
SUMMER CHALLENGE – 5 Race Series, drop 1 ALL MEMBERSHIPS HONOURED – NO DAY PASS REQUIRED
DATE	TRACK	EVENT
JULY 4, 2015	SAND DEL LEE	MX RACE	8-4
JULY 5, 2015	SAND DEL LEE	MX RACE	8-5
JULY 11, 2015	THUNDER MUD	MX PRACTICE	9-4
JULY 12, 2015	THUNDER MUD	MX RACE	8-5
JULY 18, 2015	TBA
JULY 19, 2015	TBA
JULY 19, 2015	OTTAWA MOTOCROSS NATIONAL (NOT PART OF THE SUMMER CHALLENGE)
JULY 25, 2015	THUNDER MUD	MX PRACTICE	9-4
JULY 26, 2015	THUNDER MUD	MX RACE	8-5
AUG 1, 2015	TBA	MX PRACTICE	9-4
AUG 2, 2015	TBA	MX RACE/SDL IRONMAN	8-5
AUG 3, 2015	RAIN DATE IF NECESSARY
AUG 8, 2015	NO RACE
AUG 9, 2015	NO RACE
AUG 15, 2015	NO RACE
AUG 16, 2015	NO RACE
6 FOOT TROPHY SERIES – 5 Race series, drop 1 TROPHIES – $10,000 AMATEUR & VET PAYOUT & SUPPORT (PER EVENT)
4TH ANNUAL M.M.R.S. NATIONAL $30,000+ PAYBACK & AMATEUR SUPPORT
DATE	TRACK	EVENT
AUG 21, 2015	MADOC MX NATIONAL	PRACTICE	9-4
AUG 22, 2015	MADOC MX NATIONAL	1ST MOTO	9-4
AUG 23, 2015	MADOC MX NATIONAL	2ND MOTO	8-5
AUG 29, 2015	COCHRANE’S (LONG WEEKEND)	MX PRACTICE	9-4
AUG 30, 2015	COCHRANE’S (LONG WEEKEND)	MX RACE	8-5
SEPT 5, 2015	MADOC	MX PRACTICE	9-4
SEPT 6, 2015	MADOC	MX RACE	8-5
SEPT 7, 2015	RAIN DATE IF NECESSARY (LONG WEEKEND)
SEPT 12, 2015	ROCKY RIDGE	MX PRACTICE	9-4
SEPT 13, 2015	ROCKY RIDGE	MX RACE	8-5
SEPT 19, 2015	MUTTCO	MX PRACTICE	9-4
SEPT 20, 2015	MUTTCO	MX RACE	8-5
SEPT 26, 2015	THUNDER MUD	MMRS YEAR END WRAP UP
SEPT 27, 2015	THUNDER MUD	MMRS YEAR END WRAP UP

* Dates & track location subject to final permit approvals

 

Dean Wilson Injured

Unfortunately, we’ll leave this week’s Update on a sour note as Dean Wilson is reporting that he tore his ACL and MCL Thursday. ‘Deano’ is the closest thing we have to a Canadian (no, I’m not getting into it) competing at that level on factory equipment.

From his Instagram post @deanwilson15: “…Yesterday was one of the toughest days I have had in my career. Just a normal Thursday training in the middle of my moto when I made a mistake at the KTM test track. I am so gutted and disappointed to say that I have torn my ACL and MCL and will be getting surgery next week.”

He goes on to say that he even contemplated quitting the sport as he was on the way to the hospital but then started thinking about how great the sport is and how much it has given him. Keep your chin up, Dean. This is a tough sport and you will be a stronger person for being in it. Good luck with your surgery and subsequent rehab.

‘Sadie the Dog’ gets the honour this week…