Faces at the Races – Ottawa National
Photos and captions by Billy Rainford
This week’s coverage is brought to you by Nihilo Concepts. Check ’em out.
These photos won’t come close to describing just how humid it really was last weekend at Sand Del Lee for round 2 of the Women’s East Nationals, round 2 of the KTM East Supermini Nationals, or round 6 of the Rockstar Energy MX Nationals. Here’s a look at some of the people who made it through one of the stickiest weekends of racing I can ever remember.
I like the sentiment but I’m not completely on board with the grammar.
#4 Cassandra Belanger and her BF, Kenny.
Papa Bradley had me feeling a little under-dressed Saturday. Which way to the Derby and a Mint Julep?
The two Monster Energy Thor Kawasaki riders, Cole Martinez and Shawn Rife, started and finished together.
Trevor Cerny of the Devil’s Lake MX team picked up another rider to pack his gate for in Deschambault: Kyle Swanson.
Vision isn’t so much a problem when you start and finish out front, Oakley.
A little Scott product placement for #22 Liam O’Farrell.
I’m not sure what Head Referee Paul Kingsley thought Liam might be up to, but he kept a close eye.
Matt Davenport getting himself into race mode.
Although the actual racing hasn’t gone the way they’d like, it’s great to have Richard Grey and his dad at the races.
Did Tyler Medaglia just question something his father, Derek, just told him here? NEVER do that.
Hey, CMRC, this is how you spell Franklin’s last name. 😉
Check out these trick mechanics’ shoes Stephan LeBlanc is wearing here. That’s twice I’ve used the word ‘trick’ in one day. And didn’t Chopper Read have something to say about ‘Stephan?’ Google it, Bowker!
Speaking of product placement…
That’s not Steve Martin and that’s not fake sweat. Man, it was hot!
I told Nathan Bles if he tried to avoid getting his picture taken that I’d for sure use it! See. Nice job as guest co-announcer, by the way, Nate.
“I set it down here at the line and I’ll be damned if I can find it now!”
The circle of life, people…the circle of life.
So, you’re saying, “Go that way really fast. If something gets in your way, turn?” And we have our first ‘Better off Dead’ reference.
It will probably be hard to bet against 2030 JSR Jr..
We had a good talk about the toils of becoming ‘The Mini Dad.’
Some pre-women’s moto focus.
Someone offer Kassie Boone a ride to Ulverton in a couple weeks. I want to see her hit that perfect table top jump!
Allie Argue taking her pre-race nerves out on her fingers.
I think this is #27 Jessica Diarra.
All the work is done. The gate will drop and you’ll go as fast as you can on that day on that track. It’s science, people!
Some prefer to keep things light before a race.
Some fall somewhere in the middle.
Some say he prospered in duck calling devices…
Cassandra forces a smile before the gate drops.
These little dudes’ moto got bumped for the scheduled women’s race.
Westen Wrozyna just happy to be at the races.
Jeff just did an ‘Out of the Blue’ article with #117 Caroline Sauvé.
Pro riders are quick to help the women racers, I’ve noticed.
KTM Canada’s Claudie Lapointe was all smiles to be hitting the Sand Del Lee track.
Dylan Wright’s better half, Krista Casselman before a gate drop.
Who’s cooler than these two? They’d say no one!
That’s Taylor Ciampichini at sign in.
I joked with #51 Brock Leitner that even if I had hair I wouldn’t do THAT with it. All in good fun, Brock.
Jay Burke heading to tech.
The Eruption (sp?) guys had this cool bike in the pick-up.
The Junk Yard Dog and Lil Bow Wow arriving.
A few laughs before things get serious.
#265 Brittany Gagne will be at Ulverton and they’re wondering if anyone would like to support them a little. Her mechanic, Jake, would also like to put up a satirical ‘bounty’ on whoever can put an end to Eve Brodeur’s win streak.
Any takers?
So that’s two riders who would most-assuredly accept some financial and transportational help.
Kelcey Jones ended up winning the Dunlop Hard Charger Award.
Alexandra Raymond trying to keep cool but there was no escaping the humidity.
Abbrielle Tardelli couldn’t buy a start last weekend but still charged hard all day long.
Sorta makes you wonder what’s written on that pit board, doesn’t it?
Kim Normandin is fast and has the right attitude about the whole thing.
Madi Seguin took the gate just outside the dog house.
Robin Hutchinson with a pre-race smile.
Eve Brodeur getting herself focused.
The Gagne pit is ‘putting it all on the line’ for Ulverton in hopes of taking a win before the series is over.
Young #79 Cameron Wrozyna has the potential to take this sport as far as he wants.
You too…you too.
Brian Koster chats with Supermini overall winner, Nick Cryer.
Jeff hamming it up for the camera. I’m just testing out new ‘McThoughts’ lead photos. Any McThoughts?
Hey, lighten up , ladies! Sheesh.
#116 Isabel Roullard added a ‘1’ to her number to cut down on the always-popular #16’s on the track.
Every rider in the Women’s class takes home a prize at the end of the day.
Yep, you just pick something from the table when your name is called.
It’s true, Emilie-Jade!
Co-organizer, Leah Clarke, draws another name from the hat.
Danny Brault (left) is the Godfather of Direct Motocross. True story. Yes, that guy!
If you win every race, you get ice cream.
As much ice cream as you want.
Quinn Amyotte checking out some racing between his motos.
He didn’t make the motos this weekend but he had the best parking spot in the pits and a big smile on his face.
My sarcasm meter is going off here, Sylvain Brodeur.
Did you know that Strikt is a Canadian brand out of Golden, BC? Well, it is.
Taylor Arsenault won the Alpinestars Bronze Boot a few years ago.
Yep, I’ve warned everyone: if you act shy or frightened, I will FOR SURE use the photo.
Jess Pettis checking out how lines are developing.
After his bike problems in practice, I thought this was a pretty opportune shot of Zach Zagar pushing his bike.
McThoughts option #3.
Andy White and John Nelson in their spot in the shade of the trees for Sunday.
Morgan Burger checking out an MX1 moto.
Claudie’s new profile pic…but not his, I don’t think.
Cale Foster heading back to the rig.
Jay Da Silva getting everything ready for a moto.
Psst, wrong Medaglia. Oh well…
JSR and Fox’s Jason Moore were joking about how many logos were plastered on this old race jersey.
Blake Savage before a moto.
That’s #84 Teagan Williams.
I have a solution…
…and it would only take a second! 🙂
#55 Keylan Meston picking his gate.
What is this, a scene from Top Gun?!
McThoughts option #4.
Wonder no more what Dominican Republic’s #978 Franklin Nogueras looks like.
I wonder what this guy looks like?
Hey, you’re not from Michigan!
Does that make a haiku? Google it, Bowker!
For some, the moto is always 1/3 empty, while for others it’s 2/3 full. See what I did there?
Now, why didn’t I think of that?! Currently residing in the ‘Easier Said than Done’ file…this pit sign. 🙂
What’s going on here? LOL
What is this, a border crossing?
She smiled for the next shutter click, but I like to keep things as awkward as possible. It keeps everyone on their toes.
Eric Bujold gives second-event-Pro, JC, a pit sign as he finishes Top Intermediate.
Pretty much everyone ended up in this position after each moto.
GIVE ME SWAAAAAAGGGG!!!!!
I asked politely, Jimmy.
Hey, Jay, I just said I like to keep things awkward.
Who’s willing to bet we see this a couple more times before the season is over?
Kourtney Lloyd wearing a couple hats for the Rockstar OTSFF Yamaha team.
Koster having a great time on the stage with Kaven Benoit.Even she almost smiled!
“Must. Stay. Awake. For. Goggles…”
Kaven got the crowd into a frenzy when he started giving things away.
“OK, that’ll do it for the champagne shower, thanks.”
He said as more champagne flowed and then ruined my camera.
A little post-sight-lap top-up for Colton Facciotti.
“I really thought I WAS pushing!”
What exactly is Believe divided by Breathe? That’s some new math! Is the answer 8?
I hope Kyle gets to take his mechanic over to Devil’s Lake MX. He’s got a really cool story. Go back a few weeks to where I told it…
I know it seems pretty obvious and is controlled by the autonomic nervous system, but somehow it gets forgotten during a race.
I don’t know what that means, Jay. Oh wait, yes I do. Go get Davenport and Keast.
The secret was out when the Devil’s Lake guys couldn’t take their eyes off Kyle Swanson all day. Apparently, a top 10 result would clinch the ride for him. He got 9th.
Colton Facciotti after winning the first moto by 25 seconds.
OK, that will do it for this week. I’m off to edit a short video featuring JC Bujold (left) after he was top Intermedite. Young #155 Guillaume St Cyr (right) won that honour at Gopher Dunes, I think. See you at the races…
