Frid’Eh Update #22 | Tyler Gibbs | Brought to You by Dirt Care

Frid’Eh Update #22 | Tyler Gibbs | Brought to You by Dirt Care

Week #22 of the DMX Frid’Eh Update belongs to Tyler Gibbs from Mission, BC and is brought to you by Dirt Care.

By Billy Rainford

Welcome to Week #22 of the DMX Frid’Eh Update brought to you by Dirt Care. Well, we’re finally here, it’s Round 1 of the 2025 Canadian Triple Crown Series Motocross Nationals. As I type this, I have literally just rolled into the Hotel Blackfoot where the Press Conference will take place in a couple hours. I realize I’m late getting this Update…up, but the drive from London, Ontario, to Calgary, Alberta, seems to get longer every time I do it. Age? Probably.

Of course, the first person I saw when I parked the DMX Van was Team Canada Manager Kourtney Lloyd. She and Ben were basking in the sunshine with Ryder McNabb and Phil Nicoletti.

I asked Ryder if he happened to listen to our Pre-Season podcast this week where I was in charge of the hot takes. Not surprisingly, he hadn’t. In it, I went way out on a thin limb and said he could go undefeated in the 250 class this summer. Hey, I was just trying to get some heated conversation going! And like Ricky Gervais always says at the Golden Globes, “It’s my last year…I don’t care!”

If you haven’t listened to me and Chris Pomeroy from MXP Mag talk about what we see happening this summer, you can catch it wherever you get your podcasts of click the Spotify link below (If you followed Direct Motocross, we wouldn’t have these embarrassing conversations…):

Speaking of Phil, I also said that I think Dylan Wright is in everyone’s head, including Phil’s. I also said that I think defending 450 champion Jess Pettis is the one doing the most improving at this point in their careers. Hmm, what else did I say? You’ll have to give it a click to find out. You’re running out of time before we have some of the answers!

Anyway, I usually have the Update up by 4:00pm Eastern time, but that’s not going to happen this week. Mitch Kendra is kind enough to link it in their Racer Head column over there at Racer X Illustrated, so that’s always a nice bonus that likely won’t happen this week. Let’s just say that I’m on Mountain Time this week and get on with it.

Tyler Gibbs is the rider with #22 on his bike. I was surprised to find out that he’s dropped back down to the 250 class for the 2025 MX season. Chris pointed that out in our podcast.

We all know Tyler really enjoys racing indoors, so hopefully we haven’t seen the last of him in any of the AMA series south of the border.

He did manage to snag his first Canadian AX championship in the AMO AX series in Chilliwack, BC. This is our number 1 indoor title and was always known as the Future West Moto AX Championship until Ryan Gauld and his team took it over a couple years ago.

We’re not sure if he’s going to be travelling the entire series this summer, but we asked him in our interview. He’ll be travelling with his little brother, Travis Gibbs, who is in his Intermediate year.

Here’s a look at his 2024 Triple Crown season:

We got in tough with him this week to talk about all of it. Here’s what he had to say:

Direct Motocross: OK, we’re about to start a new Canadian Triple Crown Series and I hear you’re dropping down to the 250 class. Can you explain this choice?

Yes, back on the 250f this year. I just wanted to change it up. I definitely feel like I have some goals that I want to check off this year.

Last summer, you 17th in the 450 class with a best of 9th overall. Can you sum up your thoughts on the 2024 season before we embark on a new one?

Yeah, I only raced a couple rounds and to be honest I sucked ass just coming off injury and kinda rushing into it and just really struggled. I had one good round in Deschambault, Quebec, but that’s in the past so I don’t really try to think about it.

We all know you love to race indoors, but you didn’t really get a chance to do as much this winter. Can you tell us what you got up to over the winter?

I raced the AMO AX and was able to win my first championship, so that was cool. Also did the Ironhorse AX was able to get second in that championship. I got to do Seattle Supercross and that was so much fun.

Then I did some snowboarding and worked a bit. I also did a couple riding school so it was pretty laid back this year.

Sorry, I was talking about AMA, but congratulations on the AMO title! But it looks like you guys have been able to ride a lot out west, whether it was in Gibsons or someone’s back yard track there in the Lower Mainland, right?

Yeah, lots of backyard tracks, sand pits, gravel pits, you name it we were riding. It’s kinda sad to see lots of tracks going away out west. I’m just thankful for the people who let me come ride their tracks: Dawson Gravel and the Carlsons, big thanks to them for giving me and other riders a place to ride.

And I’m sure we’ve all seen your latest jumps on a steel ramp. What was that all about?

Just got to be different and put myself out there. I always wanted to hit a 75-foot ramp and thanks the Demelos I got to. Plus, who doesn’t want to hit ramps with some of the best guys in Canada that do it?!

What’s it like to hit one of those? Could any Pro rider get wild off one?

It’s different. You definitely have to go fast because of my outdoor set up and I’m on a 250f. Most guys have a super stiff set up and are on a 450, but there’s a couple pros I know with the right set up could go big on them.

What are your plans for this outdoor season?

Do the first two rounds and the last two rounds is the plan right now.

You might travel east with your little brother, Travis Gibbs?

Yes, as long as we can get along, that’s the plan.

And you told me earlier that his plan is to go straight to the 450 when he turns Pro?!

Yes, after Walton TransCan he wants to do the 450 class. He’s a very good 450 guy so that would be cool to see him do. I would just be happy to see him race either class. 

Are you still at the stage where you’re giving him some instruction or are we well beyond that now? How’s he looking?

Well, I try to but he just listens to my dad more than me. I mean, he’s riding very well from what I can see. I’m just pumped he’s riding and having fun doing it.

Big changes in the 250 class this season. Only 3 riders in the top 10 from last year are returning. Where do you want to be?

I want to be where everyone else wants to be, and that’s the podium. Just going to give it the best I can do.

What would it take to get you to head east after Cold Lake?

I would need a moto win or a podium to go all the way. It costs a lot being a privateer.

OK, I like to bug you about your superstitions. Besides the Boo Hag, do you have any other quirks or frights? I heard a rumour you don’t like the dark.

I mean, who likes the pitch dark?!

Is your ultimate goal to race more AMA Supercross or has that dream gone away?

That’s still my dream. I just need to get more support to do it because it just costs a lot.

OK, Tyler, I’m looking forward to seeing what you can do in this 250 field this year. Good luck.

Thanks, I appreciate it, and thanks for the interview.

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Watch the Triple Crown Press Conference LIVE

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Preston Masciangelo Racing Hangtown

We’ll have #800 Preston Masciangelo to cheer for on Saturday at Round 2 of the AMA Pro Motocross Championship at Hangtown. He didn’t make the motos but will have some more familiar suspension this weeks and hopes to make it in this time.

SATURDAY
7:00am – 2:00pm	Rider Services / Will Call Opens
7:15am – 7:30am	Riders Meeting at AMA Semi
7:30am – 7:45am	Chapel Service at AMA Semi
8:00am – 8:15am	250 Class Qualifying Grp B- 15 minutes (1 Lap Free)
8:20am – 8:35am	250 ClassQualifying Grp A- 15 minutes (1 Lap Free)
8:35am – 8:50am	Track Maintenance
8:50am – 9:05am	450 Class Qualifying Grp A- 15 minutes (1 Lap Free)
9:10am – 9:25am	450 Class Qualifying Grp B- 15 minutes (1 Lap Free)
9:30am – 9:40am	Track Maintenance
9:40am- 9:45am	250 Class Grp B Start Practice (Off Gate) 5 minutes
9:45am – 10:00am	250 Class Qualifying Grp B- 15 minutes
10:05am – 10:10am	250 Class Grp A Start Practice (Off Gate) 5 minutes
10:10am – 10:25am	250 Class Qualifying Grp A- 15 minutes
10:30am -10:35am	450 Class Grp A Start Practice (Off Gate) 5 minutes
10:35am – 10:50am	450 Class Qualifying Grp A- 15 minutes
10:55am -11:00am	450 Class Grp B Start Practice (Off Gate) 5 minutes
11:00am – 11:15am	450 Class Qualifying Grp B- 15 minutes
11:15am – 11:45am	Track Maintenance
11:45am – 11:55am	250 Consolation Race
12:00pm – 12:10pm	450 Consolation Race
12:30pm – 1:00pm	OPENING CEREMONIES
1:00pm – 1:10pm	250 Class Sight Lap
1:15pm – 1:50pm	250 Class Moto #1
1:50pm – 2:00pm	Podium Interviews
2:00pm – 2:10pm	450 Class Sight Lap
2:15pm – 2:50pm	450 Class Moto #1
2:50pm -3:00pm	Podium Interviews
2:50pm – 3:20pm	Halftime
3:20pm – 3:28pm	250 Class Sight Lap
3:30pm – 4:05pm	250 Class Moto #2
4:05pm – 4:15pm	250 Winners Circle
4:22pm – 4:30pm	450 Class Sight Lap
4:30pm – 5:05pm	450 Class Moto #2
5:05pm – 5:15pm	450 Winners Circle

ALL TIMES LOCAL AND SUBJECT TO CHANGES

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OK, it’s almost show time out here in Calgary. Be sure to tune in on the Ryde TV app for FREE this afternoon/evening. THey’re setting up right beside me here at the Hotel Blackfoot. I’m not sure where they’re going to put all the free food with this set up though! Lol

Have a great weekend and be sure to check with our Instagram and Facebook pages as we have a lot of things planned for this new season. We’ll be watching and handing out a couple additional awards each week, so check it out.