Frid’Eh Update #31 Presented by Toys for Big Boys
By Jeff McConkey and Billy Rainford
Week #31 goes out to the Fort St. John rider who now calls the University of Calgary home, Matthew Davenport|Bigwave photo
Welcome to Week #31 of the DMX Frid’Eh Update presented by Toys for Big Boys in Moncton, New Brunswick. The #31 has not been seen on the track this summer but it belongs to the university student we’ve gotten to know very well over the past few years. Fort St. John rider, Matthew Davenport, is a hard-working guy who was always ready to strike if one of the top, established Pro riders should falter.
Matthew is currently a University of Calgary student who started rowing for the team and improved very quickly, obviously due to his dedication to hard word and training learned in motocross. We grabbed him for a chat today to find out what he’s been up to and what his future plans are:
Direct Motocross: Hello, Matthew. We haven’t seen you in a while. You wound up with #31 for 2016. Can you take us through your 2015 racing season? Highs? Lows?
Matthew Davenport: The 2015 racing season was a great success for me. I had a different approach to the season as I was in University for 8 months prior and didn’t get to have my usual California training before racing started. I had my best year and had positive improvements each weekend. 2015 was the best summer of my racing career results wise and on the enjoyment scale. I had a lot of fun traveling the country with my family and especially my dad. The high for the year was getting an 8th in Regina on my dad’s birthday. The low of the season was probably not getting to finish the final moto of the year in Walton due to injury. But all in all, it was a great year!
Matthew had his best season ever in 2015 but it ended a moto short with an injured thumb at Walton Raceway|Bigwave photo
Matthew is currently studying Kinesiology as a Dino|Bigwave photo
He will continue to row for the Dinos but we may not see him racing the Nationals anytime soon without support|Bigwave photo
Week #31 is brought to you by Toys for Big Boys right here in Moncton, NB. Be sure to check them out while you’re in town or online.
Jeff McConkey
Hi guys. How about this weather here in Southern Ontario?! I personally love it this hot, and you will never hear me complain because we all know that it will eventually fade. Last weekend, the Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals headed way East. It was the first time that Pleasant Valley had hosted a Pro National since 2002. The crew had the facility looking top notch, and the weather made for a great day of racing. The dirt at Pleasant Valley is a little deceiving. First glance and you think you have traction for days, and then you finally realize when you’re spun out in a corner. It was a true test of throttle control. It’s just a shame that the racer turnout was poor because there is no lack of effort on the promoter’s end.
Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals
In MX2 action, Cole Thompson once again showed everyone that he is that good, and he is the man to beat. Like I have said before, nobody is going to beat Cole straight up. He’s even got me doubting it when he gets a poor start or when he goes down! Cole is just riding that well and it is not going to stop. Right behind Cole, we have Shawn Maffenbeier, Dylan Wright, and Dakota Alix. Shawn has the experience, Dylan has the ‘WOW’ factor and Dakota, with a little bit more fitness, could have it all. Going into Moncton, I really think Cole Thompson and his throttle control will end up on top. After Cole, it’s anyone’s game. You know that Dakota Alix will be up front on every start, so he will be very dangerous at the Glade. Here are my predictions for Moncton:
MX2
1st Cole Thompsom
2nd Dakota Alix
3rd Shawn Maffenbeier
4th Dylan Wright
5th Jess Pettis
Jeff has Cole Thompson on top again this weekend at Riverglade. I wonder if the pond sign is still up?|Bigwave photo
Like 99% of the MX1 season so far, Davi Millsaps has been pure dominant. It’s amazing how Davi is able to put his KTM anywhere he wants. He mentioned that everyone’s bikes are really good, I’m just thinking that Davi has the perfect setup each and every weekend. Going into Moncton, I think Davi has healed up enough to continue his destruction of the class. Teammates, Matt Goerke and Brett Metcalfe, have been putting in some serious work and look to have their Yamaha’s set up very well. Goerke has had some bad luck this season, but it can’t last forever. I’d like to see him get a holeshot and go at it with Millsaps. Matt has incredible fitness, and I’m willing to bet that he can match Millsaps’ speed in the second half of the motos. I say second half, as Davi has the most incredible sprint speed, and he likes to get away from everyone within a lap or two. Earlier in the season, I spoke with Mike Alessi. Mike had mentioned that the team had a very good West Coast setting, but were still trying to get the right settings for the softer East. Moncton is the hardest terrain in the East, and I think Mike and his bike will be much better. Here are my Moncton predictions:
MX1
1st Davi Millsaps
2nd Matt Goerke
3rd Brett Metcalfe
4th Mike Alessi
5th Kaven Benoit
Can anyone stop this guy?|Bigwave photo
Women’s East Nationals
When the Women’s East National series returns at Deschambeault, we will be without one of the greats. Jacqueline Ross has stepped away. ‘J-Ro’ has always been a class act and a joy to watch on the track. I hope she is able to make it fun again and maybe come back for an age class or something at Walton down the road. Thanks for the memories, Miss J.Q.
Jacqueline posted this well-written, heartfelt farewell on Facebook last week. We hope she doesn’t mind us posting it here:
Hope Your Journey Is A Long One
I’ve always been true to myself and this time shall be no different. There’s no fancy way to word this or inspirational
quote to add. I speak from the heart and I’ll never apologize for that. The truth of this matter is one that gives me a lump in my throat and brings tears to my eyes. I’ve never been the type of person who is comfortable with ”good enough.” I’ve struggled my entire life with finding a balance. I’m all in or all out; I will never be one of those
”halfway” type of people. Perhaps that has led to my demise and what makes me strive for greatness. I’ve always demanded more out of myself than what others would dare to imagine. This is tough for me to admit, because I’ve always been able to push through and overcome any obstacle. This time is different. My fire isn’t searing with white hot heat as it once did. I’d be living a lie in saying that I am okay just settling with being “lukewarm.” I’m passionate, I know my heart, and I know myself. Now, for the first time, I know what it feels like to feel when enough is truly enough.
I wouldn’t be able to, nor would I want to imagine what my life would have been like had I not been involved in the
motocross realm. When I first swung my leg over a pw80 at the age of twelve, I had no idea of the journey that was about to begin. I started out just having fun trail riding and hitting a lot of trees! Then we went to the motocross track to watch my Dads friend race; and that is when I fell in love. I had big dreams, a training log, a notebook I practiced my autographs in, magazine pictures that I cut out and put on all my school folders and book covers, I even use to sleep in my gear the night before a practice! I had so much zest for motocross, I was obsessed! I knew it was going to be the hardest thing I had ever done, but it didn’t matter to me. I always believed I had what it took and I was going to set out on the voyage to do whatever it took to be the best. And I did.
Motocross has been one of the greatest teachers in my life. I will always be forever grateful to have been a student. I have given this sport my absolute best and I have no more left on the bike to give. No way could I have the knowledge and wisdom that I carry with me had it not been for motocross. Courage, will, heart, and determination. Traits that I use
for my daily life and in the work place. The relationships that this sport has given, I don’t even have a word to
describe what they mean to me. Thankful is an understatement, a Godsend would be appropriate, but the word that comes to my mind is eternal.
Ohhh Canada! What an honor. Not just because I love coffee from Tim Horton’s either! It has been an absolute privilege to race in the country. The fans have always been awesome and just the great vibes at the tracks, you can’t find anywhere else! I have shared some of the best moments of my life with you Canadians. Canada will always have a special place in my heart. Thank you.
Joe Ross. Joe-Ro to some, Big Joe to others, I like to call him Dad. My Dad is my bestfriend, and was my trainer, coach, mechanic, and therapist (at times haha). He wore a lot of hats and at times it got very tough, but we always pulled through. At the end of the day, he is my Dad and is an incredible Father. There is no way I could have accomplished what I did had it not been for him and the work ethic that he instilled in me. I love you Dad, my #1 fan.
My race in Ulverton, Quebec will have been my last. The desire within that I once had isn’t there anymore and I am
chosing to not continue. I set out for a Championship, and the results show I lost. What the results don’t show is the honesty I found within myself. I’ve had this motocross chapter in my life open for a total of sixteen years. And four out of those sixteen years were spent off the bike, fighting a war within myself for my life. It’s now time to turn the last page and start a new chapter.
In a sport that has given me so much, I hope to be able to pay it forward. This sport didn’t make me rich in terms of
money. I’m wealthy in compassion, experiences, love, empathy, and wisdom. I will continue teaching my moto lessons. I believe that is one of my gifts, to help others live out their dreams. I can’t thank the people enough that supported me on my last endeavor in getting to Canada to race via my GoFundMe page. It tears me up and still does, to know that people could be so kind, and cared about me that much. I did not feel right in keeping the donations since I did not
fulfill what I said I was going to try to do, therefore you will all be reimbursed. Thank you to the Gauthier family for paying for my CMRC Membership. Thank you to everyone who believed in me. Thank you all for your love, support, and encouragement over the years. It has truly meant the world to me.
Forever a dreamer,
Jacqueline
Scott Prospect Goggle
This past week, the great people at Scott released the new Prospect goggle. This is something I have been waiting for, for quite awhile. The new goggle has some fantastic new features and has become an instant player. As soon as Mica Sports can get us a set, I will gladly put some time on them. Keep an eye peeled for an upcoming product test.
Motopark this Weekend
This weekend, I will be skipping the Rockstar Energy Nationals and be making the trip North to Motopark. I will be loading up the DMX Yamaha YZ250 2-stroke and hitting the track. With our crazy travel schedule following the races, it makes it harder and harder to actually ride ourselves. This Saturday will be the perfect chance to finally put in some seat time and put some use to the great products that our great friends have sent us. This is where I’d like to thank Works Connection, No Toil, Mika Metals, Nihilo Concepts, MotoSeat, and Moto Tassinari. Our good friend Mike Parliament over at MB1 Suspension Canada has set us up with some great suspension. I don’t think I have ever been more excited to spin laps. Look for a very cool looking bike courtesy of Brendan and the gang at LimeNine. They really killed it on the looks.
Watch for Jeff McConkey on this beautiful Yamaha 250 2-stroke this weekend at Motopark|McConkey photo
That is it for me this week. Look for me at Motopark, or I’ll see you next at Deschambealut. Have a great week and #smileforBC!
Billy Rainford
Thanks, Jeff. We miss you out here in the Maritimes. It will be great to have you back on the scene for the final two rounds in Deschambault and Barrie. With the addition of the Pleasant Valley round one week before our traditional stop in the Maritimes at Riverglade MX in Moncton, New Brunswick, we made the decision to stay east for the week between the two. Can someone explain to me why the flight to Moncton from anywhere in Canada is the most expensive flight on the entire continent? I guess it’s a reverse supply and demand trick?
Anyway, if you’ve never been out here, all you need to know is do not fall for Magnetic Hill. It’s an old fashioned Doug Henning (Google it, Bowker!) illusion. I stopped in a few years ago with the old Buick Electra Estate Wagon and realized that there is no magnet strong enough to pull that beast against gravity, so I knew something was up.
James Lissimore and I decided to make the trip around Cape Breton Island on the Cabot Trail a couple days ago. When I was a little kid, my parents had a multi-summer plan for the family’s worldly enlightenment: we’d travel somewhere for a month every summer. One time it was to BC, another it was to California, then Florida, once all through Europe, and once to Newfoundland.
The trip all the way to The Rock included a circle around the Cabot Trail. It was a long time ago so I figured it would be a cool thing to do again, plus James had never seen it. I was right. The drive is worth the trip. Here are a few pics from along the way.
Unfortunately, there was some fog in the area on our trip, but it made the photos look a little different, I guess. This one is actually a Lissimore shot.
If you’ve ever done the drive around Maui, if you added some palm trees it would actually be pretty similar.
OK, Nova Scotia, you can’t just add the word ‘Pleasant’ in front of everything to get us there! We actually passed 2 different places named “Pleasant Valley.”
We camped at one of the 5 official campgrounds on the circuit. This one was on the far northeast side next to Ingonish. Here’s James getting frustrated with his less-than-one-bar cell signal.
What you don’t see is the site next to us literally touching the left edge of this shot. The guy in the next tent (with his wife and 3 kids) snored louder than anyone I’ve ever heard. I was up in the middle of the night honking my van alarm, yelling from my tent, and walking next to his tent with my phone alarm set to ‘Old Car Horn.’ ArUUUUgah! Nothing worked. Rough night. Oh, and when I took a quick bathroom break, one of his darn kids was crouched beside the front wheel of the van! What??!! Beat it, kid!
We got back from our overnight trip and headed straight for ‘Hurricane Heidi’s Café’ at the four corners of Brookfield, NS. You know who Hurricane is. It’s none other that Heidi Cooke‘s Brookfield Bakery and Café. After a quick club sandwich and potato chips, it was over to Tyler Medaglia and Heidi’s place to use some serious internet.
We then headed over to one of their friend’s places where they were going to hold Tyler’s mechanic, Kibby, to his dare of going for his first backflip into water on a BMX bike. He was true to his word. Here are a few photos from last night.
This is Kibby’s first attempt at the backflip. It didn’t go perfectly but it proved to him he could do it. After this, it was tough to stop him!
Jeremy Medaglia was recording them on his phone. Tyler Medaglia took a closer look and then decided it might be time for him to give it a try.
Kibby pulls his legs through to make sure he didn’t get tangled up with the bike when he landed.
Tyler ejected a little early on his first attempt.
He hopped back on and went for it. Mission accomplished for both of them.
Their buddy, Kyle, didn’t want to try a backflip but he really enjoys doing whips! This time, he went for a Superman and landed in a perfect belly flop…that I missed. They kept trying to get him to go off it as fast as he could while sitting down. He tried.
Then it was time to load up and head back to the house.
OK, on to some moto business…
Colton Facciotti Injury Update
If you were at the last round of Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals in Pleasant Valley then you know about Honda Canada GDR Fox Racing rider #2 Colton Facciotti‘s 2nd moto crash just after the start. He came around the corner in 4th spot and fought his was into 3rd and then went over the finish line jump for the first time. He landed in the same spot he had been earlier in the day but this time the back end got loose and down he went.
He was run over by a couple riders – one of which was #800 Mike Alessi – in the confusion and bar to bar action of the first straightaway. He was helped off the track favouring his left leg. Well, he won’t be at round 8 this week. Here is the report and short video clip from earlier.
Unfortunately, a rough weekend Pleasant Valley Motorsport Park in #truro #novascotia will keep Honda Motorcycles Canada Honda Canada / GDR / Fox Racing Fox Head Canada rider #2 Colton Facciotti out of action this week at round 8 of the Rockstar Energy Drink #MX Nationals Riverglade Motocross in #Moncton.
We spoke with team owner, Derek Schuster , and he confirmed it is Colton’s shoulder that will keep him away until an MRI and ultrasound can determine the extent of the damage sustained in his 2nd Moto crash shortly after his 3rd place start.
The team heads into Moncton this weekend with a skeleton crew as Jeremy Medaglia is still out with post-concussion symptoms suffered at round 2 in #Nanaimo.
#18 Brad Nauditt is pretty beat up from his last lap second Moto crash with a lapped rider last Sunday but will line up as the team’s only rider this weekend.
Get well soon, guys.
Team Canada MX Kaven Benoit Jersey to Support the Effort
Although the team has been picked and we’re looking good, the work to get Team Canada to Italy isn’t done yet. You can bid on this signed Kaven Benoit Team Canada jersey and help ensure the guys get to the race. Here is the Instagram post from @teamcanadamxon:
Speaking of Team Canada…
If you’re at the races this weekend in Moncton, I will have Team Canada MXON Raffle Tickets for sale as I wander around Riverglade. They are $100 each and all the money goes to the team, and you get pretty good odds at winning the prize. Have a look:
Prizes:
Enter Canada’s MXON draw to win one of three great prizes!
Tickets are $100.00 and there is a limited 500 tickets for sale! Odds of winning are GREAT!
Prize Package One – Monster Energy Vegas Weekend
- Strip based Hotel for two
- Flights for two
- Two tickets to Monster Cup
- $500.00 spending money
Prize Package Two – $5000.00 in Cold Hard Cash
Prize Package Three – Walton Experience
- Flight
- Travel Trailer.
- Rental car.
- Entry and entrance fees.
- Bike Shipping expenses.
- Meet and greet with team Canada MXON team members
The raffle tickets can be purchased through interac e-transfer: Simply email teamcanadamxon@gmail.com and let them walk you through the easy process.
Parts Canada Walton TransCan Direct Motocross ‘Total Devotion Award’
From the TransCan Facebook page:
There is a long list of Awards to be won at Walton in 2016. Direct Motocross and before Racer X Illustrated Canada have present the Total Devotion award. If you know of a rider or supporter that makes the sacrifices to race or to help others race let Billy Rainford or Jeff McConkey know!
So, I came up with an idea last year that I thought was pretty funny. Here’s how my thought process went: Total Devotion…short for devotion? Devo…band with that name? Devo…their schtick? Flower pots on their heads (actually, they were ‘energy domes’ not flower pots, but still)…DMX Total Devotion Award? Flower pot.
No, it’s not an expensive award but I saw people in the future asking, “Hey, who won ‘The Flower Pot’ this year?” We even put stickers on it both ways so it could be worn on your head or actually used as a flower pot and still read the sticker. I thought it was great!
Anyway, it seems younger riders are unfamiliar with the 1980’s band (and yet I’m sure they know who The Beetles are!) so I’m going to keep posting this video and photo to make it so the award makes sense! Either that or come up with another idea…and I don’t want to do that! So…
Canadians at Loretta Lynn’s
The Loretta Lynn’s Amateur MX Championship starts this week. Here is a list of Canadians who are scheduled to be lining up at this most-competitive week of racing:
53 Nick Denniston – 250 C/450C
28 Shane Mercieca – 250 C/250 C Sr. (12-16) Ltd.
91 Blair Nauta – 250 C Ltd.
81 Kobi Cox – 250 C Jr. (12-16)
71 Carter Hutcherson – 450 B/College (16-24)
42 Austin Watling – 450 B/College B Ltd.
74 Cole Wilson – 450 C
44 Kennedy Lutz – 450 C/Women (14+) Amateur
17 Ryan Gauld – Junior 25+/Vet 30+
13 Brenner Lammens – 51 (4-6) Ltd.
22 Preston Masciangelo – 65 (7-9) Ltd./65 (7-11)
46 Tanner Scott – 65 (10-11) Ltd.
79 Cameron Wrozyna – Mini Sr. 1 (12-13)/Mini Sr. 2 (12-14)
52 Jake Tricco – Supermini 1 (12-15)/Supermini 2 (13-16)
46 Marco Cannella – 125 (12-16) B/C/Schoolboy 1 (12-16) B/C
84 Tanner Ward – Schoolboy 1 (12-16) B/C/Schoolboy 2 (13-16) B/C
67 Emma Saarela – Girls Sr. (12-16)
Good luck to everyone, we’ll be watching!
Rockstar MX Nationals Point Standings after 7 of 10 Rounds
Canadian MX Weekly Wrap Up Show|Pleasant Valley
If you didn’t get a chance to see our recap video from this past weekend at Pleasant Valley, you can check it our now.
DMX Canadian MX Weekly Wrap Up Show|2016 Pleasant Valley|FXR Moto from Directmotocross.com on Vimeo.
Royal Distributing Holeshot Awards Video|Pleasant Valley
Royal Distributing Pleasant Valley Holeshot Awards from Directmotocross.com on Vimeo.
#79 Tommy Dallaire Injury Update
It was #79 Tommy Dallaire who tangled with #18 Brad Nauditt on the final lap in moto 2 at Pleasant Valley. Although both riders went down hard, it was Tommy who suffered the most damage and was unable to finish. We grabbed him for a quick chat today to see what’s up.
Direct Motocross: What happened?
Tommy Dallaire: It happened on the last lap. Brad Nauditt was lapping me, we hit each other midair and crashed pretty bad. I got landed on after that.
What did you hurt?
I dislocated my hip. I was lucky that my shoulder that was hurting didn’t get worse and my head too. So with everything that happened, I got out pretty safe.
When can you get back on a bike?
I started walking without my cane this week, but I don’t know when I’ll be good to ride again. I hope before Deschambault.
Take care of yourself, Tommy, and thanks for taking the time to chat.
#79 Tommy Dallaire is out of action after a crash at Pleasant Valley sent him to the hospital|Bigwave photo
Thanks for reading and have a great weekend. Be sure to follow us on Twitter @Directmx, Instagram @DirectMotocross and on our Facebook page for coverage from this weekend at Riverglade in Moncton.
See you at the races…
