Frid’Eh Update #34 Presented by Two Wheel Motorsport

Brought to you by Two Wheel Motorsport.

Jeff McConkey

Hey, guys. Well, the CMRC Rockstar Energy Pro Nationals have come and gone. We started in Kamloops and ended in Barrie, and had one heck of a season in between. We had two first-time Canadian Champions this season, and both seemed to be very dominant for the majority of the season.

Rockstar Energy MX Nationals

MX2

Cole Thompson is our new 2016 MX2 champ. Most people called Cole for the championship before the season even got started. He had the most experience, and his smooth style was very hard to beat. He was never really in any danger of losing the points lead at any part of the season, and he clinched with a round to go. He was so calm and smooth all season long, and only seemed to get fired up after having issues with MX101 Yamaha’s Dylan Wright. These two seemed to find each other for the majority of the East, and there looks to be a very nice rivalry forming. Unfortunately, at a few rounds, Thompson made it boring as he was so picture perfect out front. Lucky for the fans, the group behind the champ always seem to have some exciting racing.

Going into 2017, the real question is if Cole will return to defend his title. It’s no secret that Cole would like to ride 250 Supercross and a 450 outdoors, but only time will tell. Behind Thompson, the group of Shawn Maffenbeier, Dylan Wright, Dakota Alix and Jess Pettis will be the front runners for 2017. These guys will put in the necessary work and come out swinging. If I had to pick one guy as of now for the championship next year, I’d go out on a limb and select Jacob Hayes. Hayes mentioned to me at Gopher Dunes that he wants to come back and ride for the Leading Edge Monster team more than anything, and I think his speed and experience will be very hard to beat by anyone. The best part about all of this is that we have a whole off season to debate it.

Cole Thompson was the rider to beat in MX2 and won the title|Spikman photo

MX1

In MX1, Davi Millsaps came in with quite a few doubters. Nobody has ever doubted Davi’s skill or speed. It was his ability to complete the season and nobody really knew if Davi even wanted to be up here racing. We knew his competitors like Matt Goerke, Brett Metcalfe, Mike Alessi and Colton Facciotti would be all in and it wasn’t going to be easy. Add in 450 rookie Kaven Benoit, wily vet Tyler Medaglia, and young star Cade Clason and you have a very stacked class.

I knew Davi was going to be really good, I just didn’t think he’d be the Davi of old. He was in great shape and wherever he pointed his KTM, it went. Davi had to face some adversity with being docked 10 positions, then his big practice crash, and even those couldn’t hold him back. He proved to everyone that he was still one of the top racers in the world. Yes, he looked that good. The bad news for us as fans is that Davi has a deal in the US for SX and MX for the BTO Sports KTM team next season. You lose one, but I’m sure we will gain a few more Americans into our series. These foreign riders have really elevated our series and our Canadian riders.

Davi Millsaps took the MX1 title|Spikman photo

Women’s East Nationals

The final Women’s East National round also went off this past weekend, and young Eve Brodeur finished the season perfect. Yes, she was dominant, but she was really tested at the final round. Americans Shannon Fleming and Brittany Gagne gave our young champ quite a challenge.

In moto 1, Fleming was closer to Eve than anyone has been all season. She even passed her at one point. In moto 2, Gagne had the win in the bag until a torn knee ended the battle. The racing was awesome and if it weren’t for these two young Americans, our series would have been a serious sleeper with Brodeur long gone. I was really disappointed with the turnout this season. We have so many Instagram Women racers, but they just didn’t have the time to show up and support the series they all love to bitch about. All in all, the girls that did show up, rode their asses off, and I really hope they continue to support the series.

Eve Brodeur is a 3-time champion|Bigwave photo

Parts Canada TransCan

Just because the series is done, doesn’t mean the season is. You can never forget about the Parts Canada Walton TransCan. Brett Lee and Mark Perrin bust their butts all year long to give amateurs a great event. Not only is it a great event through the week, they are also holding a fantastic Pro race on the weekend. They went out and listened to what the racers and fans wanted, and they are giving it back to everyone this Sunday. I am very excited to see this ‘exhibition’ race and enjoy another great weekend of Pro racing here in Canada. As of right now, I’m not exactly who is going to show up, but I can bet you that everyone in attendance goes home happy.

Really short for me this week. I need to hit the road to Walton. I’d like to send a big Get Well Soon to Brittany Gagne, and Shannon Fleming who are both going under the knife for ACL surgeries. Get well soon, ladies, our series needs you. Congrats to Cole Thompson, Davi Millsaps, Eve Brodeur, Shelby Turner and the entire KTM Canada crew for clean sweeping all four series. Very impressive. Have a great weekend, and #smileforBC! I’ll see you at Walton…

Billy Rainford

Thanks, Jeff. Yes, I’m going to have to keep it brief this week, too. I remember we actually canceled the Frid’Eh Update this week a few times in the past. We won’t cancel it this year, but it will definitely be a pretty quick read.

I’m sitting here in the sweltering heat of the big Honda barn at Walton Raceway. It’s really nice that they have this facility for us media types to use during the week while we’re here. Where the heck did the cooling breeze go?!

We’ve bee trying to keep everyone updated on how the racing is progressing here at the 25th anniversary event. The changes Kyle Keast and the gang made to the track seem to be being very well received. Riders are saying it removed a few of the more technical elements but that it flows better.

The long, rutted straights and corners have jumped out and bit a few riders, but it’s to be expected here. Actually, I think there were more 65cc machines tipped over in corners during one of the motos than there were circulating. This place gets rutty, is what I’m trying to say. If you didn’t do your homework and ride clay ruts during your prep work , you will struggle here.

The two biggest surprises have been the attendance of young Ethan Mann from Texas and Canadian Christopher Fortier who now calls Florida home. These two have been mixing it up at the front of the Supermini, Schoolboy, and Intermediate classes.

Also, #59 Joey Crown is here racing and has been pretty much untouchable so far. He’s out against some upper-level Pros on 450’s and taking wins.

And because there aren’t any Pro series rules to follow, top Pro’s have been competing in the +25 and Youth classes, much to the chagrin of Defending champion, Ryan Lockhart.

We’re on a break here at the moment, so I’d better keep moving…

I’ve been picking one class/moto per day here, so far, to shoot a short video recap of. Today it’s the Schoolboy 1 class. Don’t worry, this will be the one moto I don’t put a music track over! Here are the past two:

2016 TransCan MX2 Intermediate Moto 1 from Directmotocross.com on Vimeo.