Frid’Eh Update #49 | Keenan Peterson | Brought to You by KTM Canada
By Billy Rainford
Welcome to Week #49 of the DMX Frid’Eh Update this week presented by KTM Canada. Not a lot of racing going on this week but there were a few headlines and announcements that we can talk about.
We’re headed straight into Christmas, so many people are taking a little time to be with family and friends while others have already made the trip south to get ready for Supercross. We’ll talk about some of them later.
Keenan Peterson from East Gillimbury, Ontario (by Newmarket) was #49 in 2022 but we never saw him line up with the number due to some injury repair.
He came up through the ranks as one of Jay Thompson‘s top-rated amateurs through their MX Schools program in Brigden. 2021 was to be his first full season as a 250 Pro rider but he head a few hiccups throughout the season that he tells us about in our interview.
Here’s a look at his 2021 season in 250 MX:
That put him 20th overall in 250 MX and gave him #49 for 2022.
We hadn’t spoken to Keenan in a long time so we had a lot of questions for him. Here’s what he had to say when we contacted him this week:
Direct Motocross: Hello, Keenan. It’s been quite a while since we’ve seen you or talked to you. Since we didn’t see you on the track this summer, I guess we have to back up quite a ways for this week’s interview. In 2021, you earned #49 for 2022. 2021 was another “local” year (nothing out west) and you raced the MX Nationals in the 250 class, earning 20th place in the series. Was that a good race season for you? How did you do?
Keenan Peterson: Yeah, it has been a little bit, for sure. 2021 was a season that was just filled with ups and downs. I was really not happy with that year. I really felt like I had more to show. I felt like my speed was there but I was struggling with my fitness, for sure. Looking at the lap times from that year they weren’t off but I would just fade nearing the end of the motos.
There are a few blanks on your results sheet from the 2021 season. What happened?
I missed a few rounds due to bike issues. They started at the first round when I was going up to the line. My bike locked up the head which was very unfortunate because it was the first proper race moto I had for 250’s.
Then for Gopher Dunes I wouldn’t have my bike ready for that, but thanks to Tristan Dares I was able to ride his practice bike.
Then we couldn’t get the parts to put the bikes together for Sand Del Lee or River Glade.
At Deschambault I was able to but it was just a very poor weekend for me there.
Then finally the week before Walton I was practicing at Vision Built and it just completely locked up and there was no chance that we could put it together in time.
I don’t think you’ve been out west, have you? Was that your chance to do the full series or were you planning to go west in 2021 if we had gone?
No, I haven’t been out west. I always have wanted to though. I’ve planned on going out there but something always comes up, and with the huge cost of going out there it just didn’t make sense.
Then, we didn’t see you on the line this past season. Where were you?
No, I decided to get shoulder surgery this summer. I had been dealing with my shoulder coming out for a couple of years now. During the time I was down in Florida it came to a point where it was too frequent and I decided to get the surgery.
What is it you do for work?
I work in carpentry which I actually enjoy quite a bit, so until my surgery I was doing that.
You came up through the MX Schools program with Jay Thompson. He’s always thought very highly of your skill. Do you stay in touch?
No, not really anymore, we don’t. I remember some awesome times there though. I’ve seen where we used to train. He’s done it and now calls it Thompson Hills so once I’m healed I’ll have to stop by for a ride.
Do you still get out and ride or race, just not at the nationals?
This summer I didn’t ride at all mainly because my shoulder was just too gone. Any impact was pushing it out at that point so I couldn’t really do it. Plus, it was nice to have a break and just enjoy summer again. I definitely do miss racing though.
What’s been the highlight of your racing career?
Thinking back on it, I don’t have too many, probably winning a moto in Intermediate. That was an awesome feeling for sure.
Did you follow along with the racing last season? Who impressed you?
I followed along for the first part of the season. It was great to watch. Who impressed me the most? Probably Sebastien Racine, he seemed to be able to get up front and stay up there consistently; he was also very smooth and controlled, which was fun to watch.
What are your plans for the winter?
Healing. I’m now about a 5 weeks post op. I feel good and am just looking to make sure I take care and heal my shoulder properly.
And how about next season? Will we see you on the gate for a National in 2023? Maybe some local racing?
Yes, for sure I’ll be back next year. Racing what? I haven’t decided yet. I’m looking at either 250 Pro or Pre Mix. I’m leaning toward Pre Mix. I think it could be a lot of fun.
OK, thanks for filling us all in on what you’ve been up to and all the best with your rehab. Is there anyone you’d like to thank before we wish you a Merry Christmas and end this?
My pleasure. I’d like to thank all the people that have helped me out through my career. Obviously my mom and dad but also Steve Shore and Jay Thompson are definitely two that stand out; they both went above and beyond for me many times. They are also both some of the best trainers in Canada.
Podcasts from this Week
We were pretty busy on the podcast game this week, with riders all over the globe racing. Here they are, in case you missed them:
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Rumour Mill
The blades of the old rumour mill have been working overtime the past few days! It’s the Silly Season so let’s have a look at some of the things making the list:
1. Team Canada MXON Manager Carl Bastedo has used a racial slur in a comment on Twitter.
After the 2023 WSX Championship calendar was released Thursday, December 8th, a tweet was made to call attention to the fact that a round was scheduled at BC Place in Vancouver, BC Canada on Saturday, October 28, 2023. If you care to search for comment, you can do so on Twitter.
We’ve been told that the CMA has been made aware of this Tweet. The CMA is also having their AGM this weekend, so we’ll have to wait and see if this tweet means any changes are forthcoming.
2. Parts Canada has committed to the GasGas Cobequid team and won’t be with the Kawasaki and the KTM Canada teams. If you look at the Christmas video KTM Canada put out today, Kaven Benoit is wearing Fly gear. The video is amazing, by the way:
3. There has been a tentative schedule floating around the industry that would have the 2023 series look like this:
Edmonton, Calgary, Kamloops – Gopher Dunes, Sand Del Lee, Moncton, Deschambeault, Walton. We’ve also seen the possibility of Pilot Mount in the west and Ste Julie making a return in the east. We’ve also heard Edmonton may not be happening. I don’t think they like us there. Obviously, we’ll wait for the official release (which now may not be out until early in the January), but it’s fun to speculate.
4. Check out the new swimming area Walton Raceway has built for everyone to cool off in between motos! We used to sneak over to the gravel pit across the road, but that was always frowned on.
5. Cole Thompson riding for Team Solitaire in 250 West. The title sponsor is Heart Beat Hot Sauce company from Thunder Bay, where team manager Chris Elliott is also from.
5. There are a few riders on the outside looking in right now.
Jeremie McKie has talked with Kawasaki and Yamaha and it sounds like he’s interested in riding a 450.
Tanner Ward is wanted by Kawasaki and a couple others and wants to stay in the 450 class.
Marco Cannella seems to be the biggest question mark, for a rider with the ability to win. He has spoken with Steve Simms over at SSR and has also reached out to a few other teams. He’ll likely be in the 450 class.
Speaking of SSR, we also heard a rumour that the team may move Tyler Gibbs to the 450 and drop Chris Blackmer down to the 250 class, and Sam Gaynor will take a year off to heal himself properly.
Tanner Scott is a young rider with a ton of potential. He has spoken to several teams but it will be difficult to find a space for him. Hopefully, he lands somewhere on a good program.
Daniel Elmore is another top-level rider looking for a ride. Always capable of landing in the top 5 is something not a a lot of the other riders can claim in the 450 class.
OK, the site was down for a while and it was a bit of a panic around here, so I’m going to cut things off there. Have a great weekend, everyone.
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