Five Minutes with … Jeremy Medaglia
JULY 25, 2008

Little "Jer Bear" was back on the box last weekend in Edmonton. Medaglia sits sixth in points, but is only 12 points back of third-place.

By Danny Brault
Photos by James Lissimore

Suzuki/OTSFF/Rockstar’s Jeremy Medaglia is back where he wants to and should be: on the box. After going 4-4- for third overall at the opener in Ste-Julie, QC, I’m sure many (including himself) expected him to be a regular podium contender. Unfortunately, while Jeremy’s had the speed and heart to be up front, crashes, bad starts, and bike troubles have held him back. In the first moto at Castrol Raceway, Jeremy found himself up front right away with a top-five start. The little warrior slowly worked his way into second, passing Teddy Maier, Nick Evennou, and Kyle Beaton in the process. The bad start bug hit Medaglia in the second moto, but as he’s done so many times this year, he fought through the pack and found himself in sixth-place at the checkers. Medaglia’s 2-6 was good enough for third overall.

RXC: Jeremy, take us through both of your motos from Edmonton.
Jeremy Medaglia: I got a good start in the first moto; I think came out in second—it wasn’t a clean second—behind [Aron] Harvey. My gate pick was a little worse than normal so I when came around the first corner, I was outside too much and got passed by some people. I think I was in seventh or eighth and caught up to second. It was a really good moto. In the second moto, I had a great jump but then I got together with [Teddy] Maier and he came out on top of that. I tried sneaking in on the inside of everyone but slid out and went back to 18th or 20th, but I caught up to sixth behind [Eric] Nye and just didn’t have enough time to pass him.

What’s your take on the new national in Edmonton?
I think it’s great! They did a really good job prepping it and getting it ready. I think it surprised a lot of people and it’s a good track to stay on the circuit, for sure.

This is year is your first racing the entire national series, Jeremy. What are your thoughts on the entire Western swing?
I think they’re great! Obviously, Nanaimo was a little dusty but Morden and Regina … I don’t know, it’s a different type of riding style. You have to change it up a little bit on hard pack, but that’s just the way motocross is—you have to be able to adapt to different conditions.

You have to be looking forward to heading back East to Moncton, Sand Del Lee, and Walton, three tracks that you’ve ridden before.
I can’t wait to go back home. I love those tracks and I want a win soon. I have a couple of seconds so there’s only place to go up.

I always like to hear feedback from your dad, Derek. What was he saying after Edmonton?
He was happy. It was a good day. In the first moto, he was happy with the charge, and, in the second, he was really happy because I never stopped pushing from the start to the last lap. He wants me to win just as bad as I do, so hopefully I can do it for everyone, the team, Suzuki/OTSFF/Rockstar, and get everyone a little more happy.

I think Derek was still pumped from the week he spent in Kamloops. He never stopped!
Oh, yeah [laughs]! He was telling me stories of him jet skiing, motor boating, and he was riding a super moto bike so he was having fun.

Andre Laurin said he was even dragging his hand across the pavement on a GSXR!
[Laughs] I’m sure he was; he loves that stuff.

Medaglia is looking forward to the final three rounds in the east, especially his hometown national at Sand Del Lee.

Your brother, Tyler, is obviously focused on racing, but he has other interests like music and Trailer Park Boys. Do you have any other interests at the moment?
Honestly, not much. I just practice everyday and train and stuff. Tyler is a completely different person. Obviously, he likes Trailer Park Boys and he’s constantly laughing but he does get serious when he’s racing. I’m pretty serious when it comes to everything. With riding, I have fun doing it so that’s pretty much all I do.

Now that you have a factory ride and you’re up on the box, you must have girls throwing themselves at you [laughs].
[Laughs] I wouldn’t say that, but I’m talking to a couple. I’m not going to go crazy and get a girlfriend right away just because of that. I’m not in a rush to get a girlfriend that’s for sure.

Nope, lots of time for that. See you in Moncton, Jeremy.
Yep, for sure.