AUGUST 10, 2008
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Though the day began with perfect sunny skies, by the afternoon the rains had rolled in again. Looks like we're in for a mudder this weekend. |
By James Lissimore
Well, it's hard to believe but we're down to the last two rounds of the Monster Energy CMRC Motocross Nationals. This weekend we're at the Sand Del Lee track in Munster, Ontario and, as usual, Kevin Tyler and the guys at MX101 had the track prepped to perfection for the weekend. Unfortunately for them, Mother Nature hasn't exactly been kind to them and graced the track with a lot of rain, turning it into a deep muddy mess. Still, they whipped out the dozers and scraped off as much as they could and got the track in pretty good shape for practice. Just when things were starting to look predictable in the MX1 class, an off weekend for the AMA Motocross series has provided some extra excitement as KTM Factory rider Nick Wey and two-time Canadian MX2 East Champ Michael Willard are both here this weekend to mix it up with Facciotti, Klatt, Medaglia and the rest of the MX1 contenders. With the muddy conditions, not everyone elected to ride but here's a few photos of some of the guys who did...
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Though not every one elected to ride the MX2 practice today, our RXC/Ignition Racing Factory Rider for a Day from Sand Del Lee last season, Kaven Benoit, logged the fastest lap of the session. Still an impressive feat when you consider he bested hometown favorite Jeremy Medaglia who many are picking for the win this weekend. |
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Marc-Antoine Genereux is one of the most exciting riders to watch with his wide open, go for broke style. He put it to good use today with the second quickest MX2 practice time. |
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MX101's Kevin Tyler got off the tractor long enough to bust out his trusty YZ144 two stroke and the helmet cam to boot. Tyler's definitely a master multi-tasker. |
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Suzuki/Rockstar/OTSFF Suzuki's Jeremy Medaglia has had this round penciled in on his calendar all season. The hometown boy is determined to get his first win this weekend and he'll be leaving nothing on the table in his quest to pull it off. |
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Though he's a western boy, Monster Energy/Leading Edge Kawasaki's Brock Hoyer is not a stranger to the Sand Del Lee track, having raced a Yamaha 450 for Morgan Racing in 2006. Hoyer put his experience to good use with the 7th quickest time in MX2. |
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It's true folks, Nick Wey is here this weekend and looking good. Since he didn't run his transponder we have no idea what his lap times were but they would have definitely been right near the top. Tomorrow should make for a great day of racing with the addition of the big 27. |
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Tyler Medaglia is hoping to get his second win of the series in front of his hometown crowd. The Suzuki rider was quickest in MX1 and definitely showed he's put in a few laps around this track in his career. |
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Two time Canadian MX2 East Champion, Michael Willard also took advantage of the break in the AMA series to make a return to the North, this time riding a Yamaha 450 instead of the KTM 250F's that made his career up here. Willard was 5th quickest in MX1. |
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The man to beat, Colton Facciotti, is closing in on his first MX1 Championship. It will be interesting to see whether the Yamaha pilot will go for the win tomorrow or play things safe for the championship. No matter what, anyone who is at Sand Del Lee tomorrow will be treated to a great day of racing. If you're anywhere near Ottawa make sure you head down to Munster tomorrow and watch what may be some of the greatest racing of the series. See you at the races! |
