Story and Photos By: Suzanne Howie
The eastern rounds of the Royal Distributing/World Enduro Canada Canadian Enduro Championship, presented by Parts Canada, are just around the corner. Off road racing is a rough sport, with riders getting injured and plans changing almost every weekend, so to keep up to date on what’s going on, here’s a quick list of who’s coming east, who’s on the injured list and who’s made some changes.
Bobby Prochnau, #7
“Of course I’m hoping to continue the sweep,” the orange rider said with a laugh. “Who doesn’t want to win? Isn’t that the point of racing?” Very good point, Bobby!
Jason Schrage, #1
“I was hoping to get some points when we come east, but that might have to wait for now.” During the media ride before the Xtinction race in Alberta, Schrage had a small fall that ended up breaking his left wrist. “The doctors aren’t sure if I’m going to need surgery yet; I go back on Friday (Aug 12, 2011) to decide.” The hopes are high that Jason is back and fit in three weeks, in time to get back on the bike for Labelle and MotoPark.
Update: No surgery require; Schrage was happy to let us know that he will be back on the bike in three weeks.
Geoff Nelson, #84
“I’m looking forward to coming east,” he said. “I’m getting married in just about a week, so it’ll be my first trip with my soon to be wife, Madelynn, as husband and wife. I tried to talk her into it being our honey moon, but she didn’t like the idea.”
Ben Rego, #77
“I’m really looking forward to going east, I had a lot of fun last year,” said the top placing Husaberg rider. “Shane’s been teaching me some stuff, and same with Fry; they’re both very smooth riders. Hopefully I’ll have something for Wojo and Guy on the motocross track, but I don’t know,” he concludes with a signature laugh, contagious as it is genuine.
Shane Cuthbertson, #20
“I’ve spent years racing,” said Moose. “I want to spend some time with my family, enjoying the summer and being with my kids and wife.” That said, he has taken teammate Ben Rego under his wing and taught him to mix some fineness into his aggressive style of riding. “Perhaps I shouldn’t have taught him everything I know; he’s starting to beat me now!”
Brian Wojnarowski, #2
“I’ve got to give it to the guys out there, it’s a totally different thing to come from what we ride here in Ontario to what they’re riding,” he said. “And I think that people who aren’t exposed to that type of riding, mountain type riding, are forever going to be at a disadvantage. That said, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with difficult courses or tests; it’s supposed to be a national, that’s the whole point.”
Ryan Graffunder, #44
Seated second in the E3 class, Graffunder also has Chris Van Hove to worry about, the Ontario transplant who’s been consistently improving on his Pacific GasGas 300. “Yeah, I’m glad that the E3 class is getting bigger,” said Graff. “Though, I was kind of excited to ride the 449, I’m still super happy with my bike. It’s pretty solid, all things considered.”
Jack Sawatzky, #17
In July Sawatzky showed an interest in coming east, provided it was in the cards. "I'd love to get a chance to ride out there. We'll have to see," said the typically easy going Albertan rider.
Chris Van Hove, #21
Van Hove was yet another rider who experienced the painful side of Xtinction. “Yeah, I might have hurt my knee, but I don’t think it’s anything serious,” Chris said on Sunday after the qualifier. “I’m sure I’ll be ready to race in September, though.”
Guy Giroux, #801
Giroux’s infamous “slippery roots,” and the soft beach sand of Parry Sound worked in his favour, with both Giroux and Wojo stepping up on the box, finishing first and second respectively at Round 5 in 2010. “I am definitely hoping to put some good times in; Phil (Chaine) beat me out west a couple times. I can’t let that happen at home,” the boisterous Quebecois says with a laugh.
Now there will be some trouble makers, riders like Nick Graffunder, Philippe Chaine and Tyler Murray who are expected to throw down some good laps in the E1 championship, and last year’s top rookie, on the Machine Racing Yamaha, Adam “Cheese Burger” Millson has been confirmed for the eastern rounds.
