The year started off at the Wastelands MX Park in Nanaimo, BC; riders were treated to beautiful scenery and weather that was, well... It’s Canada, early June, some riders were probably just happy there was no snow.
Facciotti was looking to continue the dominance he had shown in years past and bring KTM their first Canadian #1 plate, but going into the first round Goerke had different plans. Goerke went 1-1, forcing the favourite and 2011 champion to settle for 2-2. Kiniry went 3-3 and his blue bike compatriot, Yamaha/Machine Racing’s Kyle Keast, went 4-4. The double finish streak was broke by Tyler Medaglia, who went 7-5 in his first Pro MX1 event.
Round 2 moved the series from Nanaimo, BC to Kamloops and the Whispering Pines Raceway. Goerke’s Kawi seemed unstoppable, with another 1-1 to his name. Tyler Medaglia ended up second overall after going 2-3. Bobby Kiniry was the lone blue representative in third with a 3-4, while the “one to watch” from the US, Tyler Villopoto, rode his Kawi to a 6-5 finish for fourth overall. Dusty Klatt proved that he still has it, finishing 5-6 for fifth overall.
It wasn’t all blue skies and sunshine, however, as Yamaha/Machine Racing’s Kyle Keast went down in Moto 2 after finishing 4th, again, in Moto 1. The Bulldozer went down with a broken leg and the heavy favourite from the East, and MXdN front runner, was out. As of now, Keast is still out due to his injury but has signed on to the be the alternate for the MXdN effort in Lommel this year, proving once again Keast is a one tough rider.
Going into the third round at Wildrose MX Park in Calgary, Alberta, it looked like Goerke was just walking away with it. He had 100 points, four moto wins and a perfect record. Someone had to stop him, and the job fell to fellow ex-pat American Bobby Kiniry. Both Goerke and Kiniry had spent their off season riding the SX series in the US, and it seems the experience has certainly worked in their favour. At Wildrose Goerke won the first moto, but finished second in moto 2, and we all know a 2-1 beats a 1-2. Georke was forced off the top of the podium for the first time this season by Kiniry whose 2-1 gave him the win in front of Goerke. Colton Faccitti made it clear he was still there, going 3-3 for a solid 3rd overall in front of former teammate Tyler Medaglia (4-5) and current teammate Dusty Klatt (6-4).
Castrol Raceway in Edmonton was next, and you can bet your bar pad Kiniry was looking to build on his momentum and get another win away from Goerke; the extra points would go a long way towards narrowing the points gap. True as blue is, green was too mean and Goerke took another 1-1, putting Kiniry in the second spot, with a solid 2-2 finish. Facciotti was back on the podium going 3-4 for third, forcing Tyler Medaglia down into fourth with a 5-3 finish. Morgan Burger broke into the top five aboard his Grizzly Motorsports Kawasaki, going 9-5 which was good enough for a fifth overall.
The Eastern swing began with Gopher Dunes, in Courtland, Ontario. What can we say about the ‘Dune? Well, it’s sandy, let’s start there. I mean, really sandy. And it was hot; we’re talking 28 Celsius plus humidity kind of hot. The Dunes, if you’ve never been, is pretty much an open field, so bring your own shade.
Georke continued to dominate with another 1-1. Kiniry went 2-3 with Medaglia snagging another podium finish going 4-2 for third in front of both former teammates, Klatt in fourth (with a 6-4) and Facciotti in fifth (with a 5-6).
After 5 rounds, Goerke has a commanding 36 point lead over Kiniry and has only failed to win one moto. Tyler Medaglia is making a pretty solid statement in the MX1 class, proving that the extra year in MX2 was worth it. He’s proven himself a consistent competitor having finished fifth or better at every round. Facciotti has perhaps fallen off the pace a bit. After so many years on top, it can’t help but be asked if he was a little too comfortable in his domination in Canada, a little too sure of himself coming into the series in June. Dusty Klatt is another rider that’s had the top spot and has slipped a bit, but as a new father it’s understandable. Klatt has also shown an incredible resiliency; he’s had off years, then bounced back to be at or near the top the next season.
To have a rider like Kyle Keast, who was the 2010 and 2011 #4 finisher, out with an injury is like removing a key player; an important piece in the chess game, but in motocross injuries happen. He’s taking it in stride, even helping racer turned mechanic turned racer get back into the swing of things as his mechanic, Ryan Lockhart, swings his leg over big blue for the eastern rounds.
Goerke’s in the lead, but this is motocross, and with four rounds left, anything can happen. The series continues July 22, in Ste Julie, Quebec, then stops in Rigerglade (August 5) before coming back west to Sand Del Lee (August 12) before finishing at Walton (August 19).
