I’m happy to hear any feedback, positive or negative, so fire me an email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and let me know who do you think belongs on this list?
Without further ado, here we go.
#10: Ryan Lockhart:
Let’s start this list off with Ryan Lockhart. The 27 year old rider from Springhill, Nova Scotia is known as a pleasure to be around in the pits, always ready to share a laugh, tell a story and quick with a joke. The Newf has had a long career including stints in the MX1 and MX2, as well as successful endeavours into the Canadian Arenacross scene.
#9: Marco Dube
Marco Dube has been a presence in the Canadian MX scene for well over a decade. A former Canadian champ, Dube is no stranger to injuries. Back, shoulders, knees; Dube has suffered some substantial injuries in his long career. Currently the Canadian distributor for Forma Boots, Dube has raced off road, endurox and moto, putting himself on the short list of incredibly talented riders who have proved they can ride pretty much anything.
Because he has taken up every challenge put in front of him, Dube has earned himself the #9 spot on our list.
#8: Dusty Klatt:
Most people go out east and come back with a T-Shirt, but our #9 rider just bought a sleeve. Dusty Klatt, former national champion and current #2 ranked MX1 rider, is a force to be reckoned with on the track. Klatt is known for his smooth style and his constant presence on the podium, and for his love of the brachycephalic (smooshy faced) dogs (pugs).
Klatt has been part of a one/two punch many times. First as the runner up to JSR, then as the #1 rider with JSR taking #2, and most recently as the #2 to KTM teammate Colton Facciotti’s #1. For that, Klatt has earned himself the #8 spot on our list.
#7: Guy Giroux
He was the original “Top Pimp;” a rock star personality before it was cool. He has raced multiple International Six Days Enduro races; he consistently dominates in the Eastern CEC races and at home in the CMRC Cross Country series. In the last 2 years Guy has raced all three Enduro Classes at the CECs, from riding an E1 sized 250f to a big E3 300cc.
Giroux has proven himself a mentor to the injured Husky rider Philippe Chaine and A rider Sam Rousseau. “I think it’s important to teach the next generation that it is not enough to look to be the best in Canada,” said Giroux about his mentoring. “There is no reason why we can’t aim to be the best in the world.”
For setting his sights on the next generation and encouraging them to set their sights high, as well as his considerable contributions to the Canadian and Quebecois off road scenes, G-Rox is #7 on our list.
#6: Doug DeHaan
Our #6 rider turned Pro in 1992, and since 1999 has over raced 150 events, and as of 2007 his average finish was 14th, according to his personal website. Doug DeHaan has had a very long, distinguished career racing in Canada and the US. With seven AMA National numbers (the lowest of which was 74), DeHaan was arguably more successful south of the border than he was at home. He even had a few top 10 finishes in the 125 class.
For proudly representing the Maple Leaf and the True North, Strong and Free, around the world DeHaan is our #6 rider.
#5: Shane Cuthbertson
Moose is a bit of a movie star, having been featured in several Throttle films productions including their Erzberg films. I can still remember seeing footage from the 2008 film for the first time where two KTMs, riders wearing red and white ISDE type helmets (plain white with red maple leafs) helping each other through a particularly gnarly uphill. Turns out they were Shane “Moose” Cuthbertson and Marty “the Party” Halmazna. Cuthbertson has also had the honour of finishing in the top five at one of these events; an incredible feat.
Currently he is the elder team member on the Husaberg/Corner Grass Race Team, mentoring BC’s tough guy Ben Rego, Alberta’s next big thing Cole Dobovich and the fastest kid who can’t drink in Ontario yet Jessie Grummett.
For these reasons Moose breaks the top five with #5 on our list.
#4: Colton Facciotti
I think it is safe to say that in Canada, right now, no one compares to Colton. He is on an entirely different level than the rest of the Canadian motocross riders. Every year there are whispers “Colton’s going down south.” “Facciotti signed with a factory US team.” He’s tested the southern waters and done well, taking fifth place finish at Southwick. The KTM rider will be contending his #1 plate against teammate Dusty Klatt and a host of other would be usurpers.
In a few years Facciotti might earn himself the title of the Greatest Canadian Rider of All Time, but for now he remains the #4 rider on our list.
#3: Blair Morgan
No list would be complete without Superman. In 2008 a crash at the Montreal Supercross ended a very long, incredibly distinguished career for Blair Morgan, known as one of the nicest guys to ever throw a leg over a bike. It doesn’t seem like a bad story exists about him; I’ve tried to find one, I can’t! He’s just that nice! He also kicked some serious butt on a bike and on a sled. He won five straight Winter X Games gold medals in SnoCross! Before JSR started ripping it up, Blair was the man to beat; national champ from 1997 to 1998.
For keeping his head high, and always being the image of professionalism in the pits, Blair Morgan is still an inspiration to the younger generation, and our #3 most influencial male rider.
#2: Darcy Lange
Lange was another rider whose success south of the border trumps his achievements at home. The multi time AMA Arenacross champion even got a ride on the Pro Circuit Kawasaki team in 2007 to run the Lites class in the east. Ultimately he lost to Ben Towley, but only by a very small margin. At home, however, and on big bikes, Lange seemed unable to string together a championship.
Lange only has one AMA number to his name, less than many of the others who have raced AMA moto or supercross, but his Arenacross championships are enough to put Lange in the runner-up position (again).
#1: Jean Sebastien Roy
He’s the King; ‘nuff said!
