Written by Kevin Levick
The first round of the 2011 CMRC Monster Energy Motocross Nationals kicked off this weekend at Whispering Pines Raceway in Kamloops, British Columbia. Both the pro MX2 and MX1 classes featured a healthy mix of returning racers and new blood coming up from the USA, determined to try and make an impact in the Canadian series.
In the MX2 class, defending series champ, Tyler Medaglia, was able to take his Blackfoot Red Bull Yamaha YZ250F to the overall win–starting off his title defense on the right foot. He had to overcome his fair share of obstacles, though, as a first turn crash in Moto 1 left him in 38th position. While he worked his way through the pack, his younger brother, Jeremy Medaglia, was leading the race on his Royal Distributing KTM. Medaglia was followed by teammate, Kaven Benoit. Monster Energy Leading Edge Kawasaki riders, Spencer Knowles and Austin Politelli ran inside the top 4. With one lap remaining, Tyler Medaglia managed to secure 5th position. Then–with the checkered flag in sight–Knowles tried a last-ditch move on Politelli to move into 3rd. It ended with both riders on the ground and allowed Tyler Medaglia to finish 3rd–an impressive ride to say the least.
In Moto 2, it was Leading Edge Kawasaki riders Spencer Knowles and Tyler Sjoberg out front off the start. First moto winner Jeremy Medaglia was in 3rd, with his brother Tyler in 6th. Sjoberg quickly took the lead, while Tyler Medaglia was charging to the front. Before the halfway point, Tyler had ovetaken Sjoberg for the lead, while Jeremy looked to get around Sjoberg for second. Jeremy Medaglia and Sjoberg engaged in an intense battle, that saw them pass and repass each other multiple times, with Sjoberg eventually holding on to the position. Jeremy would finish 3rd. Austin Politelli finished 4th, and Kaven Benoit rounded out the top 5. Taking the overall win was Tyler Medaglia with a 3-1. His brother, Jeremy, was second with 1-3. Taking third on the day was Tyler Sjoberg with his 4-2.
In MX1, defending champ Blackfoot’s Dusty Klatt grabbed the first holeshot of the season with his teammate Colton Facciotti in tow. Colton quickly made the pass for the lead and began checking out. First year MX1 rider–and last year’s MX2 runner-up–Teddy Maier had his Monster Energy Leading Edge Kawasaki in a solid 3rd place. Bobby Kiniry moved into 4th early on after a 5th place start. As the moto wore on, Facciotti was able to distance himself from Klatt, who was able to do the same to Maier. Kiniry put on a charge to get Maier, but couldn’t get close enough. One of the MX1 title favourites, KTM’s Kyle Keast, found himself outside of the points early on, but was able to get all the way up to 5th by the time the checkered flag flew. Facciotti held on to win the moto, with Klatt 2nd and Maier 3rd.
In Moto 2, Facciotti took an early lead and led wire-to-wire. The real action was for the rest of the positions in the top 5 as Klatt, Maier and Keast all suffered poor starts. Klatt and Keast, in particular, were outside of the top 20. With the track being super-rough by this time, Klatt, Maier and Keast were able to make up large ground on the front-runners. Klatt finished the moto in 3rd followed by Maier and Keast. Facciotti took the overall with 1-1, Klatt 2nd with 2-3 and Kiniry 3rd with 4-2.
Results MX1 ( results pulled from Directmotocross.com )
Finish |
Number | Name | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10 | Colton Facciotti |
50 |
| 2 | 1 | Dusty Klatt |
42 |
| 3 | 3 | Bobby Kiniry |
40 |
| 4 | 12 | Teddy Maier |
38 |
| 5 | 4 | Kyle Keast |
32 |
| 6 | 29 | Brock Hoyer |
29 |
| 7 | 23 | Shawn Maffenbeier |
27 |
| 8 | 62 | Michael Willard |
26 |
| 9 | 9 | Kevin Urquhart |
24 |
| 10 | 17 | Parker Allison |
18 |
| 11 | 16 | Jared Allison |
17 |
| 12 | 101 | Matt Goerke |
12 |
| 13 | 40 | Jay Burke |
10 |
| 14 | 6 | Mason Phillips |
10 |
| 15 | 103 | Cole Siebler |
9 |
| 16 | 49 | Jared Stock |
8 |
| 17 | 88 | Shawn Robinson |
8 |
| 18 | 774 | Robby Marshall | 8 |
| 19 | 31 | Josh Snider |
7 |
| 20 | 284 | Kyle Murphy |
5 |
Results MX2
Finish |
Number | Name | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 11 | Tyler Medaglia |
45 |
| 2 | 14 | Jeremy Medaglia |
45 |
| 3 | 103 | Tyler Sjoberg |
40 |
| 4 | 15 | Kaven Benoit |
38 |
| 5 | 544 | Morgan Burger | 31 |
| 6 | 21 | Spencer Knowles |
29 |
| 7 | 270 | Dylan Schmoke | 26 |
| 8 | 36 | Brad Nauditt |
23 |
| 9 | 907 | Kieran Leigh |
22 |
| 10 | 102 | Austin Politelli |
21 |
| 11 | 45 | Nicky Beatty |
15 |
| 12 | 37 | Kenny Henry | 14 |
| 13 | 64 | Jared Petruska | 13 |
| 14 | 487 | Trevor Mort | 13 |
| 15 | 93 | Donnie Vawser | 12 |
| 16 | 38 | Kevin Lepp |
10 |
| 17 | 54 | Nathan Bles |
9 |
| 18 | 78 | Kat Shipley | 8 |
| 19 | 32 | Kory Snelgrove |
8 |
| 20 | 177 | Kirk Haws |
6 |
