PulpMX Canadian Nationals Photo Report – Drumheller
Photos and Captions by James Lissimore
After an exciting opening round the weekend before, in Kamloops, the Jetwerx Canadian MX Tour made its way to the prairies for Round 2 of the series, at an all new track for the Nationals – The D.O.R.V.A MX track in Drumheller, Alberta.
The Drumheller town is known for its world famous Dinosaur museum, and dinosaur’s were definitely the theme of the weekend.
Dinosaurs are everywhere in town.
It’s not a trip to Drumheller without some dinosaur swag.
As a first time National, there was definitely a learning curve for the DORVA crew. Track conditions were challenging, with little prep and an extremely hard packed surface. With the pits a kilometre from the track, it was a tough day, especially with the three moto format and the amount of back and forth, but everyone soldiered through.
There’s dinosaurs in those hills.
Not the kind of vegetation you usually see at a Canadian race.
After taking both wins at the opener, the GDR Honda team went into Drumheller sporting both red plates.
A pair of KTM’s lead the way to start the 250 moto.
The points leader going into round 2, Ryder McNabb was a bit under the weather and struggled in the 3 sprint moto format. He ended the day 4-3-4 for 4th overall.
PRMX’s Julien Benek had a bad first moto, with an 11th but came back to go 5 and 6 in the last 2 motos to grab 7th overall.
Manluk Racing’s Quinn Amyotte has been good to start the 250 class this season, and had another strong race at Drumheller with 6-7-7 for 5th overall.
Expected to be a title contender this season, so far MX101 Yamaha’s Marco Cannella has been off the pace. 10-6-5 for 6th.
Great starts and sprint speed allowed Red Bull Thor KTM’s Sebastien Racine to build on his moto podium last week with his first overall podium at Drumheller. 3-4-3 for 3rd.
Through all three motos, Jacob Piccolo(1) and Mitchell Harrison(229) were rarely farther apart than this.
Harrison edged Piccolo in the first two motos, before Piccolo finally got the win in moto 3, with Harrison taking the overall but Piccolo moving into the points lead for round three.
250 Podium: Mitchell Harrison(1st), Jaccob Piccolo(2nd) and Sebastien Racine(3rd).
Victory for Mitchell Harrison.
Tyler Medaglia appears to be shot out of a cannon for the start of the 450 moto.
Rough day for Red Bull Thor KTM’s Jess Pettis as he didn’t make it past the first lap of the opening moto before crashing and breaking his arm.
Another strong race for Michigan native and GasGas TLD SSR fill-in rider, Chris Blackmer, who grabbed a top 5 with 5-5-6 finishes.
He skipped round one to try his hand at the first two rounds of the AMA National series, but Alberta native( who’s sponsored by the DORVA track), Keylan Meston was quick on his home track. A consistent 4-4-4 for 4th overall.
Tough break for Mexico’s Felix Lopez, who’s bike wouldn’t start for the start of moto one but came back to get 7th and 5th in the final two motos, for 9th overall.
After dislocating his shoulder at the opening round, it was quite remarkable to see MX101 Yamaha’s Shawn Maffenbeier bounce back to land on the podium for round 2, with 3-3-2 finishes for 3rd.
The crafty veteran, Tyler Medaglia, grabbed great starts and another second place finish, with 2-2-3 scores.
Tanner Ward is still finding his way in his rookie 450 season and finished 7th overall.
Westen Wrozyna joined his teammate, Maffenbeier, in the top 10 with 6th overall.
It’s really just Dylan Wright’s world and we’re all living in it. He made quick work of the 450 class in all three motos and rode away to take a dominant win.
The defending champion is undefeated so far and it doesn’t look like anyone is particularly close to changing that.
The 450 podium: Dylan Wright(1st), Tyler Medaglia(2nd), Shawn Maffenbeier(3rd)
