PulpMX Photo Report – Walton Canadian National Finale
We are the champions!…..
Photos and Captions by James Lissimore
Walton. The final round. Sunday marked the final round of the 2025 Jetwerx Triple Crown Canadian motocross series, as the series made its way to Walton Raceway, in Walton, Ontario. The home of the TransCan – Canada’s version of Loretta Lynn’s, Walton marks a week long celebration of all things motocross, culminating with Sunday’s Pro National, and the awarding of the King of Walton sword to the 450 winner. With PulpMX’s own Phil Nicoletti coming into the race with an 11 point lead, it looked good for the WLTN Kawasaki team to nab their first ever championship at their own race track. In the end, Phil would do what he needed to sew up the title, adding “Canadian Champion” to his resume when all was said and done.
Let’s take a look at the day that was Walton…
Walton Raceway. The traditional end point of the Canadian National seriesPhil had the red plate going into the final round at his team’s home track.With Preston Kilroy wrapping up the title a round early, at Deschambault, and Kaven Benoit not racing, he was allowed to run the #1 at the final round.Quinn Amyotte came into the final round third in the 450 championship, but would fall to fourth after Pettis’ clean sweep on the day. Still a great 450 debut for the KTM privateer.After missing the previous three rounds, 2-time 250 champion, Ryder McNabb was back for the final round, but things didn’t go much better for him. A crash in moto one knocked him out for the day.6-time Canadian champion, Colton Facciotti, got everyone talking when he lined up for the morning’s practice session. Many were wondering if this was a ploy to try to get in between his fellow PriorityMX teammate, Tanner Ward, and Nicoletti, but in the end it was for naught, as he logged the 10th quickest time but elected not to race the motos.The coveted Walton sword has long been handed out to the winner of the 450 class at the final round, but starting last year, the other two podium finishers received shields to go with the sword.The 250 class blasts off.McNabb briefly ran near the front until crashing out for the day.After a season full of mechanical troubles, New Zealand’s Dylan Walsh finished off his season with a fourth place overall.Noah Viney matched his best finish of the season with a fifth place overall.ClubMX Yamaha’s Ryder Malinoski finished his season off on a high point, grabbing his first overall podium with third overall.Max Sanford was back for another Canadian National. The Maryland native finished 11-7 for 8th overall.Massachusetts’ Kyle Murdoch rounded out the top 10 with 10th overall.With the pressure off, Kilroy went 1-2 for 2nd overall.Walton had some crazy moto scores, allowing Clayton Schmucki to turn 9-8 moto finishes into 6th overall.It was an up and down day for Sebastien Racine, who’s bike died on the start of moto one and wouldn’t re-fire, but he came back in moto two to grab 4th place.Red Bull KTM’s Dylan Rempel kept his impressive season going with a win in moto two to take the final 250 overall win of the 2025 season.Minnesota’s Malinoski raced the SMX Next race at Ironman on Friday and then grabbed his first Canadian podium on Sunday.Walton 250 podium – 1st Dylan Rempel, 2nd Preston Kilroy, 3rd Ryder Malinoski250 Series Overall Podium – 1st Preston Kilroy, 2nd Dylan Rempel, 3rd Sebastien RacineThe 450 class grabs their final start of the 2025 season.Phil with the holeshot in moto one.Tanner Ward was on the gas and made the pass on Phil early in moto one. Phil knew that as long as he stayed behind him, Ward couldn’t make up enough points.Maryland’s Gage Stine made the trip up to Walton and wound up with 7th overall on the day.Walton was about as far of a track surface as possible for a sand specialist like Lars VanBerkel to be comfortable on. The Dutch racer ended his season with an 8th overall.Dylan Wright was back for the final round and immediately fastest by a solid margin in qualifying. What looked like a sure win and a 20 second lead in moto one went up in smoke as the GDR Honda rider again had fuel issues. In the second moto, he again grabbed the lead and made a pit stop, only to have the bike quit again on him. All in all, a horrible season for the multi-time champion.The eldest of the Broughs, Riley Brough raced Walton, finishing 14-17 for 17th overall.Little brother Gavin, had a breakout ride at Walton, grabbing his first Canadian National podium with 5-3 moto finishes.Minnesota’s Josh Boaz finished one spot behind Brough with a fourth overall.Pettis made it a clean sweep on the day. The MX101 Yamaha racer won every race he finished this season except for the opener where he tied for the overall. The defending champ will definitely be left wondering what could have been.Phil Nicoletti. From retirement parties to National champion.The Brough bros celebrate Gavin’s podium.PulpMX’s own 450 MX ChampChampionPhil’s fans were out in force.Walton’s 450 podium: 1st – Jess Pettis, 2nd Phil Nicoletti, 3rd Gavin Brough450 series podium: 1st – Phil Nicoletti, 2nd Tanner Ward, 3rd Jess PettisCan’t help but be happy for the WLTN Kawasaki team. Some of the best people in the sport.I know Phil hated it, but we had to do the obligatory Champions photo.
