chad reed crash: Nanaimo Photo Report

Monday, June 13, 2011

Nanaimo Photo Report

By Kyle Carruthers and James Lissimore

Photos by James Lissimore

� Everything was the same and everything was different all at the same time this weekend as the second round of the 2011 Canadian motocross season returned to Vancouver Island’s Wastelands MX track near Nanaimo. The formerly maligned facility that was last visted in 2008 had undergone a complete transformation and the Nanaimo Motocross Association had the track and facility in tip top condition for the weekend’s racing. Everyone who came out was treated to a great day of racing with some epic battles in both classes.

In the end though it would end up being more of the same as last weekend’s winners, Tyler Medaglia and Colton Facciotti topped their respective classes for the second straight weekend with the same moto scores(well, Tyler’s score would change but we’ll get to that in a minute). We’re only to two rounds into the series but it already looks like the Blackfoot jugernaut is gaining speed so anyone looking to step up and take a title from them is going to have to get in the mix and take a win next weekend at their hometown race at Calgary before the momentum can get rolling too hard.

Here’s a few photos from yesterday’s action at Nanaimo…

The track prep was great and the dirt held moisture all day!

They had an awesome dunlop bridge that made for a great spectating point.

Jeremy Medaglia does his best rockstar impression.

Kevin Urquhart went to great lengths with his jersey numbering to make sure he would not get disqualified this weekend!

Brock Hoyer put in a solid day. He holeshot the first moto but went down and had to charge back to 11th and then crashed in the first turn of the second moto and came from last all the way back to 9th for 10th overall.

“Nauditt the Rocket” blasted off to take the first moto holeshot of the day. He went 7th overall for what he calls a good weekend.

Spencer Knowles was ready for battle as soon as the gate dropped at the Wastelands. He chased Benoit around in the lead in moto one. He ended up 4th overall on the day.

Kaven Benoit has more then earned his ride on the KTM squad as he took the moto one win and second overall.

Tyler Sjoberg chased Benoit down in moto one but was unable to make the pass.

Denaye Giroux took the overall win in the Ladies class with a clean sweep. She holds an 8 point lead over Sydney Dickson with one round remaining.

Mason Phillips had a great day and was able to pass Kyle Keast for 4th in moto two. He ended up 4th overall on the day and showed people how well the 350SX-F works in the tight conditions.

Dusty Klatt and Colton Facciotti had a great battle in both motos. Colt came out stronger on the day to take both moto wins and the overall.

Jared Allison got a great start in moto two. After battling with the heavy hitters all day he finished 7th overall. Look for Jared to get stronger as the series progresses.

Keast charged hard through the pack both motos. Once he gets his starts dialed in he will be a podium threat. He finished 5th overall on the day.

Austin Politelli showed us his speed as he battled with Tyler Medaglia in moto two. He took 3rd overall on the day.

Tyler Medaglia was a man on a mission in Nanaimo. He is handling the target on his back well and still looks to be the title favourite.

Jeremy Medaglia was on it all day. He was running down his brother in moto two before he had a mechanical that put him out of the race. He walked off the track like a champ!

Topher Ingalls recovered from his terrible opening round to finish 6th overall in MX2.

Tyler Sjoberg was on the gas all day and was arguably the fastest guy. He came through the pack to almost pass Benoit on the last lap for the win in moto one but was docked ten positions for jumping on a medic flag.