American Rider Matt Goerke to defend his MX1 Crown at the Monster Energy Supermotocross
Matt Goerke will return to the Monster Energy Supermotocross, presented by Parts Canada/Thor, on Saturday, September 29 to defend the motocross 450 cc (MX1) title he captured last year at the Olympic Stadium ahead of Canadian Cole Thompson, and fellow Americans Robbie Marshall, Teddy Maier and Canadian Dusty Klatt.
Following his big win in Montreal, the rider from Lake Helen, Florida went on to win the 2012 CMRC MX1 Canadian Championship trashing the competition with 16 wins in 18 starts spread over nine weekends. At the Olympic Stadium, Goerke should be partnered with Teddy Maier of Fort Dodge, Iowa. Maier, who won the 2012 CMRC Canadian 250 cc (MX2) title, is not eligible to compete in the MX2 class in Montréal as the race is restricted to Canadian riders. Nevertheless, the Iowan, who stepped down from MX1 to MX2 in 2012 to eventually give Kawasaki its first-ever sweep of the Canadian championships, is quite able to upset the apple cart as he finished second in the Montreal MX1 race in 2010 and fourth last year. The other strong contender from south of the border is Bobby Kiniry who finished second in this year’s MX1 point standings. The Holland Patent, New York rider won only one race but finished on the podium in each of the nine-weekend schedule.
There are a couple of Canadians that can put a stop to Goerke’s stellar season. Top of the short list are Dusty Klatt from Campbell River, BC and Tyler Medaglia of Kemptville, Ontario. The 27-year old Klatt, who clinched CMRC MX1 titles in 2009 and 2010 and was second in last year’s title chase, had a difficult start of the 2012 season. Things returned to normal for the KTM rider in round six in St. Julie, QC where he won his first of the season. He followed suit with seven consecutive podiums in the last four races of the schedule to capture third place overall in the final standings. At the Big O, fans will see a Dusty Klatt ready to meet the American armada. As for Medaglia, his season was the reverse of Klatt. He started the season strong, holding third place in the standings after five races, but was injured in the following round in St. Julie and never returned to the series. He returns to competition at the Monster Energy after a full recovery.
“Matt Goerke will be the driver to beat in Montreal,” says former Canadian Motocross Champion Jean-Sébastien Roy, who is now the technical director of the event. “He is super motivated this year, much more than last year. This summer, he was able to stay out of harms way, and this should worry his opponents. He spent the winter competing in the American Supercross Series and returned to Canada where he swept the CMRC National Championship. The Canadian to watch will be Dusty Klatt. Last year at the Supermotocross, he was leading the pack up to mid-race, and then started to fade away. I think he learned a valuable lesson. You have to be in top shape here if you’re looking to win here.”
Fans attending the event will be treated to a full night of competition that will include the International ATV Race that will feature class champions Richard Pelchat, Chad Wienen, John Natalie and Josh Creamer; the North-American Side-by-Side Finale with Patrick Carpentier making his series debut; and the CF Moto Celebrity Race. Furthermore, the organizers have invited some of the world top motocross freestylers including Nate Adams, Adam Jones and Quebec’s Ben Milot to compete in the primetime Freestyle contest. In the Canadian riders only MX2 class competition, all eyes will be on Tim Tremblay, Kaven Benoît and Jeremy Medaglia, who should provide most of the action. To top it off this year, there will be the Monster Energy Super Finale where the top finishers in the MX2 finale will face the best of the MX1 riders in a winner takes all race.
Tickets for the 35th running of the Montreal Monster Energy Supermotocross, presented by Parts Canada/Thor, on Saturday September 29, 2012 at the Olympic Stadium, are on sale at Admission.com, or by calling 1-855-790-1245. They are also available at participating motorcycle and recreational products retailers across Québec. Locate the dealer nearest you at www.supermotocross.ca and click on “DEALERS’ TICKETS”: Prices range from $15.00, $30.00, and $42.00. Ticket holders will have free access to the Montreal Off-Road Show which opens at 10 a.m. at Olympic Stadium.
source: Max d’Orsonnens