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Kamloops hosts first round of Motocross Nationals

Round 1 of the nine-round 2011 Monster Energy Motocross Nationals is set to kick off on June 5 at Whispering Pines Raceway in Kamloops. The facility, located on native reserve land 25km north of Kamloops along the North Thompson River, has been in operation since 1999 and is one of the premiere motocross tracks in Canada.

“This is the time of the year everyone involved in the sport of professional motocross racing looks forward to, the beginning of a new championship season. We’re happy to announce that as per the past few years, Kamloops will get things underway,” said Mark Stallybrass, president of CMRC, the official sanctioning body of the series.

“We’re also excited to have Nanaimo back on the schedule, which provides us with a more solid presence in British Columbia, and gives local fans on Vancouver Island a chance to see Campbell River’s Dusty Klatt, the reigning champion, in action.”

The multi-time National MX1 and MX2 Champion, Klatt, will find himself facing a host of contenders in defence of his MX1 crown, including his Yamaha Red Bull Blackfoot teammate Colton Facciotti.

Facciotti, defending MX1 Champion in 2010, saw his season cut short last year due to injuries. Although the Aldergrove native is unanimously considered to be Klatt’s main rival, a number of up-and-comers and veterans with something left to prove, Canadians as well as Americans, New Zealanders, and Europeans, are also in the wings looking to claim the elusive No. 1 plate.

“When you’re the defending champ, you have a bull’s eye on your back. You’re the guy everyone is gunning for and that puts a bit of extra stress on you. The first event of the season always brings a bit of added pressure because there are usually new riders in the mix, and everybody is out to score not only racing points but important psychological points. Although one race doesn’t make a season, in many cases the first round gives you a fair idea what you’re in for,” said Klatt.

In the MX2 title hunt, Ottawa, Ontario’s Tyler Medaglia, also riding for Calgary based Yamaha Red Bull Blackfoot – the winningest team in Canadian motocross history – will be the man to beat. Like Klatt in the MX1 class, Medaglia will be up against the usual suspects, which include riders from Canada and abroad, not to mention his younger brother Jeremy Medaglia.

British Columbia, which has produced a number of top-flight motocross riders and national champions over the years, will be well represented on the circuit again this season. In addition to Klatt and Facciotti, mainland B.C. natives Broc Hoyer, Dylan Coombs, and Kohl Canaday, and Vancouver Islanders Nick Syrotuck, Derek Thompson, and Bryce Aspell will be on hand to campaign either the MX1 or MX2 series.

Round 2 of the Monster Energy Motocross Nationals takes place in Nanaimo on June 12, one week after the Kamloops event. The western leg of the tour then travels to Calgary, Alberta and Morden, Manitoba, before heading east for the remaining five rounds.