2011 Supermotocross Monster Energy

MASTERS OF THE STADIUM

For those who think that we will talk about the Olympics, I can assure you right now, that is not the case. Here we speak of ATV and Side by Side racing. The Montreal Supercross is the biggest and for many riders, the most important race within North America. This event now at its 34th edition, is a unique phenomenon, the best Canadian and international riders go there hoping to win the cup! Since 1977, the year of its creation, more than 1.7 million people have pushed the doors of the stadium to get be part of this huge gathering of racing fans that has always been the Montreal Supercross. It has become a reference in North-American motorsports.

Getting a chance to see all the best riders in America and other continents in the same household (provided the canvas roof of the stadium does not tear by the end of my article!) is a real privilege. Again this year, organizers of this unique event were able to skilfully bring to Montreal some of the most experienced and talented racers in the world. For some, long distances must be travelled, all for that one common goal, victory! For the 2011 edition, the addition of an off-road industry exhibition added even more appeal to this huge happening.

The track was, as usual very technical, with one particular section, that some of the best riders would surely "triple-triple", which almost gave me the shivers just by looking at it before anyone had to conquer it. It was very clear in my head when I arrived, that only the best can pass this section in two spectacular jumps, without getting hurt. During practice, many riders had some problems with it and crashed. Richard Pelchat, our national champion, and Josh Creamer, one of the best riders from the U.S., were both among the pros who had a taste of the harshness of this track, luckily their falls were not serious.

On Saturday afternoon we did meet several racers, including the winner of the 2010 edition, John "Ironman" Natalie, who is a Can-Am sponsored rider. John is a great champion and he is always very generous with his time. On every occasion where we had the opportunity to talk to him, he greeted us with a smile that immediately puts us at ease. I asked John if he liked coming to the Montreal Supercross and if he would repeat his feat of 2010. He explained that there is no event as big as this one in the United States for the quads, and that coming here to race in front of 40 to 50, 000 spectators, is very exciting and gives all of them great exposure. He also mentioned that the track was very technical and that he would be competing against some of the most amazing riders in the world, and that he would do his best to keep his title.

A few minutes later, I met the Desjardins brothers from Ferme-Neuve, near Mont-Laurier, Qc. Quad racing is a passion, which occupies the whole Desjardins family. The two brothers, Bobby and Sony, are as friendly, as they are excellent quad riders. Bobby, the more experienced of the two, will be on the starting line for the final. Sony, although he is also very talented, will not race next to his brother this time around, as he failed to qualify. But who knows, maybe for the 2012 edition, we will see the brothers together on the starting grid. Bobby did not come to this event just for show. Seeing his concentrated eyes through his glasses before each start, proved that he was there to win. Our team will soon be publishing a more complete article on the Desjardins family. We will present the two brothers and their parents, who help and support throughout the year. Maybe Bobby and Sony will reveal a few secrets that could help the young and old to climb to their skill level.

The fight will be between the best Quebecers and Americans, popular riders like John Natalie, Cody Miller, Josh Creamer, Josh Upperman, do not travel all this distance for sightseeing in Montreal. Winning is the only thing on the daily menu for these gladiators. But remember, that Richard Pelchat wants a cut at it too. Richard was never lucky at the Stadium and was still looking for his first victory. In 2010, he came extremely close to realizing this dream, when he finished 2nd behind John Natalie, who remains one of the greatest accomplishments of his racer career, but he wanted the win this time!
Racers are lined up on the starting grid, the tension is palpable. All eyes are on the cute lady with the 30 seconds board already flipped to the 5 seconds side. On a Supercross style track as technical as this one, the slightest mistake can cost you the win. The gate goes down and the sweet explosion of sound takes you by surprise, even if expected. All are fixed on one target, and the colourful, courageous, pilots fly out with the throttle fully pressed on the straight line that funnels tightly into the first turn. This is exactly where everything is done! A pile-up occurs. Those who have been several times at the Montreal Supercross know that it happens as quads cling to the first corner, but this time the quads are on top of each others, one of the wheels stuck in the wheels of others, in short a real mess! Being present on the track in order to take pictures and make videos for you, I am closer to that pile of quads and the entire scene becomes a more serious matter than when I used to be just a spectator. You sort of worry about the guys more and the whole scene just feels way more intense. Suddenly, I spot Richard Pelchat and Bobby Desjardins, two local crowd favourites, out of the fray and already attacking to victory. The seconds pass and Richard doesn’t look back, he is head strong and attacks a string of jumps and turns with an incredible determination and confidence. Bobby also surprises me. He continued unbeaten but unfortunately, his head violently strikes the handlebars upon landing a jump at the end of the race. He admits that he saw some stars for several seconds and still continued on, but had to lower his pace, which cost him what could have been the best result of his career. Even the camera on his helmet was ejected by the force of impact. I guess we will not see the images of his race! (Just kidding, the important thing is that he is not injured)
Number 46 Richard Pelchat, rode that Can-Am/RP Evolution DS 450 X mx to a glorious victory. Finally, he felt that win at his fingertips, and would not let the presence of U.S. masters of quad racing Cody Miller, John Natalie, and Josh Creamer, intimidate him or break his concentration, in just launching and landing every jump perfectly. It was an excellent show of skill on his part, for such a tough venue. They tried to catch him, but Richard’s determination added to his talent, made October 1st 2011, a date forever marked in the memory of all his family members and friends, as well as all of us passionate race fans in Québec. Richard won a well-deserved victory he can truly be proud of. I know we at ATV Trail Rider are. Years of work and effort finally rewarded him and his supporters. Cody Miller finished 2nd and John Natalie was 3rd.
Awesome show guys!

Pro ATV final race results:

Source: CMRC Compétition
Date    Oct 1, 2011 10: AM to 7:00 PM
Track:    Montreal Olympic Stadium
Event    Supermotocross Monster Energy 2011
Group    ATV
Best lap time:    42.929 lap 9 by Josh Creamer

(Tableau Pro ATV final race results_1 en PJ)

For the 34th Edition, the organization decided to include races from coast to coast, and it was quite a show! For the first time in its long history, side by side vehicles were part of the show. Hopes for Quebecers enjoying the show, were in Simon Homans, a veteran motocross racer recognized as one of the best MX racers in the province, but American Mark Holz took the victory almost 20 seconds ahead of 2nd place. Unfortunately, Simon Homans had to abandon, due to mechanical failure. I hope the side by side class will still be there next year, because they were very impressive to watch in racing action, especially since manufacturers such as Polaris and Can-Am have made serious advances in technology and improved the behaviour of these vehicles. Surely, there will be some racing Arctic Cat’s awesome- looking Wildcat 1000i, which should put some life into this promising young form of racing.

Side by Side final race results:

Source: CMRC Compétition
Date:    Oct 1, 2011
Track:    Montreal Olympic Stadium
Event:    Supermotocross Monster Energy 2011

Group:     Side by Side
Best lap time:    29.565 lap 2 by Mark Holz

(Tableau Side by Side final race results_1 en PJ)

For those of you, who have never seen the Montreal Supercross races at least once in your life, cancel any appointments in 2012 for the 35th edition. This event is truly exceptional; you can get there with the family without any problems. My son was there for the first time at age 3. Of course I protect his ears from the noise. You will see racing quads, motocross, freestyle, it is hoped the side by side again, and maybe other new surprises!

Visit the video section of our website at www.atvtrailriderweb.com in coming days; we will soon add a video we made for you. We will see you at the 35th edition of the Montreal Supermotocross!