Rockstar Energy OTSFF Yamaha’s Matt Goerke and Brett Metcalfe claimed their second consecutive 1-2 overall finishes in the premier MX1 class this past Sunday at Round 6 of the Rockstar Energy Drink Motocross Nationals. The event was staged on one of the most spectacular all-terrain tracks in Canada in Ulverton, QC under partially sunny skies and temperatures that reached a high of 25°C.
Both defending champion Goerke and Metcalfe were at the top of their game once again sharing one moto win each. As one week earlier in Courtland, ON Goerke nailed the first moto – Metcalfe ran away with the second moto. Goerke booked his second overall win of the season on the strength of 1-2 motos. Metcalfe put the icing on the cake for the team by recording second overall, thanks to 3-1 motos.
In the first MX1 moto, Goerke and Metcalfe got off to fairly good starts, rounding turn one in sixth and fifth place respectively. By the end of lap 3 both riders had advanced two positions and by the halfway point Goerke had installed himself into second place. Metcalfe, who was gunning for third, claimed that position on lap 10.
For the rest of the moto the teammates poured on the gas, looking to connect with frontrunner Davi Millsaps. Lap by lap they advanced on the leader, especially Goerke, who pressured Millsaps into an error towards the end of the moto, taking over the lead with less than four laps remaining. Although Metcalfe was neck-and-neck with Millsaps in the closing laps, the Australian ran out of time to make a definitive pass, settling for third at the checkered flag.
The start of the second moto saw Metcalfe lead the freight train into the first turn with Goerke in his rear wheel. This time out the teammates ran their own race and were never challenged for position. Although Goerke – intent on a clean sweep – stalked Metcalfe early on in the moto, he eventually gave up the chase and decided to settle for second place, which he knew would assure him the overall on the day.
“I felt good out there today and my bike did everything I wanted it to do. I definitely liked the start of the second moto better than the first, and I’m excited to be on the box in first overall for the second weekend in a row. Since the start of the eastern national rounds things have been progressing nicely and hopefully they will continue to do so,” Goerke said.
While Metcalfe put on a clinic on the Motocross Ulverton track – which features many elevation changes and drop-jumps that are not intended for the faint of heart – Goerke maintained a steady pace of his own, keeping third place Kaven Benoit at a safe distance behind him. By the time the checkered flag signalled the end of the race, Goerke had put a 20-second gap on Benoit. Metcalfe, meanwhile, crossed the finish line some 10 seconds ahead of his teammate.
“It was definitely another great weekend for me and the entire team. Things couldn’t have ended any better. If you have to share a moto win with somebody, it’s always nicer to do it with a teammate. And to deliver 1-2 overall finishes back to back is a scenario you can’t improve on,” Metcalfe said.
The Rockstar Energy Drink Motocross Nationals continue on Sunday, July 24th, 2016 at Pleasant Valley Raceway in Truro, Nova Scotia.
MX1 Overall Results: Round 6 – Ulverton, QC
1. Matt Goerke (Yamaha) 1-2
2. Brett Metcalfe (Yamaha) 3-1
3.Kaven Benoit (KTM) 4-3
4. Davi Millsaps (KTM) 2-8
5. Colton Facciotti (Honda) 6-4
6. Mike Alessi (Kawasaki) 5-5
7. Cade Clason (KTM) 7-6
8. Tyler Medaglia (Husqvarna) 8-7
9. Morgan Burger (Yamaha) 10-10
10. Keylan Meston (Yamaha) 9-11
MX1 Points Standing After 6 of 10 Rounds
1. Davi Millsaps 319 pts
2. Matt Goerke 294 (-25)
3. Brett Metcalfe 290 (-29)
4. Mike Alessi 281
5. Colton Facciotti 278
6. Kaven Benoit 255
7. Cade Clason 222
8. Tyler Medaglia 211
9. Morgan Burger 183
10. Keylan Meston 180