Round 9 of the Rockstar Energy Drink Motocross Nationals, held at Motocross Deschambault in Deschambault, QC on Sunday, saw Rockstar Energy OTSFF Yamaha’s Matt Goerke hammer down 3-3 MX1 motos to claim third overall on the day while his teammate Tim Tremblay snared sixth overall on the strength of 7-6 results. Despite overcast skies and a chilly high of only 17°C (63°F), a huge crowd ended up flocking to the circuit to take in the spectacular racing produced by both classes.
The staging of the penultimate round of the title chase was in question, however, as heavy rains had pelted the multiple elevation changes, huge jumps and soft, loamy, sand-based soil track in the morning. Fortunately, the rain let up and with some intense work by the Deschambault organization, the muddy quagmire was transformed into a muddy, rideable track. To give the riders a break, both motos for both classes were shortened by five minutes.
While the first MX2 moto was nothing short of a mud race, by the time the first MX1 moto got underway conditions had improved. Both the second MX2 moto and MX1 moto were held on a near-perfect track, producing much faster lap times and more passing opportunities.
The first MX1 moto got underway with Goerke grabbing a fourth place start, which he quickly exchanged for third by the end of lap 1. By lap three, the Panama City, Florida native had installed himself in second place behind leader Colton Facciotti. A fall on lap 8, however, gave way for Christophe Pourcel to stick a pass on Goerke. A quick remount ensured Goerke stayed in the podium mix, but he would have to settle for third at the finish line.
Tremblay managed a top ten start, rounding turn 1 in ninth place. He dropped to tenth for a number of laps but by the halfway mark of the 12-lap race he had clawed his way into eighth, which he parlayed into a seventh place finish in the closing laps.
An on fire Goerke piloted his potent Yamaha YZ450F into the holeshot of moto 2, but first moto winner Facciotti managed to stick a pass on him before the end of the lap. Goerke spent the next 10 laps riding in second place, taking few chances and racing strictly for points to keep him on top of the scoreboard in the title hunt.
Goerke’s archrival in the championship, Pourcel, meanwhile, who had started in fourth place, came calling in the closing laps, intent on decreasing the 17 points lead Goerke held on him at the end of the first moto. With one lap left to go, the Frenchman executed an extremely aggressive pass on Goerke, ramming into his left leg while they were negotiating a turn. Somehow Goerke managed to stay on two wheels, despite being pushed off into some mud lining the corner, but the damage was done: Pourcel took over second while a hapless Goerke had to bite the bullet and take a third place finish at the checkered flag.
For his part, Tremblay rode another blitzing moto, nailing down a seventh place start that led to a sixth place finish, giving him the distinction of being the top home province rider at Deschambault. Tremblay, who sits eighth in the points, is in a good position to finish the season in seventh place.
The Rockstar Energy Drink Motocross Nationals wrap up this Sunday, August 13th at RJ Motosport Park in Barrie, ON. For Matt Goerke and Christophe Pourcel, the final round will be the day of reckoning for the championship. Goerke holds a 15-point advantage over the former World Champion. Colton Facciotti, third in the title hunt, trails Goerke by 49 points and Pourcel by 34. For motocross fans, Round 10 should prove to be the thriller of the season.
MX1 Overall Results: Round 9
| Position | Rider | Results |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colton Facciotti (Hon) | 1-1 |
| 2 | Christophe Pourcel (Husq) | 2-2 |
| 3 | Matt Goerke (Yam) | 3-3 |
| 4 | Kyle Chisholm (Hon) | 5-4 |
| 5 | Mike Alessi (Kaw) | 6-5 |
| 6 | Tim Tremblay (Yam) | 7-6 |
| 7 | Keylan Meston (Yam) | 8-8 |
| 8 | Cade Clason (KTM) | 12-7 |
| 9 | Ryan Dowd (KTM) | 10-9 |
| 10 | Jesse Wentland (Suz) | 9-11 |
MX1 points after 9 of 10 Rounds
| Position | Rider | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Matt Goerke (USA) | 475 |
| 2 | Christophe Pourcel (FR) | 460 |
| 3 | Colton Facciotti (CAN) | 426 |
| 4 | Mike Alessi (USA) | 407 |
| 5 | Tyler Medaglia (CAN) | 378 |
| 6 | Kyle Chisholm (USA) | 328 |
| 7 | Dillan Epstein (USA) | 298 |
| 8 | Tim Tremblay (CAN) | 302 |
| 9 | Cade Clason (USA) | 281 |
| 10 | Keylan Meston (CAN) | 244 |
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