July 22, 2011
For the next few weeks, a healthy number of Atlantic riders will be testing their skills against riders from Canada's 2 largest regions. The trend actually began with Devon and David Strang's road trip to the Eastern Canadian Amateur Nationals at Deschambeault Quebec in early July.
We had exceptional results so far tracking our road warriors through the first two rounds in Ontario and Quebec. To make this work, I just need to know who is where, when, and the outcomes. That means this is all totally dependent on input from our travelling troops. You can get me on Facebook, Twitter @RACEGUY1st, even my personal e-mail or text me. I won't put my e-mail address or cell number up here, but if you will be in position to send us back some info, just Facebook message me and I'll provide phone # and e-mail.
In our first weekend of tracking 4 riders at a time, I found the easiest thing to do was to give a quick synopsis each time I got fresh information. It ended up looking like a chronological diary of sorts. Rather than totally rewrite everything once it was done, and delete these summaries, I decided it might be more entertaining to save all this "raw" stuff so we can look back on it later in the order things happened. Here's how things went down, beginning at Ste. Julie, Quebec.
SATURDAY, JULY 23
(11:30am Sat. July 23) At the time I post these, results are UNofficial, but we'll go with what we have and change it if needed. Peter Doucet texted from Ste. Julie Que. Despite nerves and new surroundings, Nova Scotia girls Morgan Gillis and Alexandra Josey finished moto-1 in Women's amateur day action 5th and 8th respectively. The unfortunate part? Morgan Gillis was sitting 2nd behind reigning #1, US import Taylor Miller, but fell on the LAST LAP, scrambling back to 5th. I am pretty safe in saying this will light Morgan's fire for moto-2. Stay tuned!
(4:50pm Saturday, July 23) It's a long time between motos when you KNOW you can do better and are ready to prove it. I can read the drama between the lines of the brief text messages coming back from Ste. Julie, Quebec. I'll try not to pad or speculate, so here's the Reader's Digest version of the 2nd Women's moto of the huge amateur day. Both Atlantic girls were refreshed, relaxed, athletes going to the line for moto-2. Only the major details made the text message, so, for now, I'll just cut to the chase. Morgan Gillis was getting a lot of attention as she tucked in in 2nd and AJ was right there in case opportunity knocked. It did. Morgan went down while 2nd and it took a lifetime to get everything collected and rolling again. I'm told it was close to a full minute.
Josey charged to second while Gillis was getting even more attention than she did running #2 as she put on the ultimate ride in the red mist to tear through traffic, ultimately 4th at the line, while Josey made the moto-2 podium in SECOND! Tomorrow's National will be worth the price of a ticket.
Curtis Doucet discovered an Intermediate class that was stacked - Dool, DaSilva, and a US rider (I'll see if I can get a name) - and it was packed...with riders all on the same level speed-wise. Doucet struggled with the track and the failure to flow found him on the deck a couple of times. With a second moto yet to come, he should figure it out before tomorrow's national. We're waiting for more info and as soon as we get it...YOU get it. Good luck kids. Have a night to remember.
(9:00pm Saturday, July 23) Got confirmation from Peter D a little while ago that Morgan Gillis finished day one with a unfathomable 4th place overall with Alexandra bagging the 5th O/A. Before I could even start typing this, Alex got in touch to let us know that her actual finishes were 10-2 for the 5th.
4th and 5th would be good enough to get the girls in on Royal Distributing/Motovan awards next Saturday at Riverglade. Ste. Julie was not tied in to the program.
As for Curtis, he did not get comfortable with the track and had a hard time staying with the bike through both motos. Now that this one is over, he can go into a new event Sunday and make a fresh start. The Doucets didn't pay attention to the O/A result for this one-off race, but I believe Curtis still scored points. He will have to ride timed qualifying in the morning for a spot on the 40 rider Pro/Am gate. I'm guessing his time will get him in. Whatever might happen, tomorrow will be a day Curtis Doucet, Morgan Gillis, and Alex Josey will remember for a lifetime.
Tomorrow.....we also add Kyle Chatham to the mix. Get your updates right here!
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SUNDAY, JULY 24
(11:45am Sunday, July 24) It has been a dramatic morning for "team Atlantic". Start with Curtis Doucet who awoke to find there were a mind-numbing 75 riders registered for the MX2 Pro/Am. With seasoned Pro level riders and ringers making up a significant part of that number, lap times were often seperated by thousandths of a second. With 35 of the challengers being put on the trailer before racing even began, Curtis was up against it.
Unfortunately, Doucet's lap times did not stand up and the young KTM pilot was redirected to the Last Chance Qualifier. Curtis was in good company. Notables who also did not make it through on time included Mike DaSilva, Bryton Allison, and Tiz Cousineau. It was a lesson in tenacity for Curtis, who reached deep and poured it on in the LCQ, lowering his lap times by an unbelievable 5 seconds. Even that was not enough. Doucet will be watching his first MX2 Pro/Am from the fenceline and helping his travelling companions through this incredibly hectic day. DaSilva and Drew Roberts made it out of the LCQ and will go to the line later today.
Following their performances on Saturday, it was expected that the Atlantic girls would make it through timed qualifying without issue. Edmundston NBs Sylvie Levasseur found her way into the field with the 13th fastest time while Alexandra Josey qualified her Husky 10th, and Morgan Gillis proved her Saturday performance was no fluke putting her YZ on the board with the 3rd fastest qualifying time. All 3 Atlantic ladies will go to the line for round-2 of the Women's Nationals.
Now, we pick up on Riverview NBs Kyle Chatham who began the day in a very bad way. In open practice, Chatham's Team Toys CRF450 ran like it had an electrical or fueling problem. He had to pull out. Back in the pits, the panic was palpable. Eventually, an airbox obstruction (I won't get into the details, YET) was discovered, and Kyles bike was back as strong as ever.
Even with no practice, Chatham ran with the fast guys in timed qualifying and transferred straight through to the MX1 Pro. We'll flesh out the details later.
Don't stray too far. Keep checking here for updates.
(2:20 pm Sunday, July 24) Both Morgan and Alex got good starts and immediately settled into the top ten. Then, both began tearing off fast, consistent laps and moving through. In no time, Gillis had asserted her way into 4th while Josey's charge took her to 5th. The top three eventually opened a gap leaving Morgan alone with 4th. With 2 laps to go, Alexandra had a visitor in the form of the 6th place rider, Brianna Davis, who continued to take runs at Josey but AJ turned it up and held off the challenge to the checkers. Morgan Gillis 4th - Alexandra Josey 5th - Taylor Miller takes the win. (NOTE - Miller was holding her back after she crossed the line and headed for the pits. How interesting is THAT?) Sylvie Levasseur was 8th following up a 13th O/A at Gopher Dunes.
(3:10pm Sunday, July 24) The very likeable young man from Riverview NB, Kyle Chatham, was logged in 22nd out of 40 starters. He was looking good and riding strong at the half-way card, and just shortly after that, Peter Doucet's text message said it all. Kyle was out of moto-1. Apparently, Kyle took a little trip over the bars and had the wind knocked out of him. Once he had his breath back, he remounted and roared away. Unfortunately, being winded and jumping right back into battle means you're likely to feel the effects of oxygen deprivation. One of the symptoms of low oxygen and poor air processing by the body is cramping and that includes... yes, the dreaded arm pump. Kyle had a choice to make, and, In my opinion, he made a good one. He retired from the first moto (he would have been out of the points anyway) and will save his strength and the bike for moto-2. Keep checking back. More news is onn the way.
(4:15pm Sunday, July 24) Just calculating points (I have no life) and couldn't help but notice that Alexandra Josey has 44 championship points after moto-1. Kirsten MacDonald and Karley Pozdenkoff each have 50 points and Brianna Degray has 57.
(5:20pm Sunday, July 24) The texts came fast and furious from the parade lap on. They crossed the line at the end of the first lap with Gillis 4th and Alexandra 7th. Before I had time to pass that on to the Facebook followers, there was another incoming text. Morgan up to 3rd, AJ now 5th. I know that Brianna Davis had a big bail-off and Karley was behind the Nova Scotia duo. Again, by the time I had passed on that news, Peter Doucet was blistering his texting fingers. Morgan was 2nd with Alex in 4th. The checkers fall as Morgan Gillis crosses in 2nd with Josey 4th and, if it's possible, these girls have earned even more of my respect. Morgan Gillis get to the podium with 2nd overall and AJ got 5th O/A. but actually tied with Naydeen Lothian at 34 points for the day. Gillis thanked her "mechanic" Curtis on the podium. Class act.
For Kyle Chatham, it was a great learning experience and an opportunity to prepare for the coming weekend at Riverglade. Kyle pulled out of the first moto, but toughed out the second moto and was scored 33rd at the end of the day. Racing a National in the premier MX1 Pro class is no small feat and certainly earns my admiration.
(6:14pm Sunday, July 24) MX1 Pro moto-2 made their way down the start straight the Kyle Chatham's Toys For Big Boys Honda firmly planted mid-field. At the end of lap 1, he slid through timing in 21st spot. This is not a good place to be. You are constantly passing or being passed. You are never more than a few feet away from next bike, and the roost never quits. Scrapping just outside the points, Kyle logged lap 2 in 26. By the time the half-way flags appeared, Kyle was still battling and had slid back to 30th. Chatham did not get a chance to prepare for long Pro motos, as he wasn't initially intending to attend this round. as the race wound toward a close, an exhausted Kyle Chatham refused to give up and pull off. He rode it out.
Saturday, August 6
(10:50am, Saturday, Aug. 6) First call of the weekend was to confirm everyone made it through practice, safely. The Maritime mob likes the facility and the track surface (for now). Curtis opted to go with the sand tire on Sand Del Lee's mixed surface. He feels it was a good call. He thinks it's paying off in huge cornering exit speeds. Stand by for more.
(12:10pm, Saturday, Aug. 6) It appears Curtis Doucet's weekend is probably over before it even gets rolling. In the first Intermediate MX2 moto, the 777 was solidly in 6th and challenging furiously for 5th, then the lights went out. Peter diagnoses it as a crank bearing failure. That's fairly terminal. I suggested it wouldn't hurt to track down Siert Weirenga from Orange Motorsports. You just never know if you don't ask. On a side note, team Doucet/Gillis is missing their blood-brother Kyle Chatham. Could it be that Kyles amazing attitude was a stabilizing influence? Waiting now to hear back on Morgan and Alex.
(12:46pm, Saturday, Aug. 6) Women's first moto is out. At the halfway flags, it's Miller with the lead, Morgan Gillis AGAIN 2nd, and Alexandra Josey just moved up one more to 6th.
(12:55pm, Saturday, Aug. 6) Women take the checkers and, no big surprise, import Taylor Miller takes the moto-1 win followed by the Ramsay's YZ of Cape Breton's Morgan Gillis. A little foggy on AJ's finish. It's another top-10, but it's either 5th or sixth. We'll get clarification in a bit.
(3:20pm, Saturday, Aug. 6) A teardown of Doucet’s KTM showed a big-end bearing failure. Pleas were made and Peter was able to come up with a rod kit that could be “rushed” to the track, and a guy who would work after hours pressing the crank. All good, UNTIL Peter discovered he didn’t have a flywheel puller. Attempts to borrow, rent, or buy a puller from anyone at the track fell on deaf ears. With no puller, it was officially over. The 777 KTM was ushered quietly back into the trailer. The biggest shame is, at the time the bike went south, Curtis was running lap times equivalent to a number of big players who made the gate at Gopher Dunes.
(4:09pm, Saturday, Aug 6) Women now hammering it out in moto-2. Miller (of course) got the holeshot. A KTM rider (???) folds in to 2nd and Alexandra grabs 3rd. Morgan got a poor start and is charging hard from 8th.
(4:12pm, Saturday, Aug. 6) RED FLAG IS OUT!! Talk about heart palpitations, Peter can’t see Morgan. After a long period of breath holding, the 129 heads for the gate. This will be a restart.
(4:17pm, Saturday, Aug. 6) There will be an ambulance delay at Sand Del Lee. Injured rider is Ali Pasternak.
(4:45pm, Saturday, Aug. 11) Restart for the women. Taylor Miller grabs the lead, DeGray 2nd, Gillis 3rd, Josey 4th
(4:47pm, Saturday, Aug. 6) Taylor Miller goes down while leading. Degray takes the lead, then Gillis, Miller, and Josey.
(4:50pm, Saturday, Aug. 6) Miller now attacking Gillis.
(4:52pm, Saturday, Aug. 6) Miller gets by. Now DeGray leading, Miller 2nd, Gillis 3rd, and Josey 4th.
(4:55pm, Saturday, Aug. 6) That’s the way they cross the line. Brianna DeGray, Taylor Miller, Morgan Gillis, and A.J. 4th. Amazing ride girls. Looks good for tomorrow’s final round of the Nationals. Huge props, ladies.
(4:55pm, Saturday, Aug. 6) We’ll be right back at it tomorrow morning. Check back often. A Huge thanks to Peter Doucet for keeping us up on day-1 happenings at Sand Del Lee. I’ll be waiting for your texts tomorrow morning. Thanks much. (We'll post overalls if we get them). Thanks for reading.)
(6:53pm, Saturday, Aug. 6) Amateur day results have been posted and passed the protest period. That means, it’s official! Morgan Gillis 2nd O/A, Alexandra Josey 4th O/A, Taylor Miller takes the win, again, and Brianna DeGray out of Springfield Mass took the 3rd podium step.
Hope team Doucet/Gillis and the Josey clan get a good night’s sleep. I know I won’t. Final round of the series…tomorrow. Are we there yet? Are we there yet??
Sunday, August 7
(11:55am, Sunday, Aug. 7) Women wrap up timed qualifying. No surprise, Taylor Miller at the top of the board followed by Brianna DeGray. Gillis is 5 secs off Miller, 4 secs off DeGray. Josey is 1 second off Morgan's pace. Girls will get a pep talk.
(12:28am, Sunday, Aug. 7) Although it has nothing to do with the riders we're following, it was crushing to hear that Bobby Kiniry tangled with a haybale during qualifying, and broke his right collarbone. The 2010 king of Walton will not wield the sword this year.
(1:31pm, Sunday, Aug. 7) If there is such a thing as "home soil" for the Dags Bros, it is Sand Del Lee. Jeremy has led MX2 from the holeshot. Ty wadded up off the start and has stormed his way back toward the front. 7th last time anybody checked in. Sjoberg and Politelli are at war behind Jeremy.
(1:46pm, Sunday, Aug. 7) The "Jerm" goes flag to flag for the win. Sjoberg, Politelli, Benoit, and Tyler makes it all the way back to 5th. WTG Ty!
(1:51pm, Sunday, Aug. 7) The gate selection procedure is nothing short of pure stupidity. Top 10 in points select gates based on ranking. Everybody else draws a number. Why even bother with timed qualifying in the morning. Morgan, unfortunately got last pick.(1:46pm, Sunday, Aug. 7) The "Jerm" goes flag to flag for the win. Sjoberg, Politelli, Benoit, and Tyler makes it all the way back to 5th. WTG Ty!
(2:10pm, Sunday, Aug. 7) Off the line, DeGray, Miller, Josey...Karley and Morgan 5th and 6th. Gillis passes for 5th. Gillis DOWN. Red cross flag is out. (They use this at Sand Del Lee if a rider or motorcycle is obstructing the track).
(2:29pm, Sunday, Aug. 7) Agonizing waiting to hear "something". Just now, MX Forum (Billy Rainford) tweeted broken leg for Morgan. He also said the race was red-flagged/checkered. It was the opening lap. Are they writing off the moto altogether? Still waiting to hear from Peter.
(2:57pm, Sunday, Aug. 7) As we can all imagine, Peter will be tied up for a bit. Haven't heard from him since Morgan went down. I've lost my primary source, but I'll try to "mine" the internet for updates and news from Sand Del Lee. Sending love to Morgan.
(3:11pm, Sunday, Aug. 7) Peter confirms "leg". They're on their way to the hospital. I asked him to check back in when there are more details. Now, who can fill in as our eyes and ears in Ottawa? Nobody's saying a word about what they're doing with the first moto. It would be a bad deal if they base the day on the result of just a single moto.
(3:22pm, Sunday, Aug. 7) One more text from the Doucets, Morgan is heading for the Queensway Carleton Hospital in Ottawa.
(4:20pm, Sunday, Aug. 7) While his mind was on other things at the time, Peter Doucet believes the Women may have logged three laps before they red-flagged the moto. With Sand Del Lee length laps, that would be pretty close to half way. Alexandra Josey was scored 3rd. WTG, Alex. Let's shoot for a podium again in moto-2. BTW - Doctors at the Queensway Carleton have decided a rod is in order. We hurt for you, Morgan.
(4:48pm, Sunday, Aug. 7) Good news, if you can call it that...Docs have determined Morgan won't be requiring surgery or a stabilizer. Clean break, tib/fib. Morgan will have a bed in Ottawa overnight and be ready to travel later tomorrow.
(4:59pm, Sunday, Aug 7) No eyes or ears on site, but I do know the final moto of the Women's (East) Championship is going to the gate right now.
(5:05pm, Sunday, Aug. 7) Lap 1, Josey gets a solid start. Quickly settles into 3rd.
(5:08pm, Sunday, Aug. 7) Miller up front. DeGray gets by MacDonald setting up a battle between Alex and MacDonald. Pozdenkoff is coming on strong.
(5:12pm, Sunday, Aug. 7) Settling in front of Josey who is 4th, but Lothian and Pozdenkoff are scrapping hard behind her.
(5:15pm, Sunday, Aug. 7) Josey took a run at Kirsten MacDonald, but the minute she attacked, Lothian came after her from behind. A.J. Still 4th.
(5:20pm, Sunday, Aug. 7) Miller home first, DeGray, Lothian goes nuts passing everything in sight. Sawicky comes out of nowhere, MacDonald was in there somewhere, so was Pozdenkoff, and it appears Josey fell fast to 6th. Totally unofficial...we'll see how it all shakes out.
(7:42pm, Sunday, Aug. 7) As scrambled as the finish was, the official posting says it all. Alexandra Josey, 6th in moto-2 and on the podium for the overall with 3rd. Congrats, Alex. Consider those wishes from every single moto fan in the Maritimes.
(8:08pm, Sunday, Aug. 7) I'm the last person you'd hire to do the math, so if it involves numbers and anything I say, please take it with a grain of salt. Completely, unofficially, crunching numbers in my head, the number plates for the eastern women will be #1 Taylor Miller 150 (perfect series), #2 Brianna DeGray 108, #3 Karly Pozdenkoff 98, #4 Alexandra Josey 97, #5 Naydeen Lothian/Kirsten MacDonald 88. Don't quote me. Wait for the official results. No matter what, I'm congratulating A.J. and sending out huge props to all of our road warriors. Walton is next.
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