ISSUE 12

Canadian Pro Motocross Update

Our first round out east was everything we expected. For some reason, it always feels like we battle our way through the west, and once we reach the east, it finally feels like the real Nationals begin.

St. Julie definitely had that atmosphere. Fans lined the fences, the energy was buzzing, and the track crew had the facility dialed in. Even after a heavy downpour late Saturday evening, the track held up incredibly well, delivering our first true national-caliber racing track of the season. It quickly separated the technically sharp, race-ready riders from those who had been slacking.

St. Julie is built across a valley and amazing for watching!
Photo: James Lissimore | @lissimorephoto

Let's start with the 450 class. With Jess Pettis sidelined, all eyes turned to Preston Kilroy, who made the move to the premier class at the request of Yamaha Canada, putting his bid for a repeat 250 championship on hold.

Kilroy looked right at home, posting 3-3 moto finishes to secure an overall podium and deliver exactly what Yamaha was looking for.

Kilroys first 450 race of 2026 earns himself a P3 on the day
Photo: James Lissimore | @lissimorephoto

The series standings currently posted online aren't completely accurate, so we'll avoid doing the math ourselves. What we do know is that Dylan Wright's perfect six-for-six moto win streak has him leading the championship, with Harri Kullas sitting behind him in the title chase.

A guy not really known for his whips got real spicy off the finish!
Photo: James Lissimore | @lissimorephoto

Rookie 450 rider Sebastien Racine sits third in the championship standings after putting together a string of consistent finishes through the opening three rounds.

Sitting 3rd in the championship 450 rookie is fitting perfectly in the 450 class
Photo: James Lissimore | @lissimorephoto

One of the biggest storylines coming into the season was the new-look Kawasaki SSR team. After racing as WLTN Kawasaki in 2025, a season marked by mechanical issues and its share of controversy, there were plenty of questions about how the team's new ownership and direction would translate on the track.

So far, the early results have been encouraging. More than that, the overall atmosphere around the team has been overwhelmingly positive. The merch tent has been busy all weekend, with Kawasaki SSR gear showing up throughout the spectator areas, a great sign of growing fan support.

From the mechanics to the families and girlfriends, everyone has bought into the program, creating a welcoming, united atmosphere in the pits. It's been one of the more positive stories of the season and great to see.

Jess has said sales have been great
Photo: James Lissimore | @lissimorephoto

Moving to the 250 class, the championship picture became much more interesting. With Preston Kilroy's move to the 450 class, the red plate was up for grabs, and MX101's Ryder Malinoski made the most of the opportunity.

Malinoski left St. Julie with a second overall finish, but more importantly, he leaves Quebec as the new championship leader, a position both he and the MX101 team were undoubtedly hoping to claim.

Malinoski is becoming a fan fav pretty quick up north!
Photo: James Lissimore | @lissimorephoto

Kade Johnson claimed his first overall win of the season, something that felt inevitable given the speed he's shown all year.

Around the pits, Johnson comes across as one of the friendliest riders in the pits. He's always smiling, quick to say hello, and genuinely seems to enjoy being around people. But after the first moto, that smile was nowhere to be found.

His disappointment with a third-place finish said everything about his mindset. Sometimes a rider's easygoing personality can make it look like they're not as driven as others, even though we know that's rarely the case. Seeing how frustrated Johnson was after Moto 1 showed just how badly he wanted that overall. He responded the best way possible, bouncing back with a Moto 2 victory to secure his first overall win of the season.

According to Triple Crown website, Kade is down 10 points in the championship, which with 5 rounds left is far from over.

Kade seems to be enjoying Canada
Photo: James Lissimore | @lissimorephoto

Unfortunately, Vincent Wey's day came to an early end after a crash in Moto 2. While he was able to ride his bike off the track under his own power, he did not return to racing. We're hoping he's okay, and as of now, he remains on the entry list for the Red Bud Combine.

We have yet to hear if Wey will line up for Gopher, but he is signed up for Red Bud combine
Photo: James Lissimore | @lissimorephoto

Rempel continues to be top Canadian his speed is there but getting 8th this weekend is not part of the plan.

Rempel is looking forward to the sand this weekend
Photo: James Lissimore | @lissimorephoto

There were plenty of familiar faces back on the gate at St. Julie. Liam Dodds returned from a foot injury, finishing 26-22 for 25th overall.

Liams return didnt go as planned as he thinks he got a little food poising from Saturdays dinner
Photo: James Lissimore | @lissimorephoto

Jeremy McKie made his first Canadian National appearance since 2023, putting together solid 14-10 moto scores for 13th overall.

22 year old Jeremy hasnt raced a Canadian National since 2023
Photo: James Lissimore | @lissimorephoto

We also saw the St-Césaire Motosport team make its first appearance of the season, with Nathan Germain immediately making an impact. His 4-6 moto finishes earned him fifth overall, marking an impressive debut for the team in 2026.

Nathans 2026 debut got him a 5th overall
Photo: James Lissimore | @lissimorephoto

Another name to note is Tegan Kortenbach, who currently sits seventh in the championship. He’ll be at the Red Bud Combine this weekend before lining up again on Sunday at Gopher Dunes.

Tegan heads to the US to race his first combine at Red Buddd
Photo: James Lissimore | @lissimorephoto

Gopher Dunes has even opened the door with free entry for anyone racing in the USA and making the trip to Gopher for Sunday, a smart move to attract more American riders north of the border. Hopefully the message is getting through.

Gopher is delivering an amateur national-caliber week!
Photo: James Lissimore | @lissimorephoto

Amateur and Local Racing

WCAN kicks off today with practice in Lethbridge.

WCAN at Lethbridge track in 2024
Photo: Tree Three Media

Saturday’s intermediate racing during national weekends has been consistently delivering strong action, so if you’re in the area, it’s worth getting out to the track to catch those motos.

Although Hayden lives in Calgary his family is from Quebec, and they showed up to support him!
Photo: James Lissimore | @lissimorephoto

Meanwhile, Gopher Dunes is rolling out a new take on the amateur experience this weekend, featuring a three-moto format split across two tracks, the national sand track on Friday and the GP track on Saturday. This setup also gives the crew valuable time on Saturday to prep the main track for Sunday’s national, a smart move all around.

Gopher 2024, cant wait to see the water cannons in 2026! (its gonna be hot, hydrate!)
Photo: James Lissimore | @lissimorephoto

WMX

WMX is packed with storylines heading into Round 4, with many riders calling themselves sand specialists, it will be interesting to see who actually pulls this off.

At St. Julie, Eve Brodeur returned to racing aboard the #141, a number we haven’t seen in quite some time. After years of dominating at least one coast, she came in and finished sixth, a clear sign of how much the class has progressed. In past seasons, top WMX riders returning from time away could still fight for podiums relatively quickly, this year, that’s simply not the case. The level of commitment required to run up front is higher than ever.

Whos #141?!….
Photo: James Lissimore | @lissimorephoto

At Round 3, Jarvis delivered her first 1-1 weekend, a result few would have predicted it would take this long to get coming into the season. Many expected Jordan to have the championship in hand, but the WMX field had other plans, flipping that expectation and adding a major storyline to the series.

Jordan will be doing the last 3 rounds of the WMX USA nationals, Lorretta Lynns, and the SMX Playoff round
Photo: James Lissimore | @lissimorephoto

Jamie Astudillo also went 2-2 on the day and stayed glued to Jordan all weekend, never allowing an easy win. She’s taken a noticeable step forward in 2026, arguably riding the best she has in her career. It’s another example of what’s possible when WMX riders are given the right opportunities and support, the pace at the front continues to rise.

Jamie joined us on this weeks podcast wrap up and shared she will be staying in Canada between rounds moving forward!
Photo: James Lissimore | @lissimorephoto

Sitting third in the standings is the first Canadian, Kaylie Kayer. With years of full-series experience under her belt, she’s now moving into “vet status” territory, sorry, Kaylie. haha

That experience is paying off. While others behind her are still learning the rhythm of the series and continuing to develop, Kayer has stayed steady and consistent, keeping herself firmly in the podium fight in the championship.

Kaylie is sitting 3rd in points, and first Canadian
Photo: James Lissimore | @lissimorephoto

Brandy McLarty sits fourth in points in her first full national series. The opening three rounds also marked her first time seeing those tracks.

As the series now moves into tracks she’s more familiar with, it will be interesting to see how she adapts and where she can position herself by season’s end.

Brandy got her first podium at Gopher last year, and we will be watching this weekend to see what she can pull off
Photo: James Lissimore | @lissimorephoto

Kiana Kurtz is living the true privateer life, driving herself to races in her family’s fifth-wheel toy hauler and sitting as the only rider inside the top seven without team support.

She handles her own bike work, with help from her dad, who flies in on weekends to assist on race day. Despite the limited resources, Kurtz continues to deliver strong results while enjoying the grind of racing across the country. With the series moving into more familiar eastern venues, those results are only expected to improve.

Later this year, between Deschambault and Walton, she’ll also head south to compete at Loretta Lynn’s, taking on a full week of racing in the Tennessee heat.

Kurtz also has her ticket punched for Lorrettas
Photo: James Lissimore | @lissimorephoto

Highlighted Content Around the Sport

IWe mention it every week because of his commitment. Zach Ufimzeff’s daily IG vlogs are still worth checking out. He is on Day 104.

The Boaz vlog is a great watch, bit of a loose program but gives old school moto vibes.

American Kade Johnson is vlogging his time in Canada and round 1 and 2 is up on youtube!