Kaven Benoit’s Return to Racing Proves Dominant with Overall Win in 250 Pro Class
BRIGDEN, ON (June 5, 2023) – The 2023 Triple Crown Series presented by BOB the Cooler Co., kicked off the season at RAD Torque Raceway in Edmonton, AB. It was a long day of racing and the hybrid MX/SX style track proved to be challenging for top riders. Anticipation was high to get this first race underway with traction and suspension setup being the main topic of conversation in the pits.
450 PRO
Making a strong charge to start the season, Red Bull Factory KTM rider Jess Pettis was the top 450 qualifier and grabbed the holeshot in Moto 1, followed by Tyler Medaglia and Jeremy Mckie. It didn’t take long for the former champion, Dylan Wright to work his way to the front of the pack, moving into second on the fourth lap of the race. Pettis was able to maintain the lead with Wright finishing in second and Shawn Maffenbeier in third.
In Moto 2, it was Jess Pettis again to grab the Royal Distributing holeshot. Dylan Wright was able to overtake Pettis midway through the first lap. Wright maintained the lead for the remainder of the moto, with Pettis holding onto second and Tyler Medaglia in third.
The final holeshot of the day went to Tyler Gibbs on a privateer Kawasaki ride. Jess Pettis quickly moved into the lead as Dylan Wright worked his way into second. Wright took over the lead midway through the race, with Pettis holding onto second and Shawn Maffenbeier riding a consistent third for the majority of the moto.
“Today was alright, we got the hard one out of the way. I think the real series starts next weekend. The track was tough today, it was a game of aces, you couldn’t place a knobby in the wrong eye or you were going to make mistakes. I’m happy to come away healthy and with the win and have a little bit of a points lead going into Kamloops. It’s time to put the hammer to the grindstone this week and make sure we come out swinging again next weekend.”
Dylan Wright
“Today was good, you alway want to win so we’re going to go back to work this week and so we can come back swinging next weekend. A few things were thrown at us this weekend and we all had to adapt and try and ride the track to the best of our abilities. There were a few sketchy moments, I had a big one in the rollers and wanted to sail it home from there. We’ll come back next weekend and send it.“
Jess Pettis
“That track was gnarly. The sun in the last moto was brutal. I’m just happy to walk away from this one with a solid ride. I know our settings are really good for the next couple of rounds so it’s cool to have some momentum going into next weekend and I’m gonna have some fun chasing the number one plate.”
Shawn Maffenbeier
250 PRO/AM
Kaven Benoit of the Red Bull Factory KTM race team made a victorious return to the 250 class, claiming two of the three holeshots and going 1-1-2 for the day for first overall. Ryder McNabb started the day strong with a second place finish in moto one, but mistakes in moto two caused him to finish eighth. Redeeming himself in the third moto, McNabb was able to grab the holeshot with Hunter Schlosser and Kaven Benoit in tow. Josiah Natzke proved consistent throughout the day, staying within the top five in all three motos to finish third overall.
“Today was unreal, I didn’t have any expectations for the first round. I just wanted to get this race out of the way and get my feet wet again. I’ve been away from racing for a lot of years and I know I still have the ability and I put in the work but you never know when you’ve been away for that long. I’m having a hard time believing it honestly, but today was a lot of fun. I’ve really missed being at the races and I’m really excited for the rest of the season.”
Kaven Benoit
“It was kind of unbelievable how gnarly the track actually was, coming into yesterday I was curious if we were even going to have a track to race on. I kept thinking, are they going to get enough water on it? Obviously it was a little dry today and could have used some more water, but for what went on yesterday, the track was pretty unreal and we had some pretty gnarly ruts and it was crazy.”
Ryder McNabb
“Today was good, the track was brutal so I was just trying to survive out there. I’m happy with my day, we got to get some gate drops in and get the season started off strong with a third place, and I’m happy with that. With Kamlooops next week, I’m going to put some more motos in this week and try to come out swinging on something I’m a little bit more comfortable on.”
Josiah Natzke
WMX
Eve Brodeur returned to the 2023 Triple Crown Series with the number one plate and proved she is on the hunt for another championship with a dominating performance in the first round of racing by going 1-1 for the overall win. Avrie Berrie put in a solid effort finishing 2-2 and second overall. Annalyse Lopushinsky rounded out the podium with 3-4 moto finishes.
NEXT RACE:
June 11, 2023 – Kamloops, BC, Whispering Pines MX
450 PRO TOP 10:
- Dylan Wright (HON), 2-1-1
- Jess Pettis (KTM), 1-2-2
- Shawn Maffenbeier (YAM), 3-4-3
- Tyler Medaglia (GAS), 4-3-4
- Keylan Meston (YAM), 5-7-5
- Jeremy Mckie (KTM), 7-6-6
- Daniel Elmore (GAS), 10-5-7
- Julien Benek (KAW), 6-9-8
- Tyler Gibbs (KAW), 8-8-9
- Andy Truyts (YAM), 9-10-10
250 PRO/AM TOP 10:
- Kaven Benoit (KTM), 1-1-2
- Ryder Mcnab (KTM), 2-8-1
- Josiah Natzke (KAW), 4-4-3
- Quinn Amyotte (YAM), 3-7-4
- Sebastian Racine (YAM), 5-5-5
- Hunter Schlosser (YAM), 6-6-7
- Zach Ufimzeff (YAM), 10-11-8
- Tyler Yates (KTM), 11-13-9
- Dylan Rempel (KAW), 7-15-11
- Sam Gaynor (GAS), 8-12-14
WMX TOP 10:
- Eve Brodeur (GAS), 1-1
- Avrie Berrie (YAM), 2-2
- Annalyse Lopushinsky (YAM), 3-4
- Kaylie Kayer (HQV), 6-3
- Lexi Pechout (HQV), 4-5
- Sienna Brown (KAW), 5-6
- Destiny Slingerland (YAM), 5-6
- Katrine Ferguson (HQV), 8-8
- Tea Ferguson (HQV), 11-9
- Malia Garant (KAW), 9-11
About the Triple Crown Series
The Triple Crown Series is Canada’s premiere racing series including rounds of motocross, arenacross, and supercross events. Riders battle it out for points with the goal of becoming the Triple Crown Series Champion. For more information, visit https://triplecrownseries.ca. To stay up to date on the latest racing news and exclusive content please follow the series social media channels:
- Facebook: Canadian Triple Crown Series
- Instagram: @triplecrownseries
- Twitter: @TripleCrownSer
- Youtube: Triple Crown Series Canada
- Tiktok: @triplecrownseries
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