Overseas motocross riders to test locals

FRIDAY, DEC. 14: The motocross season will start off in high gear as two Canadians and an American will challenge the local riders.

Ryan Nolan and Brenden Carson from Canada will take on the adults while Garrett ‘GMoney’ Sharp, 12, from Atlanta will compete in the 85cc Class.

Sharp has won a Loretta Lynn Qualifier and was fourth in a Loretta Lynn Regional.

Carson, 20, is a 12-year veteran of motocross who turned pro this year.

Nolan might have an advantage on the track on Sunday considering he was brought in to design it.

Jonathan Trott, president of the Bermuda Motocross Club, said the organization has been striving to have overseas riders compete in the season opening event.

“It’s a great honour to have such talent come here. This is exciting. It will help the Bermuda Motocross Club.”

Trott added there always seems to be a good crowd turnout when overseas riders come in to test the locals.

“This gives our local riders incentive to shine and show off their talent and beat these guys. I don’t think they are unbeatable.”

He said the other exciting part about the season opener is the new track designed by Nolan Motocross Academy.

Trott added Bermuda CableVision has come on board as a sponsor and “this will open up a lot of doors for our young riders as we build up our youth programme. With Ryan Nolan here, he will be looking at our young riders and taking them back to his motocross school.

Trott said the BMC is in discussions to bring in Alexander Frye over the Boxing Day and New Year’s Day races.

“We are still waiting on confirmation from him,” Trott said.

Kennie Matthie is looking forward to testing himself against the overseas competition.

Matthie finished second in the Novice Class to Tariq Bell last season and is moving up to the Expert Class.

“It’s like a ritual down here for Boxing Day and New Year’s so its like the first time they came other than that.

“This is pretty cool to have them here. It gets you pretty hyped up. I’ve never really been away to race. I’ve only raced here so for them to come here is a pretty big deal.

“They have a lot of experience and they can teach us so much.

Matthie will not be at 100 per cent in the opener as he’s dealing with a set of cracked ribs.

“I will be riding on Sunday with an injury as I cracked my ribs a week ago. I’ve been doing a lot of rehab and a lot of physio to get my arm strong enough to race.

He said his overall goal for the season is to finish in the top three.