Thor's Wilson Takes First Two Rounds by Storm at 2009 CMRC Monster Energy Canadian Motocross Nationals

The outdoor motocross season in North America officially shifted into high gear the weekend of June 6-7 with the opening round of the Canadian Motosport Racing Club (CMRC) Monster Energy Canadian Nationals from Whispering Pines Raceway in Kamloop. Last weekend, the series competed in its second round of the 2009 season at Wild Rose MX Park in Calgary.

In Kamloop, the Thor/Parts Unlimited team made an early statement in the championship by sweeping the podium in the MX2 Class. Thor's top amateur competitor Dean Wilson is testing the pro waters in Canada and thus far has come away with tremendous success, sweeping the all four motos this season en route to a 2-0 start aboard his Canidae Kawasaki. The 17-year old Canadian native is competing in the first three rounds of the CMRC Nationals before returning to the U.S. in preparation for Loretta Lynn's.

Canidae Kawasaki's Dean Wilson (Courtesy MXP Magazine)

The future star blogged about his day in Kamloop:

MOTO 1: Came off the start and thought I had the holeshot but wheelied and lost it. I came out in 3rd. Made 2 quick passes on the first lap to get around Kirk Haws and Eric Nye. I got into the lead and set a pretty fast pace. Pulled about a 10 second gap and ended up with a 25 second lead by the end of the moto. I felt pretty good the whole moto. I got a little bit of arm pump but just kept breathing and focusing ahead and it worked.

(Courtesy DirectMotocross.com)

MOTO 2: On the line bumping my Skullcandys.... I really wanted to get the holeshot because the first corner was really greasy when I rode around it on the hot lap, plus I really wanted that 200 dollar holeshot award. I came off the start and thought I had it but got pushed out to 3rd. I got by Eric Nye quick and then by Nick Evenou on the first lap. I just tried focusing ahead and not worrying about who was behind me. I felt really good the whole moto and didn't get tired at all. I ended up winning by about 15 seconds and took the overall win with a 1-1 sweep... Overall it was an awesome weekend and I had fun up here with all my friends that I have known for a while and all the fans that were there. It really felt cool to me to sign autographs for kids and actually having fans because I still feel like one of those kids that I'm still a fan.

In Kamloop, Wilson was the man to beat in each moto. However, at his home race in Calgary, he was put to the test after a pair of starts outside the top 10. The rookie showcased his ability to battle through the field, grabbing the lead for good on lap four in moto one and lap two in the second moto. Growing up riding the Wild Rose circuit, Wilson has arguably logged more laps at the facility than any of his competitors and the advantage truly played into his favor, overcoming adversity to win in front of family and friends.

"I'm so pumped that I was able to win in my hometown," exclaimed Wilson. "I'm leaving Calgary with a lot of confidence and I hope to carry my momentum into Edmonton."

Royal Distributing KTM's Eric Nye (Courtesy DirectMotocross.com)

Following Wilson on the MX2 podium at the opening round were fellow Thor/Parts Unlimited riders Eric Nye and Teddy Maier. The duo battled throughout each moto, tying in overall points to end the day with identical moto results of second and third. Thanks to his runner-up finished in the final moto, reigning series champion Nye took the tie breaker for Royal Distributing KTM while Leading Edge Kawasaki's Maier settled for third.

Leading Edge Kawasaki's Teddy Maier (Courtesy DirectMotocross.com)

Kamloop proved to be even better when fellow Royal Distributing KTM rider Kyle McGlynn finished fourth overall, resulting in an impressive four position sweep Thor and Parts Unlimited.

Royal Distributing KTM's Kyle McGlynn (Courtesy DirectMotocross.com)

At Calgary, the rest of the Thor/Parts Unlimited team did not achieve as much success as Nye struggled to a ninth place finish. However, Maier posted a fifth place finish while his teammate Nick Evennou made his season debut on the podium in third.

Leading Edge Kawasaki's Nick Evennou (Courtesy DirectMotocross.com)

In the MX1 Class, the Thor/Parts Unlimited team had a respectable day at the season opener as Royal Distributing KTM's Jeff Northrop and Mason Phillips put in strong rides, each posting a top 10 finish. Northrop led the way with a solid fifth place overall while Phillips secured seventh. In Calgary, both riders struggled, but Northrop rebounded with an impressive sixth place effort in the final moto after finishing 14th in moto one to bring home ninth overall.

After a quiet outing in Kamloop, the Thor/Parts Unlimited Women's Nationals rider Missy Hackett jumped into the top five in Calgary, putting her Leading Edge Kawasaki fourth overall.