Race report: Kaven Benoit clinches his second MX2 championship

Racing on one of the most historic tracks in Canada, KTM riders Kaven Benoit and Cole Thompson both came into Round 9 in Ulverton, Quebec, knowing that it was going to a very exciting day. With its steep hills and rough conditions, the Ulverton circuit demands a lot of concentration and endurance if you want to be successful.

Kaven Benoit knew coming into Round 9 that all he had to do was ride smooth and smart and the 2015 MX2 title would be his. With the Ulverton track located only minutes from his hometown, Benoit knows it well and he knew that this round would be the perfect place to clinch his second MX2 title.

With the bipartisan crowd cheering loudly, Benoit did exactly what he had to in both MX2 motos to secure his second championship in two years. In Moto 1, Benoit grabbed an early lead and never looked back, taking the win in stunning fashion. In Moto 2, he only needed a few points to win the title. After a spirited battle with his competitors, Benoit raced to a very smart second place finish to become Canada’s 2015 MX2 Champion.

“I’ve been racing at the Ulverton track since I was a kid so I know the circuit very well,” said Benoit. “You have to ride smooth and smart if you want to be successful and that is what I tried to do on Sunday. I had a fun battle in Moto 2 and I knew that all I had to do was finish strong and the MX2 title would be mine. This season has been great and I hope to finish it off in style next weekend in Walton.”

Fourth for Thompson

In the MX1 class, Cole Thompson was coming off a strong second place finish last weekend in Moncton and the Sarnia native hoped to continue that success at Round 9. Even though Sunday marked Thompson’s first visit to the Ulverton circuit, he was very fast from the moment he took to the track. After running at the front of the pack in both MX1 motos, Thompson would finish a strong fourth overall. With 2015 being Thompson’s first full year on the national circuit, he has definitely learned a lot and he hopes to bring all of the knowledge to his favourite track this coming weekend in Walton.

“I knew coming into Round 9 that it was going to be a big challenge simply because it would be my first time racing there,” said Thompson. “However, I felt great right from practice and I was able to carry that speed into the motos. Although fourth overall really wasn’t what I was looking for, I’ll take it and hopefully next weekend in Walton can get another win on one of my favourite tracks.”

With only one round now remaining in the 2015 Canadian Motosport Racing Corporation Pro Nationals, Kaven Benoit and Cole Thompson look to finish off the series next weekend in style. Both riders have had success at Walton Raceway in the past and they hope to come away from the final round with two big wins.