Royal Distributing Fox Racing KTM Team ends the season in style

On a day when Mother Nature once again tested the riders with temperatures that were into the upper 30s, Kaven Benoit and Cole Thompson both ignored the extreme conditions and concluded their 2015 National season in style.

With the MX2 Championship already his, Benoit came into the final round wanting two things: to stay healthy and to win the final overall of the long 10-round series. Well, like he has done so many times this season, Benoit guided his KTM to his seventh overall win in 2015, accomplishing exactly what he set out to do, and taking home the overall win in the MX2 class.

“I knew the track conditions didn’t really favour my bike today, but I just wanted to make the most of the day and come out of here in one piece,” said Benoit. “I really wanted to win that final moto, but I had a little crash while leading and I had to settle for second. All in all, it was a great day and a great way to end my final season in the MX2 class; now I look forward to moving up to the bigger 450 machines and the MX1 class in 2016.”

Cole Thompson was entering the final round at Walton Raceway in Ontario on a track that he has been very successful on in the past. Having won multiple amateur titles on the same track, as well as the coveted Walton Championship Sword in 2013, Thompson knew he could have a great day at round 10.

After many battles with series heavy weights Facciotti and Metcalfe, Thompson raced his KTM to a very impressive second overall. With the second moto win in his grasp, Thompson made a small mistake that allowed Metcalfe to go by and into the lead. From there, he kept the Australian in his sights but couldn’t find a way back around. It was great day of racing and one that Thompson was very proud of. His second overall at round 10 gave Thompson a great fourth overall in the 2015 MX1 series standings.

“I thought I rode very well today; I just wasn’t able to get the win,” said Thompson. “This is as tough as I’ve ever seen this track so it was easy to make a mistake and lose time. I’ll take second today and I look forward to 2016. I’m a little disappointed with my fourth overall in the MX1 series, but after missing last season with an injury, I know I’ll be even stronger next year.”

With the 2015 CMRC Pro Nationals now history, Benoit will head south this weekend to compete at the final round of the AMA Outdoor Nationals in Crawfordsville, Indiana. It will be the first time he will be racing in the premier 450 class against top American’s Ryan Dungey and Dean Wilson.