Super surprise in the US: Trey Canard champion
During the finals of the AMA Nationals, all eyes were on the 250 class. Before the match in Pala, Christophe Pourcel was in the lead with 443 points, Trey Canard followed with 7 points. Thanks to an impressive end to the season, Canard had systematically increased the pressure on the Frenchie. But Pourcel still had the best cards in hand, and CP could count on his experience. After all, with a world title and two SX titles to his name, Cri-Cri is already quite normal.
In the first series, seasonal revelation Dean Wilson took the holeshot and never relinquished the lead. Rattray was second, Troy Lee Designs/Honda rider Cole Seely was third, but the duel for fourth place between Pourcel and Canard was especially spectacular. Canard did everything he could to get past Pourcel. After a few failed attempts, Canard managed to guide his Honda past Pourcel in a short left bend, but Trey himself promptly made the mistake (see clip below).
Sensational Pourcel crash decides championship
Course completed, championship over seemed the conclusion. At least for a moment. Canard fell back to 8th place but still did everything he could to retain his chance of the title. Canard was faster than Pourcel by more than three seconds per lap. So that a direct duel in the final rounds was still possible. Ten minutes before the end, Pourcel himself made a mistake on a treacherous step-up. The Pro Circuit Kawasaki injured his right shoulder and had to retire! There was no longer an exciting denouement until the end. It took more than 20 minutes for Pourcel's dislocated shoulder to come back into place. Driving in the second series was not even an option. Canard now had an 11-point lead over Pourcel and with a 30-point lead over Rattray, the GEICO-Honda already had mathematical certainty about the title.
Wilson repeated his demonstration in the second moto. Canard hung in second for a long time, but eventually had to let Rattray pass, who ultimately took the vice title. Canard's outdoor 250 championship is his second major title after taking the Lites crown on the East Coast in 2008.
“There are so many emotions going through my head right now,” Canard said. “It's incredible, and I'm very grateful for all the opportunities I've been given. This is a lifelong goal and dream. It's strange, so many experiences and difficult moments that come your way. I try to stay humble and give the best of myself in every race. I think I need a few days to realize what happened,” said Canard with the No. 1 plate in his hands. “This team is really great. Real shame that this is my last race for these guys. It was great to be part of the Geico Powersports Honda team. They have worked hard year after year to reach this level. “
It was also a happy day for Honda because it had been since 2004 that Honda won an outdoor championship (450 with Ricky Carmichael), the last 250 title dated back to 1996 with Steve Lamson!
250 Class (Moto Finish)
- Dean Wilson, Scotland, Kawasaki (1-1)
- Tyla Rattray, South Africa, Kawasaki (2-2)
- Trey Canard, Shawnee, Okla., Honda (4-3)
- Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda (8-4)
- Justin Barcia, Ochlocknee, Ga., Honda (6-5)
- Cole Seely, Newbury Park, Calif., Honda (3-12)
- Wil Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Honda (7-7)
- Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Yamaha (5-9)
- Martin Davalos, Ecuador, Yamaha (14-6)
- Les Smith, York, S.C., Honda (13-11)
250 Class Championship Standings
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- Trey Canard, Shawnee, Okla., Honda, 474
- Tyla Rattray, South Africa, Kawasaki, 446
- Christophe Pourcel, France, Kawasaki, 443
- Dean Wilson, Scotland, Kawasaki, 437
- Justin Barcia, Ochlocknee, Ga., Honda, 348
- Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda, 327
- Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Yamaha, 287
- Blake Wharton, Pilot Point, Texas, Honda, 285
- Martin Davalos, Ecuador, Yamaha, 251
10. Wil Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Honda, 213
Photos credit: Honda
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