by Steve Cox
Monday Conversation: Trey Canard
Monday, July 19, 2010 | 4:30 PM
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PrintGEICO Powersports Honda’s Trey Canard is now officially on an AMA National win streak. After winning his first-ever moto and overall at RedBud – round six of the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championships – he went out in even more convincing fashion to win round seven at Millville. We talked to him yesterday.
Trey Canard: I kind of had some mixed emotions. I mean, on one hand I was really excited about winning and just overall excited that I was able to pull it off. On the other hand, I kind of felt a little bit of pressure to perform well again coming up at Millville and the rest of the races. I think, when you care about something a lot, you just think about everything. I just managed to get rid of the negative thoughts and had some really good preparation coming into Millville, so that was good. I think doing good at RedBud it was big, and overall I was excited leading to Millville.
You led moto one, but were passed by Chris Pourcel. But you hung strong and then passed him back later, which is difficult mentally. Tell us about what that meant to you going into the second moto, even though he still won.
Yeah, I mean, I was trying to conserve a little bit in the beginning [because of the heat]. I figured it was going to be a long day and the track was rough, and the whoops... A lot of things kind of come into play. He got around me. I was trying to follow him for a little bit but I noticed I thought he was dropping off a little bit [toward the end], so I put on a surge and tried to get around him quick. I tried to just kind of demoralize him a little bit, but that didn’t work. He had a little more energy than I kind of expected. Overall, though, I was just excited to pass him because I know his first motos are always so strong. Just to be riding and racing with him, that was fun for me. I feel like a few weeks back, I was pretty far back, so it’s a big step forward.
You also had top practice times in both practices this weekend...
Yeah, which was huge for me because I’ve had pole position one time, like, ever. Both practices were good; they were solid and the bike setup was good from when we started. The whole day was just the perfect day for me, and I was stoked.
You’ve done this now twice in a row, now, so if you even had that thought in the back of your mind that it was a fluke at RedBud, you’ve got to realize it wasn’t by now, right?
Yeah, it’s always good to have that confirmation and I’ve heard people say that the second win is almost just as hard to get as the first one. To have that and to know that it was the real deal was a good thing for me. I’m excited about it and I feel like it gives me a boost coming into these next five races.
Trey Canard took his second-consecutive victory at Millville and moved into third in the points.
Photo: Steve Cox
Can you try to put it into words, the feeling at the end of the second moto? You knew you had the overall because a 2-1 wins anytime. Can you try and describe for the fans what it feels like?
It was pretty surreal. I mean, you’d think that the first win is the best or maybe the first Supercross win doesn’t compare, but they never get old. That feeling never changes. It’s always the same. It’s what you always hope it would be. To cross that finish line, you just have so many different emotions going on. I wish I could freeze it and sell it, but I don’t think that can happen. I guess that’s why it’s so rewarding.
You’d be a very rich man overnight if you could freeze that feeling and sell it to people...
Yeah, we’d have to sell it for a lot of money.
It’s so difficult to really take it in, because last night [Saturday night, after the race] I was already focused on what I need to do in Washougal. In a series, it’s really hard to soak it in and enjoy it because you have to get ready for next weekend. That part is tough. Having my family there is big for me. My [older] brother [Aaron] works for the broadcasting team, and my little brother [Jackson] was there, and my mom, so that’s pretty special for all of us, I think.
Speaking of Washougal, you’ve raced at Washougal once before, I think, but that’s where you broke your femur in 2008. Are there any mixed feelings about that place?
I mean, there’s always mixed feelings, but I feel pretty good about it. I feel like that will be a track that suits me. It’s kind of like a throttle-control track, so I’m excited about that. I feel like going into it we’ve figured some stuff out with the bike and I was figuring some things out with myself. I feel good going in. Obviously, there’s a little bit of mixed emotions at that place. I left there in not a good condition last time. I really enjoyed the whole time I was there other than that, though. It’s just a cool place to go to, driving up in the mountains and everything, and the temperature is usually cooler... It’s just a nice place to go to. I’m looking forward to it. I try to put that stuff [the past injuries] behind me. I never made it this far in the series with consistently finishing every race, so that’s a positive thing. Hopefully, I can leave there safe and be in a good place.
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I really hope he wins the championship..
The championship is out of question. Pourcel is a mental guy. He knows he is controlling this thing and he just does what he needs to do.He's got that extra speed if he needs to use it. I mean the guy doesnt even practice much.
The championship isn't over till Pala. I really hope to see Canard, Dungey, and Windham at the MXdN.
dgizzy - I just love how you tend to speak in absolute terms. Eventually you'll learn that isn't how the world works. Remember Southwick last year? Pourcel does. Remember Phoenix this year? Reed and Stewart do. Remember Gatorback in 1989 - http://www.motorcyclemuseum.org/halloffame/detail.aspx?racerid=203 (were you born yet?)? Rick Johnson does. Many a championship or career are lost in a turn, a jump. or a DNF. Hope Trey keeps charging, that everyone stays healthy, and that the title comes down to moto 2 at Pala.
Very good points "AF"(by the way do you own one? I'd love to have one.) Just as many people have said before me, there is a reason that theres more than one race in a championship.
WLDWest110 - I do own an AF. I don't get a chance to ride often due to family issues so I'm more interested in having fun than in racing these days. This bike has a huge fun factor and I would highly recommend that any 2 stroke fan buy, or at least ride, one of these works of art.
"dgizzy"...Surely you jest?! Pourcel MIGHT be in trouble from what I saw at Millville. There hasn't been a rider to step up and push CP this year until now. He might go out and win the rest of the first moto's, but if it's Trey Canard pushing him to the limit in most of those motos, then you might see alot of what happened in the 2nd moto at Spring Creek. CP has a pretty big lead, and BEFORE Redbud, with the inconsistency from the rest of the 250 guys I would have thought it was more than enough to win the title. BUT, now that Canard seems to have found the confidance and consistency to run up front in BOTH motos, this might just get interesting come Pala....I am curious though, as to why Pourcel didn't seem to have any of these mysterious problems last year, when RD was pushing him harder than any of these guys have been doing this year?
Come on you guys. dgizzy is a little goofy but he's cool. At least he doesn't jam up the comment board like a couple of other guys on here
Lewisd1, he did. Actually, it was worse early last season, as he learned to live with the abdominal nerve damage. He took the midsummer break back to France for diff meds, said it made a difference and it seemed to. But still it seems he gets it wrong about 30/40% of the time for 2nd motos. "It" meaning managing hydration, temp control, etc. Not always on the hotter days, too, oddly enough. And sometimes on the hot days, he is pretty good. It's hit or miss. Payton said something about it in some vid interview somewhere; that CP's got a program for living with the damage, but it's never guaranteed to work out any one day. Last Saturday (will that ever sound right?) was about as bad as it's been, judging how he looked on the bike. Like him or not, he always looks good on the bike, but Sat after about 5 laps he rode like he hydrated on bong water.
dgizzy- pourcel rides like a mad man during the week. the rumors of him not riding during the week are complete bull****, what everyones saying is that cant go for runs/workout at the gym etc. living in so cal im down at your local tracks a couple days during the week, and its not uncommon to see pourcel riding out there, AND HE RIDES A LOT. One time i watched him do 3 30 minute motos at perris without sitting down one time for training.
it ain't over till it's over...it's tuff out there...great racing in both classes...kevin windam kills me , hes amazing , Dungey is now up to RC RV JS speed (won m2 by 30 seconds) and Canard won't lay down, gets better every week. JS RV , this Dungey guy ain't jokin'.......
Chalk up another for the good guy!!! Whats with WIlson 's whining? He is getting worse than whining M Allessi?
It is pretty clear that Pourcel is not in shape. I think it is as simple as that. He fades in rough tracks and the second moto. Canard hammers the whole way. Could be a great second half especially if there's a heat wave.
Trey reminds me of Dungey, he works really hard and rides very smart. If he can get through a season uninjured I think next year he will be a contender. All the CP fans go straight to his injury from 2 years ago when he doesn't win. The crafty one is not in good shape and that is why he loses. His own wrench says he rarely rides his practice bike and only needs 2-cycle oil for his jet-skis. The way he over extended himself the first moto wasn't so crafty. CP is going to have a much tougher time on a 450, I think he better start training if hes going to be a 450 contender. Anyone that works as hard as Trey does deserves the wins he gets! Awesome job Trey, Good Luck!
It's been documented that Pourcel has an issue with overheating due to his injury. It's pretty clear he has had an issue when it is hot out. This year has been really hot. It isn't a fitness issue or he wouldn't win first motos either, the issue is with recovery and core body temp. His stays elevated way higher than it should between motos. I know it's hard to comprehend how an old injury can still cause problems.....think paralysis. Even after the injury heals, the damage remains. From what I understand his injury has caused nerve damage which interferes with his ability to sweat, the body's mechanism for regulating body temps. I also understand that doctors didn't think he would walk properly after his injury, let alone race again. I don't think he is in the best shape, but I don't think he was in better shape last year when he could go 1-1. He has gone 1-1 this year too, in Colorado. It wasn't as hot there, but elevation should take its toll on those that aren't fit. Remember when Doug Henry was getting IV's between motos? That's against the rules now, but he would've been toast that year without them. And he was in very good shape.
BKR- If any other rider did no other training and rode the practice bike rarely they would have the same symptoms as CP. Just because he does great the first moto does not mean he is in great shape. There are a lot of guys have bad second motos in the heat. (the ones that are not fit enough)
Trey Cannard for president!
CR500AF.... You said "Many a championship or career are lost in a turn, a jump." That is the story of Trey Canards life over the last two years. If anyone is going to throw the championship away by crashing out, unfortunately it will probably be Trey.
TWK101, so was he in shape last year? Was he training and practicing last year?
Trey Canard will take the championship...count on it!