Rapid ReaXtion: Canard Re-Signs with Honda
Monday, July 30, 2012 | 3:55 PM
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PrintHonda Muscle Milk announced today that they have signed Trey Canard through the 2014 season. Here’s the Rapid ReaXtion from our crew—tell us what you think in the comments section below.
Jason Weigandt:
There is nothing worse than watching bad things happen to good people, but that’s happened far too often to Trey Canard. Not only is Trey one of the nicest, humblest, funniest riders in the sport (a rare combination) but he also takes his chosen profession seriously and works as hard as he can. Talent, hard work and humility should equal success—if it doesn’t, we start questioning everything we’re raised to believe.
Well, Trey has come dangerously close to striking out a few times, the closest was this year in Los Angeles, where he very, very nearly saw his career come to an end. I’m just pumped to hear Trey will be able to make a full recovery, first. As far as team stuff goes, when I talked to Trey several months ago it sounded like things seemed shaky at first, but in the end two teams found value in him. Kawasaki made a big effort to get a rider they once backed in the amateur ranks, and obviously Honda didn’t want to let him go. Also, by staying with Honda, Trey gets to keep his mechanic Brent Presnell, who has been by his side well before either was getting paid to do this.
Doesn’t really matter which team Trey went with, though. The point is that good deeds got their reward, and even after nearly two full years of bad luck and injuries, people still want to help (and see) Trey succeed. Don’t we all?
Steve Matthes:
We’ve all known about this for a while and I’d say it’s a good deal for both Honda and Trey. At one point the deal for Trey to go to Kawasaki was very close but in the end, I suspect Honda upped their offer and Trey wanted to stay with his familiar people and bike. As we all know Canard has had more than his fair share of injuries, but when on the bike he’s one of the very best in American racing. This last injury is going to be the toughest to come back from but if anyone can, it’s Canard.
This is one of those signings that for all the speed on the track, it’s what he brings to your brand off the track that probably helped get this deal done. A fan favorite and one of the best walking talking PR machines out there, Canard is a media favorite and I imagine a great guy to deal with for Honda as well. Canard’s return to the series this year in Monster Energy Supercross was just starting to warm up when he suffered his injury. Trey’s going to be 100 percent when Anaheim 2013 comes, as he should be on the bike real soon.
All in all, with Justin Barcia and Canard on Honda for 2013 and beyond, the red riders look strong. Now they just have to find some cash and resources for Justin Brayton and it will be a powerful team in the pits.
Chase Stallo:
When the announcement dropped earlier today that Honda Muscle Milk had inked Trey Canard through the 2014 season—one that was more than expected—it signified that Honda is making a real effort to return to its past championship glory. With two-time East Region Lites Champion Justin Barcia already on the books for 2013 and beyond, Honda is hoping that teaming Barcia with a healthy Canard will bring them their first SX (450) championship since Ricky Carmichael in 2002.
After dominating the sport to the tune of 13 AMA Supercross titles in 15 years, Honda has gone ten years without a Supercross Class championship. Many will point to Canard’s injury issues the past few seasons, but with Chad Reed, James Stewart and Ryan Dungey already off the market, and Ryan Villopoto’s status still in question, Honda got the best available rider on the free market that has a chance to bring home a championship.
After dominating the sport to the tune of 13 AMA Supercross titles in 15 years, Honda has gone ten years without a Supercross Class championship. Many will point to Canard’s injury issues the past few seasons, but with Chad Reed, James Stewart and Ryan Dungey already off the market, and Ryan Villopoto’s status still in question, Honda got the best available rider on the free market that has a chance to bring home a championship.
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I will be shocked it Canard even makes it halfway through the next season he competes in before he jacks himself up again. Dude has the worst luck I have ever seen!
Congrats!!! Stay upright and in one piece ! Boyid they get villo,canard and the rest it will be nothing butt red or shades of meaning orange..Boy how the scenery changes!
JS 7 isnt far behind on the DL roster
What's a contract like that worth?
Wouldn't mind seeing him on a Kawasaki, but more interested in seeing him at ALL the races, than what color his bike is.
May Trey have the best of luck and the wind to his back!
odds are TC will race the next three years without injury, just like he did in the 250 class. He has simply had a string of harsh getoffs that hurt him bad and the last was totally different than the previous two. I wish the guy well and have a feeling he will do well. He should be wiser, scrubbing is only a small part of the speed these guys have.
My guess is T.C. took a little less money to keep his shot at the bigs. Barcia was the big ticket signing. I hope KYFHO69 is way off on his assesment but, history has shown..............other problem might be he's now gunshy.
Canard is just one of those riders who cant make the transition to the big bikes- without busting himself up over and over again. Kinda like Villopoto and Stewart- only worse. One more femur and he should call it a wrap.
With the exception of the last SX crash, he has crashed a lot like Stewart. He rides at the edge of his ability. It is probably the only way he knows. I hope things go well for him in 2013.
Honda Finaly showing some loyalty to a rider !!! just hope TC can stay off the ground, Lots of big hurts for this kid.
Broc Hepler is probably spinning his Rolodex looking for a ride after 41's signing.
TC may get gunshy- but i thought that about RV last time he got really banged up and he came back faster...
@BillC - 100% agree with you regarding Honda's lack of loyalty in the past with riders. Completely turned me against them.
@yamalink - Rode with Helpler and his dad not long ago and talked to him about this topic. He decided that racing was no longer worth the risk after suffering major concussions within a short period. Would love to see him back at it but it's not going to happen. He took the college route instead. After riding with him, he certainly hadn't lost much of his amazing speed and riding ability.
Heres a different idea... Just puttin it out there...
Would of actually liked to see Cannard drop back to the GEICO team and race a year on the 250 again.
The dude has had such a bad run, alot of time off the bike, sure he has the 450 speed and skill, but a season on the bike he last had massive success on couldn't hurt to bring back confidence in himself and his riding.
Possibly prolong what will surely be an awesome career... IF he can stay healthy, and also keep him under the Red Riders tent.
@ starplaya4life
Sorry wrong post but computer is really throwing a fit today internet is screwy here ..
Yes good memory Dave { Weak } LOP YAMAHA 125 early 80’d there is a guy on here that would know him better Larry Whitmer that rode also……….But yes I know who he is, good rider.
I know a few others on the list of # 52 also rode with a few
1999 – The late great Kevin Crine. One of the coolest, nicest, racers ever.
1998 - “Mad” Mike Jones wore the five-two as one of his last national numbers.
1996 – Shaun Kalos. I’ll always remember him showing up in a bus at Ponca.
1994 – Brian McElroy. Not sure what happened to this fast kid from Brooksville, FL
1993 – Jeff Curry ran #52 this year on a Tuff Racing KX250.
1990 – Three-time Loretta Lynn champion, Greg Bowen.
1989 – New England legend Pat Barton.
1986 – Texas speedster Clay Hoenshell.
1983 – David Weak from Omaha, Nebraska
Glad Honda has such good taste in its riders...Very sad how short term memory loss has efected so many fans brains...Canard is a absolute title threat hands down...Villo lost a title straight up to him in the lites sx ...I think Barcia will benefit from Canard's leadership so much he will be the one to win a title..( thats right I'm predicting a Barcia 2013 right now )....But there will be alot of RED on that podium this year..Reed Barcia and Canard will get alot of wins
yamyblues... Don't put to much money on Barcia 2013!!!! I just don't see it. He will be up there but if all the top guys stay healthy not going to happen.
I hope Trey and RV can finally learn to dial it back just a tad and learn to take a second or third occasionally(no hope for JS7 I'm afraid) because if they stay healthy, we are in for the best year ever in my opinion.
All tese riders for 3 podium spots....Somebody has to be taken out or will be crashed out,, To many egoes
Carmichael won the title in 2003 as well, '02 wasn't Honda's last sx title.
its gonna be a crazy year i just hope everyone stays healthy im worried that the injurie list may be worse than this year thats a lot of fast guys and the tracks are just to tight to allow for save racing guys always have to go above and beyond to make a move and end up cartwheeling something tells me wilson should have stayed another year on the 250 he lacks in SX anyways i think he may get burried in the packi think barcia will do fine though and barcia had to move up wilson just wants to move up and i think its a little premature he's fast outdoors though so hears to hoping everyone makes it through the gauntlet to MX 2013 thats gonna be some good racing
First, great to see Canard will be back on the bike soon. Was stoked to see RV is back on the bike as well. So while I'm not in any hurry for the MX season to end, looking forward to the SX season and hopefully all the top guys being healthy. Wouldn't it be an epic year in SX if all the top guys are there every round! Second, it's refreshing to see a manufacturer stand behind a rider, through a tough series of injuries and during a time when the economy is not the best. Factory Honda has a great stable of riders with Canard, Barcia and Brayton (hope they keep Brayton, he's solid and has been battling injuries of his own). Canard and Barcia are capable of delivering race wins and a healthy Brayton is a consistent top 5 or 6 guy. Reminds me of some of the Honda teams of old...capable of winning, but even if they don't they have riders the fans like to see race and know how to give back to the fans and the sport.
Mr mx, you skipped 1995. That was Chad Lough. He earned #52 but never got to run it at the nationals because he broke his back at Muddy Creek in the spring of 1995.
Sorry for that one I forgot about that crash last time I saw him was at Steel City 1994
Chad was (and is) a very fast rider from VA.
He quit for several years after a horendous crash at Muddy Creek. It was similar to the one Doug Henry had at Budd's creek except Chad landed on an upHill slope.
Chad over jumped the big tabletop on the back straight by about 60' when he got thrown back on the bike and couldn't release the throttle or work the back brake.
Like Henry he also suffered a broken back and is lucky to even be walking.
He is gotten back into racing recently and if I remember correctly he even qualified for Loretta's in the four stroke class.
Chad's uncle was the guy that originally started Ballzee then he sold it to Kevin Austin from hammerhead graphics.
Chad used to work for Kevin when they had the big rig that went to nationals and big regional events.
He is a good guy.
Apparantly he has decided to get into the promoting business.
As much as I would like to see a company like Honda be loyal to a rider, let's not kid ourselves - it's all business.... If they didn't think Canard can win, they would not have signed him. They didn't keep him to be nice. I can assure you of that!
TC is a nice guy no doubt about it...... unfortunately he is fragile and needs to pack on a few pounds to ride the 450 at the edge needed to win and help him cope with the inevitable get off. The bottom line with Honda is that they got Dean Wilson through JW racing, they have Barcia who I think will content for wins in 13' and they are looking at bring Tomac on board in 14' instead of Brayton. So indeed Honda is looking good. My thought thought is that TC is a fcalcualtged risk for Honda, but with odds like a flip of the coin if he can stay healthy or not. As mentioned above, his excellent off track PR was the straw to tip the scales for the Red machine.
Weege I was right there with you until you threw in the line about Brayton. If I were Honda I'd be trading JB off to a satellite team for some spare parts and fifty bucks. The guy just doesn't have anything to offer a factory team, sorry to say. His results are almost never notable and his personality off the bike is like cardboard. I'm always surprised to hear when he gets signed to another good team.
Canard, on the other hand, even after so much bad luck it's easy for anyone to see that he is a highly valuable asset to any team.
RCRDDW RV does not need to slow down, Rememeber he won EVERY thing for a year and a half and then had a stupid fall not because he was ridding crazy just a simple foot plant in a bad way. TC does need to calm down a bit though.
mbmoto ...Kawasaki HAS Wilson thru JW racing NOT Hoanda.
Either way I am betting Honda got TC for CHEAP.
I wish our sport would say how much these contracts are worth...
Really blows my mind how they keep this from the fans time and time again.
Well I'm glad I get to see Trey ride for a few rounds next year. The dude is fast. His bike also has a strange tendency to end up in the stands....
@BillC, dont count out Barcia too quickly, he ran with Dungey at Unadilla. I know its a favorite track of Barcia but still.. He also got a win in Southwick against all the top guys, on a 450. So you never know.. But I think his first season or so will be a learning process, he wont challenge for titles early, but I bet he challenges for podiums.. Much to your dismay, LOL
Lets just hope Trey stays out of the podium so we don't have to hear his "I would like to thank the lord above, for keeping me safe (Ha!!)" etc etc. Just race and keep your personal believs at home. If I would believe in santa (who Is obviously also a fictional character) It's not like I would shove It down your throat!
Cant argue with the fact that Trey Is a really, really good rider though.
bd200 I said the same thing you did, He will be up there but I don't see a title his first year if everyone stays healthy.
I think Canard & Barcia will have an immediate impact on the top 3 finishers (next year) for several reasons.
1) With the most new talent (that is theoretically podium capable) coming into the ranks in quite some time, there is going to be a lot of "mixing it up" at the front. Riders will be throwing down their best early on........I think Barcia might be one of the best equipped for the tight, bar banging action we will most likely see in the first few rounds.
2) Canard has won races before so, his expectations will be high. I don't see him wading into the deep end, I think he will cannonball!
3) Both of these riders have seat time on the Honda 450 so, not only are they comfortable on a 450 but, they are comfortable on the brand which, is pretty important. Wilson will benefit from this situation as well.....on a KX, of course.
4) I believe Canard is considered (and considers himself) to be the "next generation" and therefore, has that little bit of extra pressure to peform. This goes for Barcia as well and we could see them racing with an urgency that might not suit the established, maybe a little wiser, current top names.
5) Hypothetically speaking, let's say #7 comes out with the most pure speed, for one lap. I don't think Barcia is the type to let it go. With Stanton in his corner now, he may be smarter but, I still feel he will pin it to erase any advantage a fast lap would suggest.
6) Honda hasn't had the keys to title city for a long time. Big Red's expectations will be there.