Montreal, QC (10/1/2007) – Yamaha motor Canada’s Richard Pelchat was able to claim his first ever podium at the 30th Montreal Supercross. The exciting race took place at the Olympic Stadium in Montreal in front of 50,000 cheering fans. The Montreal supercross features SX racing, ATV, Autocross and freestyle. Over the past few years, ATV stole the show in Montreal with great racing. The ATV track feature a mix of the supercross track and autocross track, the perfect mix for a both fast and technical track.
Always plagued with bad luck at events, Richard Pelchat came to the event very relaxed: “…this year I am ready for anything, I believe I can make up for anything. We will have a lot of fun.” During the Friday and Saturday practice, Richard rode smooth, trying lines and riding in traffic to get a good feel of the track rather that pounding fast laps. Richard recorded the fastest lap time of the four practice sessions which also serve as qualifiers for the night show.
The first ATV race of the evening show is a very short 5 laps race that determine gate pick for the main event. Jasmin Plante got holeshot for the race with Richard hot on his back. Richard rode smart while pressuring Plante and settled for second. “I played it safe…I know were I could make a pass…” said a very confident Richard after the race.
The stage was set for 10 laps the main event. Once again, Jasmin got the holeshot with Greg Gee and Richard in second and third. Richard was able to get the inside on Greg Gee in the next corner and started putting pressure on Jasmin. At this time the Stadium almost exposed as the 50,000 fans cheered on there two favourite riders. Just before the finish line there was section with a supercross triple, a mistake there proved to be costly. The triple took out about 6 or 7 riders, 2 with broken legs. On the first lap, Jasmin cased the triple hard and pulled off in pain with a badly hurting knee. Richard was now leading the race with Greg Gee in second and Cody Miller in third. Richard started to pull off on his YFZ 450, pickin up about a second a lap on the battling duo. Just before the mid race, Richard had about a 5 second lead and appeared well on my way to the win. Then disaster struck, the Montreal supercross would bite Richard once again: “I came a bit short on the same triple and got bucked off the seat and into the ground. I remounted in 5 fifth”. With his clutch lever down, Richard charged pass US riders Casey Martin and Aaron Mayes to be in third place. While he was catching on Greg Gee, Richard crossed the line in third.
Here what a disappointed Richard said after the race:
“I feel bad for throwing the win away like that…but it is racing…I was really fast and smooth and my Yamaha was working great but I made one little mistake…I finally got a podium here, it has a bittersweet taste but I got it…’’
Thanks to all my sponsors:
Yamaha motor Canada, Groupe Vertdure, RP Evolution, ELKA suspension, Toyota Canada, FXR, ITP, DASA, Hindle, Web Cams, Powermadd, Hipertech lubricants, Team axle, JE Pistons, K&N, AAB, Streamlines brakes, Polisport, Fuel Customs, Sixsixone, Sunline, Scott USA, Bell, Falicon, AC racing, Mini-moteur RG.