Thunder Valley: Powersports Honda preview

Surviving the heat and height of Denver will be key to motocross success

DENVER (June 25) -- A Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship race can be as much about survival as it is about a good start or smooth riding.

Temperatures that soar near triple-digits are commonplace during the outdoor season. But GEICO Powersports Honda 250cc superstar rider Trey Canard said dealing with those conditions are all part of the game.

"It's all part of that outdoor, hardcore motocross element," Canard said. "We all have to deal with it, and to succeed in it makes it all a little more enjoyable. It's all part of the motocross element, they can be enjoyable or your worst nightmare."

On Saturday, the rider of the GEICO Powersports Honda will have another important element to tackle, the altitude at Colorado's Thunder Valley.

"The altitude this weekend will be tough," Canard said. "Getting enough liquids in you is the key. It will take a toll on you, but the biggest thing will not be to think about too much and letting it affect you."

High heat indexes have been a part of the Oklahoman's career since the very start, and he said he's developed strategies to beat the heat.

"This is what I started riding in when I was a kid," Canard said. "You kind of become immune to it. As and amateur you are never out long enough to get your body temperature that high. As a pro our races are much longer and it can bring your body heat up to dangerous levels, so you have to find ways to get your temperature down after those races."

Despite the heat, all the GEICO Powersports Honda riders have been focused improving their riding in order to improve their place in the championship standings. Canard for one said he's on the hunt for better consistency.

"I've had some signs of brilliance and some good motos, but I've also had some disastrous ones too," Canard said. "I'm not happy where I'm at and I want to get better for sure. I want to keep working, have good starts and be strong through the whole moto."

Canard is sixth in the standings for the 250cc class. Justin Barcia is the top GEICO Powersports Honda 250 rider, he sits in fourth in the points after a second-place finish last weekend in Maryland. Rookie Eli Tomac is right behind Canard in seventh with Blake Wharton in 11th place.

In the 450cc class, Brett Metcalfe is third in the season points.

-source: geico powersports honda