Once again, Canadian riders have proved their talent at the Snow BikeCross competition in Aspen’s X Games competition, with Cody Matechuk winning the event and Brock Hoyer finishing third.
Snow BikeCross is basically motocross, but with snowbikes on a snow course instead of dirt bikes on dirt. It’s a niche sport for sure, but if you live in ski country, it can be a good way to keep riding throughout the winter.
Matechuk (who won last year’s event) won his heat, as did Hoyer (who won silver last year, gold the year before). They had the two top spots going into the 14-lap final, but American rider Jesse Kirchmeyer got in front of them both and led for much of the race. With three laps left, Matechuck managed to get in front. Hoyer, who’d been in second until Lap 6, put on a strong last-minute push, but was unable to regain his position.
Both Matechuk and Hoyer were on modified Yamaha YZ450Fs, and you can see the official Yamaha press release below the photo gallery for more details.
GALLERY
Check out all the pics that go with this story!
MATECHUK DEFENDS GOLD MEDAL AT X GAMES
January 30, 2019 (Toronto, ON) – Yamaha Motor Canada bLU cRU ambassador Cody Matechuk stood atop the X Games podium for the second year in a row after winning Gold in the Snow BikeCross competition in Aspen, CO on Saturday, January 26.
Matechuk (Cochrane, AB) and fellow Yamaha Motor Canada bLU cRU ambassador Brock Hoyer (Williams Lake, BC) proved to be top contenders again in 2019 on the circuit at Colorado’s Buttermilk ski area after winning Gold and Silver in 2018. Both riders won their heat races and had the top two grid selections going into the 14-lap final round.
Hoyer, the 2017 X Games Snow BikeCross Gold medalist, grabbed second place on the first lap of the finals and started hunting down race leader Jesse Kirchmeyer (USA). After a poor start, Matechuk eventually moved his 2019 YZ450F up to third and continued to make ground on Hoyer each lap. On Lap 6, a fall by Hoyer handed second place to a hungry Matechuk.
Matechuk went in for the kill with three laps to go, slicing around Kirchmeyer with a calculated outside pass that caught the American rider off-guard. With an open track ahead of him, Matechuk quickly distanced himself from the challengers, winning by 4.45 seconds. After remounting, Hoyer nearly caught Kirchmeyer on the last lap but ultimately had to settle for Bronze, adding to the Gold and Silver medals he won in 2017 and 2018, respectively.
Matechuk and Hoyer were both piloting the 2019 Yamaha YZ450F, which features electric start and the exclusive wireless Power Tuner app. Dealer support for Matechuk comes from Cycle Works Foothills (Calgary, AB), while Hoyer’s program is supported by Outlaw Motorsports in Kamloops, BC.
“I’m super stoked to win Gold again this year,” said Matechuk, who earned Bronze in 2017 before last year’s breakout win. “It was a very tough race, but I was able to show just how much hard work went into the preparation for this race from every part of our team. It was a crazy weekend, and I’m stoked for more.”
CMG article third paragraph “Matechuk (who placed third at the event last year) won his heat”, followed by Yamaha press release “MATECHUK DEFENDS GOLD MEDAL AT X GAMES” … not a rocket scientist but wouldn’t that mean he won gold last year?
Great job by both Cody and Brock, two solid Canadian boys showing the world what we are made of!
Er quite. Last year’s story was here! https://canadamotoguide.com/2018/02/01/canadian-riders-bring-home-x-games-gold-silver/