What’s new with Oklahoma’s speedy young ginger and recent 250 class motocross champion? We called to find out! Read on to see what’s happening in Trey Canard’s life…
You must be on cloud nine after such and remarkable season winning both the 250 motocross title and the Motocross of Nations title for America?
Yeah, it’s a pretty unbelievable thing. I’m on cloud nine a little bit. It’s hard to really think of myself as an outdoor champion and the Motocross of Nations champion. It’s been a remarkable year. It’s something that’s kind of been a dream so I’m just stoked and trying to keep the momentum going and be thankful.How did you stay positive after you got a DNF or was it a crash midseason that screwed up your drive for the championship?
Yeah, pretty much the first four rounds were tough for me and it just didn’t start out right with the first moto at Hangtown. I got like 7th and then got heatstroke in Texas and then things just didn’t click. The low point was I think I got a 14th at Budd’s Creek and I just couldn’t get things going. Finally at Colorado things turned around, got a 2nd and then won for a little bit and things just kind of kept going my way, so it was awesome.How did you stay motivated at that point and keep going knowing the season was probably over at that time?
I think at one point the championship seemed out of reach. I was almost 60 points behind and we kind of figured that was not possible. Pourcel was kind of not looking very beatable at the time and we knew he’d have to get some bad finishes- and it didn’t look like that was really going to happen. My goal then was just to be selected as the MX2 participant for USA for Motocross of Nations. That was the goal and obviously to win some races. I just kind of kept my eyes focused on that and then before I knew it I was in a position to win the championship. Here we are now collecting on it. It was tough. I had some really tough times with it and fortunately with the support group around me it was a big help.What was going through your mind at Pala when you had that little mishap during the first moto?
Yeah. I thought for sure I was done. I was like that’s it. I was disappointed and didn’t really think it was possible and I kind of rode around for a lap. Then I was like “you know what, you never know what can happen,” and just tried to go fast and started clicking off some good laps and before I knew it, Pourcel was done and out. It was pretty unbelievable just to see what went on, the swing back and fourth, at the last race.What is it like having such a fan following? You have quite a big group of people that are Trey fans and they enjoy your humor, they like your demeanor and your attitude.
It’s cool. I’m thankful to have anyone that supports me. Some people don’t like some things I say but that’s me and I don’t plan on changing it. I really love that people are supportive of me and appreciate the goon riding and some of the funny things and the enjoyment of what I do. I hope I can continue to have people’s support in the years to come and be a fan favorite.It seems like you’re bringing to the sport what’s been missing, more personality. You know how to enjoy yourself off the track and get serious on the track.
Yeah, you can’t take it too serious and I’ve been through my stages of taking it entirely too serious so I try to enjoy it but at the end of the day it’s just riding motorcycles and I try to take that and have fun with it and enjoy what I do. The things like the goon riding and some of the funny stuff that takes place it’s something I enjoy and I think that kind of adds to my personality so I enjoy it and hopefully others do too.At what point did you realize Honda had you in their sights to ride a 450 in 2011?
The rides in Supercross from the 450 really helped me as far as that goes. The ball really started rolling at that point in time and I kind of knew it and it was kind of looking for sure after those races which was great. I’m very thankful for that. I know a lot of guys are struggling to find rides in the later part of the year so I feel very fortunate to have that and I’m glad to be a part of Honda. It’s a huge, huge company and they’ve supported me great the last 4 years and I can’t ask for much more. It’s been pretty special.
Now come Anaheim 1, there’s going to be a lot of eyes on you looking to see what you’re going to do against the rest of the field.
Everyone will have expectations and I think people probably won’t expect a lot from me against those names-Reed, Stewart and Villopoto and Dungey, who are a group of really solid riders. For me, I’m just going to concentrate on what I can control and that’s the fact that I’ll be as ready as I can possibly be and do my best and hopefully that can lead to some good results and hopefully I can have a strong year as my first year on the 450.You aren’t necessarily saying, “I’m going to beat those guys.” You’re just going to get out there and ride to your ability at that time and see how the chips fall?
Yes, that’s what always kind of works for me. Just give my best effort and come in ready and not put too many expectations on myself. At the end of the day, what happens happens and the only thing that I can control and the only thing that I can really affect is myself. I always love to win and I always want to win and do well but sometimes that’s not possible or sometimes you put that on yourself and you don’t perform the way you should so like I said I’m just going to do the best that I can.Career-wise are you where you want to be? Could you have done it any differently or are you happy with the progress?
Pretty much from 2008 until basically the beginning part of this year I really had it tough with my career and injuries and wrong choices. They were tough and I think that everyone goes through that and had I had the right mindset at times and the right efforts and everything like that. Maybe things would have gone different in a couple of the series but I can’t look back on it and be bummed because everything happens for a reason and I might not of have had the opportunities that I have now. So I can’t be bummed on it at all. I’m motocross champion and part of the Motocross Des Nations this year and if that’s not something to be thankful for I don’t really know what is.Are you going to defend your 250 Outdoor Championship or will you ride a 450 all year?
No, I’m contracted to go with the 450 all year next year, which is good. I’m excited about that. I think it will be a good thing for me. I need to turn the page on the 250 and not chase after too many championships. I think one is great for myself in the Lites class and I can’t ask for too much more.Who’s Ronny Mac? (search Ronny Mac on Youtube or go to www.whoisronnymac.com)
Ronny Macc is Ronny Mack. I mean it’s plain and simple like that. Ronny Mac is Ronny Mac.Are you guys friends?
Oh yeah, we kick it. Friends, I don’t know. He’s a little extreme for me. How do you say it? He’s a little bit of a heathen so I try to stay away from Ronny Mack but I enjoy riding with him.Does he take after your style with the fender slap or do you take after his style?
I think we bring good characteristics out with each other. He learns some things from me and I learn some things from him. I haven’t seen him in a while so hopefully we can see him again soon. I miss him.
