Page 62 - ISSUE42

TREY CANARD
450 SX / 11TH
IMAGE / MPG WORDS / HARNISHFEGER DESIGN / WILSON
>> Trey Canard’s first season with the Factory Red Bull KTM squad has gone far from how they envisioned it. Injuries have held him back all year long and enter- ing Detroit he had only lined up at a handful of races. A shoulder injury to kick off the year and then a concussion a few weeks ago in Toronto have kept him from maintaining a solid training regimen and his performances have reflected that. Canard has always been one of the best at bouncing back from injuries as he has done so numerous times over the years but it appears that they are finally begin- ning to catch up with him. He continues to put in the work so we hope to see him stay healthy and return to form once he gets a few races in a row under his belt.
Canard proved he still has some speed in the tank in qualifying practice by throw- ing down the ninth fastest lap time just a half a second off the pole position win- ner Broc Tickle. He was more than ready to showcase that speed during the night show. He got a good start in his heat race emerging from the first turn in fourth place. He held onto that final transfer spot as tight as he could and it caused
him to make some mistakes. Malcolm Stewart stalked him waiting for the right opportunity to pounce and he did so on the penultimate lap. Jason Anderson also managed to squeak by sending Canard back to sixth and onto the semis. Canard made sure he was going to qualify in the semi because he ripped the holeshot and assumed the early lead. He led the first four laps before surrendering a tough battle to Davi Millsaps. Canard stayed right on him until the end and earned a ticket to the main event.
Unfortunately, in the main event, Canard could not repeat his holeshot from the semi. In fact, he fared far worse as he rounded the first lap in fourteenth place. He made a few quick moves in the opening stages to work into twelfth before settling in there and going after Brayton. He trailed the Honda rider for a few laps before making the move on lap seven taking over eleventh. From there Canard would keep it smooth and steady and finish in that position. The finish might not be what you are used to seeing with a championship-caliber like Canard, but a few solid, consistent races like that could be all he needs to get his mojo back.