by Steve Cox
250 Words: Pala Raceway
Wednesday, September 15, 2010 | 9:08 PM
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PrintBasically all of the talk heading into the season finale at Pala Raceway surrounded the 250cc class. More specifically, the seven points that separated Trey Canard from Chris Pourcel for the class championship.
However, the racing itself proved to be somewhat anticlimactic, as the showdown never quite happened because first Canard fell, and then Pourcel fell. But when Pourcel fell, he didn’t get up. He dislocated his shoulder. Just like that, the championship was over. No one expected it to end like that. It left both riders and both teams sort of in limbo, not knowing what to do next.
Trey Canard isn't the only winner to leave Pala Raceway. Chris Pourcel is a winner, too.
Photo: Steve Cox
However, for me, that’s not the end of the story. It’s just the start. I personally like both Canard and Pourcel. For Canard, he’s impossible not to like; he’s nice, genuine, and he gives it his all every time he’s on the track. And for Pourcel, he used to be hard to understand, but I ended up sitting next to him on a flight home from a race last year, and after talking for the whole flight (something he still makes fun of me for), I came away understanding him. He’s a great guy, too. Dry humor, swagger, and an appreciation for life after overcoming paralysis a couple years ago.
The end of the story is that, hours after everyone left, Pourcel walked up to Canard’s truck and asked to get a championship T-shirt to remember the event by. Long story short, what I witnessed was an exchange between two hardcore competitors that was full of nothing but respect and admiration for each other’s strengths. Pourcel gracious in defeat, and Canard gracious in victory, it could be that I witnessed the beginning of the new generation of 450cc rivalries.
Wouldn’t it be something if I did?
(For more on these events, check out the race report here, the Monday Conversation with Trey Canard here, and the 5 Minutes with Chris Pourcel here.)
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It would of been cool to have that on video for all to witness.
Cool to see guys with this much class. Great for the sport!!
Both are great sportsmen, the 250 class racing this year was fantastic. Both have overcome obstacles in their lives that would have defeated most people. Can't wait for the 450's!!!
I was hoping that Canard would win the overall at Pala after a hard battle with Pourcel, but Pourcel would win the championship. (Just because he should have won the title last year but for one ill-timed engine failure.) Anyway, I have a lot of respect for Trey and he's definitely a champion all around. Looking forward to cheering him on -- and the rest of Team USA -- at Thunder Valley.
I have a ton of respect for Christophe Pourcel after this series. I wasn't sure of him based on his dry, monotone podium speeches and the fact that he didn't show much interaction with the other racers during his appearances but what he did the weekend has since changed that. For him to remain so positive towards Canard and his winnings after it went so wrong for himself is just remarkable. Thats the example that needs to be set in this sport, true sportsmanship! You can't knock his clean racing stlye either. Speedy recovery #377!!!
I love that story about Pourcell from a while back. For those that might not have heard it, Pourcell was still learning English and Erin Bates was interviewing him between motos. The first moto was apparently very difficult and Erin asked him if he 'had enough gas in the tank' to give it a good effort for the second moto. Pourcell sincerely responded that yes, the mechanic always makes sure there is enough gas in the bike to get through the moto. Love it! Both classy riders for sure. Look forward to many more great battles.
I'll always be a flag waiver but, I've got to give it up for CP, a level of sportsmanship we seldom see. I'd have been having a tantrum. Champions are measured by their compet*tion and this title chase will cement both of their careers for years to come. Certainly NOT the Reed / Stewart relationship we almost expect from championship protagonists. The new wave of 450 riders looks to make for an exciting '11 A1 & beyond. If we can keep eveyone healthy for a full season, it should be a barn burner, another "perfect storm" prediction.....
Fantastic all the way around, when the riders are classy even the comment boards are polite. Does everyone see how paying it forward is good? Do good things and good things happen. Trey and Christophe and all the good sportsmen out there are the images I am proud to show my young family. Money Can't buy good Karma!
Pourcel is a great rider and a pleasure to watch. Canard was definately feeling it the 2nd half of the season. Great racing and a great season to be a moto fan. Loved it.
Wow. Class Act's. Both Canard and Pourcel. And Ryan Dungey. This 2010 season should go down as the one that elevated the level of class and demeanor required for the sport. It was so nice to see a noticeable lack of "Drama" and just have good clean racing, although I think that sometimes the fans *want* that stuff.