One of the hardest things to do in this sport is make slow, steady progress toward the front of the pack. Most of the front runners are born leaders, riders who won big in the amateur ranks and then made an immediate impact with their speed in the pro ranks. Sure, maybe they had to learn to smooth out to deliver consistent results, but it’s been said that speed is the hardest thing to teach, and trying to catch the ones that already have it is a daunting task.
Congrats Jake!
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
Considering where Canada started last year—just making main events as a privateer—and then how he picked up his MotoConcepts ride (he showed up at the Lakewood, Colorado MX National and turned heads on a 450, leading to increased support), this is becoming a rags to riches tale. The California native has fought up to sixth in the Lites East standings, with only big-money factory supported riders ahead of him. Consider that riders like Barcia and Durham have AMA Horizon Awards as amateurs, and Baggett, Roczen and Wharton have all won races at the pro level, and Canada is closing on some fast company.
But he’s no longer doing it the slow and steady way. He’s clearly getting very fast, very quickly.
Congrats to Jake on this week’s Racer X Outstanding Performance Award. He may be getting some bigger awards soon—like podium hardware.
