Grunthal hosts largest stop of the year on motocross tour

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This article was published 01/09/2022 (999 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

by CASSIDY DANKOCHIK

Despite a call to the air ambulance, organizers were happy with the rest of the race weekend at the Grunthal Motocross track. Two riders crashed together while flying through the air.

“Once the adrenaline is going, you can’t tell someone to take it easy,” Grunthal motocross board member Daryl Friesen said.

Over 300 riders made the trip to Grunthal to race over the weekend. Friesen said the Grunthal stop had the highest participation of the entire Manitoba Grassroots race tour.

While the stop in Grunthal drew big numbers, Friesen said ridership across the tour is down between 20 and 25 per cent in 2022.

“I’m sure fuel prices have made an impact,” he said, noting ongoing travel costs through the season can add up quickly.

“People’s living expenses have gone up, and I’m sure that’s made an impact on all sports, but especially ours.”

The Grassroots Motocross tour, formerly known as the Manitoba Motocross Association, has stops from Virden to Zhoda.

Friesen said the track held up well over the weekend, with forecasted rain on Sunday just missing Grunthal.

“It rained west of us, and east of us, everywhere but there, which we’re very thankful for,” Friesen said, noting the humidity kept the track from drying out to quickly.

“It was perfect weather, especially Saturday.”

Riders were pleased with the track, which is located just south of the town.

“Everybody said this was a phenomenal track, it is one of the best they’ve ever seen,” Friesen said.

A new feature called a dragon’s back was added to the Grunthal track for this year. The jump features multiple different landing zones. Riders could go for a 60 foot jump, or instead look to land shorter jumps in rhythm to keep some speed.