Finally ready to make his debut appearance in the Lightweight road racing class, Matechuk saddled up aboard his Alberta Cycle sponsored RS125 for the first time at Race City in Calgary this last weekend. The grueling 3.2km track was a much faster and more dynamic adversary for the young up and comer, but taking it in stride, Matechuk pulled off a head-turning performance.
The double header event left little opportunity for set-up, with only two sessions of practice before the first race of the day. Matechuk was anxious to finally compete on his full-size race bike and took to the middle of the grid following his warm-up laps. When the flag dropped, the small RS125 screamed from its marker and Matechuk immediately began dicing through the field. Feeling the rumble closing in from a thundering single 650, the small bike pushed to the final brake marker before gently slowing to make the high speed turn in corner one. He held his position with a late apex maneuver and never looked back. The next nine laps were consistent and secluded as the young pilot stretched his lead. He cruised the track for his final lap claiming his first checkered flag to the delight of his crew and the fans on hand. “The bike felt great “, smiled the euphoric Cochrane teen. “The bike is definitely fast, but it feels very stable too.” Race coach, Clint McBain added proudly, “He feels there is more speed to be had through a few corners, so we’ll work on the lines and some riding techniques to see if we can get the lap times down.”
By the afternoon, Matechuk was back to compete in the Formula II class. Knowing the 125 would struggle against the much stronger 250’s and V-twin Buells, the goal was simply to work on lines and staying smooth. The Alberta Cycle RS125 launched cleanly from the grid but was overwhelmed down the long front straight by the larger horsepower on the track. Matechuk used aggressive corner speeds to make up ground and began to clamber his way up through the field. Pushing through all ten laps, the final pass came just a few turns before the checkered flew and when the dust settled, Matechuk had finished an impressive 4th place.
Though Saturday’s elation seemed nearly impossible to duplicate, there were new goals set and Matechuk was looking to prove he was up to the challenge. The morning practice sessions went smoothly and Matechuk prepared for a re-match in the Lightweight class. Assuming his central starting position on the grid, the bikes soon launched from the line and Matechuk slid his way up to second place by the 1st turn. Nipping at the heels of the race leader, a late-braking move coming into turn 8 would lock down the pass. Like a slingshot, Matechuk fired out of the carousel and onto the front straightaway as the new race leader. He gradually stretched out a small lead and began dropping times into the low 1:28’s. The performance earned him his second victory of the weekend. “I really had to push to make the pass for the lead”, said a wide-eyed Matechuk, “but we did what we had to, had fun doing it and brought home another win”.
The final race for Matechuk was in the Formula II class. Hoping to better yesterday’s results by moving through the field more aggressively in the opening laps, Matechuk started things just as planned. By lap 2 the tiny RS125 was slipping through traffic at a record pace. Down the front straight Matechuk looked in control, but hearts stopped when he clipped the curbing in turn 2, was stood up and launched off the track in turn 3. Skillfully, the young pilot kept the bike upright, circled and made it back on the track. The excursion dropped him to the back on the pack, but with great composure, he got back on pace finishing in 8th and setting his fastest time of the race on the final lap. “It was a scary ride”, shared Matechuk. “I can’t believe the air I caught once I left the track. I’m just glad we stayed upright and got back into it.” McBain was quick to add, “These experiences and a rider’s responses to them are what separate the weekend warriors from those that can make a career of this. He did great and showed a lot of character as a racer this weekend.”
