Trey Canard – True Belief

This week’s announcement about Trey Canard’s retirement from professional racing sure came from the clouds, but when you consider the string of gnarly injuries Canard has endured over the past few seasons, you’d have to concede the 26-year-old’s decision was not entirely unexpected.
Rather than dwell on the #41’s cruel luck in the past few seasons, though, let’s reflect on the guy in his prime; the Trey Canard back in 2010, when he opened up about the tragic death of his father and how it shaped his life and racing career in this memorable profile that Frank Hoppen penned about Canard in Issue #6 of Transmoto’s printed magazine…

If you need proof that your childhood shapes your future, look no further than the inspirational Trey Canard.
Bad shit happens in life. Innocent children die of unknown diseases. Caring mothers get raped. Loving fathers get killed doing seemly mundane jobs. But what if you’re the one left behind? How do you find the inner strength and peace to move on?
If you’re a 12-year-old Trey Canard, the loss of your father to the sport you both love means you focus on three things: Mother, Maker and Motocross.
Now realising his dream to compete at the highest level, Canard is on the verge of his first shot at an AMA 450cc title.

It’s a small word with a variety of interpretations. It can be spiritual, physical and mental, and play as big or small a role in your life as you let it. For Red Bull Honda’s Trey Canard, that word is belief. Having been thoroughly tested by a childhood tragedy, that belief manifested in AMA MX and SX titles and a place on the winning American MXoN team. After last season’s guest ride on the 450 Honda (due to Davi Millsap’s injuries), Canard shook the establishment by challenging for podiums from the get-go. With the ink still drying on his 2011 450-class contract, and the graphics still being printed for his Red Bull Honda, Transmoto spoke to the prodigal son about his difficult past, sensational present and his spiritual future.

TM: To get an idea of your journey to the top level of AMA MX, can we start with the event that shaped your early years?
TC: Yup, it’s good to talk about it. Back then, we lived on a farm and had this paddock where we had a small moto track. It wasn’t much, actually pretty pathetic in today’s light, but for me, it was heaven; a great place to ride. My dad was always working on it. He came from the old school and tried so hard to make it cool and I really appreciated that. It’s so awesome to have a place like that when you grow up. I still go there, where it happened. It’s a bummer for me to be there and brings back some really painful memories.
He was moving rocks with a tractor, which flipped over and buried him. The police tried everything to save him, but there was only so much they could do. It was not enough…

As a 12-year-old, that must have given you a range of conflicting emotions. How did you cope?
Jesus was the only thing that kept me going through this; learning that there is more in this world than the physical. It gave me hope that I will always have my dad. Without faith, I don’t see how I would have gotten through this – thinking that I would never see him again would have destroyed me. I always have the hope he instilled in me. It is important to me to continue to believe. It’s become a huge part of my life. I believe we are created by God and there is more to life than racing motorcycles. I got a lot of flack for saying that on the podium, but it is important to me to bring that over. That makes me capable of these things – makes me tick.

Who is the most important person in your life now?
My Mom. She is just a great person. She has been there for me in a lot of ways and we have a great relationship.

Tell us about your roots in racing and how you got started?
I first rode when I was three. My Dad used parts from broken machines and built me a bike from scrap. While he was busy building me a running bike, I couldn’t wait and was pushing the leftovers up and down a hill. Not many people remember when they were three years old, but I have these days wired in my head for good. Later on, we’d go to the races on the weekends. That was what we enjoyed as a family thing. When I was nine, I got offered a Team Green Ride and my riding went to another level. I always had the dream to become something big, but never really believed it would happen. But that didn’t stop me from wanting to have it so bad and I just kept pushing. I was always a third- to fifth-placed guy until 2006, which was my breakout year. I started winning a lot, I even clean-swept Loretta Lynn’s, and that was when Factory Connection, as well as Pro Circuit, approached me. A few months prior, I was an unknown and suddenly I had the opportunity of a lifetime!

You became a Red Rider at the age of 17. What made you leave Kawasaki and go to Honda?
Basically the people. The low-pressure Factory Connection Honda Team was where I wanted to be and it was a good choice. They have been awesome to me in good and bad times. You never know what the future will bring – I might have some bad results and they might not want me anymore. It has been a pleasure to ride for them and it is an honour for me. I hope to keep the relationship up for a long time.

You won your first SX title in 2008. It went down to the wire with Ryan Villopoto ending up on the floor from an aggressive move. How did that go afterwards in the pits between you guys and the teams?
I didn’t expect Ryan to be okay with it. From his point of view, I flat out hit him, although I know I didn’t. But I am not able to change his thinking and respect that. I was in a bad position, and knew he was probably a better rider than me, but I saw an opportunity and went for it. It was supposed to be a clean-cut pass but, as the video shows, my back wheel slid out and I ran into him. I won and that ended his title hopes. Anytime you loose something like that, you will be upset. I tried to talk to him, but for a long time, I wasn’t able to really get through. There were bad feelings and Mitch Payton (Pro Circuit boss) wasn’t too happy about it. In some ways, Mitch still shows animosity to this day.

“I believe we are created by God and there is more to life than racing motorcycles. It is important to me to bring that over.”

Will there be paybacks when you line up again side-by-side this year?
Last year, Ryan was really cool to me again, so I hope this is a thing of the past. We both know that feuding will not help our results and hurt us both.

After 2008, you had a lot of bad luck and injuries. What did you do to change that?
I had put too much emphasis on winning. The 2008 championship was awesome, but winning it did physically hurt me. Besides that, having injuries doesn’t help, especially big ones like breaking my femur. You have to start from ground zero when you come back. I realised that I’m in charge of what I’m doing and not to worry too much about it, but just go out and do the best I can.

The 2010 season was quite a ride for you, seemingly coming from nowhere to steal the crown…
After Budds Creek, being 57 points behind, I hit a low point. I had been on the podium just once and the team realised that the championship was all but out of reach. That was not where I wanted to be at all! For a couple of days, I was just bummed out. Then I thought that it just does not matter. From then on, I would just do the best I could. Then Colorado came and I got second. It was like a rejuvenation. I realised I was still capable and my new goal then was to be a part of the US MXoN team. I just wanted to win a race, something I had not done at the Outdoors. I wanted to do that before I left the 250 class. I never thought about the championship from then on. And then next week it happened. I was on the podium again. It was crazy. I needed to continue that form. I wanted to show the USA fans that I wanted to race for them at the MXoN. I had a bunch of incredible races in Millville and Washougal, but then came the pivotal Unadilla round and Christophe Pourcel [the then championship leader] DNFed. At that point, the championship became open again. And so back came the pressure, too. I imploded at Southwick and had a bad second moto. I pulled myself together for the next round and scored a 1-1 at Steel City.

And then came the decider; the final round at Pala…
It was simple – I had to win both motos and Pourcel had to finish third or lower. Knowing that Pala would be similar to Glen Helen – where I never had been that strong – made it tough. But at the same time, I also was very thankful to even be in that position.
I was ready to take it by the horns and make of it the best I could. I also knew how he must be feeling – I had been in his shoes in ’08 – and knew he could crash under pressure. So it was on!
The race was just a crazy rollercoaster – a time I will never ever forget.

So, the moment you went down, what were you thinking?
I just tried too hard and hit the ground. I got up and knew it was over. I was sure it was over! But I rode a few laps and thought, you know what, anything can happen. Then I started catching the guys in front of me. And then Pourcel crashed. WOW!

Describe the moment you saw Pourcel’s crash and his failure to restart and finish?
I was kind of bummed for him, but then again, how can you not be totally excited about winning a championship? Especially after my erratic season. An unbelievable day!

Looking to 2011, why did you choose to step-up to the 450s full-time rather than defend your championship?
My dream was always in the 450 class – that’s pretty much every racer’s goal. I did not win every race I entered in the 250s, but I won championships in both divisions and wanted to move on. It is not a big deal for me to run with the number one plate when there are bigger dreams to chase.

Did you have to change your training in your move to the 450?
Yes, as the laps go up from 15 to 20, so I needed to get stronger. Although the bike’s weight is pretty much the same as last year, I need to work on my strength. Handling-wise, it is pretty much the same for me; actually the bike suits me a lot better. Changing my program would hurt, as I’ve got a good thing going now.

What can you do better on the bike and what needs to be worked at?
Whoops! Everyone has one thing to improve and with me, it’s the whoops. I’m starting to get a better handle on it, but there’s always room to improve.

What aspect of the bike is the most important for you?
You just can’t have one area stronger than the other – you need a whole package. For my style, I had Honda tame the power delivery down. I’m a little guy and don’t need all that power.

“I had no other offers, mainly because Honda offered me the deal early in the season and I took it straight away.”

What makes a factory bike so much better than a privateer bike?
It’s the tightness and freshness – it never feels worn out, always feels like new and the suspension is just always incredible and constant.

Did you have a lot of offers for 2011? Why choose Honda?
I had no other offers, mainly because Honda offered me the deal early in the season and I took it straight away.

How big is the difference in pay between 450 and 250 rides now?
It is not huge. A few years ago we would be talking a lot of money, though. I came in at a really good time and am hitting it at a pretty bad time now. I’m not complaining. It is better this year with the 450s as I can take care of my own deals with gear and casuals.

Who would you feel uncomfortable to race with?
I don’t want this to sound bad, but I don’t enjoy racing with Justin Barcia. I like him a lot and think he is a cool guy, but he overrides sometimes and is not scared to throw it in.

What are your thoughts about KTM-bound sensation Ken Roczen?
I heard a lot and experienced qualifying against him at the MXoN. It’s always great to race fast guys, but to meet quick riders from overseas is even more exciting. Roczen and Jeff Herlings are unbelievable and so young. I’m 20 and know I’ve changed a lot in the last four years. They will be unbelievable racers!

Final question, Trey. Your belief means that you feel your father is watching and that you’ll see him again eventually?
For sure. Y’know, there are a lot of unanswered questions in this world – you just have to have faith. You have to believe. I honestly think my dad is around. It might sound weird, but many times, like at Pala, I could feel his presence. It brings me joy. What others think really does not matter. I know that I will see him again and I am okay with it. Belief is huge and I learnt a lot from that. I do believe in everything that I’m about.