Canadian Snow Bike MX nationals rip it up at Revy Riders course

Hundreds of spectators gathered at the Revy Riders motocross track on Westside Road on Feb. 4 to witness a few dozen racers compete in the Canadian Snow Bike MX Nationals, the first of its kind in Canada.

You’ve probably seen a snow bike on the back of a pickup truck in Revelstoke. Typically, it’s a 450cc dirt bike that’s been modded with a track and ski, and lots of other tweaks, such bigger pegs that better suit snow boots and icy conditions.

Excellent success!!Motovan Canadian Snow Bike MX Nationals brought to you by Yeti in the books!Podium presentation, #valleymotosport #arcticcat Freestyle show with Brett Turcotte and Dash for Cash 7pm!! #bretturcotte#motovan #yeti #sicktricks

A video posted by MCQMX (@mcqmx) on Feb 4, 2017 at 5:32pm PST

This event was sponsored by Yeti, one of the big manufacturers of the track add-ons. It was promoted by www.mcqmx.ca.

The sport has really taken off in the past few years. There’s a pro circuit in the States, and racers now appear in big extreme sports competitions like the X Games.

Williams Lake native Brock Hoyer was one of the bigger names at the race. He recently returned from the X Games and is traveling the competitive circuit this winter. He has a place in Revelstoke and spends a lot of the winter here, attracted by the snow. When he’s not on the course racing, he’s up in the hills on his training bike.

Hoyer started as a motocross racer, but has crossed over to focus on snow biking, seeing the increasing opportunities in the sport. He used to train for motocross on his snow bike, now, he said, it’s the other way around.

Hoyer won the second pro heat easily, even taking the time to showboat for the crowd, doing a heel clicker off the big jump on his final lap.

John Wren was the race caller for the event. He’s spent a lifetime calling dirtbike and snowmobile races. This was his first pro snowbike event. He noted how far the technology had come along, and predicted a bright future for the burgeoning sport.

Revelstoke Yamaha-sponsored racer Seth Chevrier took wins in the Intermediate Snow Bike and Mods Snow Bike races. Yamaha rider Cody Matechuk of Cochrane, AB took first in the Pro Open Snow Bike race, and Honda rider Matt McCray took first in the Sportsman Snow Bike.

For the full results, see this link.

For more, click on any image for the expanded view and caption.

After races during the day, the event continued with an evening awards ceremony, cash grab and stunts off a ramp to giant landing platform.

Epic show tonight at the snowbike nationals!

A photo posted by RevyRiders (@revyridersofficial) on Feb 4, 2017 at 10:22pm PST

And here’s a promo video for the event from @revyridersofficial.

#Repost @mcqmx with @repostapp ・・・ Thank you OK SnowBikes for the great video of the #revyriders Revelstoke MX Track! Practice Day Sat.21@ 10am come ride and experience #snowbikemx at its best! #oksnowbikes#mcqmx #revelstokesnowmobileclub #revelstoke #revy #snowbikes #zalas #revelstokemountainresort #braap #motovan #yeti

A video posted by RevyRiders (@revyridersofficial) on Jan 18, 2017 at 7:00pm PST

2017 Motovan Canadian Snow Bike MX Nationals brought to you by Yeti results at mcqmx.caresults …top 3 Pros receiving their big Cheques! pic.twitter.com/LVAVT26nIq

— MCQMX (@mcqmx) February 5, 2017