After two rounds of the 2025 Triple Crown Series out on the hard packed tracks of Alberta, it’s time for the riders to sit back, take a breath, and assess where they’re at in the points standings. For some riders, the opening two races were a success, and now it’s time to try and carry that momentum to Round 3 in Quebec. For others, the races in Calgary and Cold Lake were okay, but the focus now is on trying to be better moving forward. For the rest, it’s back to the drawing board as their four Western motos did not go well at all. Let’s take a look at the top ten riders in the points standings after two of eight rounds in the 2025 Triple Crown Series, beginning with the 250 Pro/Am class.

*Photos by James Lissimore

250 Pro/Am Class:

Preston Kilroy: MX101 Yamaha- 97 points

The series couldn’t have started off any better for Kilroy as his speed and results were excellent in the opening two rounds. With moto wins in three of the four races, I’m sure his confidence is high, and he feels like he’s right where he needs to be. He did lose the final moto last Sunday in Cold Lake, but I think that loss was beneficial to him moving forward into this three week break before Round 3. Finishing second to his arch rival Ryder McNabb I’m sure reminded Kilroy how important a holeshot is, and that when McNabb has a clear track in front of him, he’s as good as anyone at breaking away. With another hard packed track awaiting the riders at Round 3, I expect Kilroy to pick up right where he left off out West.

Ryder McNabb: GDR Honda- 91 points

Knowing Ryder McNabb and his deep self belief, I’m sure the opening round in Calgary, when he didn’t really have anything for Kilroy, was somewhat of a shock for him and his GDR Honda Team. However, in this sport things can change quickly, and during the week in between the opening two rounds McNabb obviously went back to work and decided the race in Cold Lake was not going to be a repeat performance. Even though he wasn’t feeling 100% coming into Round 2, McNabb was razor focused and in moto two he was finally able to stop the bleeding and get the job done. There isn’t much between McNabb and Kilroy on the track, maybe a tenth of a second here and there, and there’s no reason to think this will change in the East. So, grab your popcorn, sit back, and get ready for what could be one of the best Championship battles we’ve ever witnessed in the 250 Pro/Am class. Well, at least since last year!

Dylan Walsh: WLTN Kawasaki- 78 points

Considering that Dylan Walsh came into the opening round with a serious back injury, and also that he’d never ridden either track in Alberta, or really put too much time on his new WLTN Kawasaki KX250, I’d say the likeable rider from New Zealand did quite well and should be happy with where he sits after two rounds. His speed and results have been right as rain (that’s New Zealand slang for good) and I would expect him to be even better in the East. This kid is a fighter and I’m sure it pained him to see both McNabb and Kilroy well out in front of him in the opening races. But, to Dylan’s and his team’s credit, they were able to pick away at that gap and each moto was an improvement over the last. When the gate drops for Round 3, I expect a healthier and more confident Dylan Walsh to be much closer to the battle for the lead.

Dylan Rempel: KTM Canada Red Bull- 72 points

I think sometimes it’s easy to forget that Dylan Rempel is still just a teenager, and with that age comes mistakes and obviously a lack of experience. At the opening round of the series in Calgary I thought Dylan looked anxious and was trying to force things on the track. On a track like Wild Rose in Calgary, that is the last thing you want to be doing, it bleeds away energy and momentum. However, this kid has always been a fast learner and when the gate dropped in Cold Lake, he was much better and a lot faster. The result was probably his best all around Pro National and hopefully a big boost of confidence heading into the East. It will be interesting to see if Dylan can breakthrough even further and get himself into the battle for lead on a consistent basis. One thing I do believe will help Dylan in the East is that he will have Kaven Benoit there to mentor him through the day. I know Dylan trusts Kaven and hopefully this will give him the edge he needs.

Blake Davies: Triumph Racing- 60 points

Looking at where Blake sits in the points standings and how he’s been riding during the opening two rounds, I think he’s right where he should be and where he needs to be in this series. I love how smooth and consistent Blake rides, and I think his efficient style will be even more of an asset in the heat and on the rough tracks in the East. Can he get into a podium position in a few motos in the East? It’s going to be a real challenge as the riders in front of him are riding well. But, honestly, it wouldn’t surprise me one bit if Blake finds himself having to give a podium speech at one or two of the Eastern rounds.

Tyler Gibbs: Fox Racing Canada Yamaha- 51 points

I thought Tyler rode well in the opening two rounds, and it was good to see him back in the 250 Pro/Am class. Tyler is a natural starter, so it was no surprise to see him inside the top five on multiple occasions in the West. I heard this week that unless Tyler can find some financial assistance, he won’t be heading East until the final round at Walton Raceway. Hopefully, he can find a way to make it to all of the Eastern rounds as the 250 Pro/Am series is better when Gibby is on the starting line.

Sebastien Racine: MX101 Yamaha- 49 points

Coming into the 2025 Triple Crown Series Sebastien Racine was once again one of the favourites to win races and challenge for the title. However, after suffering a DNF in the opening moto this past weekend his title chances have greatly diminished. But, even before the series began I wondered how having a fast teammate like Kilroy would affect a rider like Racine? Obviously, it could go either way and during the motos in Calgary, I thought Sebastien was over riding his Yamaha and trying to go fast, rather than letting the track and the race come to him. In the past, Sebastien has always been better on softer tracks, so hopefully in East he can get up front, ride smooth, and regain the points he lost at Round 2.

Clayton Schmucki: KTM- 47 points

This local Alberta rider was very consistent in the opening two rounds, finishing just inside the top ten at both. It’s always great to see some local talent racing in the various regions across Canada, and Clayton is one of those riders who keeps improving each year. Sitting 8^th in points after two rounds is very solid, and hopefully he can continue this solid riding in the East.

Cole Pranger: Priority MX GASGAS- 46 points

After a rather slow start to the series at the opening round in Calgary, Cole Pranger was much improved at Round 2 in Cold Lake. Cole is a rookie in the 250 Pro/Am and when you’re new to something, everything is new. In Cole’s case, the tracks are new, his competitors are new, heck, even being in Alberta was new. However, Cole has always been a hard working rider who is capable of adapting quickly to new things. As I said, he was much improved at Round 2, and I expect him to be even better during the final six rounds of the series.

Zach Ufimzeff: Guaranteed Comfort Honda- 42 points

After battling through some very serious health issues during the past year, it was great to see Zach back on the track, and under the tent of one of the new and awesome teams in the 2025 Triple Crown Series. I know he’d like to be sitting a little higher in the points standings, but I’m quite sure that if you told Zach that he’d leave the West sitting 10^th in points, and only 9 points back of 5^th place, I’m sure he’d take that. Especially after all he’s been through. Hopefully, he can improve in the next few rounds and remain strong through the challenging East rounds.