By Dominic Santina Contributing Writer | Photography by Ashley Lizzie Photography
Mancelona –
The Battle Resumes! Northern Power Race Park will once again set the stage for the second edition of the Snowcross Border Cup between Team USA and Team Canada. After Team Canada won the inaugural edition in 2024, Team USA will be looking for revenge this year.
The event will see its dates change this year. The Border Cup not only opened the season last year for both the Michigan Snocross series and the Canadian Snowcross Racing Association, but also marked the first race of any kind of the snocross season. This year, the event will be contested on Saturday, January 3 and Sunday, January 4. The move to push the event a little later in the season allows riders to shake off their rust and come fully prepared to represent their country. This will be the second race weekend for the Michigan Snocross series, while CSRA will host its first points-paying race at the Border Cup.
The rules of the border battle will remain mostly the same, with riders earning series points throughout the day. Border Cup points will be awarded based on finishing position for the top 10 in each main event. A handful of classes will be contested by only one series and will not be factored into Border Cup points; they can be found on the Northern Power Race Park website.
A significant addition will be made to the Border Cup schedule for this season, following the CSRA’s announcement that it will bring mods back to its series. The leadership also decided to run a modified race on Saturday night at NPRP. It will be an exciting addition and one that many fans have been asking for over the past few years.
After an almost 900-point win last year, Team Canada will be looking to repeat as Border Cup champions. There were a few riders last year who played a massive role in helping secure the Cup and will factor in once again.
TEAM CANADA
Jack Gelinas # 680 – Transition Rider
A young and upcoming star in the sport of snocross. Gelinas continued to show his riding ability with having a strong presence in the inaugural Border Cup. Gelinas ended up winning five heat races and swept the final of the younger transition class. A force to be reckoned with on both the Michigan circuit and the National circuit, he will be a big piece for Team Canada.
Dylan Sabourin #124 – Transition / Junior Rider
It would be hard to find anyone who had a better Border Cup than Dylan Sabourin. She claimed 10 total wins, including sweeping the transition girls 8-12 on the weekend. She also swept the finals in the Junior Girls 9-13 division and picked up two more heat wins on Sunday. A powerful performance that put her among the riders to score points for Team Canada.
Carter Van Horsigh #740 – Junior Rider
While Sabourin was dominant, Carter Van Horsigh was just using Border Cup to start a very strong snocross season. Van Horsigh took six wins out of the Border Cup, with two heat race wins coming in the Sport Lite division and four wins coming in the Junior 14-17, where he claimed two heat race wins and swept the finals. Van Horsigh was also presented with the MI Snocross Media Most Valuable Rider award for helping Team Canada claim the Border Cup.
Shyann Gosselin #144 – Pro Women
Shyann Gosselin was another rider who used the Border Cup only to catapult herself into a strong campaign. Gosselin showed she was the one to beat in the Pro Women’s class and dominated all weekend long. As she swept the Canadian-filled field and helped add many points towards the title.
One of the most significant question marks heading in for Team USA will be how much support shows up. The Michigan Snocross crew represented well last season, but did not have enough firepower to overcome the CSRA crew. If more riders make the trek to represent their country, there will be a better chance of taking the Border Cup from Team Canada.
While more riders will be necessary, a few guaranteed riders to make a difference for Team USA will be :
TEAM USA
Tess Stone #100 – Transition Rider
The rider with the most wins all time in NPRP history. Stone picked up six wins during the Border Cup last season, while some of the classes she runs will not be scored. She has proven through the 200 ranks that she can beat some of the boys. A girl who knows her way around the park and tough competition, she will be one of the younger riders to learn.
Jackson Goike #762 – Junior Rider
Jackson Goike exploded on the scene last season. He started by winning five heat races and a final during the Border Cup. That only translated to another 48 wins during the Michigan Snocross season. Goike claimed the most wins throughout the series last year and will be moving up to the Junior 14-17 for this Border Cup. He will be one to watch for his adjustment and to see if he can help bring some depth to that class for Team USA.
Tyler Oomen #25 – Pro Am/Vet Rider
A former national Pro Lite rider, turned Pro Am 30+ rider, Tyler Oomen was the top USA representative in the Pro Vet class at Border Cup. Oomen finished with a heat win in the Border Cup last year, but not much more. He earned a top-three finish in the National points standings and will be looking to carry that momentum into this season and hopefully a solid run at the Border Cup.
Shade Meyer #753– Sport/ Pro Lite Rider
A rider who showed some surprise during the inaugural Border Cup. Meyer claimed multiple heat race wins and swept the Pro Lite finals. Meyer knocked off the top CSRA talent and Michigan Snocross talent, including his own brother Hayden Meyer. Meyer was a prominent Team USA representative in the top classes. Can he repeat and do the same thing this year.
Regardless of who claims the title or who is the biggest contributor to each team, it will be great racing action all weekend long at NPRP. You can find more information for riders, spectators and anything else related to the Snowcross Border Cup at Northernpowerracepark.com •