[ K. Windham | T. Canard | B. Metcalfe | B. Wharton | J. Barcia | E. Tomac ]

Born: Sept. 17, 1990, Elk City, OK Residence: Shawnee, OK National #: 38 Began riding: 1993, age 3 First race: 1993, age 3 Training: Motocross, weight lifting, cardio Hobbies: Snowboarding, bicycling Height/weight: 5’7”/145 pounds Marital status: Single Current racebike: Honda CRF250R Mechanic: Brett Presnell

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Profile: TREY CANARD

GEICO Powersports Honda's Trey Canard added his name to one of racing's most elite groups in 2008 when he jumped into the pro ranks at the age of 17 and promptly clinched the Supercross Lites East title in his rookie year--an achievement precious few other riders can claim. Heading into 2010, Canard has matured into an even greater force to be reckoned with.

"When I look back on winning that championship, I still get excited by my accomplishment," says Canard. "No matter how successful I am as a racer, winning a title right off the bat will always hold a special place in my career."

Continuing his work with GEICO Powersports Honda aboard his CRF250R in 2010, the Oklahoma native wants nothing more than to deliver even greater results for the team that's played a key role in his success throughout his amateur days and his professional career.

"It was a tough year in 2009 injury-wise, but I'm ready to tackle the 2010 competition. I've won races and titles with the GEICO team for a number of years now, and with the added bonus of having an all-new racebike--plus the experience Mike LaRocco brings to guiding the team this year--I'm confident I will be back on that podium."

It may seem strange that Canard qualifies as an experienced Lites racer at only 19 years of age, but it's a notable status he's worked hard to achieve. He is joined by teammates Justin Barcia and Blake Wharton--racers he battled for years in the amateur ranks--plus Brett Metcalfe, and he enjoys being able to share his pro Lites racing experiences with them.

"It's great that we are all on the same team, and it helps that we all get along well. Don't get me wrong; we're all racers and each of us wants to win, but there's a mutual respect for each other's accomplishments, which is great."

Family has always played a key role in Canard's racing career, both on and off the track.

"My family is behind me more than anyone--my brothers, my mom, everyone who has helped me out. Plus the whole GEICO Powersports Honda team; we really are kind of a family, too. It works out so well with those guys, and I can't thank them enough. They have been behind me from day one. I could not ask for a better family."

It doesn't take much to figure out Canard's goal this season: "I'm in it to win it. It's that simple."

Questions & Answers:

Q: In 2009, your Supercross West Lites Series campaign started slowly but you looked to be building momentum right before you were injured at the Phoenix Supercross. Describe the season.

A: At the beginning of the Supercross season, at the first two rounds, I had some difficulties and was a bit slow to get going. Then at the third round in Phoenix I crashed and got a concussion and had to miss a few rounds, which ultimately put me out of the championship points race. But I returned at the San Francisco Supercross and finished on the podium, which I was really happy about. I finished even better at Salt Lake City Supercross, taking the overall win.

Q: Your Motocross season started out strong and you scored multiple podium finishes before being injured once more. What happened?

A: I rode really well at the opening rounds and was on the box each week until I crashed and broke my wrist with two laps to go in the second moto at High Point. Missing the remainder of the season was really tough for me but I had little choice other than to let my body heal. I'm healthy now and that's all that matters.

Q: The Supercross Lites series is divided into two divisions, East and West. Which series are you racing this year and is there any advantage racing one series over the other?

A: I'm racing the Supercross Lites West series again this season. There are a few differences between the East and West competition. Racing the East series, there aren't too many open stadiums and the chances of rain affecting the race are a lot less. The dirt has a tendency to be a little softer because it's trucked into stadiums and it's usually moist and has more traction. There are a lot more wet races in the West series due to the open stadiums and it rains regularly. But for all the differences it's about racing motorcycles and everyone in a series has to race the same tracks.

Q: The GEICO Powersports Honda team is a strong five-rider squad. Tell us about your teammates and how you feel about being part of such an exciting team.

A: I think the team is great. We have Kevin Windham on our team who's been racing at the top of our sport for many years and has tremendous racing knowledge. Brett Metcalfe has been in the Lites class for a quite a few years now and is a very experienced Lites racer. Blake Wharton is younger than me and had a good first professional season last year, and then there's Justin Barcia who scored an overall win in his rookie outdoors season in 2009. I'm really excited about the GEICO Powersports Honda team this year.

Q: Kevin Windham and Mike LaRocco have both been involved with the GEICO Powersports Honda team for many years now and between them have a wealth of knowledge to share. How does this benefit you?

A: We are in a sport that is ever-changing. The sport continues to get bigger every year and guys like Kevin and Mike have been a part of it and witnessed its grow over the years. It's great that they play such influential roles on our team because they know how the sport works and how they've made it work for them. They can't give us any magic potions to show us how everything works but they can give us the knowledge of what worked for them throughout their careers. That's a very powerful tool for the riders and we need to utilize that as best we can.

Q: What are your goals for 2010?

A: This year I believe I am a lot healthier. I plan to not push it as hard as last year because I think last season I was giving too much and I became tired. I'm training with Geoff Spencer this year and I feel fitter, more energized and ready to go. My goal this year is based on effort. I obviously want to win but to do that I need to ride the best I can every lap of every race. I need to get good starts and be there every race. That's my goal--to give it my best during every lap of every race.

Statistics

2009
6th AMA Supercross Lites West Series
13th AMA Motocross Lites Series (shortened season due to injury)

2008

1st AMA East Supercross Lites Series
10th AMA Motocross Lites Series (did not complete season due to injury)

2007

18th AMA Motocross Lites (began racing at round 9 of 12)

AMATEUR

Eight amateur titles in 2007
AMA Horizon Award, 2007