Fort St. John teenager travels country with pro-motocross team

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — A local motocross racer’s family is speaking about his need for speed taking him to success locally and in international races.

Cruz Gordon was just four years old when he first got on a motorbike, saying he was hooked after his initial introduction.

Now a decade later, this summer saw him go to Canada’s east coast and Walton, Ontario where he finished fifth overall in the 85cc class at the TransCan Grand National Championship at Walton Raceway.

“My dad used to [compete],” said Gordon. “He bought me my first little dirt bike, and I just loved it since [then].”

The grand nationals was the third event Gordon has competed in this year sanctioned by Amateur Motocross Ontario (AMO), having also competed in Ashton, Cortland and Grande Dunes so far this season.

The last two months has seen Gordon compete in the Motorsport Racing Canada (MRC) Triple Crown Series.

His mother, Melissa Gordon, said the trip eastward also involved racing in Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.  Earlier this year, he raced to a sixth place finish at the Riverglade motocross event in Moncton.

The trip came about from an invitation to join Honda’s pro motocross team. Although Melissa usually accompanies her son for races, this was the first time he was away on his own.

“This year was the first year he travelled with a pro team,” said Melissa. “He travelled with them for a month before we got to him.

“He grew up a lot. He had to. He had to be more responsible for himself and his actions, and his bike [and] everything. When we followed him and got there, we were blown away by all the people that had said how great of a kid he is, and how helpful he was. [It] makes you feel good, like you’re doing something right.”

During the spring, Cruz also got the chance to do some off-season training in Texas, and competed in races down in the United States.

According to his mom, he competed in several races and qualified for the American Motocross Association (AMA) amateur national championships down south.

Also known as the Loretta Lynns, the races take place on the late country star’s ranch in Tennessee.

Cruz has also competed in boxing, working at the Fivestar Boxing Academy in Fort St. John before motocross became his primary sport.

He says the sacrifices his family has made allow him to compete at the highest level.

“Motocross is definitely a harsh sport to do,” said Cruz. “[There are] lots of obstacles during the winter time. It’s a very one-person sport, so you have to be very smart when you ride.” 

When at home in Fort St. John, Cruz competes in the local Peace Motocross Association (PMA) events, but with a little more training, mom feels he can make the jump to the professional motocross circuit.

“If everything goes the way it has been going within the next three years, he should be picked up,” said Melissa.

Cruz was named Northern Vision Care Youth Athlete of the Month in August 2023.

Full results for Cruz Gordon’s motocross races can be found on the MRC track results website.