When winter hits, many Alberta families travel to warmer weather for warmth and relaxation. Luke Del Guercio and his dad Jason also head down south – but it’s all work and no play for this young Cochrane motocross rider, who is determined to become a stand-out in the summertime sport.
“One thing I like is the work,” said Del Guercio. “It takes a lot and you’re always working.”
Motocross is a type of motorcycle race that involves competing against both the clock and opponents on a closed course made up of jumps, corners, and hills. Racers are divided into groups by the size of bike engine, usually determined by size of the rider, as well as by class, which is determined by ability.
Jason said his son first caught the bug for the bike at six years old.
“One day I just bought him a tiny little bike and he just loved it,” Jason recalled. “He wanted to do it so bad, the next weekend we were at his first race.”
Now, at 14, the Cochrane High School student has been riding for more than half his life. He trains with the Wild Rose Motocross Association in Calgary between four and five times a week.
Del Guercio has steadily improved over the years, and this fall cleaned up in the final round of the Alberta Motor Sports Association’s M Class – and took first place in the 80 cc and the 85cc super mini categories at the Wild Rose Super Series.
“When you do good, people notice you,” the teenager said, adding he’s collected sponsors like M7 Designs, Bill’s Pipes, Rhino Power Canada and more.
In order to rise to the top at the races, Del Guercio said he works diligently on his corners – “corners are really where it’s won” – and his starts, because if you can get ahead of the pack early, you’re in a good position to stay there.
While he is almost always thinking about motocross off the track, once he’s in a race, he says he must let instinct take over.
“You really don’t think – you’re just out there trying to do your best,” Del Guercio described. “You’re focused on what you’re doing, but you’re also staying relaxed. If (I) think about it, I would tense up and try to make moves too quickly.”
Del Guercio dominates in the smaller bike categories, but he’s not able to stay there. At this stage of his life his body is growing, which means his ride needs to get bigger, too. Luke has started competing with a 125 CC, a heavier and more powerful bike.
“It’s a lot taller – it’s a lot harder to handle,” he said of the 125s. “Every year I get a bit bigger.”
To handle the rigors of the new bike, Del Guercio said he spends a ton of time in the gym. It’s also part of the inspiration to head south to California – so he can stay in competitive form in this cutthroat category against those who live in warm weather all year round.
“It just gets you some seat time and gets the rust out,” said Jason. “It’s such a highly competitive sport – you’ve got to be riding all the time.”“
Del Guercio’s long-term goal is to compete in the American Motocross Association Championship pro series – the pinnacle of racing for the sport. Former champions like 1982 250cc winner Donnie Hansen – whom Del Guercio has met – are some of his racing heroes.
“They were everything I want to be,” he said.
Closer in his sights is the world’s largest amateur championship, held at Loretta Lynn’s Dude Ranch, next summer. Qualifiers take place around the United States throughout the spring.
“I’ll be focusing on what’s coming up,” said Del Guercio. “You always want to be looking ahead.”
