On the Radar | Jackson Leblanc | Scott Sports Canada
By Jeff McConkey
Presented by Scott Sports Canada.
Name: Jackson Leblanc
Age: 11
Grade: Grade 7 at Wilberforce Elementary School
Bike: KTM 65, KTM 85, Husqvarna 85
Race Clubs and Series: TVR – 65cc and 85cc classes, AMO – 85cc 7-11 and Supermini, Mini Thunder, Motocup
This week, Jackson Lebanc is ‘On the Radar.’ c.jbrownie photo
When did you start riding and racing?
I have always rode ATV’s when I was younger, but one day my dad bought me KTM 65. That was 3 years ago, and I loved it. I immediately started racing at TVR racing club.
What is your favourite track and why?
I like all tracks, mostly, but the track at Motopark is my favourite. It has lots of jumps, ruts in the corners, it’s a fast track. Lots of learning there! I also attended the MX camps there. This year I actually got the opportunity to spend 6 weeks up at Motopark, in the MX academy. That was a lot of fun!
Who is your favourite rider and why?
Ryan Dungey, because he never gives up on the track, he has good work ethic, and he is super fast. Of course, is the Supercross champion too.
What Canadian Pro do you look up to and why?
All the riders in Canada are great, but if I have to choose, it would be #16 Cole Thompson. Cole is a great person on and off the track, he’s easy to talk to, gives me advice whenever I see him at the races, or when he comes to lessons his brother Jay puts on. Plus, he rides a KTM!
Who is your hero?
Not sure, I have a lot people in my life that I look up, but if I have choose, I pick my dad. He does a lot for me with Motocross. Gets me to my training, the races, let me go to MX academy for 6 weeks, and he even took the family to Florida last year, so I could ride there in the winter! He supports me on and off the track!
What are your goals for this season, and what is it going to take to reach them?
I really don’t have to any goals, right now. But hoping someday, I’ll can get a factory ride, race nationals and maybe Supercross. I have a long way to go to get to those goals, but if I work hard, stay focused and keep practicing, maybe someday I’ll get that factory ride. My off season training, I have a personal trainer at Whole Fitness in Lucan, my trainer pushes me to help me achieve my goals!
Long term goal, I’d to become a police officer!
Jackson is racing this week at the Walton TransCan GNC. | Photo supplied by Jackson
What are your biggest accomplishments?
I survived the 6 week camp at Motopark MX Academy. It was a lot of fun, made a lot of new friends, and learnt a lot too. I was awarded ‘The Most Improved Rider’ there.
Also get to race at Walton Raceway at the TransCan. This is the first time I get to ride on the big track there.
What is your favourite part about going to the race?
I love racing events, I get spend time with my friends, do battles on the track, then talk about it after the race. Camping, bon fires and just because it’s FUN!
What do you like to do when you aren’t racing?
Like to spend time with my family, play video games, and go the gym.
Who would you like to thank?
I’d like to thank my mom, she is always supportive when I am racing, no matter what place I finish in the races. Thanks to my dad, always running me around to my training, practices, races, and always supportive of me. Also like to thank my sponsors, Arva Appliances and Hogtown Cycle in Lucan, without the support from them I where I am today with my racing. Special thanks to another sponsor Wholefit Fitness Center in Lucan, with the support and the training they have helped me recover from my injuries, and made me stronger person on and off the track. Thanks to all my friends and family for all the support they give me. And lastly, I’d like to thank Leanne, my step mom. She is always running my sisters around to their horse events and manages to get to most of my MX events to support me. Off the track, Leanne gets me to the gym for my training and supports me with that too. Definitely would not be racing without Leanne’s supports.