The last time I saw Nathaniel Bosum in action he was at the Molson Centre and was 11 years old. That was back in May 2001 and this time around he would be at the Olympic Stadium. Bosum is one of the few Crees heavily into moto-cross racing. He started racing at the tender age of five. At that young age he was practicing two to three hours each day after school. It’s a practice he continues to this day.

Bosum already knows what he wants to do and has planned it out. Bosum said, “My immediate goals are to prepare for the Supper-cross competitions at the Toronto Skydome on December 4 and in Vancouver, BC on December the 11th 2004. It would be followed by participating at the Florida AMA Winter Series.” Bosum hopes to qualify for two American Amateur Nationals next year. One would be at Loretta Lynn’s ranch in Nashville, Tennessee (yes, she is a patron of the moto-cross sporting world). The other would be in Ponca, California.

Bosum’s personal wish is to win the 125cc Canadian National Championship within three to five years. Before he retires, Bosum confided that he wants a Canadian National 250cc Championship trophy for his mantelpiece. And that retirement is still a long way off, given that he is only 15 years old. His plans include being in the top 10 riders in North America and hopefully bringing home a European Championship trophy.

Bosum realizes that this will take hard work and determination. He says a holistic training program for him will include a balance between racing and technical aspects of the sport. “It’s the way to become very quick and very fast on my bike,” Bosum said.

“I follow many motocross schools in Quebec and I have been very lucky to go to the United States in the winter to train and to attend some motocross schools.”

Part of his training is physical conditioning for endurance, a balanced diet for energy and “strong mental training to help me focus and to make best use of my peripheral vision,” he said.

“I also got my dad to exercise regularly and he now pushes me sometimes,” said Bosum.

His typical morning starts at 6 am on race days (usually Saturdays and Sundays) with a rest day on Monday (unless racing). Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday the morning begins with 30 minutes of jogging or biking. After school he cleans and works on his bike. He then practices drills and techniques on the motocross track doing a few 20-minute races that helps him to improve his endurance. Then it’s home to supper followed by an hour at the gym or swimming pool. That’s followed by homework and a little TV before a 10 pm bedtime. Fridays are used for preparing the motocross bikes and traveling to the races.

Bosum says he wants to be the first Aboriginal champion in Canada. His plans do include continuing his education in either college or university.

When asked about the difficulty of going to school and enjoying such a difficult sport, Bosum said, “My teachers in Ouje are great and very helpful and supportive. They gave me work to do when I am away from the school, something like home schooling. So far I have passed my grades so I must be doing OK.”

Bosum says school-work is actually very helpful in the sport. “I use math skills when I have to calculate or measure things for my bike. I have to watch (monitor) weather conditions because it affects the performance of the bike,” said Bosum.

He added that his trips across Canada and the United States help him to see new places and people. “When I started racing I could not speak French but now I can. It was at the races in Quebec where I learned most of my French and I also get to practice speaking it,” said Bosum.

He also attributes motocross racing with keeping him out of trouble as he is very busy.

Achievements

• In 2004 – won the 250cc Intermediate Provincial series, finished 3rd in the 125cc Intermediate class and 3rd in the Youth class. Finished 5th in the Pro-Am class behind a few Pros.

• In 2004 —ranked 4th in the 125cc Canadian National series in the Intermediate class held this summer at Walton, Ontario.

• Only amateur rider from Quebec to qualify at the Canadian Nationals in the Professional 125cc class which was held at Deschambeault, Quebec, this summer.

• One of only two amateur riders to qualify at the Canadian Nationals in the Professional 125cc class which was held at Walton Ontario.

• One of only three amateur riders to qualify at the Super-cross series held at the Montreal Olympic Stadium.

Finished 13th out 24 finalists and 40 selected participants. Only amateur from Quebec to finish the race.

• Some other career achievements include;

A Provincial Championship in the 125cc junior class in 2003.

A Provincial championship in the Super-Mini — 105cc in 2003.

A 2nd place in the Super-Mini 105cc class in 2002.

A Provincial Championship in the 85cc class in 2002.

A 2nd place in the 85cc class in 2001.

And many other Provincial Championships in the 65cc and 50cc classes

Nathaniel Bosum talks about Sponsors

• I am starting to get many good sponsors such as Grégoire Sports in Joliette, Yamaha Canada, Parts Canada in Toronto, Spy Canada from Vancouver, LCR Competitions from Ormstown, Letterage Guy Melancon from St-Barnabe and others.

• With Grégoire Sports I received an amateur race support program from Yamaha Canada. I benefit from very good discount programs on four racing motocross bikes along with parts and accessories. This worth about $15,000.

• With Parts Canada which was obtained by Grégoire Sports I received from Parts Canada four sets of THOR motocross clothing, 2 sets of HJC helmets and 2 pairs of ALPINSTAR boots. This sponsorship is valued at about $5,000.

• There is LCR Competitions who provides me with performance and mechanical support. He prepares my race bikes to high level competitions and he does all the motor work. I also receive from LCR Pro Action Suspensions for both outdoor motocross and indoor super-cross. This sponsorship combined is saving us about $20,000 a year.

• The other important sponsor is Guy Melancon who provides me with very good support and he does all the graphic works on my bikes, clothing, equipment, and on our new 41 foot truck. He does awesome work. This easily values at about $15,000 a year.

• Then there are my parents, Abel and Sophie who would give me unconditional support. My brother Curtis who works with us as the team manager and my other brother Reggie who comes out when he can and provides mechanical support. Finally, there is my sister Irene and my brother-law Chris Quinn and their two children Liam and Christine who come out to cheer me on and check on how I am doing or did after each race. This support is priceless.