Before the dust had settled on the 2007 Loretta Lynn’s Amateur Championships, Trey Canard was on a plane headed for Minnesota. Like many other amateur standouts, he was slated to make his AMA Pro Motocross debut at the Spring Creek Motocross Facility. It took him some time to find his groove on the treacherous and muddy course, but he came out of qualifying with the sixth pick of the gate. During moto one he suffered a brutal get off that planted his shoulder into the face of a jump, calling into question whether or not he would even start the second moto. He was battered and bruised but toughed it out to line up for the second moto, where his mettle paid off. When the Lites class blasted out of the gate and down the start shoot, it was Canard’s number-140 Factory Connection Honda leading the pack around turn one. He eventually settled in behind the Pro Circuit juggernaut of Villopoto, Townley, and Metcalfe where he finished a strong fourth. Trey put a solid finish on his first taste of professional motocross by placing in the top ten in all three remaining rounds of the outdoor series.
The 2008 Monster Energy Supercross series would mark the first time that Canard would race professional supercross. By his own admission, he didn’t really know what to expect of himself at the East Coast Lites season opener in Atlanta. However, he quickly earned his spot among the world’s top 250F racers, when he shocked 67,000 fans in Atlanta’s Georgia Dome by grabbing the Progressive Direct main event holeshot and never looking back. On the podium, his excitement showed from ear to ear and he dedicated his win to his late father, who died in a tragic accident several years earlier.
Canard went into the second round of the series in Indianapolis with a huge target on his back. Thousands of people were tuned in to see if he had the skills to win again, or if the previous weekend was just a fluke. Once again he didn’t disappoint. He rode flawlessly and grabbed another main event win over the pre-season title favorite Ryan Villopoto. Through the first four rounds of the East Coast Supercross Lites series, Canard managed to win every heat race and main event he entered, including the muddiest supercross race ever held at the Daytona Motor Speedway. A chink in his armor seemed to show when Canard started racing to protect the title, rather than going for wins and racing like he had at the beginning of the series. However, Trey regained his focus and did what he needed to do to win the 2008 Monster Energy East Coast Lites Supercross Championship in his first ever attempt. Only a handful of riders have ever won a supercross title in their very first season, one being current Monster Energy/AMA Supercross champ Chad Reed. Canard successfully added his name to one of the sport’s most elite groups of supercross racers and will be a title threat for many seasons to come.
In 2010, Trey was the Lucas Oil Motocross Championship 250 Class Champion, also earning the title of Motocross of Nations Champion for Team USA.
Moving up to the 450 Class is 2011, Trey placed 5th overall in for Supercross, but injuries limited him to just two races outdoors.
Having suffered recovered from back-to-back femur injuries, Canard returned for the 2012 Supercross season, but bad luck would strike once again. In the series' 3rd round, Canard's bike grabbed a tuff block and as a result he was unable to launch himself over a triple jump. Unable to compensate, another rider landed on Canard's back, breaking it.
Canard began a lengthy recovery process, which was documented in the mini-movie REvival 41. True to form, he remained positive throughout the whole process and was determined to do everything he could to get back on the track for the start of the 2013 Supercross series. Having succeeded, Canard made his return at Anaheim 1 to the delight of the fans and proceeded to put on one of the sport's greatest feel-good performances. The Team Honda Muscle Milk rider battled with Davi Millsaps for the lead throughout the Main Event and came within about a half-lap of winning his first race back. Canard settled for 2nd, but proved that he was ready to contend right away.
