Written by Vincent Lambert
05-16-2021
When they’re not on the track on their snowmobiles in winter, Charles-Antoine and Emrick Arès get on their motocross bike in the summer to compete against the best on two wheels. For the first time this season, the two brothers will race at full speed in the same category and try to snatch the checkered flag.
Motocross has always held a prominent place in the Arès family, long before snowmobiling, when the father of the two young athletes obtained his first motorbike at the age of 10.
“It came a little earlier in family life,” says Michel Arès. I have never competed in motocross, but I used to ride on my parents’ grounds. When I had my kids, I had a semi-trail/semi-road to use. I gave them little rides, sitting on the gas tank. This is probably where they got the two-wheeler bug. “
Emrick and Charles-Antoine started motocross at the age of five and four respectively. So the passion for motorsport came very young and has never faded since.
“When I was little I watched motorcycle races on TV and at that point I told my dad I wanted to do this too,” Emrick recalls.
He told me as soon as you know how to pedal without your little wheels, we’re going to go buy you a motorbike. The next day, I was pedaling on two wheels and a few days later, we went to get my first motorbike. At that point, from the first try, I got bit by the bug “
I also followed into the family tradition, adds Charles-Antoine. I got the bite too. […] It’s fun, when you practice, it makes a good practice as you push yourself. Emrick, he does not want me to exceed him, but for me, my goal is to go beyond him. […] It’s still my brother, but on the track it’s an individual sport.”
The desire to want to win at all costs between the two brothers has been there for a long time. Each gets the best from the other. And this season, the experience will be even more interesting as they will line up on the same starting line in Inter MX2 and Inter MX3.
“This year is sure to be a bit special, admits Michel Arès. This is the first year that my two boys will compete against each other in the same class. […] When there are results without injury, we are sure to be proud. “
Emrick and Charles-Antoine will be among the only ones to ride a Gas Gas motorbike in Quebec -the cutting edge of technology. And they already have very specific goals in mind. To get there, they prepare in much the same way as for snocross.
“I will aim for a pretty good top 3 every race in my classes,” says Emrick. We all want the win, of course, but a top 3, I would be happy in every round. “
“This is my first year in that class, so it’s stronger,” says Charles-Antoine. I would aim more for a top 5 to start. But for sure the top 3 and the victory are there, but we’re going to go [realistically] there. “