Phil Nicoletti is not your average motocross rider, and his path to becoming a legitimate title contender in Canada is anything but ordinary. For most fans of the sport, the name “Filthy Phil” conjures images of grit, bruising honesty, and an underdog who never quite got the break he deserved in the ultra-competitive AMA Supercross and Motocross scene in the United States. But north of the border, Nicoletti has found a unique second wind in his career, and in 2025, he’s shockingly in the thick of the Canadian Triple Crown Series title hunt.
To understand how Nicoletti ended up in this position, you have to rewind his story by more than a decade. A native of New York state, Nicoletti was a standout amateur who turned pro in the late 2000s. He had the speed and skill, but not always the luck. His American career was defined by flashes of brilliance, relentless consistency, and the moniker of “fill-in rider” for some of the sport’s biggest teams. If a factory rider went down mid-season, odds were Nicoletti’s phone would ring. He earned a reputation as the ultimate plug-and-play rider—dependable, tough, and always ready to put the bike in the main event. But despite multiple top-10 finishes in AMA Supercross and Motocross, the big breakthrough never quite arrived.
By the time Nicoletti hit his early thirties, many expected him to step away from full-time racing. But instead of fading into the background, Nicoletti packed his bags and went north. The Canadian motocross scene, while smaller in scope and resources than its American cousin, offers a fiercely competitive series with passionate fans, big tracks, and a chance for riders like Nicoletti to shine as team leaders rather than backups. In 2019, he joined the Rockstar Energy OTSFF Yamaha team, immediately injecting new energy and star power into the Canadian series.
It was a smart move. In Canada, Nicoletti has become more than just a journeyman. He’s a contender, a fan favorite, and a mentor for younger riders. His honest, sometimes hilariously blunt interviews have endeared him to Canadian fans who appreciate his no-nonsense attitude. And more importantly, his raw speed and experience have kept him at the front of the pack.
Still, being competitive and being in serious title contention are two different things. So how did Nicoletti, now in his mid-thirties, push his way into the championship fight in 2025? The answer lies in a perfect storm of his own consistency, improved team backing, and a little bit of luck that has finally broken his way instead of against him.
First, Nicoletti’s fitness and resilience are legendary. Unlike some veterans who fade as the season wears on, Nicoletti’s gritty riding style and relentless work ethic have kept him sharp. He’s not the flashiest on the gate, but he’s rarely off the podium. When younger riders make mistakes, Nicoletti is right there to capitalize, piling up valuable points every weekend.
Second, his team—now known as the Partzilla PRMX Kawasaki squad—has given him a bike that can win. The Canadian series doesn’t have the same factory budgets as the U.S., but strong partnerships and dedicated crews mean that riders like Nicoletti aren’t stuck with second-rate equipment. With a dialed-in bike and a program tailored to his veteran preferences, he’s stayed healthy and confident.
Third, the 2025 season has seen misfortune hit some of his toughest rivals. Injuries have sidelined big names, mechanical issues have cost others crucial points, and the unpredictable weather and rough Canadian tracks have taken their toll. Nicoletti, meanwhile, has avoided the major pitfalls. He’s not dominating every moto, but he’s there when it counts.
Off the track, Nicoletti has also embraced his role as a leader and elder statesman. He’s mentoring younger teammates, offering sharp advice with his trademark sarcasm, and keeping the vibe in the paddock light—even when the stakes are high. That balance of seriousness and humor has kept him fresh in a sport that can grind riders down mentally as well as physically.
Of course, whether Nicoletti can actually seal the deal and win a Canadian national championship remains to be seen. There are still plenty of motos left, plenty of young hotshots gunning for him, and the unpredictable Canadian weather could shake up the points at any moment. But the fact that “Filthy Phil” is even in this position, after so many years as the sport’s ultimate underdog, is one of motocross’s best feel-good stories this year.
In a sport that chews up talent and often spits it out before riders hit their mid-twenties, Nicoletti’s journey is proof that persistence, humility, and a love for racing can keep the dream alive. Maybe this time, the breaks are finally falling his way—and maybe, just maybe, Phil Nicoletti will stand on top of the Canadian motocross world when the final
checkered flag drops.
