The riders lining up at the Monster Energy MX Nationals this year are undoubtedly some of the most talented motocross racers in the world at the moment. With raw speed, and the huge caliber of experience, the racing this year is set to be action packed.
With round one of the MX Nationals at Broadford this weekend, MX Nationals thought it would be fitting to catch up with a few heavyweights from each class to find out how they are feeling about heading to round one this weekend!
Matt Moss, MX1 – “I’m feeling really healthy, strong and fit. The best I’ve ever felt leading into a series, I’m really going into this series wanting to win the first round. I used to take different steps up to a win, and aim for top fives, but I’m looking forward to getting a win under my belt straight away.”
Jay Marmont, MX1– “I’m feeling good. My preparation has been better than it’s been in the past couple of years. I’m feeling really fit on the bike and I’m liking where I’m at with my team at the moment. My expectations for this weekend are to go out there and just see where we are at and hopefully build from there. I know I’ve been training enough to fight for my position so I’m going to go out there and just do what I can on my CDR Yamaha.”
Kirk Gibbs, MX1 – “Everything is going very well, we have had a really good lead up to the season over in New Zealand, doing a lot of racing over there with their National Championship. I started off pretty slow, I didn’t want to burn myself out this year so I left my preparation as late as I could. We have worked hard over the off-season with the team, we’ve got the bike going awesome and I’m feeling really confident.”
Billy Mackenzie, MX1 – “I’m really looking forward to this weekend. We always wait for so long for the championship to begin again, so I’m really excited about riding the bike. I’m having a lot of fun on the bike at the moment so I’m really excited to just get out and race it.”
Jake Moss, MX1 – “I have never been so ready and head-strong. I really feel like this year it’s my time to shine. I have got the best team, family, and friends behind me and I can’t wait to get racing”.
Kale Makeham, MX2 – “I’m feeling really good in the lead up to round one, we’ve has a really solid off-season. We got about twelve good weeks good in on the bike, and we’re really happy with how things are going. The team is good, and mentally and physically I feel awesome. I’m really looking forward to round one and just getting back out there with Australia’s best, it seems like a long time in between races and I’m really excited.”
Luke Clout, MX2 – “I’m feeling really good, I’ve had an awesome off season and everything has been going perfectly, my leg is 100% and feels better then ever. I have been doing a lot of riding with Matt Moss, which has been awesome, and we have been pushing each other. I’m fit and ready and a lot hungrier then ever and I can’t wait for the gates to drop. This weekend couldn’t have come quick enough and I’m pumped and ready to get back into it all.”
Jay Wilson, MX2 – “I’m really excited to get to round one and get the season underway. The new team and bike has been awesome and my off-season preparation is the best I have ever had. I feel like I learnt a lot from last year, and I’m just pumped to be stepping up to the MX2 class and hopefully I can carry the momentum from last year into this series.”
Jack Simpson, MXD – “I’m stoked to be on board with KTM factory support. The years of loyalty and hard work have paid off, and I’m ready for the year. I have made some changes with tune tech suspension (Steve Jones), and have got an awesome bike that handles perfectly. I’m ready for the year more than ever. Respect all, fear none, hopefully I can get the job done come Sunday.”
KTM Preview
KTM Motocross Racing Team rider Kirk Gibbs has confirmed that he will face the starter for this weekend’s first round of the Monster Energy MX Nationals at Broadford, Victoria.
Gibbs chipped the knuckle of his right pinky finger after qualifying fastest for the final round of the New Zealand motocross Championships at Taupo last Saturday.
The Queensland-based national number five immediately withdrew from last weekend’s round, and x-rays confirmed the fracture, however a week of rest has seen the swelling subside, and the South Australian is now certain that he will not miss Round One.
The news comes as a big relief for KTM fans, after team rider Ford Dale was ruled out of the opening rounds just a week earlier, having broken his arm in a practice accident.
Rob Twyerould: “I think obviously it’s never great going in with an injury, but Kirk’s been able to keep up his physical training this week so his fitness will still be high. The old saying says you can’t win the championship at Race One but you can lose it there, so we’ll go in and score good points there and begin building it. There’s another two weeks break before round two and that will help us, and so on and so on.I’m expecting good things this weekend and for him to be competitive.But also really like to thank the mechanics Danny, Kyle and Jordan for all work they’ve put in, getting the bikes ready for this round. We’ve been in New Zealand every second weekend for last two months and now only had a week between the final in New Zealand and MX nationals so I really appreciate everything they’ve done. They are as important as the riders, to give Kirk the opportunity to perform at his best, and they’ve got the bikes looking amazing this year.”
Kirk Gibbs: “It’s been a pretty relaxing week for me not doing too much, some off the bike training but other than that just trying to rest my hand. I got another set of x-rays done when I got back from New Zealand, and I spoke to the doc about it. There is a fracture their like we thought, but it doesn’t look too bad or feel too bad and the doctor understands what position I’m in so he doesn’t really have a problem with it and RaceSafe can’t see why I shouldn’t race. It’ll just be the matter of dealing with a little bit of pain that I’m going to get. Obviously I still want to do well, I felt like I was in really good shape on the bike and I hope this doesn’t put a damper on things too much. I’ll just keep an open mind and keep going in there like I always do, to ride my best and be at the pointy end.”
In the MX2 class, KTM factory supported riders are among the favourites vying for glory in arguably the most competitive of championship classes.
Last year’s MX two runner-up Kale Makeham will be back with KTM to try to go one better, again with the support of Tune Tech Racing. He and come back hero Brenden Harrison (Instant Security/Twe12e Clothing KTM) will both campaign the meat-eating two-stroke KTM 250 SX machines.
They’ll be joined by Dylan Long (KTM 250 SX-F), riding for the BBS Motorsports KTM, as well as New Zealander Hamish Dobson, fresh from his runner-up finish in the New Zealand MX2 Championships a week ago.
In the MXD category, Jack Simpson will chase championship glory on a KTM 250 SX under the Bolton’s KTM Kyeton banner.
West Australians Louis Calvin (MX1) and injured Dean Porter (MX2) will both be absent from the opening rounds.
KTM’s 2014 Factory Support riders:
TWO-STROKE:
- Kale Makeham, Tune Tech KTM (MX2) 250SX
- Brenden Harrison, Twe12e Clothing KTM (MX2) 250SX
- Dean Porter, Berry Sweet and Mandurah City KTM (MX2) 250SX
- Jack Simpson, Bolton’s KTM Kyeton (MXD/U19) 250SX
FOUR-STROKE:
- Dylan Long – BBS Motorsports KTM
- Louis Calvin – Berry Sweet and Mandurah City KTM (MX1) 450SX-F
Yamaha Preview
Yamaha Racing will converge on Broadford, Victoria, this weekend for the opening round of the 2014 Monster Energy MX Nationals with all three factory teams rolling into the pits ready to race and kick off their championship campaign.
Yamaha will again feature in the three major championship classes with dedicated teams to oversee six riders on factory backed Yamaha equipment. CDR Yamaha continue to set the bench mark in the MX1 class, Serco Yamaha will try to defend their 2013 championship in the MX2 division while the GYTR Yamaha will handle the duties in the MXD class.
CDR Yamaha – MX1
Jay Marmont is back and Billy Mackenzie returns. Marmont returns to the team that was part of his greatest success and it has left him feeling revitalised with his return to CDR Yamaha. The former four time champion is refocused and ready for battle after putting in a huge off season.
Billy Mackenzie hasn’t been sitting idle as he has been contesting the NZ Motocross Championships over the summer months. He came home in second place after the four round championship wrapped up last weekend and said it was the perfect preparation for the MX Nationals.
“It has been a busy off season but the team are ready to go racing. Testing has gone well and both the riders are determined to make 2014 a great season for themselves and CDR Yamaha,” states team owner, Craig Dack.
“It’s nice to have a break over the Christmas period, but it doesn’t take long to want to get back to the track and get some racing underway.”
Serco Yamaha – MX2
Luke Clout headlines the Serco Yamaha team after impressing many in his first year in the MX2 class in 2013. He was the only other rider to win a round of the MX Nats last year, outside of his former team mate, Luke Styke.
Clout is now back to full fitness after a broken leg sustained during the 20133 season and is jumping out of skin for the championship to begin.
His team mate for 2014 is Jay Wilson who stepped up to the MX2 class after a successful season in the MXD division with the GYTR Yamaha team. Like Mackenzie, Wilson has also competed in NZ with the JCR Yamaha team and finished the championship in third place, showing good speed and fitness.
“I’m really looking forward to the 2014 season,” states team manager, Michael Marty. “We have a much improved bike in the new YZ250F and we have two riders that are dedicated, hardworking and excited to get the season happening. We can’t get to Broadford fast enough.”
GYTR Yamaha – MXD
Yamaha’s development team will continue to field a two rider team despite the horrific injury sustained to Joel Dinsdale in a recent car accident. Dinsdale is recovering well in Hospital and continues to make daily progress and has wished the team continued success for the coming season.
Victoria’s Jed Beaton will be joined by Wilson Todd in a youthful team in 2014. Both riders show plenty of promise and display the dedication and determination needed to make it in professional racing. Beaton has made stepped up his training program and had success at pre-season events, while Todd got the call up after the Dinsdale injury but wants to race in honour for his injured friend.
“It’s been a tough couple of weeks for everyone in the team as we are a pretty tightknit group,” states Scott Bishop. “The news of Joel’s injury was tough to take but we are pleased that his recovery is going well and I’m sure we will see him back at the track in the future.
“I also feel pretty good that both Jed and Wilson are up to the job and we will watch these exciting young riders develop in 2014.”
Team Motul Suzuki set for MX Nationals defence with Moss and Carter
“We’ve had a good pre-season – Matt’s really fit and fast,” Foreman explained. “We couldn’t be happier to be honest, the bike is even better than last year and it’s an all-new look, which we are really happy with. I believe Rhys will surprise a lot of people, he’s got good bike skills and he’s dedicated to training so it’s just a matter of getting stronger throughout the season for him.”
Team Motul Suzuki’s reigning Australian Motocross Champion Matt Moss will commence his MX Nationals title defence this weekend when the world-class 2014 series commences at the Broadford State Motorcycle Sport Complex in Victoria on Sunday, 30 March.
After clinching last year’s Australian Motocross and Supercross Championships for Team Motul Suzuki, Moss will return aboard the title-winning RM-Z450 this season alongside incoming New Zealand teammate Rhys Carter.
Moss will enter the 2014 series as the pre-season favourite following an impressive stint competing in American Supercross earlier this year, with continuity a key quality that he and the Jay Foreman-managed Team Motul Suzuki operation will take into Broadford’s opener.
“I feel really good for this season, the lead-up has been strong and I’m confident we’re ready from the opening round this year,” Moss said. “It’s a long series and I’ve defended number one plates before, so we will aim to be consistent and to win races – the championship will take care of itself if we get results every weekend. Jay and the team have been great, the support we have from everybody is perfect and I’m ready to go.”
New signing Carter will also look to be competitive throughout the MX Nationals campaign, stepping up to the premier MX1 category alongside Moss after finishing sixth in MX2 last season. He’s just concluded the New Zealand Championship and also has momentum on his side entering Broadford.
“It’s a great opportunity and I’m really excited,” 24-year-old Carter commented. “Obviously the team won two championships last year with Matt and their knowledge is invaluable. It’s been really positive so far, there’s not too much expectation on me, but I know where I want to be and I feel like I can do a good job. We’ll gel with everything and then go from there.”
Team Motul Suzuki manager Jay Foreman is excited to welcome in the new season with Moss and Carter, an impressive combination of both experience and youth between the pair. Winning back-to-back championships would be a dream come true for the Newcastle-based team.
“We’ve had a good pre-season – Matt’s really fit and fast,” Foreman explained. “We couldn’t be happier to be honest, the bike is even better than last year and it’s an all-new look, which we are really happy with. I believe Rhys will surprise a lot of people, he’s got good bike skills and he’s dedicated to training so it’s just a matter of getting stronger throughout the season for him.”
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Raceline Pirelli Suzuki
Raceline Pirelli Suzuki is locked, loaded, and ready to unleash at round one of the Monster Energy MX Nationals this Sunday March 30 at Broadford.
With the invaluable racing experience of MX2 rider Ryan Marmont, and the promising talent of 2013 MX2 stand-out Geran Stapleton, the Raceline team is all set for another huge year of motocross action on board their Suzuki machines.
For Marmont, this year is about enjoying the racing, as well as chasing a championship. As the most experienced rider in the MX2 class, Marmont is a real contender for the title and feeling quite comfortable in knowing that.
“My pre-season has been going great, I have done a few local races and I feel my preparation is where it needs to be heading into round one,” he said.
“I’m not feeling any pressure at the moment. We have done a lot of work in the off-season to get the bike to where it needs to be, they have come a long way.
“I think with this bike, we should have a really good chance this year.
“I like to think my experience gives me some advantage, I have been racing for a lot of years now and I know what to expect, so if I can keep it on two wheels, I should have a good chance at winning this championship.”
Stapleton, who finished an impressive ninth in the MX2 class last year with the team, is looking to improve his results and spoke of his lead up to round one.
“My lead up has been pretty good actually. I have just been trying to get as much riding in as possible before round one,” he said.
“My shoulder is feeling 100% so I’m getting there with things. I’m hoping to get out of the first round with solid results and build from there.
“Broadford isn’t my favorite track so I just want to get a good result and keep moving forward.
“This is my second year with Raceline this year. I have spent some time with them in New South Wales last week which was really good, so looking forward to getting to round one with the team.”
Full Force Racing
The Full Force Racing Components Racing team is fired up and ready to get the 2014 Monster Energy MX Nationals Championship underway this Sunday at Broadford in Victoria.
Joel Evans will lead the charge for the new look team in 2014 in the MX2 class campaigning a TM MX 250 two-stroke.
Evans who raced in the MXD class throughout 2013, made the switch mid last year from four stroke machinery to a two stroke and feels the 2T is a better fit for his style of riding.
“The TM 250 two stroke is unreal, from the first time I jumped on the bike I felt right at home and was really surprised with how good the bike is out of the box! Even now the only thing I have changed on the bike is the suspension that we have done in house at Full Force!
“I think the TM’s will turn a lot of heads this year as it is more than competitive,” he added.
Joel comes into this season quietly confident in a class that is looks to have as much depth as ever seen in this country with the team looking for consistent results round in round out with the aim of a good overall showing in the championship standings come season end.
“Everything for this season has coming together fairly last minute, but in saying that all the guys at Full Force racing have put in a huge effort for me to be racing and I am positive about this weekend.” Evans enthused.
“I am coming into the first round looking to finish all the races within the top fifteen and build from there working toward a top 10 finish overall for the series.”
Joe Hobson was slated to line up as the FFRC teams MX1 rider, with plans for him race a TM MX 300 Two Stroke in the big bike class. Unfortunately for Hobson he re-aggravated an old hand injury while practicing at a local track near the teams home base on the Sunshine coast in Queensland.
“It is disappointing for Joe for this to have happened so close to the start of the season.” Team owner Philip Astley explains. “Joe was looking forward to returning to Pro Class competition after spending the past four years building and establishing his own business.
“He has been 110% committed to training both on and off the bike since signing with the team back in November and we are keen to have him back at the race track as soon as he is healed and ready to race.”
Rounding out the team will be Queensland local Jack Judge who will ride as FFRC support rider at selected rounds of the MX Nationals.
Judge will also contest the entire Shell Advance Sunshine Series for the team, and is showing he has what it takes to make it at a national level racing to a solid top ten result against some high quality national caliber completion in the Pro MX2 class on the weekend just gone at round two held at Tivoli.
“Having support from FFRC is unreal, I’ve done a fair bit of testing with the team mechanic James on my suspension set up and it’s by far the best set up bike I have owned.” Judge stated.
“I went into Tivoli with some confidence after finishing 5th in my final Moto at Roma so instantly I wanted to be sitting in that top pack again. My main goal was to stay consistent through out all my races and I did that so I was pretty happy with 8th.” Judge explained.
“Along with racing the Sunny State series for FFRC I am aiming to also be racing all the QLD rounds of the nationals in MX2.
Making the 2014 season possible for the Full Force Racing Components team is all of the teams partners who have come on-board with the team with the outfit retaining some great sponsor relationships from 2013, as well as being proud to also be supported by some new sponsors heading into this year.
“It is fantastic for Full Force Racing Components to have the continued support again for 2014 of Link International who distribute and support the team with such premium products as Motul, Pirelli, RK Chains and Vortex,” Team Manager Phil Astley commented. “Also returning for 2014 as a major sponsor is CarsRus.com.au mail order car parts.”
“For 2014 we also have had a new race-wear sponsor in One Industries who have come on-board looking after our teams national riders, who will be running the latest in One Industries apparel and helmets thanks to C&R Imports, who will also support the team with Scott Goggles.
“A big thanks has to go to Nine Two Decals who ensure our TM race bikes looking amazing, Kwala grips and also Xclusiv clothing who keep us looking as fresh off the track as we do on it. Also for 2014 online parts and accessories store MXStore have come on board as a team sponsor,” Astley continued.
“The whole team is excited not just for this weekend, but the complete season ahead and we can’t wait for the gates to drop this weekend at Broadford,” he concluded.
Catch the Full Force Components Race team this weekend at the opening round of the 2014 Monster Energy MX Nationals at Broadford, Victoria.
TM Racing
TM Racing Australia is ready to head to Broadford in Victoria for the opening round of the 2014 Monster Energy MX Championships being held this Sunday the 30th of March.
Spearheading TM Racings assault on the 2014 MX Nationals is experienced motocross campaigner Daniel McCoy who will contest the highly competitive MX2 class this season aboard a TM MX 250 Two Stroke.
McCoy comes into the season fresh off the back of a successful stint in the UK Arenacross Championship and though coming into the season opener at Broadford this weekend after only being back in the Country for a couple of weeks, is confident of some solid results.
“We have been doing a lot of testing the past few weeks,” McCoy stated. “We have had a shorter preparation time than I would have liked as I have only been back in the country a few weeks, but things have come along well and we are confident of having a competitive bike come Sunday.” McCoy explained.
“To be honest I have no real expectations coming into the weekend, it will be my first race aboard the bike. We will go in and take it session by session and see where our results are.
“I will be heading out there to ride the wheels off the bike.” McCoy added
McCoy will be joined on the start line in the MX2 class by two fellow TM mounted competitors with EMU Racing’s Joel Milesevic and Full Force Racing Components, Joel Evans with both racers campaigning TM MX 250 Two Strokes throughout the 2014 MX Nationals season.
“We are looking forward to the opening round of the MX Nationals this weekend” TM Racing Australia Owner, Andrew Franklin enthused. “McCoy’s preseason has been shortened due to his UK commitments but we are confident he will still have a strong showing this weekend and will continue to build as the series continues.
“Joel Milesevic showed the TM is a bike that can run up front at the opening round of the Victorian Championships just over a week ago, battling and beating some of Cross Country Action Use and recommend Bel-Ray oils the favorites for this years MX2 title while Joel Evans has put in some good performances at the opening round of the Sunshine State titles.
“We are very much looking forward to arriving at Broadford and seeing all three TM race bikes on the gate to kick of the 2014 championship,” Franklin concluded.
Kawasaki Australia unveil their new look MX/SX team for 2014 – National Pump Monster Energy Kawasaki with riders Adam Monea and Jake Moss.
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Huqvarna
The domestic factory team and factory supported riders of the most traditional brand in dirt bike racing – Husqvarna – are eagerly facing their sternest test so far; the first round of the Monster Energy MX nationals at Broadford, Victoria.
The Craig Anderson-managed Husqvarna Motocross Racing Team is the newest factory team on the block, and despite minimal preparation time, utilises some of the most competitive racing platforms, and exciting up-and-comers, in the sport today.
Anderson, one of the most decorated combatants in Australian motocross history, has worked feverishly to ensure that, his team, his bikes, and his young charges will be ready to fight on Sunday, and Anderson is confident that all three riders have the potential to make their mark.
Last year’s MX2 #3, Brock Winston, will ride a Husqvarna FC 450 in MX1, while last year’s Two-Stroke Cup winner, MX2 competitor Nick Sutherland and MXD rider Egan Mastin both wielding the two-stroke TC 250.
The famous ‘crowned H’ logo will also be carried with vigour by support riders Kayne Lamont (Red Bull Husqvarna) and Nathan Crawford (Husqvarna Australia), riding in the MX2 and MXD classes respectively.
Craig Anderson: “Well, after a late start, it’s all coming together for us now. The boys are happy with their bikes and real focused. We’ve been working closely with Ross McWatters at MCD for the last few days chasing the perfect suspension and engine setting for Brock, and we’ve found a setting he’s real comfortable with. Nick was always happy with his and Egan’s suspension is dialled so we’re set.
“For Egan it’s his first big race as a pro and I’m confident in him to do really well, if he doesn’t over think stuff. Nick’s a hard-working country boy and he’s been getting good starts and solid results lately. Brock’s been training a lot and should go well, so we’ll just focus on keeping it simple and looking after all the little one percenters that bring results.”
Brock Winston (FC 450 – MX1): “I’m looking alright, it’s been a rushed setup as everyone knows but we’ve got a start point for this weekend. Hopefully I can get some good points and stay in it for 10 rounds. I went pretty good at Broadford last year but it’s always a different track and it can be real difficult to ride, so we’ll just go as hard as we can and see what the result is.
“Working with Craig has been good, he’s pretty determined and we’re both going in the same direction. He does whatever he can for me and we’re doing whatever we need to win, so we get on sweet.”
Nick Sutherland (TC 250 – MX2): “I feel good; a little bit nervous and excited to see where everyone is up to, and I hope to do well. I’ll work on getting good starts and go from there, that’s the plan anyway. I’ve been training pretty damn hard both off the bike and on, so if I get worn out I can’t explain why.
My bike I couldn’t be happier with, I’m real comfortable on it and so I’m excited to race it. I’ve had two races on it so far and can’t seem to get a bad start which is positive for the weekend.
I’ve only been to Broadford once before but I’m looking forward to it.”
Egan Mastin (TC 250 – MXD): “I’ve been riding at our track with Brock and that’s been great. He’s pretty motivated, so it’s awesome to train with someone who’s up there and it’s definitely been helping me – I’ve had to be really consistent throughout a moto to try to hang on to him.
“I’ve never been to Broadford before but I can’t wait to step up and begin in seniors. Hopefully I’ll be in the title hunt, that’s what I’m aiming for and for top three most rounds. My bike is awesome, it’s pretty much just got a pipe on it and my suspension pretty sorted.”
Nathan Crawford (TC 250 – MXD): “I’ve been doing a fair bit of State level racing and fared pretty well against some of the fastest pro Lites race is on the weekend. I’m probably prepared as well as I can be for this round.
“Riding Husky is great as it’s different to what everyone else has got, and I’ve got it to where I reckon I can win with it, although you never know with different tracks…
“For this weekend I really want to come away with the top-three finish, but top-five would be okay and put me up there in the points.”
