Serco Metal Mulisha Yamaha Racing’s Luke Styke has been anything but quiet since the MX Nationals wrapped up six weeks ago. After his disappointing MX2 loss to Ford Dale, Styke jetted to Belgium to represent Australia at the Motocross of Nations, then came home straight into supercross testing.

With the first round of the Terex Australian Supercross Championships this weekend, we caught up with Stykesy and threw five questions at him starting with “why”.

After a disappointing end to his outdoor season, Luke Styke is heading into the ASX series with more motivation than ever to win. Image: Simon Makker/Makkreative.com.

First up, Luke, why was the Motocross of Nations lifechanging for you?

It’s just one of those bucket-list things that you dream of doing one day, but at the same time having the opportunity to represent Australia seemed so far-fetched and unrealistic, that it didn’t really feel real. The opportunity was awesome and I learnt a lot.

The likes of Herlings and Carioli are just incredible in the sand and the industry, money and atmosphere in Europe is second-to-none. It was a real eye-opener and now that I’ve got the first experience under my belt, I can’t wait to ride for Australia again.

Why do you focus so much of your training around riding instead of mixing it up like most of the other riders?

I guess I’m all about getting the job done. When we go to the track I don’t like sitting around for four or so hours and only riding for an hour-and-a-half; I like to get out there and get as much riding done as possible in the time I’m given every day.

I do mix it up with the gym as well, but I like to keep my training regime pretty secret and don’t put shit all over Instagram and Facebook like a lot of the other guys. Those boys seem to have a lot more time on their hands than I do! But yeah, basically I have my own deal and hopefully the results of my hard work pay off.

Styke is serious about his training and says he has no time to mess around. Image: Simon Makker/Makkreative.com.

Why are you looking forward to supercross?

I just can’t wait to get back racing and make more money. It’s my job and I’m looking forward to getting back behind the gate and getting into it. After the disappointment of the MX Nationals I’m eager to get back out there and prove I’m a real Lites title contender.

Why is Serco using 2013 bikes when they’re basically the same as 2012?

Yeah the 2013 bikes are the same as 2012, apart from a different-looking rear guard. Yamaha obviously wants to promote the 2013 models and the best thing is all our parts bolt straight on.

Even though I spent a lot of time sand-riding for the MXoN, we weren’t that far behind the eight-ball when I got back, simply because we could use really similar settings to what used for supercross last year. After two days of testing we had the bike set up and from then on it’s been all about getting my comfortable at supercross again.

Why do you think you’re a title contender for supercross?

Last year I got third in the Lites and I was riding for free. I didn’t really train or put in the amount of effort I am this year; I expect nothing less than top three every round and I’m definitely a title contender. Being such a short series means I’m going to have to minimise the mistakes, as one silly error and it could be all over. I’ve got to be both smart and aggressive, and can’t afford to second-guess myself.