Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jay Marmont picked up his first national victory of the year at Dubbo’s opening round of the Terex Australian Supercross Championships, quickly asserting himself as the favourite to retain his title in 2012.

MotoOnline.com.au spoke to Marmont today about his performance at Morris Park Speedway, the upcoming challenge against Chad Reed, and grabbed his thoughts on the new-look series under the guidance of International Entertainment Group (IEG).

Jay Marmont jumps to his first win for Monster Energy Kawasaki in the Terex Australian Supercross season opener. Image: Grant Reynolds/FiftySix Clix.

You came out at the first round of the new Australian Supercross series and claimed your first big win for Monster Energy Kawasaki. It was a great way to kick-off your supercross campaign.

Yeah, I’m very happy to come away with the win and walk away with everything that the team and I were aiming for. I’ve been putting a lot of effort into my riding, not practicing with anybody except for my brother Ryan, and working on a lot of things. I knew my speed was there, but never know how good I was going to be or how I’d match up to the other guys.

To come away with the win is a huge accomplishment for the team and myself, so I’m very happy. It’s actually the first ever time that I’m leading the series after round one, so I feel that the wheels are in motion at the moment and everything’s working really well. I just want to keep this momentum going and go into Phillip Island to try and score another good result.

Despite a tough outdoor season for you, you entered supercross pretty confident. Was that just because straight after Coolum’s final national, you put your head down straight away with your track already built to get ready for supercross? Can you thank your preparation at this point?

Well my motocross season was pretty much a dud year for me. After I hurt myself I could never gain confidence again and I felt like I was in the series for the wrong reasons. I was always out there to prove a point why I signed with Kawasaki, racing for the wrong reasons and not really being in the right frame of mind.

Supercross is totally different, I’m more than happy with my bike and that was the most fun supercross I’ve done in a long, long time. I just felt like I was dominant all night and not matter who I came up against, I had that little bit more in the tank – I didn’t get tight or anything. I feel I can go init and focus on the job ahead instead of riding for the wrong reasons.

I’m still working on my fitness, still working on my speed, and I actually really look forward to getting out there and racing Chad. I probably have my best opportunity to go out there and, not beat the guy, but try to at least give him a run for his money. I’m looking forward to it.

When you crossed the line, would relieved be the right word to describe it, knowing that you have your first win with Kawasaki out of the way and you’ll enter round two with that red plate again?

In some ways it was a relief, but I’d say it was more rewarding for all the effort I’ve been putting in. I have been working super hard lately and when I came in after the 20 laps, I think it was Mick Sinclair, he said “you’re not even breathing heavy”, which I realised then that I wasn’t.

In 20 laps not once did I feel like I was struggling at all, so to have that in the back of your head, it was just really good reassurance to know that you’ve done your homework and got the results. It was kind of weird, but I felt like I already had the win before the main was on because I was so relaxed all night and knew the job ahead. The main didn’t go all my way, but I managed to stay in front at the right part of the race and take the victory.

Marmont was quick and confident all day long at Morris Park Speeway. Image: Grant Reynolds/FiftySix Clix.

You mentioned Reed, he’s now confirmed for the final three rounds of the series. I know he’s a close friend of yours, but does his arrival move the goalposts at all? You obviously want to be champion, but then again it’s always good to gauge yourself against the world’s best. What’s the plan for Jay Marmont entering the final rounds against Chad?

You know, I’ve gone over it in my head a lot, the form I was in when we raced in 2008, 2009 and that one race in 2010. When Chad was at his best, he was very, very hard to beat, but when he didn’t get the best start then we got him in a couple of races. He’s definitely a beatable guy, but I think the level he’s at right now it’s the perfect gauge at the top of the sport.

There was a time when Chad used to come over here and we’d be so intimidated by him that he’d already beat you before you put your helmet on, but now I think that we have the right support and we are competitive enough to take him on.

The goal is the championship and that’s what will be in the back of my head most of the time, but to beat him in a race would be a huge accomplishment. I’m not giving up – I’ll be putting my head down to have a good race with him.

Just quickly to wrap it up, give us your first impressions on the new series run under IEG.

I think that the new championship worked really well and it was a special night. I think the crowd really enjoyed it, but unfortunately we had a few little hiccups along the way for riders – not getting enough water on the track, a few injuries and stuff like that, which can never be helped.

Besides that though, it was as good a supercross I have ever done, the entertainment was unreal and it was good fun. I can see it getting better and better as it goes on, so hopefully supercross is here to stay for a long time.