Cody Mackie feels refreshed for 2013 after spending a year away from the racing scene. Image: Liam Foulds/LF Sports Photography.

After spending a year away from the motocross scene in Australia to pursue a stunt riding role in the latest ‘Mad Max’ movie, Cody Mackie is now back on home soil and revitalised for the 2013 season.

While Mackie took a step away from racing, he continued to train hard in Africa and maintained a solid fitness base, which is evident in his recent second place finish behind Serco Yamaha’s Luke Styke at Canberra’s East Coast MX round last weekend.

Mackie will contest the MX1 class aboard a Kawasaki KX450F for the Zero Seven Motorsports team this year, and although many tip him to be amongst the thick of the racing action, Mackie has no solid expectations of himself at this point.

“It’s weird because I don’t have any expectations of trying to finish in the top five or top 10 or whatever,” Mackie told MotoOnline’s Simon Makker. “It sounds cliché but I just want to stay injury free, ride safe and smooth, and learn more about the bike as each round passes.”

“I don’t know if I’m under the radar or completely off it altogether [laughs]! Having had a year off I have no idea where I’ll be placed myself. I know I’m not on anyone’s minds, because if the shoe was on the other foot and someone else took a year’s break I’d write them off.

“Now that I’ve done it myself I wouldn’t – I feel revitalised and taking a year’s break from racing has renewed my enthusiasm for the sport for a good couple of years.”

Mackie will be kicking off his return to the Australian motocross scene on 14 April at Raymond Terrace’s opening round of the 2013 Monster Energy MX Nationals.

Click here to view the complete Catching Up interview with Mackie