MotoOnline sits down with one of the legends of Australian motocross, Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jay Marmont, and gets to know the multi-time national champion a bit better…

Marmont is placing a concerted focus on racing for the next two years. Image: Simon Makker/Makkreative.com.

Greatest moment of your career?
I’d have to say when I won 2009 Canberra SX. It was straight after my little daughter Lila passed away and it was the most emotional win I’ve ever had. It was a massive effort to just get there racing, and when I won everyone rallied behind me and supported me. It was a massive letting-go moment.

Toughest race ever?
It depends on your mindset, but for me I think the hardest race I ever did was probably my first senior race at Pengiun, Tasmania in 1999. I was so nervous and I didn’t know what I was in for. I talked myself out of it, rode tight and made a heap of mistakes. Everyone was going nuts during the first half of the race and it was really daunting for me.

Long-term goal?
I have no plans to leave the sport and I’ll stay with motocross as long as I can. I’m trying to focus on racing the next two years. It’s a struggle at the moment, but during this year’s season I’ve realised that I have a really good following and a lot of fans behind me. I admire what Jeff Emig and Ricky Carmichael do and how they’ve stayed involved with the different series, teams and manufacturers. I’d like to try and replicate that.

Favourite track?
Manjimup, WA. It’s got everything: deep sand, hard-pack, big jumps and fast straights. When it’s perfect it’s the most fun track you’ll ever ride and I’d love for them to hold a round of the Nationals one day.

If you weren’t a racer, you would be?
I’d like say a fisherman, but that wouldn’t pay the bills. Fishing is one of my big passions next to racing.

Arch-rival?
I’ve had a lot over the years and have been through a few eras. I guess my long-standing rival is Chad Reed as we grew up racing as kids and I’m still battling him when he races here. Craig Anderson, Cheyne Boyd and Daniel McCoy have also been my main rivals over the years.

Greatest inspiration?
Besides my family I’d have to say Chad. I grew up racing him and to see what he’s achieved with his career is amazing. He inspires me greatly. My wife, Abby, is also a great inspirate to me and always has my back.

Superstitions?
I used to do a funny stretch on the line, but I’ve given that up. About 10 years ago my brother, Ryan, told me he puts his left knee brace on first. I thought that was pretty cool, so ever since then I’ve also done the same. I haven’t put my right kneebrace on first in more than 10 years.

Training methods?
It’s different for motocross and supercross. I have days with sprints, other days where I practice format-racing and others where I’m just riding and having fun with my buddies. On Tuesdays I do interval runs, long runs on Thursdays, then do boxing and Crossfit training in between. It depends how I’m feeling and if there’s any racing the coming weekend.

Goal for 2013?
I want to finish the motocross season healthy as it’s just been horrible for me. Then I want to go back-to-back-to-back with supercross wins. A three-peat in Australia hasn’t happened in a long time, so from next week I’m going to be focusing on supercross.

Off The Wall

Best all-time moto DVD/video?
The first Terrafirma DVDs were some of the best for sure.

Non-bike related hobbies?
Fishing is at the top of my priority list, stand-up jetskiing with the boys and spending time with my family.

Do you read your pit board?
Yep. Sometimes if I’m in the zone I don’t, but most of the time I do.

What do you drive?
Holden Colorado that’s blackened out with big wheels. It’s pretty tough!

Favourite magazine?
I’m gonna keep the peace here and say fishing magazines haha.

What’s on the iPod?
I used to like pretty hard dance music, but now it’s about cool tracks I hear once on the radio or stumble across on Soundcloud. I like RnB and a bit of everything now.

Best thing about the MX Nationals?
It’s a tough championship and only the best riders succeed. It’s very rewarding when you’re holding the #1 plate up at the end of the series.

Who will win AMA MX 2013?
I’d have to say Ryan Villopoto and Eli Tomac – they’re absolutely flying.

Tell us something we don’t know about you?
I don’t mind having a punt on the horses, but my wife hates it. I’m not allowed to do it very often!

One or the Other

Traditional motos or mixed formats?
I like both. Mixed formats seem to work really well here in Australia, but for bigger races like the MXoN, the traditional format is best.

Chad Reed or Jeff Leisk?
Jeff Leisk – he helped kickstart my career.

Monster, Red Bull, Rockstar?
Monster of course!

PC or Mac?
Mac for sure.

McDonald’s or KFC?
Maccas. KFC’s gone downhill.

Europe or USA?
USA.

Two-stroke or four-stroke?
I still have a soft-spot for two-strokes, but they’re dinosaurs now. Four-strokes are where it’s at.

MX Nationals or Supercross?
Nothing beats a packed Supercross stadium and the excitement that comes with it. That’s the ultimate buzz in our sport.

Print or Digital (iPad) magazines?
Print. There’s something about grabbing a physical magazine as you head to the toilet.

Blonde or brunette?
My wife’s a brunette, so yeah…brunette.