Monster Energy Kawasaki’s rookie MX1 rider Adam Monea has been noticeably absent from the paddock since the 2013 Monster Energy MX Nationals wrapped up in August.

With that in mind, MotoOnline.com.au hunted Monz down and hit him with one of our favourites – five questions starting with ‘why’.

Adam Monea in action during the Coolum MX Nationals final. Image: Simon Makker.

Why did you miss the 2013 Australian Supercross Championship?

On the Wednesday before the first two rounds at Darwin I was testing with Dan Reardon and race team manager Troy Carroll and ironing out a few final things, but I had a big one and put my shoulder around backwards. I dislocated it badly and needed a full reconstruction.

I’m 11 weeks into it now and if there’s one word that’d sum it up… it’s boring! It’s frustrating because the rest of my body works fine except my shoulder. At the same time, I haven’t been looking forward to riding a bike this much in a long time.

Why aren’t you happy with your results this year?

Basically, I didn’t meet the goals that I set for myself. I was happy with my speed, had some good races and showed some flashes of brilliance that people got to see, but I wanted to cement myself as a top guy in the premier class.

I don’t want to blame the equipment, but there were a couple of issues with the bike and everything is preventable. In saying that, the team worked really well and I gelled well with TC and the rest of the boys.

I’d worked with Troy before, but we’ve both changed the way we work since then.

Why are you excited for 2014?

I’ve had a lot of time to think about next season lately, and I really can’t wait to go after Matt Moss’s championship. That’s my main goal for next year.

Jay Marmont is leaving Kawasaki, but I’m excited to continue working with the team and gelling with my new teammate. But at the end of the day I’m there to do a job and to accomplish my goals. Racing isn’t really a team sport when you get behind the start-gate.

Monea has quickly established himself as a 450 podium threat, but he wants more in 2014. Image: Simon Makker.

Why is the relationship between riders and their mechanics so important?

You basically rely on each other for everything. The mechanic works 9 to 5, slaving over a bike for you to race. He wants his equipment to do well and be reliable, and vice-versa.

I’m riding that bike so I need to trust that he’s done his job and have confidence that it’ll last 30 minutes plus two laps. I like to have a relaxed, joking relationship with my mechanic and keep an element of fun to it.

Like I always say, the first time anyone swung a leg over a dirt bike was to have fun, and I try and keep that going. I don’t get why some people get so angry when they race. We’re riding bikes, you can’t be pissed off about that!

Why have we seen a drop in rider numbers in both motocross and supercross this year?

I think it’s mainly due to financial reasons; it proves things are tough at the moment. Privateers want to give themselves the best opportunity to do well, with a good bike, fresh tyres, and everything set up.

It all costs money, but there’s not a lot of it around, and things that shouldn’t really be expensive are. It sucked to see only 18 riders on the gate at the MX Nationals.

When I was a privateer I couldn’t wait to get out there and smash it against the best guys in the country, especially on my home track. I wish more people thought like that.