MotoOnline.com.au gets inside the head of one of the MXD class MX Nationals favourites for 2014 to find out what makes him tick.

My Way

Greatest moment of your career?

It’d have to be coming back after double knee reconstruction and being off the bike for 18 months to win the overall at the first round of the MX Nationals at Raymond Terrace last year. It proved that hard work really does pay off.

Toughest race ever?

The last race of the final round at Coolum last year. Six laps in I cartwheeled at the end of the rollers and ripped my hamstring off my tailbone. I got up and finished the race, but I was pretty dizzy from the head-knock and was in a shitload of pain. Obviously I didn’t know I’d ripped my hammy, so I just kept charging.

Long-term goal?

I want to end up on a factory team in the US racing both supercross and motocross within four years. That means I’ll be in MXD this year, Lites next year, either Lites of Opens the next year, then seeya later.

Favourite track?

Rosebud. It’s my local track and it’s a full sand track that’s so much fun to ride. In the MX Nationals I love Appin – there are tonnes of people, the grass is all mowed and the track was sick. The vibe there was awesome.

If you weren’t a racer, you would be?

My dad was a footy player so maybe that. Or maybe a media guy. I used to play cricket before I raced bikes, but I lost interest in it once I started racing.

Arch-rival?

Joel Milesevic. We’re in the same age group and are always battling away, whether it’s at the Vic titles, the Gippsland series, or the nationals. I’ve raced him since our small-wheel 85 days.

Greatest inspiration?

Cam Sinclair. He lives up the road from me and helped hook me up with my sponsors. I admire him for what he’s been through and for coming back from near death to winning an X Games gold medal in only a year. The guy’s a machine.

Superstitions?

I have to drop a brand new helmet on the ground before I put it on for the first time, so I get the first scratch or crash out of the way. Sorry, Mick [Sinclair]!

Training methods?

I have a personal trainer, Joe Stevens from Moto X Athlete Development, who looks after all my training and nutrition. I do cross-fit two or three times a week, cycling and running. I’ll ramp things up closer to the nationals.

Goal for 2014?

To win both the motocross and supercross championships and be consistently on the box at every round like Hamish Harwood was last year.

Off the Wall

Best all-time moto DVD/video?

Epic by Vurb Moto. It’s like a snowboard DVD and was one of the first videos where they did slow-motion and used camera cranes. The video popped and I reckon it changed the way people filmed moto.

Non-bike related hobbies?

Building my drift car, working as a concreter, and hanging out with my girlfriend and mates.

Do you read your pit board?

[Laughs] that’s an awesome question! No… well I try to when I can and there’s no roost or rocks flying at me. Sometimes they put the mechanics’ areas in the shittest spots and it’s impossible to read your board.

What do you drive?

Nissan Skyline R31 and a Holden VE SV6 ute. The Skyline is my drift car, when I’ve finished building it I want to take it to the track and see what she’s got.

Favourite magazine?

Dirt Action and Transworld MX.

What’s on the iPod?

Hip-hop and Melbourne bangers, which is this new thing. It’s hard to explain, but I guess it’s like house or techno music.

Best thing about the MX Nationals?

Lining up next to the fastest people in Australia, the vibe from the spectators and the perfect tracks… sometimes [laughs].

Who will win the 2014 AMA Supercross?

Jason Anderson in the 250 West, probably Marvin Musquin in the East and Ryan Villopoto in the 450s.

Tell us something we don’t know about you?

I like to do a heap of media stuff when I’m not riding. I’ll go out and take photos for posters and film edits and that sort of shit. It’s good fun and keeps me busy when I’m off the bike.

One or the Other

Traditional motos or mixed formats?

Traditional – you know what to expect every round and it’s all part of the routine. I guess everyone is in the same boat, but it’ll be interesting to see how it goes this year with the mixed formats.

Chad Reed or Jeff Leisk?

Chad. I’ve never seen Leisky ride and I’ve always looked up to Chad.

Monster, Red Bull, Rockstar?

Red Bull for sure.

PC or Mac?

Mac.

McDonalds or KFC?

Maccas.

Europe or USA?

I’d go Europe, then the USA, but ultimately I’d say USA.

Two-stroke or four-stroke?

The big two for me, please.

MX Nationals or supercross?

MX Nationals. I’m a brawler.

Print or digital (iPad) magazines?

Print for sure.

Blonde or brunette?

Blonde, because I’ve got one.