Australia's latest GP export previews season 2014.
Every season see’s the rise of a dark horse. And while it’s never good to count your chickens before they hatch, if you ask anyone down under they’re going to say Australian Luke Styke will be ‘that’ guy.
After absolutely dominating the 2013 Australian MX2 Championship where he won an outstanding nine of the 10 rounds, Styke packed his bags and headed off to Europe with the hope of getting his feet wet and inking a deal for 2014.
After spending a couple weeks in Belgium testing with a couple of highly-acclaimed GP teams and hanging out with fellow Aussie and MX2 front-runner Dean Ferris, Styke proved he had the speed, guts and determination to make it to the top in MX2.
Upon arrival back in Australia, Styke learned that Belgian-based KEMEA Yamaha Racing team had taken notice and wanted to sign him. Without batting an eye-lid, Styke jumped at the opportunity to race the 2014 FIM Motocross MX2 World Championship and made the plan to finish out his contract in Australia and then head back to Europe for bike and suspension testing.
Now, just one month into the New Year, Styke has left the sweltering heat of Australia and touched down in Europe where he intends to set up shop for the next eight months.
Styke has already been out smashing laps in the gnarly dunes of Lommel the fact that it is almost 40 degrees colder in Belgium than it is in Jarvis Bay will never be enough to freeze his dreams of joining Jeff Leisk, Chad Reed, Andrew McFarlane and Dean Ferris on the list of Australians to have won an FIM Motocross Grand Prix.
Source: KEMEA Yamaha.
What influenced the move to Europe?
I feel that it was the next step in my career as I won everything last year, both Aussie motocross and supercross titles. So I feel like its time to race better guys and better myself.
How are you finding the lifestyle over here? Are you settling in okay?
No! It’s cold [laughs]. Overall it’s been okay. My only problem is that the weather in Belgium is not so good at the moment. But that’s okay, we decided to pack up and head for Spain. So I’m in Spain right now for a week. It’s so cool, the tracks down here are much better and we are making more and more progress every day!
What do you think is the hardest thing to adjust to?
For sure the language and also the cold weather but it’s going to get better the longer I’m here.
You’re pretty much a dark horse this year, how do you feel about having that title?
It’s great! I find it’s the best way to be, I like surprising people and there is nothing better than proving them wrong.
You raced MXON in Lommel back in 2012, we all know Lommel is not the most user-friendly circuit in the world, but you did pretty good. How did you find your pace against the guys that are the best in the world? Do you think you can run it?
I feel that I am faster than in 2012 and definitely stronger. But you know I believe that if you are confident in your ability and I feel comfortable on the bike, matching the pace won’t be a problem.
You dominated the Australian Lites championship last year, this year MX2 will be on a whole other level. What are your expectations?
I honestly feel that I can be top five or even challenge for podiums, so of coarse, that is my goal. If I’m healthy and bike is good I believe I can achieve it.
Source: KEMEA Yamaha.
What are your thoughts on the flyaway GPs?
I reckon it’s a great idea. It’s definitely a chance to gain more experience and to get an idea of what motocross is like in other areas of the world.
In Qatar you will be racing at night…
Yeah that’s awesome, it kind of reminds me of supercross back home. Because I’ve done that, I’m used to racing at night, so I reckon it will be fun.
Do you think the way a rider trains has a big effect on their results?
Yeah, for sure. Consistent hard work has and always will get results. I definitely think a structured program is the key to good results, I know I can account a lot of my success to it. Right now, it’s a little bit difficult to have a strict structured program, as life in Europe is different and everything is new to me. But you know, everyday get’s better and the more days that go by, the more I feel I am getting back into the swing of things.
What’s your training program like?
My program at the moment is great. I have been with my trainer Bernie McNeil for three years now and my results have only have got better since. I am pumped that he is here in Europe with me now to get me ready.
Do you have a long-term plan, like move to MXGP next year?
I haven’t really thought about it. I am just focusing on this season, I want to get good results and prove what I am capable of. I guess how this season goes will affect my decisions at the end of the year.
Thanks Luke, good luck for this year!
No worries mate and thanks!
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