Australia’s 2013 motocross and supercross champion Matt Moss is on a tear at the moment. After a fairly successful privateer hit-out at the first six rounds of the Monster Energy Supercross in America, Mossy returned home and has his sights firmly set on defending his titles, come hell or high water. CycleOnline.com.au caught up with the MITF-based factory Suzuki rider to get his fast thoughts on a plethora of topics.

Image: Simon Makker.

Pre-season…
It’s been really good so far. We’re up-to-date with everything and I think this year we’ve got a faster bike again from last year. In 2013 I didn’t want to push the boundaries too much, but now that I have a full, successful year in MX1 in the books I’m looking forward to stepping it up this year. As far as bike changes, we’ve gone to a slightly harder fork, but have kept the same shock, as it works really well. It’s more about fine-tuning rather than making big changes, but the differences have been noticeable.

Appin’s fastest-ever lap…
A week ago we were at Appin and the old track had been prepped really well. I went out on my practice bike and had some 2m04s and 2m03s, which is about what the lap record was. Then the team gave me my race bike with the same suspension as what I had in Coolum. Two laps in I dropped four seconds with a 1m59.9, then did two more at 2m00. I’m not sure who had the previous lap record, but I know that no-one has ever broken the two-minute mark, so I’ll claim it and take it.

Selfies…
Nah, no selfies for me. My brother Jake puts up more than enough for both of us. He’s all about the selfie [laughs].

Rhys Carter…
I think the team has made good decision [for him to be my teammate]. He’s young, hungry and fast. He doesn’t have much experience but he’s now with a team that can help turn him into a champion. A lot relies on him and his results, but I think he has potential to do well. I think he’ll be around the top 15 at the start of the season, then once he gets more used to the team and the class he’ll make some top 10s and top fives. We had our first photo shoot and ride on Monday and he rode a bit tight and was nervous. It was his first factory ride, so I just told him to relax into it. From yesterday to today he had loosened up a lot and already wasn’t far off the pace.

Image: Simon Cudby.

Flight MH370…
Man, I don’t know. There’s so much going on and technology is more advanced than what we could even imagine so you never know what sort of conspiracy has happened. Maybe it was a terrorist attack but I hope not. There’re rumours that relatives have heard the passengers’ phones ring out, so who knows what to believe. I think there’s more going on that what we’re being told.

Latest tune…
Katy Perry’s, Roar. I have the ‘eye of the tiger’ and I’m a champion, and this tune always gets me going [laughs]. Don’t ask me to sing it for you!

The US and Australia…
Apart from the calibre of riders over there, I think it’s how much we help each other. When an American rider comes to Australia we’ll help them out as much as we can and make their life easier. But for an Australian going there, it’s completely the opposite. No-one cares and you really have to look after yourself. While there’re more and better riders in the US, Australia is home and 10 times better.

Footy…
As long as the Bunnies [South Sydney Rabbitoh’s] win and the Cronulla [Sharks] come last, I don’t really care about the footy. I’ve got $1000 riding on the Bunnies this year – last year me and a mate had a $500 bet they’d win the premiership. I lost and I’ve gone double or nothing for 2014!