Image: Jeff Crow.

Monster Energy MX1 champion Matt Moss has revealed that the challenge of going back-to-back is what spurred him on to great heights in 2014.

Team Motul Suzuki’s Moss claimed the overall series win at the final round of the 2014 Monster Energy MX Nationals at Coolum.

“Jay Marmont said at the start of the year that it’s hard to defend your championship and it was a tough fight,” he added. “It was a great year – solid.”

Moss paid tribute to second place finisher Kirk Gibbs (KTM Motocross Racing Team) who pushed him all the way to the final round in 2014.

“Before I put my hands out to take the championship, I have to give a shout out to Gibbsy,” Moss added. “He rode awesome this year, I am very proud of him, and I am sure that he will be a lot stronger next year.”

Moss was glowing when he talked about the support of his team and entourage around him, led by Jay Foreman in the factory-supported Suzuki program.

“We definitely pushed it when we needed to push this year and got a points lead,” he said. “I am really good at maintaining what I need to do and we did what we needed to do and at the end of the day number one is what you want.

“Winning races is great but we wanted this championship. All the guys at Motul Pirelli Suzuki, all the guys at Alpinestars – you guys are legends. Jay Foreman, Jess my mechanic, my beautiful fiancé [Sophie]… I had a lot of support.”

And the 2014 champ also had a parting shot for those living outside of New South Wales; the state producing the riders who claimed all three championships on offer on Sunday.

“I just want to say there must be something in the New South Wales water – 1, 1, 1 this year all from there, so maybe you should all move to New South Wales!”