Team Motul Suzuki’s Matt Moss further etched himself into the history books last Sunday with a second consecutive Monster Energy MX Nationals MX1 title. With a busy schedule ahead including representing Team Australia at the Motocross of Nations and his defence of the number one plate in supercross, MotoOnline.com.au spoke to Moss this week to get his take on 2014 to date.

Image: Jeff Crow.

Congratulations on the championship, your second in a row, so it must have felt good to get it done at Coolum.

Definitely. It was probably the toughest round of the year for me and a big relief to get that one out of the way. Defending a championship is probably the toughest thing you’ll ever do and obviously having the red plate the whole season, it meant a lot to have it at the end. I was really happy, the team did great, and the whole year went to plan. I couldn’t really ask for more.

How does defending the championship compare to last year when you won your first MX1 title?

I’d say it was harder, but in saying that, defending it while leading was the hard part. It would have been different if I was chasing and having to win, so it was a lot harder I feel than last year. It was a relief as well, not quite as exciting, but good to get it done.

What was it like to win at Coolum on the reverse track, with a stacked crowd and a heap of celebrities as well?

It was really good. I normally enjoy Coolum, but I hated the track on the weekend and didn’t enjoy it one bit. It doesn’t really flow that way and it was a lot better the other way. With a lot of people there I would have loved to ride better and won races, but I think the guests there were champions from other sports and know what it takes to win championships. I did what I needed to do.

This year you were back again in the Jay Foreman-led Suzuki team, but as far as your overall support goes with Alpinestars and Bell coming on board, as well as a few others, your program seemed really, really solid.

Yeah, it was one of those things when we switched to Alpinestars I didn’t really know anybody but it’s become more of a family now. The guys at Astars, Bell Helmets and everyone associated who help us go racing. The support and encouragement has been great the whole way.

Image: Jeff Crow.

Supercross is just around the corner, but before then is the des Nations. Excited to get back there for Team Australia?

I can’t wait, it should be good. As long as we get a factory bike, we’re getting word on that, and that’s exactly what I’d love just so we’re competitive. I want to get out there and give it my all with [Dean] Ferris and Chad [Reed].

How will you go preparing for your supercross title defence while also trying to juggle your MXoN duties?

Yeah, supercross should be fine. It doesn’t take me long to get ready, but I will do a couple of days before I go and will have about a week and a half when I get back. That’s pretty much all I need, but mainly I want to do good for Australia in the des Nations.

The big question sends us toward 2015. You’re the guy everybody wants, so any news on that front?

Not at this stage. We just need to get some things done with the contract and it should be really good for next year.

No worries, well best of luck for the MXoN and we’ll be sure to see you at supercross.

No worries, thanks heaps mate.