My Way

Greatest moment of your career?

Definitely winning three rounds of the MX Nationals this year and finishing fifth in the championship. I accomplished my goals for the year. The first win at Wanneroo was a highlight, but I got the clean sweep of wins at Coolum and you can’t get better than that. It was a perfect weekend and the best in my career.

Toughest race ever?

Have to say the final moto at Coolum this year. The track was so rough and my lower back was really sore from trying to stand up everywhere. Physically I was struggling, but Luke Arbon was right behind me and I couldn’t afford to back off. It was one of the hardest races I’ve ever done.

Long-term goal?

I’d really like to get to Europe in a year or so. I’ll still be in Australia next year and want to win the MX2 championship, then get to Europe as soon as possible. If I do well I’d love to then go to the US, but ever since I was a little kid I’ve wanted to win in Europe.

Favourite track?

Gum Valley in Mackay. It’s eight hours from home and I’ve only raced there once, but I absolutely loved it. It’s a sick, sandy, natural terrain track with some fun jumps.

If you weren’t a racer, you would be?

Probably either a BMX or mountain bike rider. I pretty much suck at anything that doesn’t have handlebars. I’m so unco I can’t even eat a bowl of cereal without spilling some on me.

Arch-rival?

Wilson Todd. We’re both clean racers and have a lot of respect for each other, but if we both turn up at a track – it doesn’t matter if it’s a practice day or a national race – we’ll give it our all. We always want to beat each other and I think that’s pushed us both a lot to the level we’re at now.

Greatest inspiration?

I always really looked up to Ricky Carmichael when I was little, and I’ve always watched Todd Waters too. He only lives 40km away and it’s been pretty motivating watching his career progress. Recently I’ve been watching a lot of videos of Stefan Everts and I want to try and copy his style of riding smooth and standing on the pegs everywhere.

Superstitions?

I’m pretty bad hey. I always put my left glove on first, and I avoid the #8 and red gear. I was running #8 and red gear when I ruptured my spleen when I was 13 years old. Ever since then I’ve had this belief that red gear and that number are bad.

Training methods?

I was doing a lot of running this year. I’m not a huge fan of the gym and was probably one of the weakest guys at the Nationals, so I’m going to the gym a lot more lately. I also do a lot of mountainbiking and spin classes.

Goal for 2015?

I want to win the MX2 championship outdoors, and I’d love to win supercross too, but I’ve never ridden a supercross track and I need a lot more experience at it.

Off the Wall

Best all-time moto DVD/video?

Gromageddon. I watched that amateur video a million times as a kid. Recently Moto 4 has been one of my favourites.

Non-bike related hobbies?

BMX dirt-jumping – but no tricks as I seem to hurt myself when I try anything over than moto whips – mountainbiking and going to the lake near our house for a swim.

Do you read your pit board?

I try to. If I’m out front and not passing people I always do, but if I’m in a battle I’m usually too focused to read it.

What do you drive?

I have a Ford XR6 Ute 2008 that I bought earlier this year. I’ve only just got my licence so it hasn’t been driven much.

Favourite magazine?

Racer X, Transworld MX or Dirt Action.

What’s on the iPod?

Only about 10 songs. Imagine Dragons, Eminem and stuff to work out to. I’m not huge into music.

Best thing about the MX Nationals?

I like the fact it always runs smoothly and sticks to its times.

Who will win the 2015 AMA Supercross?

I’m going to call Eli Tomac. Watching him at the end of this year, man he’s going fast. If he wasn’t injured this year he would’ve been up there.

Tell us something we don’t know about you?

I’m shit-scared of dingos, ever since I watched a TV show on them as a kid. I’m also scared of snakes, spiders, insects and creepy crawlies. I’m a bit of a girl (laughs)

First and last

First bike?

A JR50 when I was three. Mum and dad were going to buy me a motorised kart, but the guy at Toyworld told them it would only break down and to get me a motorbike instead. They went to Wayne Leonard’s in Cairns and it all started from there.

First kiss?

I was 15. I was home schooled since grade four, so I didn’t get out much!

First proper injury?

I ruptured my spleen and broke my arm at the state titles in Mareeba when I was 13. I ended up getting six litres of blood transfused and at one stage they weren’t sure if I was going to make it.

First dodgy movie scene you watched?

I was at the neighbour’s place when I was 11 or 12. It was pretty awkward watching it with them.

First time you got in a fight?

I’m a big softy and I’ve never been in a fight.

Last album/song you downloaded?

I’m not going to live this down, but I think it was a Nickelback song. Pretty gay I know!

Last movie you watched?

It was some movie about magic that was depressing and put me down in the dumps. I’m a happy guy and prefer comedies.

Last holiday?

We turned our trip to Wanneroo into a two-week holiday, went riding and hung out with some people there.

Last big crash you had?

At the start of the year I did a Zach Bell when I scrubbed the finishline tabletop at Mareeba, but caught my footpeg. My foot got ripped off and I landed way out on the flat. I split my lip but that was the only injury I got and I even rode the rest of the day. I was amazed to not get hurt from such a huge crash.

One or the Other

Two 30-minute motos or three 20-minute motos?

Two 30s for sure.

Monster, Red Bull, Rockstar?

Red Bull.

PC or Mac?

I’d have to go Mac.

McDonalds or KFC?

Can I choose Subway?

Europe or USA?

Europe … for now.

Two-stroke or four-stroke?

I’d have to say a four-stroke even though the two-stroke was good to me this year. You can’t beat the rev limiter when you get onto lappers!

MX Nationals or supercross?

MX Nationals.

Blonde or brunette?

I’m into brunettes at the moment, but it doesn’t matter too much.