My Way

Greatest moment of your career?

Probably the two podiums I got in 2008 when I raced the AMA Motocross Championship – I got a third at Unadilla and a second at Southwick. I was pretty pumped on that.

Toughest race ever?

I’ve done two races that were really hot and really tough. In 2007 I raced Freestone, Texas and it was about 100 degrees and almost 100 percent humidity. The other one was during a heatwave in Italy when I rode a GP there. You put that much effort in you start going dizzy and feel like you’re going to pass out. Us Kiwis don’t handle the heat that well.

Long-term goal?

I don’t really have one now. I’m 31 and the only thing I haven’t really got is an Australian title; I’d quite like to win the MX1 championship this year.

Favourite track?

I don’t have a favourite track as such, but I love any track that has well-prepped tacky clay like Pukekohe does. It develops real good lines and you can rail the corners even when there’s hardly a rut to turn off.

If you weren’t a racer, you would be?

Probably a professional golfer. I play once a week now, but for a bit I was playing almost every day and I started to get alright at it. It takes up too much time for me to do regularly now with the racing season about the start.

Arch-rival?

I can’t think of any that I’ve really raced the whole way through. All the guys I raced growing up have stopped or moved classes.

Greatest inspiration?

Ben Townley has been a big help to me and taught me lots. Growing up I just did my own thing and never knew the names of the US guys and never really had a favourite rider or someone I looked up to.

Superstitions?

Nothing really worked for me so I don’t have any! When I was little I’d constantly stretch my hands and pull my fingers right back. I don’t know why.

Training methods?

Gym, cycling, running and moto.

Goal for 2015?

Defend my New Zealand 450 title and then win the Australian MX1 championship.

Off the Wall

Best all-time moto DVD/video?

That real old movie On Any Sunday. I’ve tried to find a copy of it on DVD but I can’t get it anywhere.

Non-bike related hobbies?

Golf, hanging out with my dog, and I view cycling more as a hobby than a training tool.

Do you read your pit board?

Yep, if the mechanic’s area is in a good place where you actually have time to read it.

What do you drive?

A 1996 Super Custom Toyota Hiace. I used to have one of the new ones but I practically lived at the fuel station with it and it was nowhere near as comfortable as the old ones.

Favourite magazine?

Transworld MX.

What’s on the iPod?

I listen to anything, but I always find myself going back to Rise Against. Their older stuff is awesome.

Best thing about the MX Nationals?

The professionalism is always improving and the organisation of the events is always onto it.

Who will win the 2015 AMA Supercross?

I’m picking Eli Tomac for 450SX and Cooper Webb for 250SX West Coast.

Tell us something we don’t know about you?

From when I was a kid until I got to about 25 I used to love getting naked at parties [laughs].

First and Last

First bike?

A JR50 when I was four.

First kiss?

I can’t remember. It might’ve been at school? My memory’s pretty shot; that’s something else that people should know about me…

First proper injury?

In 2011 when I rode for Motul Pirelli Suzuki I crashed on a tabletop while leading the second race at Appin and collapsed my lung. I finished the race but had to sit out the rest of the round.

First time you got in a fight?

When I was about 10 this big Maori chick at school wanted to fight me. She was like the bully of the school, but because she was a girl I couldn’t fight back – I just had to take it.

Last album/song you downloaded?

Either Rise Against’s Black Market or Pennywise’s Yesterdays.

Last movie you watched?

Dumb and Dumber To. It was real good actually.

Last holiday?

I had six days off over new years and I just relaxed and hung around home doing nothing. The city I live in, Tauranga, is a holiday town so there’s no point going away for a break.

Last big crash you had?

The 2014 MX Nationals at Murray Bridge where I did my knee. I came out of a corner following Jake Moss and he spun out and I went straight into the back of him. I put my right leg out to stop myself from falling, but it did a heap of damage. It’s all good now though and everything’s on track for this year.

One or the Other

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

Definitely two 30-minute motos.

Monster or Red Bull?

None of them.

PC or Mac?

Mac.

McDonalds or KFC?

KFC.

Europe or USA?

USA.

Two-stroke or four-stroke?

Four-stroke.

MX Nationals or supercross?

MX Nationals.

Blonde or brunette?

Brunette. I actually only decided this the other day [laughs].