My Way

Greatest moment of your career?

Either winning the GP of Greece as a Junior at the World Championship back in 2010, or winning the Hattah Desert Race in 2013. They’re on par, I’d say.

Toughest race ever?

They’re all tough in different aspects, but I’d have to say the World Championships were the toughest event I’ve ever done with the long days and hard tracks. At the same time Hattah is the most physically demanding race I’ve every done where you’re hammering whooped-out sand tracks for four hours. But then Finke is on another level where it’s mentally fatiguing, the speeds are a lot higher and it’s just plain scary. You have to wear ear plugs so you can concentrate without the constant wind noise wearing you down.

Long-term goal?

To race at the highest level that I can for as long as I can. Eventually I want to move into some rider training and coaching, both with high profile riders and with trailriders, to give them more skills and riding knowledge.

Favourite track?

Hattah, Mildura. It’s 38km of the sickest sand track you’ve ever ridden. The whole atmosphere is awesome; they close the main street off for the race and the event is hard and fast, but it’s safer than Finke, so it’s more enjoyable at the same time.

If you weren’t a racer, you would be?

Eating pies, drinking coke and probably driving trucks!

Arch-rival?

I’d have to say Toby Price as he’s the guy I’m trying to beat in every aspect. We’re the only two that are racing across all codes, with the only thing he’s dong extra now is some rally racing.

Greatest inspiration?

I’d have to say my boss, AJ Roberts. When I was first into AORC as a junior he was the man and did his job. He didn’t focus on what anyone thought, he did his thing and he won and won and won. As a manager racing is still his life. He doesn’t great it as a job and wants me to win as badly as I do. I’m not saying this to suck up, but AJ’s an all-round legend. He’s probably going to bag me for saying this about him!

Superstitions?

Nothing really. I don’t believe in that shit. I’ve thought about it and then thought ‘why would you?” I do breathing exercises and stuff like that, but it’s nothing like putting my left side on first.

Training methods?

I try and make it as fun as I can. I mountainbike, run, swim, weights, and I really enjoy crossfit and trying to beat my mates at it. I can’t get into it too much or I’ll get too solid for riding, but I enjoy it. I also train on the bike three to four days a week.

Goal for 2015?

I’d be lying if said I didn’t want to win. I want to be on podium week-in week-out; it’s the best thing you can do for your sponsors and it’ll get you the championship. Consistency is so much better than winning one week then DNF’ing the next.

Off the Wall

Best all-time moto DVD/video?

I like Relish from back in 2005 with Grant Langston, Tim Ferry, Chad Reed and those older guys. The old Crusty Demons was pretty cool back in the day, running amok and stuff.

Non-bike related hobbies?

Training with mountainbiking and crossfit is my social thing as I have a good crew to do it all with. I also love a good barbecue with me mates.

What do you drive?

A 2014 Renault Master van. She’s on 20s and has subs, water tanks, a bed and stuff in it. I also have a Patrol with big muddies on it – that’s my fun car.

Favourite magazine?

To be honest I don’t’ really do magazines. It’s all online now. My favourite websites are Facebook, Instagram and Google. Across those three sites you can find out anything.

What’s on the iPod?

I’ve got a bit of everything: country, Disturbed, Linkin Park, some old-school stuff and some new stuff. I’m into anything that sounds good and isn’t too emotional.

Best thing about the AORC?

Racing me dirt bike. I always raced MX as a kid, but the AORC was cool as we got to race the same tracks as the pros. I thought that was cool growing up. There’re a lot of good people involved and it’s great to see the sport growing so much now.

Who will win the 2015 AMA Supercross?

I want to say Roczen. I’ve always like him and think he’s pretty badass. His team setup is pretty cool and they let him run his cap backwards and have the image that he wants, and I think he has the mongrel in him to take the title.

Tell us something we don’t know about you?

I’m Kiwi designed and Aussie assembled. Both my parents are Kiwis, but they both moved over here to Australia before I was born.

First and Last

First bike?

A 1986 PW50 back when I was seven.

First kiss?

I got kissed on the first day of kindergarten. I thought ‘I’ve got this’ [laughs].

First proper injury?

I had heaps of fractures growing up, but no huge breaks. The first major injury was when I partially tore my ACL and MCL in 2010. I was only off for six weeks before I was back into it.

First time you got in a fight?

I grew up with Luke George and his cousins and we used to fight and wrestle all the time, but my first proper fight was in Year 4. I was a little punk of a kid and was probably being a smart-arse to this big dude, but when he started to have a go I jumped up to the second step of the stairs and gave him a flogging!

Last album/song you downloaded?

Powerman 5000 – Bombshell. It was on one of the old Crusty DVDs and I heard it the other day. I Shazamed it straight away.

Last movie you watched?

I watched one the other day with AJ but I can’t remember what it was called. Maybe it was called The Fighter or something like that…?

Last holiday?

I couldn’t tell you. Every time I go away I’m riding, racing or testing bikes. Even if I did go on holiday I’d probably still go riding.

Last big crash you had?

At the Brisbane Enduro-X last weekend. There was a big log gap that only a handful of guys were doing. I jumped it all of practice and all the first heat, then in the second heat I misjudged it and got kicked hard. I landed on my head with the bike on top of me. I was pretty dizzy when I got up and didn’t know where I was, but I figured out which way the track was running, then just got on and pinned it. I’m still feeling that crash now, 10 days later.

One or the Other

GNCC or enduro style racing?

I like all of it, but I think enduro is more fun to ride all day.

Monster, Red Bull, Rockstar?

Coles water. I don’t drink any of that stuff.

PC or Mac?

Mac.

McDonalds or KFC?

I don’t eat that shit. If had to pick, I’d probably got the dirty bird.

Europe or USA?

Never been to US, but racing in Europe was cool. I just hated living there!

Two-stroke or four-stroke?

Four-stroke.

Blonde or brunette?

Brunette. I’d get shot if I said anything different, and you can’t be too picky when you’re grey-haired and ugly like me.