My Way

Greatest moment of your career?

Probably winning the 2013 Junior nationals on a 125 at Horsham and winning the MX2 overall at the opening round of the MX Nationals at Horsham this year. That track’s been good to me over the years.

Toughest race ever?

There’re two that stand out. Last year I had my appendix out just before the Murray Bridge round of the MX Nationals. I didn’t have any painkillers or anything – I just ran a kidney belt – and went 4-6 for fourth overall in the MXD class. Then this year I had my collarbone plated 13 days before round five at Coolum. The track was so rough and it copped a bit of a hiding, especially in the second race. I could hardly hold myself on the bike.

Long-term goal?

I want to head to Europe and race the MXGP as soon as possible. I have to dominate here first if I want to get noticed as it’s tough to get a ride there, but I want to go over before I age out of MX2. I’m only 17 so I’ve got a few years buffer.

Favourite track?

Probably a private track we ride owned by Sam Pelz at Orbost. It’s about two hours away and it’s a lot of fun to ride. My favourite nationals track is probably Coolum, especially when it gets rough and technical.

If you weren’t a racer, you would be?

I think I’d probably get into mountain bike racing. I’d also love to have a go on a road bike at some stage, but I haven’t really thought about a life outside of motocross.

Arch-rival?

This year I always seem to be crashing in the first turn and having to come through the pack, but I always have good battles with Taka and Luke Arbon. Through juniors my arch-rival was Wilson Todd and now he’s living with us down in Victoria.

Greatest inspiration?

My brother Ross. He’s always pushing me to be my best and is always behind me 100 percent. He’s racing again now, but while he was healing up he was pitting for me flat-out and still offers me heaps of guidance.

Superstitions?

I always put my left knee brace on first. I’ve done it since I was really little, so I’m not sure if it’s a superstition as much as habit.

Training methods?

Cycling, mountain biking, the gym, swimming and riding motos. I normally do something every day of the week except Mondays.

Goal for 2015?

I want to finish in the top three at MX Nationals, then hopefully do well in the supercross, even though I haven’t done much of it before. Hopefully it’ll be a lot of fun.

Off the Wall

Best all-time moto DVD/video?

The Great Outdoors – The Formula, when Ben Townley and Ryan Villopoto were going at it for Pro Circuit Kawasaki. Townley was the only one close to Villopoto and they had some sick battles.

Non-bike related hobbies?

I view mountain biking as more fun than training. I also play a bit of golf and squash.

Do you read your pit board?

Yeah, when it’s not in a stupid place or I’m not getting roosted!

What do you drive?

My brother’s Mitsubishi Triton ute with an aluminium deck on the back.

Favourite magazine?

Dirt Action… I don’t read many magazines to be honest.

What’s on the iPod?

A bit of everything. Most of the time I just run Pandora, so I don’t have any favourite bands or anything.

Best thing about the MX Nationals?

It’s just really well organised and always runs on time. Normally the tracks are good… normally!

Who will win the 2015 AMA Outdoors?

Ryan Dungey for sure. He’s so solid and where he used to run consistently top fives, he’s now always in the top three. He’s unstoppable.

Tell us something we don’t know about you?

I don’t have a belly button! I had a hernia when I was real young and they just cut my belly button out. I just have a scar there now.

First and last

First bike?

A PW50 when I was three years old. I started racing at four snapped the thing in half.

First kiss?

I was probably eight or nine sitting on the lunch bench at school and this girl gave me a little peck. I can’t remember if she was hot or not, but I thought I was a mad dog!

First proper injury?

A week after the Junior nationals in 2010 I broke both my wrists riding my 85 on a supercross track. I tried a step-on, step-on, step-off, but I cased it and went over the bars. My bike had motocross suspension in it, so I shouldn’t have really been doing it.

First time you got in a fight?

Ages ago when I was 10 or 11 me and my mate went to the local pool and these two kids were mouthing off at me. I got pissed and went to punch him in the face, but he ducked and I punched him on top of the head and hurt my hand. It didn’t hurt him at all, but I smashed myself.

Last album/song you downloaded?

Red Hot Chilli Peppers – Californication. Such a good classic album.

Last movie you watched?

Ted 2 with my brother. We lost it the whole way through.

Last holiday?

I’ve never really been on holiday. I went to China at the end of 2013 racing, but didn’t see too much. It was my first time out of the country so it was good to experience something different.

Last big crash you had?

A while back at Orbost I went over a berm and my bike went 90-90-90 down the hill. I tucked the front, went over the bars and the bike landed on me. I was okay, but my sternum was sore. The first thing I did was ring up Gav Eales (Serco Yamaha boss) and ask him for some body armour.

One or the Other

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

Two 30s definitely. The last 10 minutes are the hardest part and I seem to be fit enough to go the distance.

Monster, Red Bull, Rockstar?

Red Bull.

PC or Mac?

Mac.

McDonalds or KFC?

Maccas for the McCafe coffees.

Europe or USA?

Europe.

Two-stroke or four-stroke?

Four-stroke.

MX Nationals or supercross?

MX Nationals only as I haven’t done much supercross.

Blonde or brunette?

My girlfriend is naturally brunette, but she dyes it blonde, so I’m not fussy. I’ll go with whatever she’s running.