Following a four-year hiatus, the resurgence of Matt Moss has seen the multiple Australian champion deliver race-winning form in supercross at both a domestic and international level. Paving his own pathway as he charges back towards the top, MotoOnline caught up with the experienced 34-year-old to ask Five Questions following his first outing with BarX Suzuki at the Oakland round of Monster Energy Supercross in 250SX West. 

Image: Octopi Media.

How did the opportunity to create a unique pathway of becoming a supercross-only rider globally come about?

I wouldn’t say there’s a pathway… When you’re left without a ride in Australia, but you can get rides in America or on the world stage, it sort of leads you on your own pathway, even with coming up short of winning the Australian Supercross Championship by one point, I still can’t get a ride. It’s been different, but it’s been a new lease on life. I’m nearly 35 and I get to do what I love – I wouldn’t say for a living – but for enjoyment.

How do you rate your career since returning to the sport and has it been what you were hoping for or expecting so far?

I wouldn’t even say since returning, more since I left, it’s been a blessing, I had two beautiful kids, I got to find out who my real friends are and who actually believes in me. I’ve met so many loyal friends along the way that are sponsors now like Stirling Concrete, Tilt Investments, Berry Sweet, Craig Anderson and even my dad. It’s not like I’m making money racing supercross, but I’m enjoying it and the best thing is my wife lets me do what I love knowing that I’m nearly 35 and it’s going to come to an end very soon, so I would say it’s been the biggest blessing and I’m enjoying it more than ever.

We didn’t get to do a lot following your win in Paris, but was that the moment when it all started coming back to you?

I’m very thankful Bud Kawasaki gave me the opportunity to race for them, I didn’t quite perform to what they wanted in WSX, but we turned that around in Paris. Anyone that’s been a winner before, once you get a win or even a sniff of a win, anything is possible, it’s hard to lose then, you tend to turn your mind to being a winner and it’s been that way since.

Image: Foremost Media.

Was it strange getting back on an RM-Z after such a long time and, secondly, how was the response of you being back over there? It didn’t take long to make an impression and people seemed to welcome your addition to the 250SX West field.

I thought it would’ve been easier to get back on a Suzuki after winning so many championships on them, but it was the hardest bike to get used to again. The BarX team were really accommodating with trying to make it all happen for me, we just struggled a little with some gearing options. But Oakland was my best qualifying and heat race, even better than when I was there in 2012 full-time. Obviously the main event didn’t go to plan, but I had a good start, I was right there behind Jett [Lawrence] and thought I could fight for a top five or a podium. I get a bit of slack on social media, people asking why I’m 34 racing in the 250 class, but I just love the sport, I love racing and what it represents. If I can inspire one kid that’s all that matters, I paid for most of this off my own back, the team helped with flights, but it was a decision my family and I made together to come over and do what I love.

What’s next for you and where do you place your focus from this point?

I’ve signed a WSX deal, which I can’t talk about yet, but I’m really excited. I’ll be on a 450, so I’m really looking forward to that. I haven’t signed anything to race the remaining west coast rounds in America, but at the end of the day I’m doing what’s best for me and my family, I’d say I have another year in me, cause my wife will kill me if I say two [laughs], but I’m just enjoying it and while it’s hard being away from my family and my kids, it’s my passion – I’m just getting it out of my system while I can.