5 Minutes with.. Matt Moss
JDR J-Star KTM's Matt Moss has returned from the U.S. after racing the first six rounds of the West Region Lites Monster Energy Supercross series where he earned his first U.S. AMA podium finish (third). He now has eight weeks off and will spend his time between Australia and the U.S. in preparation for the final two Monster Energy Supercross rounds and the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross series. We caught up with him at the grand opening of the new MXR&D store out at Penrith on the weekend.
Transmoto: You just earned yourself a third-place podium finish in the Monster Energy Supercross. How do you feel?
Matt Moss: I feel great. It was such a relief; a weights been lifted off the whole team's shoulders. To finally get a good result and get on the box was a dream come true. I was so pumped to get my first supercross podium in the U.S. I'm really looking forward to this eight weeks off; to regroup, doing more training with my Dad and try and get on that number one step in the remaining two rounds.
We've watched you over the weeks and it seemed like you had the speed but couldn't nail a start.
Definitely. Over there, you have to be in the top three to win a race because everyone is so fast. Coming from 20th, you just can't do it. Yeah, you can in Australia but over in the U.S. I don't think anyone could go from last to a podium finish in 15-lap supercross races. Good starts are key and the first five laps are critical. That'll set you up for a podium, if not a win.
Did the level of riders you trained with push you harder?
Yeah. You have to stay within your limits though. I was riding at the Factory KTM Supercross test track with Dungey, Musquin, Roczen and Marmont. Obviously watching Dungey go fast it makes you want to beat him, even if he's in a different class. But you have to keep your wits about you and not ride past your abilities. That said, training with those riders has been great and you definitely rise to their level.
Yeah, they whipped me away right after the win and I had to pee in a cup. But it was all good. I've never done drugs so I've never been worried. Apparently they drug tested [Ryan] Villopoto three days before the event at 10pm, too. I think they're just trying to crackdown on any cheaters; it's unfair if any riders are doing it. But our sport is really clean and I don't think there are any top competitors doing it.
So you've got three weeks in Australian and then you're heading back to the U.S.
Yeah. I came home to see the family, my girlfriend and regroup. It's so hard living in a different country by yourself. I'm training with my little buddy, Dylan Wills, at the moment to get him ready for his first motocross event in Australia. I want to go down to my Dad's farm and work on a few areas I think I need to improve on and get better. You never stop learning. I go back to the US in three weeks were I'll do two weeks of motocross testing and then two weeks of supercross training before the next round. I feel really good having this break and getting fitter and healthier. I can't wait to get back out there and prove to everyone that I can do it again.
