MX Vice Magazine Issue 6

FEATURED

DEAN WILSON

WILSON LOOKS FORWARD AFTER A TORRID SEASON

BILLY MACKENZIE

WE TRACK DOWN BILLY TO FIND OUT WHAT HIS PLANS ARE

MOTOCROSS OF NATIONS

WE FINALLY GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THE IRISH MXON DEBACLE ALSO: ADAM STERRY – ELLIOTT BANKS-BROWNE – COMPETITIONS

FREE MAGAZINE

VILLOPOTO vs THE WORLD

Nine-times US champion Ryan Villopoto will contest the FIM MXGP World Championship for the Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team in 2015

www.teamgreenmx.co.uk

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WELCOME It has long been a goal of ours to produce a printed magazine and, after months of planning, here it is! The MX Vice website has done so well over the past year that we felt it was time to expand and print was a market we have not yet conquered, so it seemed like the obvious next step.

I am sure that there are a few of you that had not even heard of MX Vice until you picked up this magazine, so allow me to fill you in on what we are trying to achieve. MX Vice was formed because we felt British motocross was not getting the coverage that it deserved. Each rider in the pits has their own unique story, but they just were not getting told. Now that the site has grown (we have had more than a million and a half visitors over the last twelve months) we have spread our wings and cover racing from all around the world, which is evident with this issue, as we have American and Australian contributors.

We like to think that we are different to what is out there currently; after all, we’re the only ones in Britain that have released a magazine of this size for free! Who doesn’t like free stuff?

There will be a new issue every two months and you can either pick it up at various dealers or subscribe online. When you have finished reading this, remember to head to the site as there are unique articles and interviews each day, as well as news, videos, galleries and more. We have a few surprises lined up over the next few weeks, which will take British motocross by storm, so stay tuned!

So, what are you going to find over the next sixty-one pages? Well, there are interviews with Dean Wilson and Billy Mackenzie, who are both racing in different corners of the world but have had interesting years. There is also some analysis from the greatest event of the year, the Motocross of Nations, and a look at the drama that beset the Irish squad in the days prior to that race.

Anyway, you have listened to me ramble on for long enough, so I’ll leave you to enjoy all of that content!

Lewis Phillips

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FEATURES THE COLUMNISTS 14-16 WORLD AT WAR 20-28 LUCK OF THE IRISH 32-37 DEAN WILSON 40-47 BILLY MACKENZIE 52-59

CONTRIBUTORS

Lewis Phillips James Burfield Elliot Spencer Jonathan McCready Andrew Conway Jordan Chaney Simon Radford James Dunford

James Lissimore Jeff Crow Adam Sterry Elliott Banks-Browne KTM Images Ray Archer Simon Cudby

Cover Image: Cudby/KTM Images

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HOT

OR

SHAUN SIMPSON: Shaun has really flourished this year and established himself as the strongest British rider, as he has achieved a lot of success both at home and abroad. Although a handful of issues hindered him as the season came to a close, he still had some strong rides and capped off his year with a win at the Weston Beach Race. He was simply dominant at Weston, as he was one of only two riders that completed twenty-three laps and ended up taking the win by five minutes over his younger teammate, Ben Watson. 2015 has the potential to be even better for the popular Scotsman, as he will be sticking with the Hitachi UK KTM team and building on this season.

DAVI MILLSAPS: Davi Millsaps had fallen off of the map completely prior to his sensational Monster Energy Cup victory, following a difficult period on a KTM and after being beset by various injuries. However, he seems to be rebuilding with the Monster Energy Kawasaki team and is close to returning to the form that took him to multiple wins in 2013.

Millsaps certainly won’t be forgotten in the lead up to Anaheim; he will be at the forefront of our minds, thanks to his MEC victory.

MXGP: Following months of anticipation and confusion, it was finally announced in October that Ryan Villopoto would be contesting the full FIM Motocross World Championship in 2015. Already the hype and excitement surrounding the series is at an all-time high, as many fans around the globe are eager to see who will come out on top when he goes up against Antonio Cairoli in a gruelling brawl that will cover eighteen rounds and many countries. The move is great for everyone.

Roll on 2015!

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NOT

JAR HONDA: Unfortunately JAR Honda will not be in the British motocross paddock in 2015, as they have elected to hit the pause button for a year. Following the recent announcements of other teams stepping away, this is another blow to the industry as there are now even less rides out there! The JAR team have had some good results in recent years and this year was no different, so some will be surprised by this decision I am sure. Hopefully they will return in 2016, as they will be missed. British motocross needs these teams!

JAMES STEWART: Amazingly the James Stewart saga has not yet been resolved (at the time of writing) and we still do not know what the future has in store for the man that most believe is the fastest on the planet. James has had a hearing in Europe, although a decision was not made immediately, as the jury can sometimes take a couple of weeks to deliver their verdict. Fingers crossed James will be on the line at Anaheim 1, as he still adds a lot of excitement to any event that he attends.

JAKE WEIMER: Although he has been on the Monster Energy Kawasaki team for four years and is a former 250SX champion, Jake Weimer is finding it extremely difficult to secure support for the 2015 season. By the time that you read this he may have something lined up, as current rumours suggest that one of the privateer teams may be able to put something together for him. 2015 is going to be an important season for Jake, as he attempts to prove his worth to the top teams once again.

VICE VOICE BOX Coincidentally, a lot of top riders found themselves in need of a new contract when the 2014 season concluded. There has been a lot of interest and focus on the guys that have changed brands over the last couple of weeks, so we decided to ask you this question.

Question: Whom do you think has made the best team change for the 2015 season?

Ryan Gee (Facebook): I think Tommy Searle has made the best change; he’s back on a bike that is proven to be competitive.

History has shown that when Tommy is on a bike that’s good enough to challenge for a title, he usually does.

Andy Noonan (Facebook): Ken Roczen back on the Suzuki. He has got Carmichael in his corner now and has learnt heaps off Ryan Villopoto. I’m keen to see what he learns from the GOAT. It is going to be an awesome season no matter what; hopefully all the top guys remain injury free!

Andy Morgan (Twitter): Tommy

Searle has made a corking move – he is going to love that 350.

MXGP is going to be excellent next season.

Tiffani Dicus (Facebook): I’m still going for my man Ken Roczen.

Super pumped to see him back on a Suzuki like he used to be.

But, on the other hand, I’m really excited to see Justin Barcia on a Yamaha. Can’t wait for A1!

Matt Arthur (Facebook): I think that Tommy Searle has made the best move, but Ken Roczen will be the most successful.

Ryan Hooper (Facebook): They’re professional riders; they can ride anything once they get it set-up. If there were one person, I would say Millsaps.

Mike Gilboy (Twitter): Definitely Searle; he will absolutely rip on a 350!

Leon Jones (Twitter): I think Tommy Searle has. He has had a brilliant past with his new team and the 350 will suit him. It’s a perfect move! I can’t wait.

Adam Keefe (Facebook): I think they’ve all made pretty good team changes for 2015! Searle’s in the perfect place now to do well in MXGP, especially on the 350. Kenny’s decision to go back to Suzuki makes perfect sense too, because he started off there. If he’s more comfortable on the RMZ then obviously it’s a great move!

Matt Chance (Facebook): Tommy Searle has made the best move for 2015. He has struggled with the move up to MXGP so far, with injury and bike set-up.

But there is no better team in the world for technical support and rider enhancement than Red Bull KTM. Tommy’s decision to sign for them could be career changing, in my opinion.

Jason Collins (Facebook): If Tommy Searle can get that 350 feeling like a 250, then happy days! Not sure about Roczen’s deal with KTM, but if the rumours are to be believed about his Suzuki contract no wonder he moved.

Chris Cameron (Twitter): I’m really excited to see Tommy Searle on a Red Bull KTM and right in the mix.

Karla Herman (Facebook): I personally think that Ken Roczen has made the biggest move of them all, considering he just won the 450MX title and did extremely well as a rookie in supercross. I think he shocked many with his decision. Although he has done great on Suzuki’s in the past, it will be interesting to see what he has in store for ‘15.

Dan Simpson (Facebook): Dean Wilson’s done the best to get a deal with Red Bull KTM. He has less than impressed on the 450, apart from at the MXoN, but still got a ride with the best team in the world.

Brandon Lee (Facebook): Tommy Searle has made the best decision for 2015! The 350 will be best for him – he could win this year with the right push.

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RACE REWIND The off-season is one of the most tedious times for the fans, as the wait until Anaheim 1 spans over three months. In 2011 Feld Motorsports and title sponsor Monster Energy decided to put an end to this and fill the gap with a new event, aptly named the Monster Energy Cup. If you cast your mind back, you’ll recall the masses of hype that surrounded the inaugural 2011 event and the enormous $1,000,000 prize fund that they put up for grabs. In moto terms that’s huge! They steered clear of a traditional supercross track and elected to combine both supercross and motocross, to form some kind of hybrid track aimed at luring over several of the key European riders, although that goal was seemingly hard to achieve.

Race one saw a dominant Villopoto lead the twenty-one other riders out of the first corner. A fast starting Mike Alessi battled with Ben Townley for second, which allowed RV to break away. Further back, Dungey and

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Metcalfe engaged in an enormous battle, which eventually resulted in the KTM rider getting the better of Metty, who nearly flew off the track trying to get past Alessi.

Dungey then caught Townley, who had a one-off ride with Pro Circuit Kawasaki for the event, and chased him down like a man possessed, but just got pipped to the post.

Villopoto, Townley and Dungey were your top three, with the #2 Kawasaki man taking the win by over twelve seconds. It’s worth remembering that this race was Dungey’s first appearance on the KTM, after just moving over from Suzuki after a tough season.

Onto race two and the million-dollar-dream stayed alive for Villopoto, who had to win all three mains (a format that they still run today) to take home the ultimate prize. Villopoto grabbed another holeshot, with Dungey hot on his heels, and didn’t put a wheel wrong, pulling away from the chasing pack in a dominating fashion. Dungey stayed strong in second position, without getting troubled too much, but there was a little more action going on behind those two.

Tomac made a move on Townley to grab fourth, just before Ben headed for the mechanics area having picked up a wheel problem. After that, very little else happened, with Villopoto taking the top spot again, Dungey in second and Metcalfe rounding off the podium. Eli Tomac took fourth, a

very impressive ride for the then super-young Honda rider, who had just completed his first full season.

Race three saw a slightly different start, with Mike Alessi rocketing out of the gate as per usual. Villopoto wasn’t far behind and before the end of the first lap had made his way past the 800 in a way that only he could, whilst Dungey struggled for a way past Alessi.

Things really haven’t changed that much, have they? Eventually he got around him, but by this point RV had sailed off into the sunset.

Things got progressively worse for the #800, who left the track at one point when he simply couldn’t find any grip. Villopoto took the win and became the first (and only) person to scoop the million-dollar prize – that’s not a bad way to spend your Saturday evening!

Another three Monster Energy Cup events have taken place since then and nobody has managed to match Villopoto’s feat and take home the grand prize, which proves just how tough it is to be faultless over three ten-lap races. The MEC has arguably lost some of its flair since then and riders don’t really seem to like the timing, but as fans we’re not going to complain about an extra race in the long off-season!

Words by James Dunford

COMPETITION Following months of anticipation, Milestone released the PlayStation 4 version of their latest game, MXGP, in October. MXGP (the official motocross videogame) features sixty riders, sixty teams, the rules and the tracks from the 2013 FIM Motocross World Championship. The PS4 game has more riders on the track, four new circuits and better lighting and audio. Put simply, it is much improved! Everyone wants it!

We are feeling very generous this month, so we are giving away a copy of the game (for PlayStation 4). All you have to do is correctly answer the question below.

Please email all answers to lewis.phillips@mxvice.com. A winner will then be selected (at random) at the end of the month. Good luck!

Terms and Conditions: Only UK residents may enter. The winner will be notified via email. All answers must be emailed to lewis.phillips@mxvice.com

How many laps did Jeffrey Herlings lead during the 2014 MX2 World Championship? a) 467 b) 372 c) 348

CREATIVE DESIGN

From the team that built...

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&

DEVELOPMENT

DIGITAL MARKETING

SOCIAL MEDIA

BURFIELDCREATIVE.CO.UK 13 | MX Vice - December 2014 - Issue 6

The Columnists

ADAM STERRY So, it is officially the off-season, which is good, because I had about a month off to go on holiday, party and eat and drink whatever I wanted. I still did a bit of mountain-biking though, as I enjoy it.

I’m lucky because Wales has some of the best mountain biking places in the UK, one being Llandegla, which is just twenty minutes away from me. I do quite a lot of training there pre-season, as I think mountain biking is really good training for motocross. It is probably the most similar training you can get.

I managed to secure third in the British Championship as well at Foxhill to go along with my third in the European series, which I was happy about. On paper that wasn’t such a good day, but I wasn’t too bothered about the position. I went there with the goal of securing third, and that’s what I did. I was probably too cautious, but it worked out.

It was a big relief when the last race was over. I went and hugged Rich (RMJ Academy), as he has been my coach for eleven years, so when I win, he wins and he is just as happy as me after a good result. We have a bit of a love-hate relationship, as we’re really close, but when you need a kick up the arse he will tell you! I don’t always agree and

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we have our moments, but I’d say it’s the same with any rider/coach relationship. I’d just like to say a big thanks to him for everything, as I wouldn’t be where I am today without his help and support.

At 4am on the Monday after Foxhill I was boarding the plane to go on my first lads holiday to Zante, which was awesome for many different reasons. There are no rules over there, so you can do whatever you want. We hired some quads (which you don’t have to have a licence for) and we took a trip around the island, which was really cool! It is actually a really nice place as well – you would think it would be a right mess with there being so much partying. Before anyone asks, I didn’t get any silly tattoos either, although it did seem like a good idea at the time.

So, moving onto 2015 I’m happy to say I have signed a two-year deal with Wilvo Forkrent KTM, which I’m really happy about! We had a tough decision to make, but I’m sure we’ve made the right one. I know the team and bike well after my two previous years, so that was a big plus. They have a good bunch of guys and we all get on well. I will be doing the EMX series again and the MX2 British Championship, as well as three MX2 GPs. Hopefully I can take the European crown this time, to make it two British riders in a row to win it!

When you are reading this I would have started getting back into training and back into the swing of things. I’m actually looking forward to it and I can’t wait to get out on-track on my 2015 KTM. Before we know it the season will be coming around again!

The TheColumists Columnists

LEWIS PHILLIPS It is always sad to see a team close their doors, of course, but to see a handful of top tier squads walk away at the same time is not good at all for the sport.

DB Racing Honda, Dantec Husqvarna UK and Oakleaf Kawasaki will not be around in ’15, which is a massive loss for all involved.

British motocross is not in a great position currently, but no one can really pinpoint one reason for this decline. The fact is everyone wants to see change, as no one is overly thrilled with the current state of the sport, but what should that be? We actually quizzed a handful of insiders on that topic in a previous issue of this magazine and, unsurprisingly, everyone had varied answers.

Whether it comes down to the format, the coverage or the way that teams are treated, we need to do everything in our power to ensure no more teams decide to step away, because there will already be a shortage of rides without those three squads mentioned previously. I am particularly saddened to see those three go, as they added to the professionalism within the paddock. The setup that Dantec Husqvarna UK and Oakleaf Kawasaki had this year was applaudable, as they resembled an elite MXGP team. If an outside sponsor had stumbled across an event and saw their teams this year, perhaps they would have been more impressed and inclined to return? Attracting outside sponsors is a battle in itself though.

That is not to say that the other domestic teams do not have an impressive set-up, but I think it is important to have as many squads as possible in the pits with a great display. I suspect even more teams will stray away from this approach in the near future though, as most are already realising that it is more viable to have a smaller truck with less resources and to focus on results. Really, who can blame them, as budgets continue to shrink and sponsors are harder to come by.

There are still ways to present a team in a professional manner though, even if you are working out of a pop-up tent and a van. There are a handful of teams in British motocross that are great when it comes to managing social media and press releases; Wilvo Forkrent KTM immediately comes to mind. Interacting with fans and giving websites, such as MX Vice, a platform to showcase your team’s achievements is a great way to attract attention and gain a following. There are a handful of people that aid teams in this area, although some of them are even stepping away now – it is only getting harder.

In this day and age, some companies want to see more than results, but some teams haven’t quite grasped that yet. You would be surprised by the quality of some press releases that we receive; I have seen names spelt incorrectly and some that are, quite frankly, embarrassing.

That also does not reflect well on the sport. Just look at how some of the successful teams around the world have had to adapt and alter their approach.

In order to make the most out of the current climate, everyone is going to have to find a way to elevate their game and separate themselves from the rest of the paddock through a cost effective method. Some teams do continue to thrive, so the situation is perhaps not as bad as we are led to believe, although we need to get to a point where every rider has a platform to succeed, rather than a select few. Will this change soon? Only time will tell.

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The Columnists

ELLIOTT BANKS-BROWNE It’s the off-season! That was a season to forget, although I’m a little gutted that it is over now, as I was just getting back to fitness and the results were finally where I wanted them to be.

It definitely wasn’t the year I was hoping for. Injuries are a part of our sport unfortunately and I guess I was just unlucky. Looking back now I think I may have rushed my return to racing, but I couldn’t sit at home any longer. My results were not what I expected when I came back and that got frustrating. Fourth place isn’t too bad some might say, but when you are used to standing on the podium it’s hard.

I knew I had the speed to run up front and win races, but it just wasn’t happening. I kept plugging away, working hard and finally managed to get fit and get a win at the final round, which was a big weight off my shoulders. Better late than never!

resort, before we set out for two days to climb one of the tallest mountains in Asia, Mount Kinabalu.

We set off at 9:30am and it started off okay. I asked our guide how long until the checkpoint and he said five hours and a half! I thought it was just going to be chilled but no, it was not a chilled climb at all.

So eventually we reached our checkpoint called ‘Laban Rata’. It is 6km up the mountain and it is just a bunkhouse really, where you get fed, watered and can try to get some sleep. Try we did, but when you have to share a room with an Australian guy who snores like a walrus all night that’s pretty hard.

Anyway, after no sleep we were woken up at 2am to finish the last 3km to the peak. ‘Lowes Peak’ it’s called, it’s a bit of a crap name really for all the effort you put in to get up there. Anyway, the 2am start with a headlamp. You can’t see a thing, it is pitch black three thousand feet up, you are feeling dizzy due to altitude and you have to negotiate the gnarliest rocks with the equivalent of an iPhone torch strapped on your head. It was pretty crazy!

What about 2015? The whole Oakleaf thing was a bit of a bummer, but there were a few reasons why it didn’t happen, which isn’t ideal and it left me in the sh*t a bit to be honest. But I am really happy to be back on a Suzuki for the 2015 season, When I rode Suzuki back in 2007/08 I got the opportunity to race the 450 a couple of times, As soon as I turned a lap on the new bike I felt at home on it.

But, eight hours and a lot of sweat later, we made it. It was cold, but worth it watching that sunrise. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity.

When you get to the top you’re so taken aback by the view you forget you have to get back down – that’s worse than going up. I thought holidays were meant to be relaxing! We still have another week left here then it’s back to reality and the cold, wet English winter to start preparing for next year.

Suzuki have done a great job with the 2015 RM-Z 450 and it’s definitely a race winning machine. With the backing of the Geartec team, I really believe we have a shot at winning any championship we enter next year and that is the goal for us both.

It seems crazy that the 6am starts at the running track, the bike rides in the freezing temperatures and the brutal gym sessions are here already.

But, to be honest, I enjoy it once I get into it and if you don’t put in the work you won’t get the results.

What has been happening? Well, since racing is done, my girlfriend and I booked a holiday to Borneo. Yes, Borneo! Everyone has asked ‘why do you want to go to Borneo?’ but man this place is unreal!

When we got here, we had a few days chilling out at this amazing

Until next time keep the cable tight guys!

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WORLD

The Motocross of Nations ...is an event like no other, as riders that battle it out throughout the year suddenly start working together towards the same goal, in a situation that is unique to our sport.

There have now been sixty-eight editions of the spectacular event, but it continues to entertain fans around the world and spark many debates that see us through the cold winter months.

AT

WAR

TEAM

FRANCE In the weeks prior to the 2014 Motocross of Nations, many fans ridiculed the French federation for their controversial team selection.

Seeing as the current world champion, Jordi Tixier, and former champions Marvin Musquin and Christophe Pourcel were not on the team, no one really tipped them as contenders for the win in the lead-up to the event. After all, they had only won the race once prior to Kegums too. However, each of their three riders pulled through and performed exceptionally well, which resulted in them claiming the prestigious Chamberlain Trophy for the first time since 2001, when Yves Demaria, Luigi Seguy and David Vuillemin conquered Namur.

Although some may choose to argue that the misfortune that some other teams encountered aided the French in their quest for the win, the fact that they won with seventeen points, which was the lowest win total since 2007, proves that they were deserving and one of the strongest teams that we have seen in years. Gautier Paulin did exactly what was required of him in his role as team leader, as he dominated both of his motos for the first time at the event, which was perhaps a bit of a surprise, as we had not seen him perform like that in quite some time.

Both Dylan Ferrandis and Steven Frossard were surprises, as neither rider faltered under the pressure of having the weight of their nation on their shoulders.

Steven even managed to take the Open class win, which was unexpected, considering he went up against guys like Tomac, Strijbos and Wilson.

TEAM

USA It is always a big story whenever Team USA loses, as they were unbeatable for so many years.

However, suddenly parity is rife at the MXoN – we have seen four winners in four years! Admittedly the USA have suffered from some bad luck at recent editions, which has contributed to their downfall, but at the same time the European teams have stepped it up. Honestly, the American team were lucky to finish on the podium in Latvia, although at times their riders did look very strong.

Eli Tomac has contested the MXoN twice and each time he has lost, unfortunately, but he has arguably been the fastest in his class each time. He had that spectacular get-off in Teutschenthal last year and then got caught up in a few incidents at the event this year, but he was the fastest man on track in the final moto. For instance, he was averaging two seconds a lap faster than anyone else in the third and final encounter and actually pulled right onto the back wheel of second place, Jeremy van Horebeek.

For his two teammates, Ryan Dungey and Jeremy Martin, the 2014 Motocross of Nations was a difficult one. Everyone knows what happened to Jeremy and, honestly, I didn’t think he would be able to race after his fall on the Saturday. However, he dug deep and really showed the type of grit and determination that made him the 250MX champion. Although he would have done better had he been one hundred percent, you cannot say that he was the reason why the USA lost.

Following his well-publicized meltdown in Germany in 2013, Ryan was actually much better in the sand of Kegums, although the third moto was not his finest. Like Tomac, he fell early on but he just couldn’t work his way forward. Post-race reports suggested that he sprained a wrist, which would explain his sudden drop in form. Do the American fans need to worry? Not at all, Team USA could quite easily win next year. However, it will be more difficult for them from now on, as they face many very strong teams, rather than just one or two.

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TEAM

GREAT BRITAIN The British team is known for finishing around fourth at the Motocross of Nations; it seems they end up there more often than not.

However, with the team consisting of Shaun Simpson, Tommy Searle and Dean Wilson this year, most were very optimistic heading into the weekend. Each rider proved that they had the speed on the Saturday, but the fact that they all expected even more in the main motos was promising.

Shaun unfortunately had two isolated bike issues, which ultimately

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cost GB a spot on the two lower steps of the podium, but make no mistake about it; they were capable of finishing up there. Dean really impressed on the 450F, as he held his own in each moto and battled around the top five, which secured his nation a good amount of points.

Tommy Searle was arguably the strongest, as he won the MX2 class and followed Dean through for a fourth place in his final moto. If it had not been for those mechanical issues that beset Shaun, the squad would have had their best result in years! To rub salt in the wounds, the thirty-three points that Great Britain acquired would have been enough for a spot on the podium in 2012, 2011 and 2010. It is a testament to just how strong each team is nowadays, as alluded to previously.

TEAM

BELGIUM Like many other teams, the defending champions were somewhat restricted when selecting three riders that would tackle Kegums.

the second moto win. This was actually the first time that the Rockstar Energy Suzuki rider has competed at the Motocross of Nations since 2011, when he was trying to rebuild his career after hitting rock bottom. Unfortunately a stall and a crash left him ninth in the final encounter, which cost the nation a chunk of valuable points.

Although Jeremy van Horebeek and Kevin Strijbos were worthy candidates, most questioned whether Julien Lieber would be able to handle the pressure that comes with racing at a prestigious event such as this. Despite this the team was very strong once again and was only defeated by the brilliant French squad.

Julien Lieber did all he could in his position and, after looking a little overwhelmed on the Saturday, he was relatively strong in the points paying motos. In fact, although he was only fifth overall in the MX2 classification, Jeremy Martin was only two points ahead of him, so he was right where he needed to be. Although, had he scored two or three more points in each moto and had Strijbos not have crashed in moto three, Belgium could have won it all.

Interestingly they scored twenty-seven points overall this year, which was the same amount of points that they had when they won in 2013.

Various minor issues hindered Van Horebeek over the weekend, but he still posted a fourth and a second, which was a great way for him to cap off a superb season. Kevin Strijbos was perhaps the biggest surprise, as he was one of the fastest guys and claimed

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THE SURPRISES It is hardly surprising that an event as unique as the Motocross of Nations, where national pride is on the line, tends to bring out the best in a lot of riders. It allows the riders to forget what may have been a torrid season, put that in their rear view mirror and focus on an event where it is all about finding that blistering speed on one day.

Aleksandr Tonkov was undoubtedly the greatest revelation at the event and the rider that left most uninformed fans scrambling for their programmes. The Russian,

“The Motocross of Nations, where national pride is on the line, tends to bring out the best in a lot of riders� who at one stage was not going to compete in the event after suffering third degree burns at the MXGP finale, stepped up to the 350F and thrived, leading multiple laps and running a pace that saw him beat out the MXGP regulars in free practice. Although his race fitness was not where it needed to be, he made a splash that no one is going to forget in a hurry and that will only aid him when he does make a full-time step up to the premier division.

Following his performances at a select few GPs this year, we were fully aware of what Filip Bengtsson can achieve in the sand. However, for a relatively inexperienced rider such as the Swede, it was unknown how he would fare at the prestigious event. He again impressed though and posted a strong sixth in the first MX1/MX2 moto, which was better than all of his MXGP results to date. Could he be a future star? Most are eager to see what he can achieve following his MXoN performance.

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THE MX2 RIDERS The MX2 riders arguably have the toughest job at the Motocross of Nations, as they are at a power disadvantage (although on some tracks the 250F is very competitive) and often face an uphill climb.

Most of the pressure often falls onto their shoulders too, as they are usually the most inexperienced and therefore feel the need to go out and prove that they are worthy and deserving of their spot. However, despite all of this some MX2 riders stood out at the event and actually carried their team.

Obviously the riders already mentioned (Dylan Ferrandis, Jeremy Martin, Julien Lieber and Tommy Searle) were exceptional, but further down the order there were more notable performances. Glenn Coldenhoff, who has shown that he is extremely fast on his day but has struggled since returning from injury, came very close to winning the MX2 overall after acquiring a seventh and an eighth in his two motos. The Dutchman was actually the top MX2 rider in the opening moto, despite setting lap times that were not on par with those around him.

Jeremy Seewer was another rider that improved on his performances during the MXGP season at the Motocross of Nations. Despite being relatively young, Seewer is quite experienced at the MXoN, having competed for Switzerland since 2011. Although his finishes in the first two motos, where he just crept inside of the top twenty, were not mind-blowing, his impressive form in the qualifying heat where he ended third, just seven seconds adrift of Cairoli, captured the attention of most.

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CRUSHING BLOWS With the season in the rear-view mirror, most riders head to the Motocross of Nations simply because they want to represent their nation, as there is no massive pay-cheque on the line in comparison to what they get for contesting their respective series. It is also an enjoyable event for most and a good way to bookend the year, although if it does not go their way, it can quickly become a disaster.

Unfortunately, two of the high-profile riders at the MXoN, Antonio Cairoli and Chad Reed, came crashing down and left a little battered and bruised. Cairoli, who made the well-publicised step down to a 250F, showed phenomenal speed but fell and caught his leg in the high-speed wave section, which left him in visible discomfort. However, he soldiered on and attempted to ride the second moto, although it was evident that he was not at his best, as he limped to a nineteenth.

Despite having a lack of preparation in the weeks prior to the event, Chad Reed was still eager to lead his nation to a strong finish. However, he did not even make it to turn one in the third and final moto, as he tangled with another rider halfway down the start straight. Fortunately he suffered no broken bones, although he was still suffering when the Monster Energy Cup rolled around a month later, hence why he was far from onehundred percent there.

Words by Lewis Phillips 28 | MX Vice - December 2014 - Issue 6

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32 | MX Vice - December 2014 - Issue 6

LUCK OF THE

IRISH 33 | MX Vice - December 2014 - Issue 6

IT WAS ALL LOOKING SO IRELAND AS THE 2014 MO NATIONS WAS APPROAC Graeme Irwin had taken a moto win at Foxhill, the final Maxxis British Championship round, Martin Barr was back on form and battling at the front of the pack and Stuart Edmonds was running in the top ten too.

It looked like it was going to be Ireland’s chance to get one of their better results in the last ten years at the MXoN and you would have presumed that there was no way they were going to the B Final! However, an untimely row between the governing body and the team leader, Graeme Irwin, meant that Irwin ultimately did not ride. The team was thrown into turmoil and a surprised Gordon Crockard was drafted in as the replacement at the last minute.

It was a move that sent shockwaves through 34 | MX Vice - December 2014 - Issue 6

the industry, but what went wrong? Irwin had requested an extra pass for the event for his fiancé, but was declined by the powers that be, despite the fact that those within the hierarchy of the governing body were allocated passes. Irwin felt so strongly that he took to Facebook and revealed that he would not ride for the team, because he felt the pass situation was unfair and not in favor of the riders.

Stuart Edmonds then took to social media and agreed with Irwin and his disdain for the situation, but he also disagreed strongly with Irwin and his decision to pull out just days before the event, saying that ‘there is no I in team’. The debacle even prompted World Superbike rider and JAR Honda team owner Jonathan Rea to vent his frustration on Twitter: ‘So the MX governing body in Ireland lose our star rider for MXoN over playing hard ball over a paddock pass! Clever, very clever!’ MotoGP rider Michael Laverty also urged everyone to quickly sort the situation out through his social media channels.

It seemed unbelievable that the rider who would have been the strongest on Team Ireland and had just won a British Championship race

a couple of days earlier would not be racing at the most prestigious event in our sport.

Social media was going mad with the blame game and former Irish champion and British Championship rider Philip McCullough ended up in a Facebook row with Irwin – everything seemed to be descending into chaos!

With only a couple of days to go until the event and Irwin’s bikes already en route to Kegums, everyone was left with a huge problem. Should the MRA give in and give the riders more passes or should Irwin back down and ride?

In the end Irwin did back down and said that he would still ride, regardless of the pass situation, but team manager Laurence Spence allegedly still would not let him race. Laurence refused to comment on the situation in Latvia, because he had to write a report on the incident to the governing body, the MCUI. To add to the mess, Gary Gibson was the reserve rider but for some reason had no international license, leaving MCUI chairman Jimmy Walker wanting to know why. Wayne Garrett had been flying at home all year and was already going to watch the Motocross

O GOOD FOR TEAM OTOCROSS OF CHING.... of Nations anyway, like so many others, but again he had no international license to ride, so could not bring his gear bag and get out on the track.

This left Gordon Crockard, who had the license thanks to a one-off race in Belgium during the summer, as the only real eligible rider left. Gordon was also able to use his contacts at Honda to source two 2015 stock bikes to ride.

So the retired, but ever helpful, Crockard grabbed one of his old MXoN helmets out of his garage, some 2001 forks from his championship winning 250cc Honda, boarded Irwin’s flight to Latvia with a lack of riding, no training and a heavy cold to race a stock bike with a stock shock at the biggest race in the world!

“Laurence asked me and immediately I said yes,” admitted Crockard. “He explained the situation and said we needed a third rider. I didn’t think about it, I knew they were never going to get bikes from anywhere else. My job at Honda is how I got the bikes and we got two 2015 bikes. The bike was reliable but for this standard of racing was totally out of

its depth. Those forks are out of my 2001 championshipwinning bike and that was all I had, we didn’t have time to do anything.“

“The retired, but ever helpful, Crockard grabbed one of his old MXoN helmets out of his garage, some 2001 forks from his championship winning 250cc Honda”

However, Crockard felt Irwin should have been there: “My racing career is over and I wanted Graeme to come. Graeme should have been here and he should have been riding. The fact of the matter is he pulled out and left the team in the shit. I called him and said: ‘I’ve been asked to ride on the team, can you not call Laurence and sort this out? It’s really important for your career!’

“I’m a Graeme Irwin fan, I sponsored him last year and I have always tried to help him. I have always been there to teach him anything that I have to offer him and he really should have been riding. He pulled out, the team needed a guy and I said ok.”

In the end Irwin’s bikes arrived at the track but never got out of the trailer, providing a

ghostly reminder of what should have been all weekend. It was an unfortunate saga that left Ireland not as strong as they should have been and Gordon Crockard in an almost impossible situation. However, once the gate dropped, Martin Barr, Stuart Edmonds and Crockard put the awkward week behind them and got to work!

Barr put in a storming ride in MX2 to come from mid-pack to ninth place. It was a brilliant ride by a rider who showed his potential on the world’s biggest stage yet again. Barr gave the Irish team the platform to get into the A

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“I’M TIRED, I’M SICK AND I DON’T HAVE A LOT MORE LEFT ” Final and for most of the Open race it looked like Team Ireland were in! Edmonds was riding his heart out in the top fifteen for most of the race, but with heavy pressure from behind he lost his rhythm slightly and ended up twentieth.

It meant Ireland lost out on a tiebreak with Finland for nineteenth overall and had to go to the B Final yet again.

Once again Martin Barr proved to be the hero early on Sunday morning. After starting in the top five Barr dropped it on lap two, but fought back to pass GP regular Jose Butron to take the lead and a brilliant win. Stuart Edmonds backed Barr up superbly in fourth and with Spain crashing out, Ireland were, against all the odds, into the A final!

A jubilant Barr admitted: “Winning the B Final is a brilliant feeling, you punch the air and you get the feeling you have still got it and shown the world. Stuart rode brilliant too and fair play to Gordy, it was a last minute call and he didn’t get the chance to prepare for it and he rode awesome so credit where credit is due, this is his fourteenth time riding the ‘Nations and this is my tenth.”

Barr was on a high from his B Final performance and really wanted to turn some heads in the GP paddock in the first moto. But unfortunately he dislocated his shoulder on the first lap; Martin got the offending shoulder back in place quickly while still on the bike and bravely finished the race as the pain set in on the rough sand track.

However, he was unable to race in his final moto, which meant the pressure was on Gordon Crockard, as his two results became necessary for Ireland in the overall standings. Crockard did what he had to do in both races, as did the always-motivated Stuart Edmonds, which left Ireland in a very satisfactory nineteenth overall given the circumstances.

Crockard was certainly feeling the effects of an impromptu trip to Latvia where he had to leave his ego at home and ride every race there was going! “I’m tired, I’m sick and I don’t have a lot more left,” stated an exhausted Crockard. “I am really grateful at being able to come and ride and do the race.

It was wonderful for Martin and Stuart to do so well in the B Final to get us through. It was a little bit disappointing yesterday that our efforts weren’t enough, but it wasn’t that we performed badly – that’s just the standard we are at every year. It was a difficult race for me all round; I was never going to leave this paddock satisfied with how I performed.”

Stuart Edmonds gave all he had on both days but was still frustrated with his Saturday qualifier. “I was a bit annoyed with Saturday qualifying,” explained Edmonds. “I don’t know what happened; I was getting blue flags and all sorts and I kind of lost my mojo, but I reckon if I could have kept going the way I was going I could have finished in the top fifteen. But I lost five places in one lap and it was a bit of a downer; I caught back up to the group in the last couple of laps but we finished

level on points. Sunday was a good day, although the B Final made it hard for us in the A Final, but I enjoyed it. I rode as hard as I could and I put my heart and soul into it.”

“Irwin’s bikes arrived at the track but never got out of the trailer, providing a ghostly reminder of what should have been all weekend” When you take into consideration everything that happened, nineteenth overall was a great result with no Graeme Irwin, an off the bench Gordon Crockard, an injury to Martin Barr and Stuart Edmonds riding his spare bike. All three riders rode their hearts out despite every problem imaginable to still achieve the best results possible.

Hopefully next year the governing body can ensure that the three best riders get all they need to do their best on the track; even if that means granting a request for a couple of extra passes for their families!

Words by Jonathan McCready

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39 | MX Vice - December 2014 - Issue 6

DEAN WILSON After breaking onto the scene as a fresh-faced rookie on the Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki team in 2010, Dean Wilson has been a frontrunner in both supercross and motocross each year. Although he has had a handful of issues to contend with throughout his career, he has always been one of the most promising talents and will now embark on a new challenge with the Red Bull KTM team in the 450 class.

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Wilson has been eager to step up to the bigger bike for quite some time, after an illfated attempt to tackle the class with Jeff Ward Racing in 2013, he has been restricted to the smaller bike, which has been problematic at times given his large stature. For this reason most believe he will thrive once he has some time beneath his belt on the 450F. Dean spoke to us recently about this, as well as his season, his superb ride at the Motocross of Nations, where he just missed the overall podium with Team GB, and his new deal with the Red Bull KTM squad.

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MX Vice: Thanks for taking the time to speak with us Dean. What have you been up to?

Dean Wilson: Oh, just a lot of training, putting in the work and getting ready for next season.

MX Vice: A tough 2014 season is finally behind you, how does it feel to start fresh next year with your new deal at Red Bull KTM? Dean Wilson: Yeah, it actually feels really good to have a fresh start. I had a lot of bad luck last year, but I am healthy now and on a new team, so it is a nice fresh start for me and I am looking forward to trying to build up

some momentum in the new season.

MX Vice: Last season had to be frustrating for you, because a lot of your issues were things that were out of your control. What did you do to put those issues behind you heading into the Motocross of Nations, where you had a third and a fifth in your two motos?

Dean Wilson: I just kept riding after Utah and I didn’t stop really. I haven’t even had a break yet actually, I went straight from the Kawasaki onto the KTM and kept on it. Before the Motocross of Nations, I just tried to keep my schedule going and that’s pretty much it. I’ll

“We had a great shot at getting on the podium, but that’s just how it goes”

be a lot better for next year on the 450F, they make a lot of power, which is great because I am bigger than most of the guys on a 250F, but moving back up should help me out with that.

the weekend, I was a bit nervous but I think I pulled through okay. Even with everything that happened, it was still a fun weekend. We had a great shot at getting on the podium, but that’s just how it goes.

MX Vice: What were your thoughts on your performance at the Motocross of Nations for Team Great Britain?

MX Vice: You have moved to Red Bull KTM for 2015, what are your thoughts on the transition and are you going to approach racing in the 450F class differently this time?

Dean Wilson: I was pretty pleased with the performance; it was just unfortunate that Shaun’s chain broke, because we were in a pretty good position as a team. I felt like I was faster than how I actually rode during

Dean Wilson: Yeah, I am just going to have a lot more time on the thing - that’s going to help a lot. The past few times I raced the 450 class I didn’t have a ton of time on the bike at all.

I’ve done two races outdoors with Pro Circuit on the 450 and I only had about three weeks before the first race to prepare, because I was coming back from injury. Then I did a few supercross races with Chad [Reed] last season and only had a week to prepare for those races. So honestly, just spending a lot of time on the 450 will help me out the most. I think it will all be good.

MX Vice: What are your initial thoughts on the KTM compared to the Kawasaki’s you have spent so long on?

Dean Wilson: Well the bike is really good, but

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honestly it did take a while for me to adjust to it, because it is just a completely different bike than the Kawasaki. Everything from the power delivery, the turning, the feel and the suspension, everything was just so different compared to what I was used to. We’ve spent some time with it and now I’m actually quite happy with the bike and I feel really comfortable on it.

MX Vice: What are some of the biggest differences you have noticed so far after joining a new team for the first time in quite a while?

Dean Wilson: The biggest thing is that they can really do a lot of adjustments to the bike to make it fit me. I am a pretty tall rider, so they can try all kinds of different stuff to make it more comfortable for me. The ability to try all kinds of new things definitely helps out a lot when you are trying to get comfortable on a new bike.

MX Vice: Do you have plans to race any offseason races before Anaheim 1?

Dean Wilson: No, I don’t plan on it, just going to keep training and working hard and that’s pretty much it. I think spending more time on the bike will help more than anything.

MX Vice: You were with Monster Energy for quite a while. When you were looking for a ride was it ever in the back of your mind that you wanted to stay with them in some way?

Dean Wilson: No, I mean, Roger has been trying to get me for the past three years, back when I was with Kawasaki, but I declined his offer twice. Then he offered me a contract this year that had a date that I had to sign it by, and that made me think harder about it. But, yeah, KTM and Roger both really wanted me and it was nice to have people who really wanted to help me, so I ended up on KTM and I am really happy with my choice, so far it has been really awesome. I enjoyed my time with Mitch [Payton] and everyone at Pro Circuit and I still have a great relationship with everyone there and wouldn’t be where I am now without them, so it is good.

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“Roger has been trying to get me for the past three years, back when I was with Kawasaki, but I declined his offer twice�

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“I was talking to teams over there a couple of years ago, because I really wanted to race the GPs”

MX Vice: Several teams have closed shop over the past few years with sponsorship dollars being so much harder to acquire than they used to be. It must be a good feeling to know that you have job security with a brand like KTM? A lot of people presumed you would end up with TwoTwo Motorsports; did the stability of KTM play a role in the decision?

Dean Wilson: Yeah, I mean KTM is just a solid team and honestly, I had several offers but it was just the best deal out there for me. Everything about it was a good fit and I am stoked on my decision. None of the other offers really compared to the KTM deal, so I am really happy with my decision and can’t wait for next season.

MX Vice: Ryan Villopoto is heading to Europe for 2015. With your international background, would you consider a move to race the GPs later in your career?

comfortable and enjoy it over there – it is pretty fun.

MX Vice: What do you think has kept any of the top riders from ever going overseas up until this point?

Dean Wilson: Everything is just so different and a lot of people don’t like to leave their home to go all the way over there. Sometimes I like to just leave and go have an adventure though. I like traveling the world and seeing different places, so something like that interests me a lot more than some of the riders here. Obviously I am originally from Scotland, so I already know a different culture, so it doesn’t really catch me too off-guard when I travel to different countries, when it comes to getting around or eating different food. There are just a lot of things over there to get used to, but I am pretty comfortable with it already.

MX Vice: Do you miss living in Scotland?

Dean Wilson: Yeah, definitely! I was talking to teams over there a couple of years ago, because I really wanted to race the GPs in the MX2 class and do west coast supercross too. Unfortunately the schedules conflict and it doesn’t really work out that well, which makes it hard for us to do, but I think it is something I would definitely like to do later on down the road. I feel pretty

Dean Wilson: Oh, definitely! That’s where I call home and I try to go back there at least once a year, but I couldn’t make it happen this year because I had to get on the KTM and get going with that. I miss back home a lot, but I will definitely live back there eventually.

Interview by Jordan Chaney

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BILLY

MACKENZIE

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When Scottish racer Billy Mackenzie decided to move halfway across the world to race in Australia for the 2010 season, many pundits were perplexed.

At only twenty-five years of age, combined with multiple British titles and GP overalls under his belt, Mackenzie’s choice seemed like a backward step. However, as the old saying goes, ‘a change is as good as a holiday’ and it was exactly what the doctor ordered to rekindle his love for the sport.

MX Vice: It has been quite a while since the UK fans have seen you race, with your last domestic season being back in 2009. With your experience and credentials many people questioned a move to race in Australia, so what were the major factors that led to such a drastic decision?

Billy Mackenzie: I just get a feeling and go with it – I have always been the same. Some people call it free-spirited and I like that. The decision to race in Australia was because I had visited the country and it was a beautiful place.

It also made more sense financially and I was excited about the adventure, new tracks, new places, no traffic and the weather. There were more positives than negatives.

MX Vice: You have been racing in Australia for five years now, which seems to have flown by. How would you compare the scene in the UK to Australia?

Billy Mackenzie: I would say they are very similar in ability and the presentation of both series has taken leaps and bounds in the last five years.

MX Vice: Byron Bay is a beautiful location on the upper north coast of NSW, but an unusual place for a professional racer to live. Why did you decide to set up camp there?

Billy Mackenzie: It’s strange that people think it’s unusual. I think it’s one of the most special places in the world. From the location, the elevation, the beauty and the ocean to the food, the tracks and the people – I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else in Australia. It has made training a pleasure; running down the beach, cycling over the hills and swimming in the ocean made me appreciate everything so much more.

“The decision to race in Australia was because I had visited the country and it was a beautiful place”

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“I would recommend Australia to anyone”

MX Vice: Your training regime incorporates the ‘Crossfit’ program and some mountain bike riding. Is this the recommendation of a personal trainer, or based on trial and error?

Billy Mackenzie: I just do what I enjoy and what I’ve learnt over the years.

I know my body well now and it’s nice to enjoy your training.

MX Vice: What is your favourite thing about racing in Australia and would you recommend it to other racers?

Billy Mackenzie: My favourite thing is the country itself. I would recommend Australia to anyone.

MX Vice: You have used the New Zealand Motocross Championship to build a solid foundation in preparation for the Australian titles for the past couple of years.

How do the tracks rate compared to the UK and Australia?

Billy Mackenzie: I love the tracks in New Zealand. It doesn’t even feel like you are competing, you are

just having an awesome time riding! The NZ tracks that I like have far more elevation and bigger jumps – the Kiwis like to go big and I enjoy that!

MX Vice: Injury led to your worst race year in Australia back in 2012, which caused you to part ways with the Monster Energy Kawasaki team.

Despite the obvious disappointment, you must have been happy to be picked up by CDR Yamaha at the end of that year. How did the ride with Yamaha come about?

Billy Mackenzie: I just called Craig [Dack] and had a chat with him. I had motivation after how things went with Kawasaki and he did too. It was a tough year to get back in the groove after my injury, but I put a full effort in and we ended up third. I had an injury free season and gained a lot of fitness back.

MX Vice: You haven’t raced much Australian Supercross (injured in 2012 and only had an MX contract in 2013) and with Yamaha deciding to abort the current series,

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you did not race again this year. What are your thoughts on Australian Supercross and Yamaha’s decision not to race?

Billy Mackenzie: I haven’t really given it a thought.

People make decisions for different reasons. I had a shot at supercross and it was okay, but again it wasn’t worth the rewards for the amount of effort I put into it.

MX Vice: Are you disappointed that you didn’t race supercross or are you no longer interested in that aspect of the sport?

MX Vice: Over the past two years you have achieved consecutive third place finishes in the Australian MX Nationals. With Matt Moss really dominating the series, what will it take to knock him off the top spot?

Billy Mackenzie: You need to start the season fully prepared on a bike that you are comfortable and confident with – none of this ‘coming on strong at the end’ nonsense. If I could do that, I’m confident I could win.

Billy Mackenzie: I am no longer interested to be honest. I was pleasantly surprised when I saw an aerial shot from Phillip Island this year and it makes a lot of sense to run the series at large motorsport events. I was just very frustrated after my last supercross season. It all felt a bit too rushed and unorganised. To hold a supercross event or series is a big job and it just seemed we were really stretched with the whole thing. I didn’t enjoy that series, partly due to knowing I was leaving Kawasaki and not having the proper support towards the end. It felt very pressured and [there was] a lot of unnecessary drama.

MX Vice: You hit the big 30 this year. We know that time doesn’t stop for anyone and inevitably the ‘R’ word rears its ugly head more and more often. At this point it looks like you will finish your career in Australia, so is the plan to keep going as long as you are still in the hunt for a championship?

MX Vice: You have had quite a few team managers throughout your career, including ex-professional Australian racers Troy Carroll and Craig Dack. How much does a manager impact upon the performance of a racer and how important is it to have someone with professional race experience in the position?

MX Vice: If your career were to finish today, what would be the top three things on your highlight reel?

Billy Mackenzie: It can be extremely positive or completely negative. I’ve experienced both since being in Australia. In both of my first years with Kawasaki and Yamaha I had a great vibe and a lot of support. However, the next years just became challenging and competitive within the team. It seems I’m not the only one to have experienced this though.

Business is business and everyone loves a winner!

MX Vice: You have experienced the highs and lows throughout your career and at one point had a two-year lull between wins here in Australia. How hard is it to keep the fire in your belly when you are struggling to get the results you know you are capable of?

Billy Mackenzie: It’s not a problem for me because I have always had a lot of confidence in my ability to ride a bike. If everything is working right and there’s a good vibe then winning races just seems to happen. It was difficult for me to dig deep knowing my setup wasn’t anywhere near where it should have been for those years. I like to be at one with my bike, not hustle it around. That was the most frustrating thing – riding scrappy and getting injured.

Billy Mackenzie: It was, but like I mentioned earlier, there is not enough reward for the risks and effort we are putting into it and the mental energy needed to turn up and race when there is no vibe makes it ten times more difficult. So until there is I guess I’ll be having a holiday, perhaps a permanent one!

Billy Mackenzie: My Grand Prix wins, my British championships and being able to travel the world.

MX Vice: Do you have a contract with CDR Yamaha for 2015? If not, what is your plan for next year?

Billy Mackenzie: I don’t have a contract with CDR. My plans right now are to enjoy summer in Byron and head back to the UK if there is nothing on offer.

MX Vice: Is there anything you miss about racing around the globe and have you at any point contemplated a return to race the full GP circuit?

Billy Mackenzie: I don’t think I have ever seriously thought about racing GPs again. Each time I tried a one off race I didn’t enjoy it. You have to be in the vortex for GPs and it wasn’t worth the rewards we were getting at the time.

MX Vice: Your CDR Yamaha racer bio states your nationality as Australian. Do you consider yourself to be an Aussie these days, or will Scotland always be home?

Billy Mackenzie: I’m not sure why it says Australian, probably just a mix up again.

I’ll pick a home in the future, but the Scottish blood runs deep.

Interview by Simon Radford

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Please make no attempt to imitate the illustrated riding scenes, always wear protective clothing and observe the applicable provisions of the road traffic regulations!

The illustrated vehicles may vary in selected details from the production models and some illustrations feature optional equipment available at additional cost.

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Photos: H. Mitterbauer, Kenneth Olausson

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CCM RACING Tallaght, Dublin 003534 526170 CF RACING Corwen, Denbighshire 01490 412146 FREESTYLE (WALES) Newtown, Powys 01686 807888 TOURATECH Ystradgynlais, South Wales 01639 841765

CPS MX RACING Atherstone, Warwickshire 01827 716164 FRASERS MOTORCYCLES Gloucester, Gloucestershire 01452 306485

MIDWEST RACING Melksham, Wiltshire 01225 791179 ST BLAZEY MOTORCYCLES St Blazey, Cornwall 01726 816181

D&K MOTORCYCLES Newcastle Under Lyme, Staffordshire 01782 338700

FREESTYLE Mark Cross, East Sussex 01892 782288

HUSKY SPORT Nr Winchester, Hampshire 01962 771122

VISIT YOUR LOCAL HUSQVARNA DEALER TODAY

SJP MOTO Brigg, Lincolnshire 01652 659991

MOTO4 Market Deeping, Cambridgeshire 01778 345653 GH MOTORCYCLES Colchester, Essex 01206 791155

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ISSUE SEVEN FEBRUARY 2015

62 | MX Vice - December 2014 - Issue 6

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63 | MX Vice - December 2014 - Issue 6

TALON-ENG.COM 64 | MX Vice - December 2014 - Issue 6