Features 29 Aug 2013

Race Recap: Matt Moss

Echo Valley win puts Moss in the box seat for maiden MX1 championship.

Watching Matt Moss upon his full time return to Australia has been nothing short of exceptional, the Motul Pirelli Suzuki rider going from strength to strength in his return to the MX1 category.

Moss, now 25, has long been a ‘star of the future’ in domestic Motocross, but this year he’s developed into one of the sport’s elite aboard the RM-Z450 with four round wins from nine starts to date.

MotoOnline.com.au cornered Moss following the podium celebrations in Toowoomba to speak about his round nine win, the championship battle with Todd Waters and we even got a glimpse what we can expect in 2014.

Matt Moss charging to his fourth round win of season 2013. Image: SImon Makker/Makkreative.com.

Matt Moss charging to his fourth round win of season 2013. Image: SImon Makker/Makkreative.com.

Awesome ride at Toowoomba, really solid result that sets you up nicely for the championship.

Yeah thanks, you know I was happy with that, won the first moto, but in the second race I was so flat and tired. I had snot running out my nose, wasn’t feeling it and had a crash, so I thought ‘you know what, second is good enough for the overall’.

All in all it was a good day, but I’m looking to improve come Coolum this coming weekend.

Since we’re at the penultimate round at Echo Valley, this weekend was almost as important as Coolum in terms of the championship battle, isn’t it?

Oh it is – sort of gave me the leeway to come top five at Coolum, but there are six or seven guys out there who can win a race. As long as I have two good motos and solid results I’m going to come away with the championship.

Anything can happen, I’m just going to go there and do my best. I really thought Todd would be strong this weekend and I know he’ll be strong at Coolum, but I’m happy to get this one in the bag with a 25-point lead now so I’m happy with that.

It’s your first year back in MX1, but since you were on the 450 before you’ve gone and won a bunch of Lites titles. It seems like you started the season strong, but not at your peak, and then come the series second half you’ve really hit your stride.

Yeah, definitely. I was lucky enough to get a deal with Jay Foreman and Motul Pirelli Suzuki. He’s just unbelievable, works so hard and he’s so good with me. Jay keeps me calm, he said at the start let’s just do the best we can and come the second half we’ll really kick it into gear.

We’ve done exactly that, my mechanic’s done great and my bike is really good. I’ve matured a lot, so I think having Lites titles helps at the end of the series dealing with the pressure and stuff.

Moss topped the Toowoomba MX1 podium from Kirk Gibbs and Todd Waters. Image: SImon Makker/Makkreative.com.

Moss topped the Toowoomba MX1 podium from Kirk Gibbs and Todd Waters. Image: SImon Makker/Makkreative.com.

What were your thoughts on the track today and the event in general – it seemed pretty popular.

The track’s probably one of the best I’ve ridden, here anyway. Normally they sort of over-water it and it gets a little bit one-lined. I still think there are too many switchbacks, but all in all it was really good and I was happy with it.

And have you opened up talks for 2014 yet? You mentioned on the podium how happy you are at Suzuki, so can we expect to see you back in yellow?

I always say Todd leaving from Suzuki to KTM, that he’s kicking himself in the butt there. It’s not about the money so much for me, I want to get the deal done.

I have had a couple of teams ring me and I said I don’t even want to talk money, don’t want them getting in my ear – I just want to see what Suzuki do. I’m happy where I am and I really doubt I’m going anywhere [laughs]!

Alright well great job, we’ll see you at Coolum. Thanks.

Thanks mate.

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