CDR Rockstar Energy Yamaha’s triple MX Nationals Australian Motocross Champion Jay Marmont is back again direct from the United States with the last installment of his popular diary blog just days out from the 2010 running of the Motocross of Nations, to be held at Thunder Valley in Colorado this weekend.

Howdy again from the U.S!

Our second week over here had a little different feel to it. I had my out of control mates return home along with BillyMac, while my CDR Rockstar Yamaha mechanic Jason arrived for a full on week of riding with me.

It seemed a lot quieter at the empty house now without the guys and we do miss all of the laughs, that’s for sure!

On the other hand, this was easier for me to knuckle down and get back into my program with riding and training. My bike was in need of some attention, Jason said the poor guy looked a mess and we desperately had to replace a few things before I could take it out for another spin.

Unlike our tracks back home, the conditions are rough and we are thrashing it around a whole lot more.

It is Jason’s first time to the States, so his eyes are like saucepans! He is amazed with the variety of different tracks there are and how well they prepare each and every one of them.

The first track we went to was at Peris. This is a well-known track where most of the pros go to on a Tuesday. It also attracts some fast local guys and is the oldest club track in California.

I was pumped to go to Pala on the Wednesday as this was the first day it was open after the last round of the AMA. I was the first bike out on the track and it was the exact same track as they were racing for the national.

After about four laps I had all the jumps nailed, which are mostly fourth gear pinned! I was having so much fun on this track and it’s a big call, but I would have to say it was the best practice day riding I’ve ever had in my lifetime.

On Thursday I hooked up with PJ Larsen at Glen Helen, we rode there for half the day. They only prepared a quarter of the whole track though, which was a shame as it was hard to get a good flow like the week before when I was there for the Yamaha launch.

PJ and I did five lap sprints together for most of the day to help pick up each other’s intensity.

After that, I had the day off on the Friday to allow my body recovery after three days of riding in the heat. Abby and I did a session at the gym instead.

We took a little trip down to San Diego to pay a visit to some buddies – my old mechanic from when I raced over here, Jeremy Deegan, and the head honcho of One Industries, Danny Dolby.

Jeremy is now part of the One Industries team, so he gave us a guided tour through the warehouse and offices. It was good to witness where it all goes down, including design, printing, deliveries, etc.

The company has grown so much since last time I was here and their relocation has helped with that progression. It’s cool to see all the signed championship winning front number boards from all of the riders they’ve supported over the years as you walk into the main office.

Danny has claimed my front number plate from the MXoN, so hope I can deliver a good result for him to stick it up there with pride!

On Saturday we went to a track that’s only open once a month, called the Ranch. It’s a new facility run by Mark Peters and his dad who is a well-known track builder and ex-promoter of the sport. It was a long technical track with a lot off-camber corners and not too many jumps, but the track had a real good flow to it.

A lot of people were approaching Jason, asking who this Marmont guy was, but luckily they were saying good things haha! I felt really good this day, it’s nice to be recognised and complimented on my riding by others.

On Saturday night we met up with a good mate of ours Oscar Wirdeman and his wife Shea – Oscar is James Stewart’s mechanic. We hadn’t seen them for nearly four years and so there was plenty of catching up to do.

We went to a place called the Tilted Kilt, and it’s the closest you’ll come to a pub over here but only with the waiters dressed in kilts and the waitresses in short skirts and bustiers… It was a cool place! Jason’s eyes were like saucepans again haha.

After a few Long Island Iced Teas, Abby and Shea were laughing and carrying on… we just thought it was the drinks, but little did we know they were planning a surprise for Jason.

They told the waitress it was Jason’s birthday (which it wasn’t) so all of the waitresses came over to our table to clap and sing happy birthday to the timid Jason. He went a little red but I think he enjoyed it, we got free cake and both got a photo with them!

On Sunday we went back to Pala where the track was still better then ever. I had a couple of rides and then some big names started rocking up to the track – Dean Wilson, Brad Anderson, Josh Hansen and even fellow Aussie Josh Strang.

I was having fun doing some laps with Dean and Hansen. We decided to do a 40-minute moto to test our endurance in preparation for MXoN. I felt good during the moto while holding my own against Dean.

I finished my last day of riding at the Star West track just doing a bunch of five-lap sprint rides, working on my speed and intensity.

It’s now Tuesday evening and I’m set to head out to Denver tomorrow morning. I’m excited to see the hype that’s going to be set around this prestigious race held at Colorado’s Thunder Valley.

My preparation for this race couldn’t have been any better and I’m feeling confident in the fact that we have a strong team that will stand out amongst the best. I hope that I can deliver what I’ve been working hard towards and do my country, family and friends proud. Wish me luck.

Until next time, stay tuned for my up coming diary entry on my time in Colorado!

Keen to catch up on more from Jay’s U.S. journey? Check out his previous diary installments by visiting the following links:
Jay Marmont MXoN Diary #1
Jay Marmont MXoN Diary #2