MOTOR SPORT
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DEFENDING series champion Matt Moss has had a far from ideal preparation for the 2015 Australian Supercross Championship after going through last year’s edition undefeated.
But when the gates drop tonight at the Bathurst Showground for the first round of his title defence, Moss is confident that he will have what it takes to get the perfect start. He is chasing three straight series wins.
Moss’ involvement in the championship was put in severe doubt in July when he cleared a jump at a Motocross Nationals event and smashed into a digger which had been left on the track.
It resulted in a broken leg and a number of broken ribs among other injuries. At the time his brother Jake suggested it would all but ensure he would take no part in the upcoming series.
However, he has recovered well and said he is good to go.
“It has been a while since I’ve been on the track and you never know how you’re going to handle things until you get back onto the bike and get out there, but I do know I’m looking forward to getting out there again,” Moss said.
“I’d love to win it again, it would be three titles in a row if I can do it.
“It has been hard to recover, but I’m feeling pretty good and for the last two weeks or so I’ve been getting ready for this.”
Naturally Moss should have some confidence returning to a venue where he won the two rounds which were staged on consecutive nights 12 months ago, though this year Bathurst will only host the opening round.
With the new track design, though, it might not count for a lot.
It is something Moss has dealt with many times in the past and it doesn’t faze him.
“You have to adjust to every new track you go to, and in my career so far I seem to have been able to adapt well,” he said.
“I was riding pretty well in the Australian Motocross Championship prior to my last injury. I’d missed a couple of rounds with a separate problem, but had qualified first when I had the major crash, so the form was good.
“Compared to last year I think this track will be a lot tougher. It is longer, the dirt is a bit softer and it is more rutted, so there is a greater chance of making mistakes.
“When the conditions are like that you just have to do your best to go your hardest. In any supercross or motocross event you should feel like you’re on the edge all the time and that’s probably when you race your best.”
Moss will face stiff competition from international riders Gavin Faith and Anthony Rodriguez and cited Australians Kirk Gibbs, Lawson Bopping and Adam Monea as his biggest dangers.
Monea, Bopping and Gibbs were second, third and fourth respectively in last year’s title race.
The reigning champion is also hoping the crowd response is similar to last year.
He would like the chance to be able to integrate with the other important motor sport event happening in Bathurst this weekend - the Great Race at Mount Panorama.
“I’m good mates with Craig Lowndes and messaged him a few days ago about possibly catching up or maybe going to watch him for a while, but I’m not sure if the schedules will allow it,” he said.
“The crowd on Saturday last year was excellent and with just the one event this year rather than the Friday as well, I think there will be a big audience and they’ll get plenty of entertainment.”