Heavy rainfall and a mud soaked motocross track made for dangerous race conditions as Moree’s best motocross riders raced at the 2018 NSW Motocross State Title King of MX Final.
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“When I wheeled out the 50cc bikes onto the track, the mud was so deep it was at the tops of the tires,” Moree Motorcycle Club president Matt Anderson said.
Moree locals Matt Anderson, Ritchie Hardman, Chris Thomas, Neil Loder, Max Anderson, Chuck Thomas, Ryder Evans, Kenji Thomas, Cody Moore, Tyler Johnson, Jackson Johnson, Shelby Thompson Graham, Holly Vavegchell, Jackson Gaiero and Ellie Rae raced at the three day event at Port Macquarie earlier this month for a shot at the state titles.
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For many riders it was their first foray at a state-level competition. Matt noted the inclement weather only added to the pressure.
“Port Macquarie got more than 100mms of rain leading into the event, and it kept raining throughout the race,” Matt said. “All the riders struggled with the mud, and a lot of them fell over on the track.”
Add professional and national-level motocross riders to the mix, and many Moree riders had a full plate. Matt admitted that he and a few others bowed out of the competition.
Other motocross riders, like Chris Thomas, took the rough conditions in their stride.
“You have to keep going, even during the most difficult situations. If you’re playing a hard game of rugby you don’t just walk off the field and call it quits. You stick with it and give it everything you’ve got,” he said.
“I’ve been to off-road races where I’ve had to ride for four days straight and it’s pouring down with rain.”
His determination paid off as the seasoned rider scored second place in the vets over 35 division. While the feeling was good, Chris admitted he was racing more for the passion of the sport.
“I love racing all motorcycles. If it’s got an engine and two wheels, I want to be part of it.”
He said motocross was unlike most sports, as it brought its own challenges.
“I like the fact that it’s all you. You look at some team sports: if a team has a great game, you share in the victory. If they lose, it might be because you let them down and you’re the one to blame. In motocross, if you win that’s on you. If you lose, that’s because of you.”
It’s a passion that also appears to have rubbed off on his two children, as both also competed at the state-title event.
“We have two golden rules: Try hard and have fun. Everything else that comes on top of it, is a bonus,” Chris said.
