The Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations is just around the corner. On September 18th the global motocross focus will be on St Jean d’Angely as the world’s best motocross riders do battle. Continuing on with our focus of catching up with the Irish team before they head to France, now it’s the turn of MX2 rider Stuart Edmond to step up to the mic…
Enduro.ie: Congratulations on another selection for Team Ireland, you must be excited about getting to ride for your country again?
Edmonds: “Yes, thanks. I’m always happy to get picked for the Motocross of Nations. There’s a lot of pride to race for your country against some of the world’s best riders. It’s a big event and I’m excited about going.”
What class will you be riding in?
“I’m racing in the MX2 class. I’ve been riding my TM 250f all year and I’m pretty comfortable on it so I’ll stick with that.”
When did you get the call to find out that you were going?
“A couple of weeks ago, Laurence Spence who is the new team manager, rang me up and said I made the cut. I hadn’t really thought about getting picked until midseason as I was focused on my racing. I sort of noticed I might be in with a chance when unfortunately Graeme Irwin got injured. It opened it up really and I felt that I was a front runner for results on the MX2 class so I was delighted when I got the call.”
You rode the track earlier this year at a round of the MX GP’s; was knowing that the Nations was going to be held on the same track part of your reasons for doing that race?
“I did go there with the Nations in the back of my mind. I felt it would be a good GP to show my speed at and that if I did get picked we would have achieved a lot with set-up and testing. But I also was there for other reasons too. It was one of the closest GP’s in Europe to get to and I hoped that if I’d got some good results it would have encouraged TM to maybe help me do some more GP’s but unfortunately through one thing or another that didn’t happen; but that’s part of going racing!”
This year you’ve showed some impressive results in both the Maxxis British Motocross and the Red Bull Pro Nationals. Have you been happy with your progress?
“I felt strong coming into this season and everything was coming together to make something happen. I stepped up my winter training, cutting out any bad habits. Adam Lyons and Phillip McLaughlin helped me a lot with training programs and I was putting in the effort, running in the rain and snow and whatever else I needed to do. Straight away I achieved my initial goal of riding top ten and I was aiming for top five in the Maxxis and top three in the Red Bull Pro Nationals. So far I’ve been there or thereabouts I just need some better luck to achieve my goals.
How low can you go... Stuart lays it flat! (Photo: R. Denney)
It was a big decision to leave Ireland and be based in England, how is that working out?
“This is my second year doing that and it’s getting a lot better. At first it was tough and it took a year to relax into my new surroundings. This year it’s been a lot better. I knew what to expect. I’m able to live off prize money and any training schools that I can do plus I’ve got a lot of support from my family, friends, and sponsors, which help a lot. I’m proud of what I’m doing and I’ve become mentally stronger as a result.”
Do you miss racing at home?
“I miss the tracks and the social side of the racing at home. I enjoyed the craic each weekend meeting up with my mates that I grew up racing against but the way I see it now is that if I wanted to step it up to the next level I had to make the leap across to England and mix in over there. But I’m able to come home regular enough to seem my family and my little sister. Also with Desertmartin part of both the Maxxis and Red Bull Pro National lets me race in front of my home crowd too!”
You’ve been picked three times and ridden twice for the MXoN, does it give you extra confidence to know you’ve reached a level where you are on the shortlist of riders being selected for the race?
“Racing in the Des Nations is something I’ve always aimed for growing up, to be considered of the same calibre of rider as some of those great riders that have represented us in years gone past is a proud thing. In ’07 I was reserve rider for Budds Creek. That pumped me up to make the cut the following year. I worked hard to get picked in ’08 and lining up to race in Donington was an incredible feeling. I think I surprised many people with my result, a lot of people thought I would be intimidated by the event but I’ve always giving my racing 100% whether I’m at home or abroad. Unfortunately I broke both wrists leading up to the race in ’09 so I couldn’t race it.”
Tracks like Desertmartin help stop him feeling home sick
You bounced back from that and got picked again to race the MXoN in Colorado, USA. What was that race like?
“It was huge! I’d never been to America before so that alone was a big deal. Doing a 12-hour flight was strange – they even have movies on those things! The race was nuts, the Americans go crazy for it over there and it was great to be part of it. Having to qualify through the B-Final was tough work especially at that altitude and in that heat.”
The majority of us will never get to know the feeling on being on the track during the MXoN, what does it feel like to be out on track, can you hear the crowd?
“It’s unbelievable, it gives me goose bumps thinking about it! The crowd can be almost deafening. I don’t know if it’s because we’re Irish but the support we get is amazing. During the B-Final in Donington, it seemed like the entire place was cheering for us to make it through. Colorado was the same. I feel that because those behind the fence are giving it 110% to cheer you on, it drives you on to push harder and give it everything. When you see 50 people leaning over the fences in one corner roaring for you it makes you put your heart and soul into it – it’s spine tingling!”
What are your feelings leading into this race, where do you hope to finish?
“We’ve got a strong team and I know we can give it our all. I think we deserve to qualify directly on Saturday; we’re capable of that. After that I think top 15 is possible. Hopefully the fans will make it over to France, it’s a team effort, we need everyone there so bring back the leprechaun suits – you’re not living up to your name!”
We’ll return to the Monster Energy Motocross of Nations countdown with our final interview, Richard Bird mid week…
In case you missed it here’s our earler piece with Martin Barr: http://www.enduro.ie/martin-barr-des-nations-calling/