INTERVIEW
How long have you been riding motorcycles?
When I was two I got my first electric motorbike.
When I was five I moved up to a petrol 50cc, and
now I’m on a 300cc Beta.
When you have spare time, what sort of riding
do you do?
Usually I’m just practicing at home, but sometimes
I like to get out with friends and go trail riding.
What training does it take to get to your level?
It’s been pretty much every day non-stop for the
last 10 years. It takes a lot of dedication, a huge
amount of hours, and you have to have non-stop
time on the bike. Most of the training is bike time,
but I also run and cycle, a bit of football, but it’s
mainly just a lot of time on the bike.
How do you fit it all in with your schoolwork?
It’s not too bad really. I try to get all of my
schoolwork done while I’m at school. That lets me
dedicate my out-of-school time to riding on the
motorbike, as well as the fitness side of things like
football.
How do you motivate yourself?
What’s on the horizon for you in the next few
years?
I think that I’ll possibly just be competing in
New Zealand and Australia for a while, as school
is getting more important now.
What do you like about your Beta Evo 300?
It has great bottom end power, and it’s nice
and light. I really like the geometry too. It’s not
only a good beginner’s bike, it works well for
experienced riders too. For anyone getting into
trials, I think Beta is a good option because the
Beta dealers are really good here in NZ for parts
and support.
Have you got any tips for new Trials riders?
I’d say it’s just time on bike, take in what other
people say as well, but time on bike is the big one.
The more time you put into it, the better you’re
going to get. Getting good isn’t an instant thing,
you have to put in a lot of hours. I’ve done a LOT
of hours on the bike!
For a new rider it’s hard at the start, you need
people to ride with so you can learn from them...
then it’s just time on bike.
I don’t have to try to motivate myself, I love riding
every day – so I just want to do it. I get a bit sad
when I don’t get to ride the bike – I definitely
don’t like going a day without riding!
KIWI RIDER 21