Motocross

Catching Up With Kale Makeham

Author: Aaryn Minerds

Author: Aaryn Minerds

Posted:

Thursday, March 20th, 2014

11:42 PM

Kale Makeham had an outstanding 2013 Monster Energy MX Nationals campaign, finishing second in the MX2 class at the end of the season aboard his TuneTech KTM.

Unfortunatley for the Victorian rider, the season ended on a low with a shoulder injury cutting his Supercross season short and leaving him with no choice but to focus on healing up, rehabilitating and getting ready for the 2014 Supercross season.

The injury was a bitter blow for Makeham who the year prior won the under 19s Supercross title, a title that proved to be a spring board to his 2013 MX Success. Makeham as he always does, quickly put the disappointment of the injury behind him and as soon as possible went to work on preparing for the 2014 MX2 championship.

Last weekend Makeham returned to the race track for the first time since his injury, racing his KTM 250SX to the opening round win in the Pro Lites class at the Victorian Motocross Championships at Horsham and showed that despite his long lay off, he has lost none of his speed and that he will once again be a contender for this years national title.

Kale Makeham was looking great early in the Supercross season before a Shoulder injury put an early end to his championship hopes Credit: Aaryn Minerds

Fullnoise: You just completed you first big race back since your shoulder injury that you suffered late last year. You not only raced the opening round of the Victorian motocross Championships at Horsham, you come away with the overall win after some close battles, how happy were you with your results and the way you rode in your comeback race?

Makeham: I was really happy with my results at Horsham, I wanted to do a couple of smaller races in the build up to the MX Nationals but unfortunately it rained on my way back from Newcastle to Victoria so the plans changed a little.

I sort of just threw myself back out there going up against some of the big guys, but went into the race with no real expectations. I just wanted to get back up to full speed after so much rehabilitation.

I was just trying to get myself back to at least where I was I feel I have done that and a little bit more. I felt really strong on the weekend and I was happy with my performance.

Kale Makeham had some tough competition on his return to racing with going head to head with TM's Joel Milesevic Credit: Kendall Jennings [KAJX Communications]

Fullnoise: You had a fair bit of competition on the weekend, there were quite a few of the riders you will line up against in the MX2 class at the nationals out there and also Adam Monea who will be a front runner in the MX1 class.

From all accounts you had a good battle in the first race with Joel Milesevic and also Monea in the later races. How was it to mix it up with some quality riders before the Nationals get underway?

Makeham: The competition was good actually, in the first race myself and Joel had an awesome battle, pretty much for 25 minutes. I think we swapped the lead about fifteen times during the race! That was a really cool race to come back to and gave me a good test. It was so much fun probably one of the most fun races I have ever had.

The second race went well, I got a good start and checked out in that one. In the last one I got around Joel for second and tried to make a charge at Adam, but I was going to have to ride over my head to catch him so I played it safe took the round win for the day and left with a fair bit of knowledge.

Fullnoise: It was your first race back, the big question is how did you body pull up and most importantly how is your shoulder?

Makeham:The body was sore hey! I was definitely was feeling it Monday (Laughs). I spent most of Monday recovering, stretching and in the bath just trying to get myself to be able to walk again!

Other than that just normal wear and tear, the body is feeling good, I have put a lot of effort into my shoulder, it had always been a weakness my shoulders, and it has taken a while to get my strength back. After the weekend though I have no complaints there, it was 110% and the body come up good.

Kale Makeham felt the effects of being on the sidelines after his hit-out at Horsham but feels he is ready to take on the nations best this weekend - Credit: Kendall Jennings [KAJX Communications]

Fullnoise: As you mentioned above you are basing yourself out of New South Wales this year, what was the idea behind that and how is it working out?

Makeham: It is my plan to stay up there and base myself out of Newcastle, but it is not cheap, Moving out of home and living in another state! We will see how my racing goes.

Ideally that is the place to be, that is where a lot of tracks are and where a lot of the good guys ride, I feel it is a better place to do my job up there and get the work done.

I have headed home to Victoria get ready for Broadford and make sure I am ready for round one.

Fullnoise: It is just over a week now to the first round of the nationals what is the plan between now and when you rock up to the gate for round one at Broadford?

Makeham: I've got a few things I want to work on after the weekend that I'll be focusing on, but for the most part I'll be sticking to my normal program. I have been working with some really great people lately and what we've got is solid.

I get test my race bikes again this weekend with Tunetech suspension and then that's it we'll be ready to go.

After finishing 2nd in the MX2 class in 2013, Kale Makeham will be looking to go one step better in 2014 - Credit: Kendall Jennings [KAJX Communications]

Fullnoise: And Finally what are you expectations heading into round and and the series, you were the runner up in the championship last year, I am guessing you will be aiming to go one better in 2014?

Makeham: My expectation this season is the same as it's always been, I just want to do my best, after finishing runner up last year though obviously I want to go one better and get a championship for the team and myself.

I feel like I'm capable of it and there's really no excuse for anything other then that. We'll just put our best forward every chance we get and it will all pay off in the end, we've been working super hard lately and I can't wait to get the season under-way, I'm excited.

Fullnoise: Thanks for your time Kale, all the best for round one of the MX Nats and the entire 2014 MX Championship.

Makeham:No worries mate, thanks.

Top Image: Kale Makeham was a stand-out rider in 2013 finishing second in the MX2 championship in his first year racing the Pro Class

Credit: Aaryn Minerds