Round 2 of the MX Nationals (Australian Motocross Championship) proved that Fitness Training is getting results if the podium has anything to say about it.
Andy Cunningham from Athletes Choice has been the man behind many of Australia's top riders for a few years now and is continuing to get results in 2009.
Riders under Cunningham's guidance include Australian Motocross Pro Lites Champion Luke George, Australian Pro Lites Supercross Champion Matt Moss as well as
Serco's Kirk Gibb's and MX Rad's Josh Cachia and Beau Ralston, Titan/Noyes Brenden Harrison and privateer Josh Kilvington. Also overseas he has Daryl Hurley and GNCC leader Josh Strang both on Suzuki factory rides so its quite a mix.
"There is a bigger emphasis on fitness now and all the guys are realising this," Cunningham said. "Teams like MX Rad are seeing fitness as a vital part of the overall teams success and putting the effort in and guys like Derek and Jay are smart business people who are giving there riders every opportunity to shine and it shows in the results as it is a very positive camaraderie over there in that camp."
"Fitness has always been important but with the competition so tough and close now the fittest riders will have an advantage, the riders I deal with see this and have worked hard, taken the advice on board and continue to work hard towards their goals."
At round two of the Nationals Cunningham almost topped the pro lite podium with Moss and George, Tye Simmonds finished third on count back with Gibbs third tied on points, so points wise he can almost claim the podium, although he did podium the first Lites race. "After 2 rounds we hold 2 of the 3 red plates so things are good for me right now and i have a bunch of guys who are hungry for success and keen to learn," andy added.
"My latest rider who i have only had for a short while is Matt Moss who obviously has incredible bike skills primarily due to his dad Greg's coaching and is keen to emulate or even surpass his brothers current form and i think that is a realistic goal given what i have to work with fitness wise and look forward to a successful year with all these riders.
Cunningham is also giving his riders a chance to sharpen there skills as he has done an exclusive deal with MTF in the USA and will be taking regular trips to the facility with small groups of riders starting in June and any younger riders wanting to go later in the year for a 2 week camp can get their parents to contact Andy on athletes-choice@hotmail.com
These trips will include everything and coverage by Australia's leading magazines on the riders experience.
Andy said "Yeah I'm real excited about the prospect of working with Colleen at MTF as she is super nice but tough enough to get the best out of these kids and the facility is second to none, its an experience for young Aussies they will cherish for a long time and hopefully keep coming back for more as we plan on having camps at big nationals over there and racing them as well for a taste of what its all about"
Main Photo: Andy Cunningham with Luke George
Credit: Garry Morrow, Click28.com
