Q. With AORC fast approaching what have you been up to over the off-season? What has the training workload been like? What training have you been doing?
DM: This year has been good, this is the first year I have had a good season and then backed it up with a good off-season, I‰Ûªve normally had an injury or something go wrong after a successful season, which has been nice. The bike preparation has gone really well at this point as we have made the change from the factory 52 forks to the 48s and we have a really comfortable setting which you can buy from a WP dealer, which is a new concept as you normally couldn‰Ûªt buy these forks.
In terms of training, I may have gotten a little bit overweight so we have done a lot more fitness training basing it around cardio after last year, as I felt like I lacked in this area. I am feeling as fit as ever as I ever have heading into round 1 at Gympie, its making me feel comfortable on and off the bike. I‰Ûªm looking to pick up where I left off last year, it‰Ûªs been a long off season and we have put in a lot of work and effort and I‰Ûªm as hungry as ever this season with people returning that I want to beat.
Q. This year you are making the jump to the E3 class, what was the reason behind that move?
DM: I have never had to opportunity to ride the E3 class, its something I‰Ûªve wanted to do my entire career and when the chance came up to jump on the 500, I was going to take it. The extra torque the 500 offers suits my riding style to a tee, as I always ride the bike in a higher gear, and the extra torque is just awesome. I really feel like this is the best decision I‰Ûªve made so far. It‰Ûªs a new bike and it suiting me so well and I‰Ûªm really looking forward to getting out there on it and taking on my first race. I actually can‰Ûªt wait to get out there and try to win the Triple Crown as no one has ever done that but we will wait to see how I go.
Q. Who will be your biggest rival for the E3 title in 2018?
DM: Lachlan Stanford on his Husqvarna, he is always strong and the field isn‰Ûªt as deep as I thought it was going to be as the talk was that Josh Green, and a few of the other guys would make the jump, but unfortunately these guys aren‰Ûªt going to be riding in the class. I‰Ûªm looking forward to battling with Stanford throughout the season.
Q. What are goals for the 2018 season?
DM: I‰Ûªm looking to win everything, we want to back up last year and continue to win titles. Hattah is a big one for me after winning that race last year I want to return and win it again. The big one for me in 2018 is the Australian Four Day Enduro (A4DE), which is something that I really want to win since it‰Ûªs returning and back to where it all started. I‰Ûªve won A4DE four times but the 2016 loss to Mathias Bellino and Chris Hollis really baited me up, I‰Ûªm still dwelling on that so ill be pushing to win the A4DE. The vibe around my team just makes me want to keep pushing and keeps me motivated to win for these guys with all the effort they put in.
