On The Pegs January 2018 - Volume 3 - Issue 1 | Page 78

On The Pegs That’s got to be huge to have a me- chanic after spending the last few years working on your own bikes. Last year that was one of the things. I had done all the work last year. I ran three series. It was tough to run three series, let alone tough to run three series while being your own mechanic. There for a while I had Colt Hensley down to work on my bike, then he had to go back home. So this year we locked in a deal with KTM to where we had a mechanic. For next year it sounds like we’re going to have AG back again. KTM is still a really big part of my program. When Antti (Kallonen) and I talked he understands my im- age. He understands what I’m going for. He knows that the way that KTM is going to be is a little more corporate. They’ve got to have the clean-cut guy, and I completely understand that. He understands where I’m coming from. We see eye to eye on everything. I’ve had KTM support since I was ten years old with Jack Penton when it all started. I definitely never want to leave that company. I’m definitely glad to have their support. Next year it looks like my brother Grant will be joining the team. Hopefully he’ll have a little better season now that his shoulder is fixed. I think it’s going to be a really good year, having the KTM support and being able to do our own thing, just kind of working towards our dreams as a kid. Being able to do it with your brother and share the top step of the podium two races back to back with him was pretty bad-ass. I really hope next year is as good as I have it pictured. How would you to describe your style? I’ve really struggled – and it’s always been this way – I’ve struggled on the opening lap on a GNCC. I’ve struggled at the first se ction of a national en- duro. The faster and easier the trail is, I struggle. So, this year I picked up the sprint enduros because they’re fast and easy, and you’ve got to be on your toes. They’re short and then you get an hour break. So, it’s basically like you’re completely shutting off and then firing up again. That was intended to help my starting, but even still with the national enduros I haven’t been winning the first test. It’s definitely tough to start with a deficit every weekend. As the race wears on and the tests usually get longer and the A sections are at the end, that’s where I’ve always ridden the best. When the track is gnarly and it’s very physically demanding and you’ve really got to be on your toes. I don’t know what it is. Not really sure “A” secti end, that’s w ridden “The why it suits me the way it does. The last section of Missouri, the last section of Oklahoma when it’s gnarly, when it’s rocky, when it’s technical, it’s just al- ways been what suits my style. I really don’t know the answer because if I go