Photo by Hoppenworld

Every year we have a new crop of amateur standouts graduating into the pro ranks. More and more the trend is falling away from the rookies making their debut in supercross and instead they are opting to debut at the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship. Last year, we had the Monster Energy / Pro Circuit / Kawasaki amateur standout Austin Forkner make his pro debut at Hangtown, and this year we have two Californians—Troy Lee Designs / KTM’s Sean Cantrell and Rockstar Energy / Husqvarna’s Michael Mosiman—debuting in outdoors.

Over the first six motos of the series, both the 2017 factory-backed rookies have been at or near the top ten, but Mosiman—who is 11th in the 250MX Championship—has edged out Cantrell—who is 13th—in the standings thus far. For me, both have been impressive, but Michael’s performance over the first six motos has been one of the biggest surprises in a stacked 250MX class in 2017. Maybe it is because I knew a little bit more of what to expect from Cantrell and Mosiman was more of a mystery, but either way the #342 has definitely impressed over the first three rounds.

After his 10th overall at Thunder Valley, I introduced myself to Michael for the first time and talked to him about Thunder Valley and his first six motos as a professional.

Mitchell did not light the world on fire at Loretta Lynn’s as an amateur, but he is catching on quickly as a pro. Photo by: Simon Cudby

Michael, solid top ten with a 12-10 score for you at Thunder Valley. What are your thoughts on your 2017 Thunder Valley National?

Yeah, 2017 Thunder Valley was a good one. I qualified ninth—the best I’ve done so far—so that was cool. In the first moto, I went down on the first lap and made it back to finish 12th. That’s nothing to complain about; that’s just alright. In the last moto—I had bad starts in both motos—I kept it on two wheels and I was in like 13th for most of the moto. I was thinking, “Man, am I ever going to pass these guys?” I had [Sean] Cantrell and Shane McElrath in front of me, and I was trying to catch those guys. I would catch them, make a mistake and with five laps to go I made two big mistakes. Like off track, three seconds a lap slower laps and they were just gone. I put my head down, kept going and I caught them. On the last lap, I passed Cantrell and then [Colt] Nichols. Nichols was fading a little bit.

 

When you see Cantrell, do you push just a little harder knowing he is the other rookie?

You know what, I think the teams get more into that than we do. But you feed off the team, so what makes them happy makes me happy. A little bit, but not really any more than any other guy. If [Joey] Savatgy or McElrath is in front of me, that’s just as cool to pass them. You know what I mean? Just about everyone out there I’m thinking, “Whoa, I’m passing him?” It’s crazy.

 

Your fitness has been pretty solid all year so far, and it was impressive to see you catching guys late in the motos with the altitude up here in Lakewood. Was this your first time racing at Thunder Valley?

No, not my first time here. It’s tough, though. I was definitely out of breath towards the end of the last moto. I’m proud of my fitness. I didn’t think my fitness was the best for Hangtown or Glen Helen, but here it held up strong. Even with a few sketchy moments, just keeping at it. I’m happy as a rookie to be able to pass guys on the last lap. I’m more stoked with that than any of my rides.

Michael has gone 14-8-10 over the first three rounds. Photo by: Simon Cudby

Yeah, watching you, you did seem to have something left at the end which has been a surprise. We’re three races into your rookie year and you are 11th in the 250MX points heading into the first week off. How does where you are at compare to your pre-season expectations of where you would be at the first break?

I didn’t really think about where I would be at the first break, but I did think about the end of the season, and I want to be top ten in the points. I think that would be huge for the first season. Obviously I’ve had higher hopes. You ride on practice days and you’re like, “oh, I’m faster than so and so,” but you just take it with a grain of salt. You know, I think my potential is high, and I think I could have some really good motos and finishes, but I’m going to have some bad ones with the good ones. Top 10 in the points would be solid.

 

Has the team been pumped on your results thus far? You landed yourself on a solid factory team.

Yeah, it’s a factory team, and they’re all about progression. I haven’t seen them since my second moto—they’re all out watching the 450’s—but I think they’re certainly pumped. Last week they were making jokes: “Oh, you got a top 10 and now you’re this.” (laughs) I think they’re all happy, as long as I progress throughout the year. I think that’s the main goal for them, just grooming me. They’re not putting a lot of pressure on me. Just go out, do my thing and do it to the best of my ability.

 

You talked about being pumped on passing big name riders as a rookie. You’re passing some guys you have been watching on TV for a few years and kind of maybe looked up to. Is that something you are still kind of getting over? You’re one of those guys now.

Yeah, which is crazy! I don’t know; I still don’t believe that. People want to talk to me. People want my autograph.

 

Yeah, I’m here chasing an interview because you are kind of a big deal now. (laughs)

Yeah, like that’s weird. What’s going on? (laughs) It’s cool. I think there’s something to it, but I don’t think it’s something I have to get over, like “Oh, I can’t mess up so and so because he’s this or that.” It’s more like something to take in. It’s my rookie season and I’m just trying to be appreciative. I’m trying to really take it in at each race and each facility. That’s another thing that’s really important, to relish in the moment, because it’s an incredible opportunity and I’m just trying to make the most of it.

Author

Dan Lamb is a 12+ year journalist and the owner of MotoXAddicts.