Hailing from small country of Ecuador, Rockstar / Husqvarna’s Martin Davalos has fought for everything he has earned since landing in the US as a teenager with a dream. He is now fighting to prove he is more than ready for a full time SX and MX factory deal in the premier class.
Think what you want about him being in the 250 class since 2006, Martin has remained consistent that if he received a contract to race the 450 class on a good bike with decent pay he would jump at it. That is exactly what he has done during the 2017 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, and with a third place overall finish at Washougal backed up with a second place overall finish at Unadilla, he has solidified that he belongs in the 450 class.
After his second-straight overall podium in the inclement weather of upstate New York last weekend, we gave the Ecuadorean veteran a call to talk about the transition from 250 to the 450, his incredible results this summer and if those results have translated into a good 450 deal for 2018. It is a very in depth conversation with one of the most open and genuine riders in the paddock. It is also a conversation that raises serious questions about the health of our sport when a rider of Martin’s abilities and results is not signed up with a team this late in the season.
How have you been?
I’m good. I just got home from training. Tuesdays have been pretty long for me.
What’s a week in Martin Davalos’ life look like right now working with Tim Ferry? You have Sunday travel days, but is Monday an off day for you?
Right now, our schedule has been work on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and we fly Friday. Then we race Saturday and come home on Sunday, unless we have a weekend off. The first weekend off I think we took Monday off. Timmy’s raced all these outdoor nationals and he knows what we’re feeling, understands the recovery and everything. I’m pleased with my training at Timmy’s and the relationships I’ve built with him and his family over the last two years.
Has the training regimen changed much making the transition from 250’s to 450’s?
For the 250, we wanted to keep me pretty light. I didn’t want to get too buff or anything like that. The 450 deal came very late. I didn’t prepare much for it. We definitely adjusted for it, but I didn’t know about it until two weeks before Hangtown. At that point, it was like, “I’m not going to get stronger in two weeks, but I need to learn this motorcycle as much as I can.” Once the season started, I knew I wasn’t going to be where I wanted to be. Fitness wise, with training through SX and all the hours of cycling and training through the offseason, I knew cardio wise I was going to be okay. On the 450, with the bike being heavier, it’s a different animal. We adjusted the program a little bit. We did as much as we could without burning me out. I think we have a great group of people that understand where I’m at. I think we’ve found a really happy place right now.
You’re obviously peaking late in the season. Your fitness wasn’t bad at the beginning of the season, but as the season wore on it looks like you have gotten stronger. All of a sudden you’re one of the guys putting in your fastest laps at the end of motos and that wasn’t your M.O. on the 250. Do you feel like you ride the 450 more relaxed than you did the 250?
I would say. I think I’ve adjusted to this motorcycle pretty quickly and maybe better. It’s hard to tell, but maybe I didn’t know how to ride the 450 how I’m supposed to. People have told me I’m really smooth and I’m not an aggressive rider. I think my riding style fits on the 450 nicely. I do enjoy riding the 250, but the 450 is a lot of momentum. The power is there. You can’t just grab a handful because (laughs) that thing will throw you around.
Watching you closely live, I’ve noticed you riding the bike a gear tall, which is rare for someone coming off the 250 after riding the 250 for that long. When I watched you, you were right in the meat of the power, never really over revving it. Did that come natural for you?
I think so, with the more I learned the bike. In a couple of races, I caught myself revving it and riding it like a 250, but the more I ride it, the more I understand that I’m not going anywhere. (laughs) I’m revving it and it’s not doing me any good. This motorcycle produces so much power that you almost feel like you’re really not going because the bike is so quiet. It’s the torque and the traction you’re getting when you’re not revved out. I adjusted to that, but I still rev the bike here and there when I need to get aggressive. I have a ton of respect for this bike, though. The bike I am racing is pretty much a stock engine. I think Dean [Wilson] is running a really modified one, but I think it’s really the racer and how you adjust to it. The power I have on that bike is plenty for me.
Let’s talk about Unadilla. You finished on the podium at Washougal and came into Unadilla probably feeling like a podium guy now, but then the skies opened. In the first moto, first time I saw you, you were about 8th.
In the first moto, I actually started up front and was behind Blake [Baggett]. I followed Blake’s line in the “Screw U” turn and I don’t know if [Christian] Craig wasn’t able to stop, but he pushed me wide and we made contact. Once you lose momentum in that “Screw U”, I got passed by fricken five people.
I didn’t even notice you got the start and went backwards. First time I noticed you, you were 8th.
Yeah, at the time, I was trying to regroup, and the rain started coming down and I knew I had to be smart about goggles. I knew goggles were going to be an issue with that amount of rain. I played it smart. When the track gets water like that, it’s weird. You want to ride it quickly, but it’s getting slippery really quick. I put my head down and did the best I could. The guys at the front were kind of checked out, but I feel like, at the end of the moto, I was going through good. Fifth, sixth and seventh were right in front of me when the red flag came out. I felt the first moto was okay considering all the rain.
Talk about your second moto a little bit. You got the start and rode to a second. Probably your best moto of the year.
Let’s go back to the beginning of the season. I struggled a lot with my starts on this motorcycle. That’s the biggest thing I noticed. On the 250, I was very consistent on my starts, but on the 450, I was so inconsistent. First moto was good, second moto was bad. You have a bad start and I would rush the bike, tip over and it was just like the beginning of the season wasn’t good. From the sixth race on—RedBud on—I feel like I’ve adjusted better to it. At Southwick and Spring Creek also, I started up front a little. I knew that Unadilla start would be important, and I got a great jump. I was patient with the gate and how much water there was, and I came out like fourth or fifth. I was able to change my line and get by Dean, Craig and I think Cole Seely it was—I can’t remember exactly who. I didn’t look to Marv [Marvin Musquin]. I knew he was great in those conditions. I felt like my speed was with him, so I just kept it that pace. I looked back and we had twenty seconds [on third].
Yeah, your pace was definitely good. You recorded the fastest lap of the moto by three-tenths over Marv and nearly four seconds over the next fastest rider. So, yeah, you were moving. (laughs)
Oh, I didn’t know that, but that’s good to know. (laughs)
You had the pace and went after Marvin there for a little bit. What do you think kept you from making the pass? Was it just too hard to get out of that main line without making big mistakes? Did it just end up being a deal where you just didn’t want to throw away a second?
You know, I tried at the beginning of the moto. I was trying my hardest, knew I had the speed and I wanted to win. We’re all racing for something. I’m confident, and I feel like my riding has been well. I want to do my best, and that’s what I did. I sprinted at first as much as I could, but you know I was taking too many risks getting off that main line, especially off that sideways double. Marv wasn’t jumping it, but I did until halfway. I took a few chances. Marv is not going slow, so for me to get by him, I have to make a big push. I have quite a few seasons under my belt—obviously this is my rookie 450 season—but I didn’t feel this was the right time to risk this moto, especially knowing we had more pace than the guys behind us.
You have definitely been there and done that in this sport, but do you feel any different now being an elite rider in the premier class?
No, I don’t feel any different. I’m enjoying the moment right now. Dan, I’ve been wanting to do this 450 outdoors for the past four years. Geez, I can’t even tell you exactly how long it’s been. I knew I could ride the 450, and I’m glad I’m riding to my capabilities. I wish I could have gotten my strength earlier in the season, but I’m not complaining. I’m very proud of my progress on the bike. I’m excited and overwhelmed with my results. I try to take it race by race. I’m not going to Budds Creek thinking I got third then second, so now I’m winning. I’m going to Budds Creek like all the races. I’ll try to adjust to the track the best I can. I’ll try to get good starts and ride to my best potential. I know if I ride to my potential, a good result should come.
I’m just pumped to see you on the 450 proving yourself. I’ve never been one to say “Martin needs to move up” or “Martin is sandbagging.” You are making a living the best way you know how. I think anyone with the choice of a six-figure deal on a factory 250 or a low dollar private team deal on a 450 would take the six-figure deal all day long. I remember you at Monster Cup getting 4th on the 450, and I always knew you had this in you and it’s awesome to see you doing it. Any deal for 2018 yet to talk about?
No, man, nothing for ’18, nothing just yet. It’s a weird situation. You look back at Malcolm [Stewart] and you see him win a championship and not get a deal. There’s so many guys, especially with RCH going away. That’s two spots that are gone. There’s a lot of guys wanting a ride. Maybe I could get a 250 ride and make a living. My dream is to go to the 450 class, but if something pops up on a 250, how long do I wait hoping somebody takes me on the 450? You know what I mean? It’s kind of a scary situation. We’re two rounds from the season being over, and I don’t know what is going to happen. I have faith in God, and whatever comes along, it will be in my best interest. I’ve proven I can race the 450, and there’s nothing I would love more than a shot.
In my head, you’re getting into your 30’s now and you have to make as much money as you can before you cannot do this anymore. Period! With you being known as a better SX than MX rider, if you do this well outdoors on the 450, it’s scary to think of how well you will ride it in SX.
I would be very excited to race that bike in SX. I really love it. Gosh, I would love to have that opportunity and I would love to prove myself. I would be very strong on that bike. Hopefully something comes along.
We have the MXoN coming up. Any chance for a Team Ecuador for the MXoN some day in the future?
This year, we’re not going to make it. It’s in England and the economics and our resources aren’t letting us. In fact, at the end of the season, I am going to Ecuador for two weeks to see my family, and I’m going to talk to the federation about making it happen for RedBud [site of 2018 MXoN]. That’s my plan, and I would love to do it for Team Ecuador. Hopefully, if we talk to them a year in advance, we can make it happen.
I’m sure whether it happens or not, you’re making some people proud back home. Thanks for doing this, and Chase is covering RedBud, but I will see you in Indiana.
Thank you, Dan. I appreciate your time too.
Photos courtesy of Husqvarna
