Australian motocross champion Dean Ferris is riding the crest of a wave that might see him turn a few heads when the 2017 Monster Energy Motocross of Nations comes around. The former GP winner and Australian MXoN hero in 2013, Ferris, has enjoyed a golden year.
Finishing with yet another Australian title, a solid second place in a moto at the AMA Nationals and selected for Team Australia at the MXoN, this has been a solid year.
We caught up with him to ask about his year so far, and his selection for Australia in the biggest motocross race of the season.
Dean, you have had an amazing week. First the Australian motocross championship. Then—what would make the championship seem insignificant—the birth of your first child. Can you tell me what the week was like for you?
Yes, it’s been an amazing week. Our baby was due at Echo Valley [the day he won the championship]. I got the championship, then during the week we had the baby. We haven’t even been home yet. We had the baby, then went to a hotel for the final round at Coolum last weekend. It’s been busy, but an amazing week.
I saw a photo of you guys going for a walk. Must have been the day after the baby was born. That is amazing. I have four kids and was at all their births and its hard work. A lot tougher than a 45-minute moto. Many women stay in bed for days, so that is pretty impressive from your partner, she must be pretty tough?
Yes, Renae is tough. She was determined that we got on with what we want to do, and the baby gets settled in our life. Less than 12 hours after the birth we went for lunch down the street and everyone was blown away with that. Renea wanted to go for a stroll along the beach. We have been to the races on the road and we haven’t been home yet. Credit to Renea there. What women go through is a real credit to them.
I sometimes hear some riders change their attitude after becoming a father. Did that happen to you last weekend?
No, not at all. It was all still about winning for me, and Renea had it all under control with the baby. I wanted to go and win both motos as a real champion, and we were able to win both motos.
You have had an unbelievable year—going back 12 months to the des Nations in Maggiora where you rode well. Then an Aussie title, the race in America and the birth of your first child. Must be the year of your life?
Easily the best year I have ever had. And a busy one. We have raced since January almost every single weekend—along with the New Zealand championship. The American experience was unreal. We have been really dominant on the Australian scene, and ticking a lot of boxes with CDR Yamaha. So far, it’s been unreal.
Your confidence must be through the roof I am guessing. With the des Nations coming up in six weeks, how do you prepare for that? Because you don’t have any races planned do you?
I only have the first round of the Australian Supercross the weekend before Nations. It’s tricky, needs to be a bit of a balancing act. I am racing the 2017 [Yamaha] at the Nations and the 2018 [Yamaha] at the Supercross. It will be double duty, but this year I will be focusing more on Supercross. I will ride some motocross, but I am contracted for Supercross, so that is important.
Matterley Basin, apart from the FOX banners [where he crashed through one year], it’s a track you do well on. I know you are focusing on Supercross, but to be honest I think you can run up front for a moto win. I know I am an Aussie and I like you as a person, but what do you think?
Look, if I can improve on my 2013 performance [Ferris went 4-5 in motos on the MX2 bike], then I will be at the pointy end of the results, and I would love to be at the front and battling. It’s a really good track, and I like it. I think Kirk [Gibbs] and Hunter [Lawrence] will like it. It has a bit of an Australian feel about it. We are going in optimistic, and hopefully we can get Australia back up the front again.
Is this your third or fourth time?
This is my fifth time.
Fifth time, wow. Would you ever say no?
Look, probably not. Just because I am really patriotic and look forward to this race every year. I do get why some are saying no. It’s off the beaten path, I do get it. But myself, I am always proud to pull on the jersey, and would make it happen every time I could.
There has been talk of the costs involved for the team. I know Australia doesn’t have a massive industry, and it’s a big cost. How does that work for Team Australia, do you have to put private money in?
It isn’t like it used to be. The government cut the funding, so some riders do some fund raising, riding clinics and that type of thing. Kirk [Gibbs], Todd [Waters] and myself and some other riders in Australia do that. We also do auctions. It isn’t easy coming from Australia. It’s a big cost, but we have a good group that put in every year. Just to raise a bit of extra money, raising money through the industry.
Does it cost you anything apart from the time for the fund raising?
At the start it cost me a little bit, but not much. It is really irrelevant, but this year we put in a good effort for the funding. I am sure it won’t cost anyone anything. I am sure the MA will have it covered this time.
What about the riding for no money? I am a fan of Youthstream, and I am also of the belief that national pride isn’t about racing for money, but I am not a racer and get that my opinion is worth nothing. What do you think?
Sure, it would be good to get paid while doing it, but riding on pride is enough. It’s always been one of the biggest events each year, and our heroes have all done it for free. How can I say it, if it stays like that, I mean, we went to war and we didn’t get paid for that. We did it for patriotism and this is our little war and I am willing to go.
What about America, have you heard anything?
No, still sitting tight. Everyone knows I want to go, it is no secret. I don’t have any answers either.
With the baby you maybe prefer to stay in Australia?
A lot of people ask me that, but I definitely want to go, Renea was pregnant when I went over to America to try and get a deal. I would love to go and take my family.
Any negotiations going on, or anything?
No, nothing, so really, I haven’t called around, but it’s getting to that point I need to. I have been sitting tight waiting.
If you could get a deal to do the USGP, would you, do it?
Probably not, I am doing supercross now. I just have the new born and I am preparing for supercross and des Nations, so I got a lot on at the moment.
