Photo by: Hoppenworld

The international makeup of the Monster Energy Supercross series in the last decade has been completely transformed by the number of foreign-born professional motocross racers chasing their childhood dreams in the United States. For decades—although there were exceptions—if you were an American-born racer, you raced in America, and if you were from any other part of the world, you raced the World Championship MXGP series. Today, though, when you look down the starting line at any AMA event, you will see racers from Australia, France, Germany, Scotland, Venezuela and a myriad of other locations all over the world. This Race Rewind interview focuses on a rider from the small South American county of Ecuador who spent nine hard years pursuing, and now achieving, one of the ultimate goals in dirt bike racing: winning a Monster Energy Supercross main event.

As a teenager, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Martin Davalos left his family in Ecuador and moved to the Millsaps Training Facility with a bike and a dream, and somehow earned his way to the biggest stage in two-wheeled racing. In 2006, Martin turned pro and, since then, has found himself on the podium numerous times, but that ever elusive first win seemed to be his Achilles Heel. With nine years of trying, countless heat race wins, fourteen podiums and an abundance of pure speed , it seemed like a mental block was the only thing detouring his trip to the top step of the podium, but on Saturday night in Atlanta, whatever had been blocking Martin in the past was there no more.

In his sixty-fourth 250SX main event, the now veteran from Ecuador put that first notch on the bed post—winning round two of the 2014 250SX Eastern Regional Championship and the Atlanta SX. With his win, coupled with his third place finish at the Dallas SX opener, Martin moved himself up to second place in the points—just two points behind his rookie teammate Adam Cianciarulo. With that monkey off his back, it’s now time to get to the real job at hand: becoming the 2014 250SX Eastern Regional SX Champion.

After the race, MotoXAddicts’ Chase Yocom caught up with Martin to find out how he feels after getting his first-ever win on Saturday in Atlanta. Check out a few questions Chase had for Martin below.

Davalos (31) passed his teammate Cianciarulo (46) early in the main and never looked back. Photo by: Hoppenworld
Davalos (31) passed his teammate Cianciarulo (46) early in the main and never looked back. Photo by: Hoppenworld

Martin Davalos is the 2014 Atlanta SX winner. How does it feel to hear that? That has to sound amazing?

Yeah, I’m definitely pumped, especially having my family here — coming from Ecuador yesterday, my fiancé — it is indescribable how excited I am. I’m just ready for next weekend. I just focused on my laps and was able to close the deal tonight. I’m proud of myself.

 

Can you take us through your day in Atlanta. You were fast all day, but were there any big changes made throughout the day?

We made a couple of changes today. I struggled through practice a little bit. I think I was just over-riding the bike. I told myself just to chill a little bit in the main event. It was definitely challenging to go fifteen laps through those whoops, so I was glad I was able to make it happen. The last lap I had a little close call, but I think I just slowed down too much. I’m just pumped. Adam [Cianciarulo] rode great and it was awesome to be up front.

 

You talked about those whoops, and they were gnarly. Overall, how did you like the track? There seemed like there were a few pretty tricky rhythm sections as well for the 250F’s.

Yeah, definitely. The whoops were the most challenging thing out there, and traction. Trying to find traction was tough. Atlanta’s known for traction, but everything was going away. But the bike was working great. I’m just pumped.

 

I can’t imagine how it had to feel for you in those last couple of laps. You had a decent little gap over Cianciarulo, but did you get tight or nervous at all at the end there?

Definitely, I got tight. (laughs) I was just trying to make it through the last couple of corners, but I was able to close the deal, so that’s all that matters.

Martin has sprayed a lot of champagne in his nine year career, but we doubt any came close to tasting as good as Atlanta champagne. Photo by: Hoppenworld
Martin has sprayed a lot of champagne in his nine year career, but we doubt any came close to tasting as good as Atlanta champagne. Photo by: Hoppenworld

It was awesome to watch. What was on your mind when you crossed the finish line first and got the monkey off your back once and for all?

I was just like, I finally did it. I was proud of myself.

 

Alright, well, congratulations, and I’m sure there will be more. We’ll see you next week in Indy.

Thank you.

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