If Bell can get the confidence he had as an amateur back, we’ll see a lot of this style at the races. Photo: Simon Cudby
When watching his spectacular crash at the 2013 Dallas Supercross—during his first ever professional supercross heat race—most thought Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Zach Bell‘s career would be over before it even began. The multi-time amateur champion came into his rookie year with very high expectations, and while he somehow got up from one of the scariest crashes anyone has ever witnessed, more crashes and a myriad of injuries became the theme of Bell’s first two seasons as a pro.
In his 2013 rookie year, Bell competed in just five supercross races and only one outdoor national. That was followed by a sophomore supercross season that lasted just one main event. To Bell’s credit, he backed it down for the 2014 outdoor nationals and finished the entire season, but the newly toned-down Bell did not produce the results many know he is capable of. Heading into 2015, though, Bell was scooped up by the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna squad and given another shot at living up that potential. The Rockstar team was proven themselves very good at resurrecting careers—as they have shown with Davi Millsaps and Jason Anderson before Bell—and Bell’s talent is definitely worth resurrecting.
In Zach’s first go around, expectations were lofty, but heading into the 2015 Anaheim 1 SX, nobody knew what to expect. The kid is a massive talent with incredible raw speed, but the huge question mark is still whether or not he can stay healthy. Well, so far so good. Zach qualified 6th overall in the day qualifying and fought through the pack from a mid-pack start to finish 3rd in his heat race. The #44 did make some big mistakes early in the main event that put him at the back of the pack, but he rebounded to show he still has as much potential as he had when he turned pro in 2013. In the end, he fought back from those mistakes and was able to leave Anaheim healthy with 11th place points. It wasn’t a blow-me-away ride, but he definitely showed that the talent and speed are still very much alive and well.
Hey, Zach. Welcome back to supercross. How did you feel your Anaheim 1 went for you overall?
Today was going really well. I got a crappy start in the heat race, though. I think I was twelfth and I made my way up to 3rd so I was really happy with that. I came around to the main event and I really don’t know what happened. I kind of choked up on the start. I just had some bad luck too. The first lap I crashed, and on the second lap I crashed again. I didn’t get my rhythm until about half way, and I finally came back up to around 10th. I’m trying to ride in my comfort zone and get better and better, but I think I showed in the heat race what I can do. That’s what I want to do in the main.
Yeah, you were definitely one of the big surprises of the heat races tonight. I don’t know if “surprise” is the right word, but after your rough first two years, you kind of flew in under everyone’s radars this year. Being under the radar is new for you, but does that kind of take some of the pressure off this year?
Of course! You know, the last two years have been rough, but I’m excited I’m in one piece. I finished the season last year in outdoors and now I’m just ready to show everyone what I can do. Last year was just a test to see what I can do, and now I have to show everyone what I can do.
Do you feel like you’re gelling well with the Husqvarna? You looked comfy on the white bike tonight for the most part.
Yeah, I’m in love with the bike. The first day I got on it I felt like I was at home. The bike flexes more and I think that’s kind of what I need. The Honda was a little rigid. I love the Hondas and I have nothing bad to say about the Hondas, but I love the Husqvarnas—they’re my style.
You were on the Hondas as an amateur as well, right?
Yeah, I was on the Hondas ever since 2011 all the way up to 2014. It was a good switch. I’m really happy with the Rockstar Husqvarna team and everyone behind me.
Alright, so you’re leaving round one healthy with 11th place points. Anything change for you after your ride today or do the goals pretty much remain the same moving on to Phoenix?
After today, my goals were just to see where I was at. I guess an 11th with a bad start and two falls isn’t too bad. I was hoping for a top ten so there’s nothing more I can ask for. The team’s happy. I just have to get a good start and ride like I did today in the heat race and I’ll be up front.
Alright, well thanks for talking to us and we’ll see you in Phoenix.
Thanks
