SA TAKES ON THE TOP END AND AUSTRALIAS BEST AT THE 2023 AUSTRALIAN JUNIOR MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIPS

Ryder Woodrow

Age:

13 years old

First started racing:

I got my first motorbike at 18 months old and learnt to ride with training wheels, I started competitive racing at 5 and had to travel to Victoria to be able to compete till I turned 7 and was eligible to race in SA.

Have you always wanted to race the Junior Motocross National Championships?

Since turning 7 I have entered every Nationals competition as it’s a great benchmark to compare where you’re at against riders across the whole of Australia, as well as riding a national prepped track.

How did you prepare coming into the event?

At the start of each year we set out our goals for the year, a training plan for on and off the bike aswell as a calendar full of races across Australia to attempt to compete against some of the competitors.  I have a motocross track at home, so I ensure I ride a few nights a week, as well as over the weekend. I run 5km every morning as well as push bike ride 10km on alternate days. We do benchmark testing to see improvements in lap times on the bike, as well as fitness benchmarks to ensure my off bike fitness consistently improves (i.e how long per KM) . I also fuel my body with Ryno power (protein and sports drinks) to ensure I get the right nutrients to help with these goals.

What was a highlight of your time during the event up in the Northern Territory?

Would have to say, 3rd fastest in practice, a 2nd position in a heat. Unfortunately in Final 1, I was caught up in a first corner crash which put me at the back of the pack of 40 riders. With the challenge of no sight lap on the track, I am stoked I still charged my way from 40th up to 10th position and although that was the worst result I achieved in my finals,  it was my best ride and my most proud moment to get up to 10th position and pass 30 top Australian riders.  I had Brett Metcalfe congratulate me on that ride, and to have such feedback come from someone of his level meant so much to me.

What was the biggest challenge you faced at the Aus Junior National Champs?

Heat 1 seen me lose my clutch , so after an amazing NT family leant me the part I was back in action however Suspension was set to a predicted to a flat one lined track, so after a crash where my suspension bucked me in a heat, I had to do a full suspension change and took my bike out to practice one morning before racing started to change the settings. It was completely different to what we expected and was one of the roughest tracks I’ve faced with ruts so big you could lay down in them. Once my suspension was fixed my confidence on the track was much better and helped me feel more comfortable on the bike

Is there anyone you would like to thank?

Ninness MX for the clutch parts , wouldn’t have been on the line without you, Chappy for the NT hospitality , Shaun Murdoch from the SA crew for getting behind every SA Rider and creating the SAMX nationals page to help promote the kids, Brett Metcalfe for the support and encouragement throughout the week and picking me to represent SA in the SA state team,  Dad and Mum for getting me there, Moto Adelaide and KTM for the weapon of a bike, Pirelli for the tyres, Ryno Power for the body Fuel, Monza Imports, Oakley and Alpine stars for the best gear, Dom for sponsoring our fuel to get us there, Nanna and Poppa for contributing towards the trip , jacka bricklaying for his 2nd year of sponsorship and Wayne Pengilly from WP concrete for believing in me this year and giving me the opportunity to ride for him and the opportunity to learn from him to build as a rider