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Chatter Box: Aaron Plessinger

Aaron Plessinger on the Motocross of Nations.

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Aaron Plessinger started the Motocross of Nations in an incredible fashion, as he led his qualifying race and looked good to help Team USA capture pole position. A big crash cost him dearly though and he never really recovered from that. Plessinger explains everything that went on at RedBud in this exclusive interview, which was originally posted as a podcast elsewhere on MX Vice.

MX Vice: Obviously, it’s at home. You were the favourites coming in. I would have honestly put a lot of money on you guys winning. Thankfully I didn’t! It didn’t go well. How would you sum up the weekend and how you thought it all went? 

Aaron Plessinger: Yeah, it was a rough weekend. We didn’t do what we were expected to do. It’s tough. These guys are unreal at this stuff. They brought a lot of sand in. No excuses. We didn’t ride to the best of our ability, but we tried. We tried one hundred percent and that’s all you can do. I’m definitely glad I did it, but today went up and down. I crashed two times in the first moto and ended up eighteenth, then got a pretty bad start in that second one and ended up sixteenth. It’s tough. These guys are unreal. These guys are so fast at this stuff. They beat us fair and square.

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Aaron Plessinger represented the USA for the first time at the weekend

ConwayMX

Forgetting about the whole team thing, obviously just as a rider you want to perform to the best of your ability. You didn’t do that today, but at least in the first half of that qualifying race yesterday you showed that you can be the best MX2 rider here and you can win. That has just got to help ease the blow a little bit for you?

Yeah, for sure. Leading that for how long I did was pretty cool. It was pretty sweet hearing the fans cheer me on. It’s weird, because I think after the crash they were cheering for me more when I got up. It was definitely cool. That makes it a little easier knowing that I was leading that. It was fun, though. I had a lot of fun. I think that’s all that really matters right now.

It would have been easier for you to come here, bolt on your set-up from July and just have at it. You couldn’t do that because of the rain, so were you chasing that a little bit all weekend?

Yeah. It was definitely a different track. I’ve never really seen it get like this. It was hard. It got a lot of square edge. It was a lot different than July. I think it would have been a little bit more of an equal-playing field if it was like that, but who knows. These guys are fast, period. It was tough, but we came out in one piece and we had fun.

I have got a bit of a theory as far as the weather goes. Obviously, you guys can ride in mud. Everyone knows that. But when you have mud races, it is a proper mud race or it is dry. Stuff like this, where it is kind of in between and a bit slick, you do not have that. Are these the conditions that maybe you are not the most comfortable with? If it had just chucked it down all weekend that probably would have helped you more.

I think so, yeah. Maybe. It was definitely slick for sure. That’s what I’m not used to. I know these guys, I watch the tracks they ride on and it’s gnarly. I don’t know how they do it. It’s that hard-pack that we’re not used to. We don’t get them a lot of. When it does get wet, it is pretty hairy. I think if it was a little bit softer we could have done a little bit more, but what has happened has happened. We’ll leave it behind us and more forward.

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Aaron Plessinger (18-16) was eighth overall in the MX2 class at RedBud.

ConwayMX

Are there any regrets from your point of view with the way you prepared, the way you raced this weekend or the strategy that you had? Any regrets at all?

I wish I would have went over to Belgium and rode for a little bit. No, it was a new experience for me. I don’t think I would have prepared any different, but I think it was just a rough weekend. We all have them and this was ours.

It is at Assen next year which is sand, as well as being on a road-race track, which is just completely weird for you guys. If you got asked again, would you say yes without any doubts or would you have to think about that one?

I would say yes, no doubt. I love representing the US. Even if it is a sand track we’ll go there, we’ll try our best and what happens happens.

Interview: Lewis Phillips | Lead Image: ConwayMX

Monster Energy MXoN

Joel Roelants appointed new Team Manager for Belgium

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I (Joel Roelants) am delighted to announce my appointment as the new Team Manager for Belgium. It is a tremendous honour to lead this team and collaborate with a highly talented generation of riders. My commitment is to elevate Team Belgium’s performance and strive for podium success in the years ahead.


Words: Press Release | Lead Image: Bavo Swijgers


While I acknowledge my relative youth in this position, I am driven and motivated to guide this collective effort to new heights. I extend my sincere gratitude to the dedicated individuals behind the scenes who volunteer their time to support our team, as well as our valued sponsors for their unwavering commitment.

I express my appreciation to the Belgian supporters and acknowledge the tireless efforts of the teams working diligently to ensure our riders represent our country with utmost pride. Together, let us embark on this journey towards excellence.

Best regards,
Joel Roelants

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The MX Vice Show Episode #155 with Zach Osborne

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In the latest MX Vice Show, Zach Osborne talks to Ed Stratmann and Brad Wheeler about his brilliant career in Europe and America, some of his awesome stories from his time in the GP paddock, his inspirational journey to the top, his future plans, training Jack Chambers, Steve Dixon, launching his new training service, the upcoming 2024 AMA Supercross season and more.

The MX Vice Show is as always available to listen to on Spotify, iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher and Google Play. Thanks to Parts Europe, Scott, Acerbis, Fly Racing, AS3 Performance, ARMA nutrition, Holeshot Motorhomes and Even Strokes for their support of The MX Vice Show. If you would like to become a part of the show, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Find out more about Holeshot Motorhomes including the Commander motorhome for motorsports HERE!

Lead Image: AMA Supercross

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Australian Motocross

The MX Vice Show Episode #152 with Lee Hogan

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In the latest MX Vice Show, former Aussie motocross star Lee Hogan talks to MX Vice Editor Ed Stratmann about his commentary and media work, his role as Factory Honda Junior Team Manager, the state of play in Aussie moto and supercross, training young riders, his excellent career, MXoN memories, how thankful he is for all those who support him and much more.

The MX Vice Show is as always available to listen to on Spotify, iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher and Google Play. Thanks to Parts Europe, Scott, Acerbis, Fly Racing, AS3 Performance, ARMA nutrition, Holeshot Motorhomes and Even Strokes for their support of The MX Vice Show. If you would like to become a part of the show, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Find out more about Holeshot Motorhomes including the Commander motorhome for motorsports HERE!

Lead Image: Lee Hogan

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