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Camden Mc Lellan interview Part 1: Rising South African star ready for MX2

2023 full of excitement.

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Having enjoyed a terrific year in terms of his development, rising South African starlet Camden Mc Lellan joins us for an exclusive interview to chat on a range of topics, including his current visa issues, his move into MX2 with JM Honda Racing for 2023, the excellent form he showed in EMX250, his friendship with Jett Lawrence and Liam Everts, gaining valuable MX2 experience last season and his MXoN adventure.


Words: Edward Stratmann | Lead Image: Camden Mc Lellan


Edward Stratmann: To start with, just talk us through your current visa issues that are preventing you from getting back to Europe, is there any light at the end of the tunnel on the horizon?

Camden Mc Lellan: It’s been a bit of a disaster to be honest. It’s tough, so we (lawyers and my family) don’t know what I’ve done wrong. I’m almost on like a criminal list. Whatever it is we’re not 100 percent sure cause I haven’t done anything that should put me on that list. We’re waiting for lawyers to get back to us, but it’s been since mid October as I was supposed to go back to Europe, following the Nations and after I came home (to South Africa), to start developing and testing with the new team. Since then it’s been one more week there’s problems then the next week something else, so it’s been like that pretty much until now.

As it stands, the latest is I’m on a list and there’s an alert for Camden Mc Lellan in the system. Whatever the problem may be, the lawyers are trying to figure it out and hopefully in one more week they’ll get back to us. Hopefully I’m off that list and I can get back. At the moment, it’s just a guessing game and a waiting game.

I’ve just signed a contract for the MX2 World Championship, my career’s just starting to take off, so this is a bit depressing in a way cause it might all get taken away, but I’m hoping for the best.

ES: Tell us about the new deal with JM Honda and the plans for next year?

CM: I’ve signed with Jacky Martens Racing, as Jacky obviously knows what he’s doing. I had a few MX2 offers, but this one was definitely the best in my eyes and my family’s eyes for my future. I’m glad I took it because they’ve been really patient with me, as it’s been almost three months since I was supposed to be there and it might be three more you never know. I’ve told Jacky that, and he’s even said “with all the problems you’ll ride for me next year if you can get here so don’t worry about it”.

I’m really happy that I chose them, they’ve been patient and they’re understanding the situation. It’s really good. Every day it feels like I’m losing time, it’s a hard feeling, but it is what it is.

ES: After a positive year in EMX250 finishing fourth in the championship and getting two podiums in Sweden and Finland, plus gaining two rounds of MX2 experience and having another crack at the MXoN, you’ve made great progress this year. What are your thoughts and takeaways from your 2022?

CM: Well it was very, very good. It was also actually a very difficult year as we started off really well and the team ran into some problems. I’m not too sure how deep I can dive, but I started going downhill around Maggiora and Sardegna time. That was for me mentally not a great stage of my year.

From there, I realised it’s possibly my last year here if I don’t do well so I needed to turn it around and start going in the direction that I started at Mantova. Mantova I was really good, so had to get back in that direction. Then I flipped, I was doing everything in my power to do well at the races and then it started showing.

France was unfortunate there, I should have definitely been on the podium. But otherwise Finland and Sweden, they were good for me.

ES: So having come through this adversity with the team and risen above these problems, this reflects well on your character and resilience. Has that been instilled into you by your parents?

CM: I would say so, it definitely comes from that, as we don’t come from much. When we moved to Europe full-time in 2020, it was my Mum, my Brother and myself. My Dad stayed behind to work, but he was living with his Sister. We sold everything, so there was no going back, nothing to go back to.

After my 2019 year, I was not in a good mental space, so from there I kind of switched and was like “you know what, I have to make something of this and give it my best shot as I’ve seen what my parents have done”.

ES: Do you feel pressure being in this situation, does it weigh on you or does it motivate you even more?

CM: I would say it’s pressure, but it’s motivating pressure. One day when I’m possibly world champion or I’ve done well, it’s something I can tell as a story, as they’ve sold everything and done all this for me. It’s good motivation for sure.

ES: Back to racing, how did you find the step up to MX2 when you did those two rounds?

CM: My first one was Latvia. In the quali race, I was thirteenth so I wasn’t too bad. Although I feel the EMX250 is deeper from 10 to 20 let’s say, as there’s still some crazy guys in the EMX that will fight for everything, I feel MX2 is maybe a bit more calm that side of the pack. But definitely the front bunch, it’s not quite another world, but it’s different for sure, you’ve got to push the pace there.

I did pretty well in Latvia. I didn’t finish both motos cause I had massive crashes, one with Mikkel and then one when I was like eighth on the first lap and I was going forward when I tried to set up a pass on Langenfelder. Then I hit a tough block and ate it.

I feel that my speed was good, it was just that I don’t think I had the structure to run with the top MX2 guys. I think I did well, Czech Republic was a good one, I was running close to top 10, closing in on top 10 from bad starts there. My hands then kind of gave out, they were toasted from the track. Otherwise I’d say I did pretty decent MX2 races.

Like in Loket, I was in front of Lucas Coenen, but he was eating me at the time in EMX250. It shows it’s two different worlds in a sense.

ES: When watching you ride, you seem very strong, stable and balanced on the bike. What do you attribute your technique to?

CM: I would say firstly the South African body build, probably the same as Aussies, usually strong and big. I’m naturally pretty big, pretty wide and pretty strong. But I obviously also work hard on my physique.

Up until like age eight or nine I was working with my dad, but I wasn’t really taking it that seriously at that time. I was just doing South African nationals and just riding, so we weren’t really every day focusing on my feet, my elbows and this and that. Then I started working with a South African coach and he started bringing that into my riding, the feet and all the technique tricks, late braking and whatsoever. That for sure played a big role.

I worked with him for a while and then I moved to Europe. I then had a German trainer and he definitely helped me a lot in the sand to improve my sand technique – feet on the pegs and all that.

At BT Racing, I worked a bit with Marc de Reuver, so that also obviously helped with the sand. Then last year, it was just my dad. My trainer from South Africa came, that I worked with long ago, flew out to Spain and I did a bit of work for him. But I was mainly with my dad this past year. So really a whole bunch of people have helped and influenced my riding.

ES: All this should hold you in good stead when you move up to the 450 one day?

CM: Since I’ve been in South Africa, I’ve actually ridden a 450 for a couple of weeks and it was pretty much a natural switch. I didn’t feel bad on it at all.

ES: How did you find the Nations at RedBud, must have been an incredible atmosphere and experience, what stood out for you?

CM: It’s definitely cool to go to the Nations. I’ve been twice now and every year it’s an experience for sure. Especially Redbud, this was really, really crazy as you can imagine. It was full, there were no teams missing like Mantova, so RedBud was really special and really cool.

I actually used to be good friends with Jett Lawrence back in 2018. Him, myself and Liam Everts were all close buddies so it was cool to see him again. We had a good chat. It’s also cool to see the different riding styles, like watching Ferrandis as I‘ve never seen him race in person before. But I really like how he rides, so it was cool to see some of the different guys ride for sure.

ES: It’s been quite the journey for you since winning the EMX85 title, what have been the key reasons behind your progression since then?

CM: It’s hard to say – even back then in 2018 I was just riding. It’s not like I wasn’t taking it seriously, but when I got on the bike, I was just riding, there was no thought going into it. The EMX85 qualifiers, you do rounds to qualify before you get into the final and I was like seventh or eighth or even 10th. Especially in the sand, I was sometimes outside the top 10.

Then I went to Loket and it was just another day for me, another riding day. At that age you don’t really think much. And then I won. I don’t know how or where it came from. It wasn’t hard, I wasn’t out of my comfort zone, especially in the first race and the second race Kay de Wolf beat me.

It was natural, but I find nowadays I definitely have to think more when I ride and I overthink at times. I think last season, the dip I had around Maggiora and Sardegna, that was pretty much from overthinking. Running too much through my head. Whereas back then I wouldn’t think at all, I’d get on my bike and go have some fun. That’s what’s changed the most really.

Stay tuned for part two with the gifted Mc Lellan that will be released shortly, which contains plenty more insight on his journey, his sand riding development and his goals for the future.

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AMA Supercross St. Louis – The Track

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We are already at round twelve of the AMA Supercross Championship and this weekend we are racing at St. Louis.  Below you can get an idea of the track for this Saturday!

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Features

Stat Attack: Indianapolis Supercross Review

See now.

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With the tenth round of AMA Supercross in the books, statistics maestro Paul Pearcy has provided MX Vice with some brilliant numbers to tuck into from what was a great night of action. Enjoy

250 Class

Qualifying

  • Top 3
  1. Max Anstie: 49.492
  2. Tom Vialle: 49.492; (Max got top spot because his time came in the first session, while Tom’s time came in the second session)
  3. Pierce Brown: 49.719

LCQ

  • Top 3
  1. Jeremy Martin
  2. Ryder Floyd
  3. Hardy Munoz
  • Laps Led
  1. Jeremy Martin: 5
  2. Hardy Munoz: 2
  • Fastest Lap Times
  1. Jeremy Martin: 52.413
  2. Preston Boespflug: 53.150
  3. Gage Linville: 53.549
  • Best Average Lap Times
  1. Jeremy Martin: 53.655
  2. Preston Boespflug: 54.259
  3. Ryder Floyd: 54.373

Race 1

  • Top 3
  1. Cameron Mcadoo
  2. Haiden Deegan
  3. Seth Hammaker
  • Laps Led
  1. Cameron Mcadoo: 12
  2. Daxton Bennick: 1
  • Fastest Lap Times
  1. Haiden Deegan: 49.561
  2. Tom Vialle: 49.660
  3. Cameron Mcadoo: 49.854
  • Best Average Lap Times
  1. Cameron Mcadoo: 50.830
  2. Haiden Deegan: 51.086
  3. Seth Hammaker: 51.907
  • Most Consistent Lap Times (Least difference between fastest and slowest lap times)
  1. Preston Boespflug: 2.970
  2. Cameron Mcadoo: 3.184
  3. Jalek Swoll: 3.287

Race 2

  • Top 3
  1. Haiden Deegan
  2. Cameron Mcadoo
  3. Tom Vialle
  • Laps Led
  1. Haiden Deegan: 12
  2. Jalek Swoll: 1
  • Fastest Lap Times
  1. Haiden Deegan: 49.493
  2. Tom Vialle: 50.690
  3. Pierce Brown: 50.868
  • Best Average Lap Times
  1. Haiden Deegan: 51.522
  2. Cameron Mcadoo: 52.214
  3. Tom Vialle: 52.580
  • Most Consistent Lap Times (Least difference between fastest and slowest lap times)
  1. Jeremy Hand: 2.040
  2. Coty Schock: 2.315
  3. Max Anstie: 2.634

Race 3

  • Top 3
  1. Tom Vialle
  2. Pierce Brown
  3. Cameron Mcadoo
  • Laps Led
  1. Tom Vialle: 13
  • Fastest Lap Times
  1. Tom Vialle: 49.844
  2. Chance Hymas: 50.020
  3. Cameron Mcadoo: 50.175
  • Best Average Lap Times
  1. Tom Vialle: 51.493
  2. Pierce Brown: 51.563
  3. Haiden Deegan: 51.892
  • Most Consistent Lap Times (Least difference between fastest and slowest lap times)
  1. Marshal Weltin: 1.984
  2. Seth Hammaker: 1.997
  3. Nick Romano: 2.233

Overall

  • Top 3
  1. Cameron Mcadoo; (1st win of the season, 80% podium rate this year)
  2. Tom Vialle; (80% podium rate this year)
  3. Haiden Deegan; (40% podium rate this season)
  • Laps Led
  1. Tom Vialle: 13; (Tom is now tied with Austin Forkner for most laps led this season at 37.  34% of total laps raced)
  2. Cameron Mcadoo: 12
  3. Haiden Deegan: 12
  4. Jalek Swoll: 1
  5. Daxton Bennick: 1
  • Best First Lap Position Average
  1. Tom Vialle: 3rd 
  2. Cameron Mcadoo: 3.333
  3. Jalek Swoll: 4th 

Points

  • Top 10
  1. Cameron Mcadoo: 98
  2. Tom Vialle: 96
  3. Pierce Brown: 87
  4. Haiden Deegan: 82
  5. Coty Schock: 79
  6. Seth Hammaker: 72
  7. Daxton Bennick: 71
  8. Max Anstie: 62
  9. Chance Hymas: 60
  10. Jalek Swoll: 58

450 Class

Qualifying

  • Top 3
  1. Jett Lawrence: 48.523
  2. Eli Tomac: 48.554
  3. Cooper Webb: 48.568; (The difference between 1st and 3rd was .045 seconds.)

LCQ

  • Top 3
  1. Kyle Chisholm
  2. Justin Starling
  3. Devin Simonson
  • Laps Led
  1. Kyle Chisholm: 7
  • Fastest Lap Times
  1. Ty Masterpool: 52.415
  2. Kyle Chisholm: 52.810
  3. Freddie Noren: 53.248
  • Best Average Lap Times
  1. Kyle Chisholm: 54.223
  2. Ryan Breece: 54.271
  3. Freddie Noren: 54.390

Race 1

  • Top 3
  1. Jett Lawrence
  2. Ken Roczen
  3. Chase Sexton
  • Laps Led
  1. Jett Lawrence: 10
  2. Ken Roczen: 6
  • Fastest Lap Times
  1. Jett Lawrence: 48.639
  2. Ken Roczen: 49.225
  3. Cooper Webb: 49.581
  • Best Average Lap Times
  1. Jett Lawrence: 51.023
  2. Cooper Webb: 51.383
  3. Ken Roczen: 51.402
  • Most Consistent Lap Times (Least difference between fastest and slowest lap times)
  1. Aaron Plessinger: 2.774
  2. Eli Tomac: 3.095
  3. Chase Sexton: 3.785

Race 2

  • Top 3
  1. Jett Lawrence
  2. Ken Roczen
  3. Chase Sexton
  • Laps Led
  1. Jett Lawrence: 10
  2. Ken Roczen: 6
  • Fastest Lap Times
  1. Jett Lawrence: 49.499
  2. Ken Roczen: 49.713
  3. Chase Sexton: 49.849
  • Best Average Lap Times
  1. Jett Lawrence: 50.735
  2. Chase Sexton: 50.884
  3. Ken Roczen: 50.908 (That’s a difference of .173 in average lap times over 16 laps)
  • Most Consistent Lap Times (Least difference between fastest and slowest lap times)
  1. Ken Roczen: 2.537
  2. Malcolm Stewart: 2.641
  3. Chase Sexton: 2.676

Race 3

  • Top 3
  1. Jett Lawrence
  2. Chase Sexton 
  3. Ken Roczen
  • Laps Led
  1. Ken Roczen: 10
  2. Jett Lawrence: 6
  • Fastest Lap Times
  1. Ken Roczen: 49.131
  2. Chase Sexton: 49.284
  3. Jett Lawrence: 49.314
  • Best Average Lap Times
  1. Jett Lawrence: 50.477
  2. Chase Sexton: 50.483
  3. Cooper Webb: 50.594; (That’s a difference of .117 in average lap times over 16 laps)
  • Most Consistent Lap Times (Least difference between fastest and slowest lap times)
  1. Chase Sexton: 2.528
  2. Cooper Webb: 2.885
  3. Jason Anderson: 3.079

Overall

  • Top 3
  1. Jett Lawrence; (The only other person to have a perfect sweep at a triple crown was Ken Roczen in 2020 also on a Honda.  Jett has now won 50% of the races this season, with a 60% podium rate)
  2. Ken Roczen; (Ken has a 50% podium rate this year)
  3. Chase Sexton; (Chase has a 50% podium rate this year)
  • Laps Led
  1. Jett Lawrence: 26; (Jett now has 130 laps led, 50.7% of total laps)
  2. Ken Roczen: 22; (Ken has the second most laps led at 49, Just 19% of total laps)
  • Best First Lap Position Average
  1. Ken Roczen: 1st 
  2. Jett Lawrence: 2nd 
  3. Jason Anderson: 4th 

Points

  • Top 10
  1. Jett Lawrence: 210
  2. Cooper Webb: 189
  3. Chase Sexton: 185
  4. Ken Roczen: 175
  5. Eli Tomac: 174
  6. Jason Anderson: 165
  7. Aaron Plessinger: 162
  8. Justin Cooper: 120
  9. Justin Barcia: 109
  10. Dylan Ferrandis: 107

Lead Image: HRC

Love what we do? Please read this article as we try to raise £30,000.

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British MX Nationals

Thank you. It’s been a hell of a ride.

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Since buying back MX Vice in November 2019, it has been challenging. One of those crystal balls would have been handy for navigating some problematic situations. Who would have thought COVID-19 would be a thing?

Those who follow MX Vice know we started from nothing but an idea. A fan who loved the sport created a Facebook page, website, and social media presence that would become disruptive. It has made numerous talented media people who were allowed to run with it for over thirteen years. Being in the UK/Europe has always been difficult; I’ve always believed that if we were a US media company, we would have been embraced and appreciated for our work ethic and the content we produce. We always cast one eye over the US in Europe, and you can’t blame the top European riders for doing the same.

MX Vice has always tried to give people a voice, especially the riders who are not in the limelight and the teams that put so much into the sport. We love people’s passion and sacrifice to improve and challenge themselves. That, for me, was the natural pull, not the money but the passion and sacrifice. We all know we would not be in motocross if it were about the money. I always considered MX Vice the media version of Steve Dixon’s team in MXGP (which I have a huge amount of respect for), where we have always tried to challenge without the factory budgets.

We knew it would be tough this year with so many businesses and brands cutting marketing budgets and reducing costs; this was never going to be good for us. We have just had two incredible months of stats, with January and February bringing in over 1 million people to the website, which is quite bittersweet. As much as the funds are low, so is my energy and health. COVID impacted me more than I could ever envisaged. My health has deteriorated ever since I caught COVID; my immune system is not in a great place, and when I try and work to the standard I set myself, my body breaks on me, and it takes me days to recover. Ed Stratmann has been a revelation since he took the editorial reigns and has pushed MX Vice to new heights, which is incredible given the lack of resources he has had to work with and support from myself. I have been missing from the podcast show to reduce my time, as I am now self-employed and working for two companies to pay the bills.

Every journey ends, and that’s not what we want. Over the past 13 years, we have given it everything, leaving no stone unturned. We’re proud of how we have disrupted, challenged decisions, held organisations accountable, and illuminated incredible stories.

We will have an auction for signed shirts donated by riders, podcast equipment, and memorabilia to pay off the invoices of some contributors. If, however, you want to see MX Vice continue, you can donate here: https://ko-fi.com/mxvice or purchase a shirt or memorabilia. If we meet our target of £25,000, which is currently outstanding to run this year, then Ed and I will continue. However, we fully expect this won’t happen due to the large sum required.

It’s hard out there at the moment. Take care of your health and family, and never lose your passion for the most fantastic sport in the world.

Burf.

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