Ryno still charges
October 29, 2007
This weekend saw the International Oceania Motocross Championship which was held in Australia at the Baarabool circuit.
The southern hemispheres best racers were there including Josh Coppins, Daryl Hurley and Craig Anderson. Australia came out on top and took the coveted title.
One rider who made the trip to Melbourne was American ace Ryan Hughes, MOTO managed to get roving reporter Stuart Flockhart who happened to be in OZ for a holiday to ask the veteran star, what’s going down in Ryno’s world.
He's still got it...
MOTO/SF: OK cool, so we’re here with Ryan Hughes – Ryan this year you’ve been riding Suzuki’s, you did some cross country events at home in America, how did that go ?
RYNO: Yeah it was going good you know. I won three out of six works races at the World Off-Road Championship series that I was riding but had some problems with my elbow. I broke my arm last year and have a plate and six screws in it and it’s just been giving me some problems this year. After so many years of always trying to come back from injury and other things I’m kind of getting fed up with it.
MOTO/SF: Ha, tell me about it I know how that feels.
RYNO: Yeah, well this was my last year of racing, I’ve done it for 24 years and there comes a time when your body tells you enough is enough!
MOTO/SF: You’re getting more into coaching now, working with some of the faster up and coming young American riders - Is this how you see you continuing your career and staying in motocross ?
RYNO: Yeah this year I worked with Josh Grant and Brett Metcalfe we had a good year. Next year I’m working with Jason Lawrence and a couple of young kids Nico Izzi and Tyler Bowers, they’re 16 years old and coming up so I’m working with them, but Lawrence is the one that I’ll put most of my attention on. I’ll ride with them when we go outdoors doing moto’s together and stuff like that. Mostly I’ll be training with them kicking their asses in the gym; I’m still very fit myself!
MOTO/SF: I raced Grand Prix when you were on Pamo Honda Factory Team in 1999 and 2000, you definitely had the reputation as a tough competitor, but riding for you now is just for fun?
RYNO: Yeah for sure, I’ll go ride maybe once a week and I want to do some fun races again next year. I still feel good on a bike; you know you never forget how to ride.
MOTO/SF: Well yeah I just watched you tear it up at Cambrialand today I see you’ve still got serious speed. And you’re out here in Australia for the Oceania race; this must be a fun experience for you?
RYNO: Yeah it’s my first time here; I’ve always wanted to come to Australia but never got the chance. Steve Sweeney brought me over and it’s great I got to bring my wife and kids so they get to experience it with me. It’s not too much different from the States, in fact for me it’s almost like I’ve never even left home.
MOTO/SF: Have you seen the track at Barrabool yet?
RYNO: Yeah I went and looked at it on Monday and the track looks good, it’s going to be fast and rough so I’m looking forward to it.
MOTO/SF: And you know about their campaign to ‘Save McAdam Park?
RYNO: Yeah if I can do a little bit to help raise money and even help towards saving the track that would be awesome, I guess every little helps.
MOTO/SF: Well I’m sure the crowd will love to see you race this weekend, I hope you have fun.
RYNO: Yeah thanks, I’ll enjoy it. For me that’s where I’m at in racing right now I just want to have fun. I’m not so bothered about my result or going flat out, I mean of course the competitive side in me still wants to win, but there’s the other side of me now that comes forward, and as long as I ride clean and good then I’m happy.
MOTO/SF: Sweet, well good luck with everything, and thanks for chatting with us!
RYNO: Cool, thanks very much!
In fact Ryno did pretty well and came home in third position so if he’s having fun I would love to see him when he’s serious.
PRO OPEN
1 Josh Coppins NZ 75
2 Daryl Hurley NZ 62
3 Ryan Hughes USA 60
4 Craig Anderson AUST 53
5 Jay Marmont AUST 48
6 Daniel McCoy AUST 45
7 Ryan Marmont 41
8 Peter Boyle 40
9 Michael Addison 32
10 Nathan Brocktrup 30
PRO LITES
1 Jake Moss AUST 60
2 Cameron Taylor AUST 56
3 Lewis Stewart AUST 56
4 Luke Burkhart NZ 49
5 Dean Ferris 46
6 Lewis Woods 42
7 Danny Anderson AUST 42
8 Michael Phillips NZ 39
9 Kirk Gibbs 38
10 Todd Waters 27
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