Motocross Performance Magazine Canadian Motocross news leader
As you all know by now our two-time 250MX Champion Jess Pettis has not only been down south preparing for the 2021 Monster Energy Supercross Series, but he’s been training at the famous Baker’s Factory located just outside Clermont, FL. Pettis is now on his way to Houston for the opening round of the Monster Energy Supercross Series. We caught with him as he was driving through Alabama on the I-10 Interstate heading West to Texas.
MXP: Hey Jess, how are things?
JP: Pretty good Palms, right now I’m just driving to Houston. I decided to break the drive up into two days so it wouldn’t be so hard on my body. I left Orlando on Wednesday morning, stopped near Tallahassee to do an hour bicycle ride, and then continued onto Houston. I stopped at a hotel last night to rest, and now I’m just finishing up the final part of the drive. I’m scheduled to get Covid-19 tested later today at the stadium.
Wow! You know you’re on a strict training program when you have to stop halfway through a long drive to do a road bike ride?
Exactly! It was good to stop and move around a little and get some exercise.
So, you’re onto Houston and after two months of hard training, it’s finally time to race. You must be excited?
I am for sure. I feel ready and hopefully, we can have a good opening round and start the series off on a positive note. It’s definitely been a challenging couple of months, but honestly, I feel like I’m riding better than I ever have.
How do you feel now compared to how you felt back in 2019 as you were heading into the opening round in Anaheim. Or is there just no comparison?
You’re right it is really hard to compare then and now as so many things are different. Back in 2019, I had just signed with KTM a month or so before Anaheim so I didn’t have much time on the new bike. We had good suspension and Factory Service engine, but I didn’t have any real testing time to figure things out. Looking back we headed into that series blind and it was good that I was able to finish as well as I did. This year is completely different as not only have I been training hard, but we’ve also tested a lot of parts in the past month. I’m in a really good spot physically and mentally right now, and my bike is also in a good spot.
I was going to ask you about your bike. In stock form, the KTM250F hasn’t changed a lot since 2019, but I”m assuming that your bike has evolved quite a bit?
Yes, it has! As I said, in 2019 I had some good WP Suspension and as well as a solid engine package, but the stuff I have now is much better. We’ve tested the suspension quite a bit so we’re in a much better spot there, and the factory engine I have now is built for SX with more torque and better throttle response.
It seems like you’re now just on a different level with each part of your program. Also, heading into this series a lot of people know who Jess Pettis is. I’m not sure that many people did back in 2019. This must make you feel very good?
I guess it’s all part of evolving in the sport. A lot of things have happened since 2019 and I’ve been able to have some success. Training at the Baker’s Factory has also given me some great exposure and it was cool to be a part of the virtual media call this week with all of the other top 250SX riders. Now, all I have to do is execute on Saturday night and have a good race. Honestly, the way I’m feeling right now is that all of the hard work is done and now it’s time to go and have some fun at the races. I think that is one of the keys to a program like the Baker’s Factory, you do so much work during the week that the races are the fun part.
Do you feel like two months about how long it takes to properly prepare for a series like this?
It’s funny, Dean Wilson and I were just talking about this the other day. Right now, I feel ready to race and I’m glad I don’t have to wait for the 250SX West Series to begin. However, on the other side of it, I need this much time to fully prepare to go racing. Any less and I don’t think I would be properly prepared. I think back to how I felt back in early November compared to now and it’s like night and day.
As you said, now it’s just time to go and have some fun! What is the plan for the next few weeks?
I’m staying in Houston all week and then after that, I’ll head back to Florida for a few days of training. I found flights to Indianapolis for like $24 each way so I’m going to fly to Indy and stay there all week. My parents are flying to Houston and they’re going to stay for two weeks and drive my van to Indy. That’s about it. Hopefully, my Covid-19 tests all go well and there are no issues with that and we can go racing.
Speaking of the mandatory Covid-19 tests. You have to get tested every 7 days, but anyone who has had Covid doesn’t have to get tested for 3 months correct?
Yes, that is the way it works so it’s actually an advantage for the riders who have had Covid during the off-season. A negative test could put any of us out for a few weeks so we must remain strict with our health protocols and trying to stay isolated during the week. I guess that is the world we’re currently living in so we just have to deal with it.
Well Jess, it sounds like everything is set and now it’s time for the gate to drop on the 2021 season. Thanks for talking to us again and we’ll definitely catch-up after each race. Good luck on Saturday and drive safe on your final leg to Houston.
Thanks Palms! I appreciate you taking the time each week to reach out to me.
