MXP Chatter: Ross Johnson

For a long time, American riders have been travelling north during the summer in search of glory at the Canadian Nationals. When you look at these American riders from over the years, few have fit in the way Ross Johnson has. The down to earth Washingtonian is not only fast on the track, but off the track he almost always has a smile on his face and is easy to talk to whether you’re part of the media or a fan. This past summer Ross Johnson battled hard through illness on his Cycle North Honda to finish tenth overall in the highly competitive MX1 Class. Currently, Ross is the overall points leader in the Kawasaki Canadian Arenacross Championships after four rounds. We’ve wanted to catch up with Ross for a while now and we finally got our chance. We hope you enjoy this MXP Chatter with Ross Johnson.

Q: Hey Ross, what is going on today?

A: Actually, I just finished up riding so you caught me at the perfect time.

Q: Riding? Are you down in California?

A: I wish!! I actually have a couple of indoor tracks within an hour of my house so it’s pretty handy to just load up and go riding.

Q: That’s cool. No wonder you’ve been doing so well in the arenacross series. So far in the first four rounds in Chilliwack you’ve led a lot of laps but you haven’t quite been able to put it all together for a main event win.

A: Yes, it’s been nice to be consistent but I’m a little frustrated that I haven’t won a main yet. I think it’s coming though, each race I get a little closer to a win. It’s been tough though, there’s been some good competition and all the riders have been riding really well. Also, the tracks haven’t been too technical so everyone is going really fast.

Q: You’re one of the few guys who ride two different bikes during the night. How has the 450 been?

A: It’s been really good. I love riding my 450 indoors, it handles really good and as you saw in Chilliwack, you can jump anything. I guess the only downside is that as the race goes on, a 450 is a little more work and the guys on the 250Fs start to catch up. With the upcoming rounds being at the tighter Cloverdale track, I might just ride a 250F for the entire night, we’ll see.

Q: Well, whatever you’ve been doing it seems to be working because you’re leading the overall points after four rounds?

A: That’s true, maybe I shouldn’t change anything. I’ve honestly just tried to be consistent and let the other riders make mistakes. So far it’s worked. In eight mains I’ve been on the podium a lot. Hopefully I can keep it up when the series resumes in January.

Q: I know your results have been keeping your boss happy, and really, isn’t that all that matters (laughs)?

A: You’re right, that’s all that matters.

Q: This past summer at the Nationals you had a pretty successful campaign to finish tenth overall. How do you feel the summer went?

A: I was happy with it. The team was great and I felt like I rode well, all things considered. At times it was a little frustrating because I got so many great starts but I could only hang on for half the race. It was always the same thing, my body just shut down. I think speed-wise I was a top five guy but I just didn’t have any strength.

Q: What was the issue, you look like you’re a hard trainer?

A: Yes, I work hard off the bike so that wasn’t the problem. It started before the series began when I was riding supercross. I just started to feel off and I didn’t know why. I should’ve got it sorted out then, but since the races in supercross are short it wasn’t too big of a deal. However, outdoors it was huge. After the western rounds, I finally went to a doctor and got it looked at. After a lot of tests I ended being diagnosed with Epstein-Barr virus and they figured I’d had it for a while. So that was my summer. I tried to battle through it and do the best I could, but it was hard.

Q: Wow, I didn’t know you were so ill. How are you feeling now?

A: I’m a lot better now. I wish I felt this good during the summer. I just feel so different on the bike; I have so much more strength and stamina. Now I want to keep building things up so I can have a good year in 2014.

Q: Speaking of 2014, is everything set up with Cycle North Honda again?

A: As of now it looks like I’m coming back up. Nothing is set in stone with Cycle North but right now that’s the plan. I hope I do. They have a great set up and we all get along so well, we’re like one big family.

Q: Well Ross, I hope you come back in 2014 because I love watching you ride. You’re a class act off the bike as well.

A: Thanks Palms, I really appreciate that. All the best to you guys over the holidays and I hope you can make it out to another round of the Arenacross Series.

Q: Thank you, I’m certainly going to try to make it out. Finally Ross, who would you like to thank for supporting you?

A: For sure,  Honda Canada, TLD, FMF, Mongoose Machine, Rekluse, Custom Decal, Works Connection, Enbridge, Pro Wheel