MXP Chatter With Brett Metcalfe

Heading into Round 5 at Gopher Dunes, all of the talk was surrounding two things. First, everyone wondered just how rough and challenging the conditions were going to be on Sunday, and second, everyone was anticipating the battle that might take place in the MX1 class between Brett Metcalfe and Matt Goerke. Well, these two riders did not disappoint as they mano-a-mano in both motos on the rough Gopher Dunes track. In the end, Metcalfe took home a very hard fought second place. Despite not feeling too great after Moto 2, he gave us a few minutes of his time to talk about his day.

MXP: Since the final moto just ended a few minutes ago, let’s talk about that first. You got out front early and then Goerke passed you on lap four; from there it was a battle. Can you take us through the race?

BM: Both motos actually were kind of the same as I just didn’t really know how long I’d be able to last today. Early in Moto 2, I tried to get away early and build a lead, but then after a few laps I could hear Matt behind me. I figured if he made a move and passed me then it would be okay because then I could see his lines. From there it was just cat and mouse, the lappers would mess him up and then sometimes they would mess me up, it was back and forth. I think with maybe four or five laps to go I found a couple of lines that I thought I could use to make one final push, however a lapper jacked me up and I just couldn’t recover. I was definitely hurting towards the end and I didn’t have much left in me.

I know the conditions were tough today, they always are, but man, you look drained right now. Was today tougher than say 2013?

No, 2013 was actually hotter, for sure. I picked up a stomach bug or something last night. As soon as I woke up this morning I knew something wasn’t right; all day I haven’t been able to keep anything down. Feeling like this isn’t good anytime, but on a day like this you need every bit of strength you can get. I mean, I’m not taking anything away from how Matt rode, he was incredible today and definitely deserves the win. For me, a 2-2 today isn’t going to cost me the championship so we’ll move on to Sand Del Lee.

It’s was very interesting to watch you two and your different styles. Matt obviously is a little taller and he likes to carry the front wheel over everything, while you appear to enjoy hopping over as many bumps as possible. Both ways are fast, but quite a bit different. It was fun to watch.

Thanks, I was watching him and how he was getting over some stuff and I actually started to use a couple of his lines, but I actually thought a few of the lines I had were better. He’s a great, natural sand rider and it showed today as this track is a true sand track. Living in California, we don’t get to ride this stuff too much so I actually learned a lot about my sand set up today.

Gopher Dunes is definitely a one-off track; the next two weekends are also rough and sandy, but not like this.

Yes, this is the only track where the sand is so deep. SDL and Quebec are sandy, but they’re both a little hard packed underneath so the bumps don’t get as deep and gnarly.

A few of us were talking earlier and we came to the conclusion that there aren’t too many riders in the USA right now that could’ve beaten you guys today.

It’s funny because I was just thinking that as I was on the podium. I honestly think everyone got to see some pretty good World class riding today, not just by one or two of us, but all the riders today. This track was pretty crazy, and it was hot and humid so that added to the difficulty of the day.

In the first moto today, did you use up all of your tear-offs? I saw you trying to wipe your goggles off in the air off that triple.

Yes, I did. In the first moto the sand was still loose and a little wet so I was just blowing through tear-offs each lap. For the second moto, the sand was a little dryer and more packed so I didn’t use as many. Also, I didn’t have to pass as many riders as I did in Moto 1.

Yes, you got an awful jump off the gate in Moto 1. I actually don’t know how you came out as good as you did on the first lap.

That was a horrible jump in Moto 1. We figured out why and we made some changes for the second moto. Right from the drop of the gate of Moto 2 I thought I had the holeshot for sure, then Tyler just got me at the line. Anyway, if you get great starts then you don’t need as many tear-offs, I have to just remember that (laughs).

So another really tough race coming up this weekend in SDL. Is your plan the same this week: fly home tomorrow and then fly to Ottawa on Friday?

Yes, we’ll go home and try to recover for next weekend. Hopefully I can get some food to stay down tonight so I can get some nutrients in me. Right now I’m flushed, I just want to go home and relax then I’ll start thinking about next weekend. We’re at the halfway point of this series now and we’re in a pretty good spot. I’m definitely looking forward to the remaining races.

Well, thanks for taking the time to speak with me and great job today. That was fun to watch.

No worries, we definitely all left it out there today.