For Jess Pettis, this past off-season was all about recovery, training, family time, and thinking about the 2024 Triple Crown Series. After signing for another year with the KTM Canada Factory Team, Pettis began preparing for 2024 in hopes of trying to dethrone Dylan Wright. However, the past few months haven’t all been about motocross as Jess and his finance Megane recently purchased a home near Bromont, QC. But, now the off-season is over, and for the past two weeks, Jess has been down at GPF in Georgia, riding with his KTM teammates. We were also down at GPF last week and were able to get a few words from Jess about how things have been going and how things are looking heading into this summer.
MXP: Hey Jess! It’s great to see you at GPF. We know this isn’t your first time here, but how has everything been going so far?
JP: So far, it’s been okay. I like it here because the track is great, and there seems to be a good vibe. It’s also nice to be here with the team. This week, Matt (Deroy) has been with us, and we’ve been doing some testing.
You’re also welcoming a new teammate, Josiah Natzke. You two are racing in the 450 class this summer. We know it’s only been a few weeks, but how is the team chemistry thus far?
So far, it’s been great. Obviously, Kaven and I were teammates last year, and we got along great. I’m happy to see him back for another season with us. Josiah is a nice and relaxed guy, so we get along well. He has a little head start on us since he’s been riding back home in New Zealand for a few months. But everything is good, and it’s cool that we’re all here together, training and trying to improve each other.
On the track here at GPF, you and your teammates can push each other. Off of the track, you guys train together, and just this morning, you headed out on a 60-km bicycle ride as a group. Even Megane joined you, which was very cool.
Yes, we push each other on and off of the track. I think that is one of the bonuses to being here together: we can train as a group and try to improve.
You haven’t been here at GPF that long. Was it always the plan to come in late February, or were you hoping to get down here a little sooner?
In years past, I’d head south in January and start grinding, but this year, we decided that there really wasn’t a rush to get down here. Sometimes, as you know, you can spend too much time here and end up getting burnt out by July. We also have a new KTM450 this year, so we wanted to wait for it to be ready. Finally, Meg and I just bought a home in Quebec, so we had to wait for that to close.
Congratulations on becoming a homeowner! That is great news. Obviously, you’ve been doing a lot of training throughout the winter to get ready for the 2024 season, so you’re in shape. But how are you feeling on the bike so far?
I feel okay so far. I mean, it’s been warm here, and the track has been rough, so my hands have been taking a beating. I knew coming down here that this first month was going to be a challenge as I’ve pretty much been off of the bike for three months. Regardless of how much you train in the gym, nothing takes the place of doing motos in the heat. Also, with my teammates here and with the testing that we’re doing, you want to ride, and you have to ride a lot. So, you just have to push through it and know that the first few weeks are always the toughest.
There is always light at the end of the tunnel, and soon your hands will toughen up (laughs). So the plan is to train at GPF for a bit, and then will you guys head somewhere else?
I think the plan is to ride here for a month, then go to ClubMX for a month, and then head back home. There are a couple of races in Quebec in May that I’ll do, and I may even try to come to Ontario and race one of early AMO events. Justin Rooney is my mechanic this season, so he wants me to come to Ontario and do some riding.
That would be very cool. You’ve raced a lot at Gopher Dunes, so you know what to expect. Gopher Dunes is always good in April. However, the second AMO race is at Auburn Hills (near Walton), and that track is fun; you’d like it as it kind of has a Quebec track feel to it.
Between GPF and ClubMX, you’re going to have your bases covered as far as riding some of the best tracks in the eastern USA. You had a solid season last year, finishing second overall in the 450 class. You must be feeling confident heading into this summer?
Yes, I’m feeling good, and I think we’re going to have a great season. I know that’s what you’d expect me to say (laughs), but I think we’re in a good spot. I’m coming off a season where I was able to prepare properly and then remain healthy throughout the entire series. That was important to me and something that I needed to do. Now, we have to keep working, take what we learned last year, and apply it to this year. I’m excited about my chances this summer.
That is good to hear. As you mentioned, you needed to have a season like you did last year, where you remained healthy and were in the fight all summer long. You even won a couple of motos, so let’s not forget about that. It sounds like you’re in a really good place, and we wish you all the best this season. Thanks for chatting with us, and we hope you enjoy your time here at GPF with your teammates.
Thanks, Palms. It’s always good talking to you, and it’s cool that you and Ayrton were able to make it down here for a few days.
