Exclusive: Luke Clout Interview

Transmoto’s Johnny Bonnar speaks to Serco Yamaha rider, Luke Clout, about winning this year’s MX Nationals MX2 title, being selected to represent Team Australia at this year’s Motocross of Nations and his plans for season 2015…

Hey, Luke. How does it feel to be heading to Latvia to represent Australia in your first Motocross of Nations appearance?

It’s good. To represent your country and go race alongside Chad Reed and Matt Moss is a dream come true for me. To have my name up with those guys is a pretty big deal and of course I am happy to go and represent Australia.

When did you get the news about joining the team?

I kind of had the call on Monday that I could be going, after news of Dean’s crash, but it was made official on Thursday morning. 

Have you set yourself any goals or expectations for the event yet?

I am pretty new to all the Europe stuff so I am not too sure how it all works yet, I definitely want to go over there and ride the best I can and to do the best for Australia. A top 15 performance in the 250 and 450 combined class would be good.

Hamish Harwood, who finished runner-up behind you in this year’s Australian MX2 class, will be there representing New Zealand, but other than that you will be versing some big names for the first time.

Yeah, there are some big hitters for sure. Jeremy Martin is going to be there, Cairoli is stepping down and riding a 250 for the event, there will be a lot of fast riders. Just to be in with those guys is a big accomplishment. I am really looking forward to going over there and seeing how we go.

Obviously you only just got conformation you were in, but what have you been doing for preparation?

Preparation has been a little bit difficult because I haven’t had a bike since I finished the Australian series, but I have been in the gym training and I should have a new bike on Monday. I am going to Newcastle next week to ride with Mossy and then we will head to Latvia on the September 21, so we get there a few days earlier.

How does it feel to be representing your country alongside the likes of Chad Reed and Matt Moss?

To be representing your country with the best riders from Australia, alongside Chad Reed, who is obviously the best Australia has ever seen, and Matt Moss, who is now a two-time MX1 champion, to have my name up there is an amazing feeling. I feel like I am starting to make it.

It has been a couple of weeks now since you wrapped up the Australian MX2 Championship at Coolum. What have you been doing since then?

I thought Dean had been selected so I have been catching up with all my friends, I have had some down time, still training in the gym and that but chilling with my girlfriend and going back to being a normal kid for a little while.

Lastly, I know you went to America earlier in the year to discuss possible opportunities for 2015. What are your plans and can you tell us if you will be racing in Australia again?

It is up in the air at the moment. It’s hard at the moment with everyone deciding 2015 would be a good year to change teams, we are still in talks with people.

Thanks for your time, Luke. Good luck in Latvia.

Yeah, thank you.