Five Minutes with Jess Gardiner

Minutes after we got off the phone to multiple AORC and A4DE womens champion, Jess Gardiner – who called to tell us on the down-low that she’d just paid a visit to the guys at Moto Central, ACT, and picked up her new Sherco SE300i-R – a press release arrived from her former Yamaha team manager and mentor, Geoff Ballard, officially explaining Jess’ plans to ride for a new-look Ballard’s Motorex Offroad Team in 2013. Here’s a little more from Jess, one of the most tenacious and driven off-road riders in the country.

Transmoto: First up, congratulations Jess. Tell us a little bit about how the deal came together with Sherco, and the role Geoff Ballard played in ‘brokering’ the deal.
Jess: I heard a rumour about Sherco wanting to have a serious go at this year’s Australian Off Road Championship (AORC) rounds, as well as the big one-off events in Australia. It wasn’t until I was unable to find a ride for the 2013 FIM Enduro World Championship (EWC), that the idea came about to approach Sherco with help from Geoff Ballard. I hoped they would be keen on the ‘big picture’ idea, as I’d heard a lot about how good the Sherco bikes are – especially their all-new 300cc machine.

Was it hard to walk away from Yamaha after all the support they provided you, and all the success you’ve had with the brand?
Yeah, of course. It was hard to leave a great brand with great bikes that I’ve ridden for many years. However, my heart’s set on the EWC for now, and unfortunately I couldn’t find any support to race in Europe on board a Yami. This is the first time I’ve ever owned a bike that wasn’t a Yamaha, so I’m excited for the change, and feeling ready to mix it up on the all-new bike.

How many rounds of the EWC do the women race at? And are there any clashes with the domestic AORC series?
The women race a total of eight rounds over four weekends, in Spain, Portugal, Romania and France. Unfortunately, the final rounds of the AORC and EWC do clash. Although it’s great to have Sherco Australia’s support, the Sherco Factory in France are right behind me to sustain the EWC season, so that’s where I’ll be heading. It’s a bummer that they clash – if only we could be in two places at once, eh?

Aside from riding up at Geoff Ballard’s epic farm in the mountains, what are the bigger benefits of working together with GB?
Ahhh, GB’s farm… It’s a great getaway, where you can think, talk and breathe while riding a bike. It means a lot being able to work with GB himself, as I started my career with his help. I rode for his team in 2010 and 2011, and while it was only my first year of senior racing, he believed in the things I could achieve from day one! So to be back training with GB, and having him as a mentor and coach again, is a great help to me and grows my potential career in this great sport. I knew he couldn’t keep away from the racing scene – it’s in his heart to help and encourage people in any way he can! A true legend of the sport!

So, we hear that your boyfriend is reigning Junior EWC Champion, Mathias Bellino, who lives pretty close to the Sherco Factory in France. That must have sweetened the Sherco deal even more, right?
Mathias has, of course, offered to help me in any way he can. Even small things like translating – although I’m trying to learn a bit of French. I honesetly can’t thank Don Murray from Sherco Australia enough for all his help, enthusiasm and dedication. He’s made everything come together in the best way possible this year.

Okay, first take on the all-new Sherco 300? Was it easy to adapt to?
The motor was just awesome, and I think I just need to change the springs as I’m only 58kg and the static, etc, is off a bit for me, so I’m looking forward to sorting that out a little more. Ken from Factory Spec will help me with that. Saying that though, even with it being over sprung for me, I felt comfortable on it within an hour or so. I only got a few hours on it last Sunday afternoon before it got dark, then I had to go back to work the next morning. I’m doing 12-hour days at present, five days a week, so I’ve only had a couple of chances this week to moto from 6.30 till dark. I’m getting used to it though, and GB seems to be impressed with how I look on it.

Well hopefully we’ll see you and that Sherco down at the Transmoto 12-Hour at the end of March, eh?
I will be at the 12-hour, although I currently don’t have a team entry, so if anyone has a spare spot I can fill, I’m more than happy to join them! The evnt sold out so fast it’s incredible – Transmoto has done a great job with their 12-hour events. Last year I had a lot of fun, so hopefully this year can be the same.

And although Geoff Ballard may have stepped down from his position as Yamaha’s factory team manager, he’ll still be floating around the pit paddock in 2013. And from the sound of things, he’ll be seen on board a couple of different bikes throughout the year as well.

Transmoto: 24-years as a team manager and ‘retired’ – yeah right! Is this gig more casual than a team manager type position?
Geoff: Basically it’s a pretty casual and straight-forward approach for things this year. Sure I’ve got behind Jess, and the plan there is to help her as best I can, with training mostly, but also with advice in as many other areas as I can! It’s low stress and low pressure for sure, compared to what I’ve been doing for many years now. So it should be good fun as well.

Tell us a little bit about Jess’ European goals.
The Europe thing is definitely the bigger picture for Jess. She really wants to do that and go well there, and I admire all that and how she trains so hard. I know her well and she lives pretty close to me also, so it makes sense for her to be riding with me for this new-look team.

So who’s riding for the all-new Ballard’s Motorex Offroad Team and what bikes will they be riding?
The ‘team’ really is mostly Jess, with me just out there riding a heap of different events that I’m interested in doing, on board all sorts of different bikes, and where dates work out. I’m really looking forward to it!

To read a little more about what GB has planned for the year ahead, click here.