Put X by this super young rider

BY MATT RICHENS

Most of the talk of tonight's Super X round at Waikato Stadium is about the big boys; the two at the top of the championship.

But that's not how 17-year-old Australian Tye Simmonds likes it. He wants to be part of the action.

Flag talk of Jay Marmont – who leads the series by a point from world champion Chad Reed – Simmonds is where the eyes should be firmly focused tonight.

At yesterday's media session on a partially completed circuit within Waikato Stadium, Simmonds was the first to ham it up on his Motorex KTM Racing Team bike for the cameras.

His smile as he pulls his helmet off shows just how much he loves doing what he does, even if competing in the Australian Supercross Championship means missing out on the end-of-exams boozy tradition of schoolies week.

"Screw that, I'd rather go and do this," he said.

The brashness of youth comes through loud and clear. It's not arrogance as much as an infectious love for his hobby/sport/occupation.

"I love it, even though it's my job and it's what I do for a living, I just have so much fun, it's the best job in the world."

While Reed and Marmont eye each other up and battle for the series win – which won't be decided until the final round in Brisbane in a fortnight – Simmonds is hopeful of stealing the limelight and the adoration of the Hamilton fans.

"I've spent a fair bit of time here, I kind of want to make a mark.

"Being the only [round] in New Zealand, it's kind of special."

His honesty is refreshing, but it sounds as though Simmonds may not be as prepared for the innovative four-moto quad challenge final series as he could be.

The riders race in four five-lap races with points over the four rounds all contributing to work out how the round's points are divided up.

That means four starts.

"I don't even practise my starts, going out there in the race, when the gate drops, that's my start practice," he said.

"I know I should, but I don't. But I want to have the good starts so I don't have to go out there and bang bars with those guys."

He may be brash, a bit too honest and eager, but Simmonds in no mug. He's fourth in the series, just 22 points behind Marmont.

He said it was the cameras that brought out the showman in him, but it's hard to believe Simmonds will be anything but the showman again tonight. A quick showman though.

"Press day I always have fun – go out and have as much fun as possible. Why not? You can't always be serious.

"But tomorrow I'll have my game-face on."

At just 17, and in the 450cc class, Simmonds is punching well above his weight and his goals are as lofty as the air he was getting yesterday.

"I want to get to the States and make it there, eventually."

Before that, Simmonds has a more pressing matter in front of him.

He knows winning tonight in front of 15,000 fans, especially if he does it in an entertaining way, will do him no end of good in terms of attracting Kiwi fans.

But Reed, Marmont and a whole host of others will be aiming to stop him.

"Being a young buck, a hothead, I'm just going out there and give it me all, if they get in my road we're going to have to deal with it."

PLENTY RIDING ON WAIKATO ROUND

The Hamilton round of the Australian Supercross Championship could be one of the tightest of the season and the most important. 

The seven-round competition has its penultimate round tonight and world champion Chad Reed (Monster Energy Kawasaki) and series leader Jay Marmont (CDR Rockstar Yamaha) are just a point apart.

Marmont leads but knows he can't afford a slip up tonight or Reed will pounce.

"Chad is a special rider," Marmont said. "He's world supercross champion and world motocross champion."

Marmont said he couldn't spend too much time or energy worrying about Reed.

"You can't focus on him too much because there's other great riders in this series too."

Both riders have stood on the podium in four of the five rounds and both have an event win each.

While Marmont has the one point lead, Reed has form – he won the last round in Sydney last weekend. Marmont was right behind him in second.

Depending how well the event goes tonight, on and off the track, the series could be back and possibly for more than one round.

Championship general manager Mal Peter hinted that if the series did come back, because of the work and support of the city council, Hamilton would more than likely be one stop.

Marmont realised tonight's event is as much about racing as it is about promoting the sport.

"Having supercross just come to New Zealand, it's a big thing for the sport and a big thing for New Zealand," he said. "The series is taking off and we're glad to make New Zealand a part of it."

One of Marmont's biggest regrets about tonight was New Zealand champion Ben Townley couldn't be there.

Townley, from Taupo, has competed on the sport's biggest stages, but can't race tonight as his injured shoulder is still not at 100 per cent.

"He's a supercross champion in America and he's one of the greats," Marmont said. "If we get the chance to race with him, it will be a privilege, he's one of the best."

Tickets will be available at the stadium.

- © Fairfax NZ News