Dean Ferris interview - Anaheim I

Motocross Illustrated
Edited Date/Time 1/9/2014 9:29am
For those interested.

Dean Ferris made his AMA Supercross debut at the opening round of the AMA Supercross Championships, held in Anaheim, California. The 23 year old Australian finished a fighting 14th, making it through to the main event after a solid performance in his heat race. Sickness though causes him some problems over the weekend.

We caught up with Ferris and asked him about his sickness and also that daunting experience that is AMA Supercross.

http://www.mxlarge.com/2014/01/08/dean-ferris-interview-5/
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Stefan82
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Stefan82 1/8/2014 2:30am
1/8/2014 2:30am
I expected him to finish top 10 but instead he dropped down, hopefully he'll be ready for Phoenix.
aaryn #234
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aaryn #234 1/8/2014 3:04am
1/8/2014 3:04am
Cool interview Geoff.

hopefully he is feeling 100% this weekend.

I am sure he will be deep inside the top ten by the end of the series.
Motocross Illustrated 1/8/2014 3:12am
1/8/2014 3:12am
aaryn #234 wrote:
Cool interview Geoff. hopefully he is feeling 100% this weekend. I am sure he will be deep inside the top ten by the end of the...
Cool interview Geoff.

hopefully he is feeling 100% this weekend.

I am sure he will be deep inside the top ten by the end of the series.
Dean has a lot of the Chad Reed mentality and I really believe him when he says he didn't feel nervous and I think he can get a podium sooner than later.
mx836
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mx836 1/8/2014 5:53am
1/8/2014 5:53am
^^^ Not happening this year. I base my opinions on facts though, not National or anti-American pride like others.

The Shop

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Motocross Illustrated 1/8/2014 7:25am
1/8/2014 7:25am
mx836 wrote:
^^^ Not happening this year. I base my opinions on facts though, not National or anti-American pride like others.
I heard that before way back in 2001 and 2002 when I tipped Langston and Reed to be a success in USA. Got the same responce, but a lot unfriendlier....
shredder22
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shredder22 1/8/2014 7:32am
1/8/2014 7:32am
mx836 wrote:
^^^ Not happening this year. I base my opinions on facts though, not National or anti-American pride like others.
Motocross Illustrated wrote:
I heard that before way back in 2001 and 2002 when I tipped Langston and Reed to be a success in USA. Got the same responce...
I heard that before way back in 2001 and 2002 when I tipped Langston and Reed to be a success in USA. Got the same responce, but a lot unfriendlier....
I agree with mx836. I think Ferris will do pretty good outdoors this year, but this super cross year is gonna be a learning experience for him.
zook11
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zook11 1/8/2014 9:34am
1/8/2014 9:34am
mx836 wrote:
^^^ Not happening this year. I base my opinions on facts though, not National or anti-American pride like others.
Motocross Illustrated wrote:
I heard that before way back in 2001 and 2002 when I tipped Langston and Reed to be a success in USA. Got the same responce...
I heard that before way back in 2001 and 2002 when I tipped Langston and Reed to be a success in USA. Got the same responce, but a lot unfriendlier....
Slightly different, Reed was already winning races and a Aussie SX champ.
Motocross Illustrated 1/8/2014 9:45am
1/8/2014 9:45am
mx836 wrote:
^^^ Not happening this year. I base my opinions on facts though, not National or anti-American pride like others.
Motocross Illustrated wrote:
I heard that before way back in 2001 and 2002 when I tipped Langston and Reed to be a success in USA. Got the same responce...
I heard that before way back in 2001 and 2002 when I tipped Langston and Reed to be a success in USA. Got the same responce, but a lot unfriendlier....
zook11 wrote:
Slightly different, Reed was already winning races and a Aussie SX champ.
For sure, there is only one Chad Reed. But he was racing RC, Stewart and others. Ferris has won races.
DC
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DC 1/8/2014 10:15am
1/8/2014 10:15am
I remember Ferris telling EJ after he won the MX2 GP in Bastogne that it was his first-ever win as a pro -- he had not even won an Aussie National to that point.

I think he will take more time to adopt to SX than Reed did, but to Geoff's point, so did Grant Langston. And I think outdoors Dean will do quite well, especially if he rides with the confidence and sheer speed he had at the MXoN, which was very impressive.

DC
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Motocross Illustrated 1/8/2014 11:18am
1/8/2014 11:18am
DC wrote:
I remember Ferris telling EJ after he won the MX2 GP in Bastogne that it was his first-ever win as a pro -- he had not...
I remember Ferris telling EJ after he won the MX2 GP in Bastogne that it was his first-ever win as a pro -- he had not even won an Aussie National to that point.

I think he will take more time to adopt to SX than Reed did, but to Geoff's point, so did Grant Langston. And I think outdoors Dean will do quite well, especially if he rides with the confidence and sheer speed he had at the MXoN, which was very impressive.

DC
MX Sports
DC,

Yes, but a GP race is also a race and he had won races in OZ. And sure Reed is special, but I stick to my thought that he will get a podium before the West Coast series is finished.
DC
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DC 1/8/2014 11:22am
1/8/2014 11:22am
I am confused, Geoff. I mentioned the GP win -- that's why EJ interviewed him -- and he told us before that GP win he had never won even an Aussie National before. Are you talking about some other Oz? Or amateur races? Or was he not telling EJ the truth?

DC
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Motocross Illustrated 1/8/2014 11:40am
1/8/2014 11:40am Edited Date/Time 1/8/2014 11:44am
DC wrote:
I am confused, Geoff. I mentioned the GP win -- that's why EJ interviewed him -- and he told us before that GP win he had...
I am confused, Geoff. I mentioned the GP win -- that's why EJ interviewed him -- and he told us before that GP win he had never won even an Aussie National before. Are you talking about some other Oz? Or amateur races? Or was he not telling EJ the truth?

DC
MX Sports
He won races in OZ, but not the overall. He lead the Aussie title the year Coppins won until he crashed and lost out. I really believe Ferris is special, not as special as Chad, but special enough to podium in the West Coast in his first season. I might be wrong, sometimes that happens, hahahaha. And he has won three GP motos. I wonder if Chad actually won three. I think just two, maybe just one...Just checked Chad only won one GP moto.
DC
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DC 1/8/2014 11:54am
1/8/2014 11:54am
I understand, and don't get me wrong -- I was at the MXoN and I am a believer that Dean has got some special talent. Supercross is not easy for a first-timer. The track is smaller but gnarlier than you think, the pressure is unreal and the pace of the whole day takes some getting used to. Like Dean said, getting there at 10 a.m. and leaving at 11 p.m. makes for a long process. He will do fine when he settles down and feels better.

After riding a few 250 races in January, Reed won his first six East Region 125 races in 2002.

DC
MX Sports
Motocross Illustrated 1/8/2014 12:04pm
1/8/2014 12:04pm
DC wrote:
I understand, and don't get me wrong -- I was at the MXoN and I am a believer that Dean has got some special talent. Supercross...
I understand, and don't get me wrong -- I was at the MXoN and I am a believer that Dean has got some special talent. Supercross is not easy for a first-timer. The track is smaller but gnarlier than you think, the pressure is unreal and the pace of the whole day takes some getting used to. Like Dean said, getting there at 10 a.m. and leaving at 11 p.m. makes for a long process. He will do fine when he settles down and feels better.

After riding a few 250 races in January, Reed won his first six East Region 125 races in 2002.

DC
MX Sports
DC,

Totally agree with you. I am surprised Dean didn't shit his pants at Anaheim 1. Can't even imagine what its like for a guy debuting, with little preperation and no SX experience, plus being sick as a dog. That he held a top five place early in the main just blows me away.

Remember the Reed era well, some of the best memories of my being involved in the sport. Apart from Unadilla in 2002.....I still remember Reed and Burner being something like 2nd and 3rd in an earlygoing of a 250/450 main event in 2002 like it was yesterday.

Geoff
Motocross Illustrated 1/8/2014 12:05pm
1/8/2014 12:05pm Edited Date/Time 1/8/2014 12:05pm
DC wrote:
I am confused, Geoff. I mentioned the GP win -- that's why EJ interviewed him -- and he told us before that GP win he had...
I am confused, Geoff. I mentioned the GP win -- that's why EJ interviewed him -- and he told us before that GP win he had never won even an Aussie National before. Are you talking about some other Oz? Or amateur races? Or was he not telling EJ the truth?

DC
MX Sports
Just spoke to Josh Coppins and Josh said Deano actually won some rounds that year he battled with Josh for the Aussie title. I think Dean might have mean he never won a Championships or anything before the GP win.
Titan1
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Titan1 1/8/2014 12:11pm
1/8/2014 12:11pm Edited Date/Time 1/8/2014 12:12pm
Ferris did better than I was expecting...I thought he'd be about 12-18th in the main (which I was right about) but I thought he would have to go through the LCQ. (That's why none of the teams have hired me to be a talent scout...)
Motocross Illustrated 1/8/2014 12:12pm
1/8/2014 12:12pm
Titan1 wrote:
Ferris did better than I was expecting...I thought he'd be about 12-18th in the main (which I was right about) but I thought he would have...
Ferris did better than I was expecting...I thought he'd be about 12-18th in the main (which I was right about) but I thought he would have to go through the LCQ. (That's why none of the teams have hired me to be a talent scout...)
Agree totally, 8th in his heat, his first ever SX race (doesn't even have that much SX experience in OZ) and with little preperation and being sick, I think he really impressed.
ktm212
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ktm212 1/8/2014 12:22pm
1/8/2014 12:22pm
I'd love to see an american get a set up from DeCoster, I get europeans want to come to the US and I think dean will make a lovely addition to the line-up but why can't we give an american a spot before farming out rides to guys who already had jobs. I only say this because Dean had a ride in europe and said in interviews he saw himself as a better 450 rider so why not let him ride his 450 there and give the KTM factory ride to a deserving american rider or at least someone with experince over here, even if they pulled the likes of Anderson from the support team and fill his spot with someone else. I hate to pull the american pride card but why not give a ride in the US to a rider from the US, there are lots of talented guys without bikes under them and Ferris will in no way shape or form be a serious full season title contender in either SX or MX this year so why not give it to someone else who wont be a title contender.

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Old Mate
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Old Mate 1/8/2014 12:28pm
1/8/2014 12:28pm
Titan1 wrote:
Ferris did better than I was expecting...I thought he'd be about 12-18th in the main (which I was right about) but I thought he would have...
Ferris did better than I was expecting...I thought he'd be about 12-18th in the main (which I was right about) but I thought he would have to go through the LCQ. (That's why none of the teams have hired me to be a talent scout...)
Todd Waters led early for 3 years, crashed, then Dean took over, then crashed then Marmont and Coppins went on to win each year. Dean has raced a lites SX season in Aus and has won a heat.
Motocross Illustrated 1/8/2014 12:43pm
1/8/2014 12:43pm
Titan1 wrote:
Ferris did better than I was expecting...I thought he'd be about 12-18th in the main (which I was right about) but I thought he would have...
Ferris did better than I was expecting...I thought he'd be about 12-18th in the main (which I was right about) but I thought he would have to go through the LCQ. (That's why none of the teams have hired me to be a talent scout...)
Old Mate wrote:
Todd Waters led early for 3 years, crashed, then Dean took over, then crashed then Marmont and Coppins went on to win each year. Dean has...
Todd Waters led early for 3 years, crashed, then Dean took over, then crashed then Marmont and Coppins went on to win each year. Dean has raced a lites SX season in Aus and has won a heat.
Ok, so he's also won a SX race before!! Hahaha. So thats a bunch of MX races, a SX race and three GP motos. Who said he hasn't won anything???????
rebus
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rebus 1/8/2014 12:51pm
1/8/2014 12:51pm
Dean won't podium in SX this season.
aaryn #234
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aaryn #234 1/8/2014 2:59pm
1/8/2014 2:59pm
Yeah Dean has won plenty of races and rounds in Australia, in his final year in Aus he held the Red Championship leaders plate in the MX1 for pretty much the first half of the year.

I spent many rounds getting quotes and speaking to him after each race! He was still in contention for the title all the way up to the final round in Coolum where he came together with Josh Coppins in the first race in the first corner (maybe second race? I would have to go back and check)

Coppins broke his collarbone or shoulder from memory but still had the points lead from team mate Jay Marmont and tried to race the final two motos to hold win his first championship, but it was just not possible.

Agree completely regarding Ferris's drive to win and be the best Geoff, he certainly is a head's down and get the job done type of guy,

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Stefan82
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Stefan82 1/8/2014 3:12pm
1/8/2014 3:12pm
rebus wrote:
Dean won't podium in SX this season.
I'm not so sure about that, it might take him some races but I can see it happen.
mccread
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mccread 1/8/2014 3:17pm
1/8/2014 3:17pm
I was a bit worried for Dean when I saw his pace but hopefully it was just the sickness. Supercross won't be easy for him and he isn't going to do a Reed. He should be a solid outdoor rider though if he can stay healthy.
Socket946
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Socket946 1/8/2014 3:55pm
1/8/2014 3:55pm Edited Date/Time 1/8/2014 3:57pm
He'll snipe a few top 10's....maybe a top 5. It'd be cool to see him on the podium.
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Jrewing 1/8/2014 4:32pm
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Socket946 wrote:
He'll snipe a few top 10's....maybe a top 5. It'd be cool to see him on the podium.
Sounds about right. I also reckon the odd podium if there's some crashes up front too.
visser62
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visser62 1/8/2014 6:21pm
1/8/2014 6:21pm
I don't think Dean will podium this year, but I think he could be top 5 by the end of the year, especially in the ruts of Seattle. It's just hard for me to see him beating some combination of Wilson, Osborne, Anderson, Seely, Stewart, Webb, Durham, Hill, and Bell all at once. But I think by outdoors he can definitely be on the podium. His mentality is great.
zook11
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zook11 1/8/2014 6:28pm
1/8/2014 6:28pm
rebus wrote:
Dean won't podium in SX this season.
Ok Nostradamus
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Brad460 1/8/2014 6:41pm
1/8/2014 6:41pm
rebus wrote:
Dean won't podium in SX this season.
zook11 wrote:
Ok Nostradamus
You should know...you didn't even have Roczen on the top 6 last weekend Wink
aaryn #234
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aaryn #234 1/9/2014 1:22am
1/9/2014 1:22am
I would be pleasantly surprised to see him podium in first year of SX, especially with the likes of Anderson, Seeley, Osbourne, Wilson, Hill and Webb in the field.

I will be absolutely shocked if he is not pushing for a podium or win every single week outdoors.

If he does what I expect him to do outdoors and is back for SX next year, podiums and wins would not surprise in the 250class.

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