Brad Anderson was the convincing winner of the EMX300 championship in 2017, winning six of the 10 motos. Heā€™s back this year to defend his EMX300 title on his Verde KTM so we sat down with him between motos in Valkenswaard to catch up.

Dirt Bike Rider: Brad, a very successful year winning the EMX300 title in Switzerland. What have you been doing since then?

Brad Anderson: Yeah we finished on a high. I got top three in all the EMX rounds, which was good and consistent. I had a month off going into the winter then started training again. We didnā€™t get the new two-stroke until quite late, so we havenā€™t done much riding on it, with the weather being bad too. We did get out to do some testing with Steve Clitheroe and the team but not much.

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DBR: Has the bike changed much since last year?

Ando: I used the 300 in practice but I came off and had a big crash, so I had to come in and use the spare bike, which is a 250. I crashed on the big double and went over the bars, which wasnā€™t a nice experience, and I was lucky to get up without injuring myself too much. [Ando rode most of the session without a helmet peak].

DBR: Weā€™ve just had the first race here in Valkenswaard. It looked like you got held up a little behind James Dunn.

Ando: I got quite a good start but Mike [Kras] came across me and I had to back off a bit but its racing. Dunny [James Dunn] was in front of us but I caught him up and he held me up a bit. The other two [Kras and eventual winner Greg Smets] were going really well and pushing it. I thought to myself, thirdā€™s better than coming off and finishing way down the field. Obviously, thereā€™s tomorrow to fight for and considering my circumstances with crashing and hurting my neck Iā€™m happy with third.

DBR: So you strategically backed off?

Ando: You couldnā€™t really push. The first two were so far away when I got past Dunny ā€“ I decided to settle for third. But hopefully tomorrow weā€™ll get out the gate and win it and win the overall, thatā€™s my plan.

DBR: The championship is quite spread out this year with the last round at Imola in September. What are you doing in between EMX races?

Ando: Iā€™m doing the British championship on a 450 again, doing the EMX300 and maybe some MX Nationals on the two-stroke, just trying to keep busy and active through the year.

DBR: Focusing on the EMX300 championship, when we spoke last year at the first round you didnā€™t plan on going to Russia but after winning you decided to go. It was a bit difficult to arrange everything at the last minute but presumably, youā€™re sorted for this year?

Ando: We were lucky last year cos Tanel Leok helped us out big time. If we didnā€™t have Tanel we couldnā€™t have gone so I was lucky to have him. I gave him some money to take my bike and he drove it to Russia for us. Bob [Buchanan, GL12 Racing] helped us out too, getting the bike to Tanel in Estonia then I tagged along with Mike and the mechanic. This year theyā€™ve sorted it out. Theyā€™ve brought the fuel here today because that gets shipped a lot earlier and the team are sorting the Russia job out whereas last year we didnā€™t have a clue ā€“ we werenā€™t planning on doing it.

DBR: So it should be a bit smoother this year?

Ando: I hope so. I just want to get in there, get the job done and get out *smiles*.

DBR: The team are having a big push on the EMX championships this year with you in 300, Todd Kellett in 250 and Dominic Lancett in 125.

Ando: It was in Italy that I saw Kellett. I liked him as a rider. I asked the team if they were looking for another top rider and they were thinking about it. They see the potential in Kellett and thatā€™s when they made the decision. Recently theyā€™ve just signed Lancett on the 125. Heā€™s qualified today for his first EMX125 race.

DBR: Yes, heā€™s done well, only two British lads qualified.

Ando: Yeah its really good cos that class is tough. I think itā€™s a good team. Obviously, Kellettā€™s coming back from injury so I think itā€™ll take him a while to build up but the team put a lot of money in and a lot of time.

DBR: Will you be working with the younger riders and helping them?

Ando: Yeah, if they want some guidance Iā€™ll try and show them. I donā€™t know, I think Iā€™ll have a few years left so obviously the team want to look for younger riders.

DBR: Well since you mentioned it, there are a few older riders now still fast and pushing on. Chad Reed in America, Tony Cairoliā€™s just signed for two more years, Valentino Rossi in MotoGP, and you, all in your thirties whereas before riders would be retiring. Whatā€™s the secret?

Ando: I think as long as you still feel, and still want it and everything is running smooth, youā€™re training hard then its okay. If you need it and want it then you can keep on going. I think riders like Stefan Everts had a few more years left in him but he bowed out early, but you see Cairoli still strong last year and this year. I think heā€™s still got it in him to win.

DBR: So thereā€™s still a few more years in Ando?

Ando: Iā€™d like to if I feel like Iā€™m still enjoying it. But if Iā€™m not enjoying it or itā€™s costing me money, I canā€™t afford to do without money. I still need a few people helping us out, when that stops Iā€™ll have to call it a day.