Rossi Beard is aiming to continue his Thor British Youth Nationals campaign where he left off at Culham as we head to Brampton, Cumbria for the second stop of the series after walking away from the opening round of the championship with the overall win in the 125cc class, which had a strong line-up of riders providing some top class racing battles. Rossi first began competing at national level when he was racing the junior 65cc class, and the youngster won the 85cc Big Wheel championship last year. We caught up with the 14-year-old to find out how he’s getting on with the big bike.
Rossi following your championship title win in the 2016 Thor British Youth Nationals Big Wheel 85cc class, you have made the step up to the 125cc class this season and have already shown how competitive you are, can you tell us how you are finding the bigger bike?
“After last year winning the Big Wheel 85cc British Championship, I felt very confident moving up. My bike was great and Planet Suspension had it handling at its best.”
Looking back to Round one at Culham, which saw you take the overall win in the 125cc class, what were your thoughts on the track and how you did?
“I was very pleased with my results and it was a great start to the championship. The track was very fast and was very enjoyable.”
There were some superb battles throughout the weekend between you, Callum Mitchell & Josh Peters. How was it for you and did you feel there is anything you can improve on or practice ready for Round 2?
“Coming into the first round it wasn’t the best, I had only ridden three times before the weekend as I was ill for a month before the first round and wasn’t able to train on my bike or at the gym.”
Round two sees the series head to Brampton, Cumbria, which is a popular track for the series. What are your thoughts on the circuit and your plans for the next round to push to keep the championship title?
“I’m looking forward to the next round at Brampton, as I like the track; it gets rough and technical and I feel confident in the rougher conditions.”
Looking to the rest of the championship, what will your approach be?
“Hopefully I will keep the lead in the 125cc class and do my best against the 250s in the other championships I am competing in.”
What is it like balancing school and riding in the Thor British Youth Championships?
“My school is great about me having time off for when I need to practice and they support me through it. I manage to keep up with my work that I miss and hope to pass my GCSEs”
Who is your all time racing hero and the reason why? “I grew up watching Carl Fogarty’s hell for leather from the age of two and have loved bikes ever since. I started training with Danny Tollet (NMA) from the auto days – he has helped me with my riding ever since and has inspired me a lot as well.”
Why do you enjoy racing the Thor British Youth Nationals?
“RHL has done a great job running the events and I enjoy the amount of racing there is as they are always the best races of the year.”
Do you get to train in between race meetings and if you do what do you do to train?
“I started training at a boxing gym at the beginning of the year, but after becoming ill, I couldn’t go to the gym at the start of the season.”
Lastly, and perhaps the most important question, how did you get into motocross?
“I have always been around bikes as my dad was a former superbike champion at Aintree. I started on a bike at the age of three and have been riding ever since. I began racing from the age of six.”
If you’d like to see Rossi and the rest of the Thor British Youth Nationals riders in action the next round takes place on 15th & 16th April at Brampton, Cumbria.
Words: RHL Activities Photos: Too Fast Media / RHL
