As you all know by now, our two-time 250MX Champion Jess Pettis is not only down south preparing for the 2021 Monster Energy Supercross Series, but he’s training at the famous Baker’s Factory located just outside Clermont, FL. Pettis is into his final month of work at the Baker’s Factory before the opening round in Houston, and so far, everything is going smooth. To get his thoughts on how the past week has gone and what his plans are for Christmas, we reached out to Jess after he was finished a hard day of training.
MXP: Hey Jess, how is your day going?
JP: Pretty good Palms! We spent a lot of time riding this morning and, then after lunch, we went to the gym. Now I’m just driving back home to relax a little. It was definitely a busy day!
That does sound like a full day for sure. How are you feeling on the bike this week?
I’m feeling really good and things are starting to fall into place. Honestly, I know we’re still a few weeks out from the opening round but I feel like I’m ready to race. I’m excited because if this is how I feel right now, I’m pumped to see how I’m going to feel in a few weeks!
So you’re a go for the opening round of the 250 East Series in Houston?
For sure, I was always going to race in Houston regardless of whether it was an East or West round.
You said that you’re starting to feel good on the bike. Are you basing that on lap times or just an overall feel you’re having now?
The lap times are always a good gauge of how you’re doing, but as you know sometimes you can feel off or have a bad lap, and then still have a good lap time. Or it can work the other way also. This week we’re back on one of the softer clay SX tracks and compared to how I felt a few weeks ago, I’m feeling much better now. When I started riding last month I had trouble doing three laps without my heart rate spiking and my breathing getting heavy. I’m not going to lie, it was a struggle. However, now I’m able to do 20 lap motos without making any big mistakes. It feels great to be able to do that and to keep my intensity up the entire time.
It’s amazing how our bodies are able to adapt to the workloads we give them. It doesn’t matter what level of rider you are, if you stick with a program you’re going to see results. You’re just doing it at the highest level.
Exactly! It doesn’t matter what type of rider or racer you are, you just need to set a goal and then stick to the work needed to reach that goal.
I also noticed that you have your mechanic Matt down there now, as well as a new number for the 2021 Monster Energy Supercross Series?
Yes, Matt and his family got down there late last week so it’s great to see them here. He’s staying just down the road from the Baker’s Factory so he’s close. We’ve been through a lot together during the past few seasons and he’s gone from being my mechanic to being a close friend also. I’m excited to have him here and he’s excited to be here.
As far as the new number goes. I wanted to get #160 again but it was taken already, as was #139. Anyway, we went back and forth and I settled on #134. I like it and one of the cool things about it is that Kyle Beaton wore it when he raced down here. Beet’s was a great SX rider so hopefully, his old number will bring me some luck!
I’m sure it will. So what is the plan this week and moving into next week?
We’re riding and training until Thursday. On Thursday afternoon I’m driving to Tallahassee to spend Christmas with my sister and her husband. I’ll be there until Sunday and then I’ll drive back start riding again on Monday. It’s going to be good to get away for a few days and enjoy Christmas with family.
It sounds like it will be a nice little break before the home stretch to the opening round begins. Once Christmas is over it will only be a few weeks until Houston.
Yes, the first round is coming up quick! With Matt here now we’ll definitely be doing a lot of testing and getting the bike dialed in for Houston. It feels like everything is starting to come together and I’m really looking forward to Round 1.
Well Jess, thanks for chatting with us again. Merry Christmas to you and your family! All the best and we’ll talk soon.
Thanks for calling Palms! All the best to you and your family, and Merry Christmas to everyone back home in Canada.