- Xross Team®
While we are approaching the Xross Hard Enduro Rally (from 17. to 20. May) and the beginning of the new Hard Enduro World Championship season, we spoke with Matthew Green. This young talented rider from South Africa was crowned junior world champion last year. Aside from being competent and capable on the tracks, you will recognize Matt by his smile and friendly personality.
Hi Matt, how are things going, and how are you preparing for the start of the Hard Enduro World Championship, and the Xross Hard Enduro Rally?
Things are going well; I have been home for three months. It is now summer in South Africa; we have good weather, so I am getting good training. The normal thing for this time of the year.
Matt Green in Prologue action on Zlatibor / Photo: Zoran Jesic
Do you have any special training program to prepare for the season?
I don’t necessarily have a specific program. I am lucky because, in South Africa, I have a lot of people to ride with. Also, where I am from, it is a town of athletes. People are always training for different things. I can always join someone. I am making sure to do a number of hours on a bicycle and a number of hours on a motorbike. I am quite lucky to have a situation like that.
Coming from a country with the famous race Roof of Africa and several good Hard Enduro riders, it seems that going into Hard Enduro was a natural path to follow. Was that the case with you?
I think it is. We have so much open space here, and we are not restricted by where we can ride. It is easy to go riding, and there are a lot of people who enjoy riding motorbikes and Enduro. It is not surprising that we have quite a few talented riders from South Africa.
Grinding thorugh the forst all the way to the top / Photo: Predrag Vuckovic
How did you get into motorsports, and what were you riding before Hard Enduro?
I live on a farm, and I grew up there, so I started riding bikes to get around on the farm. A couple of my friends started riding races, so when I was 10, I did an offroad race similar to the classic Enduro. From there, I went to motocross, but eventually, I came to the Hard Enduro - because that is my passion.
When did you start competing in the professional circuit?
In 2018, I was 16 years old and rode the Silver class in Red Bull Romaniacs; in the same year, I raced Sea to Sky.
Top spot for Matthew Green in Junior class / Photo: Zoran Jesic
Given that you were crowned Junior World Champion in 2022, I would say that last year was your best so far.
Yeah, definitely. I had a great season last year, with no injuries and no problems with the bike. I enjoyed it a lot; we had a fantastic time. I hope to replicate that season.
What do you think about having a Junior World Championship alongside the regular World Championship in Hard Enduro? It seems that the organizers are taking care of Hard Enduro youth and ensuring that this sport has a good future.
Yeah, for sure. When they introduced the Junior class, I was very excited because it was an opportunity for me to set more realistic and achievable goals. It gives more chances to young riders to get into the sport and get support. Coming to the race and aiming to get into the top 5 in the Juniors category - is more achievable for me and other young riders. It looks much better than when you finish 30th overall. This is definitely good for the sport because I think it is going to bring more juniors into Hard Enduro. I am very happy with that.
Pushing the limits / Photo: Zoran Jesic
What do you like the most about Hard Enduro?
There are quite a few things, but the best thing for me is the community. The friendship that we have. When we race, we are competitive, but in general, Hard Enduro is very social. That is really cool. It brings people from different countries together around a common interest. I mean, you can say that for any sport. But the best part about Hard Enduro is making friends and shaping such a strong community. The second thing is achievements and challenges. Often you have to push hard through the section, but once you accomplish that, it is very fulfilling. You are trying to find the limit of what is possible to ride. Maybe that is why you are always striving for more, and you don’t really know where the limits are.
Sharing experiences: Mani Lettenbichler, Billy Bolt and Matt Green / Photo: Zoran Jesic
Last year it was our first time in the World Championship, and your first time at the Xross Rally. What were your experiences? How was it from your perspective?
It was so good! I really enjoyed it. The only rider who rode this race before last year was Wade, and there were a lot of unknown things. We didn’t know what to expect, but I had so much fun. Really good riding; the team put on a great event. We really had some tough tracks, I think no one expected it to be quite so difficult, but it really was. The track was great. What stood out for me was the cool landscapes. But I think it was the last day; we were approaching the end of the race, and I saw these massive horses. I am not kidding; they were so big. They are the biggest horses I have ever seen, and I had to stop and look at them. Some riders stopped to ask me if all was good, and I was like: Oh, you guys can go; all is good. I just had to stop to see these horses because they are so beautiful.
One of our impressions of your from last year was that you were always coming to the finish line with a big smile on your face, no matter how hard it was out there. How do you overcome difficult moments at the race, and how do you motivate yourself?
I am generally quite happy, and as I said, I had a great time at your race. I am a positive and chatty person, so I often shout to the camera crew to say hello. And I think things like that keep me positive even through challenging moments at the race. Keeping good spirits! If you are telling yourself - oh, this is so hard - it is going to bring you down. But if you flip the script, it lifts your mood, and you are having fun.
More action from the Xross 2022 / Photo: Predrag Vuckovic
What is your ultimate goal in Hard Enduro - new titles, sponsors...?
Everybody wants to be the best; that is my ultimate goal. But at this moment, the podium in a general championship doesn’t look realistic. But I would like to win the Juniors again and be in the top 5 overall. I am going to be pushing for that throughout the season. And as far as teams and sponsors, whatever comes up - I will make the decision at the time. But I am very happy where I am now. I have awesome support from my team Rigo Racing. They look after me like I am their own kid. We have come a long way and have a lot to go, and I am very excited.
Matt Green in Drvengrad / Photo: Zoran Jesic
Anything to say before the Xross 2023?
I would give a shout-out to you guys. Spectators and other riders should know that Xross is a really good race. I would encourage people to come to this race and experience it for themselves. It is something different, and I think they would enjoy it.
Thank you, Matt. We are looking forward to seeing you on Zlatibor soon!
