According to Ryley Oakes, he’s had a very successful pre-season heading into this year’s Yamaha Victorian Off-Road Championships.
The 16-year-old, who attended Motorcycling Victoria’s Elite Rider Training Camp in 2015, has been hard at work with Jed from Race Fit Rider Development for the past few months.
“Jed has been pushing me harder and harder each season to become fitter and faster. This off-season has been very tough,” Ryley said.
It’s not just the sport side of things that has Ryley focusing on. He’s also focusing on his health, fitness, and his school work – making sure he gets all the knowledge he possibly can to help him along the way.
“While I’ve been training with Jed, I’m also in a course at school that focuses on each individuals health and different training techniques. Self-motivation is also a big part of it so that I will keep training when I’m not with Jed.”
He’s putting some of the knowledge he learnt at the Elite Rider Training Camp last year to good use, already organising sponsorship for the upcoming year, as well as his bike preparation.
“I’ve recently picked up CFX Seat Covers as a sponsor and also retained the help of Powerhouse Motorcycles, Lucky Bling Clothing and A1windscreens. I thank all of them for their support for the upcoming season!
“As for my bike, I will be racing on a YZ125. This is a great bike! I feel it has the power to keep up with the big bore 2-stroke or a 250 4-stroke on the Enduro tracks,” Ryley said.
Ryley will have a tough enough year ahead of him racing in the VORC but he also plans on adding more to his schedule.
“This year I’ll be racing in the J4 class in the VORC, but I’m also going to compete in some of the Gippsland MX Championship in the 125 C Grade class.
“The competition will be tough this year but very enjoyable and I’m looking forward to the challenge. There are going to be some challenging tracks and I’m looking forward to most of them because they all throw in a completely different set of difficulties or obstacles,” he added.
Ryley leaves us with a very simple message from Ryan Villipoto, that he says he’s been trying to follow, as it shows him that what happens in this sport is entirely up to the rider: “Don’t expect anything from anyone.”
The opening rounds of the 2016 Yamaha Victorian Off-Road Championships will take place on March 5-6 at Rawson in Victoria. For more information please visit: www.mvorconline.com
by Mark Vallance
Operations & Events Manager