Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/126919
Moore: '" get treated better in Europe than in the States." Interview: Motocrosser Bobby Moore "I want to be a World Champion" By Wil De Clercq A new, relatively unheard of American (in Europe) is' gracing the continental 125cc Grand Prix and supercross circuits, namely, 18-year-old Bobby Moore from Los Angeles, California. The fonner U.S. 80cc National and I25cc Supercross Champion has opted for European motocross where he is 28 determined not only to make a name for himself but to shoot for no less than' three world titles. No smarJ order for a young rider who admits the Euros aren't the cake-walk most Americans seem to think they are. Despite all, injury set-back in Italy which saw him miss the first three GPs, (France, Holland and Italy, his European horne-base) Moore is confident he will score enough points in the remaining rounds to grab a top10 spot by season's end. We tracked Bob down (or this interview in Genk, Belgium where he was riding his first l25cc Grand Prix. What brings you to Europe? Suzuki wasn't prepared to send me on the U.S. circuit this year, so I was basically without a ride and money to contest the National Championship. After I rode toe Genoa and Bologna Stadiumcross last fall, I made it known that I was interested in riding the 125cc World Championship. Mr. Roberto Gallina, who had seen me ride in Italy, heard about it and came over to the States to work something out for me to compete in Europe. Ironically, after I signed with Gail ina, Suzuki U.S. called me and offered to send me on the National circuit at home. Is riding in Europe then more a case of motocross politics as opposed to personal choice? Not really, I always wanted to come over to Europe to ride World Championships because to me that's what motocross is all about. A National is just a National but a Grand Prix is the ultimate, at least it is for me. I know back home most riders don't think much of the Grand Prix Championship Series, but if you want to prove you're the best in the world, Europe is the place to do it. Did European motocross inspire you more than American motocross when you first took up the sport? I think so, yes. As a kid I was more impressed by the European riders, especially people like Roger DeCoster. I also found the European GPs more intriguing than the races back home. Of course, those are my own opinions and I'm not putting down the motocross scene in the U.S. That we can corne over here and clean up the Motocross des Nations five years in a row says enough about how American motocross had evolved. Are you adequately sponsored to compete successfully in Europe? . I'd say so. Besides a salary and bonus money from Suzuki, I've got HB cigarettes and all kinds of other sponsors to make sure I'm properly equipped. I'm also over here to test for Suzuki U.S. works bikes on which they're planning to base the '87 production models. They want to put the best possible machine on the market next year. How did you manage to swing such a deal when better known and more experienced American riders couldn't even come close? I suppose I hustled a little harder than most. Actually a lotof the riders I know are too paranoid to race in Europe right now because of all the terrorism that's beingdireaed towards Americans over here. Doesn't it bother you? It's in the back of my mind sure, but I'm not too worried about it, I mean, it doesn't distract me from my racing. I live in a small castle outside of Milan and drive to the races in a fully equipped mobile horne. Nobody bothers me and the fans are very supportive of me. Needless to say, if anything scary -happens around me, I'lltake the first plane home to California. What's the most difficult obstacle for you in Europe? Besides the tracks it's being away from home and friends and also the different cultures, languages, foods and things like that. Do you find the GP tracks more diffi· cult than the American tracks? Only because I'm not used to them. American tracks are more technical - for the most part they're manmade, they're like giant stadium tracks. Tracks in Europe, at least the ones I'm familiar with, are easier bUt real!y fast - they're also basicallynatural terrain tracks which I find more interesting. What do you think of the European riders? They're very good. I kind of underestimated them. I figured it would be easier to compete against them but then again, this is my first GP and I'm quite a bit off my pace because I'm still recovering from the broken ankle I got in an International race in Italy just before the opening Grand Prix in France. The Euros have all, advantage over me of course because they're used to these tracks. The proof's in the pudding as far as Americans dominating the Europeans in one-shot team events like the Motocross des Nations. Do you think it's possible for an American rider to just as easily dominate an entire GP series and win a title? I don't think so. The Euros are much too used to these tracks. It's the same for them when they go to the States, we win because they're on our kind of tracks then. When you're over here for the Motocross des' Nations or a supercross you don't get affected by the culture shock, but when you ride a full GP season it does tend to mess you up somewhat. It's so much different here. A period of adjustment is necessary then before you can really get down to serious racing? For sure - I figured that my first season in Europe would be my period of adjustment. I didn't kid myself into believing that I would go home with the 125cc title my first year over here. What do you hope to accomplish motocross·wise this year? Get used to the tracks and end up in the top 10. After -that?' I plan on riding in Europe for quite a long time. Next year I'm going for a top-five plate and the year after that I'm shooting for the 125cc World title. My main ambition is to collect a world title in all three classes. A lot of American riders complain of being treated poorly by European management and organizers; How are you being treated? To be honest I get treated better in Europe than in the States. It's true that some American riders have had problems over here but when you hear about what really happened it's usually a case of them askmg for it. They're either arrogant or parade around like a bunch of big-shots. It's all a matter of attitude. We have to earn respect over here just like any other rider. You don't have to be "number one" or a top rider to be treated with respect and get a fair shake - if you happen to be a topdog you get treated like a superstar. You seem to have your mind made up to stay in European competition. What, if anything, will bring you bad home? A better deal than what I'm getting now.