Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

INTERViEW Cycle News Rider of the Year Jeremy McGrath hel ped to get heavier. It gave me more of a reserve. I didn't get tired at all at the Nationals. I felt really strong at the outdoor Nationals, towards the end of the motos even. I looked forward to the long motos. In the '80s riders like Johnny O'Mara and David Bailey got fanatical about their training and dietary habits. You started to train like that for a while, but in the off-season you relax... Well, now I see how they could get so hooked on it, because it does work. But they took it to extremes. I think O'Show took it too far and wore himself out. The same with Stanton. You have to be able to have a good time. So what's a "good time" for you? Well, I used to try to hide it, but it seems to be getting out more and more. I mean, if I don't have to race and I'm at a party, yeah, I'll have a good time. owm H take t and pionships? Helmets,Ie Hicks of Vald You have to be able to have a good time, how can you be in training all year round? What is there to look forward to? The way I look at it is that I deserve it. I had a good time after Vegas. You just have to know how to control it. Look at (Ron) Lechein. He had a good time and still went fast, but then r think he carried it a little too far. Me? When it's time to go to work and race, there's none of that. In the middle of the season I don't drink at all. In the off-season - hey, why not? That's why they call it the off-season. How did winning your first National Championship compare to winning your first supercross title? Well, I think my first supercross championship was killer, but winning outdoors is different. You feel like you've worked for a long time to get it. For some guys when they win the supercross title they feel that way, but for me su percross comes.so easy that I don't feel like it's some great reward. When I win an outdoor race, I'm pumped! You had some interesting stories this year, like the one about the guy at Washougal who ran out onto the track and acted like he was choking... (Laughs) Yeah, that was pretty gnarly. I roosted that guy bad on the next lap. It was funny. That was pretty blunt, but that was about the only time someone actually harassed me or anything like that. I've seen some pretty nasty banners, though. Like there was one at Washougal that said someth ing like, "Jeremy - real men ride outdoors, go home, boy." Now that guy didn't know what he was talking about, 'cause I had been winning. Does that kind of stuff get to you? I actually like it. It motivates me. I just use it as a positive, instead of letting it bum me out or anything. Do you think that people are finally looking at you as a well-rounded rider, now that you've won a National Championship? Resume ince becoming a professional in 1989, Jeremy McGrath has racked up an impressive list of accomplishments. In six short seasons, McGrath has amassed the following: Three - 250cc Supercross Championships One - 250cc National Championship Two - Western Regional 125cc Supercross Championships One - World Supercross Championship Two - 125cc alional wins 13 - 125ee Supercross wins Seven - 250cc National wins 29 - 250cc Supercross wins S Yeah, I think so. I think the doubters are finally convinced. I need to do it again though, to make sure they know. How far do you plan to take yOUT career? It seems like you've done it all now... It seems kind of funny - I could quit right now and not really worry about it. I've won three supercross titles and one outdoor title. It's hard to say how long I'll go because my career has been so good. Every year. I've won. Most people don't win for a 'long time, and the/1 when they finally do, it's like, how long can I do this? My plan is to go out and

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