Former World Junior Enduro Champion Jed Etchells is making a return to the Motul ACU British Motocross Championship with the Phoenix Tools Fantic Team eight years after his last proper MX race back in 2017.
Since his promising schoolboy MX career, the Isle of Man-born racer has been plying his trade in Enduro, where he has represented Team GB at the ISDE, and become a World and British Champion. It has been a tough year for the rider who put his early-season injury woes behind him to show some good speed at the Enduro GP of Wales a few weeks back.
Etchells will race in the MX1 class onboard a Fantic 450 XXF, which is a change from the usual 250f he usually rides.
We caught up with Jed and asked him about returning to MX, where his off-road journey began…
Dirt Hub: Hey Jed, we are looking forward to seeing you racing MX again at Duns. When was the last time you raced MX properly?
Jed: It was 8 years ago(2017) the last time I sat behind a start gate! I’ve always wanted to have a go at it again, but it’s never really happened. Thankfully, Phoenix Tools Fantic has allowed me the opportunity to race again on a proper motocross bike.
DH: How has your Enduro season gone so far?
Jed: My Enduro season hasn’t been great this year, to be honest. I started the year off with multiple injuries and a few other problems out of my control. But the final round in Wales was good and I started to feel like myself again.
DH: Is this the start of a full-time move to Motocross?
Jed: I’m doing the race purely for the fun of it and to have a little flash from the past again. The last time I raced I was only 16 so it will be nice to have a proper go at it now I’m older and a bit more competitive.
DH: Are you riding MX1 or MX2 at Duns?
Jed: I will be riding in the MX1 on Phoenix Tools Fantic 450 XXF. I do race a 250f normally in enduro, but I enjoy riding a big bike. And being 84kg it would be a little bit more of a struggle around a motocross track.
DH: How much are you looking forward to being in the Motocross paddock again?
Jed: I’m super excited to be racing in the British Motocross Championship. The last time was 2016 in MXY2 I think, so it’s a big jump up to now being in the MX1. I’m now obviously older and faster than then, so it would be nice to try and be competitive in the class.
I’m really thankful to Barry at Phoenix Tools for giving me this opportunity, and Fantic for allowing me to do it. It’s been a long time since I’ve been in the paddock, but the team seems really professional and has some very good riders, so it gives me a lot of confidence being under the tent of a top professional British team.
Images courtesy of Jed Etchells
