It’s been a testing rookie season in 250MX for Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Landen Gordon, but a breakthrough performance at Budds Creek saw him put together 3-7 moto finishes to earn a career-first overall podium. In this Debrief feature, Gordon reflects on a much-needed result and what it means after a up-and-down opening year in the professional ranks.

Image: Supplied.

First Pro Motocross podium

Yeah, it feels unreal. I’ve gotten a Supercross overall podium, but yeah, this one feels way better. Outdoors is brutal – it’s really tough, it’s really hard. I put together a good day, I put together a good qualifying – it was just an overall solid day, and yeah, I was kind of just putting all the pieces of the puzzle together.

Budds Creek compared to other race tracks

I would say I liked Thunder Valley a lot. I think it was the ups and downs of the track. I think I liked the changes in the levels of the track, something with that. And then, yeah, maybe the weather today too. I’m really good in the muddy conditions – I think that was part of it too.

Rookie season so far

Yeah, I mean, I would just say I’ve had a rough season so far and, yeah, just recently I’ve been putting in good quality days during the week. So, I would say just the grind of it. It’s been tough, to say the least – to get this podium is a big weight off my shoulders.

Image: Supplied.

The factors behind the result

That first moto, just getting a good start and kind of just following Chance [Hymas] for a little bit. Dude, it’s so much easier just getting a start and being out front because, I mean, honestly, mid-pack, you’re pushing the same and you’re just not getting anywhere. So, yeah, starts are the biggest thing.

Excelling in the muddier conditions

Yeah, I would say maybe because I just ride the bike a little lighter. I mean, usually I do have trouble with dabbing my feet, but I feel like once it gets muddy, I’m pretty good at ebeing precise and not making too many mistakes. Yeah, that’s about it with the mud – just minimising the mistakes.

Image: Supplied.

A breakthrough result late in the season

Yeah, it’s been hard, it’s been really hard. The lows are really low, and then, just to have a high like this kind of feels good. It feels like a fresh start to me. So, just to be this late into the season and have a breakthrough ride like this, I think it shows a lot. I’ve been in a hole pretty much the whole season, so yeah, this is huge.

Learning for your sophomore season

I would say probably just getting the gate drops in. I don’t think people really give the rookies as much attention as they deserve because it is tough dropping gates with seasoned riders. So, I mean, I would just say just getting the gate drops, putting in the laps, it’s all getting me ready for next year.

Pro Motocross vs Monster Energy Supercross

Yeah, I mean, I’ve always known I was an outdoor guy. It’s just taken me a minute to get into the groove of things. But yeah, I definitely excel a little more in Supercross, but I feel like outdoors is my thing too. So, I just keep getting more comfortable outdoors.