Freestyle motocross pumps up the adrenaline

New Zealand’s Freestyle Motocross riders (FMX) were wowing crowds at the Suzuki Extreme Air demonstration.

Mitch ‘Maddog’ McHardy shows his style at Fieldays, 23,  travelled from Palmerston North to Mystery Creek for the four days of Fieldays, doing up to three demonstrations a day.

McHardy is on his one and only Suzuki RMZ 250cc for the event doing stunts from seat grabs to superman tricks.

“This is my second time here, I performed two years ago and Suzuki only does this sort of thing here at the Fieldays, to promote,” McHardy says.

After riding for over 10 years McHardy does not need any preparation for this type of event.

“There is no real preparation I guess, it’s just after years of riding.  You can just pretty much come to an event and do the job tidy.”

Doing FMX, McHardy definitely attracts the crowds and sometimes accidents do happen.

“I have definitely had a few accidents while riding in my time, I’ve shattered both my ankles, had a broken back, fractured skull; that’s just to name a few.”

A stepbrother of Palmerston North’s Red Bull X-Fighters superstar Levi Sherwood, McHardy is following in his footsteps.

He won his first international title at the Surya12 Indonesian International Freestyle MX Competition in Bali.

McHardy was the only New Zealander, heading off riders from Australia, United States, Indonesia and England.

McHardy explains what he likes best about Fieldays.

“Just the Fieldays event in general, you know just hanging out, it’s pretty relaxed, there is no pressure.  Roam around, have a look and have fun – it’s all I can really ask.”