McGrath and KTM on a ride for 2003

That Jeremy McGrath willingly left Team Yamaha and signed with KTM was almost unbelievable. It sounded more like an Internet rumor engineered to give MC more leverage as he negotiated with other manufacturers than a prelude to a major career change. However, this is no rumor; in fact, it's arguably the biggest news in bike brand changes in the history of the sport.

To many people, the move further legitimizes KTM as a powerhouse in the extreme sport of motocross. Although the company has won many world championship titles, it hasn't had much success in 250cc supercross. By no means, however, is this deal guaranteed to produce any wins or even a real championship threat. Unquestionably, McGrath's speed is very topical given his performance last year. He enters the 2003 season with a lot of unknown variables, but let's not forget he is still by far the winningest rider in the history of the sport.

The seven-time SX champion and I met up at the Barona Oaks track in early September. Although you may have seen part of our interview on Motorcyclist on Speed Channel, this story offers some insight that you won't find anywhere else.

DR: How did the KTM deal come about?
JM: At Mammoth this year in June-around the same time I figured out that things weren't going to work out with Yamaha-I ended up playing a round of golf with Ron Heben from KTM. First of all, everyone thought I was still going to be with Yamaha. But at that point, we were trying to explore our options.

How long after Mammoth was it until you actually went out and started riding the bike?
I think it was probably three weeks. I just went out and rode the 2003 250 SX at the supercross track for a couple of days. That was pretty much the extent of it. We had a few people out there to work on it, tune on it.

Since then, how is testing going on the new bike?I got my new bike at the end of August. I have been riding it for about a week and a half; we basically just started doing some testing, but so far so good. I mean, the bike is incredible. I've been riding a stock bike for the last few weeks, and it's good.

What are the major things it does differently from your race bikes in the past, both better and worse?
It's a little different cornering-which is gonna be good but takes some time to get used to. The motor is unbelievable, that thing is awesome. I was super-super-impressed with that right off. And I really haven't been antsy to work on the motor yet; I know that's there whenever I want it. I think more than anything, I've just got to get some seat time to get used to it. One thing that's impressive is the hydraulic clutch-it's just something. I've never ridden with one before now, but I like it a lot. It's nice.

In '97, you made a last-minute switch to Team Suzuki, and in the first couple of races of the season, you started having clutch problems. Going into the '03 series, how confident are you that you're not going to have any problems with the KTM and that you're going to have all the testing done?Obviously there was a lot to think about when we were coming up with this program. There's no pool of experience with this bike in the supercross season for sure. KTM is the biggest team in Europe. It has all the guys and has had some race experience on the bike there. So with the combination of their experience, what we know and what we're going to be doing while we're testing, I have every bit of confidence the bike's gonna shine, no problem.

Did you ever think you would be riding a KTM?
To be honest, I really didn't.

What's the one thing most people don't know about KTM that would surprise them?
Until now, the general public probably hadn't given KTM a serious thought when it came to the 250 class. We all know the 125 is great, but the competitiveness of the 250 here in the U.S. was unknown. The one thing I think would surprise everybody is the engine in the '03 250 SX; the bike is unbelievably fast. I feel KTM waited for the right moment to make the move to the States in the 250 class. It has put a lot of effort into this bike, and it shows. I have a lot of confidence in the company, and once I rode the bike, I was sold.

What are you going to be doing differently for '03?
I am going to try and get the timing right to peak in January and carry that through the season. Last year I started training too early and was at the top of my game in late October and November, and then I just burned out.

You've had your own race team for the last couple of years; what's it like owning your own team?
Owning the race team is great. I like the fact that I can make all of my own decisions. Being a team owner has allowed me to see more of the business side of our sport. I used to just show up and race, and now I have a better perspective of how much goes on before a team can just show up at an event. Having my own team has added a greater number of responsibilities, however. I am not only responsible for myself as a rider, but I also have Skip Norfolk, Larry Brooks, Brian Barnhardt, Kevin Brown, Tracy Jansen and their families all relying on me. I think it's important for me to surround myself with people who I have a lot of confidence in, that way I can stay focused on my riding.

Is KTM close to your house? There have to be some advantages to having the factory nearby.
Right now KTM is located in El Cajon, which is only 30 minutes from my house; in California that is considered close. But KTM is planning to move to Temecula [California] soon, which will be cool, too, because that's where we have our shop at McGrath Racing.

What's your plan going into the '03 series?
The plan is to start the season off on the right foot, build confidence, win races and be in the hunt for the title. It is going to be very important to get the season started with some good finishes--and hopefully wins. There is going to be no room to make mistakes this year, so I have to come out swinging.

Going into '03, what are your strengths.
My biggest strength is that I know I have the ability to come back and win again. I have come back before and won, and not many people can say they have done that. So I would have to say my biggest strength is I believe in myself.

What about any weaknesses?
Everyone, including myself, has always set such high standards for me. If I'm not winning, people start to write me off. My competition now has more confidence racing against me than they have ever had before, so I will have to prove myself again. I have to be prepared to race 110 percent from the very first night.

If you win the '03 supercross title, what would it mean to you?
If I were to win this year, it would put an exclamation point on all that I have accomplished. I could walk away knowing I have done everything I could possibly do. Not many athletes can say they have made the comebacks that I have during my career. Usually, once you go down in the ranks, you tend to stay down. I am already very thankful for the championships that I have won, but it would be awesome to come back one last time.

How bad do you want to win?
You don't even know how bad. (laughter)

If you miss getting the title this season, will you look back on the KTM deal and second-guess yourself, wondering if you made the right decision?
No way! There'' no doubt I chose the right direction to go. I had every option on the table.

You recently married your longtime girlfriend, Kim Maddox. How is married life going to affect your racing and your overall perspective on life?
Kim and I had an incredible wedding. Three hundred of our closest friends and family members were there to support us. I know that support from everyone, including my wife, will carry over into my racing. Yes, I may have a ring on my finger, but my motivation to race hasn't changed. I am a little older, a little wiser, but it doesn't change the way I race and how much I want to win.

What are your long-term goals? What do you want to do after racing?
When I retire, I'd really like to stay involved in the sport. I would like to continue my relationship with our sponsors and eventually hire other riders to take my place on McGrath Racing. I would also like to start a family soon. Kim and I can't wait to have kids. My family is very important to us. My dad keeps asking us, 'When am I going to have some grandkids?' It's pretty funny, but I know he's serious. (laughter)

MC'S WIN LIST
7-time AMA 250cc Supercross Champion ('93-'96, '98-'00)
2-time AMA 125cc Western Region Supercross Champion ('91-'92)
1-time AMA 250cc National MX Champion ('95)
72 AMA 250cc supercross wins
13 AMA 125cc Western Region SX wins
2 AMA 125cc National Championship wins
15 AMA 250cc National Championshipwins

MC'S MAIN RIVALS
1993-Jeff Stanton and Mike Kiedrowski
1994-Mike LaRocco and Mike Kiedrowski
1995-Mike LaRocco
1996-No one!
1997-Jeff Emig/slipping Suzuki clutch and flat rear tire
1998-Jeff Emig and Ezra Lusk
1999-Ezra Lusk
2000-David Vuillemin
2001-Ricky Carmichael and David Vuillemin
2002-Arm-pump/every factory rider/top privateers

FACTS
* McGrath has never missed starting a 250cc supercross since 1993.
* McGrath will be 31 years old when the '03 SX season begins.
* Last season was the first time in his career he didn't win at least one race.
* McGrath never won a 125cc East/West SX shootout.
* Going into the '03 season, McGrath is still the world's most popular rider.
* McGrath owns Clutch Films (producers of the Steel Roots series) with best friend Lawrence Lewis.
* McGrath will have raced for all five major manufacturers as a pro. Remember, he was once a member of Kawasaki's Team Green.
* Skip Norfolk has been with McGrath for MC's entire professional career-except for a short stint when Randy Lawrence and Wyatt Seals spun wrenches for him.
* Only AMA numbers: 125, 15, 3, 2, 1.