In a sport increasingly dominated by full-time professionals and factory-backed programmes, Matt Bayliss continues to prove that passion, raw speed and a tight-knit family effort can still make headlines. The British privateer impressed during the Arenacross UK championship, emerging with a well-earned trophy after an impressive three-round campaign.
With minimal bike changes, barely any pre-season riding and no practice between rounds, Bayliss’ performances were impressive. Balancing work commitments with racing at the sharp end, the popular Brit showed he still has the pace – and the hunger – to mix it with the very best AX riders in the UK.
We caught up with Bayliss to reflect on his standout Arenacross run, racing as a true privateer alongside his brother and dad, his future plans in motocross, and why – despite claiming he doesn’t know how many years he has left – he might just be riding better than ever.
GateDrop: Matt, I mean, it was a short championship this year, but just talk me through it, probably a good thing for you because you’re not used to racing anymore (laughs).
Bayliss: We don’t ride much in the weather and stuff, so for me these three rounds, I was looking at it and thinking this might work quite well. To be fair, I feel so good, I’ve ridden so well, to be riding in second just behind Dean. I knew I had the speed, it’s just those last few laps, I try to just keep it together. I knew I could do it, I’ve tried for so long, it’s the first trophy I’ve had, so to finally get it and I’m over the moon. I just can’t explain how happy I am. It’s a weird one, you just don’t realise how much you want it until you finally get it.
GateDrop: I mean, seeing you riding round there, you look really good, I mean, probably just the fitness a little bit let you down, but that’s completely normal because you don’t ride that much, but you must be happy with the speed, and you don’t look out of place following those guys…
Bayliss: No, definitely not, I know I can do it. It’s nice, I always keep telling myself I don’t know how many more years I’m going to do it, and then I seem to be riding better than ever. It’s strange, I don’t get it, so for me, I’m just over the moon. I’m so happy, and can I just say a big thanks to my sponsors. They’ve helped me out so much, helped us out with some money and bits and pieces. For us, just me, my brother and my dad, the bikes sit at home and we then just turn up. We just enjoy it, so thanks to everyone that helps.
GateDrop: I was going to ask you, for people that don’t know, I mean, before Birmingham, it’s the first round, most people put a lot of time into prepping, what do you do before Birmingham, just to give people an idea?
Bayliss: To be honest, with the bikes, they’re completely standard. No ignition, nothing, just shock taken suspension, which is the most important thing, and it’s the bike from last year. It’s the one I rode last year, it’s my own bike and I’ll probably ride it again next year. It’s not too much pressure, and we keep it chilled.
GateDrop: But did you do much riding before the first round to prep?
Bayliss: A friend of ours has a track, I think we rode twice in two months, because the weather was so bad, and then we went and did a race in Holland, we did alright there. That was it, three times really.
GateDrop: Was it three races or just practice those three times?
Bayliss: It was for practice twice and I raced once.
GateDrop: Wow, that’s it?
Bayliss: Yeah, I didn’t practice between Birmingham and Belfast either.
GateDrop: I mean, what are your plans now, to go back to work on Monday?
Bayliss: I’m going back to work on Monday, I’ve got five guys working with me, so we’re all busy on Monday. It’s wild, when I think about it, I’m just like a normal athlete, as most people are, they’ve all got jobs. It’s cool when we all come together, it makes you feel like you can still do something like that.
GateDrop: I mean, when you see somebody like Dean Wilson come here, and okay, he’s unbelievable, even for you to race with him and run with him for a couple of laps, that must make you feel good.
Bayliss: Oh man, to do that is unreal, it’s beyond what I could ever dream of doing so it’s cool. When you can do that, it shows you can still keep going for a bit longer. I might keep riding.
GateDrop: I was talking to you yesterday, I think you did the Bridgestone Masters in the 125 class last year, did you enjoy that series, and racing the 125?
Bayliss: I love it now, it’s really good. So for me, it’s something that I can just jump into, and I don’t have to keep riding and riding, because it’s a nice light bike. I still love my Motocross, so anything I can just keep doing, to keep me involved is good.
GateDrop: Are you going to do that again this year, is that the plan?
Bayliss: I’m going to do a couple of races, I’m getting married this year.
GateDrop: Oh, getting married, so you have to save up the money for that (laughs).
Bayliss: I’ve also got the stag do, we are going to Ibiza. We’ve got 17 lads, Dylan Woodcock’s coming, Steven Clarke, Chris my brother they’re all going, We’re all mates, but it’s just how it is, and we love it, so looking forward to that. But that might mean I take some time away from racing.
GateDrop: Just on Arenacross, there was only three rounds this year, would you like to see a few more rounds next year, and are you committed to doing it?
Bayliss: Yeah, 100%. I think when it comes to more rounds, I mean, even the Pro-AX class is stacked, they’re doing really good, so I can’t see why not. If we get to do more in the UK, yeah, I’m real, it just keeps you going.
