Max Anstie became the first British rider to win a 250 East/West shootout with Max doing it in style in the mud, even holding off late race pressure from Jett Lawrence to achieve one of the biggest wins of his career.
Anstie has always been good in the mud and he used that knowledge to give himself a mental boost, saying on the podium: “Oh man, all I have to say is that is incredible, insane! I got out front and my mechanics pen didn’t work on the pit board and I thought it was Vohland, then I heard the revving, and it was Jett. I thought, “I’m the best mud rider here, I won at the 2017 MXoN!”
The always cheerful Brit of course began his pro career Stateside before racing MXGP with some GP wins to his name at that magical performance at Matterley Basin for MXON, but to go back to the States and win on a privateer machine tops an already great season and a career that has went full circle.
Anstie’s success is also great for British motocross and the new WSX series that will star Anstie at the opening round at Villa Park on the first of July. British fans have a proven supercross star to cheer.
It might just give more rider’s the belief to chase their American or GP dream. If you put the time in on the deep sand and on supercross you can succeed in both as Max wins in the sand and his performances all year indoors have shown. He’s one of the most versatile riders in the world. Sand, mud, MXGP and Supercross, Anstie has won in it all.
Anstie’s positive attitude is key, he never gets too down and always believed he could win, but he has had to sacrifice home comforts to come back to the States, telling us in Tampa:
“I mean, we didn’t know what team we would be on. I have lived in some weird places. We are now in Cairo, Georgia, for anyone that has ever been to MTF realises that’s in the middle of nowhere, but we have got a nice house now. I am lucky that my wife pushed me to come to America more than I even wanted. I wanted to come to America, but it was more, I was safe in Europe, or safe with the team I am on and whatever.
“She pushed me to come here, it’s a team effort. You have seen that with Ferrandis, Musquin, the Europeans that come over, you have to stick together as a bit of a team. Even though we speak the same language and it’s easier for me because I speak…English and American’s speak English American! But you are still foreigners, you are still outsiders, so it’s nice to have that. My mum and Nan are coming over for a few weeks around Daytona, so that’s going to be fun. It’s tough you can’t just nip down and see your mates or go and hang out with people but when they do come over they come over for a few weeks, so that’s fun.”
Now, when Anstie returns to the UK to start his quest for a 250 WSX title, he will come as an AMA supercross winner and a favourite to win.
What a story, what a win for Max Anstie. The happiest rider in the paddock has somehow got even happier! Anstie’s career has had some some of the biggest highs and lows but the highs are what makes it all worth it, and that win in East Rutherford has justified his decision to not give up on his supercross dream. His dream has come true.
Article: Jonathan McCready
Images: Feld Entertainment Inc.
