Embark on an adrenaline-fueled journey as we sit down with motocross sensation Charlie Putnam, an icon in the realm of dirt, jumps, and high-speed thrills. In this interview, we peel back the layers of the helmet and unveil the passion, determination, and unparalleled skill that define Charlie's exhilarating presence on the motocross scene.

Charlie Putnam | *Photo* by Aleks Stoilov |

How did you first become interested in Motocross and decide to pursue it professional?

I became interested in motocross through my dad, he was a top British rider when he was younger, and his passion bled down to us. as soon as we could walk, we were on a bike! going professional was never a decision that was made it was just a natural progression. I am extremely competitive and always wanted to race the best guys, so it just steamed from there really.

What is your most memorable Motocross moment or victory so far in your career?

There are a few stand out moments in my career that I look back on and get butterflies. I won the British experts expert mx2 championship in 2018 and that whole year was a great laugh with friends, family and if you could bottle that feeling you could sell it like a fine wine! Also, in 2014 and 2015 I did the arena cross tour and got on the podium quite a few times, the indoor races with the fans so close made you feel like a superstar!!

Can you describe the physical and mental preparation that goes into competing in Motocross?

The physical preparation is tough, I am not someone who enjoys training. I work as a plumbing and heating engineer and train boxing and in the gym after work. the main drive behind my training is I do not like losing so an extra advantage I can get I am down for! I would say mental strength is more important because that is where you can break riders in a race or yourself. It is something we have been brought up to be mentally tough not just in motocross but anything we do which I would say has helped a lot!

How do you manage the pressure and adrenaline of a Motocross race?

Handling the pressure and adrenaline stems a lot from your mental toughness and preparation. we all know what we are going out to do and the risks involved but it comes down to your body being in a state of fight or flight and I’d like to think I don’t back down from a fight.

What is the most challenging aspect of Motocross racing, and how do you overcome it?

I would say the most challenging part of racing is staying injury free and keeping your head into it for a full season. Coming up through the youth ranks I would crash a lot and I have always bounced well which helps! as for keeping your head in it, I love the sport so that has never really been a problem, it is more of an obsession. if we do not have a race on at the weekend, I will be off looking for one to go to when most riders take a break.

How do you select and prepare your bike for different racetracks and conditions?

Different tracks and bike set up is never something I have really been very particular about. you do the obvious like put on a sand tyre for a sand track or mud for a mud track. maybe move the forks a little but I do not change too much.

Are there any specific training routines or exercises that you find particularly helpful for Motocross?

I find that boxing is good training for motocross. I started when I was 9 and have always enjoyed training with adrenaline and when your having a good scrap with someone it helps you to control that flight or fight feeling. also it is brutal training which is always good.

What are the key skills and techniques that a successful Motocross rider needs to

expert?

I would say everybody’s style is different so some people would need to master different techniques and cornering depending on your style. if you can get round fast it does not have to look perfect. Bobryshev is a great example of that, he is an animal and just pulls the bike where it needs to go.

Can you share any pre-race rituals or superstitions that you follow before competing?

I am quite superstitious and pre-race rituals is something that I do have. I try not to wear green as it is unlucky. I tape my gloves before racing to make it feel a bit more like a fight. I sign a cross on my chest on the start line, all these little things that get done without even thinking.

How do you approach and strategize for each race, especially when facing different competitors?

The strategy never really changes you got out and throw everything you have at it. when I have started riding just to get enough points to beat someone overall or start thinking too much that is when I find you make the most mistakes. you just need to get your head down and do what we do every weekend.

What injuries or setbacks have you faced in your career, and how did you bounce back from them?

I have had similar injuries to a lot of other riders. knee reconstruction, broken ribs, broken ankle etc... but the main one that is a little different and has been the hardest to overcome was my wrist injury, I shattered 3 bones in my hand and have had to have them removed. I have had to learn to ride differently to compensate as I have very little movement in my throttle hand, and it is hard to keep strength in it.

Describe the feeling of being in the air during a jump. How do you control your bike in mid-air?

I have always been a good jumper, I would always hit stupid jumps that nobody has done before. it always seemed more appealing if I was the first guy to do it. Main control is Throttle to bring the back down or back brake to bring the front down. if its looking really bad then just let her go!

What advice do you have for aspiring Motocross riders looking to enter the sport professionally?

My advice to aspiring riders would be don’t get your head to full of what you should/shouldn’t be doing just concentrate on yourself because if your head is fried you will only perform at 80% of what you can do and it will never be enjoyable!

How important is teamwork and collaboration within your racing team?

I am lucky with where I am because I have a brilliant group of people around who I trust and love the sport as much as I do! I have had the same mechanic who has come with me since I was 13 and he is just as passionate about the sport as me!

Can you share any anecdotes or experiences from your Motocross journey that have had a significant impact on your career?

I have a good friend of mine who passed away recently that I grew up with, went to school with and raced with. his favourite saying was “Lets Fu*king Have It” so whenever I sat there thinking I don’t know if I have anything left in the tank that saying pops in my head along with stop being a pussy!

Are there specific tracks or locations that you particularly enjoy racing at, and why?

I enjoy racing hardpack jumpy tracks the most as that is what I have grown up on and it is what I think I perform better on. along as its a track though I am happy.

What changes or innovations in the Motocross industry have you observed during your career?

Motocross has changed a fair bit over the years but the main fundamentals have stayed the same, I think the biggest thing to change is when these electric bikes start to take off. I don’t think I’m looking forward to that too much because it would be good to keep the atmosphere at racing!

How do you balance your personal life with the demands of a professional Motocross career?

As I said before the demands of racing and personal life is not really a strain for me because they are pretty much the same thing. I love racing and it is more of a release from normal life rather than an effort!

What are your long-term goals and aspirations in the world of Motocross racing?

My aspirations in motocross is just to take each year as if comes and take every opportunity that gets thrown at me with open arms. its not a long career so I want to make as bigger impact as I can while I can!

How do you want to be remembered in the history of Motocross?

I’m not too worried about being in history books as long as people look back on my racing and think that guy loved every second of it and we had a good laugh with him then I’m happy with that!

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