Story Written by:  DC

Publication:  www.RACERXILL.com

Original Publication 4/19/2004 by Racer X.

Courtesy of Racer X.

 

Albuquerque, New Mexico's Ivan Tedesco got his name in the record books as the 2004 THQ AMA 125cc West Region SX Champion. Tedesco won his sixth race in seven starts this year and clinched his first title with one round to go in the series.

Racer X: It was a little hectic on Saturday night in the Pro Circuit pits after the race, I didn't get down to see you, but congratulations!
Ivan Tedesco: Yeah, thanks, it was a good night for me and the team. Mitch and them had a few beers; we were all celebrating. It was a lot of fun.

I have to admit, I expected you to come in there and ride a smart race. You were absolutely flying; you looked like you were racing as hard as you were at Anaheim 1.
Yeah, I wanted to come into this weekend and not worry about the championship. I had to get top-three to win it, but I just wanted to go there and try to win the race, just like I was at the beginning of the year. I didn't want to be too cautious, and I just wanted to do what I know how to do.

 The pace you guys are going now, and as tough as the tracks are, if you would back it down, it would almost be more risky.
I figured if I went in there all cautious and worrying about it, that's when stuff happens. So I just rode as hard as I could and tried to win the race.

Was your family there to watch?
Yes, actually, everyone was there. My mom, my dad, my brother, and I have a lot of friends in Dallas, so they came out to watch me. So it was really cool to win it there.

When the season started out, were you hoping it would turn out like this, or did you expect it to turn out like this?
Well, I wanted to win the championship this year, but I didn't think I was going to dominate like I did. I knew I had a good shot at winning, and I worked hard, and we worked hard on the bike. I'm just really pumped, it's been a great season, and hopefully I can keep it going by winning Salt Lake, and give Bubba something in Vegas.

Right now, you and Bubba are tied with wins, with six apiece. So you get a little bit of bragging rights going into Las Vegas if you get one more.
Yeah, that would be great to get seven under my belt and have one up on him. He's going to be tough in Vegas, and I'm just going to give it my best.

 Is your planning going to change now? You have two more weeks of supercross, and a month before the nationals. Have you and a lot of the guys started thinking outdoors already?
Yeah, when we had the ten weeks off, we did a lot of outdoor stuff. My bike is really good right now, and I'm sure within the next month that we're going to be doing a lot more outdoor testing. And that's a goal of mine this year, to try and do well outdoors. I've never really shown what I could do, and I'm going to try and do that this year.

As far as Las Vegas goes, that one race - the one shot to race Bubba and some of the other guys from the East Coast - would that be worth two of your previous wins, to get that one?
Yeah, I think for sure. A win against Bubba, especially his last 125cc supercross race, would be great. I'm going to go there and lay it all on the table and try to do what I can.

A lot of people were talking, not about Bubba going into this week, but Josh Hansen, because he had such a turnaround in the East. But you West Coast boys put him right back in the pack. Does that give you a little confidence going into Vegas?
Yes, I actually went to the first East Coast race in Houston to watch, and those guys were riding good, but I think the West Coast was definitely a tougher coast, and I think that showed with Josh racing this weekend. I know he didn't have the greatest weekend, but Josh is riding good, and maybe this weekend he can show what he can do.

Looking back, last year, your whole season didn't get going until Pontiac. Did you have that Pontiac race in your mind after that, knowing what you had to do to get to the winner's circle in 2004?
I think that win in 2003, the last East Coast race, it really helped my confidence coming into the 2004 season. I got that first win out of the way, and I had a lot of confidence going into the '04 season knowing my bike was good with Pro Circuit behind me. I was real comfortable.

 How about your mechanic, Brent? Was he stoked?
Oh yeah, he was stoked. You know how he is - he gets all excited and happy!

How about afterwards? What did Mitch have to say? He's been having a tough time until you came along.
Yeah, I think it's been four years since he won a supercross title, so he was pumped. He loves to win, and he works really hard, and I'm glad to bring another championship to him.

I know you probably have a million things to do, so congratulations, and good luck in Salt Lake City.
Thanks a lot. I would just like to thank everybody that helped me get this championship. My team, my girlfriend, Theresa, my trainer, Darren Stockton, Dr. G, my family for supporting me when I was younger, all of my friends, and just everybody!

One last question: are you going to buy anything for yourself?
I just bought myself a motor home for the outdoors, so that's my present.

Congratulations, Ivan.
Thanks a lot, DC.