Story Written by:  Donovan Mitchell

Publication:  www.RACERXILL.com

Original Publication 6/8/2005 by Racer X.

Courtesy of Racer X

Two-time 125 West Region Supercross Champion Ivan Tedesco is in the mood to prove that he is a force to be reckoned with outdoors. Ivan Tedesco is already a hot item on the market, but he wants to up his value even more this summer. He’s also looking to maybe put another number-one plate on his wall. We rang him up while he was in New York, staying at Paul Carpenter’s house for the week, before he’s off to Southwick.

 Racer X: Ivan, how’s it going, friend?
Ivan Tedesco: Everything is going good. I’m sitting fourth in points, so I’m not too far out. Things at High Point didn’t go as well as I wanted, so I have to keep on truckin’. I hope that, at the end of the series, I can be somewhere toward the top and I have a chance at the title.

Hangtown went all right for you, placing 8-3 for fourth overall. You had a crash in moto one, but you came back with a podium in the second go-‘round.
Yeah, I had that crash in moto one and came back decent. Then, in the second moto, I rather struggled, so I was happy to finish where I was. Now I’m glad to get back on the East Coast. I like the tracks a lot better and look forward to the races.

What went on at High Point? It didn’t go as well.
I don’t know…. The track was rutted and sloppy. I didn’t ride up to my ability and struggled all weekend. But I came out of there with some decent points. It could have been worse, but then again, it could have been better. I’m really looking forward to the Southwick race. I did pretty good there last year. 

 You now sit in fourth in points, but it’s a very heated battle from second back. Are you happy with your performances so far?
No, actually, I’m not happy with my performance so far. I’m sitting in a spot where I think it could be a lot better. I’m just doing everything I can during the week to get to the top. There are many guys going pretty fast out there, and I need to get better. I think I was a little off the pace this weekend, so I’m just going back and trying to work on it.

Do you feel you have the speed to win?
Last weekend, no! I’ve learned some things I need to work on, and hopefully in the next couple of races I can show I have the speed to win. I need to get some wins under my belt and gain confidence in the outdoors.

You haven’t had the same success outdoors as indoors yet. What can you attribute that to?
I don’t really know. I think I’ve always been a supercross guy, but I have gotten much better outdoors over the last couple of years. I think supercross just comes more naturally to me—it’s what I grew up riding. I’m more of a technical rider. However, I’m working on my outdoor skills, and I’m getting better every year. I hope that someday I can get the championship outdoors.

 It’s still early on, but where would like to see yourself come the series’ end? Placing each race and overall in the points?
I definitely would like to get some wins during this season. I’m out trying to concentrate on that right now. I’d like to see that come Glen Helen I’d have a chance for the title and, if not, just be up front. I would definitely be bummed out if I didn’t win at least one race this year.

We all know you’re going to the 250 class indoors next year, so will you stick it out in the 125s outdoors or would you like to be a full-time rider in the premier class?
I think I’d like to be a full-time 250 guy. I ride the 250 pretty well, and if I got on a 450 outdoors, I’d probably do just as well. I’d like to do 250 indoors and outdoors the next year, so that’s what I’m looking forward to.

While we’re on the subject, do you know where you’re headed for 2006 yet?
[Laughs] Oh, I don’t know … I think I’ll know soon, and I’m working out all those details right now.

Thanks, Ivan, and I’ll be seeing you.
Yeah, you too, Dono