Levi Sherwood talks Red Bull X-Fighters Pretoria

As Red Bull X-Fighters Pretoria creeps closer (12th September), we’re excited to bring you our 2nd rider interview. One of the most accomplished Freestyle Motocross athletes that has a stack of X-Fighters wins under his belt, and is again in the hunt for the World Tour title. We talk to Australian Levi Sherwood about the 2015 tour and returning back to South Africa.

Give us a quick rundown of some of your highlights of your career?
Turing up to Mexico in 2009 and winning the event was a pretty special feeling and opened the doors. Otherwise winning a stop is always a good feeling.
2014:
1st, Red Bull X-Fighters Osaka, Japan
1st, Red Bull X-Fighters Mexico City, Mexico
2012
1st, Red Bull X-Fighters Glen Sydney, Australia
1st, Red Bull X-Fighters Madrid, Spain
1st, Red Bull X-Fighters Dubai, UAE

How long had you been working on the Eggroll before you decided to unveil it in competition?
The Eggroll was a trick I had been working on for about 4 months.

You have already combo’ed the trick with a superman. What other combinations are you working on with the Eggroll?
Definitely working away on a variety of combinations, but still have more practice hours before unveiling them at Red Bull X-Fighters.

What have your thoughts been on this year’s Red Bull X-Fighters courses, and which one suited your riding style the most?
All the courses have been great, however I hope the best is yet to come. A good job has been done with the course in tight arenas but they haven’t suited my riding style 100%. I’m looking forward to what South Africa has to offer.

What are you hoping the course builders do different compared to last year’s Pretoria course?
Something similar would be great. A great job was done last time, and it was the highlight course of 2014 for me.

With the progression of FMX, there is a fine line between landing new and innovative tricks or crashing out. Where do you draw that line?
It’s a fine line. For me it’s all about practice and preparation. If the hours and dedication are put in, you’ll always be prepared when it comes to competition. And if you’re prepared there will be little risk of crashing out.

On the 2015 Red Bull X-Fighters World Tour, you have an 8th and two 2nd place finishes under your belt. What are your goals going into the final two stops and where are you aiming at finishing in the overall standings?
Come season end it’s obvious I want to finish at the top. To do that I need strong results out of the final two stops.

What new tricks are you working on or planning to work on? Or is that a secret?
There’s always new tricks. A huge part of Red Bull X-Fighters is about progression, so new tricks and combinations are critical. I’ve got a few I’m working on, but will keep these quiet for now.

What do you think is the main attribute to the progression of FMX in recent years?
The main attribute is the Red Bull X-Fighters event itself. It’s a progressive event that pushes the sport forward.

What are you looking forward to most coming back to South Africa and competing in the 4th stop of the tour?
Competing. Crashing out in qualifying was disappointing last time, so looking forward to competing and achieving a good result.

Besides Pages, Moore and Sheehan, which other riders on the tour have become a threat?
Everyone is a threat. Anyone could finish on the podium now. You have to be riding your best to achieve a podium finish, whereas a few years back an average ride could achieve the same results.

Take us through an X-Fighters weekend, from practice, to planning your runs, to what goes through your mind when your are about to compete?
The flight from New Zealand to any Red Bull X-Fighters events is a long one. I usually arrive in early and give myself a day to recover from the flight and relax. Focus kicks in on Day 2 with practice and testing the course, Day 3 qualifying and the main event on Day 4. I always know the tricks I’m going to execute but don’t organise or plan my run until I’ve seen the course.

How do the South African fans compare to those around the world?
Everyone is awesome. There’s a real passion and you can see they genuinely love having Red Bull X-Fighters in South Africa.

Lastly, any words for your fans out here in South Africa?
The last event was awesome and I’m looking forward to coming back again.

The fourth stop of the 2015 Red Bull X-Fighters World Tour will take place on 12 September in Pretoria, South Africa. Tickets are on sale here.
Can’t make it? We have you covered, as we’ll be broadcasting the event live right here on LW Mag!