10.16.02
by: Alex
EXPN.com

In the world of Freestyle Motocross, one country stands as a rival to the United States in producing athletes hungry to bring home X Games gold- and that country is Australia. The latest export from down under is 18yr. old Robert Felli. Unknown to most, Robert gained national attention after being one of the first Aussies to pull off the back flip. Being the trick that cinched two gold medals at this years' X Games, Robert knows he has one Ace up his sleeve, but as we have learned- he is far from a "one trick wonder".

Even though the 250 cc backflip has only been mastered by a handful of freestyle riders - Rob Felli is no one trick pony.

Just three days before practice is to begin for the first ESPN Moto-X Championship series qualifier in Reno, Rob- his dad and three of his "best mates" landed in Los Angeles. Riding against the worlds top freestyle talent is challenging enough, but for many international riders, the road to X often has a few more bumps in it. Having landed his first back flip just over a month ago on a 125cc bike, Rob carefully inspected the stock Honda CR250 provided to him by Trick Factory Ramps for the event. "Flipping on a 250 is so much easier than a 125". As those words left his lips I was somewhat stunned that he even tried it on a 125. Even more astonishing was learning that he nails the flip on a 250 in third gear. Robs approach and style is quite a departure from what has sent only a handful of freestyler's upside down to date and in 30 days his determination has landed him in another country competing against the best in the world. Although he is hoping to qualify and take home a trophy, the thing that is most important to this Aussie is having fun on his bike.

Rob Felli (standing center in the Fox shirt) and his "best mates" in front of a Moto X dreamland - Paradise Ranch.

Watching Rob ride, you can tell he is no stranger to dirt bikes. Having raced for almost 3 years, he has had is fair share of victories and broken bones. An aggressive talent, I expected that like riders in the US, he would be out several times a week either riding a course and hitting a ramp, but for most Aussies riding spots are rare and ramps are even rarer. "We usually would freeride just 2 or 3 times per year. We have a spot where we all go camping and that is when we take our bikes out to have fun. I took a rest from racing after breaking my leg, and when I got back on my bike I would do tricks for fun when we would go out to camp. When I heard about the flip I just knew in my head I could do it, and it all just worked out." "Hart Attacks", "Seat Grabs" and the other staples are all in Robs bag of tricks, but like the flip- he is interested in breaking new ground. "I am so excited about coming to the US to compete. My goals are to ride well and hopefully qualify with enough points to be in the top of the pack. I am so familiar with all the riders from videos and watching the X Games. I really look forward to meeting all the riders. Most people don't know me yet, and while I hope to do well- this is really the beginning of what I hope will be a long career."

"We run (the bikes) stock in Australia. I have learned and done all my tricks on a stock bike. The modifications are great, but we've just learned without them. No worries."

As we watched Rob sticker up the bike, the stock CR250 looked quite a bit different than a "tricked-out" freestyle bike. No cut plastics. No shaved seat. No modified suspension. No steering stabilizer. "We run them stock in Australia. I have learned and done all my tricks on a stock bike. The modifications are great, but we've just learned without them. No worries." Robs goal is to compete and qualify for "Big Air". "The flip gets a lot of attention, and it is a difficult trick. It is so hard to keep new tricks a secret. My goal is to qualify for Big Air and hopefully make it to Winter X and throw out some technical new tricks. Then I will go into the freestyle competition for Summer if all goes well. Mostly though, I am here to have fun. A month ago I was watching videos of so many of the riders I look up to, and now I actually get to ride with them. It just doesn't get better than this."

As we rolled into Paradise Ranch, home of X Games gold medalist Mike Metzger, you would think that Rob and his friends had just been dropped off at the gates of heaven. "The ramps and course here is incredible." Rob studied the range of Freeride Technology ramps, including the super kicker that will be an important part of the course in Reno. "Jeff from Freeride gave us so much help before we came over to the US. He was a huge help in getting me ready for this competition. I know there will be a lot of talent there, but I have worked hard to get this far and I would love to take a medal home to Australia." In my estimation, Rob can't lose. While we saw the shimmering star ride the ramps at Metzgers, this young talent is as interested in watching and learning from his favorite riders as he is in competing against them. "I grew up riding with my friends, and we always pushed each other to go a bit further. They have all traveled here with me and I expect that the qualifier won't be much different, I'll just be riding with a new set of mates".

To learn more about Rob, visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mjmcc/

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