Five Minutes with Fletch

Five Minutes With Fletch - Lucas Coenen

Lucas Coenen won the Ricky Carmichael Motocross of Nations Youngest Rider Award in 2023 and 2024 has been full throttle for the Nestaan Husqvarna MX2 rider. I sat down with Lucas following MXoN 2024 (which unfortunately didn't end as it had started) and chatted about his 2024 season and his plans for the future. Lucas has been on a mission since day one, debuting in the 2016 European Motocross Championsionsip in the 65cc class, where he scored a point in the first race. The super chilled guy has no time to look back and has his eyes fixed on the future.
We talk about his 2024 season, dialling in the starts, and those all-important red plates. At the time of the interview, he couldn't talk about his 2025 plans, but it's now been announced that he is moving to the Red Bull KTM under the De Carli Racing team alongside Sacha. Looking further ahead, he discusses whether racing in USA and Supercross is on the agenda.
Special thanks to Lucas Coenen for the interview, and I wish you a speedy recovery.
I hope you guys enjoy it.
Be sure to like and subscribe for more Five Minutes With Fletch coming soon!
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Five Minutes With Fletch - Justin Barcia

It's Bam Bam time on this episode of Five Minutes With Fletch.
I sit down with Justin Barcia as he prepares to tackle Weston Beach Race 2024. I dive straight in with the 2x East Coast SX champion on that famous whip moment and Ken Roczen, his most frustrating MX race, and his plans for 2025.
Find out why he ain't afraid of no ghosts, and what his all-time favourite track is—it will surprise many of you. I also asked him whether he plans to race in the British Motocross Championship.
Special thanks to Justin Barcia for the interview.
I hope you guys enjoy it.
Be sure to like and subscribe for more Five Minutes With Fletch coming soon!
In between episodes, stay connected by following on Facebook and Instagram @‌fiveminuteswithfletch

Five Minutes With Fletch - Kay De Wolf

Join me as I spend five minutes at MXON 2024 with motocross ace Kay De Wolf. Team Netherlands clinched third, and Kay De Wolf took the overall win in the 250cc class at Matterley Basin.
In this exclusive interview, the Nestaan Husqvarna rider shares his plans for the upcoming season, his strategy for securing the MX2 title in 2024 and how he would like to go head-to-head against Jett Lawrence.
We also dive into what actually happened in 2023 and where he experienced what he calls the toughest weekend of his life. He also discusses the dynamics of racing on 250s versus 450s, offering a glimpse into his competitive mindset as he prepares for 2025.
Plus, don’t miss the custom gear question. Tune in for an insightful conversation filled with racing strategies, personal experiences, and a look ahead at what the future holds for Kay De Wolf and the world of motocross.
Special thanks to Kay De Wolf for the interview.
I hope you guys enjoy it.
Be sure to like and subscribe for more Five Minutes With Fletch coming soon!
In between episodes, stay connected by following me on Facebook and Instagram @‌fiveminuteswithfletch

Five Minutes With Fletch - Sam Sunderland

Warning! Five Minutes With Fletch is over five minutes this week as I sit down with two-time Daker winner and two-time world rally champion Sam Sunderland.
Having announced his retirement from pro racing just a few months ago, I caught up with Sam Sunderland as he lined up for the SC Sporthome Team at Farleigh Castle Vets MX. The Dubai-based British rally raid motorcycle rider is best known for participating in the Dakar Rally, which he won in 2017 and 2022, but as he showed us at Farleigh Castle, his motocross roots are far from in the past.
In the episode, I chatted with Sunderland about how he transitioned from motocross to rally racing, Dakar life, and which win was the best. We also discuss his plans for the future post-retirement, which include trying to beat Clement Desalle, a possible switch to four wheels, and getting lost in the desert!
Special thanks to Sam Sunderland for the interview.
I hope you guys enjoy it.
Be sure to like and subscribe for more Five Minutes With Fletch coming soon!
In between episodes, stay connected by following me on Facebook and Instagram @‌fiveminuteswithfletch

Five Minutes With Fletch. Clement Desalle

Five Minutes With Fletch continues this week with Clement Desalle.
Desalle raced his debut GP in Flanders in 2006 and won his first GP (Loket) in August 2009. The former pro motocross racer from Belgium raced in the MXGP class throughout his GP career. Not only that, but Desalle placed a consistent second or third across the 2010-2013 seasons while riding for the Teka–Suzuki Team run by Sylvain Geboers, with former motocross world champion Eric Geboers as the team manager. Desalle was also a victorious Belgian 2013 MXON team member, alongside Ken De Dycker and Jeremy Van Horebeek.
In this week's episode, I chat with Desalle about how he got the motocross buzz, whether he prefers Suzuki or Kawasaki, and what led to his retirement.
I also quiz him on his greatest achievement, home wins and what's next for him in 2025.
Special thanks to Clement Desalle for the interview.
I hope you guys enjoy it.
Be sure to like and subscribe for more Five Minutes With Fletch coming soon!
In between episodes, stay connected by following me on Facebook and Instagram @‌fiveminuteswithfletch

Five Minutes WIth Fletch - Andrew Short

Five Minutes With Fletch continues this week with former factory HRC, KTM Factory Racing and Monster Energy Yamaha rider Andrew Short.
Short has had a stellar sixteen-year pro career, during which he earned over 50 podium finishes and nine wins. One of his personal highlights was being part of the American Team that won the 2010 Motocross of Nations held in his home state of Colorado.
After retiring from professional motocross at the end of 2016, Short worked as a team advisor and brand ambassador for Factory Honda HRC before making a big transition to compete in rally racing and take on the ultimate rally race—the Dakar.
After a steep learning curve, he became competitive in rallying and even took his first win at the 2019 Rallye du Maroc. He raced for the Rockstar Husqvarna and the 2020 Dak Monster Energy Factory Yamaha rally teams.
We chat about Loretta Lynns, battling Mike Brown for the win, his career highlights, and turning pro while still at school.
I also quiz the Fly Racing athlete on Southwick vs the Daker, living out your dreams and schoolboy dad highs and lows.
Special thanks to Andrew Short for the interview.
I hope you guys enjoy it.
In between episodes, stay connected by following me on Facebook and Instagram @‌fiveminuteswithfletch

Five Minutes With Fletch - Ryan Villopoto

Ryan Villopoto is back for more Five Minutes With Fletch!
I catch up with the legendary Ryan Villopoto at VMXdN Foxhill 2024 in this episode. Not only was he a 9x champ, but he also holds the title of the greatest retired rider ever. In addition to his other duties, he co-hosts the 24 podcast alongside Ricky Carmichael.
I quiz RV on whether he rides for fun or to win, hard left-hand starts, and gate picks, alongside his thoughts on riding for your country at MXoN.
Ryan shares his insights on taking each race one at a time, his left knee nemesis and the joys and challenges of being a schoolboy mx dad.
Special thanks to Ryan Villopoto for the interview.
I hope you guys enjoy it.
Be sure to like and subscribe for more Five Minutes With Fletch coming soon!
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📸 @ARINEARY

Five Minutes With Fletch - Alessio 'Chicco' Chiodi

Five Minutes With Fletch is back (a little later than usual this week) as I catch up with the legend that is Alessio ‘Chicco’ Chiodi at VMXdN Foxhill 2024.
Chicco soared to victory in the 125 class back in the nineties, winning the world championship three times on the bounce in 1997, 1998 and 1999; not to forget, he also won the MXdN that same year and was part of the winning team again in 2002. I spend five minutes with the very cool and laid-back Italian as we discuss his wins throughout his career, his time in the States and unexpected results.
I also find out when he raced to victory despite injury, why he loves Foxhill and how he gets his hair in his helmet.
Special thanks to Chicco for the interview.
I got plenty of Five Minutes With Fletch episodes done at VMXdN Foxhill, including - The 'Beast from the East' Damon Bradshaw, David Philippaerts, Ryan Villopoto and Pulp MX Steve Matthes - stay tuned and be sure to like and subscribe.
In between episodes, stay connected by following me on Facebook and Instagram @‌fiveminuteswithfletch
📸 @‌SteveMilner_MXPhoto

Five Minutes With Fletch - Cas Valk

This week, I catch up with the 19-year-old, two-time European, three-time Italian, and three-time Dutch Champion Cas Valk on Five Minutes With Fletch after his third overall at Hawkstone Park, which now places him with the red plate and 8 points ahead going into the penultimate round of the DirtStore British Championship.
We chat about racing motocross, EMX and whether it's different as a hobby from a job, his plans for 2025, and whether we will see him move to MX2, along with some 2025 team news.
We talk kit and the new 2025 FXR range (which I love), and we find out if he really prefers sand over hardpack and what he thinks is the best part of motocross.
Special thanks to Cas Valk for the interview.
I hope you guys enjoy it.
In between episodes, stay connected by following me on Facebook and Instagram @‌fiveminuteswithfletch
Don't miss out on the latest updates and behind-the-scenes content
📸 @‌SCORCHIMAGES

Five Minutes With Fletch - Jeffrey Herlings

On this episode of "Five Minutes with Fletch," I got to sit down with the fastest man on the planet — Jeffrey Herlings!
To date, he’s won 105 GPs and five world championships, but can he survive Five Minutes With Fletch? Let’s find out.
I caught up with 'the bullet'  at Hawkstone Park after he went 1:1 at the joint round of the Motul Fastest 40, powered by Michelin and the DirtStore British Championship. We chat about smoking everyone when he went to the USA in 2017, his racing mentality, and coming back from injury in 2020.
You know there will be a kit question somewhere. Why he is a huge fan of Goggletek and what he would still like to achieve before his racing days are over!
Special thanks to Jeffrey Herlings for the interview and Goggle Bob for his help and support.
I hope you guys enjoy it. Be sure to like and subscribe for more Five Minutes With Fletch coming soon!
In between episodes, stay connected by following me on Facebook and Instagram @‌fiveminuteswithfletch Don't miss out on the latest updates and behind-the-scenes content
📸 Herlings - Steve Milner / MX Behind the Gate