Troy Lee Designs/Lucas Oil/Red Bull/KTM’s Jessy Nelson Exclusive Interview
For 2015, Jessy Nelson will be aboard a Troy Lee Designs/Lucas Oil/Red Bull/KTM 250 SX-F Factory Edition for Supercross and motocross. Starting the season hurt, Nelson had a difficult 2014, so Online Associate Editor Andrew Oldar talked to Nelson about his health and goals for 2015, along with his new KTM ride with Troy Lee Designs.
JN: Yes, I won the KTM Junior Supercross Challenge and achieved my first amateur national title with KTM as well. Also, I won a lot more amateur titles with them later on in my career. It’s cool coming back to them because it is like reuniting with an old family member.UMC: What is the biggest difference that you have felt between the KTM and Honda?
JN: The steel frame is a lot different. I think it fits my style a lot better with the way it handles and the way I ride it. The motor is catered for my style a lot more than the Honda was. Honestly, I was blown away with the amount of power and torque that it puts out. It revs to the moon and just keeps pulling.UMC: You have always been a strong starter. Is that something that you practice or does it just come natural to you?
JN: I practice starts, but probably nothing like Mike Alessi does! I have always been a pretty decent starter. Since I’ve turned pro, the bikes have gotten a bit better compared to what I raced as an amateur and I feel like that was a bit of the missing piece. The bike has gotten better and I am naturally a good starter, I suppose. UMC: You came into the last season injured, correct?
JN: Yeah, the last two years have been up and down with either injuries or nagging injuries causing me to miss races here and there. To be healthy is the key and I think everything else will fall into place.UMC: You achieved your first career win as a professional at the Indiana National this past summer. What is it going to take to do the same in Supercross?
Jessy Nelson: I think coming into the season healthy is going to be the key for me along with being fit. I have been working really hard and there is no reason that I should not be winning races. If I’m not, I am not going to be happy. So, we’ll see how it goes.Photography by Simon Cudby
Jessy Nelson Profile
Team: Troy Lee Designs / Lucas Oil / Red Bull / KTM
Sponsors: Troy Lee Designs, Lucas Oil, KTM, Red Bull, Adidas, Oakley, Fender, MavTV, GoPro
Birthdate: 5/11/1994
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 151 pounds
Birthplace: Templeton, CA
Residence: Paso Robles, CA
Turned Pro: 2012
Mechanic: Jordan Troxell
Instagram: @jessynelson28
Twitter: @jessynelson28