GEICO Honda’s Malcolm Stewart Exclusive Interview
For the 2015 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series, Malcolm Stewart – the younger brother of two-time Supercross Champion James Stewart – will compete in the 250SX West class aboard the GEICO Honda CRF250R. Stewart raced for Troy Lee Honda in 2014 Supercross and Motocross, but didn’t have any offers on the table.
Malcolm purchased the bikes from the Troy Lee Honda team to compete in a few off-season races. He would finish third at the Red Bull Straight Rhythm, which was won by his brother James Stewart, and sixth overall in the Monster Energy Cup.
In 2015, Stewart joins 2014 250SX East Region Champion Justin Bogle and Matt Bisceglia on the GEICO team, along with rookies RJ Hampshire and Jordon Smith.
Ultimate MotorCycling’s Andrew Oldar: You purchased your race bike from last year and rode as a privateer on a “Team Seven” bike at the Monster Energy Cup and Red Bull Straight Rhythm. Were you planning on continuing to ride as a privateer through Supercross or just race those two and see if you received any offers?
GEICO Honda’s Malcolm Stewart: I was trying to figure out how much money it was going to cost to compete in the Supercross season as privateer. The plan was to race as a privateer in 2015 until something else came up.
UMC: How did the opportunity to ride for GEICO Honda come about?
MS: I tried to talk to the team before Red Bull Straight Rhythm. At that time, they said they had a full team. But based on the performance they saw from me in Straight Rhythm and Monster Cup, I think that kind of opened their eyes that I could be a title contender for their team.
UMC: How does the GEICO Honda bike compare to your race bike from last year?
MS: It’s great and a lot better. What makes it so much better really comes from the team and the work they put in. All the guys are willing to stay overnight when they can to make the bike work. The effort is definitely there and I think that’s what makes it my race bike so awesome this year.
UMC: When you raced for the TLD team, you were restricted to racing the 250 West Region championship as they only race on the west coast. Which coast would you prefer to race?
MS: I am racing in the West Region this year and would rather stick with that right now, but it doesn’t really matter to me. In my opinion, you have more time off when you race the west coast. On the east coast, you are still practicing while the west coast is racing. Once you are finally done racing, it’s time for outdoors to start. You don’t have as much time to get ready for outdoors.
UMC: Where have you set your goals for the 2015 Supercross season?
MS: Honestly, my goals are to stay on the podium and possibly win the championship. That’s my biggest goal. With the GEICO Honda team I’m surrounded by, I feel like I can do it.
Photos by Simon Cudby
