TYLER SJOBERG INTERVIEW

On Feb 13, 2006

Who is Tyler Sjoberg? Other than a really nice kid from southern California, he’s a top 85cc class rider and one of American Suzuki’s newest recruits. You might recognize Tyler’s name if you attended the U.S. Open back in October, where Sjoberg won a moto in the highly competitive 85 Invitational. He backed up his results a few months later by winning at the Mini Olympics, as well as in Arizona. Needless to say, Tyler is looking forward to a great year of battles in the 85cc class before moving up to big bikes. We sat down with him at Piru motocross track, a local hotspot for Tyler as well as for the MXA crew.

Tyler, what classes do you ride and who are your sponsors?

I race 85cc 14-15 Stock and Mod, plus the Super Mini class. My sponsors are American Suzuki, Gaerne, Alloy, SixSixOne, Sunline, Spy, ARC, Dunlop, Pit Pro, Barnett, Stomp, and anyone else that I forgot to mention.

You just picked up an American Suzuki ride. Congratulations! How were you approached to ride for them?

We talked to Cole Gress a while ago and he told us that he was keeping his eye on me. Then at the Mini Olympics I won a few championships. He walked up to me and gave me the chance to be on Suzuki. He talked to my Mom about it and he came through with a pretty good deal. Things have been working out very well.

You ended up winning a moto at the U.S. Open Supercross Invitational. Talk about that whole experience.

The U.S. Open was a lot of fun just to go there, race, and hang out with my buddies. I won one moto but then crashed in two other motos and still ended up in the top five. I did okay and ended up sixth overall on the weekend. It wasn’t as good as I wanted to finish, but that’s how it goes sometimes. I didn’t pay too much attention to the fans because I didn’t want to ruin my concentration. The track was fun. The only thing I struggled with were the whoops because they were huge.

You did very well at the Mini O’s and at the Amateur Open race. How many championships have you won in the past few months?

I won two championships in Florida and I also won one at the Amateur Open. I ended up getting the Olympiad award, which is the award that goes to the rider that got the most motocross and Supercross points combined in the 14-15 class.

What do you think about riding Supercross?

I like Supercross and it’s fun. I actually prefer Supercross to motocross because I have more rhythm. Motocross is good too, though.

Compare your style to any pro rider.

I don’t think I have the same riding style as anyone else. Most of the time I try to ride smooth and consistent. You have to go as fast as you can sometimes out of control, but I try to be smooth.

What do you think about when you’re racing?

I think about having a good time and trying to focus who is in front of me and not behind me. I think about trying to win.

You have been pegged as California’s next big hopeful. Do you feel any pressure on your shoulders to carry the Golden State torch?

I don’t feel much pressure. Anything can happen, but hopefully this year goes very well. This is going to be my last year on 80’s trying to make it to Loretta’s and then I will move up to the big bikes.

We have to admit that we’re not very familiar with your name. How long have you been racing for?

My first race was Mammoth Motocross when I was 12. It’s funny because the first year I finished second to last in the main. The next year I finished top 15 or 20 and then the next year I finished top five. I have been progressing but I haven’t been racing that long. All I can say is that my riding has improved a great amount in the past year. I want to do to the best that I can and I have been training and working very hard. I went to Millsaps Training Facility for two weeks and that helped a lot. I’m going there again for two weeks before the Lake Whitney race. Colleen Millsaps has helped me a lot.

You’ve been afforded many opportunities to travel and ride all over the country. Where is your favorite place to ride?

My favorite track would probably be between Lake Whitney and Mammoth. If I had to choose one I would say Mammoth because of the setting and weather. Whitney is also good though because it’s hot and humid.

What do you like to do for fun besides racing?

I like to hang out with my friends, go pit bike riding and ride bicycles. I do the usual stuff that kids my age do.

How are your skills on a pit bike?

If you ask anyone around they will say that I’m the nutty kid on a pit bike because I’ll pretty much try anything. I don’t go crazy with tricks. The tricks I can do are heel clickers and no-footed cans, but jumping-wise I’ll do jumps that most people wouldn’t try.