Far North motocross champion savours fairytale victory
A BROKEN foot has failed to stop Babinda motocross racer Aaron Hunt from winning his age division at the World Vets Championships in Glen Helen, California.
The full-time earthmover claimed top spot in the expert class for 40-45 year olds featuring competitors from across the world.
But Hunt, who finished third at the event in 2016, said he nearly threw it all away after shattering his foot in six places in March.
“I got back on the bike three months before I headed over,” he said.
“I didn’t know what to expect but I’m probably riding the best I ever have.
“It was always going to be a great story if I could do it. It’s a bit of a fairytale now, I guess.”
Motocross racer Aaron Hunt competing at the World Vets Championships in Glen Helen, California this month.
Hunt now trains four days a week, including pool, bicycle and gym sessions, starting as early as 4.30am before a full day’s work at the office.
“Last year, I got to see how hard other people trained and it made me realise how much work you have to put in,” he said.
“There were guys throwing their bikes on the ground after they finished. It’s a really competitive sport.”
Considered one of the most dangerous and physically demanding sports in the world, the father-of-two said the Glen Helen track was among the toughest he had traversed in his career.
“It was pretty gnarly. They were massive tracks and the hills were so much steeper than anything you’d race on in Queensland,” he said.
“You’re probably doing 90km going into the first corner and then as it gets a lot rougher, you get slower and slower.
“It was exhausting. I was riding tracks that I’d never been on and you’re racing locals who ride the tracks all the time. It’s rough as guts.”
Hunt’s wife, Jolie, said while she was proud of his win, the sport had taken a significant toll on her husband’s body.
“It really has taken so much work to get this far,” she said. “He’s broken more bones than I can count, including both his collarbones, along the way.”