Number Check: Austin Politelli
Author: Chase Stallo	Features | Wednesday, 20 May 2009 12:04

Austin Politelli has had an amazing amateur career thus far, but his transition to big bikes in 2009 was obstructed with an injury in Texas that kept him out of the World Mini and Mini Moto events. While the Texas swing did not go the way he wanted, it only made him more determined then ever to prove that the transition to the big bikes will be a smooth one.  We caught up with Austin to talk about the Texas swing, his transition to the big bikes and his plans for the rest of the year.

Images: Sheedy
Austin we know that the Texas swing did not go the way you wanted it to.  Can you take us back and tell us what happened?

I just didn’t get the greatest of starts, but I had some good motos.  Then at Oak Hill on the last day a guy’s bike flipped up and hit my hand and hurt it a little.  It actually shredded my glove off.

So the hand injury had you on the sidelines for a little while?

Yeah, but it’s 100% now.

You won in Vegas last year, was it hard not being able to get back there this year and take home another title?

Yeah I was a little bummed.  But also not because I wanted to get ready and get my suspension dialed in on the big bike.

This year you made the move to a bigger bike, how has that transition been for you?
It’s getting better.  Were just trying to get my suspension and everything dialed in.  Everything is getting a lot better though.

You have always been one of the top riders in your class, I know you haven’t had much time to get used to the new class, but how do you think you stack up against this new class thus far?

I think I’m doing all right.  I would have liked to done a lot better.  But I think I’m getting better each race so far and hopefully go to Loretta’s and do good there.

What are your plans for the rest of the year?  Are you going to be at Mammoth or Ponca?

I will be at Mammoth.  But were not going to do Ponca this year.

Have you raced any Loretta Qualifiers yet?

Yeah we did Competi

tive Edge, then I went to Colorado and we also went to Little Falls, Minnesota and we rode at Millville too.

How have you faired in those races?

I did pretty good.  I got a 3rd and a 5th.  But overall I got top-5’s in all the races.

With Loretta’s just around the corner what expectations do you have going into the Ranch?

I just want to go there and get good starts and get top-5’s.  And just try my hardest and do the best I can.

We know you’re a California kid so you figured we would ask you how you think the rookies will fair this weekend at Glen Helen?

I think they are going to do great.

Before I let you go who would you like to thank for helping you get where you are?

My mom and dad, Suzuki, MSR, Scott, Alpinestars, Jon Mitchell, X-Factor Rob, Kurt Henderson, FMF and everyone else thanks a lot.