NUMBER CHECK: AJ CATANZARO
Author: Brian Wilcox	Number Check | Wednesday, 25 February 2009 19:02

After a breakout 2008 season A.J. Catanzaro is looking to carry that momentum with him into the '09 season. Catanzaro who hails from Portland, the one on the east coast (Connecticut for those geographically inclined), is hoping to parlay his '08 success into a title at Lake Whitney. With Whitney just a few weeks away we decided to catch up with A.J. and see what he has been up to since Mini O’s.

 

What have you been up to in the off-season?

Well not too much riding, trying to go to the gym like four times a week, and recently took a trip to South Carolina. That was about the only riding I got in for the season.

 

Tell us about the South Carolina trip?

Yea I went down with my friend Konnor Buffis from Massachusetts. We went down with his dad and stayed at Wheel Crazy Motor Sports for about ten days then we went to Crystal Coast which I think is Cooper Webb's home track and rode there for a couple days.

 

Since you live in Connecticut and can't ride during the winter months, what keeps you occupied?

Working out I guess, and just hanging out with my friends.

 

Man you really tore it up in 08’ and put yourself on the map tell us a little bit about it?

Yea it went well. It was my first whole season on a big bike and I guess I surprised a lot of people. I just feel really comfortable on my 250 and 450, and my confidence is through the roof at the moment!

 

It seems that since you have gotten on the big bikes your results have really improved?

Yea I was always underpowered on 80's, and everything sort of evened out a bit, power wise when I got on my 250 and 450. I was always a top ten rider but now I seem to be a top three guy at most of the races.

 

What do you think has made the biggest difference since being on the big bikes?

I just really like the power. When everyone was on 80's it was almost all about who had the fastest bike (and that sure was not me!). I think now it’s more about the rider, especially in the 450 class. I was always big on my 80’s too, so it feels nice to finally not be big on a bike, haha.

 

Since you had such a great season in 08' how is your confidence coming into the 09’ season?

Yea even though I didn't get a ride I'm really confident that I can win a few titles at Lake Whitney and prove myself to be the top guy. My biggest focus for the year is to get a title at Loretta's this year. That has been my dream as long as I can remember, and it could possibly be my last year to do it before going pro.

 

So are you racing the A class this year then?

No, I am staying B this year.

 

So after Loretta's you plan on going A?

It's really all up in the air at this point, it depends if a team picks me up or not and whether I'm ready. Most kids like to go outdoors for their first pro race but I would really like to jump into Supercross. I'm definitely more of a Supercross rider, so I'd like to be able to do the Supercross series next year.

 

So you would rather debut in Supercross than the Nationals?

Yea for sure, but like I said its really all up in the air and we really don't know what I'm going to do yet.

 

Who do you think are going to be some of your toughest competitors this year?

There is a ton of people. I mean you have Anderson, Mays, Anstie, the list goes on and on. The B class is definitely stacked but I believe I have a great chance to still get some titles! Oh yea, you can't forget about Tomac either!

 

Are you going to make the trek to the Texas Nationals coming up?

Well the plan was not to do Whitney or Oak Hill because we really don't have the money, but a friend offered to help me out so he's bringing me to just Whitney, while my dad stays home and works. It stinks not being able to go to a lot of the nationals but hopefully showing up and doing well at Whitney will make sure my name isn't forgotten.

 

So is this the first time you are going down to Texas to race?

I raced it on my 50, but I had to choose between Whitney and Oak Hill and I picked Whitney because I think its sort of technical. I'm not really sure though?

 

Man so even back on 50's you liked the more technical tracks?

Yea, haha always have.

 

Okay man, good luck in '09 I'm sure you would like to thank some people for helping you get where your at?

I'd like to thank my mom and dad, my uncle Scott, my friend Taco who's bringing me to Lake Whitney, Team Green Kawasaki, No Fear, Tag Metals, Arai, Von Zipper, Linc inc, Dunlop tires, Factory Connection, EVS, and just everyone who's been supporting me!!!!!! Thank you.