Photography: Brent Stallo // Billy Browder

Don't ever judge a book by its cover. The next time you see someone out front in the pro class, don't assume that everything has come easy for them. Don't assume that they have 10 free bikes loaded up in their garage, $20,000 racked up on their contingency card and enough gear to last them a life time. Don't assume it because often times it's not true. There are literally hundreds upon hundreds of super fast pros around the country that struggle to make ends meet. They are holding onto a dream that sometimes only they still believe is possible. Auston Albers of Commerce, Georgia is one of those pros. The only difference is there are a lot of people who are beginning to believe this kid has what it takes to make it, not just himself anymore.

At twenty years old, Auston is finally making his move to become one of the most recognized amateur athletes in the country, but he'll have to do it the hard way. While Auston was figuring things out, his younger group of competition was building names for themselves since they were on minis. Names like Justin Barcia and Blake Baggett have been household names in the amateur world since we can remember. They are younger, carry more support and, to be honest, have a much better chance at making it to the next level. But that's not Auston's concern. He is a confident kid that still believes there is room for him; who still believes he's got what it takes to run with the fastest pros in the country, no matter what kind of bike he's on. It's not going to be easy, but we think this kid has what it takes. We now take pleasure in introducing you to Auston Albers.

Start of by introducing yourself?
My name is Auston Albers, I live in Commerce, Georgia and I'm 20 years old.

You run the pro class now, but at one point in time you were part of one of possibly the most famous C class races ever at Loretta's in 2002. Jimmy Albertson, Mike Lapaglia and a ton of other fast kids lined up that year and you placed second. Take us back.
I jumped up on big bikes at the end of 2001 and it took me a while to get used to the bigger bike. I actually broke my both my legs that year trying to get used to all the power. Then in 2002 I began racing all the local stuff and things just started to really come easy to me. I really started to win a lot and we finally said, hey, let's go to Loretta's and see if we can do something in the C class and everything just kind of went from there.

You were by far the fastest C rider in the Southeast at that time. Talk a little more about the competition you faced at Loretta's that year.
Yeah, with Jimmy and Lapaglia in there it was definitely a stacked class. I actually had no idea at the time. Everyone kept telling me that I was going to win Loretta's that year. Then I showed up and found out that it wasn't going to be quite as easy as I thought it was going to be. I ended up with a second after they disqualified Lapaglia though, so everything turned out pretty good.

So how does it feel to look at the success of Albertson and Lapaglia now and knowing that at one point in time you were right there with them?
I hate to say that if I could go back in the past and change things I would, because I probably wouldn't. I mean I wouldn't be who I am today. It just gives me that much more motivation to do it now and I know I can do it.

You could be a possible sleeper this year in the pro class. What are your plans to accomplish good results and open some eyes on the national level?
Right now everything is focused on Mini O's. I'm working with a new trainer and my endurance has jumped three times from where it was. Before the Vurb Cup(Vurbmoto Pro Am Classic at Bremen Raceway) I could barely run a 20 minute moto, and then at Bremen I ran four 20 minute motos back to back. So my endurance and fitness is definitely there. I'm also way more confident on a motorcycle then I've ever been. I know what I can do and I know I can do it. All sights are set on Mini O's. I'm going to try and hit up as many amateur national as I can this year, though. I haven't been able to do that before because of financial problems. I want to run Whitney and Oak Hill and just see what happens. I think I can really get in there and mix things up once given the chance.

Seeing as how you go to Loretta's every year and have put in some very impressive results over the years, is it discouraging that you haven't been able to make it to other amateur nationals?
Yeah, it's been tough for me, but you've got to run all of them to get the exposure you need. I understand that. But to be honest it kills me at night to know that I can do it, but I can't because I can't get there.

You are one of the only riders out there still hanging it out on a 2-stroke. Will you be keeping the 2-stroke dream alive next year as well?
It really all depends. I'm trying to set up a ride maybe even for Mini O's.  If I end up running the outdoors I definitely won't be able to run a 2-stroke. It's just not competitive. The 2-stroke has been my forte over the years, though. I love riding them.

Are financial reasons your main reasons for riding a 2-stroke?
To be honest, I haven't been able to keep a 250F and a 450 going. Up until three weeks before Loretta's I had to go out and buy my own YZ 250 and we just made that into my race bike. I rode one bike the entire year last year and it was just easier and cheaper to keep one of those running. Running four motos a weekend and three days a week on the same bike get tough on a motor.

Let's say you did get some factory support, what kind of damage do you think you could do?
Like my trainer told me, he said, you have no idea what you're capable of yet. I just wish I could find out.

What type of results are you looking for at Mini O's?
I'm sitting here on my stationary bike right now for an hour at a time and all I'm thinking is first place, first place, first place. I just want to make the biggest splash I can. I want to come out nowhere and show everyone who I really am. I'm hoping to at least be on the podium.

What is your ultimate goal? Will you be happy to make a living being a super fast regional rider that cleans up all the local pro purses, or are you trying to put a program together that will take you to the next level?
It's always been my dream to go pro and do well and make a living out of it. I've just now come up with enough points to get a Supercross Lites license, but I'm going to hold off on that and run outdoors next year and try and race as many amateur nationals as possible this year. But yeah, this is what I want to do and it's finally hit me what I actually need to do to do it.

We can't wait to see you run at Mini O's.
Thanks, I'll only be running the motocross portion, but I'll definitely be there.