Catching up ... with Mike Phillips

Tell us what's been happening since Club of Nations?:

I had some time off riding and training to give the body and mind a good break.

What have you been doing with yourself?:

Over the winter I've worked hard to get irrigation (aka dust control) organised for the Rotorua MX track on the family farm. It's in it's final stages of development. Fingers crossed by Christmas we should be able to make it rain when ever we want.

Have you been doing any coaching?:

Yes, my coaching set up, Two Brothers coaching, has had coaching days and camps throughout the winter and spring. We worked with the North Harbour Mini Club and Hauraki Plains College and also at the Rotorua MX track to run coaching days for all levels of riders.

When did you get back riding?:

Beginning of November I got back into training and loving it. I am still on the Honda CRF 450 with the Bel-Ray Honda Team and have some good support with me, coming into the new season. I have a new sponsor Lakes Honda here in Rotorua. They are right behind me with the racing and keen to work with Two Brothers coaching also.

How's the riding going?

Riding has been going well, doing most of my training with brother John who got back from his tough season in Belgium two months ago. He is on The Honda Shop team that's run by Ben Townley riding the CRF 250.

You did the Bel-Ray?:

I competed at the first round of the Bel-Ray 2 hour cross country event last Sunday week, for a good training run. My start was horrible then I crashed on the first gateway. I made it back to 2nd by the end of the 2 hours but got put back to 4th after most of the field - including me went the wrong way on the first lap. A little disappointed but still a fun days racing and good training.

Racing?:

This last weekend I had planned to do the Vally Champs at the Patetonga but the weather put paid to that. My first big race is Summercross on the 29th of Dec near Whakatane and then into the NZ GP and Nationals.
 
Anything else you want to add to our readers?:

Hope you all have a good Christmas and Happy and safe holiday period.