So how does the Matt Phillips story begin?
My first bike was a Z50 Honda when I was five years old, followed by a DS80 Suzuki that the seat kept falling off but I thought it was pretty cool just the same, then a XR80 Honda was next. My first race was a barrel race on Pegg’s Beach in Tasmania and I got into strife for doing doughnuts in the pit area. I moved on into junior motocross and enduro events winning a few championships in Juniors and competed in the Junior World Championships in NZ and France.
Were you riding the 125 class?
No, I mostly rode the 250 class as I was a bit heavy for the 125’s. I moved into Seniors in 2010 riding the Under 19’s motocross, the Four Day, Wildwood and then I raced supercross at the end of the year on a 450 Honda riding on Craig Andersons team.
You must have a few trophies to keep polished then?
I have a bunch of Junior Motocross State Titles, but never a National title although I did podium a few times, then in Seniors I have some National Enduro Titles in the E3 class and some Four Day podiums then it was off to Europe where I won four World Enduro Championships in Junior, E2, E3 and Overall, which was very satisfying and a great experience.
Does any particular win stand out as special to you?
They all have their story as it’s a long way to the finish line each year but if I have to pick just one then maybe winning the 2014 World Championship after riding the last round with a broken foot would be it. In 2016 I won on a Sherco which was the factories first World Championship so that’s a great memory as well. Also I was on the winning Aussie Six Day Team in 2015 so that’s another good memory, bringing the World Trophy back to Australia from Slovakia.
Are there any events still to be ticked off your list?
I wish I’d ridden E1 class as well in the Enduro World Championship as that’s the only class I haven’t won and it would be good to have the complete set so to speak. I’d love to go and watch the Finke Desert Race one day but I have no desire to actually compete, I’m a bit older now and still intact with no lasting injuries, so why tempt fate?
You’ve mentioned Honda, Sherco and KTM, have you ridden any other brands?
I rode for Husqvarna in 2013 and won a championship for them.
Does any particular bike stand out for you?
There’s not one particular bike for me, they were all good in their own way, no single one stands out from any of the others.
Was there ever any particular race you were glad to see the finish of?
I did a race in Finland in the snow that was really terrible, it was like a rally in some ways, about a 12 or 14 hour day, riding in ruts with your feet up. I did that twice and it wasn’t too bad the first time as it was icy and you could pick lines but the second time it was just three continuous ruts, one for your wheels and one for each foot just sheer hard work and not enjoyable at all. The locals definitely had an advantage, it was just a normal days ride for them.
Do any competitors stand out in your memory?
In Australia Daniel Milner was a consistently tough rival and I always enjoyed racing against him. In Europe I would have to say it was Mathias Bellino as we often went head to head but unfortunately he is in a wheelchair these days after a racing accident in a rally in Argentina in 2018.
Finally, do you still ride and if so, on what?
I’ve got a KTM 250 XC which is a fantastic little bike and I just do local club events on weekends for the fun of it.
