MOTOCROSS
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Illawarra speed demon Matt Moss is preparing for the most important trip of his sporting career.
The 26-year-old travels to Latvia in three weeks as part of a three-man Australian team to contest the Motocross of Nations tournament – the pinnacle of his chosen sport.
He helped his country to a bronze medal at the event a couple of years ago when Australia finished on the podium for the first time.
‘‘There’s three Australians racing against the whole world, so it will be a big task but it should be good,’’ Moss said.
Moss will head to Latvia full of confidence following a runaway win in the MX1 National Championship.
He won the championship in 2013 and backed it up by winning three of the 10 rounds this year.
He didn’t finish lower than sixth and saved his worst performance for the final round of the season.
Moss held a 37-point lead heading into last weekend’s event at Coolum but put himself under pressure by crossing the line in sixth, fifth and eighth in the three races.
However, it was enough to hold on to his advantage and take the crown.
Moss admitted the nerves got to him at Coolum but was stoked to claim his second consecutive championship.
‘‘Just a couple of crashes in the first two [races] brought those nerves on,’’ he said.
‘‘All year I believed I was going to win.
‘‘When I won the championship it was more of a relief compared to last year.
‘‘There was a lot more pressure to get that second one out of the way.’’
With the championship trophy stored away, Moss is now racing to prepare for the Latvia excursion.
He hopes to return home next month with a gold medal in his pocket.