Jed Beaton: Consistent and Injury Free

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory rider Jed Beaton is coming off a brilliant 2020, and despite all the perils of the COVID-19 season, the Australian was more consistent and didn’t suffer a major injury, something that had really stalled his career in the past.

While he isn’t saying he wants to be going for a World championship in 2021, he has made it clear that he expects to be battling for GP wins and podium finishes and then see where he stands at the end of the MX2 championship.

“You don’t go out and train and put your whole life into it to not want that goal,” Beaton said. “Of course, it is there (to go for a World championship), but to achieve that goal you have to do the best you can every day and you really put your whole life into it. It is always a goal, but you need an injury free year and consistent and good results and the maximum way to achieve that is have a smile on your face and enjoy it, even in the bad times. Don’t get caught in a dip. I don’t like to talk about the future, because you don’t know what it brings, but hopefully at the end of the year, we are somewhere battling for it.”

Being consistent and staying away from injuries is every rider’s goal, and the Aussie is no different. It is an obvious aim, but one that is so difficult in the toughest sport in the World and Beaton knows better than most that bad luck is waiting around the corner to make a mess of your season.

“Obviously for this year, the goal is to go out and do my best and a lot of it comes from the winter and last season I had a good winter and hopefully we can make more steps and fight for the top positions. I just take it day by day and make little steps and little adjustments. I am keen to go racing again, because it has been a long break, and I took time off after the season because it was a long one. I am keen to get back into it and excited.”

Now a handful of years in Europe, Beaton knows that taking his chances is what got him a factory ride with Husqvarna and he never forget that hard work and motivation are the main keys to success.

“Obviously, I got the opportunity to ride for Carglass Honda that year in the EMX250 championship and it went up from there. I tried to make the best of that situation and I was rewarded from it. A bit different from way back then to now, but I try and enjoy every day as it comes and there is a lot of pressure, but I am doing what I love, and I wake up every day with a big smile and I enjoy it as much as I can. It isn’t a long career.”

So, when the 2021 season begins, the Australian will be holding his national flag high and want to fight for as many points as possible and remain in the same rich vein of form that has taken him to top five in the World in 2020.