MXGP's golden heroes & Johnny O'Mara

Last weekend at MXGP of Sweden the FIM Veterans Motocross World Cup took place. There's nothing like a bit of retro riding to help us reminisce over the 'golden era'. Although motocross, along with everything else in the world such as cars, televisions, mobile phones, the list goes on, has evolved in ways no one could have ever imagined, the heroes of yesterday will always be admired for the way they manned those lethal weapons back then, and there is an even greater appreciation for those who still aren't scared to let it rip today.

For the full race report 'The old go for gold' from the FIM Veterans Motocross World Cup in Uddevalla, Sweden, click here.

Johnny O'mara

Meanwhile, we also managed to catch up with the legend of the 1986 FIM Motocross of Nations, in Maggiora, Italy - the man himself Johnny O'mara.

Born and raised in Southern California, his upbringing was constantly focused around dirt bikes with his father being a keen desert rider, so it was only natural Johnny would be inclined to swing his leg over one. While joyous family outings on motorcycles were great it didn’t feed Johnny’s hunger for success and at the age of ten the eager beaver began dabbling in local the motocross scene.

Lining up next to the nearest milk crate, a petite-framed Johnny O’Mara would climb aboard his 100cc motorcycle in an effort to bring home some amateur race glory. Although the road up to and through the amateur ranks wasn’t easy Johnny had one quality a lot of other motocross talents didn’t have – a fierce work ethic.

The saying “Hard work will beat talent when talent doesn’t work hard” is one that Johnny swears by. “I am definitely one that would say with physical training you can never do enough. I believe your body is the only thing that can make you win. They say it’s a lot about the motorcycle, but I don’t agree, I say its more about your body because if you have a weak body you are not going to be able to ride fast on a motorcycle. It’s a combination but it starts with your body.”

To read the rest of this interview click here.