It was that second place that handed Team USA their seven point advantage over Belgium whose riders scored 3-6 results on that very same moto.

Short is well known in Europe as a former King of Bercy winner and a rider who has made many trips to the various winter Supercross races. He showed something at this year’s MXoN that many people didn’t expect and despite his 13^th finish after an altercation with New Zealand’s Ben Townley many looked at Short as the man who made sure Team USA went home with the winner’s trophy.

MXlarge: Andrew, you had an up and day weekend in Denver. Can you tell me about it?

Short: It was a crazy day and a memorial one. It was really special to be involved in this event, especially because it was in Colorado where I grew up. The first moto I ripped an awesome start an eventually Roczen came by me and I thought okay, take it easy. I was a little embarrassed at first, but I was really nervous and was just riding a little careful maybe. Then a few corners later I just got cleaned out, I hope it wasn’t on purpose.

MXlarge: After your crash you got up really slow, how did you feel after the crash?

Short: I hit my head and was a little dazed, I had a black eyes and my side and shoulder were really sore, my elbow, everything. I know with the drug thing I was scared to take any medicine, this was all new to me, I didn’t know what to do, but I knew the adrenaline would take over. I was disappointed with Townley, I know he’s a great guy and I hope it wasn’t intentional, but I was really mad.

MXlarge: How was your second moto?

Second moto I got another awesome start, I got a little tired physically in the middle of the race. That crowd was awesome. I went into the start way too wide. I was really nervous and I could see the Suzuki’s coming and I didn’t know who it was, I knew they were fast and I knew Desalle was one of them, I raced him at Unadilla. I know how to keep my head down and to pull it off was great, it was an amazing feeling.

MXLarge: How were your nerves before that final moto? You had some pressure late in the race from Cairoli and Desalle.

Short: I was nervous because of what happened to Trey in the first corner of his moto, but at the same time you can only do what you can do, I was doing my best and that is all I can ask. You know I watch these guys on television, I see them all the time and I knew they would be really fast, it was fun racing them. It was a big challenge.

MXlarge: How was the track compared to how it was for the AMA National?

Short: This track was totally different from an AMA National. They totally prepped it, the jumps were huge really Supercross style, big lips, I don’t know if I liked that or disliked it, but it was cool, good for the fans, as long as they enjoyed the Motorcycle race that was important. It was also rough, pretty similar to an AMA National. The way they prepped it, they tried to make a few different lines and that was good. Not something I was accustomed to or felt comfortable on.

MXlarge: You don’t have a ride at the moment, any chance of you coming and racing the Grand Prix series if a ride there appeared?

Short: If I was 21 and didn’t have a wife and kid maybe, salaries are going down here (in America) and it’s the perfect way to see the World and I love riding Motorcycles. I don’t care where I am at, it would be an awesome experience, but at this point (with a family) it would be tougher, but who knows. I don’t have a ride, my contract closed five days after the MXoN, but even if the pay cheques stop rolling in I will keep riding, because I’ve done it all my life, I will keep riding on my farm.

MXlarge: This was such a nice team of young men; it was difficult not to support you guys even if I come from another country. How did you feel about being involved with this team?

Short: I was really happy to be part of the association, I know Trey pretty good from the Honda track, and Dungey is on another team and we are kind of competitors, so we don’t talk as much, but we get on okay. It is a different atmosphere when you have Suzuki guys cheering for you; normally you are trying to beat that person. We got along well, and that helped out success. There are a lot of guys who could have been picked on the team and it was close for me, this won’t ever happen again having the MXoN in USA, so it’s all downhill from here.