114 Honda Motorsport rider Bailey Malkiewicz might be a new kid on the block in the FIM Motocross World Championships, but he is also a young Australian who has his sights set at the very top of the sport.

At 18 years of age Malkiewicz will race the 2020 MX2 World championship and we decide to give him a call and ask him some questions about his debut season in the World championships.

MXLarge: You obviously have won a World Junior championship. Can you tell me what that was like, did you surprise yourself, and how that weekend went?

Malkiewicz: Honestly coming into the weekend I only had a week or so on the 125cc after racing a 250cc all year but felt pretty confident on being able to podium. After qualifying 2nd by less than a second I knew that I could win in my home country. The way the track changed from the Saturday dry and flat surface to Sunday with wet deep ruts really helped because I like technical tracks it’s a real separator of the field. I wasn’t surprised that I had won the world titles I was just over the moon that I done it in my country and in front of all my family and friends.

MXLarge: Obviously a lot of Aussies racing around the World at the moment. How does it feel to be part of this international charge by Australian riders in 2020?

Malkiewicz: While my family, manager and I have been working on this for over two years I’m excited to have this opportunity with such a professional team and to be coming over and joining my fellow kangaroos in the charge to the top for 2020. Seeing the number of Aussies racing abroad at the highest level is a testament to the talent and quality that we produce. I believe that it will only get better and we see more Aussies getting a shot.

MXlarge: You have been in Europe now for a month, how are you finding it, the different culture and experience?

Malkiewicz: I’ve been so lucky to represent my country in multiple junior world titles over the years which has given me the chance to see some amazing countries and towns all around Europe, so I sort of knew what I was flying into. The past month here has been pretty easy and starting to feel like a second home, having a fellow Aussie as my teammate helps and just the atmosphere around the team is amazing and feel so welcomed. It was definitely a challenge walking into the supermarket and trying to find some nice food only looking at the pictures, but I’ve managed, and I am loving this place. I don’t know what my dad and manager have been banging on about what the transition would be like (laughing)…I got this under control.

MXlarge: Have you travelled outside of Australia much before and if so were and why?

Malkiewicz: I’ve raced in New Zealand, and in Czech Republic, Estonia and Spain for junior world titles and also been to the USA for a riding holiday. I’ve been to a couple other countries just for travelling and with the family. These travels have helped prepare me for the transition but it’s the little things like having to remember buying toilet paper and other little things that just seemed to be there before which now aren’t.

MXlarge: I was speaking to Livia this morning and she mentioned that you and Nathan both have potential to make podiums in 2020. Do you have any type of goal for your debut season in GP?

Malkiewicz: When I made the decision with my dad and manager in 2017 that MXGP was where I wanted to race, we developed a very specific strategy to give the best chance of success for many years. Now that I’m here it doesn’t change the strategy as we have planned for it. My focus for 2020 is on being consistent lap after lap, demonstrating reliability and bankability. When I am consistent lap after lap, my speed and skill will allow me to be a serious challenger. Of course, I need to stay healthy all year, have a bit of luck and its possible that I can get a top 5 with the setup of team Honda 114 motorsports. The right question “what goal do you have for 2022…”

MXlarge: Do you know much about the Australian history in Grand Prix and did you follow it on television?

Malkiewicz: My dad and manager go on about some of the great riders that have been produced in the past, but you know what it’s like listening to these old guys. But do I know a couple things about some past and present Australia riders in the Grand Prix and also liked to watch all the rounds at home and see what’s up over here.

MXLarge: Is Europe the final goal, or you are open to racing in America?

Malkiewicz: The strategy and aim we have devised sees me in MXGP for a fair few years as there are a couple Championships first that I have to conquer. As with most riders growing up in Australia, I would like to end up racing in USA doing supercross and outdoors. However, over the last few years the MXGP Championships has made a real drive to cover the world and is as competitive as the US series so if the future looks better in Europe then that’s where I’ll stay as have champions like Gasjer and Herlings. Both countries have amazing seasons and teams so I would be happy wherever I am.

MXlarge: Who was your hero as you were growing up?

Malkiewicz: Like most Aussie motorbike kids growing up Chad Reed was our idle and the person everyone looked up to. After finding out about the MXGP and how good Antonio Cairoli was and still is he quickly became my role model wanting to be the best for such a long time. My manager also keeps telling me about how amazing Stefan Everts is as a 10-time World Champion and person off the bike and I look forward to meeting him once he has fully recovered…Best Wishes Stefan!

MXlarge: Are you better on any type of surface, like hardpack, or sand?

Malkiewicz: I prefer riding sand over hard packed, but I love some technical tracks like ruts everywhere and where being tall can be an advantage. With 20 races on the calendar, in 17 different countries I’m sure that I am going to get exposed to many new types of surfaces and terrains. This excites me.

MXlarge: The first three rounds seem like they will be good for the Australian riders, with Matterley Basin really like an Australian track, and Argentina also nice. Have you looked at the calendar and figures out which circuits you are looking forward to racing on?

Malkiewicz: I have looked at the calendar a lot to be honest and cannot wait to see the amazing countries and race on those world class tracks, the track I look forward to racing is Lommel because it just has a name for itself and looks unreal. I’ve heard the champions say that they knew if they could do well at Lommel that they could do well anywhere, so I’m keen to see this.

MXlarge: What do you think will be the most difficult part of racing in Europe and what makes it worthwhile coming here?

Malkiewicz: The level of the competition here is off the charts, it’s the place you dream of coming to and is definitely the place you want to come to if you want to get faster. However, without a doubt the most difficult but important part of racing in Europe will be stepping up to the racing in the elite MX Championships in the world. There is the racing side: 35-minute motos every race unlike in Australia; racing for 8 solid months with 20 race weekends; travelling every week, racing in front of 50,000+ fanatical fans, and always having to be switched on. That is going to be something new and I imagine very tough. And then there is also the professionalism side: always being in the spotlight, being a role model, and developing commercial partnerships which is something that I really want to forge for many years to the win-win benefit of the company and me. This is all new as I’m stepping up to the F1 of MX but I so lucky that my dad and manager Hinko have really developed strategy to minimise the shock factor so that I can focus on riding.

MXLarge: Have you ridden with any of the regular Grand Prix guys yet and maybe gotten an idea of their speed against yours?

Malkiewicz: I’ve only ridden with a couple guys so far and it’s pretty early to be assuming if I am faster or not. They are riding good and I have some work to do but feel good with where my base speed is at. However, our strategy at this moment is not focused on my speed vs other riders speed. It’s about consistent gains all in good time.