In many regards, motocross is one of the most family-oriented sports in existence, and that is a theme that is carried throughout racing from amateur days on mini bikes all the way through the professional level. Those of us that share a love for two wheels consider one another family. But a lucky few like Alex and Jeremy Martin have the opportunity to ride with their actual family at the highest level in the sport.
That’s the case with Alex Martin and Jeremy Martin. For nearly the past five years, the Martin brothers have lined up together, professionally, in the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series and the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship.
Over the course of their career, riders may develop rivalries with their competitors, especially considering that most professionals grew up racing their current competitors many times as amateurs as well as professionals. Over such an expansive time frame, it’s those rivalries that make racing especially fun for fans to watch. But there is no more exciting a rivalry dynamic as that between big brother and littler brother racing one another.
Round 8 of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship took place in Millville, Minnesota, at Spring Creek Motocross Park. Spring Creek Motocross Park just happens to be the “hometown” track for Alex and Jeremy Martin in more ways than one; their family actually owns the facility. We caught up with the Martin brothers to learn what it’s like racing your big (or little) brother professionally as well as how the “home field” advantage plays into racing.
Alex Martin: We’ve been racing together for a while now, so it’s kind of normal. When I see him up there, it’s familiar. It’s someone that I want to kick his ass, but at the end of the day we spend a lot of time together. We live together. We train together a lot. It’s good.
Jeremy Martin: It’s fine. I at least like him more than the rest of the competition.
DirtBikes.com: In Supercross you found yourselves in separate regions, East and West. Now you are back, racing together for the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship. Do you find yourself with a little bit of sibling rivalry? Do you feel like you race each other harder than the other competitors? Maybe less hard than the other competitors?
Alex Martin: I think the biggest thing for us is that we can’t hide anything from each other. We know what we do during the week, and like I know his strengths and weaknesses. If he gets sick or catches a cold I know that he’s going to fade at 25 minutes and I’ll pass him. A lot of the riders, if they have injuries or colds or whatever, they can hide it, where we can’t really hide anything from each other.
Jeremy Martin: Honestly, he’s going for wins and I’m going for wins. So it’s literally the same. Yeah, there’s a rivalry, and yeah we talk shit on each other, but that’s more for fun. At the end of the night, at dinnertime it’s family. The boots are put away.
DirtBikes.Com: Each of you has switched teams and bike brands this year after a long tenure with Yamaha. What has been the most challenging part about adjusting to a new bike after spending so many recent years with Yamaha?
Alex Martin: The hardest part is just getting to know the ins and outs of the chassis with the KTM. It has a steel frame. After being on the Yamaha for so long you get so used to the way chassis and things handle. The KTM has taken a while for me to find the sweet spot and what I like in the suspension and the chassis. It definitely took a while, but I think we’re at a good spot now.
Jeremy Martin: The hardest thing going from the Yamaha to the Honda is just how completely different I have to ride. Had to change my style to work with the Honda.
DirtBikes.Com: Alex, it’s taken you a little longer to sort of “find your stride” and become a consistent podium contender. What clicked in the past couple of seasons?
Alex Martin: Me personally, I think it’s more of finally getting an opportunity to have a factory ride and everything that comes with that–better parts, practice mechanic, race mechanic, a salary. I can focus on myself. I spent a lot of time as a privateer just worrying about getting to the races and not necessarily putting in the proper training and I had to work on my bike a lot. There is a lot of stressful things that come with being a privateer and now that I’m a factory guy, I can focus on me and making myself better. So I think the biggest part of my success for me the past couple of years is just being on a factory team.
DirtBikes.Com: Jeremy, at the first race of the season, your butt patch on your pants said “It’s Time.” Would you explain that a bit further?
Jeremy Martin: [laughs] Yes. The “It’s Time ” was a funny joke between my friends and Lucas, my agent, so we thought it was a good butt patch.
DirtBikes.Com: Do you remember the first pro race you both lined up for together? What was that experience like?
Alex Martin: First pro race was Unadilla 2013… no 2012. Jeremy missed Loretta’s that year because he was hurt, and then turned pro right after Loretta’s. Honestly I don’t even remember if I beat him or not, but he sucked. [laughs]
Jeremy Martin: Yes we lined up at Unadilla together. Battled in Moto 1 with Alex for a bit before ultimately dropping anchor due to being so tired!
Alex Martin: That was one thing I will say, my dad made my brother and I both–when it came to mowing, weed whacking, fencing, pretty much all of the manual labor stuff around Millville–we’ve definitely done it. I’ve pretty much weed whacked the entire facility. I’ve definitely put in my hours. I look back and I think that was vital in establishing a work ethic and kind of the “don’t give up” and not living where you’re in kind of a soft environment. My dad was pretty strict with us. On the race weekend of the Nationals, I would typically just water the track and make sure it wasn’t dusty or whatever. There are so many people that come and help at the Nationals. My parents have so many people that come for that specific weekend that it’s really the other times of the year where they need more help.
Jeremy Martin: Yes for sure. I kind of did it all. Fenced, moved, week whacked, picked up trash after the races, and worked on the track.
DirtBikes.Com: Most riders on the circuit have at least one race that gives them a “hometown” advantage. But for both of you, you have an actual “home field” advantage since your family owns Spring Creek. How does this advantage play into race day for you for the Spring Creek National?
Alex Martin: I guess it’s an advantage just in terms of how many laps we’ve spent on the track and lines. We know how the track develops and where to go when it gets rough, even where to start on the start gate. Even having the crowd, there is a little bit of energy you can draw from the crowd. Like last year, when I was leading some laps, I could literally hear them all the way around the track. I could hear people screaming and yelling, and that’s pretty cool. That definitely gives you a little extra advantage.
Jeremy Martin: I don’t know if it really does anymore, to be honest. That weekend alone is the hardest race of the year for me due to everyone wanting to catch up and also press obligations.
DirtBikes.Com: I’ve heard that both of you are Ricky Carmichael fans. How has he influenced your personal racing journey?
Alex Martin: That’s a random one. [laughs] I grew up when Ricky was winning all the time, and it’s pretty easy to look up to a guy who is winning. Just how successful he is, is pretty amazing. There still hasn’t been a rider who has been as dominant, and I don’t know that there ever will be a rider who is as dominant as Ricky. I think the big thing with Ricky was just the work ethic, and that always motivated me. You can maybe get the job done if you work hard enough or put the time in. I think the way he influenced me was just through his work ethic.
Jeremy Martin: Ricky was the guy I looked up to growing up. It was cool to work with him, and I enjoyed my time with the champ.
DirtBikes.Com: At what age did you know that racing professionally was the goal?
Alex Martin: At the age of probably 14, I would say, so a little bit later than normal. My dad pretty much refused to let us go race and take it seriously until about that age.
Jeremy Martin: When I turned 16 and saw how much money my dad was putting into my dream.
DirtBikes.Com: When you’re not racing, how do you like to spend your time?
Alex Martin: When I’m not racing, I like to spend my time Hanging out with family, fishing. It really depends on what state I’m in. But fishing, mountain biking, cycling. I do enjoy running as well. Just spending time with friends and family.
Jeremy Martin: With friends and family. Maybe a little golf or fishing to keep the mind off moto.
DirtBikes.Com: If you could give one piece of advice to young riders who have the goal of racing professionally, what would it be?
Alex Martin: I would tell them that knowledge is power, and that it’s important to approach your training very thoughtfully, not just be “brain off.” You want to be very thoughtful and proactive on how to be better on and off the track. Just trying to make yourself the best person that you can be.
Jeremy Martin: Always stay true to who you are and if you truly want something bad enough and make the sacrifices necessary you can do anything you set your mind to!
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