This Week at JGRMX - Cade Autenrieth Interview

This Week at JGRMX - Cade Autenrieth Interview

Cade Autenrieth face photo

It's every motocross rider's dream to turn Pro and secure a factory ride right out of the gate. However, in the whirlwind world of racing, landing a factory deal is incredibly challenging. Hemet, California's Cade Autenrieth has defied the odds. The 17-year-old, who has never raced a Monster Energy AMA Supercross, received the call from Auto Trader.com/JGRMX/Suzuki team manager Jeremy Albrecht to contest the final three 250 West rounds. Autenrieth will fill in for the injured Phil Nicoletti on the team. We caught up with the friendly teenager to talk about the deal, and what it will be like racing a factory Suzuki RM-Z250.

To begin, how did the JGRMX Suzuki opportunity come together?
We had just showed up at a race in Turlock for a Mammoth Mountain qualifier, and Buddy [Antunez] called and said that I might have an opportunity to ride the last three 250 West rounds for JGRMX. I hoped for the best. JGRMX set me up with a test in California at the Suzuki Supercross track south of Corona last week. Then, on Tuesday, I received the call from Jeremy Albrecht [JGRMX team manager] that JGRMX decided to pick me for the spot. It didn’t seem real.

Jeremy Albrecht was impressed how you improved in every practice session. Was it difficult adapting to the RM-Z250?
I realized immediately that the Suzuki RM-Z250 was quite a bit different from what I was used to riding. As the day went on I found a lot more comfort with the bike. What I really noticed was how the Suzuki turns really well. I could lean the bike over and trust that it would stay right where I wanted it. I rode a practice bike, and the suspension was a bit soft for me, so I’m excited to get on the race bike and see what I can do.

Cade Autenrieth's professional racing rookie numbersAutenrieth will sport the #330 in his first professional Supercross race, at Seattle, next weekend.

Did you have any plans to race the final three 250 West Supercross rounds before JGRMX called?
No, I did not. I was planning on racing the 250 Nationals my first year pro. Obviously I’m excited about the opportunity. I’ve never ridden for a team before. Some people might think that I feel a lot of pressure to perform, but honestly it’s more a feeling of excitement.

It’s a bit serendipitous that the world is finding out that you are the newest edition to the JGRMX 250 factory Suzuki program today, which just so happens to be your 17th birthday, don’t you think?
It’s like the ultimate birthday dream [laughter]. I still can’t believe that this opportunity has actually happened. I plan on taking advantage of the chance to ride a factory bike.

Can you provide a brief overview of how you started out in the sport of motocross?
I’m from Hemet, California. I started riding when I was five years old, but never did any amateur races. Then, once I got on a 85, I began racing locally. After that I decided to race some Amateur Nationals. My first one was at Mammoth, and from there I went to all of the major events. About that time I started working with Buddy Antunez. That was five years ago. The whole time I dedicated myself to motocross in the hope that I would one day get a dream ride. Somehow that dream has suddenly become a reality.

Buddy Antunez was hugely successful, especially indoors. What’s it like working with a five-team Arenacross champion?
Buddy is awesome to work with. He’s always looking for areas where I need to improve on, and that’s why I like working with him so much. Buddy has explained different riding situations and how I should react, and he always has an answer for a problem.

There’s a big autograph signing the night before the Seattle Supercross at Ride Motorsports. You’ll be seated next to riders like Justin Barcia and Jake Weimer, signing autographs and shaking hands with fans. Have you thought about what it will be like in the spotlight?
It’s honestly a dream come true. It will be a first for me. I’ll have a great time and enjoy every moment. Maybe it will be a little nerve racking, but it will be good for me. I’m looking forward to see what I can do on a factory JGRMX Suzuki RM-Z250.

Thanks for your time, Cade.
I appreciate it. 

Previous post Next Post

Comments

Leave a comment

Top Selling Products