We caught up with several riders and a couple of team members on press day before San Diego Supercross in this full-length video.
So, uh, seventh place at at A1. Uh, how’d you feel, um, you know, with the result and, uh, moving into San Diego? >> Yeah, not bad. It was, uh, pretty good start for me. Not not my greatest performance, I would say, on the bike and just just how I’ve been riding in general, uh, the last, you know, few months going into the race. So, it was definitely not my best riding, but maybe a little bit of the first round nerves caused that. And yeah, I’m feeling a lot better. Had two good days of practice
this week and and had a really good day on the last day of riding. So, I’m feeling a lot more comfortable. The first race nerves are out of the system and and ready to get it going here at San Diego. >> Right. >> And did you guys go back all the way east for the or did you stay out here for the week? >> Yeah, we actually we actually stayed out here. So, uh it’s been nice. The weather here is so awesome. And yeah, I didn’t really want to have to travel from east coast to west coast every weekend. So,
that just puts extra stress and and tear on your body. And being able to stay here and stay relaxed and be in the California, go to the beach and and yeah, it’s it’s awesome. So, we’ve stayed out here, got a couple days at the test track, and uh now we’re back. >> Great. You get to use like the Yamaha tracks or >> Yep. Yep. Yamaha test tracks. Yeah. >> Nice. And, um, there’s been a ton of talk about your, you know, rear brake setup and all that. Is it more comfortable for you now? Is it like a
constant progression? Is it just second nature? >> Yeah, it it’s definitely I feel like more muscle memory now than it used to be. I feel like before I’d have to think about it. Um, now I don’t. So, it’s definitely a lot more comfortable. It’s getting better and better. And like I said, like it’s just easy easier the more time I put into it. It’s more muscle memory. It’s more just normal normal normal. So the more time I I put into it, the better I get. And um this
year compared to last year is a huge difference compared to that. >> And is there um any spots you think it’s a deterrent or even like a you know a right-hand start is a little help for you or >> Yeah, for sure. This weekend I I smile when I look at the track map when I see a righthand start. I can put my foot out and still be breaking. So, um I’m always down for a right-hand start, which we got this weekend. So, I look forward to that. And, um that’s just one of the many benefits it has sometimes.
Sometimes it’s a negative as well. Um I feel like it’s a little bit easier indoors than outdoors, but uh yeah, for those scenarios like that, I feel like that’s definitely an advantage for me. >> Is there any spot where it it gives you trouble, you know, like in the whoops? >> Well, I mean, sometimes before the whoops, you have to use the clutch and you land in a corner. You have to be a tall gear. You have to get on the clutch. like it’s a lot of work to um you know either like a big three in
where you have to fan the clutch but also be braking on the entrance of the corner. Um I feel like on Supercross I’ve set my bike up a little bit more engine brake so I can roll a little bit more and not have to use my brake and can just more focus on the clutch. But uh yeah, there’s certain tracks, certain rhythm, certain sections where it’s like yeah the corners it’s a lot I’ve got going on. I’m using three levers at once in a corner. So it’s uh that’s the downside of it. It’s definitely a lot
with the bars and just all that but it has its positives too. So, if you’re using one or the other, it’s fine. But when you have to use both, that’s >> Yeah, that that’s where it struggles. Yeah, it’s kind of hard. Um, and you’re using, you know, two out of your five fingers and you got So, I’m holding with a thumb, my ring finger and pinky finger on the bar at one point. So, yeah, when I have to use both, it’s a little bit tougher than just using one. >> Okay. And then long term, like you think
you’re permanently going to have to use the the handbrake or >> Yeah, I think so. I mean, the progression with the foot is the feeling hasn’t come back, which is the main problem. A lot of the movement and strength has starting to starting to come back now uh you know a year later. I guess they they gave me a healing process of three years. So I’m not at that point yet, but um as of right now I’m pretty focused on just accepting that that’s how it’s going to be for the
rest of my life and that’s just how it’s got to be. >> Yeah. So has the like have you gotten any nerve feeling back at all or is just >> not not so much feeling? No. Like I still really can’t feel around the top or bottom of my foot. um the strength and movement. Like when I first was injured or even uh last year, I couldn’t really pick my foot up that much and now I can. So that stuff has starting to come back that just the mobility side of it and the strength of it. Um but the
feeling is still feels like it’s stayed the same since I’ve been injured. >> Great. And how um like your offseason prep this for this year versus the previous year? Any any differences? >> Oh yeah, lots of differences. Last year was a lot of just developing the handbrake and and figuring it out and and how it works. And the suspension was kind of just I found a decent setting and I just wanted to stick with it because I was doing so much development on the the the brake side of things. And
this year we switched suspension and uh we did a lot a lot of testing. The handbrake was already kind of like it was a dial system. I didn’t have to do any more research and development on it. So I was able to just put a lot of time on the bike and a lot of testing and getting the bike how I wanted it. Um and actually just be grinding laps and motos and not so much learning something new. Um, which I feel like that’s made me a lot more prepared of course for this year. >> Great. And, uh, just one last, has
anybody come to you like, uh, you know, to kind of get the rear brake set up, you know, some other injured people? >> Yeah, for sure. I’ve had I’ve had a good amount of Instagram DMs. I’ve had people in wheelchairs who who’ve hit me up and asked what the system is, and I’ve kind of talked them through it, how they can get it, and um, yeah, it’s been awesome to be able to give back. It’s crazy to think that uh you have an injury, you feel like you’re the only one, but uh
there’s many more out there that have gone through the same thing or have something similar. So, I’ve definitely had to I’ve definitely been able to help a lot of people in that in that aspect. So, it’s cool. >> Super. >> How long uh are you new to the team? I forget how long you’ve been on the team. >> Yeah, I uh filled in for outdoors last year and then um yeah, I’ve been so hasn’t been a full almost a full year I’ve been on the team. >> Okay. And um where did you do like your
offseason boot camp like when you did your prep work? Uh >> uh we did the offseason in in Southern California in Tmacula area. We got to ride the Yamaha test track and um Paula and all that stuff and running with the team with Dylan and Bradley Taft, our trainer and he’s the team manager. So Okay. >> Uh I think we had a really good offseason. >> Okay. And uh the whole team trains together. That’s what it sounded like. >> Yep. Yeah, the whole team trains together. We have uh a good group of
guys, I would say. >> Okay. And um how’s like this the prep for this season different than last? Uh >> feeling better. Did you do anything different for the for the new season? Obviously on the team’s a bit different. >> Yeah, just being on the team it’s been nice. Uh just having people to ride with. Last year I didn’t really ride with too many people. It was like kind of trying to hop in with people that I could and then most days I would just ride by myself. So having somebody like
Dylan to push me every day and um yeah, and just having like the suspension testing we’ve had, I’ve never really had that before. So, that’s been nice and um yeah, it’s been a big change for me, but um I feel like we’ve done a lot of work this offseason and um I’m ready to show it. >> Okay. And uh you made the main in Anaheim. >> Yep. >> Um first one or how many have you made? >> Uh yeah, I made a good a good amount of them last year. I think I I just missed
one maybe east showdown, but um yeah, I made the main last weekend. It wasn’t my best riding, but um yeah, happy happy with the result knowing that it wasn’t my best riding and I still got 14th. So, um I think there’s a lot to build off of and um definitely more to come for sure. >> Okay. And how have you looked at track much? How you feel about this weekend? >> Yeah, track looks good. It looks a little bit more peaky than Anaheim did. Um Anaheim I feel like was a little bit
more mellow than I feel like it normally is. So, um I’m excited for this weekend. It looks peaky and um should be fun. >> Hello everyone. It’s Stephan Rubini here racing for Gizmo Racing Yamaha. >> And uh first year in in AMA Supercross. >> Yes, first year. It’s uh all very new to me. Uh I started training uh super in Supercross in uh November 15th, so it’s uh really late. Uh but yeah, I mean uh when you got to go, you got to go. You know, I think it was a great opportunity
for me to uh uh to start at some point doing uh Supercross. So, here I am. >> And um like where did you uh so you came over mid November. Where did you do like your preseason practice? >> I did my preseason at Future MX in uh Florida. >> Okay. >> And um yeah, it’s it’s been great so far. I’m uh I’m staying with u uh we’re just installing. So, uh he’s been helping me a lot uh on for the bike and advices and stuff. So, it’s been really helpful. >> Okay. And does the team train there or
it’s just you all can kind of do >> just myself? Just myself. I know uh Freddy and Keegan are training at Club MX. Uh but in future MX is just myself and I think Valentin Guio is also coming once once a while. >> Okay. All right. And um so A1 was your first uh race. How how’d you do? >> Uh well I qualified myself for the night show which was great. Um, but to be honest, it was a uh not a scary day, but very nervous all day. Very tired on the bike, so I was really not feeling
myself. Um, I enjoyed riding the last three laps of the LCQ, so pretty late during the night, but uh, no, it’s uh, it’s nice to get this out of the way and start building from here. >> Okay. Uh, you did do the LCQ and and then you qualified in the LCQ. Was that where >> Yeah, I I qualified for the night show and then just did the LCQ. I finished 19th. Yeah. >> Perfect. Okay. And uh nerves big crowd that play into it. >> Yeah. Like it’s I’ll be honest, it was
not really about the crowd. It was just more about the track, you know, like it’s just everything so new to me that I’m you know, the track is bigger than my training track and everything is just like different. And so it was uh it was it was a lot of new uh things to you know for me to to learn and stuff. >> Okay. And uh how you feel coming into San Diego this weekend? I saw you out here walking the track a little bit. >> Yes. Yes. Uh hopefully a little less stress during the weekend, you know.
Hopefully I can uh get used to the track a little faster, a little quicker. And um yeah, uh I’m excited, you know. It’s uh uh like I said, it’s all new to me. So, I’m excited just to learn each weekend, you know, learn new tracks, learn new new jumps, rhythm, and etc. >> Okay, great. I’m sure fans are um you’ll be in 450 class, so they get to see you all year. Uh they can watch and follow along. Um if you got an Instagram or something, uh you know, say it here. And
yeah, it’s uh Stefan Rubini 106. Uh you can follow me on Instagram and Facebook and uh yeah, hopefully we can uh we can, you know, go along this journey together. >> Great. Thank you. Thank you very much. >> Uh you made the main last week, right? You tell me how it was for you or >> night show. Night show. Yeah. Yeah. It was my first one. It was a dream come true. Like it’s been to race there and and it’s at A1 is so awesome. >> Cool. That’s first one ever.
Yeah. First one ever. >> Congrats. >> So, and you said uh you’re training a club now like for how long? >> Yeah, full-time clubs. And I love it there. Like facility is amazing, tracks are amazing, all the people are great. That’s perfect. >> How’s it work with the team? You can kind of train where you want. Is that >> Yeah, they just they let you train wherever. Like um Freddy’s there at club with me and then Ravini’s down in Florida. So,
okay. >> We’re kind of just everywhere. >> And so, uh like what did you do last year for training? Like where where were you at? How’s how’s this season different than last? >> Um I felt good coming into last season honestly like at club the whole boot camp, but I broke my wrist right before the season started. So, I was out for the whole season and then we kind of just picked up this year a little early like October and I just had I had a ton of time on it and felt good. Last
weekend was dream come true just to make the nice show. That was the goal. >> And did you get to prep longer this? You said you had the injury last year, but you got a much longer off season this year. >> Yeah, I did um I did the outdoors and I didn’t really take a break after outdoors. like kind of got right on like the SMX as you call it that track at club and then as soon as it trans over to supercross I was right on supercross until they won. >> All right, Robbie Malinowski, crew chief
for club MX Yamaha. >> Are you related to Ryder Milanowski? >> Yeah, that’s my son. >> Oh, nice. Yes, sir. >> That’s cool. >> All right. How long have you been uh working with Club X? >> Uh this is my first season with Club OMX. >> Okay. And uh which riders are you taking care of? uh crew chief for the whole team uh on the pro side. Uh we have the amateur side as well with Ryder there and Jess Turner, but uh yeah, just the uh the four pros. >> Okay. And you were just telling me a bit
about Max’s uh levers, you know, dialing them in. Uh tell me the same thing. Yeah. >> Yeah, it’s it’s kind of just his setup. It’s nothing. We don’t even think about it anymore. It’s really kind of just put put behind us. And um like I was saying earlier with this uh right hand start, I think it’s going to play a little advantage. He can kind of roll in there. not take or taking his foot off and still being able to modulate that rear brake. It’s going to be a nice
advantage. Um obviously still rather have a regular foot brake, but um we’re looking for any advantage we can get. >> Yeah. And you were just saying about the the rear brake is super touchy for him, right? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. It’s quite touchy. It’s uh he doesn’t have to apply much pressure and he’s got that rear brake locked up. And then of course we run a little bigger rotor and a little power more powerful master cylinder as well. >> Okay. clutch pretty normal other than
the mount, you know. It’s >> Yeah, clutch is a um a little bit of a hybrid hydraulic system. It’s still with the conventional pull rod uh style, but uh uh cable style, but we have to u uh use a hydraulic push rod and then it gives him that feel that he can modulate it and he just can’t adjust it is the problem. And with having that handbrake up there, he he’s not able to adjust the tension. So, we had to go hydraulic. Okay. And then uh what’s a crew chief do on an average, you know, race day for
for the average fan? Like >> probably got a lot of little duties. >> Definitely uh take care of any of the settings. Uh advise in any settings going forward and then of course uh throughout the day if we need to uh you know fill in any holes I try to help out, jump in. Um but for the most part just giving them that technical support throughout the day. >> And how about during the week? Uh similar or are you involved in training or just prep for the following weekend? Yeah. No, I I watch every lap. I
document every lap. I document any change, anything that we test. Uh pretty much if they’re on the bike, I’m I’m involved. And during the week, we’re building uh and setting up for the next test day or or riding day. So, heavily involved with the bike and the rider. >> And then uh do you film all the you film all the qualifying, all the heat, all the main? >> Yeah. And then you review it in the trailer. >> Absolutely. Yeah. Just part of the circle uh you know, small group. We got
Chad Reed, obviously myself, and then uh mechanic and and maybe a father will step in and and work with a rider, but that’s pretty much it. That’s kind of our uh debriefing circle. >> Sweet. All right. Thank you. >> Yeah, you bet. >> Hi, I’m Bobby Fischer with the Gizmo Racing Yamaha team based out of Florida. >> And uh what do you do for the team? >> I manage the team. Um operate operations essentially, you know, whatever needs to be done. We got a small crew, so we all
work together. here. I got some good crew, but uh you know what, whatever we need to do, we we make it happen. >> And uh I know you’re from Illinois. Um where do you spend your weeks? Are you spending at home or down by the team or? >> Yeah, so every every week we head back to uh Illinois. We uh uh just opened up um a new race shop in Winnebago. So all of the team’s race engines come through Winnebago and and run essentially that as our our race shop hub. And then the the team’s based out of Florida at Gizmo
uh Racing and Gizmo shares a shop in Titusville, Florida. So, uh between the two collectively, you know, that’s where we stock all of our parts, you know, and turn everything over to either bring to the races or ship out each week. >> Okay. And I’m sure you wear about a thousand hats, but what’s what’s a few common things you’re doing during the week? Uh you know, that somebody wouldn’t think of here. >> Uh whatever needs to be done. So, um, like the other day I was talking to the
wife, I had 74 contacts between emails, phone calls, texts. So, from, uh, sponsor relations to ordering parts, talking to the riders, the mechanics, um, you know, I have Mike that helps me at the race shop build engines, but if I need to build an engine, you know, make that happen as well. And then um you know somewhere in between you know I got a great wife and two little girls that uh you know take up a lot of time as well. >> Great. And you’ve been doing it a while. You told me uh how long you’ve been
doing it with. >> Yeah. Originally started in 2004. So this is my 22nd year being in the industry. Um three the three previous years I managed a team for Mike Duclo when it was Rock River. Uh this year though, the owner of Gizmo purchased everything on the pro side and and now has hired me to operate the team for Gizmo Racing. >> Great. And uh who’s all on the team this year to wrap us up? >> We have Freddy Norin and Stefon Rubini in the 450 class. And then 250 West, we have Keegan Raleigh. And then come East
Coast, we’ll have Valentine Guode, Bryce Shelley, Patrick Murphy, and CJ Bernard. So 4 250 east guys.