As the SCSporthomes Husqvarna Team returns to the AMA Motocross Series in the United States, Charlie Putnam and Tristan Purdon are joined by younger teammate Charlie Heyman who had to sit sidelined during their last tour to the States due to injury. We catch up with Heyman, see how he is feeling ahead of his AMA debut, and chat with Put and Purdon about their journeys so far.
- Unadilla National | August 10, 2024 | New York
- Budds Creek National | August 17, 2024 | Maryland
- Ironman National | August 24, 2024 | Indiana
Heyman is eager to hit the track, feeling back to health and ready to tackle the his first AMA Pro Motocross.
Words and Images by SCSporthomes Husqvarna
His primary goal is to secure a top-20 finish and earn points in both races. He’s been working diligently with trainer Paul Cooper to adapt his preparation to the US conditions, particularly focusing on improving his performance in high humidity and intense racing environments. Despite the setback of a recent injury, Heyman is confident and focused on making a strong debut.
Heyman says: “The injury I had a couple of months ago definitely set me back in my preparation, but I feel like I’m in a good place again now. I’m ready to give it my all.”
Purdon has had an interesting season thus far, with notable podium finishes in the British and Scottish Championships, heading over the pond to the USA had him in the unknown once again and he had to learn to adapt quickly. Reflecting on the first three rounds, Purdon notes significant improvements in his sprint laps and qualifying performance, attributing these gains to focused training and strategic adjustments. He remains enthusiastic about upcoming races, especially Ironman, and hopes to see himself up in the points on the scoreboard.
Purdon on the team setup: “The team really knows what they’re doing, and I have a lot of faith in them, especially in Neil. It’s a good setup, and it lets us focus on the racing without worrying about anything else.”
Like Purdon, Charlie Putnam also voices his excitment to be back and be heading to Ironman. Putnam says he has shifted his goals this season, now focusing on qualifying for mains as the competition intensifies. He has been honing his one-lap speed, which is crucial for competitive qualifying sessions. Putnam highlights the strong team dynamic for this years USA tour, noting that the camaraderie and spirits high, which ease the pressure slightly
Putnam adds: “My expectations have definitely changed a lot this year. The competition has been incredibly strong, and the times are so much tighter with riders from all over the world coming to race. Just qualifying into the mains is a huge achievement in itself this year. “
We look forward to seeing Heyman debut in the States and see how Putnam and Purdon progress over these last 3 rounds, before returning for the penultimate round of the British Championship at School House on September 1st.
Charlie Heyman
How are you feeling as you approach your debut in the AMA Motocross?
“I’m feeling really good heading into my first AMA race. It’s exciting to be here and I’m eager to get out on the track.”
What are your expectations for your first race in the USA?
“I’d be really happy if I could finish in the top 20 and score points in both races. That’s my main goal right now.”
How have you adapted your training to prepare for the different conditions in the US?
“I’ve been working closely with Paul Cooper to be in the best shape possible for these races. We’ve really focused on dialing in the training to match what I’ll face here.”
What are the biggest challenges you expect to face on American tracks compared to those in the UK?
“The biggest challenges are definitely going to be the humidity and how intense the races are over here. It’s a whole different level.”
How has your recent recovery from injury affected your preparation for this debut?
“The injury I had a couple of months ago definitely set me back in my preparation, but I feel like I’m in a good place again now. I’m ready to give it my all.”
Are there any specific areas of your riding that you’ve focused on improving for this competition?
“I’ve been focusing a lot on my fast laps recently to make sure my qualifying is solid. That’s going to be key.”
How has the team supported you in getting ready for your AMA Motocross debut?
“The team has been great leading up to the AMA. They’ve been really helpful because they’ve been through it all before, which has really helped me prepare for it
