by: Kate Stiller
Tuesday, March 18, 2025 | 11:10 AM
GNCC RACING: Jumping right into it, tell us about your incredible performance at the Big Buck GNCC. Not only did you take the win from the XC2 line, but you also managed to beat all the XC1 riders, and you did it without any time adjustments. You dominated the competition, finishing over three minutes ahead of everyone. Walk us through that race and how everything came together for you.
Nick DeFeo: Yeah, it was a good race. I got the whole shot, and then I started just riding my own race, cause it was my first race in XC2. I was just picking off the guys in XC1 because they would take bad lines and I'd know where they would get stuck, and I went around them. And then I just rode my race to the front of the pack of XC1 by lap two. And got around Johnny, and then I got around Stew, and then I got around Jordan. Yeah, I mean, it just was a weird feeling to get into the lead, but I mean, I kinda know what it feels like from being in the amateurs from last year, so it was a good win. I’d like to have more, but soon to come.
The weather leading up to and during the Big Buck race created harsh, muddy conditions. How did you handle those conditions? Do you prefer the muddier, more technical tracks?
I didn't know it was gonna rain that much. But I was just out there, I didn't really think of it as a mud race, cause it kinda tacked up towards the 1 PM race and I usually tend to more muddy conditions because last year I got seventh overall at The General from A row. I mean, I don't call myself a mud rider, but I guess I should now.
Big Buck was also the first time we had the top three overall finishers, all coming from the XC2 class. You’re now the third rider to take the overall from the XC2 line, with your teammate Josh Toth being one of the others. As more of you XC2 guys are grabbing these wins, it’s starting to feel like a changing of the guard in the sport. What do you think this shift says about the evolution of the sport, especially since it’s the 50th year of GNCC racing, and how does it feel to be part of that transition?
It's definitely cool to see the XC2 guys come up. I mean me, Grant and a couple other guys are all still really young, and we're just young and hungry. And yeah, the other guys just they think they can hold back, but me and Grant are pushing up to the front of the pack every race. But it's cool that I get to have my teammate with me that we both have overalls on the team that we can say are from the XC2 row. And I was the first one ever to do it physically, and it's cool to have my name in the 50th year of the GNCC for a class win, and an overall win feels nice.
You’re part of the Rocky Mountain Red Bear Kawasaki team led by Stew Baylor. With such a skilled and competitive team, what’s the atmosphere like within the pits and during race weekends? How do you and your teammates motivate each other to perform at your best?
It’s great having Stew for a team manager and a team owner and basically just a friend in the pits. We basically just talk back and forth to each other, and it's a great atmosphere. We're all joking around with each other, and there's no real rivalry going down yet, probably it's gonna happen if I keep being Stew. Yeah, it's just fun to have all the guys under the pits, and yeah, it's just a good time.
Not only have you won youth overall championships, but you’ve also claimed the Amateur National Overall Championships in 2023 and 2024. As you continue to compete at such a high level, do you find that your approach to race weekends has evolved? Are you focusing more on the mental side of racing, or is it primarily about executing physically on race day?
Yeah, I got some past championships, and yeah, hopefully, right now, I'm basically just trying to execute get through my first season. Trying to be healthy and not making any dumb decisions. My mental side is just I get to go ride my dirtbike and it’s fun so.
What has training looked like for you throughout this past off-season and throughout this year so far?
I've been training down in Florida with a group, and we've been basically just every day just either a road bike or in the gym or doing motos, and now I'm over here training at Shoals for the rest of the season, so could be doing the same and just looking forward to it.
What do you like to do for fun when you're not racing or training?
I like to play with my dog. She's cute. But I don't know. I really just like to go talk to my friends, and I like to ride mountain bikes here and there. Yeah, I don't really do anything outside of dirt bikes. Usually my fun thing is dirt bikes, so.
What are your goals as a rider in GNCC for this year?
I want to contend for the XC2 championship and get a couple more wins under my belt. Yeah, just keep a consistent season and hopefully, after this round, I can have my season where I can just get straight podiums.
Finally, who would you like to thank for helping you out this year?
The whole Rocky Mountain Red Bear Kawasaki Team, my mechanic Trent, my mom, my dad, Scott goggles, Alpine Star boots, Mobius knee braces and Sipes for helping us this year with all the testing on the bike.
