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Monty The Great

Written by Goba Monday, 23 August 2010 18:05

Monty The Great – An interview with a man who's not only great at handling his tools!

They say behind every great man you'll find a good woman, but this is not true in Levi Sherwood's case. He has in his corner one of the greatest motorcycle mechanics on earth, well one of the greatest to have ever held a Sidchrome shifter in his hands. His name is Monty The Great, AKA Stephen Montgomery, and we – being X-Fighter judge Brody Henricksen and myself (Goba) – caught up with the popular Kiwi mechanic as he tightened Levi's nuts at the London round of Red Bull X-Fighters to talk about what it's like to be so popular, how he puts up with the high demands from his boss, and what X-Fighters after party does he rate the best – plus other stuff that's not so important!

Brody – Monty, can you describe to us an average day your not at an event: My average day is pretty full on, wake up bright and early around 6am, wash bikes, make sure they're all prepped and ready for Levi to ride for the day ... Nah not really. I have a pretty good lifestyle, up around 9am, make sure the bike's fine, go riding and just hang out with the boys all day pretty much. I love my lifestyle and job. I'm around motorbikes and good people so can't complain really.

Brody – So you get to go riding yourself: Yeah just on motocross tracks not freestyle at all. It's fun!

Brody – The big question is when you go riding who wins between you and Levi: C'mon man do I really need to answer this one? Definitely me for sure! (Laughs). Nah, to be honest Levi would probably have me a little bit, but so he should because I'm half bung and crippled so I've got a good excuse.

Brody – So when you're actually at an event what's your favourite part of being there: Afterparty for sure! Nah just hangin' out with everyone, it's always a good time.

The legend at work! Credit: gobadirt.com

Goba – I see you really come alive at the after parties Monty, which one's been your fav on the X-Fighters series so far: Russia for sure! It was amazing! Like when you walk in the door and their's chicks half topless dancing on top of a piano you know it's going to be a good night.

Brody – So do you have any good after party stories where maybe it all didn't turn out how you expected in the end: Ahh, yeah, but I don't think we need to talk about that. All I'll say is I look after my boy pretty well, but sometimes he doesn't return the favour! (Laughs)

Goba – So what's Levi like as a boss: To be honest I'm pretty much the boss. I tell him what tricks to do, and what he's doing wrong ... Ha, nah, Levi is real laid back as most people would know. He's fun to work with.

Goba – So he wouldn't be half the man he is without you Monty: Oh yeah for sure, I help him out heaps ... I think, maybe?

Brody – I heard a rumour on the street you're now being offered sponsorship contracts due to your growing popularity, can you confirm this: Yeah I'm talking to ESPN at the moment to make a reality TV show, every thing's going pretty well for me. Brody – How about personal sponsors, are they lining up: Not yet, I'm just reping Levi's sponsors at the moment. Goba – You're looking like a UNIT Xmas tree at the moment: Yeah they've, well, Levi has been hooking me up pretty good of late. It's good gear!

Levi drops in.

What the stuff would I do without ya brew! Credit: gobadirt.com

Goba – So Levi are you starting to feel a little threatened by your mechanic who's popularity is on the move: Stuff yeah! Look at this guy, he's stealing all the media attention. Plus he's stealing my sponsors, look at all this stuff he's got man! I didn't even know Unit made that T-Shirt he's wearing, WTF! Monty: Yeah I've got all the latest Tees bro! Levi: Man, I don't even have new Unit Tees! Whatever! Not even fased!

Goba – So Levi would you be lost without Monty: Yeah pretty much, I'd probably be riding that nugget over there (points to an old spare parts Honda in the next pit).

Back to the man in the spotlight.

Brody – Back to the serious stuff, at an event besides getting the bike ready do you actually help out with Levi's runs and keep track of what other rider's are doing: Yeah if he asks me questions I'll give him input, but he's pretty much got it under control, he knows what he's doing. Brody – C'mon Monty, cut the modesty, I've seen you sneaking around the course scouting for lines: Yeah true bro, I always go on missions to suss out if I can find hotlines or way's he can get around the course faster, and suss out where the judges are viewing from so he knows what tricks to do where. Goba – What are the main things you do to the bike: I'm always double checking things as I'm always worried about it falling to peices – spokes, triple clamps, general nuts and bolts, etc.

The Kiwi connection – Levi left, Monty and Brody Henricksen chewing the fat. Credit: gobadirt.com

Goba – Have you guys had any Barney's or problems yet: No run-ins yet, fingers crossed! We only had one problem with the bike and that was in Egypt where the new bike had a dodgy carby, and that messed with Levi's head a little, but we got it sorted.

Brody – Do you get on with the other mechanics in the pits: Yeah all the boys are good. Maddo's mechanic Hoody is always entertaining and has good stories to tell. You gotta meet that guy, he's a little different than the rest, in a good way! (Laughs) Everyone is awesome.

Brody – Where do you hope Team Levi will sit at the end of the season: We got the silver medal at X Games, a win here in London hopefully (he won), and hopefully another win at the last round in Rome. If he wins that it'll be close for the overall, which would be nice. It's been a big learning curve for Levi so next year he'll only get better.

Goba – Thanks for your time Monty, we know it's precious, all the best for your rocketing career, catch you soon bro, and try and remember us in a few years when we need a quick interview yeah: Yeah I'll try fella's, keep up the good work eh.