Tuesday Toolbox: Gus Riordan

Let's start from the beginning. When did you first get into riding, and what was your journey like from growing up in Australia to moving stateside full-time in 2018?

So my older brother and I grew up riding and grew up on a farm, so we were always just mustering the cattle out riding, and that's where it started. Then we started doing a few races. We moved here (US) to California for my parents' company and then kept racing. I was lucky enough to get a deal and stay. 

You’ve now won five XC2 races this season, including the last four points races in a row to take over the championship points lead. What’s been the biggest key to the momentum you’ve built?

It’s not giving up and keeping focused. I had a few unfortunate mechanical DNFs, which is part of racing, and I just didn't let those DNFs drag me down. I just kept looking forward. I didn’t look at the points for a few races. I knew I was behind, and then once I knew I was close, I looked at them again. 

Now that you are leading the XC2 championship heading into the final rounds of the season, does having the points lead change your mindset at all, or are you still approaching each race the same way?

I'm still approaching each race the same way, because those two or three times this year I thought it was out of reach and gone. 

You joined Phoenix Racing Honda ahead of the 2026 season. What has that transition been like, and how has the team helped you continue to develop as a racer?

The transition has been great. They’ve been very welcoming. I'm happy to test what I want and do anything to make myself comfortable. Luckily, the Honda is a great bike, and it hasn’t taken me long to get used to it, so it's worked perfectly, and they’ve loved my decision. 

This summer, you really didn’t have much of a summer break. You lined up at Southwick and Millville to race Pro Motocross on a 450 and put together some great rides. What led to the decision to race those events, and what did you take away from the experience?

Normally, I go home and do a desert race in Australia, but that was the weekend after Snowshoe, so I thought that it was a bit tight for time. And then obviously, the team does motocross, so I just asked David, the boss man at one of the races, what are the chances I can do a few rounds?  And he said, yeah, for sure. So I thought, let’s go, and yeah, it was great. Had some fun and loved every minute of it.

You've already shown you can compete at the highest level in both GNCC and Pro Motocross. Is racing multiple disciplines something you'd like to continue throughout your career?

Yeah, it’s definitely cool. It’d be cool to do a few more moto races and just set a goal. The two races I did, I just wanted to qualify. I didn't care if I got last; I was just there to have fun. So it’d be cool to have another proper go at it and then yeah go from there. 

In a couple of days, you’ll head to Portugal to represent Team Australia at the FIM International Six Days Enduro. What does it mean to you to represent Australia again, and what are you looking forward to most about this year’s event?

It’s always really cool to represent your country, and this year I’m on the Trophy Team, which is pretty cool. So being one of the main four riders,m and yeah, I’ve heard it’s a bit of a sandy base over there, which I like, so it’s one of the main attractions. I put my hand up, and I’m ready to go.  

Six Days comes right in the middle of an important stretch in the GNCC season. How do you prepare for an event like that while also staying focused on finishing out the XC2 championship?

To be honest, I haven’t really thought about it; I’ve just been focusing on GNCC. 

Winning the XC2 championship this year is obviously a major goal, but looking beyond this season, what are your long-term goals in racing, and where do you hope your career goes from here?

Obviously, I want to get a few championships here in GNCC, and then I love the Dakar Rally stuff. I grew up in the desert, and so it would be cool to end up there one day. 

When you're not at the track or training, how do you like to spend your time away from racing?

Just working on the ranch really, just doing jobs, cruising, hanging out with friends and family.

To wrap things up, who would you like to thank for helping you out this season?

Phoenix Racing; Kari Resources; Aus Ranch; ZO Performance