Michael „The Rock“ Rigdon

They call him The Rock, though once upon a time he was known as The Rocket — a name earned in the 1970s for his explosive starts out of the gate, the kind that made crowds lean forward and rivals tighten their grip.

In the ´90s and ´00s, Michael Rigdon´s connection with the legandary Troy Racing team and its visionary founder, Phil Alderton, placed him right at the heart of the sport´s most exciting era.
Working in PR and sponsor realations, he quickly became known for his calm presision and his instinct to turn networking into genuine connection.

Time passed, races came and went, but Rock’s presence in the motocross world never faded. He’s one of those people who stayed when others moved on — part racer, part diplomat, part unshakable believer in the spirit of the sport.

These days, he’s the quiet force behind efforts to keep riding spots open and thriving, working with industry leaders to push for smarter sound solutions that balance raw passion with responsibility.

Safety and innovation matter to him — not as buzzwords, but as commitments. Michael’s advocacy helped shape the MXGP goggle lane, a small change with big impact, born from his instinct that small details mean safer racing.

Rock may joke about being “old,” but the truth is simpler: he’s still going strong. Not by holding onto the past, but by making sure motocross has a future — one built on friendship, innovation, and a love for the roar of engines that will never quite fade away.

From Long Form Interviews to Rapid Fire Information.

Manfred Razenboeck has lived and breathed motocross for as long as he can remember. Growing up in Austria, he was first introduced to the sport by his father back in the days when KTMs were still white and cyan. Around that time, figures like the late Mike Healey captured his imagination — not just through racing, but through a lifestyle that felt worlds apart from his own, offering a first glimpse into the international spirit and culture that would later shape Fredi’s path.