MILLICENT freestyle motocross rider Josh Burdon has secured another overseas contract and will put his high-flying talent on show in Beijing, China over the coming months.
Joined by two fellow riders, Burdon and his team will complete over 120 shows during his time in the country, with two performances every day.
It will not be his first time in China for work, as the South East daredevil spent three months performing in Shenzhen back in 2017.
The initial 120 shows will take about two months to complete, with an option to renew the contract for a further three months and 180 shows.
But Burdon said he was unsure if he would take the extension yet, due to commitments on the family farm.
The contract was sprung on short notice and Burdon only received the email on Monday morning.
Since then it has been a frantic rush to sort out the contract, book flights and get in any last-minute practice before he puts his body through two months of physical stress.
But it was not all smooth-sailing and Burdon found himself hospitalised on Tuesday afternoon.
“I was doing some last-minute training and had a huge crash and knocked myself out really badly,” he said.
“I was transported straight to emergency in the Mount Gambier Hospital.”
The scans came back clear with no broken bones, but left him in rough shape as he prepared for his overseas journey.
“I have skin off everywhere, put a tooth through my lip and copped a handle bar in the side of my stomach which does not tickle,” Burdon said.
Despite his injuries, Burdon was back on the bike on Wednesday morning and left the country on a high note after a good practice session.
“Our ramps are set at 75ft and we go easily 30-plus feet high, so it’s so important to leave confidently when your going international,” he said.
Burdon flew to Hong Kong yesterday and will arrive in Beijing today.
He is no stranger to performing internationally, but the opportunity still came as a surprise.
“Honestly I’m really surprised I even got this job,” Burdon said.
“I know we have a strong reputation in Australia, but for them to find us online over in Beijing was impressive.”
Burdon said he is nervous for the task ahead, but is sure once he arrives in the country and is settled on the bike, the rest will come naturally.
However, such a long period on the bike will put both his physical and mental strength to the test.
“It is tough fitness wise because your performance is not only physically challenging, but also mentally challenging,” Burdon said.
However, he said it becomes easier over time as you become accustomed to the gruelling schedule.
“The last stint I did over there I rode just over 180 shows and by the end of it my bike skills and fitness was probably the best I have ever been at,” Burdon said.
“Performing twice a day sharpens you right up on the bike.”
He said the heat and humidity adds an extra challenge to the task, but he is ready to put himself to the test again.
“At the end of the day I have always said to myself be grateful for opportunities that come from hard work,” he said.
“Being paid to ride a motorcycle for a living has and always will be my ultimate success.”
