It’s almost comical, as Arthur Sissis peers up at the veritable man mountain standing next to him at Princes Park.
The difference in height between the youngster and the towering Matthew Kreuzer is startling, but then the Carlton ruckman was never built to ride a road bike like the Adelaide native.
It’s just a media opportunity ahead of the Australian Grand Prix this weekend, but Sissis is looking relaxed as he tosses a football around the oval with fellow Australian racer Jack Miller and Carlton’s Kreuzer.
The 17-year-old has been a revelation in Moto3 this season, drawing comparisons with Australian MotoGP superstar Casey Stoner since signing a contract with the Red Bull KTM Ajo team earlier this year.
Riding the #61 KTM 250 FFR bike, the former junior speedway sensation has been nothing if not consistent with 11 scoring results and 68 championship points from 15 races so far this season.
He’s not going to win the title, but it has been a very promising start for Sissis in his first full season in Moto3.
“My boss says that it’s been quite a good season for me, but I would think quite different,” he reveals.
“Some races have been really good, others have been bad. I would have liked to be more consistent from the start of the season definitely. The most disappointing occasions are when I’m in a group fighting for eighth, I was always faster than the ones in front but I ended up finishing a few places back.”
He might seem a bit hard of himself at this point, but the down to earth teenager has always been a high-achiever.
Winning state and national Under 16 speedway titles in 2008 and 2009, Sissis soon made the move to Europe and the Red Bull Rookie Cup.
It was quite a step up, but one which the South Australian lad embraced with aplomb, making quite a splash as he finished runner-up in 2011 with four victories.
This led to his first taste of World Championship action, as he was handed a ride on a 125cc Aprilia to finish 20th in Malaysia last season.
It’s been all uphill since signing on with the Red Bull KTM Ajo team this year, with his best finish a fifth placed effort at a wet and windy French Grand Prix.
With reports of Stoner retiring at the end of the season, Sissis admits that there is some onus on him and other young Australian racers to step up.
“For sure, Jackie [Miller] and I got a little pressure now. On the track we’re rivals but in the paddock we’re pretty much best mates.”
Sissis is not one to forget where it all started out though, as he recalls being introduced to riding a bike at the age of three by his sister Leah.
“She’d take me for rides and she taught me how to accelerate on a PV-50. And then one time I ended up trying it myself and she’s never ridden a bike since.”
His sister will be cheering him on at the Philip Island track this Sunday, along with a bunch of his friends and family.
“Mum is going to be at her first race this season, my dad will be at his sixth. A few other friends and family are going to come so it should be really fun.”
Nerves are not on the agenda though, despite the familiar faces gathering to watch him on home soil.
“I’ve ridden the track once and it was on a really bad bike so I didn’t really understand the track much. This year, even if I haven’t been to a track, I’ve learnt it pretty quick so hopefully I can do the same with this one,” he says.
“It’s going to be really hard to get on the podium, but I’ll give it a go.”