The Dunedin 18-year-old has found the step up to the top international level a steep learning curve, finishing in 14th position in both Andorra and Spain. The Spanish round, held at the weekend, suited his style more, he said.
''I liked the sections, much better than Andorra. [They] were similar to New Zealand - slippery creeks, tree roots, loose banks and two man-made sections in town.''
His first and third laps were competitive but his second lap - in the motorsport where riders negotiate obstacles and are penalised for putting their feet on the ground - ''cost me a lot of positions'', he said. In Andorra two weeks ago, Fox got his first taste of world-class competition.
''I finished 14th on day one, which I was personally disappointed about but I knew I had given it all I had. Day two I finished in 14th position again, which was disappointing not to improve on my day one result. I did finish and I learnt a lot over the weekend.''
Fox had more obstacles to face than just the ones he tackled in the round's challenging sections. His intercom did not work all weekend so he had no communication with his minder, Brendon Wadsworth, who would usually talk him through the technical terrain and spot him on particularly gnarly bits.
''Parts of the lap were extremely difficult to get around and Brendon couldn't make it to some sections, nor did I expect him to,'' Fox said.
''Andorra is very steep, and the sections were under trees on steep hillsides over rocks that were reasonably grippy but [in] some places loose as well.''
The temperature was more than 30degC and the altitude about 2000m, which also took its toll on Fox.
''The sections were high in the mountains and I really noticed this as it was harder to breathe and affected the power of the bike.''
Fox picked up his two 2013 Sherco St1.25 (125cc) moto trails bikes from the Sherco factory in Spain when he arrived earlier this month. After adding and adjusting parts to make them race-ready he was impressed with the results.
''We got our first proper ride on the bikes, and wow, best bike I have ridden. I love the suspension set-up and the clutch.''
Another highlight was meeting ''a legend of our sport today'', Spanish seven-time world trials champion Jordi Tarres.
Fox hopes to compete in up to nine rounds of the 13-round world championships.
