Above Photo by: Ray Archer
Romain Febvre might be in the middle of his off-season, but the likeable Frenchman isn’t taking it easy. Having raced in the SMX a few weeks ago, and last weekends Arnhem Supercross, the 2015 World MXGP champion is still looking forward to lining up at the Bercy Supercross in two weeks and giving Supercross another shot.
While this year wasn’t as good as 2015, Febvre still showed that he is amongst the best motocross riders in the world, winning a handful of GP’s, a moto at the MXoN, a moto at the SMX, and a moto at the Arnhem Supercross. His consistency is what might make him tough to beat in 2017.
We caught up with Febvre and asked him about his season, and his expectations for his home supercross in Lille on November 12 and 13.
Romain, you are obviously new at supercross, but have experience in supermoto and of course motocross. Do you have the same motivation for supercross as it’s really just fun races for you?
No, I was am excited to ride Supercross. I did it the first time last year at Bercy, and it was my first time on a Supercross track on the 450. It was tricky, but I enjoy it and this year I wanted to do more and get more confidence. I want a good weekend in Bercy.
The 2016 season didn’t go completely to plan. You started really well, but then had the injury and the last part of the season was also not that impressive. Can you explain how it all went?
Lets say without the injury it was possible to get the title. I started good and was leading the championship, then I was right behind Gajser, really close until England, like 20 points behind. Then I had that crash in England and missed two rounds and then it was impossible to battle of the title. I am looking forward to next year.
It was a horrible crash in England and a head injury is always something that needs time. How was that period for you?
It took some time, I had a concussion and I have nerve damage in my right eye and I needed like a month to get good again and then I took the bike only two weeks before Loket and coming back to a podium straight away, which was really good. Maybe not enough to come back on the championship, so the last four rounds we tried things with the bike to improve the start and the starts were better, but not the racing and I knew it wasn’t me, but the changes we made. It is good for next year because we already have some good things from this year.
You once again showed brilliance at the MXoN. 2015 you went 1-1 and won, but this year you won a moto and passed Searle for the victory. Which was better for you?
Well, last year, it was my first time and the first is always difficult to be better, plus I won both motos, and it was in France, so with the home crowd that was tough to beat that feeling. This year, it was again good, we ended the championship and we went back to the good settings and my riding change compeletely. Then I felt strong and we were really happy. I won a moto and like you said I passed Searle to win for Team France.
What did you think of the SMX in Veltins Arena?
I think the SMX was good, the track and the racing was really nice, it was a pity there wasn’t much of a crowd and the racing was close and mixed, we had three different race winners and I think the riders had a lot of fun doing it.
Some people on social media said the track was too easy. How did you find it?
I think the track was good, it had to be safe and no scary jumps and to build a circuit in a stadium I thought the laps would be like 30 seconds, but it was a minute and I think they did a good job. Also the show wasn’t bad. It was a shame not many people came.
Next year Jeffrey Herlings is coming to the MXGP class. He showed at the MXoN, and the SMX that he is fast. He has beaten you and Tim in the past. Does that give you more motivation for 2016?
I think I don’t need motivation, and for sure he is really good, he will be one of the best, but motivation I have enough and I know what I need to do. It would be better if I win, because he will be there. We race to win and the riders all want that. For sure next year will be good, I think a lot of guys fighting for the win.
