Photos by: Chase Yocom
It seems like every few years we see a new French import in Monster Energy Supercross and the latest in a long line of very successful French Supercross riders is Star Racing / Yamaha’s Dylan Ferrandis. From Hossegor, France, Dylan had a successful career in the MX2 World Championship, and despite wins being hard to come by with Jeffrey Herlings’ MX2 domination, Dylan was one of a handful of MX2 riders willing to go toe-to-toe with the #84. Dylan never locked down an MX2 World Championship, but he was able to score two GP wins before jumping the pond to the US in pursuit of his lifelong dream of racing American Supercross in the stadiums.
Over the first seven rounds of the 2017 Eastern Regional 250SX Supercross Championship, Dylan has scored six top ten finishes, four top fives and one podium finish in Daytona. For a rookie rider from the US, that would be a successful rookie season, but when you consider that Dylan is in a completely foreign land and environment, it is even more impressive to see. Not only is Dylan showing raw speed, he has shown everyone he is here to do some real damage in the future. After Dylan’s second fourth place finish in a row in St. Louis, MotoXAddicts’ Chase Yocom caught up with the #108 to talk about his race in St. Louis and share his thoughts on coming to America.
Dylan, fourth on the night tonight. Can you talk about your night?
Tonight I didn’t get a good start in the main event, so that didn’t help me. I’m happy because for one time I ride a little bit more free and without pressure. The last couple of weeks, I started good up front and ride with so much pressure from the guys because I was fighting for the lead. Now I had to come back from the back. I was happy with the passes I made in the first couple of laps, but it was difficult. It’s now round seven for the East Coast Championship, and every weekend I learn. It is a little bit difficult for me tonight to find the top speed and also to be consistent on the track. I’m happy that two times in a row I make fourth, so that’s not so bad. For sure I stay positive, but I would be more happy to be on the podium every weekend.
St. Louis is known for having the best dirt on the circuit. What were your thoughts on your first time here? Did it break down really bad in the main event?
Really bad? No, but the dirt was good. For Supercross, it’s never good when you have big ruts on the jumps and in the whoops, but the dirt was good. I liked it. Compared to last week in Detroit where it was hard packed, I like that better for SX. It’s not easy when they have big ruts to be consistent for 15 minutes in the main.
How’s the bike been for you this year? Obviously, this is your first year doing SX, but it seems like you guys have made some positive improvements all year long. Also, how’s the team been for you this year?
My bike is really good, especially now because I understand SX more now. I can make my own choices now, where before it was really difficult for me to say if it’s too soft or too hard. Now it’s much easier that I have more experience. We were training very much for the first two rounds because we built the bike on the Yamaha [test] track where it’s really dry and hard packed. When we came to Minneapolis and Atlanta where there was ruts and soft dirt, the bike wasn’t perfect for that. We made some changes, and now it’s much better. I’m still better on hard packed track because where I train in California is more hard. I still have a little bit more difficulty on the soft dirt like here in St. Louis.
How has it been training with Gareth Swanepoel this year?
Yeah, of course he helps me a lot. When I came to the USA, he was the first one to work with me. It was really good. He can try the bike also and say what he feels about it. He’s my trainer and we have a good relationship. He helps me a lot.
How have you enjoyed your time in America so far? Are you living the dream here this year? (laughs)
Yeah, I am living my dream because this is what I’ve always wanted to do. Some times on the bad days, for sure, I wish I could be at home with my family and friends. It’s like this now, though, and this is my new life. It’s also her new life with my wife. We enjoy it.
Well, we are enjoying having you over here. Congrats on your fourth tonight.
Thank you.
