When Arnaud Tonus picked up a ride in the Wilvo Yamaha team for this year’s MXGP championship many were excited about the possibilities of another really talented rider being amongst the leaders. The former GP winner had experienced less than a successful career in America—due to sickness—but showed his potential on the odd occasion.

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His MXoN performance at Maggiora last year—where he finished with 4-8 results for Team Switzerland—gave us even more hope that he might be able to join the select group at the very top of the MXGP championship.

As we all know, though, sometimes it takes as much luck as it does talent to make it in this; the toughest motocross series in the world. Just ask riders like Max Anstie, Max Nagl, and Valentin Guillod how tough 2017 has been.

Down in 10th place in the series points, Tonus has started finding his mojo and his qualification race win in Russia last weekend was signs that he might be able to climb out of the big black hole that has taken so many talented riders in this class.

Our man in Russia, David Bulmer, caught up with Tonus and asked him about his season so far, and what it takes to get back on the box in MXGP.

Arnaud and his Wilvo / Yamaha team manager in Russia.

Arnaud, first congratulation on your qualification win. Tell us about that win, and how tough was it, because it seems like a really tricky track?

Yes, it is. You have to stay focused and be very precise. I saw a big crash in front of me, made a small mistake and had a big one. You need to pick the good lines, because there are some sketchy ones. I felt like the track was fun to ride. It’s hard pack and fast and some guys struggled, but I had a good start and was right into it. I think I passed Tony [Cairoli] on the first lap and then, Gautier [Paulin] and Max [Nagl] made mistakes and that put me in front. I felt the speed was there and I needed two good starts on Sunday.

 

How did Sunday feel?

I felt good on this track right away and I won the Qualifying Race. I felt at home on this track and I was able to show my speed and prove that the speed is there. Today, the track was completely different, but even so, I felt great. I just crashed in the first race and came back to ninth. In the second race, I stalled the bike at one point and got back to fourth. I feel good, and I hope to carry this speed through to the next grand prix.

Tonus (#4) making a pass in the mud of Russia last weekend. Photo by: MXGP

We have talked about it before, but the start is really crucial in this class, because there are so many riders on the same pace.

I had to work on my intensity in the early laps. I found my speed was good, but after maybe four laps I was like 10 seconds on the leaders. That made a big difference even if my lap times were similar later. On Saturday in Russia it paid off.

 

How would you sum up your season so far?

I think, overall, it’s been pretty good. Some ups and down and since my crash in Latvia. I have struggled to get into the top five. I hurt my thumb and head pretty bad and if you are not 100%, then it’s hard. You need to be 100% to be up front.

Arnaud showed flashes of brilliance in the US, but suffered from Epstein Barr for much of his time here. Photo by: Hoppenworld

Riding the 450, how difficult was it to get used to that?

For me, it fits my style. It didn’t take me long to get into it. It’s just the class, and it
‘s not the bike. It’s like a war, you have to fight so much to make a small difference. You have to fight in 12th and be fighting with great riders, so mentally its tough. I had to work with that in America, because I wasn’t healthy there.

 

How was the transition coming home after being in America?

This was easy. I have grown up here and I had nothing to adapt to. The team is like a family and Lou—the boss—has taken good care of me. It was hard going to America being sick and never being healthy. I just had to adapt to the class. It isn’t hard coming home.

Tonus on his way to the qualification race win in Russia. Photo by: MXGP

There is talk Cooper Webb will be racing the 2018 bike at the next National this upcoming weekend. Have you been able to test it? Can you say anything about it?

I wish I could say something about it, but I can’t. We will know pretty soon what is going on. I think they came up with something really special and I had the chance to test it and it’s a good step forward. I am not sure I can talk about it, but it’s something really cool. I look forward to people seeing it.

 

What can you now expect for the rest of the season?

I think for me, it’s about being at the top of what I do, whatever the result. I felt like the last couple of races were off, but I think I can fight of the podium. I did it at the start of the season and I hope I can make it happen again.

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