Photos by: Hoppenworld
After scoring two rookie podiums and finishing fifth in his debut SX season in the Eastern Regional 250SX Championship, Star Racing / Yamaha’s Dylan Ferrandis has continued to impress during the 2017 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship. Over the first nine rounds of the series, the Frenchman has scored two moto wins, three overall podiums and sits fifth in the 250MX Championship standings.
At the last round in Washougal, Washington, Dylan scored his third podium of the season and did it with a last lap pass in the final moto of the day. After Washougal, we talked to the #108 about his day on one of the trickiest tracks on the circuit, getting acclimated to US tracks and the upcoming USGP.
Dylan, 3-4 at Washougal for 3rd overall last weekend and another podium in a solid year so far. How was your day at Washougal?
It was a difficult weekend again because the track was really different than we have been riding this season. It was kind of a European track which is not what I like the most. It was hard pack, so I know how to ride that kind of dirt. I was top five this morning [qualifying] in lap times, so that was not so bad. The first moto, I got a really good start and made a small mistake in the hairpins; I was third. I tried many times to pass [Sean] Cantrell. Finally AC [Adam Cianciarulo] passed me and I passed Cantrell to finish third. It was good, but I was not happy about my moto ’cause I was not feeling good. I was not riding with a good pace and taking a bad rhythm.
Did getting hung up behind Cantrell and trying to pass him maybe throw off your rhythm?
Yeah, exactly! That I was not so happy about, but I was happy with the bike. We make good progress last week. We make a big, big change on the Yamaha, and now I think it’s a lot better. AP [Aaron Plessinger] made the same change, and he won the first moto so that showed the change was good. The second moto I was not feeling really good before, but I try to give it everything. I got a good start and again made a small mistake in the hairpin and lose time. I was 4th and I had a big battle with my teammate Colt [Nichols]. At the end, I give it everything I can. My mechanic showed me, “You have to pass one rider to make podium,” so I give everything. I passed AC on the last lap and I was really proud to finish strong like this because the weekend before [Millville] was a really bad weekend. I struggled with the track and I make a crash. I was not feeling good on the bike, so I was not so happy. It was good to be back and to finish the second moto strong. It showed that physically I’m good. It’s step by step. This is my first year and it is difficult to expect to win. The other guys know the tracks, they know the bike for many years and they have experience. I try to get better every weekend, and it is always good to be on the podium.
That was rough for AC. The pass put you on the podium, but it weirdly dropped him from his first ever overall win, to finishing off the podium in fourth.
Yeah, it is crazy, but that is the sport. It’s like this, but I was happy to pass him and get on the podium.
I know it’s hard to learn all the tracks in just two short 15-minute qualifying sessions, but was Washougal even trickier than most? I grew up riding there and it’s a tricky soil to learn, let alone at your pace. In my experience there, it looks tacky, but it’s hard to find traction.
You have traction. Everybody was telling me it was going to be slippery, but it was not that bad. For sure it was hard packed, and when it’s hard packed, you can’t expect to have good grip. But, yeah, it was a real motocross track.
Do you do a lot of watching the US tracks on YouTube before showing up to race them?
Oh yeah, of course. (laughs) For many years and every year, I watch the American Championship before and especially now. This year, before every race, I watch the 250 and 450 races from last year on the track because I don’t know the tracks. I don’t know the dirt. I don’t know nothing about them. If I can know a little bit before I come on Saturday, that is good. The day is so fast. You only have two times, 15-minutes, and sometimes it’s muddy or getting harder like today. It’s a really fast day, and you have to really adapt yourself.
Which track would you call your favorite American track from what you have raced so far this season?
Before I ride it, it was Millville. I really expect to love to ride this track, but it was really not for me. (laughs) It was nice and the track was beautiful, but it was so technical and I just ride bad. I think my favorite track was High Point. All the tracks are so difficult and technical with big ruts. The track at High Point was fun with so much jumps and using all the hills—downhills and uphills. For the moment, I like all the tracks in America, but High Point is my favorite.
We have the USGP coming right after Indiana in Florida. Will you be racing that?
Yeah, for sure. I’m not sure 100% right now, but if Team France chooses me for the des Nations on the 250, I will do the GP to get me back on the GP schedule, because in GP you ride on Saturday and Sunday. If Team France chooses me, I will do the GP. If not, no.
