Rockstar Energy Husqvarna rider Thomas Covington came close to winning his home Grand Prix last weekend at the WW Ranch facility in Florida, as he battled eventual winner RJ Hampshire in both motos.
Covington—who has really grown a lot this season, and finished on the podium a handful of times—will also represent his country at the 2017 Monster Energy Motocross of Nations. The always friendly young America sat down and talked to Geoff after his press conference.
First congratulations, podium, but you must still be a little disappointed?
A little bit bummed, but I felt I had the speed the whole weekend to go out there and win two moto’s. That is what I wanted to do. First race, I made a little mistake just as I was starting to get some breathing room from RJ. Then, he was right back on me again. He then made a pass on me, and I ran out of tear-offs sitting behind him. I ended up going down and he did too, but my goggles were so messed up. I couldn’t focus on the lines to make a pass on him. I was still feeling pretty good after that one. I thought “go and win the second one and the overall.” I got the holeshot, but RJ was aggressive from the beginning and he got by me. He was going a really quick pace there, and I hung behind him hoping he would get tired, because they don’t do the two day thing. But, after about fifteen minutes, I felt like I needed to put a push in and went for it for a couple of laps. Then, I hit the wall. I gave it all I had, so nothing more I could have done.
After you got picked for Team USA, there has been some negative comments about the team. Did you want to make some type of statement here and show you deserve to be selected for Team USA?
I wasn’t thinking about it. I wanted to give a good showing, and show the fans why I was picked. The main reason I was picked is because I ride a 450 really well, actually better than the 250. Also, my good starts, because that is really important at the des Nations. We have a solid team.
I am guessing you watched Jeffrey Herlings’ performance at Ironman. Jeffrey just completely smashed everyone. Do you think, oh shit, because obviously Cole Seely [although he was sick] was a bit back?
No, it was kind of cool to see a GP guy kill it like that. I mean, even though the Grand Prix’s have a lot more respect than they did have, there are still a lot of fans out there that think the Grand Prix’s are like a second class series and it isn’t. It was cool to see the GP guys are for real.
It also gives you more respect back home.
For sure, it always looks good for me when a GP guys goes out there and wins. It sucked [Adam] Cianciarulo got injured. I was looking forward to racing him too. I would have liked to have had more of the American 250 guys here. It would have been fun.
You mentioned that a lot of your family came down. Did you have a nice time with your family?
Yes, for sure. It was a pretty busy weekend, but cool to see my Grandpa, Grandma and Uncle, and I only get to see them once a year. My grandpa drove me to the races when I was young and it would have been good to get the win for him, but he is proud of me anyway.
I was actually speaking to Broc Glover about you today. He mentioned you and your family and how this racing in Europe will help you so much. He likened you to Zach [Osborne], and how both have good families and stuff. He said it is important that you don’t have overbearing parents.
I don’t know, sometimes it can also be a disadvantage. Whether I win or lose, it’s going to be ok. A lot of guys, motocross is all they got, and they give everything for it. It can be a disadvantage sometimes. But it is very good to have a family who supports you like mine do.
I also spoke to Jacky Martens today about you. He said he it’s been important to get your body built up, and it isn’t something you can do in one week, but it takes months. He felt next year you will be ready to win often.
Ever since I started working with Jacky we were looking at my weak points—there were a lot—and try and make those my strong points. With Jacky and Joel Roelants working on my back in the sand, and it’s coming together now. I had to transform my body in the sand, and that isn’t easy. We have made a lot of progress. I think we need to look at a good offseason, and then be a lot stronger next year to make that next step.
Des Nations is getting closer and closer. Is it close enough to start getting a bit nervous about the whole thing?
No, not yet anyway. I am just looking forward to it—I am excited about it. I can’t wait to get on the 450 and start testing on that, that will be fun. Nobody expects me to go out there and win it, so not a lot of pressure, just get a solid result. I think I can surprise a lot of people on the 450, and that is going to be fun.
It’s a popular team between the GP fans. Obviously, Zach raced over here, you race here and Cole [Seely] seems like a nice guy. So, a really good feeling about this team. You guys will get a lot of support. You have been to the Nations [Matterley Basin] and you know it’s not always the case with Team USA. How nice is that coming in to know that if you guys are winning, you will be getting a lot of support from the crowd?
For sure, I thought when they announced the team that there would be negative comments, but it’s mainly been positive. I think the three of us are all likable guys and we are real Americans proud to represent our country. I think that will go a long way. We will have the heart to stick it out at the end of the races.
