There is no doubt, the FIM Motocross World Championship has many different characters from all over the world. It’s those different cultures that make the MXGP and MX2 championships—without question the most diverse and interesting motocross series in the world.
One of those characters is Thomas Covington from Vernon, Alabama. A very respectable young man, with three Grand Prix victories to his name, and riding for the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna factory team.
Now Alabama isn’t slow on having famous names, from singers Nat King Cole and Lionel Richie, to world famous sportsmen, Charles Barkley (basketball), Willie Mays (baseball), Jessie Owen (runner), Carl Lewis (runner), plus boxing legends Joe Lewis and Evander Holyfield, and even current heavyweight champion of the world, Deontay Wilder.
What sets Covington apart from many of his more famous statesmen, is the fact he is traveling the world, and seeing a lot of different countries and cultures. It is clear that the education the young American is getting from his current job is something that is a little more than just being a motorcycle racer, its teaching him about life in general.
One of my favourite riders in the world championship, and a young man who has every chance of one day becoming world motocross champion and joining a short list of American greats.
Hard work, and improvement is what is important for now, and at 22 years-old, he will get this year and then next year in the MX2 class, before he either decides to go MXGP or head back home and race the AMA series.
Geoff Meyer caught up with Thomas this morning as he was packing his bags to go train in the slop of Lommel, and other wet and muddy Belgian tracks.
Firstly, happy birthday for this week. Are you 23 this year? And did you do anything fun?
No, 22. We didn’t do anything too crazy, just went for a meal with friends in Lommel. Just started training again, so no time to party.
Last year you made big improvements. Do you feel in the winter you had time to think about that and improve even more?
Yes, for sure. I didn’t get worse, and because of the injury from des Nations I had time to think about it all. I focused on other parts of myself and gave me time to get in the gym, and get stronger. It is hard when you are on the bike every day to build some muscle. It is cool to work on some other parts of my fitness and I was able to ride pretty early (after his MXoN injury), so everything has gone smoothly.
When you say putting on muscle and stuff. Has your weight changed, do you feel stronger?
Actually, I am probably a little bit smaller than before. I just felt last year my shoulders and arms were a little weak last year and also my lower back. In the sand, if you don’t have a strong back you don’t have much of a chance. I didn’t get all buffed or anything like that.
2018, I mean MX2 is starting to look like a small version of MXGP. There are maybe eight guys who can run up front, and some young kids coming in that might surprise everyone. You have improved, which must feel great. How nice is it to have these guys in the class?
There are quiet a few guys who can run up front, but like last year, I think a small group of us will probably break away as the season goes on. It is such a long year, which should be to my benefit, as I haven’t ridden much in the off-season I can build into it. I want to stay consistent, which is something I have lacked in the past. I really want to focus on that and be there for the championship at the end of the season. Maybe in the early rounds I won’t light it on fire, but hopefully I will be when we get into the heart of the season.
Sweden was obviously cancelled last week. It makes the calendar a bit easier now. How do you feel about it being cancelled?
Actually, not really, I always love going to Sweden. The track is difficult, and I have some friends up there, so it’s a bummer for me we won’t be going. I haven’t look at the schedule too much, I just heard it a couple of days ago, and I don’t know if they will try and replace it.
I remember talking to you after Argentina last year and you really liked that place. Everyone likes going there, it’s a really nice track and vibe. How happy are you to go there first up?
We plan on getting there on Wednesday, to ease the time a little bit and yep, its an awesome place. I wouldn’t mind staying down there longer. It is a fast, wide open track and that is something I normally like. I hope me, and my team-mate can stay away from each other (last year he collided with Thomas Olsen).
I haven’t spoken to you since the MXoN, how was that experience and do you think it will help you in your career?
For sure, it was an incredible experience, even though it didn’t go to plan. Saturday, I felt pretty good, but then in the final few laps of qualification I tweaked my knee and that mud didn’t help things. But it was a great experience.
Have you changed anything with the team, and how is the bike for 2018?
Team is pretty much the same, it’s a really solid team. Me and Joel Roelants are still working hard. We are on the new bike; the new model came out. I just got on it a couple of weeks ago and it is amazing. It definitely has some power, and it amazes me that they can improve these bikes every year. That doesn’t hurt things out of the start and that is an important part of the races. I don’t want to sound like a Husqvarna sales guy, but it’s pretty awesome.
What are your plans now going into Argentina?
We are in Belgium now, just testing and stuff and trying to get some riding in these heavy, wet conditions. I might go down to Spain where I was a couple of weeks ago and do my last bit of training there before Argentina.
No pre-seasons?
Covington: No, trying to build up slowly and get back to speed.
