Defending MX2 world champion, Pauls Jonass, isn’t wasting time in showing his competition that this defense isn’t going to be as difficult as some might have thought. So far in 2018, the Latvian has gone 1-1-1-1 and is riding the crest of a wave that puts him in the next level position.
Just like Jeffrey Herlings before him, Jonass is clearly not only the guy to beat but might be near unbeatable if he keeps his head and doesn’t get carried away with his early season results.
Geoff Meyer caught up with him and asked him about his weekend.
Tell me, for us watching, it was so, so cold, but how difficult is it riding in that type of cold?
Actually, for racing it was so cold, really cold. The first 15 minutes of each moto, I felt like a snow man. Riding and fitting with the bike, its hard to get a good feeling on the bike, because all the muscles and ligament are so cold. So, its difficult. At the end of the moto its not such a problem, because your body is warmed up, but those first minutes, the hands are so cold.
With the cold, it must also be difficult to stay focused, not just because of the muscles, but your mind must also be a bit frozen?
You can feel the concentration isn’t 100%. Reaction of the body is slow, compared to normal conditions. For everyone it is the same, but in the winter, I spent a lot of time in Belgium practicing, and while I wouldn’t say I am used to it, I know how to react when its like that and I know what to expect.
How was the circuit over the weekend because of the weather?
Actually, the track Sunday wasn’t so bad, I was expecting it to be worse. On Saturday it was just muddy and one lined, but they worked on it on Saturday night and ripped it, which made it dryer, maybe they prepped it too much between practices, because it wasn’t as bumpy as it normally is, but they had to, because the ruts in the take-offs were really deep and in some corners your foot pegs would dig in. Also, the track changed so quickly, each lap the lines would change, so you couldn’t always take the same lines because after on lap that line would get so deep. It was a little like enduro in some places.
You have gone 1-1-1-1, and you are clearly the guy to beat. Did you expect it to be like this?
I wasn’t expecting it, but that was my goal, to be at the top. Last year I was consistent, and always around top five, but I wasn’t the top guy who goes 1-1-1-1. This is something I worked on, to be the guy to beat. So far it goes well, but the season is long, and I don’t want to get too confident or too high, you could say. Keep working hard, that is important.
Going 1-1-1-1, breaking your competitions spirit a little bit, how important is it mentally that you show the competition that you are that guy?
Yes, for sure. I know previous years racing Jeffrey, he was the guy to beat, he could go 1-1-1-1 all season long, and sitting next to him on the start, I was nearly already beaten, you knew Jeffrey was going to win. It isn’t easy to do that, go 1-1, but it gives you extra confidence and it does break your opposition.
Next up is Redsand, and you rode Redsand in the winter. How much did you ride there?
I rode there for a week, so maybe five times, maximum. I know, racing at a track, and practicing at a track, it’s really two different things. The feeling is different and then they also put the banners next to the track, and it really feels like a different track. It’s a really nice track, its fast and wide and when it gets bumpy, it will get heavy and really rough, and you need to be really fit to do two motos. It won’t be an easy weekend, but it’s a nice track for racing.
What is it like, is it like Valkenswaard?
Not like Valkenswaard, more like Kegums in Latvia. Its sand on the top, but it’s a bit hard underneath. You get many square bumps, big braking bumps. In Valkenswaard the bumps get big and smoother, but in Redsand the bumps get big square bumps. Its difficult for the riders.
I know you are not thinking too much about your competition, but is there anyone you have your eye on yet?
I think Jorge of course, you know, there are many guys who are fast. Jorge was fast and always good in the sand. Olsen wasn’t close this weekend, but he is consistent and strong, and I saw him in the winter and he will be strong. Also, Hunter will be strong when we get to hard tracks or rough. I think also Covington when he gets more bike time, those will be the main guys to keep an eye on.
Last question, MXGP. Jeffrey is really on it and it seems Antonio is also riding better than ever. Have you watched much of the MXGP, and if you have, what do you think?
For sure I have watched it, this weekend I only say the last minute of both motos, but yes, they are both on the next level, Jeffrey and Tony are so much better. Those two are the next level and Jeffrey this weekend was on it. Tony made some mistakes, but it’s nice to see two KTMs battling up front, they are on their A-game.
Ray Archer images
