Monster Energy Kawasaki rider Clement Desalle picked up his 21st Grand Prix victory on the weekend, moving past double world champions Sebastien Tortelli and Hakan Carlqvist in the all-time GP winners list. Down in 23rd place on the list, the tough Belgian is now just one win behind multiple world champions Dave Thorpe, Harry Everts, Alex Puzar, Sten Lundin and Rolf Tibblin.
If that isnt impressive enough, Desalle scored his first GP victory back in 2009, and continues to remain a force in an era of youth, the aged, and the experienced.
While a World Motocross Championship has eluded him, his GP win tally makes him one of the best from the last decade, possibly only behind Antonio Cairoli for the last 10 years.
Down in third place in the series points—just eight points behind Gautier Paulin in second place, and 58 points behind red plate owner, Antonio Cairoli—the Kawasaki rider knows that with nine rounds still to come and 450 points to win, his championships hopes are still alive. He also became the sixth GP winner in an MXGP class that continues to build momentum.
David Bulmer—our guy in France—caught up with Clement and asked him about his weekend and also his season.
Clement, you finally got another GP win. How does it feel?
I am really happy to win the second moto and overall. I was struggling and couldn’t find my lines in the first moto. It was tough. Finally it is paying off a bit. The work we have done, the training and also the work on the bike. The start was good and it would be great to be on the podium at least once this year. I am really happy, waiting a long time. Two times fourth in the last two races. I thought shit, but I am happy with my day here. I was disappointed for the first moto, but happy with the second one.
How did you feel about your qualification win on Saturday?
Like you said, it’s qualification. I wanted to do the same on Sunday. Actually, it gives you a good feeling to have that on Saturday, then you sleep good and are ready for Sunday. I was happy with my settings on Saturday, and I enjoyed riding after getting a good start. A good start is important. Then you get in a good rhythm and it is good for a Saturday.
How would you sum up your season so far?
It hadn’t been so bad [leading into France]. I had two podiums, and one time the same points for second. Two times fourth, which is a pity. I would say my season isn’t so bad, consistent. Valkenswaard I hurt myself and had a bad day, but for the rest its consistent. I want more, I want podiums and wins. It is good to be consistent, but I want more, I want wins. You have to have the good feeling and I am working on it. The top 8 riders are so close together. You need to have a good start, the speed, a little bit of luck, not to crash. You have to have a good day, and at the same time you need to feel good, it is many points to make a good day in this class. That feeling of winning, it’s the best feeling you can have and I want that feeling more often.
I remember I spoke to you in Hawkstone, but you said you wanted to be consistent. But you also want more GP wins and podiums. What do you need to change? Is it just the start or just being able to go in this long season?
It is difficult. It depends on the track, your feeling on the day. For sure, the start is the big key, but you have to be fast also. I analyze all the time how I can improve—we can always improve. I try to make myself better, but it’s good to be consistent and I want to win and make good results. It gives you satisfaction. For the championship, I know I am still there and not so far from the front. I am happy with the team, and we always try and be better.
We have Russia coming up, a new track in Italy, and then Portugal back on the schedule. Three new tracks [Portugal got a makeover last month]. Do you think this is good, it’s a level playing field?
I am happy we go back to Portugal. I like that track. I saw some images of the world junior in Russia and I don’t know the track, but I think it’s a good track and I hope they do a good job. I take race by race and try and have good results, that is where we are.
Ray Archer images
