OStanding out in the legion of French speed skaters is not always easy. Until last year, that was also the case for Xavier Boog. Boog was mainly described as solid and sober. A friendly guy, a hard worker too. But was this a future top rider?
Last year he finished tenth in the MX2 World Championship and in 2009 he finished 7th with Inotec-Suzuki.de. In 2005 he became junior vice world champion 125cc after Dennis Verbruggen. That same year he came second in the French Junior 125 Championship. That's about it... At least for those who didn't look beyond the numbers. Boog has also been on the podium twice in the MX2 and especially his GP victory in the French MX3 GP last year was a sign of the future.
Xavier Boog is comfortably in the lead in the French MX1 championship.
His height (1 m 81) and his fluid riding style appear to suit the Kawasaki 450 perfectly. Just before the eighth GP of the season in Teutschenthal, the Kawasaki factory pilot is now seventh in the MX1 World Championship standings. Equally striking is the ease with which the 23-year-old Fansman from Alsace has taken his place among the MX1 world top. And since Xavier considers Germany his second home country, we wouldn't be surprised if he takes his first podium in MX1 this weekend!
Did you expect such a debut in the MX1?
Xavier Bow: “No, I didn't expect that I would immediately achieve such a performance. Of course I worked hard last winter. The adjustment to the engine also went very well, which certainly helps. I don't have an aggressive style and I felt right at home on the 450.”
Have you adjusted your goals after such a seasonal debut?
Xavier Bow: "No, not that. My goal was always to reach the top 10 and occasionally to compete with the men who achieved podium positions. So I'm actually on track. But I still have a lot to learn and, above all, keep my feet on the ground. In motocross things can also change quickly.”
In Saint-Jean d'Angély on Saturday you had the entire crowd on your side after a brilliant second place in the qualifying race?
Xavier Bow: “That was a really fantastic moment. Very different from the MX2, if you were 5th or 6th there you were only the 2nd or third Frenchman. Of course you will then be less encouraged. Too bad I was disappointing in Saint-Jean on Sunday. On the first lap I had a problem with the throttle and had to give up. In the second heat I had a bad start, but I came back well and set the fastest lap of the race.”
Will Boog be on the podium for the first time this weekend?
Last weekend you won the French championship in Ernée, your third victory in a row. In a few weeks you can win the title in Iffendic?
Xavier Bow: “It hasn't gotten that far yet, of course, but that is one of the goals this year. And I also made a turnaround in the French championship. When I won a series in Pernes-les-Fontaines, during the second round of the championship, it was liberating. They couldn't say that I had never won at the Elite!”
What do you expect from Teutschenthal?
Xavier Bow: “I want to be even stronger than in France two weeks ago. I know that with the Kawa I can make good starts like the holeshot I had in Ernée last week and that will be super important this weekend. There are quite a few pilots who have the same rhythm and the differences are minimal. Those places you can grab at the start are worth gold!”
Photos credit: S Guttierez, Kwasaki Racing, CDS
