DAn unfortunate date conflict forced teams and riders to make a tough choice between the Valence International in France and the Mantova Starcross in Italy. Ultimately, most of the top riders, including LS Honda Racing pilots Shaun Simpson and Ken De Dycker, will head to Valence this weekend for their first preparation race for the new Motocross GP season. The spectacular, hard-packed circuit south of Lyon remains a great first test for men and machines. De Dycker travelled to France a few days in advance and will remain in the south of France after this weekend's race to train and test with the team. The popular Belgian was second in Valence two years ago.
2011 will be a new start for Shaun Simpson.
However, Valence will also be the LS Honda Racing motocross debut for Simpson. The Scottish MX1 rookie rode his CRF450R to victory at the second round of the British Supercross Championship in London earlier this month. And last but not least, Simpson has a reputation for excellent pre-season results, including two consecutive victories in the Mantova Starcross. We spoke to Shaun just before he headed south.
Of course you have already been working with the team for a few months, but because the first race of the season always has something official, we will start appropriately: welcome to the LS Honda Racing Team! What did you do in the winter?
Shaun Simpson: "Thank you! My winter has been good. Just after the season I went under the knife for surgery on my left shoulder. My main priority was to return fully rested. Not much came of driving until literally the first of January. Before that, I worked on my basic fitness with purely physical training: walking, cycling and strength training. My first weeks back on the bike were at home in Scotland. It was fun to ride again, although conditions were far from perfect with ice and snow. A bit like in Belgium and the Netherlands during that period! Since mid-January I have been back in Belgium where I have been training at various circuits. The weather here wasn't perfect either, but in general it was fine. Two weeks ago I rode my first race as a snack: a supercross race in London. I have really enjoyed it! It was nice to start with a win on the Honda. At the moment I am fit and I have a lot of confidence, of course I am not in my best shape yet, but I feel very much at home on the bike.”
It seems that at this time of year you are always in it for victories and podiums. Is there a particular reason for your tradition of early form?
Shaun Simpson:“(Laughs) I think it's because I'm always so excited! Every year I really want to do well in the first races. I don't have that urge now. You can win in Mantova, Valence or Hawkstone Park, but you don't need your best form until the first GP is there. Then it's all about the marbles. During previous years I may have been too motivated for the preparation races, that's something I had to adjust. My preparation is also completely different this year, I rode and trained in my own way, alone. The first few weeks I go for fun and to get a good feeling with the engine, the engine and during testing. If I win and it can be done easily, then I certainly won't pass it up, but otherwise it really doesn't matter whether I come third, fifth or seventh. But to fully answer your question: to ride fast this early in the season I don't need much time on the bike. The races are usually only 20 minutes now… Then it doesn't matter how motorcycle fit you are. But hey, I definitely feel fine.”
Simpson returns to his familiar number 24 this year.
Is there a first-day-of-school nervousness when you drive back to Valence for that first big race?
Shaun Simpson:“Of course, a bit of nervousness is part of it! You see all the other guys with new clothes, new bikes, enthusiastic fans… that’s why you want to be fast. You feel a bit nervous and excited, but at the same time I want to stay calm. I don’t want to do anything stupid, because it’s important to have some strong first races, to get up to speed, to get used to the bike and the team. Then when the first GP comes, you’re really ready.”
I've never seen anyone as fast in the corners as you were in Mantova last year. You must be disappointed to just miss the Starcross?
Shaun Simpson: “It is quite difficult, yes. I really don't know why they organise Valence and Mantova on the same day! It is a shame, I do like Mantova. There is always a nice atmosphere, it is quite a small track where you can ride in all weather conditions. I think it is a shame to miss the Starcross, also because I won it the last two years. We chose to ride Valence for several reasons. It is closer, there will be a lot of top riders and it is also a good track. You just had to choose between one or the other. I am happy with my choice. Hopefully they will come to an agreement so that next year we can ride Mantova first followed by Valence.”
Credit photos: Ray Archer
