ODespite the interest and pressure that come with a home GP, Ken De Dycker looks very relaxed these days. The Red Bull-KTM rider travels with confidence to Bastogne where the GP of Belgium takes place this weekend. With a fifth place in the intermediate standings of the World Championship, a good feeling on the bike and a blazing form, he is ready to make his presence felt during the 'Battle of the Ardennes'. Even a heavy fall on Saturday during the Portuguese Grand Prix could not unbalance the 'Bear from Lubbeek'.
Do you feel differently about this race, compared to another GP? Ken De Dycker: "Not really. Of course it is nice to be able to ride a Belgian GP after all, because for so long it looked like there would be no Grand Prix in our own country this year. What the organizers in Bastogne have achieved in a short time is truly a feat! Of course there are fans, family and friends who come to watch, but otherwise I feel like all the other riders. We are going to discover a completely new circuit this weekend and that is always exciting. I haven't been there myself yet, so I have absolutely no idea what to expect. Come back on Saturday to ask me what I think of the course! It's actually funny that we now have a home race in Bastogne because Valkenswaard and Lierop are much closer. Dutch is also spoken there and Bastogne and the Ardennes almost sound like a foreign country! But when I see the Belgian flags along the track and hear the encouragement from the public, I am sure that we are indeed in Belgium!”
You went off hard during the qualifying race in Agueda. How do you feel now?
Dycker: “It's not too bad, although my physiotherapist had to do a bit more patching up than usual after a GP... Just a matter of putting everything back together! I feel like it was a big blow, but luckily I didn't break anything. That crash also had no influence on how I drove on Sunday. I see no reason why that would be different in Bastogne.”
You have been very regular since the start of the World Cup season. Yet in MX1 there are clearly four men who stand out: Cairoli, Desalle, Paulin and Pourcel. What does it take to measure up to them?
Dycker: “I don't think I'm inferior to those guys in terms of speed. We just have to improve my starts, which were not so good in France and Portugal. If you can compete with the fastest riders from the start, the race will certainly look different. Instead of coming back alone, I should be able to attack. However, my first goal remains to reach the podium.
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After a disappointing 2011, a new Ken De Dycke seems to have emerged. What's the difference?
Dycker: “Actually, not much has changed. I feel the same as in previous years, only the color of my bike and equipment is different now! I have a lot of confidence in the KTM SX-F450 and that is of course an important factor. The KTM is not only very powerful, it also allows you to go fast without much effort. In addition, I simply had a very good winter. I may have worked harder than ever before in preparation for this season. This is now starting to bear fruit, but there is certainly still room for improvement!”
Photos: CDS