Published On: 30 juni 2012

Dhe 9th round of 16 in the FIM Motocross World Championship is without a doubt a fixed value on the calendar, the Swedish GP in Uddevalla. Red Bull-KTM rider Ken De Dycker is currently fifth in the standings. The fast Belgian is also growing towards his best form, which he proved with a nice victory in the strongly occupied Radson Trophy in Kester, last weekend.

The Swedish circuit north of Gothenburg has been part of the World Cup for more than a decade. De Dycker not only took his first GP victory in 2007 in Uddevalla, he also stood on the podium twice and achieved his best result of the season last year with a fourth place.

Based on your results, you would say that the Swedish Grand Prix is ​​one of your favorite events on the calendar.
Ken Dycker:
“I am indeed managing to achieve good results there. Yet Uddevalla is not exactly one job that suits me exceptionally well. Especially with rain in the forecast, it is a very technical course to be what suits me best. This way you can make even more of a difference, although it is already a technical matter in itself is a demanding course. In some places you have a rocky surface where you have almost no grip. On In other places the track is softer and sandier, but at the base it remains a hard track. You must be really good be careful which lines you choose.”

Uddevalla has been participating in the MX1 World Championship for some time now. The circuit, on the other hand, has always evolved while maintaining the unique atmosphere around it.
Dycker:
"Certainly! In 2006 they tackled the start, among other things, and from then on they drove in the opposite direction. The various adjustments over the years were always improvements. It is also always a GP that can count on a lot of interest from the public. Just the sight of the spectators watching the matches from the rocks is very special. The Scandinavian summer is also special if you are not used to it. Because it is bright light so late, it is difficult to estimate what time it is! In terms of atmosphere, the Swedish Grand Prix is ​​always a hit. It's just a bit difficult to get to sleep here at night.”

Your speed was excellent both in Bastogne during the Belgian GP and in Kester. Do you feel like your form is improving as the season progresses?
Dycker:
“I actually have that feeling, yes. The second half of the season should be good. During the three In the last few GPs my start was a bit worse, I had bad luck or was hit by a car... Something always came up. If I'm right I can go with the top 4, it would be great to show how good the new KTM SX-F 450 is!”

The start in Sweden is very specific, how do you approach that?
Dycker:
“You need a good spot at the fence. That is why you also have to do pretty well in the prequalification sit with. With a good time you can start on the inside of the bend, then there is a right-angle bend and it turns back for a moment. However, the start is not dangerous. Actually, I like the start in Uddevalla.”

What else has changed on your bike in the run-up to this GP?

De Dycker: “Last week we tested new engines. We also tried some new things regarding the adjustment. It is a new direction that is interesting, but you will only get confirmation of this during a match. I was also able to try this last week in Kester, but because of the mud I had a lot of wheelspin there, and of course you also had to be very careful with the gas. Not ideal conditions, but my strong start in the second moto looked promising. I'm looking forward to really getting to know my new animal this weekend!”

After so many Grand Prix's in Sweden, can you already speak a few words of Swedish?
Dycker:
“I'm afraid my Swedish vocabulary is very limited! Ikea, Volvo and crispbread, but that's where it ends.”

Isn't podium the same in Swedish as in Dutch?
Dycker:
"We will see!"