GMixed feelings is a very weak expression to describe Ken De Dycker's state of mind last Sunday. The 28-year-old KTM factory rider took his first Belgian MX1 title in Mont Saint Guibert. After winning the first three BK rounds, Mont-Saint Guibert should have been the icing on the cake. In the end it was not De Dycker but super talent Jeffrey Herlings who attracted most of the attention with three dominant victories. Keeno had to endure without a doubt one of the most frustrating weekends of his professional career. The Lubbeek rider felt so ill and feverish that he did not start for the last round. All that is now a thing of the past. This weekend the former German GP winner wants to end his successful FIM MX1 World Championship season in style in Teutschenthal. In the standings De Dycker is fifth, 18 points behind Christophe Pourcel and 24 points behind Gautier Paulin.
You had previously won the German and British MX1 titles. You were very close in 2009, it must be great to finally be Belgian champion?
Ken Dycker: “In theory… Because Sunday turned out to be an anticlimax. I know how much the Belgian motocross title means to my fans and myself. When you look at all those legendary names on the BK honors list, it's cool to have my name among them. But I'm also happy with how I became champion. I dominated the first three rounds, only Mont-Saint Guibert was a disappointment. Already in Faenza on Sunday evening I wasn't feeling very well. In the week before the Belgian final it was clear that I was struggling with the flu; sore throat, headache... everything. In the opening moto I managed to limit the damage with third place. I won the title with an eighth place in the second moto and I was all set. It was a bit surreal, I felt so weak and had absolutely no energy left. But there were so many supporters and happy people who greeted me at the finish line to celebrate the Belgian title. Too bad I couldn't fully enjoy it.”
Last weekend you didn't race in the last moto. How what about the German GP?
Ken Dycker: “For my own safety and not to make the disease worse, I had indeed decided not to ride in the last series. I don't expect any problems for this weekend, although I couldn't train during the week. Climbing up from my fifth place in the championship finals will be tough… I don't have everything in my own hands either. That's why I just want to give the best possible performance for my fans. Especially after the disappointment of Mont-Saint Guibert. My goal in Teutschenthal is to be on the podium again. I know I can do that.”
What about the Talkessel circuit. It seems like it suits you well. You have a Grand Prix victory (2010), two podiums (2008 and 2009) and a fourth place, not bad?!
Ken Dycker: “I really don't know if Teutschenthal suits me, although I had some good results there. Typical for Talkessel is how the track changes quite a lot from Saturday to Sunday. On Saturday it is quite fast and not so selective, but luckily on Sunday you have more lines and tracks. The start is extremely important in Teutschenthal. Also because there are not such long straights and the track is also quite narrow. That's why a start in the top 10 is so important. If the leaders can open a gap, it is incredibly difficult to close that gap here. But I am convinced that I can perform well in Teutschenthal.”
Photos: Olivier Evrard