Just landed: Gareth Swanepoel (CAS Honda)
Variety makes life fun. Although, sometimes it can also be a little less. The South African Gareth Swanepoel can speak about this. He recently exchanged the hot summer and the bush for snow and ice in Belgium. By way of welcome, Motorcrossmag brings you a warm conversation with the number 8 of the MX1 World Championship.
You spent the winter at home in South Africa?
Gareth Swanepoel: “That's right, the weather was perfect, as always! Always sun and a temperature of around 40° C. Perfect conditions for training. That is also very motivating and less dangerous than having to drive on frozen tracks. In such a climate you are not so vulnerable to getting sick. If you push hard at low temperatures like here, it is difficult to do quality endurance training. Coming back to Belgium is always an adjustment! Now I have adjusted to it better. I used to train hard during the winter in South Africa until the last day before I flew back to Europe. When I got here I started quickly so as not to lose too much time. That's the best recipe for getting sick after one week! Now I took it easier before I left.”
Is there any sign of World Cup football fever in South Africa yet?
Gareth Swanepoel: “And or! You can't miss it. Everywhere there is something being sold that has to do with the World Cup. Everyone wants to get their fix. I am absolutely not a football fan myself. With major tournaments I actually support Germany. I remember that from my first period in Europe when I rode for Kosak-KTM!”
What are your first impressions of the Honda CRF450R?
Gareth Swanepoel: “Like many riders, I immediately felt at home on the Honda. Immediately actually, the feeling was right. Beforehand I had tested for two days together with the team. In South Africa I took advantage of the conditions to ride a lot. To get used to the bike, I first did enduro and playriding with some friends. Then came the more serious work. The permanent circuits in South Africa are usually Supercross-like, on a hard surface and quite flat. I deliberately sought out more difficult terrain. In the bush, literally in the middle of nowhere, there are some excellent courses near me (Note: Roodepoort, east of Johannesburg). They are quite long, taking you about 2'10" to complete a lap, with lots of pits and grooves. This also makes it a good physical workout. I also took David Goosen in tow this winter. A young South African pilot who will do MX2 in England this year. David will ride for the team of Superbike pilot Johnny Rea. It was a real drill camp for him!”
From a critical perspective, you took quite a risk last season. An MX2 sub-topper who had been injured for a long time switched to MX1 with a factory team. Still, you did well?
Gareth Swanepoel: “Looking back, I am quite satisfied with 2009. In the beginning I made a lot of mistakes and the adjustment was quite difficult. Remember, I had to start from scratch because I was out for almost 2008 months in 7. It was a big step and I had to choose realistic goals. But in the second half of the season things started to go well. That is partly the merit of Joël Smets. Since I started working with him, I've made faster progress. We still have to discuss exactly how, but in principle I will continue with Joël this season.”
You also became vice-champion MX1 in Great Britain. What are your goals this year?
Gareth Swanepoel: “Of course the World Cup takes precedence. I want to take the next step there, regularly reach the top five. I want to manifest myself as one of the leading pilots in MX1! If a GP victory or a podium is added, the season will be a success. Because CAS is British, the British Championship also becomes more important than last year. It is important for them to perform there. That was different with Kawasaki last year because they did not immediately attach importance to it. In the UK I will of course be going for the MX1 title this year.”
How did you end up at CAS-Honda, because it took a long time before you found accommodation?
Gareth Swanepoel: “The transfer situation was extra complicated due to the crisis last year. Before that, like with Molson-Kawasaki, I already had a contract in my pocket in June or July. Now it took until the MX of Nations, early October! There were a number of elements that were very important to me. I definitely wanted a 2-year deal to have continuity. In addition, I really wanted to sit on a Honda. With CAS-Honda we succeeded and I am very happy with that. I also like the atmosphere in the team. The work is done professionally, but it is still relaxed. I don't want to generalize but I think it's typical for English teams. An additional advantage is that there are never language problems.”
This year you will be driving a new, exclusive equipment from Airoh. Is the cool important to you?
Gareth Swanepoel: "Anyway. Fortunately, the CAS-Honda clothing looks very cool. The shirt and pants are mainly white with the Monster Energy logo on it. And the bike is black, we will definitely stand out!”
When is your first race in Europe?
Gareth Swanepoel: “At the end of February, the 28thth, I ride Little Silver the first round of the Maxxis British Championship. The following week I will ride Hawkstone Park.”
Photos credit: David Hancock, Kawasaki
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