Gunther Ghysels wants to score in Radson MX2 Trophy.
Next to Gunther Ghysels you can't see behind the starting gate. The tall KTM rider from Waarmaarde near Kortrijk will start his second BC campaign at the Inters MX2 on Saturday. The Topsport Vlaanderen rider expects to do much better than last year.
Gunther, is the Belgian Championship a main goal for you this year?
Gunther Ghysels: "Certainly. After the wonderful year of 2008 in which I became National MX2 champion, 2009 actually turned out to be a disastrous year. For me the season was completely dominated by injuries. So I wasn't able to achieve anything last year. That means that a lot is expected of me this year. The preparation during the winter went smoothly. Until I dislocated my shoulder again and injured my ankle. Normally I get the green light to start training this week and then I still have a few days left for Beervelde. With a match under the belt - which logically did not amount to much with an ankle injury - I cannot expect too much from Beervelde.”
Who do you think will make it to the 6 games? Will anyone even? QuickNick can be correct?
Gunther Ghysels: “Triest is of course the logical favorite, based on what he has already shown this year, he is the man to beat. But of course there is also Kenny Van Dueren, who won the first race of the MX2 European Championship in Portugal. It has to finally happen for me, I will soon be eighteen and then I can't delay for too long. The podium is therefore my goal in the Radson Trophy.”
You measure 1m90, aren't you too big for an MX2 bike, wouldn't you rather opt for a 450cc?
Gunther Ghysels: “Well, I've been thinking about that for a long time. Last winter I also trained with an SX-F 450. But as a young guy, I like to get wild sometimes and at such moments I don't have full control of an MX1 bike yet. Not everyone is a Desalle at 16e was already going fast on a 450cc. In any case, I'm still riding the MX2010 in 2. Because of my height I also don't have my weight and on heavy circuits that is not to my advantage. Still, I think that if you can't open up a 250cc engine everywhere on the track, you are not yet ready to switch to an MX1. In 2011 I will switch to a 450cc or 350cc.”
In addition to the six Radson Trophy races, which races are you going to compete in this season?
Gunther Ghysels: “For Motorsport Future and Topsport Vlaanderen, the Radson Trophy takes precedence, and depending on the calendar, I will also participate in a few more races of the French Elite Championship, the ADAC Championship and the European Championship. I would also like to be at the start in Lommel during the MX2 GP.”
Is there any competition between the guys from Motorsport Future?
Gunther Ghysels: “We now have three Motorsport Future riders in the MX2 class. Damon is very talented, but so is Jens. Still, I think we are more of a team than rivals. We help each other during training. It's good to be able to train together. You can certainly learn a lot from a rider with enormous technical expertise like Damon. It is not so important to beat each other, as long as we can lift each other to a higher level.”
Which of the six rounds of the Radson Trophy are you most anticipating, where do you prefer to ride?
Gunther Ghysels: “I think that the BC rounds are generally held on beautiful circuits. I used to hate sand competitions, but now that I'm starting to get the hang of it, I'm looking forward to Balen. Also because you ride in front of a lot of people on the Keiheuvel. Kester, on the other hand, is the BC competition that is closest to home for me. I think it is a nice circuit and a lot of my supporters also come to watch it.”
Kester falls in the middle of the exam period this year...
Gunther Ghysels: “I may not be completely fit at the start in Kester because of my exams. I'm often quite late preparing them. But it is important that I first get those exams out of the way and have my diploma in my pocket, because then I can focus on motocross. I am now in my final year of Economics-Modern Languages and the plan is to take a sabbatical in 2011 or go to university part-time. Besides, after Kester I still have four BC competitions to prove myself.”
Ok, Gunther thanks and good luck!
Credit photos: Gino Maes/Motorsport Future
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