Clément Desalle: the MX-Panda column
Hello everyone!
A lot has happened since my last column! The season is going ahead and the matches are coming in quick succession. My calendar is well filled…
As far as I am concerned, my fall in Valkenswaard was especially important. I don't think I made a real driving mistake there, it was just bad luck. But something like that is part of motocross. Moreover, fortunately it remained with this one incident. That is why you can better describe the crash and its consequences as the bruises and bumps you encounter along the way - in French we call that 'bobo' rather than a real injury. Still, I was able to sweat it out afterwards...
Before I left for Portugal, I had a test drive in Rognée. I left for Agueda with one goal: limit the damage. On Saturday I started the GP weekend calmly. After that I systematically increased the pace and that was rewarded with my first GP victory of the season. Talk about a pleasant surprise! I can actually say that my shoulder has never hurt while driving. I'm careful, I try not to force it, but it doesn't bother me. Besides, I'm not the type of pilot who takes risks with the injury itself. If the doctor had not assured me that my shoulder was 95%, I would not have driven and would have taken extra rest. I worked hard during my rehabilitation to come back as good as possible and it paid off. Now I continue to build up step by step. So I carefully started swimming again. I feel the strength returning to my shoulder.
In short, I had more fear than pain, but of course it is always annoying. The first week I wasn't able to do anything and then you ask yourself a lot of questions. I honestly had a hard time accepting my condition. It was the first serious warning for me in 5 seasons of GPs. But of course I also know that something like this happens to every rider sooner or later. Even the very best. Just think of Stefan Everts' injuries...
The crash in Valkenswaard was of course a bad thing for the championship. Antonio Cairoli has already built up a nice lead. Although, the championship is still long and I know he can be beat. That's why a lot can still change towards the end of the season.
The competitions are very open this year and I think the public has already seen a lot of spectacular races with many duels between the drivers. The only thing I regret, like many other pilots, is that sometimes strange decisions are made in preparing the circuits. I have absolutely nothing against technical circuits, but occasionally it is made too artificial. On GP circuits you will find few bends as in the past, a straight line without obstacles is unthinkable. There are waves everywhere and overtaking is often difficult. In Saint-Jean d'Angély, the bend in front of the pit lane was barely 4 meters wide.
Don't get me wrong, I like modern circuits but I think there has to be a balance. Two weeks ago I rode during the ADAC MX Masters in Aichwald. That is 90% a natural circuit and I really enjoyed it. Beautiful, flowing curves, fast straights, that is also part of modern motocross. watch here check out Aichwald's video. By the way, I am not alone in that opinion because many pilots think the same.
I also had a good time at Glen Helen for the USGP. That was a nice experience as I had never ridden there before. Glen Helen is a fantastic track, much faster than what we are used to here in Europe. If you are there, it is definitely worth going for a drive. Physically it was not that easy because there was a lot of wind, it was very hot and the air was bone dry. It's a shame there weren't more spectators... I don't think the Americans will ever really be interested in our championship. I understand that Youthstream is trying to get closer to the States, but I doubt whether it can really work.
This summer I will participate again in the great Everts & Friends charity race, but I don't know yet with which bike. Just like last year, I would like to find a special engine. I had a great time with an old CR 500. Last winter I tested a two-stroke beast of a friend and I immediately decided to buy one. Later I bought a CR in Paris. But it was really in a terrible state and it was a nice challenge to get it ready. I wanted to compete with that special motorcycle and Everts & Friends turned out to be the ideal opportunity! For me it is important to be present at such an event because I think it is an excellent initiative and it contributes to a good image for motocross. If you have any tips for the motorcycle I can use to go to Genk this year, please email: max@motocrossmag.be
See you soon on MXMag!
Clément Desalle
Photos credit: CDS
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