Interview with Mauno Hermunen
As usual, the absolute supermoto top will be at the start in the Mettet Superbiker. This also includes the 22-year-old Finn Mauno Hermunen (Husqvarna). Hermunen is a colorful figure with a great sense of humor, but he is also a great supermoto talent. By the way, he was already second in the Superbiker twice. This year Hermunen will not settle for anything less than a victory!
How has 2010 been for you so far?
Mauno Hermunen: “Good, in the German championship I won all the races, in the World Championship I am fourth. In theory I still have a chance to win the title because we still have one match to go, but that is purely mathematical. Third place is still possible as I am only 7 points behind Thierry Van Den Bosch (Aprilia). “
For someone who is only in his fourth season in supermoto, are those amazing results?
Mauno Hermunen: “I was amazed at that too! It's just a sport that I really enjoy, although it doesn't come naturally. I have fifteen years of experience in motocross. One day there was a team manager who was looking for a replacement for his injured pilot, that's how I got involved. To be honest, I was also ready for something new. If you've been racing for 15 years, usually on the same circuits that don't mean much in Finland, you get bored! I came third in my first race in Finland. In itself that didn't mean much because the level is quite low, but it did motivate me enormously. I started training more and more in supermoto and now I am close to the world top.”
At least you learn quickly?
Mauno Hermunen: “I think my results speak for themselves, yes. But it happened very naturally. In my first season in Finland I was third, the following year I became champion and did some races in Germany. In my third supermoto season I competed in the full German championship and took the title. I was able to show myself in two GPs, so Husqvarna gave me a contract to become a factory pilot. Last year was my fourth year as a supermoto pilot and I came fourth in the World Championship. You have to like that combination of asphalt and off-road, which fortunately is the case in my case.”
For someone who is good on hard surfaces, it may be easier to master the typical supermoto style. Would you rather expect that from a Frenchman or an Italian and not from a Finn who has mainly driven in the sand?
Mauno Hermunen: "That's right, I'm also the only Scandinavian pilot at the top in the World Cup. Maybe racing is in the Finns' blood! In the winter I also drive quite a lot on the ice, with studded tires. It seems the same as in the summer, only it is freezing! No, seriously, the feeling is quite comparable because those studded tires offer a lot of grip.”
You also won your first overall victory in the Bulgarian GP a few weeks ago?
Mauno Hermunen: "I was third in the first heat and I won the second and third heats. That was a real highlight for me. The feeling that I can win at World Cup level only made me hungrier to become world champion. My good results in the German Championship also played an important role. From the beginning of my supermoto career, actually. I am now riding my third season in Germany and the level is high. My victories there have given me confidence for the GPs.”
In the Supermoto World Championship there is now only one class, what do you think about that?
Mauno Hermunen: “I think it's great that all the boys are riding together now. If you're at the top now, you really are the best in the world. You can no longer make excuses because you ride in a certain class or on a certain motorcycle.”
Can you briefly describe your biggest competitors?
Mauno Hermunen: “Thierry Van Den Bosch is certainly a tough customer. He is very consistent, hardly crashes and has been at the top for so long. Adrien Chareyre had a difficult season. This year we switched to Goldentyre as a mandatory band and Adrien did not digest that adjustment very well. He had a hard time setting up his engine. Thomas, Adrien's brother, was fast all season. He was just unlucky when his motorcycle broke down in Sicily. Thomas is a hell of a pilot: he goes fast on the dirt, and he goes really fast on the asphalt. I do everything I can to beat him, but he is almost always faster. Davide Gozzini is Thomas Chareyre's teammate at TM. Gozzini is also very strong and the TM is simply an excellent bike otherwise they would not be first and second in the World Championship! Next year we really have to find something to beat the TM men.”
What is the biggest thrill for you in SM riding?
Mauno Hermunen: "On the asphalt, when you turn into a corner, you open the throttle and you start to drift. I also like to jump, so if there are jumps in the unpaved part, I certainly don't find that a problem!”
Who were your heroes as a young rider?
Mauno Hermunen: “I didn't really have any supermoto pilots that I looked up to. Because I was already 17 when I started riding supermoto. At that age you already look at idols and such differently. In motocross I think it was mainly Jeremy McGrath.”
What does your training look like?
Mauno Hermunen: “You can make big differences on the dirt, which is why I ride a lot of motocross. Of course, I also ride a lot of supermotos. There is also something on the pit bike for fun.”
You have a thing for the Superbiker, don't you?
Mauno Hermunen: “What supermoto pilot doesn't have that?! Mettet is the most beautiful supermoto race in the world. The atmosphere is very special with so many people. The audience is really into it and you also have many connoisseurs among the fans. Moreover, my results have always been good. This year will be my fourth time. Three years ago I turned two straight away, and the year after that too. Last year I was the fastest in qualifying, but in the final I crashed in the first corner! This year the circuit has of course been completely renovated, we will see what happens. Before that it was always a special circuit. You rode it a lot on the street and it was different from all other circuits. This year I'm definitely going to win!”
Imagine if you had free rein to organize a superbike race, where would it be?
Mauno Hermunen: “San Francisco seems cool! You know with those big hills there. I think you could make long leaps there.”
Good choice I think. Good luck in Mettet this weekend.
Mauno Hermunen: “Thanks!”
Credit photos: Maunohermunen.com, Youthstream Press
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