Zwarte Cross: exclusive interview with Josh Hansen!
Josh Hansen is in the country and we must have known that. De Zwarte Cross and Monster Energy are only too proud to bring the American star to Lichtenvoorde. And no one can deny that Lil' Hanny is an excellent choice for this unique festival. Hansen is bursting with talent, he is popular with the fans and his elaborate life story sounds more like that of an old rocker than that of a young sportsman! Unlike the music gods who will soon take the stage at the Zwarte Cross, Josh does not use a guitar, drums or microphone. The son of former champion Donnie Hansen comes to tell his story at the wheel of a Pro Circuit Kawasaki KX450F.
The 27-year-old SX specialist narrowly missed out on the West Coast Lites title earlier this season, but he certainly proved that he is back! Hansen also won the Australian SX Championship last winter, he had a much-discussed relationship with reality TV star Stephanie Pratt and won gold at the X Games in Supercross in 2008 and 2009. Where Hansen is, there is also publicity to be had. Fortunately, positive publicity these days because Hanny has also seen the bottom; the party animal who went off the rails, was fired by his team (Yamaha Joe Gibbs Racing), lost his money, was at odds with everything and everyone and considered suicide. The Josh Hansen standing before me is a man reborn. With his long hair and tattoos he doesn't fit the picture of the brushed-off professional, but Hansen is who he is. And he really wants to discover the Zwarte Cross 2011!
What did you know about the Zwarte Cross before you came to the Netherlands?
Josh Hansen: “I had heard that it is a very, very special race. You can't compare it to anything else, it's one big party where people come to have fun, to see cool bands play and then there's also some racing! I feel honored that Monster thought of me to represent them here. An incredible amount of people come here; It's the biggest race in the world, man! I heard so many stories that I thought I must have experienced this. Like that part where we drive through the party tent, how intense is that?! Maybe I'll stop for a beer!”
Do you have a thing for music yourself?
Josh Hansen: “Quite, I like punk rock and hardcore. I don't know all the bands on the bill, but hopefully I can catch something from the festival as well. Too bad I have to go back to California soon. I would have liked to travel further to England. There is also a big alternative music scene there, but I have to be back in time for the X-Games in LA.”
This race is actually doubly unique, because seeing Josh Hansen at work outdoors on a sand track is something you don't often experience?
Josh Hansen: “Say that! I have respect for those outdoor guys. Personally, for me it's only SX that counts, that's where it happens and I'm certainly not into sand. You recently asked me that it would be fun to participate in a classic GP in the sand like Lommel. I do not think so! I never see that happening. I'm really not good in the sand. I am a man of the hard tracks, also in Supercross.”
How do you look back on the SX Championship?
Josh Hansen: “On the one hand it was good to be able to win races again, but it was a real shame that I got injured and couldn't compete for the title. I felt very good, I came back from Australia super motivated and I really felt like I could take the title.”
You provided one of the most surprising victories of the season. You won Anaheim 2 with a broken hand. The 'old' Josh Hansen probably wouldn't have managed that?
Josh Hansen: “Maybe not, no, but now it was about the championship. It was incredibly painful, before the race and also during the drivers' presentation. However, I persevered, concentrated all my energy on the race and told myself that in the end it was all about 15 minutes of suffering. I used to be told I was too weak, now was the time to prove the opposite! Unfortunately I injured myself again in Seattle.”
You also rode against Ken Roczen, what did you think of him?
Josh Hansen: “Ken is a great talent, he learned quickly in Supercross and he has a great future ahead of him. Eli Tomac is also such a person, despite their age, they are already men you have to take into account. They are very fast and they are also hard workers.”
It was clear that you had a great time in Australia, how did it go there?
Josh Hansen: “Really great! Australia is a fantastic country and the people are very friendly. I didn't know anything about the races and the level, and I rode it on a 450. Race after race, however, it got better and it's cool for Kawasaki, Monster Energy and Pro Circuit that I managed to win the title. Actually it was more like a holiday there! Australians are very relaxed, life is much calmer than in LA! The championship itself has a high level and every week the competition format is a little different, which is fun and keeps it interesting. I also went to Australia in 2009”
How important has Mitch Payton been in your career?
Josh Hansen: “Very important, he believed in me at a time when no one wanted anything to do with me. Nobody wanted to help me because in addition to my bad results I also had a bad image and when Joe Gibbs Racing fired me, Troy Lee and Mitch helped me for the X-Games in 2008. Then things went wrong with Hart & Huntington for personal reasons . I had barely ridden, but Mitch Payton, Monster Energy, Kawasaki, Parts Unlimited kept believing in me and signed me for the X-Games in 2009. I could cry! That was my ultimate opportunity and I grabbed it.”
What is the most important thing you have learned in recent years?
Josh Hansen: “That balance, hard work and good people around you mean much more than just talent. I feel fortunate to be supported by my family and good sponsors such as Kawasaki, Monster Energy and Pro Circuit. To be successful you have to follow a certain path. That's why you don't have to become a robot, you can remain yourself, but there are no miracle formulas. Without hard work you can't achieve anything.”
Aunt Rikie would say that too.
Josh Hansen: “Who is that again?”
You'll find out… Thanks for the interview Josh.
Josh Hansen: "Don't mention it!"
Photos credit: CDS
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