5 minutes with… Damon Graulus
Last week it was announced that Damon Graulus will compete for the KEMEA Yamaha team next year. The reigning French MX2 champion is currently out with an elbow injury but is already looking forward to next season. We had a short chat with Damon.
Damon, a sudden change for you?
DG171: Yes that's right. It was an eventful few weeks, but in the end everything quickly came together. Unfortunately, I was unable to reach a consensus with Tim and had to look for something else. I had a few options but in the end I chose KEMEA Yamaha. It is a team that has grown a lot in recent years and everyone is super motivated. Moreover, it is also a Belgian team and that is important to me. It is much more fun and easier to work if Dutch is spoken under the tent.
And you will find Marnicq Bervoets as a mentor
DG171: Beats! Marnicq himself has years of experience at the highest level. He is therefore the ideal person to help me in the learning process to become even better. I am therefore looking forward to working with him.
Due to your injury you were unable to test the Yamaha, I suspect?
DG171: No, but I am convinced that the bike will suit me. It's strange but I've always liked riding Japanese motorcycles. These seem to me to be slightly better than the KTM. Please note, the KTM is a top motorcycle, but the Japanese motorcycles just suit my riding style a little better. I'm looking forward to testing the Yamaha, and especially to starting riding again!
What about the injury now?
DG171: After the crash in Finland where I dislocated my elbow, I had to wear a plaster cast for two weeks. Afterwards I received a brace and I have now been free of it for two weeks. The capsule and ligaments are healing well and normally I will be back on the bike at the end of September.
How do you look back on your first complete GP season?
DG171: It was a year with ups and too many downs... I didn't start the season ideally after suffering from the after-effects of glandular fever in the winter. The positive thing is that I managed to become French champion after an exciting finish. In the GPs I had some good series, but I was also often off. The transition from EMX to GPs was actually a bit bigger than I expected and I underestimated it a bit. In the EMX2 we were with some fast riders and you were able to quickly correct a bad start. But in the World Cup everyone accelerates well from 1st to 30th and that is not possible. Moreover, those longer matches also require extra physical effort. But I have learned a lot this year. I now know what I still need to work on and that is what I will focus on in the winter.
What are the prospects for next year?
DG171: First and foremost, I want to work hard this winter to get a good start to the season. For the World Cup season, I think it should be possible to finish in the top 10, with hopefully an outlier here and there. It will certainly be a big challenge, but I will do everything I can to achieve my goal!
So things will be fine with Damon Graulus!
DG171: I hope so anyway! It all looks promising for next year and it will now be up to me to make it happen. I would like to thank my parents and friends in advance for continuing to support me. And also Tim Mathys. Despite the fact that our paths have now parted after many years, the cooperation ends on good terms. Tim has helped and supported me for years and I am grateful to him for that. He has already wished me good luck in this new challenge at KEMEA.
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