Jeremy Seewer has to get used to being the favorite in MX2
Team Suzuki rider Jeremy Seewer is now quietly being pushed into the role of favorite for the 2017 MX2 World Championship, especially now that 3-time World Champion Jeffery Herlings will not be there for the first time in six years. The 2016 Vice-World Champion has risen in the rankings over the last three years from 10th to 5th to finally 2nd. So he will now most likely have to fight Red Bull KTM rider Pauls Jonass and Kemea Yamaha rider Benoit Paturel for the to take over Herlings' throne.
“It feels a bit strange and it's been a while since I've been in that role, but on the other hand it feels good and I've worked hard to achieve this…so I'm ready ,” says the 22-year-old Suzuki rider from his base in Spain before the start of his final year of the MX2 class. “We are a few months further on from the end of the 2016 season and I have had time to think about the fact that I might be one of the title favorites for the start of the 2017 season. I've only had that feeling at national level in Switzerland when I rode 85 and 125, so it gives you a little extra pressure for what's to come.”
“I just have to work in the same way as in 2016 and without Jeffrey I would have been champion, but of course it is not that easy!” he added. “I also know that other riders will also work hard and ride to win.”
Seewer is currently riding in the south of Europe with the all-Suzuki team currently based on the east coast of Spain for the first Red Sands International Race this coming weekend. The Swiss has only just been able to test the brand new factory RM-Z250 engine. “Last season my start wasn't that bad, but sometimes I struggled a bit and things didn't go the way I wanted,” he admitted. “I rode my new bike yesterday with the '17 engine and it is a bit different, but it still felt good. There are a few points to adjust, but the handling and suspension suit me really well. I am very satisfied in this area.”
The #91, who was close to his first series victory and Grand Prix victory in his home base of Fraunfeld, Switzerland, is now on the circuit together with his MX2 teammate Bas Vaessen as well as the new EMX Suzuki riders Hunter Lawrence and Zach Pichon. Suzuki General Manager Stefan Everts wants to work on promoting good team spirit with the four 250 riders and with Kevin Strijbos and Arminas Jasikonis the 450 riders. “It's actually quite impressive!” Seewer jokes. “Five Suzuki vans in a row and here we go… but we only drove among ourselves and that's fine. It's actually better and safer instead of having many drivers on the track at the same time.”
Original: Adam Wheeler – ontrackoffroad.com – Dutch Version: @Kris…
Photo: Suzuki
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