Interview with Damon Graulus
The seventh MXGP round of the season will take place this weekend. For riders, such as Damon Graulus, who focus on the European GPs, Latvia will be the third race of their World Championship cycle. After his fourth place in the 24MX Tour last weekend, we sat down with Graulus for an update.
How do you view Latvia?
Damon Graulus: "I'm really looking forward to it! Kegums is a very nice track to ride on. I've always enjoyed it in the past. Hopefully it will stay dry this weekend.”
You have now participated in three of the four events in the French Elite Championship. What do you think of the 24MX Tour and how do you estimate the level there?
Granules: “It is certainly a great championship, although it is of course less known to us. last weekend I rode in Gaillac-Toulza on a track that was new to me. Because we arrived late at night, I was very impressed the next day because the circuit there is so big and so wide. It is a circuit that has everything of a GP circuit. Except for the accommodation. There was also a round in St-Jean d'Angely, so in terms of tracks it is certainly fine. If I participate in France I will go for the win or at least to be on the podium. But you have to know the circumstances a bit to really appreciate the level.”
For many French top riders such as Xavier Boog, Valentin Teillet, Greg Aranda, Maxime Desprey, Cédric Soubeyras or Nicolas Aubin, the French championship is the most important goal on their calendar.
Granules: "That's right. They are all professional riders, who are fast and have a lot of experience at the highest level. Even more important is the fact that they are so familiar with the typical French courses, with the ground and with the level of their competitors. As a result, the French riders are at the start with a lot of confidence in their home races. In the first heat in Gaillac-Toulzac I crashed early in the race. From last place I had to fight hard to finish eighth. Fortunately my start was in the second heat. I was third but lost a lot of time behind Nicolas Aubin. When I passed him, Teillet had already opened a gap. I still pushed and my rhythm was very good, but I still ended up with 2,3 seconds. You shouldn't underestimate guys like Teillet, Boog or the other riders you mentioned. Just be careful if they start with a wildcard in the MXGP, for example in the GP of France. There they can compete for a position between 10 and 15.”
Speaking of MXGP, it's crazy how high the level is this year. The first 15 in the World Championship standings are all factory riders. When you see how someone like Max Nagl is in trouble because he doesn't start well...
Granules: “People in the paddock itself, drivers or team managers can better estimate and compare those results. For a fan who follows everything more superficially, it is difficult to understand. In the past, you would describe a top 10 as a good result for a non-factory driver. Now you actually have to go for a top 15 with a field that is so strong! You have to be physically top-notch to keep up that high rhythm for 35 minutes. In addition to being fast, you also have to be consistent, without making mistakes. The differences are so small that the majority of riders could just as easily finish 12th, 15th or 19th. It just depends on how your race goes, the smallest mistake can cost you many places. For me now it's about that top 15. I have to be honest that top 10 is another level of riders. And then at the very top you have two or three riders who are one or two levels higher!”
Now that Valkenswaard and Trentino are behind you, has the MXGP World Championship actually just begun for you?
Granules: “Yes, there is no other race that can prepare you for that speed of the MXGP. Nothing comes close. To be honest, I was still shocked at how incredibly fast the driving was in those first two GPs. We started the season a bit behind, but step by step we are now moving in the right direction. I feel good and I am satisfied with my driving and my speed. I had some bad luck in Valkenswaard, but that's part of life.”
During your preparatory internship in France, you were able to train several times with Sébastien Pourcel. Did you learn anything from that?
Granules: “Certainly, it is not the case that I have worked with him for a long time, but you still pick up certain things. Sébastien Pourcel has stopped competing for a while now, although he now rides the bike erratically, he is still going strong on one or two laps. On those typical, French, hard tracks that is. Unbelievable actually. Just when you think “I can't possibly go faster” you can easily see someone going faster. I also had the same feeling when I saw Paulin or Herlings going on a rampage on TV in Valkenswaard afterwards. You know how tough the course was and to be able to get over it like that is impressive.”
With Mitas, 24MX Honda has a new tire supplier compared to last year. How does that work?
Granules: “We have already come a long way together because Mitas is new at the highest level in motocross. That is why we have tested a lot in recent months. It was hard work, but the collaboration is really great. Mitas has already achieved a lot in enduro and speedway, now they are also going all out for the top in motocross. You notice that in everything, by the way. You also see Mitas tires in the Honda 150 European Championship, they became a sponsor in the World Cup... And they have plenty of knowledge and experience in tire making. Mitas is hungry and they want to move forward, so development is running at full speed. In Trentino we got new tires and I was very impressed. Simply a top product. This is also far from the end point. Mitas keeps pushing, I do that myself. If everyone continues to work hard, I just know the results will follow!”
Photos: CDS, shotbyBavo, 24MX Tour
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