Brian Hsu wants to relaunch GP career with Bud Racing
Former 125 European and World Champion Brian Hsu will be at the start of the European MX2018 GP in 2 with Bud Racing Kawasaki. For Hsu this means a new start after he broke his wrist in the winter of 2015.
The 19-year-old Hsu had just made his GP debut before suffering an injured wrist during the Milan Supercross during the EICMA motorcycle show. Since then, things have not gone as planned for the great youth talent. Hsu, who is also an excellent classical violinist, rode for the Suzuki factory team in 2016 and this year competed for the Husqvarna Maurer-GP team.
“Until I suffered my wrist injury, my first year on the 250 had gone pretty well. I always made progress. However, that ended when I broke my wrist,” Hsu said. The German Taiwanese made himself heard in his first GPs with his speed, although he later also had to deal with broken fingers and adjustment problems with the RM-Z250. In the autumn of 2016 he was struggling with an injured shoulder. “My wrist was already a big problem and then the changes at Suzuki came on top with a new boss. I had actually had it and I was really messing up.”
“We then found another team where we could determine the setup ourselves and where we were given a lot of freedom, but it was anything but easy because I don't think the team was strong enough. At the beginning of the year things went smoothly with the Husqvarna, but there was no regularity. Either something happened to the engine or to me. It really was one good race followed by a bad one. This made it very difficult to build up speed. My shoulder ended up dislocating at the end of the season during an ADAC race. The situation was not good but I was lucky that I did not need surgery. Now I have had almost two months of rest. In the meantime, I'm building up again in the gym and on the bike.”
There is no doubt that Hsu has not had a successful year. Yet he once again underlines his potential. In Valkenswaard he finished sixth one round on a private motorcycle, and fifth one round in Teutschenthal. If Bud can polish the diamond in the rough that is Brian Hsu, they might just have the winter transfer done! In the past, Bud played an important role in the successes of Dylan Ferrandis and Livia Lancelot, among others.
In addition to the MX World Championship, Hsu will also compete in the French Elite and in some ADAC rounds. “I really like the bike,” said Hsu, who also has an 85cc world title to his name. “I had never ridden a Kawasaki before and it immediately felt good to be on a Japanese motorcycle again. Despite the few meters I have done, I am already very enthusiastic. The framework that Stephane Dassé has provided is also excellent. Bud has his own trainer and a nice workshop. I feel fresh and ready for a new start. The team is also very flexible – supercross or motocross – it doesn't matter to them. I have the feeling that we understand each other well.
Above all, Brian believes he can return to the top. “I'm sure,” he says. “With everything I have available now and how I feel about myself. We haven't really started yet, but the foundation is there and I believe I can reach the top 5… if everything goes according to plan. In any case, I am very optimistic and super motivated!”
Tekst: Adam Wheeler
Photos: ADAC MX Masters, Media Cross
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