Talent in development: Nicolas Dercourt
There are still two rounds to go in the French SX Tour. This weekend another absolute top race awaits with the Supercross of Genève, in Switzerland. The SX Tour final will take place in the M in mid-Decemberégo Galaxie in Amnéville. In the SX2 class, supercross rookie Nicolas Dercourt (Team GSM) is currently in a nice 7th place, just 4 points behind him in fourth. We sat down at the table with the 21-year-old Picardien for a nice chat.
After great results in the EMX250 last year, including fourth places in France and Great Britain, Dercourt opted for a campaign in his own country this year. Internationally speaking, Nicolas may have been less in the picture, but he continues to develop well. The intensive guidance of former SX specialist Serge Guidetty and the internships in the south of France are paying off.
You almost expect French riders to be brought up with supercross.
Nicolas Dercourt: “Yet that is not the case, especially if you come from the north like me! There it is simply not possible to properly train for supercross. Now I have finally taken the step and it is a great new challenge. In any case, it is not easy to immediately compete with the top in a discipline that is completely new to me. Yet we notice that the difference is no longer that big. That is positive, but I still lack experience and specific training. I was not at the start in both the Supercross of Paris and Montpellier. In SX that is such a huge disadvantage that coming back becomes difficult.”
In Lyon you put your nose to the window last weekend with great results.
Dercourt: “That's right, I had good starts in Lyon last weekend, so I immediately got into the right rhythm. I actually ended up 2 meters from the podium because I finished one meter after third! In any case, it now confirms that there is progress and that I also have the opportunity to ride for victory in supercross. After all, that is my goal and that is what I work hard for together with my coach Serge Guidetty.”
How did you experience the transition from motocross to supercross?
Dercourt: “First of all, you have to get used to a different engine. Of course the suspensions are harder, the gearbox ratios are different and we also started working with a way of training that is new to me. The heats are much shorter, so you need more explosiveness. I also focused a lot on riding technique to connect the different sections as smoothly as possible, and to improve my timing on jumps. Physically it is a matter of being able to deal with your heart rate that increases so quickly. That's why we train a lot on sprints.”
What is the balance of your outdoor season in the Elite?
Dercourt: “I'm a little disappointed with my fourth place in the final standings. Of course I would have liked to take the title, but actually fourth place makes sense. I didn't score any points in two motos because I twisted my knee in one moto and I twisted my shoulder in the other. I made a mistake in the first match in Saint-Jean d'Angély: I only scored three points in the first series and the second was not much better. Then you immediately have to chase in the championship. There certainly could have been more, but we cannot turn back time.”
Did you miss the EMX250 this year?
Dercourt: “Not at all actually. I think it is excessive to pay 300 euros registration fee for two 30-minute heats. To be honest, I had a much better time during the two French GPs (ed. MX2 in Ernée, MXGP in Villars-Sous Ecot) that I rode. The World Cup remains a fantastic experience, but a full World Cup season is extremely expensive. On the other hand, some GPs do help to raise your level for competitions in your own country. Of course, the level in the Grand Prix is also of a different order than in the EMX250!”
At the end of the season you rode the MXGP of Villars-sous-Ecot, will we see you again next year on the 450?
Dercourt: “That is indeed the intention. I will ride 450 in both Elite Motocross and Supercross, supplemented with a few GPs and the Enduropal is also on my program.”
You immediately scored points in your first MXGP, which is certainly not given to everyone.
Dercourt: A 450 suits me more than an MX2 motorcycle. Actually, I feel much more at home on a 450, especially because the Yamaha also runs fine as standard. I can't wait to start riding my 2018 YZ450F! Personally, I prefer a powerful engine and since I am 1 and 85 and weigh 80 kilos, a 450 is more obvious. Because of my height and weight, I am closer to my own limits on a 250.”
Thanks for the chat and good luck next weekend!
Dercourt: "Thanks you're welcome."
Photos: Barety, MXjuly
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