Pauls Jonass: not thinking about MXGP!
MX2 world champion Pauls Jonass managed to revive his title campaign this weekend in Frauenfeld. The fast Latvian missed his third podium in the last 4 rounds in Lommel. In Switzerland, however, the Red Bull KTM rider took victory in the first moto and finished second behind title rival Jorge Prado in the final. Jonass' deficit to World Cup leader Jorge Prado remains unchanged at 28 points.
Business as usual, or so it seemed for Pauls Jonass, who narrowly missed out on the GP victory in Frauenfeld. The way he won the first series and pushed Prado to the limit leaves no doubt. The MX2 title battle is far from over. Pauls Jonass: “I felt very good this weekend and normally Frauenfeld is not my favorite track with those deep ruts, but if I say so myself I rode well. I was able to pass Jorge in the first race after ten minutes and that was good! In the second race it took too long to pass Watson and Jorge managed to open a gap. I tried to close the gap but with two laps to go I made a mistake and did a little freestyle for the fans!”
Especially considering the dominance with which Jonass started the season - he won the first three GPs - his poorer form was all the more remarkable. Some claim that the reigning world champion already had his mind on MXGP. Jonass had previously indicated that he would switch to the premier class in 2019. However, other voices claimed that Pauls has not yet decided which category he will compete in because, given the MX2 age limit, he could still compete in the quarter liters for another two years. In search of an answer as to why Jonass is less prominent than earlier this year, the absence of was also pointed out Marc De Reuver. After all, De Reuver was a constant factor in Jonass' 2017 title campaign.
Jonass finished fifth in Lommel but also suffered bad luck when he collided with a rider behind him while chasing Prado in the first moto. In the second race, Pauls was distracted when Brent Van Doninck drove rashly into the starting gate at the start of the second series. For Red Bull KTM Team Manager Dirk Gruebel, the comeback of his rider and his end result in Lommel are confirmation that Jonass is still 100% focused on the title.
“As far as I'm concerned, Pauls already looked much better in Lommel than what we saw from him in the last three races before. He kept fighting even when things weren't going so well. Moreover, Pauls was at times 3 to 4 seconds faster than Jorge. So that's a good omen, especially for his attitude and his confidence. So Jonass is certainly not done yet. Okay, he may have lost points in Lommel, but he also gained confidence.” Confirmation of that confidence naturally followed last weekend in Switzerland.
It is clear that Pauls also paid cash for the mistakes he committed. For his part, Prado has fewer series victories and only four more GP final victories, but he did take three more podium places than his title rival. Jonass himself emphasizes that motivation is certainly not a problem.
“I don't think a lack of motivation is an explanation because I train hard but I just had some bad luck. Maybe I should go to church or something! What I experienced in Lommel, the fall in the first corner in Indonesia… It seemed like I was being tested, but I am not giving up and there are still four GPs to go.”
Jonass also dismissed his impending switch to MXGP as a reason for his poorer performance. After the departure of Glenn Coldenhoff to Standing Construct KTM for 2019, it appears that KTM will again have three factory riders: Cairoli, Herlings & Jonass. “I'm really not into MXGP, that's bullshit,” Pauls assured. This championship has all my attention. Then we will focus on the 450. I have a great team behind me, also next year. That's exactly why I don't have to worry about anything. I already have a 450 waiting for me in the workshop. When this World Cup season is over; we can start my MXGP preparation.”
There are still 200 points to be earned in this World Cup campaign. Neither Jonass nor Prado have recorded a zero score so far, but a lot is still possible anyway. “It's a shame I didn't win the GP, but it's nice to be back on the podium and going in the right direction. I still believe I can renew my title. It will now be the key to show my best races. Everything can happen; there are eight rounds and many points to be won or lost. Our goal is to move to MXGP as world champion.”
Tekst: Adam Wheeler, Tom Jacobs
Photos: Ray Archer
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