Five minutes with Tim Mathys, Standing Construct KTM
Standing Construct KTM has been in the news in recent weeks. In Lommel, Max Anstie (qualifying and series winner) and Glenn Coldenhoff (third) claimed a leading role. “The Hoff” then recorded a double GP victory in Imola and Uddevalla. This week, team manager Tim Mathys confirmed Ivo Monticelli for 2020. Enough material for a conversation!
There were a lot of possible names circulating for 2020 in connection with the team composition of Standing Construct KTM. Earlier this month Mathys himself had indicated that the team would not continue with Max Anstie. Adam Wheeler sat down at the table with the enthusiastic team manager and owner.
Some people also assumed that Standing Construct KTM would enter with three riders again.
Tim Mathys: “I always said we would go for a team with two drivers. When I do something, whether it is business or with my team, I give it 100% and I want to achieve the highest possible level. That was also the intention for 2019. Late in the year I learned that Max (Anstie) still did not have a seat. I thought to myself: 'how is that possible?' He won the Motocross of Nations, less than a year before...' I then contacted KTM and they were also enthusiastic. So we went from two to three drivers. I invested heavily because you just need more resources to serve three riders: vans for transport, workbenches, extra people. Red Bull KTM will have three riders in the MXGP next year (ed. Tony Cairoli, Jeffrey Herlings and Jorge Prado). Because we also have some factory equipment, I think it is also difficult for KTM to work with six riders.”
There's a lot that goes into building a high-level team to function. In the bigger picture, knowledge and experience are just two pieces of the puzzle…
Mathis: “Nowadays there is indeed a lot to take into account if you want to be at the top. Budget plays a major role in this. My company (ed. Standing Construct) is a major sponsor of the team, but the money we invest in motocross must also yield a return. It would be easy to say 'let's put an extra 2 to 300.000 euros into the team'. It wouldn't be easy. That of course also influences the choice of the drivers.”
Glenn Coldenhoff is a permanent fixture in the team. He took his first GP win with you in 2013 and it almost seems like he was never away. Despite his back injury at the end of 2018, he is back to his best level.
Mathis: “What makes Glenn special as a driver is that he works day and night and keeps going! That's why I had complete confidence that he would return to his highest level. He just needed time. His performance showed that we were right. Because he missed the entire winter in terms of both physical preparation and testing, he really needed the team's confidence.”
In his second MXGP season, Ivo Monticelli made remarkable progress as a Standing Construct KTM rider.
Mathis: “I am very happy with what Ivo has shown this season. We brought him in as a driver that no one believed in. We put him on a strict training program and supported him with everything he asked for. No one would have imagined that he would show such speed this year and achievements such as his 5th place in Arco di Trento or his 8th place in the second series in the sand of Lommel. I am convinced that with good winter preparation and the experiences of this season, Ivo can regularly reach the top 5 in 2020!”
Tekst: Adam Wheeler, Tom Jacobs
Photos: Standing Construct KTM, shotbyBavo, CDS
Also to read
Jens Walvoort about his Portuguese Grand Prix
In Agueda, Jens Walvoort managed to make a big impression during the fifth Grand Prix of the season. The KTM rider finished sixth in the daily rankings, Walvoort is now sixteenth...EnduroGP: Interview Jamie McCanney
Manxman Jamie McCanney made EnduroGP history last year by winning the E1 in Slovakia as a privateer. The 29-year-old veteran has had a long and illustrious career, but…Jans-Beken out due to shoulder injury
Next weekend the third race of the FIM WMX World Championship will be held in Lugo. This will happen without Britt Jans-Beken. The Limburg native fell during training last weekend...Competing for the MX AIR TIME 2024 prize pool? Subscribe …
A new edition of MX AIR TIME will be held on Sunday, May 19. Place to be is the Dutch municipality of Beckum. Register now via Motoinside and who knows...
Your reactions