Gautier Paulin about the virus, MXGP and the MXoN!
As we patiently wait to defeat the virus that has caused a global pandemic, it will be interesting to see how each individual is dealing with this unprecedented situation. For riders like Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP's Gautier Paulin, the isolation is not a problem.
“Personally, I'm not far away from my normal life,” said the 30-year-old MXGP star, “In winter it's like that for me. I don't see anyone, I don't go out, I don't party, I don't do anything but eat and sleep, family and training. So right now the only difference is that I don't see my family. I have everything I need to stay fit and in shape and to train in any situation, whether indoors or outdoors. I can still continue my full physical training, of course, I have to adjust everything because I am someone who wants to exercise outdoors as much as possible, and I have been like that since I was a child, but together with my trainer we adjusted the plan, but I'm still training in the zone I want.
Unlike most other motorized sports, MXGP has managed to complete two rounds of the 2020 series, surprising Paulin who is currently fifth in the championship. “I saw this coming, not a big pandemic like this, because no one could imagine this, but before I left for the first GP I told my wife to just gather everything we need for the baby in case of emergency, because we are always on the road. In case we get stuck somewhere I wanted to make sure we have all the needs for the little one.”
“I was actually surprised to ride the first two GPs and even more so when we expected to go to Argentina. After Valkenswaard we had a meeting with all team members at 22.15pm and it was at that moment that we all realized this was serious. I immediately decided to stop driving for my own safety and also for the safety of the mechanics.
The coronavirus outbreak has certainly thrown a spanner in the works for many top athletes who have thoroughly planned their entire year based on the 20 competitions on the calendar. “It will be a tough challenge because I started training very early last winter, but I will be okay,” he assured, “we cannot change what we are doing now we just have to take it one day at a time because we don't know what will happen from day to day, whether we are still locked inside or whether we can go outside. It is understood that the next GP is scheduled for Russia on June 7. We still have two months left, but who's to say it will happen? So I'll just keep focusing on myself and I'll be in good shape no matter what. This is what I have to do for my job, for my purpose and actually I like to stay fit, so I'm actually making the best of this crazy situation.”
The promoters of the FIM Motocross World Championship are continuously monitoring the situation and adjusting the calendar where possible. At this point, there are 18 rounds remaining, stretching into November. “We now have to do six GPs in a row and eight in a very short period of time,” he said, “this has never happened before. How the team will deal with it, especially with the season ending in Argentina or Indonesia or places like that, it will be something completely different.”
From the business side, it's really a big deal. But the most important thing for me is that all my boys stay healthy, and that my whole family stays healthy. Besides all the sporting and business matters, I only focus on the essential side of this and that is to keep everyone safe and healthy. And then for the sports side, I am sure it would be an advantage for me because I am fit, and I will prepare for it.”
The new calendar will also see the biggest and most spectacular motocross event of the year, the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations, take place in mid-season. “There are so many things we want to do, but now we can't do it with the problems the virus has caused. The Motocross of Nations in the middle of the season makes no sense to me. It has always been at the end of the season and the event is like a great gift for everyone who loves motocross. We celebrate the end of the season to prove which nation has the best motocross riders.”
The question is also how quickly riders can get back up to speed when the world starts again and whether it will be safe to ride again, but Paulin is confident he will be ready to start again as soon as he knows for sure everyone is safe. “I love the bike so for me it is no stress to be able to ride again. My bike is ready and I'm ready. Right now my biggest worry is what will happen if we have to go to Russia for the third match with the coronavirus. My biggest concern is how we can avoid getting sick when we start traveling and racing again, because this is going to be like playing poker.
On the plus side, Gautier Paulin and his wife Clementine welcomed their first child in May last year and he has a sense of calm and peace amid all the drama of the moment. “I am so blessed with everything I have now. All my people and my family are safe and I can enjoy these moments of watching my little one grow. It's really fun. It is the best gift I have ever had, and I feel like every day it is a new gift that I am incredibly grateful for.”
GALLERY: Yamaha Racing
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