Gautier Paulin on the financial difficulties of the pilots
Five-time MX of Nations champion Gautier Paulin (30) said goodbye this weekend after 13 World Championship seasons. Paulin proved with his podium in 'Pietramurata 3' that he can still compete with the top. On the other hand, there are fewer and fewer opportunities for top drivers, he explains.
The ex-BMX world champion won GPs for four different manufacturers (Yamaha, Husqvarna, Honda, Kawasaki) and became vice world champion in the MXGP once.
Speaking to RacerX, Paulin expressed concern about the riders' career prospects. More and more drivers have to rely on personal sponsors to secure a place in a team or to supplement their salary.
“Motorcross is not a big, popular sport, but when it is mentioned, people know it. Most motorcyclists start riding dirt bikes as children. We see F1 drivers who ride motocross and I have friends who ride downhill mountain biking and MX. In any case, the sport needs riders. I see some people now who pay to ride and they have a factory engine! I think it's a joke,” he told the US website. “It's definitely not good. They don't pay ten thousand euros, they spend hundreds of thousands. I don't believe this is the right way. I notice that some riders in MX2 are paid less than a mechanic.”
The MXGP class has 25 OATs [officially sanctioned teams] with very different operating resources. Among them are six factory teams (Honda, KTM, Yamaha, Husqvarna, Kawasaki, GasGas). The slimmed-down version of the 2020 championship, without overseas GPs, eased budgets this year. However, many teams are still facing uncertainty in the run-up to the 2021 season.
“As an athlete you need money to take care of yourself and prepare, whether it's eating, traveling or training. Working in a qualitative manner. When I see the direction motocross is going, I think it's very difficult. OK, the [Covid-19] virus has had an effect, but it's not just about the virus. All teams here want to perform and we cannot lose sight of this priority. I feel a little sorry for the people who pay to drive.”
Paulin, who suffered a broken back in May, saw his place in the Monster Energy Yamaha team taken by Glenn Coldenhoff. It is possible that Gautier is referring in the article to Monster Energy Kawasaki's rider situation for 2021. Clément Desalle also announced the end of his career after 5 seasons on the KX450. Although KRT still has Romain Febvre under contract, no second driver has been confirmed so far.
In the meantime, the first tests for 2021 and the preparation for the new season are also around the corner. There are even rumors that Monster Energy Kawasaki would only field Febvre in 2021. Meanwhile, there are fewer and fewer options in terms of riders who can make a difference in the MXGP. The Italian Ivo Monticelli, whose place at Standing Construct was taken by Brian Bogers, is increasingly linked with the second seat at Kawasaki.
Tekst: Adam Wheeler & Tom Jacobs
Photos: archive
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