Dirk Gruebel about Vialle, Herlings and the AMA Nationals
The final races of the MX2 World Championship went well for Tom Vialle, who was able to finish with wins in Argentina and Portugal. The young French talent has also regained some important points in the battle for the championship, which looks set to be very exciting this year.
It's a bit of a shame to walk past the KTM Factory team awning and only see one rider, so we spoke with Dirk Gruebel to get an update on Herlings, the team's chances of signing a substitute and more.
The fourth round of the MX2 World Championship in Portugal was a good day for Tom Vialle with his victory, are you happy with his performance?
Dirk Gruebel: He is improving every week and today we saw him riding really well. In the second moto Jago had put in a lot of effort, but he clearly had some frustration from the first moto as he crashed and lost valuable points. Tom is on the rise, he still needs to spend some more time on the bike, but we are getting there. We have to remember that he has only been on the bike since early January. In general it looks good and with the development of the new engine, things are getting better and better. We are on track.
Do you think the development of the new engine would have progressed further if it had had a full winter? It feels a bit like it develops while racing?
Dirk Gruebel: Something like that. I also mean that we had trouble getting parts everywhere, it was the same problem worldwide, and everything came a little too late. Then he got his injuries so we couldn't test as we wanted, but it will all be fine, but overall we are quite happy with how things are going.
In terms of the championship it was a great weekend to take a lot of championship points back from Jago Geerts. You must be happy with that, right?
Dirk Gruebel: Certainly, Jago came back to ninth place during the first series, which was a good performance, but it is give and take. In the second moto you see that he is still faster, but not always.
You still have to keep calm when it comes to the championship, last year he missed too many races and still ended up in the top three so there is still no panic in that regard!
Dirk Gruebel: We look at it from week to week. It's too early to say anything about this. Of course we are aiming for the championship, but it is the same with Yamaha and Jago. I mean, he's hungry, he didn't make it in 2020, he didn't make it last year either due to injuries. I think it's going to be a good fight.
There is currently plenty of room under this canopy with the absence of Jeffrey Herlings. Do you have an update on Jeffrey and when we can expect him back? And will there be a replacement? Someone like Jeremy Sydow might be available in a few weeks and he has impressed…
Dirk Gruebel: I mean, we'd love to have Jeffrey back, but he's still recovering and things are going a little slower than expected. It is a difficult bone that he broke, he has just gotten off crutches and now the rehabilitation is starting. Of course, the season continues and there is a match every week, we expected him back here but we have to wait and be patient.
I think Latvia is realistic for Herlings' return? Is there any chance you'll get a substitute for the MXGP?
Dirk Gruebel: For Jeffrey, nah, I don't know. At the moment I am not making any predictions and we will take it from week to week. We'll have to wait and see what the doctors say. We tried a sub, and it didn't go well, so I don't have a name on the list at the moment. The current 450cc is not a toy at this level and we shouldn't just put someone on it just to have a bike in the MXGP class. It would be nice to have him there but…give me a name?
Boisrame is back on the bike, right?
Dirk Gruebel: Yeah… But I don't think we'll try it a second time.
Just about Jeffrey… there are of course all kinds of rumors that he will ride the AMA Nationals this year – can you clear that up?
Dirk Gruebel: There are a lot of rumors and nothing has been confirmed as you say. We don't know either – I would like to see him back here because this is our championship, and this is of course his team.
Without Herlings there, it must be nice to see an Austrian brand on the top step of the podium this weekend with Jorge Prado as the winner?
Dirk Gruebel: Sure, it was beautiful today. Jorge put in a good performance and Tim is fast as we know but it is always good.
You have a change in the team's duties this year, can you tell me about that, and are you still going to every GP? I don't think I saw you in Matterley Basin...
Dirk Gruebel: Yes, I had Covid-19, I was there for the first GP but it was canceled due to the storm. The following week I was home and tested positive, so that's why I wasn't there. I still try to go to every grand prix but we don't know what the future holds.
What is it like to have Joel Smets as team manager?
Dirk Gruebel: Not much has changed. He has his role as rider/trainer and even though his title is team manager.
Tekst: Andy McKinstry and Danny Hermans
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