Evgeny Bobryshev: “I tried everything to ride despite the sanctions against Russian athletes.”
The season coming to an end was a difficult one for Evgeny Bobryshev. The events in Ukraine have meant that the Russian motocross rider is not allowed to participate in competitions anywhere in the world.
Speaking to Gatedrop.com at the WSX in Cardiff, Bobryshev said: “It's very strange how I feel here. When I see the riders getting ready for the start, it is a very strange feeling, because I would love to be one of them. But for now I can just watch and enjoy the show.”
So it was a resigned Bobryshev that we saw in Cardiff. “I really hope that the FIM will reconsider its position on Russian riders, as other sports federations are currently doing. I really tried everything to ride this year, without success,” says the Russian who has lived in the Netherlands since he was 17.
“Since they announced that Russian athletes couldn't ride, I was honestly looking everywhere where I could ride. I called many countries, but unfortunately all federations are affiliated with the FIM. I had gone to the US to prepare for the AMA outdoor and I had goals for the British Championship. I was so focused and so motivated for this 2022 season. I put my heart and all my energy into motocross, so when someone tells you that you can't ride anyway… It's not my fault what's happening, why do we have to interfere the political situation there?”, continues Bobryshev, who hopes to participate in the American championship in 2023.
“I hope to do nine or ten rounds of the outdoor,” he confirms. “I'm really looking forward to it because I like discovering new things, meeting new people and I love the American tracks. I have applied for a Dutch passport, but that takes time, the administrations are overloaded. I have spoken to the FIM, but they say the situation is not under their control. They have a meeting planned for December, I hope they can find a solution.”
“I'm so frustrated that I didn't get to ride this year that I even considered riding in Brazil or Hungary,” Bobryshev admitted. “But they all fall under the FIM. The only country where there was hope, because they are not connected, was Canada. I really believed in it. I even had an agreement with GasGas for the Canadian championship. The Canadian federation gave me permission and a few weeks later they received a letter from the FIM saying they would be sanctioned if they let me ride. So they preferred not to let me drive.”
Interview: Andy McKinstry
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