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ROLLERCOASTER Images Simon Cudby HRC Factory rider Ken Roczen came into the 2017 AMA Supercross championship on fire. Winning the opening two rounds of the series, he looked nearly unbeatable, yet we all know the sport of supercross is unforgiving and Roczen found out that victory might be sweet, but the other side of the sport doesn’t give any pleasures. Going into the season, and on the new red bike, many expected that the young German would come out swinging. His Monster Energy Cup performance was good, but he did crash, DNFing one of the three races, and that mix of brilliance, and inconsistent is something that has not helped him winning more AMA championships in the USA.
Nobody wants a rider of any stator get injured, but a rider who many consider the best in the world, its also painful for the sport. With multiple injuries, and at least three months out of the sport, we all wonder what the next step will be for the two AMA motocross champion and former MX2 world champion is. We look at the first three rounds of what was a rollercoaster start to his 2017 season. Round One - Anaheim The race went good. You could really tell that they, for this year— well they always tame it down for Anaheim 1—but they really tamed the track down quite a bit more. It was a good idea because, during practice, the transitions were really soft. It made it difficult on us no matter what. I think it makes for better racing. Overall, things were good. I got two good starts, but I actually messed up a little bit on the second start. I kind of muscled my way through and had a clear track. I pretty much just focused on myself. I tried to not make mistakes because the track got rough. It was hard underneath and really pebbly on top, so it really required a lot of focus to not make mistakes. Overall, I’m really happy with how tonight went. We have to keep a good head on our shoulders and look forward to the next weekend. It’s fun to celebrate our first win, but there’s a lot more races to go and we have to keep the focus. It’s the first race. I’m just staying calm. I think in the previous years, I got too excited in the beginning, but I’m really keeping calm. I want to keep my eyes on the prize and click off each and every weekend. I think it’s important to take this race and enjoy tonight and tomorrow, but look ahead, focus on the next race. I don’t want to get caught up too much on the last one.
I think I thought the dirt was going to be really good, but the stuff they mixed into the dirt [to help with mud] in the morning—which it looked like we needed it—made it so there were no lines ever, and it was really crumbly. I wasn’t really too stoked with the dirt honestly, but it’s the same for everybody and you need to adapt really quick. I wasn’t expecting it. It’s hard to expect something like that. I had no doubt in my mind, and that’s ultimately what helps me out a lot. At the same time, there’s a lot of good guys out there. That’s what I meant about keeping the focus the entire time and that’s what I’ve done. I never got too excited, tried to stay calm and trust my capabilities. Round Two – San Diego I wish I could have jumped into my suit really quick, but I didn’t have enough time. It was an awesome race. I was third coming around the first turn and then found myself behind Ryan (Dungey). I watched what he was doing and I got peppered pretty good from the roost and stuff. I was behind him and was able to make the pass by the mechanic area. I rode my own race. I knew it was going to be a tough one, just because the track broke down so much. I didn’t want to get ahead of myself. I rode conservative and really tried to hit my marks. I think I could have switched up my lines here and there, but sometimes with the track being this rough it could be a risk. You could end up taking a line that ends up worse. We just had to hit our marks and do all the rhythms at all times. Overall, though, I’m happier with how this weekend turned out over last weekend. It was important to keep the focus and not get too confident and let it possibly hurt you, so it was good. I wasn’t too worried about not
being first in qualifying practice. I’m not the greatest at putting down just one fast lap. I always look forward to racing. That’s where I have the most fun, too. I was looking forward to the night show. I love being up front. I knew (he was there). We were probably within a second or a half second throughout the whole 20 plus one. Honestly, there was no real thinking. It’s hard to really describe what you’re thinking. I feel like my mind is empty and I’m just focused on what’s ahead of me. Ryan was behind me but there’s no turning around or anything like that. I want to look forward. Sometimes when you’re behind somebody you can pick it up somewhere and pick out a couple spots to make the pass, but at the same time with the ruts being there, you can cut to the inside but then you can’t jump the rhythm and stuff. So being up front you can’t really just protect the inside, compared to some of the other tracks that we ride, like last weekend for example, there were no ruts in the berm so you could go to the inside and make a pass and still jump the rhythm and stuff. But I’m happy with tonight, a good spot. Took the main and it was a good race. Rounds Three - Anaheim Dislocated wrist, dislocated elbow and compounded radius. The first 30h absolutely sucked as none of the pain killers worked and it was really swollen. Going to need a few surgeries to get all this dialed. I have gotten so many messages and was so pleased to read all of them. I didn’t message back as the circumstances right now are just a bit gnarly and it would probably take me a day to reply lol. Just know I saw them! Love all you! Going to need a few days for further info.
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Mr. Consistent Images Simon Cudby
Red Bull KTM Factory rider Ryan Dungey just keeps on rolling on. Mr. consistent took another step towards yet another AMA Supercross championship winning the third round of series. While the victory didn’t really come the way, he would have liked, the nice guy of the sport won’t complain.He was very compassionate though about his fallen rival Ken Roczen. Here is what he told the press in Anaheim II.
Motocross Illustrated: Can you explain how you felt going into the main event, after such a bad qualifier and some problems with your throttle? Dungey: I think the first thing was to get a good gate, and if you weren’t in the top five, there wasn’t any good ones. I managed to find one on the inside, it was super tacky and not very deep and a lot of grip, and not rough after the gate and I was able to get off after the gate dropped and drove really well and found myself in the first corner first with Cooper Webb. It was tough, all day I searched a little bit, then the heat race deal happened. Even the main event was tricky, I felt good, but my second half wasn’t as good as I would have liked it, but seeing Ken’s incident, I knew the track could reach out and bite you, and I had multiple close calls. I was like man, do we keep going after it, or do we be smart and tame it down a little bit, so I kind of chilled out and I saw where Marvin was. For everything that happened and all the diversity, I am glad we were able to come away with the win today, a heard earnt one. Motocross Illustrated: What happened to that throttle? Dungey: I honestly don’t know what happened (when he throttle broke in his heat race), I didn’t hit anything metal on metal, just the throttle housing, I hit ground or I hit something, it just busted. The lines were sticking out and the throttle would stick wide open. I had to pull off, I couldn’t salvage any of it. It wasn’t rideable at that point. Motocross Illustrated: What happened when you got in trouble in the first corner in the
heat race? Dungey: We made a change going into practice from the heat, and nothing to do with the change come to think about it, but I got off to a decent start, and Baggett was on the outside of me, he had the jump on me, and came over and started locking up the brakes. So, it was him or the (hay) bale, so I really put on the binders, and then somebody came up the inside of me and that wasn’t pretty. I made a change going into the semi and that wasn’t good, so we went the opposite way for the main and hoped that worked, and that felt pretty good. I don’t think there was a perfect set-up for this track today. Motocross Illustrated: It seemed like you enjoy that start in the main event? Dungey: I would rather be on the inside (of the start), try and get the jump and come over on the guys, than the outside where everyone is pushing, it worked out good. I think it was Cooper on the right side of me, and I thought I had him, but then I was like, here comes Cooper. I would rather be second than buried in the pack. Got a good jump that is all. Motocross Illustrated: It’s a tough sport, can you tell me your thoughts on the Roczen crash? Dungey: I mean, it’s a tough one to answer (about Roczens crash). Where I was at with Outdoors. You are trying your best, giving your all, and sometimes you make a mistake and sometimes is costs you, but then again you can’t ride scared out there either. You got to enjoy it a little. The pace is only getting, the riders are
getting faster, the equipment we are going faster, and the Dirt Wurx did a great job, but it is not their fault, they cover it (the track), but the rain has to go somewhere, so it creates a soft spot and we saw it last week at San Diego. It’s nobody’s fault, it’s just mother nature, it’s just what happens. You just make mistake, I try and do the best I can, but when things at the end of the race were getting sketchy, it’s like I got to know. I was at Lakewood, Colorado (when he crashed in the Nationals in 2016 and ended his outdoor season), going for it, and you just make a mistake. You are going so fast and sometimes you can save it. You hope and pray for the health of all the riders. Josh, it’s a tough question. I hate to see stuff like that happen. I am more like I hope he is ok. I don’t wish that upon nobody, especially the sport, we need him, we need a guy like that. It’s unfortunate and let’s hope he is ok too.
decent size lead and I was more focused on not making a mistake. The track was tough tonight and the track could reach out and bite you a little bit if you tried too hard.” Motocross Illustrated: How about round two in San Diego?
Dungey: We started out the day really nice and last weekend that wasn’t the case. We were trying this and trying that. I tried to really put my efforts into the track and it was nice having the fastest time going into the night show. I had a decent heat race, made a couple changes going into the main and I felt much better. We were pushing the pace. I was out front first, he got by and the pace stayed the same. It was going to be a fast pace until the end regardless. We all took the same lines and I don’t blame him because I was in that Motocross Illustrated: How line. I didn’t want to try was the opening round in A1? anything different cause it was rough. They didn’t Dungey: My race was prethave much time to do much ty decent. I got off to a 4th maintenance [on the track] or 5th place start. I kind of so the track was even more weaseled my way through rough after the 250’s. A few the first turn. There was kind things got changed, and of a lot going on there bea lapped rider in the way cause riders were trying to cut would make you venture off down. I didn’t want anyone to a little bit. I found a couple come underneath me. I found of good lines towards the myself in fourth and Marvin end and I picked up on a and Eli were right ahead of few things. With Kenny, out me and Kenny was up front. front I just tried to keep Pretty soon Marvin and Eli that pressure on him. I feel started going at it so I caught like I accomplished what I up to them. At some point, wanted to coming into this I was able to make the pass weekend. Stuff with the on each of them to get into setup, a couple changes 2nd. I could see where Kenny here and there, but minor was and I was trying to gauge really. I was happy with the where he was at. He had a weekend moving forward.”
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The Veteran Interview Geoff Meyer Images J.P. Acevedo, Bavo Swijgers, Husqvarna
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory rider Max Nagl is very much a veteran of the MXGP series, but despite this he is still one of the favorites to shine in what many people are saying will be a very tough 2017 season. The German rider has just recovered from a back injury picked up at the Monster Energy Motocross of Nations, and is slowly working into his preparation for the new season, which starts in a months’ time at the Losail circuit in Qatar. We caught up with the always friendly Husqvarna Factory rider and asked him about his winter.
Motocross Illustrated: Max, first how are you feeling because the last time we saw you was at the MXoN and you got injured there? Nagl: I am fine now, it was a bit difficult in the winter period, because normally when your season is done you enjoy a holiday, but I was spending most of my time in the hospital. That wasn’t so great, now I am ok. Motocross Illustrated: From memory, somebody hit you in the back? Can you tell me what happened? Nagl: The crash wasn’t nothing special, but the problem was I landed on my back and my legs landed over my head, and somebody rode into my lower back at full speed and it was a big hit. Motocross Illustrated: And what was the problem with your back? Nagl: It was a big impact and all the ligaments and muscles were stretched and there were not cracks, but damage to the ligaments and muscles. It took a long time to recover. The problem is when you damage those things, the position of the back starts to change and you get problems there also. After a few weeks, my vertebra started hurting, because everything was out of position. Motocross Illustrated: You seem to have a lot of bad luck when you crash. Your crashes are usually not too bad, but then somebody runs into you, or you crash into a fallen rider. Nagl: Yes, three years ago, we had that big accident in Eersel, when I jumped into that guy who was crashed behind the jump, then last year while I was leading the championship,
I crashed and Philippaerts ran over my leg. Now somebody ran into my back. I don’t know if it’s unlucky or shit happens. Motocross Illustrated: Obviously, you started 2015 on fire, shocking everyone and as you mentioned leading the championship. How did you enter this years, because your results were not as good? Nagl: The beginning of 2016 was difficult, but it was a few things. Firstly, I wasn’t as well prepared for 206 as I was in 2015 and we had a brand-new bike. So, all winter we spent a lot of time testing and I couldn’t do my training like I wanted. This year we have the same bike, so I can focus on training. Motocross Illustrated: So, what do you do leading into Qatar. I saw you are entered for the Redsand race, which is amazingly now only a month away. Nagl: The Italian races, Hawkstone in England, and Lacapelle Marival in France, then we have a week off and go to Qatar. Motocross Illustrated: How important are those races? Track time, what is important? Nagl: First, it’s a good practice day, but it’s important to have a race, easy or tough, it doesn’t matter. If you go into the first GP without doing any races, it is difficult, then you are too stressed. Motocross Illustrated: Like Villopoto in 2015? Nagl: Yes, and for sure you will get horrible arm-pump and you will feel nervous. When you do a few races, you feel so much more relaxed. It’s more for the head you could say. Motocross Illustrated: You obviously have Paulin in the team
now. He is a high-level rider and they always say you want to beat your team-mate. Is that good for you? Nagl: I think yes, also Anstie is there, so three good riders. We practice together on the bike, and we can push each other a little bit, especially in the winter period. It’s not such a big change for me, because I need to beat them anyway on the track in a race, but it’s fine to have some competition in the team to push harder. Motocross Illustrated: It’s a funny combination, because your personalities are completely different, or not? Nagl: Yes, completely different, all three of us. Motocross Illustrated: I can imagine with Max, riding with two experienced riders, that should help him a lot, but also working with Antti, he seems to relax riders. Nagl: Yes, but it’s also good for us, because Gautier and me, we are in the business a long time and Anstie is coming from the MX2 and he is motivated and he always wants to ride and is always pushing 100%, and he is pulling us with him a little. Motocross Illustrated: How often have you ridden with Max so far? Nagl: Yes, I have only ridden twice since Maggiora, but we spent some days riding Lommel, and it was good. Motocross Illustrated: How does Max look on the 450? Nagl: Surprisingly good. It fits him well, because he isn’t a small guy and the bike fits his body well.
The Advantages Story Geoff Meyer images JP Acevedo and Bavo Swijgers
21-year-old American rider Thomas Covington might not be going into this year’s MX2 world motocross championship as the favorite, but the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory rider does have an edge over his rivals when it comes to winning. While Covington hasn’t finished ahead of names like Jeremy Seewer and Pauls Jonass when it comes to season ending points, he has won a GP, and two GP moto’s, something neither guy can admit to. Of course, the Husky rider won the Mexican Grand Prix in 2015, winning a moto on the same day, and then took a moto victory in a very special display at the GP of Assen in 2016.
Always professional and well-spoken Covington gave us 10 minutes of his time as he trained in Spain with this fellow Husqvarna team-mates. MXLarge: You turned 21 yesterday. That’s a pretty big birthday in Australia, I don’t know if it is in America? What did you do? Covington: Actually, it’s probably one of the most low-key birthdays I have ever had. It’s meant to be a big one in America, but we were out here in the middle of nowhere in Spain, in some little apartment. We all went to dinner and hung out and the guys sang happy birthday to me. MXlarge: First tell me, I was checking the statistics for a story I was doing, and you are the only guy in the MX2 class that has won a GP and you’ve won more moto’s than anyone else, two for you and one for Pauls Jonass. It’s pretty amazing to think that, but did you know that, and if you did, how does it feel? Covington: Yes, Rasmus (Jorgensen) mentioned you had told him yesterday. I mean, it sounds cool, but really not much more than that. Seewer, Jonass, and a few others guys, they are really strong competitors this year. It sounds cool when you say it, but I need to go out and prove it this season. MXLarge: But it must give you a bit of an edge? Ok, those guys finished well ahead of you in the points, and they run up front more, but it’s a little of an advantage somewhere or not? Covington: I don’t think about that at all to be honest. My biggest problem is that I need to be consistent every weekend. I will have those great races, where I win a moto, or I won the overall in Mexico, but to be able to do it week in and week out, that has been a problem for me so far. That’s something we need to work on, and it’s somewhere Jonass and Seewer have been strong. MXlarge: How can you fix that? Is that something you worked on in the winter? Covington: Part of it’s mental, knowing that I belong and should be up there every weekend. Also, the different types of tracks. I am really good on nice smooth track with big jumps, and then we go to places like Lommel, or even hard pack places like Loket, that is something I wasn’t really used to before, but we have been doing a lot of time in Europe in the winter, getting comfortable on those types of tracks. Like here in Spain, it’s super hard-pack. Not too often you get a really nice ripped track like you
get every day in the US. MXLarge: Obviously, the euros have been racing these tracks their whole life, and remember when Roczen first went to America, he struggled for a couple of years with the tracks and also the weather conditions. Do you think people really understand how difficult that is? Covington: I don’t think they did before, for sure not four or five years ago, but when Villopoto came over, and me racing over here the last couple of years. People have been watching a little bit more, so they understand the way it is. It is a completely different ball game. If somebody from the US came and tried to race a season here, they would struggle, and the same if a GP guy went to America to race. It’s difficult to get used to the tracks, but also the life-style. MXlarge: This is your third year or not? Covington: Yes, no, wait, it will be my fourth season coming up. MXlarge: Does it feel a little more like home, or at least that you are a little more comfortable with the environment? Does that improve every year? Covington: For sure. I love starting out in Qatar, because I have always had good memories there. So, that makes me feel good coming into the season. I am not as nervous as I used to be coming into the GPs, a little more relaxed and focused more on what I want to do. I look more at the whole season, rather than trying to prove something to everybody. Just being a little smarter than before. MXlarge: It is a class now, where a lot of the GP winners from the last three years have left, Herlings, Anstie, Ferrandis, Tonkov. Obviously as you mentioned Jonass and Seewer good, but after that there are a lot of really good young fast riders coming in though, maybe 15 riders who could finish inside the top five. How do you place yourself in the group? Covington: There are some young guys coming up, my two team-mates Thomas Olsen and Conrad Mewse, they are looking really strong, especially speed wise, they will be up there, as will Prado, and the other American Darian Sanayei. I think the experience I have from the last four years will help me be there at the end of the season in the points race. Just be more consistent and be there fighting for the championship at the end of the year.
MXlarge: I have talked to you about it before, but there seems to be a bigger interest from America. To me the MXGP class seems to be the most exciting class in the world, I think even more so than the AMA Supercross. Do you hear that, that the series is being watched more, and more people are interested in who you are? Covington: A lot more people are watching it now, either checking it on television or finding the results to see what’s going on. The MXGP class is going to be super competitive this year with Jeffrey Herlings coming in, plus Gajser, and Febvre and all those guys. It’s going to be fun to watch even for myself. Of course, in US the supercross is the biggest thing, I don’t think GP’s are even close to that at the moment. It would be cool to see it head more in that direction. I would say the MXGP class is more exciting to watch now than supercross and more so because Roczen is now injured. Maybe Musquin can step it up a bit, but they more or less gave it to Dungey and it’s not going to be too exciting to watch anymore. MXlarge: Are you racing in Italy this coming weekend? Covington: No, we do Hawkstone Park in two weeks, and then the French International. MXlarge: How has preparation been? You mentioned Olsen and Mewse. Those guys have a lot of talent, has it been pretty competitive between you three? Covington: Yes, for sure, it’s really competitive. We are all buddies at the end of the day, but we are all fighting for the fastest lap, every single day and I think that is good. I have never had that before. I have had some good team-mates like Max (Anstie), but we never trained as close as I am with these two guys. It’s been fun. I spent the majority of November and December in California with my trainer Joel Roelants. I did most of my base there and then coming over here it’s hard to find a place to ride with the weather.
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