It ’ s been an amazing couple of years for you - two world championships in a row - did you expect this level of success ? I know sometimes when you work hard it can increase your level of expectation beyond what the rest of the world sees laid out for you .
Honestly , no I didn ’ t expect that . It ’ s just really unbelievable what we did ; actually in one season . I mean last year in September winning the MX2 Championship was great , but one year later - in September again - winning the MXGP World Championship , my dreams came true ! It ’ s unbelievable and I am so proud of what we achieved .
You didn ’ t see it coming but you worked hard for it !
Everybody works hard for it , the top 20 guys in MXGP are there with the same goal , to give their best and try to be up there . It seems that every year its getting tougher ; the competition is getting tighter , the riders stronger with more top riders joining . It ’ s getting more interesting for us , we have some nice battles . It ’ s good for the spectators and the guys watching at home .
Like you said , the competition is getting tougher . Next year you will have three recent MXGP World Champions , joined by the likes of Herlings stepping up . So for next season , I guess the plan will be to win MXGP again and then make the move across to America ?
Actually last year we said that when we win the MXGP title we will go to America , but it happened so quick - just 1 year later - so we decided to continue for another season in MXGP to defend that title . For sure , I will work even harder to retain that title . Like you said , Jeffrey is coming along with a number of other fast guys from MX2 so it ’ s going to be really tough - but I will do my best and let ’ s see .
Do you feel like you will have a target on your back next season ?
For sure , but I won ’ t run the number 1 plate , I will continue with my 243 , so no one will see that number 1 on my back to target . u
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