MotorSportsAlive Story
Cyril Despres interview - Red Bull KTM Factory rider
Interview Saturday 12th February 2010 By Geoff Meyer
Cyril Despres is a special competitor. Unlike the MotoGP or Formula One hero's who race for an hour or two, Despres performs at the highest level for six hours a day for 14 days straight. This isn't some spoil kid looking to make a million dollars, this guy is old school.
Here is a cool video from the website www.mxlarge.com.
MXlarge: Cyril, can you tell me about your Dakar Rally this year?
Despres: It is always a good Dakar when it is a winning one. It was the nicest one I ever rode, a new country, new challenge, new continent. Last year it wasn't that big a success because it was the first time there and the organization had a lot of little problems. This year it was every day something different, technical stages in the mountains, or twisty stages, sometimes foggy, sometimes rain, all the mix, which is what the rider needs to make it not boring.
MXlarge: What sections stood out for you?
Despres: There were two parts, the longest stage was 600 kilometer and my time was six hours and 41 minutes, which is a long day. On the special stage was some kilometers, but nothing like that. I also liked the mix of stages, it was really well made. To come to a place like this and not know what to expect, I like this.
MXlarge: The Dakar is known for its danger. What do you think?
Despres: It isn't dangerous. I prepare myself for hours and months and I know what to do and I trust my team first of all, and of course it is enjoyable, there is no tape on the left and right hand side of the course, so you have to make good decisions and use our mind a lot.
MXlarge: Would you like to return to Africa for the Dakar?
Despres: After this year I don't know, we have a safe race a nice race for the sport side, it was really great and that is important. If we can make another nice race in Africa, then sure I want to be in Africa, Africa gave me everything; a title and a race and I enjoy it so much there. You need to make it the best safety and right now it isn't the best place for that.
MXlarge: What are you plans now for this year?
Despres: My plan is to stop travelling, because I didn't stop since I was back from Dakar, the plan is for sure do some riding, keep going with the KTM bike and it’s time to make some development for the 450 bike and I like to develop. Maybe I do so rally, the world championship, but for now I am not sure. Of course there is always nice races in Portugal, Erzberg also, these kind of races I enjoy in Europe.
MXlarge: Red Bull has given its competitors a lot of exposure for the Rallies, would you agree?
Despres: Red Bull for sure, and also in South America there is a lot of interest, they really love the rally, we had 80,000 people watching the start of the rally this year and they came because they enjoy it and that is so important. If they can enjoy it then we enjoy it even more on the track.
MXlarge: Do you follow Motocross as all?
Despres: I am a big Motocross fan and of course France has some good French riders like Marvin Musquin. It is pretty amazing what these guys can do on these small bikes, I am a big fan.
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MXlarge: Cyril, can you tell me about your Dakar Rally this year?
Despres: It is always a good Dakar when it is a winning one. It was the nicest one I ever rode, a new country, new challenge, new continent. Last year it wasn't that big a success because it was the first time there and the organization had a lot of little problems. This year it was every day something different, technical stages in the mountains, or twisty stages, sometimes foggy, sometimes rain, all the mix, which is what the rider needs to make it not boring.
MXlarge: What sections stood out for you?
Despres: There were two parts, the longest stage was 600 kilometer and my time was six hours and 41 minutes, which is a long day. On the special stage was some kilometers, but nothing like that. I also liked the mix of stages, it was really well made. To come to a place like this and not know what to expect, I like this.
MXlarge: The Dakar is known for its danger. What do you think?
Despres: It isn't dangerous. I prepare myself for hours and months and I know what to do and I trust my team first of all, and of course it is enjoyable, there is no tape on the left and right hand side of the course, so you have to make good decisions and use our mind a lot.
MXlarge: Would you like to return to Africa for the Dakar?
Despres: After this year I don't know, we have a safe race a nice race for the sport side, it was really great and that is important. If we can make another nice race in Africa, then sure I want to be in Africa, Africa gave me everything; a title and a race and I enjoy it so much there. You need to make it the best safety and right now it isn't the best place for that.
MXlarge: What are you plans now for this year?
Despres: My plan is to stop travelling, because I didn't stop since I was back from Dakar, the plan is for sure do some riding, keep going with the KTM bike and it’s time to make some development for the 450 bike and I like to develop. Maybe I do so rally, the world championship, but for now I am not sure. Of course there is always nice races in Portugal, Erzberg also, these kind of races I enjoy in Europe.
MXlarge: Red Bull has given its competitors a lot of exposure for the Rallies, would you agree?
Despres: Red Bull for sure, and also in South America there is a lot of interest, they really love the rally, we had 80,000 people watching the start of the rally this year and they came because they enjoy it and that is so important. If they can enjoy it then we enjoy it even more on the track.
MXlarge: Do you follow Motocross as all?
Despres: I am a big Motocross fan and of course France has some good French riders like Marvin Musquin. It is pretty amazing what these guys can do on these small bikes, I am a big fan.
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