MXGP World Championship
Interview: Gautier Paulin
A very honest #21 interview.
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Gautier Paulin has finished inside of the top five just once since the Grand Prix contingent returned to racing over in Latvia, which obviously does not look incredible on paper. The reality is that he has been riding so much better than though, which is discussed at length in this MX Vice interview from the Grand Prix of Lombardia. Paulin talks about the frustration, as well as the many positives, and also touches on what’s to come in 2021. All reports indicate that he will not return to Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP.
MX Vice: A decent day for you, but I’ve been wanting to talk to you since Faenza 1 really. I’d imagine you are quite frustrated with your results lately, because it has not really come together. Your riding is, I feel, maybe back to the best Gautier from a few years ago, the KRT days or whenever that was. Again, people at home may not have noticed just by looking at the results. There’s been a lot of positives lately. I would imagine that you have got to be happy, from a riding point of view.
Gautier Paulin:Â It was a challenge mentally and body-wise. Latvia, coming back from quarantine, I had this winter preparation like all the GP athletes and then I broke my finger in Latvia. It was a headache to just ride like this in Latvia. I came to Faenza ready, and had a huge crash that put me really in a bad shape body-wise. I was really struggling with my back and my neck especially, but it cannot really work well. You do not just recover from that. Lap times were good. Physically I feel quite good, the bike is good and stuff. Things do not go through. You need to never give up and keep working, as an athlete, but I am happy. You are the first journalist to tell me this. It’s definitely true, that the lap times [are good] and the riding is well.
Today I did a good lap time and always try to get the pole. I finished second behind Tim [Gajser]. Then in the first moto I had that huge crash on the start straight. I obviously damaged the bike pretty bad. The clutch and the bars were bent. The wheels were not straight from the huge crash either. I went into pit lane, stopped in there and the luckily mechanic from [Jeremy] Seewer is a beat. He took my bike and put it straight. Then I started from very far back, like last. I’ve never had that in my whole career. I just rode to not give up and made it happen. I came back to thirteenth, close to [Brian] Bogers in twelfth. It was insane riding. I was really happy. Again, as a sportsman, you wish to be up front and not have that happen.
Even with some good riding in the second moto, I finished fourth. The guys up front jumped over a yellow flag, which is the rules. If I jump, I get some penalty. They did. They had a bigger gap too, and that’s it. I finished second in the second moto, which is nice. Definitely looking forward to do good and be up front, because this is why I ride. The feeling is good. Just need to put everything happen and put all the pieces from the puzzle. I feel like I’m riding to be up front. I did it right now. I just was a bit tight when Tim passed for the lead, because I wanted to go with him. I made some mistakes though. It will happen. I have not given up in six races. It will happen.
[Ed. Note: This interview was conducted after Romain Febvre and Jorge Prado were handed penalties, but before Gautier Paulin was handed his penalty. Paulin was later penalised two spots as well, for jumping on the same yellow flag, so ended up sixth. More on the penalties elsewhere on MX Vice.]
It’s funny. I was going to say maybe you just need a holeshot and then it will all come together. You’ll be out of trouble. I actually cannot remember the last time you had a really good start though. It definitely was not this year. I cannot really think of one last year either…Â
Honestly, I did not have good starts last year. This year either. I’ve had one, which was in the qualifying session at Valkenswaard. I was fighting with Jeffrey [Herlings] – he passed me and I passed him back for second and third. I had an issue with the clutch, so I had to back off by ten seconds a lap to bring my bike to the chequered flag. I’ve only had one good start. When I say good start, it is the holeshot. It’s not top five. I really concentrate on getting a holeshot and working my ass off to make it happen. I’m 80 kilos, so I’m definitely really thin and trying to be as competitive as possible.
If I start up front I will have wings and definitely this will put me on a good way to the lead. It will happen. Everything will happen. I’m working hard for the team. Bike works good. I’m ready. Step by step, I do not give up. In the first moto I was thirteenth from nowhere. I think no one does that. When you see Cairoli did a fifteenth without that kind of thing, I think. Now next time I’m going to be there. It will really be my case. I’m going to be riding more and more, more free and everything. I’m happy about today. It feels great. I’m going to continue training hard to be where I belong.
Are you actually 100% today with your finger, back, neck and everything? Are you still kind of building health-wise?
I feel I’m 100% coming to Mantova – I’m pretty fragile. To be honest, right now with all the crashes and stuff I feel I’m really on a thin line. The crash in the first moto gave me a huge headache, because I face planted in the soft stuff. That one was heavy. You can see on the video. I’m 100%, but I do not need to make mistakes. I need to continue to be there. The championship is short, but with many races. I need to keep my body healthy. This is my goal right now, so I’m going to go step-by-step to be there every weekend.
It’s funny. I remember saying exactly the same thing to you in Trentino in 2017, which was your first podium on the Husqvarna. You got on the podium there and everyone was like, “Good for Gautier. One more podium. Good to see him up there.” When you finally get a podium this year, which is coming, it will be the same thing, I think. Everyone will be like, “Good for him. I’m glad he got one more podium.” It won’t be a surprise. It’s all there. It’s just a matter of waiting. It’s like Jeremy. Jeremy is going to get an overall win soon. One day it’ll come together. You’ll be on the podium and maybe win soon. It’s just got to come together.
Not so many people are passionate to see the lap times and see the papers…
Yeah, I care a bit too much.
Obviously you are one of the best in what you do. The questions are really precise and you are passionate watching the result. Not everybody watches the big picture. They always support the leader. That’s the easiest thing to do in general. When you lose, that’s the main thing. I obviously keep trying, definitely. There will be a lot of people cheering for me when I will be on the box in third, second or first. I know where I came from. Honestly, I do it for myself. I know what I do. I know what I put on the table. Each day, hard work. It’s hard to be happy and not frustrated by little things when you are used to being up front. Right now, I need to be happy. That step is another step, because I’ve been so far out and we are there. Tonight I’m happy.
I’ve got to ask. You can pass if you like. I guess we don’t know anything about 2021 but, based on current form, I guess you are looking forward to it? Keep charging forward? What I guess I’m saying is, you are getting to the end of your career. A lot of people are probably talking about retirement. Full steam ahead for you?
It’s a tough question what you ask me. I’m racing to be up front and to have the possibility to win and be a contender, definitely. I feel I have it in my blood. I feel really healthy. It has been hard for my body, but coronavirus area is a really strange one. Right now I definitely concentrate on the riding and doing the best. It’s going to be a one-year contract. It’s going to be definitely such a strange atmosphere for the future, because even right now you can see how things go on the politics side and how things go for the future for the industry and manufacturers. We’ll see. Everything is open. I’m open. Right now, I’m definitely concentrated on riding. I don’t take care of tomorrow.
Interview: Lewis Phillips | Lead Image: Ray Archer
MXGP World Championship
2024 Spain Intu Xanadú – Arroyomolinos – MXGP Results
We will post the 2024 MXGP results of Spain Intu Xanadú – Arroyomolinos GP all weekend. Get the latest updates to your phone through MX Vice.
MXGP Championship
MXGP Overall
MXGP Race Two
MXGP Race One
MXGP Qualification Race
MXGP Timed Practice
MX2 Championship
MX2 Overall
MX2 – Race Two
MX2 – Race One
MX2 – Qualification Race
MX2 Timed Practice
WMX Race Two
WMX Race One
EMX 250 Overall
EMX 250 – Race 2
EMX 250 – Race 1
EMX 250 – Timed Practice
MXGP World Championship
//PEARCY Stats Preview MXGP Intu Xanadu-Arroyomolinos
Once again, our resident stats guru, Paul Pearcy, provides a breakdown of the MX2 class going into Intu Xanadu. Famed more for its access to a shopping mall and McDonald’s than actual passing, the MX2 contenders will be looking to make their mark. Last year, Simon Laengenfelder reigned supreme and was unstoppable on Sunday, with no rider able to match his pace. If you were a betting man, who would be your winner?
MXGP Intu Xanadu-Arroyomolinos Preview
MX2
Kay de Wolf
Venue Visits: 21’, 23’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 3rd
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 3rd
- Qualifying Race Finish: 4th
- Qualifying Points: 7
- Race First Lap Position: 6th
- Race Finishes: 5th in Race 1, 11th in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 8th
- Race Points: 54
Total Points: 61
Simon Laengenfelder
Venue Visits: 21’-23’
- Race Podiums: 4; 22’, 23’
- Race Wins: 2; 1-1 in 23’
- Overall Podiums: 2; 22’, 23’
- Overall win: 1; 23’
- Race Laps Led: 34; all in 23’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 4.667
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 4th
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 3rd
- Qualifying Points: 8
- Race First Lap Position: 5.167
- Race Finishes: 4.333 in Race 1, 5th in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 4.333
- Race Points: 113
Total Points: 121
Thibault Benistant
Venue Visits: 21’-23’
- Race Podium: 1; 23’
- Race Laps Led: 1, 23’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 6.667
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 4th
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 5.5
- Qualifying Points: 5
- Race First Lap Position: 12.667
- Race Finishes: 5.667 in Race 1, 6.333 in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 6.333
- Race Points: 92
Total Points: 97
Mikkel Haarup
Venue Visits: 21’-23’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 9th
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 12th
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 12th
- Race First Lap Position: 12.5
- Race Finishes: 12.333 in Race 1, 9.667 in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 10.667
- Race Points: 60
Total Points: 60
Andrea Adamo
Venue Visits: 21’-23’
- Race Podium: 1; 23’
- Overall Podium: 1; 23’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 11th
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 9.5
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 6.5
- Qualifying Race Points: 6
- Race First Lap Position: 11.667
- Race Finishes: 9.333 in Race 1, 12.667 in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 10.333
- Race Points: 70
Total Points: 76
Lucas Coenen
Venue Visit: 23’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 6th
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 2nd
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 2nd
- Qualifying Points: 9
- Race First Lap Position: 17.5
- Race Finishes: 6th in Race 1, 26th in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 14th
- Race Points: 15
Total Points: 24
Sacha Coenen
Venue Visit: 23’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 19th
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 24th
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 17th
- Race First Lap Position: 8.5
- Race Finishes: 9th in Race 1, 11th in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 9th
- Race Points: 22
Total Points: 22
Rick Elzinga
Venue Visits: 22’, 23’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 10th
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 14th
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 21.5
- Race First Lap Position: 4.25
- Race Finishes:13th in Race 1, 10th in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 14.5
- Race Points: 27
Total Points: 27
Jack Chambers
Venue Visit: 23’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 22nd
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 15th
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 15th
- Race First Lap Position: 24.5
- Race Finishes:17th in Race 1, 16th in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 17th
- Race Points: 9
Total Points: 9
Oriol Oliver
Venue Visits: 21’, 23’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 17.5
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 16th
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 13th
- Race First Lap Position: 12.75
- Race Finishes:17th in Race 1, 17th in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 17.5
- Race Points: 19
Total Points: 19
David Braceras
Venue Visit: 23’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 16th
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 14.5
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 15.5
- Race First Lap Position: 12.75
- Race Finishes:14.5 in Race 1, 16th in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 16.5
- Race Points: 23
Total Points: 23
Emil Weckman
Venue Visit: 23’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 17th
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 10th
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 11th
- Race First Lap Position: 12.5
- Race Finishes: 15th in Race 1, 19th in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 18th
- Race Points: 8
Total Points: 8
Bobby Bruce
Venue Visit: 23’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 20th
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 12th
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 26th
- Race First Lap Position: 23rd
- Race Finishes: 27th in Race 1, 21st in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 17th
MXGP
Jorge Prado
Venue Visits: 20’-23’
- 1st in Timed Practice: 1; 22’
- Qualifying Race Podiums: 2; 22’, 23’
- Qualifying Race Win: 1; 23’
- Qualifying Race Laps Led: 12
- Race Podiums: 6
- Race Wins: 2
- Overall Podiums: 2; 20’, 21’
- Overall Win: 1; 20’ (1-1 in 20’)
- Race Laps Led: 56
Averages
- Timed Practice: 3rd
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 2.5
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 1.5
- Qualifying Race Points: 10
- Race First Lap Position: 2.125
- Race Finishes: 2nd in Race 1, 5th in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 3rd
- Race Points: 160
Total Points: 170
Romain Febvre
Venue Visits: 20’, 21’, 23’
- Race Podiums: 3
- Race Win: 1; 21’
- Overall Podium: 1; 20’
- Race Laps Led: 11
Averages
- Timed Practice: 5.667
- Race First Lap Position: 8.5
- Race Finishes: 1.5 in Race 1, 5th in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 3.5
- Race Points: 81
Total Points: 81
Tim Gajser
Venue Visits: 20’-22’
- 1st in Timed Practice: 1; 20’
- Race Podiums: 4
- Overall Podiums: 2; 20’, 21’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 1.667
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 5th
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 11th
- Race First Lap Position: 3.5
- Race Finishes: 3rd in Race 1, 3.333 in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 3rd
- Race Points: 119
Total Points: 119
Pauls Jonass
Venue Visits: 21’, 22’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 8.5
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 3rd
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 9th
- Race First Lap Position: 7.25
- Race Finishes: 7.5 in Race 1, 7th in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 7.5
- Race Points: 55
Total Points: 55
Maxime Renaux
Venue Visit: 22’, 23’
- Race Wins: 2; 22’ (1-1 in 22’)
- Overall Win: 1; 22’
- Race Laps Led: 31
Averages
- Timed Practice: 4th
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 5th
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 13th
- Race First Lap Position: 2nd
- Race Finishes: 1st in Race 1, 1st in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 1st
- Race Points: 50
Total Points: 50
Jeremy Seewer
Venue Visits: 20’-23’
- Qualifying Race Podium: 1; 23’
- Qualifying Race Laps Led: 1; 22’
- Race Laps Led: 5
Averages
- Timed Practice: 6.5
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 2nd
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 4th
- Qualifying Race Points: 8
- Race First Lap Position: 5.375
- Race Finishes: 8.5 in Race 1, 5.25 in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 7th
- Race Points: 115
Total Points: 123
Jeffery Herlings
Venue Visits: 21’, 23’
- 1st in Timed Practice: 2; 21’, 23’
- Qualifying Race Podiums: 1; 23’
- Race Podiums: 4;(Jeffrey has podiumed 100% of the races he has competed in)
- Race Wins: 3; (Herlings has won 75% of the victories he has vied for)
- Overall Wins: 2; (100% win rate)
- Race Laps Led: 27
Averages
- Timed Practice: 1st
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 2nd
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 2nd
- Qualifying Race Points: 9
- Race First Lap Position: 4.75
- Race Finishes: 2nd in Race 1, 1st in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 1st
- Race Points: 95
Total Points: 104
Glenn Coldenhoff
Venue Visits: 20’-23’
- Qualifying Race Win: 1; 22’
- Qualifying Race Laps Led: 12
- Race Podium: 1; 22’
- Overall Podium: 1; 22’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 7.25
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 4th
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 3.5
- Qualifying Race Points: 5
- Race First Lap Position: 5.125
- Race Finishes: 6th in Race 1, 6.5 in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 5th
- Race Points: 123
Total Points: 128
Calvin Vlaanderen
Venue Visits: 20’-23’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 12th
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 14.5
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 11th
- Qualifying Race Points: 2
- Race First Lap Position: 15.625
- Race Finishes: 11.5 in Race 1, 12.75 in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 12.25
- Race Points: 71
Total Points: 73
Valentin Guillod
Venue Visits: 20’-23’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 18th
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 19.5
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 12.5
- Qualifying Race Points: 1
- Race First Lap Position: 14.75
- Race Finishes: 12th in Race 1, 15.25 in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 14.25
- Race Points: 62
Total Points: 63
Ben Watson
Venue Visits: 21’-23’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 14.667
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 20.5
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 24.5
- Race First Lap Position: 16.5
- Race Finishes: 19th in Race 1
- Overall Finishes: 22nd
- Race Points: 2
Total Points: 2
Ivo Monticelli
Venue Visits: 20’, 22’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 12th
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 9th
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 24th
- Race First Lap Position: 16.75
- Race Finishes: 15th in Race 1, 13th in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 13th
- Race Points: 28
Total Points: 28
Kevin Brumann
Venue Visit: 23’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 17th
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 20th
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 20th
- Race First Lap Position: 20th
- Race Finishes: 14th in Race 1, 17th in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 15th
- Race Points: 11
Total Points: 11
Photo: KTM Group
MX Vice Podcasts
Between The Races Podcast: Adam Sterry – MXGP of Patagonia-Argentina Recap and Spain Preview
Listen now.
The Between The Races podcast returns with Adam Sterry, Ed Stratmann and Brad Wheeler, as they review the 2024 MXGP season opener and look ahead to Spain.
The Between The Races podcast is always available to listen to on Spotify, iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher and Google Play. Thanks to Fly Racing, Monster Energy, Fox Racing, Parts Europe, Scott, Bell Helmets, Acerbis, AS3 Performance, Kawasaki UK, KTM UK, O’Neal and Even Strokes for supporting the show. If you would like to become a part of the show, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
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