Bulgaria is not really a nation rich in motocross talent, yet they have one of the best MXGP circuits on the calendar. Back in the 1980’s a Bulgarian by the name of Dimitar Rangelov flew the flag for Bulgaria, racing his way to third overall in the FIM 250cc World Championship behind two of the all-time greats, the late Georges Jobe and Kees Van Der Ven.
Nowadays, there is another young Bulgarian star on the rise hoping to live up to the success of Rangelov and claim the title of the fastest Bulgarian on the planet. Kemea Yamaha Racing’s Petar Petrov starting riding at the age of five when a man with a passion for motocross decided to buy 10 peewee’s and start a little school at the circuit of Sevlievo. After one ride, a tiny Petar Petrov was hooked and it wasn’t long before people started to realize this kid has talent.
Already at the tender age of seven, the determined youngster started travelling with his manager (and still to this day) Bobby to test his skills on the European stage. After spending one month here and one month there in the motocross capital of the world, Belgium, Petrov caught the bug of racing and decided it was in his best interests to move there for good. While the journey has been a bit of a roller coaster ride, Petrov has loved every minute of it and wouldn’t change it for the world.
We caught up with this down to earth Bulgarian to shed some light on his career to date and what it’s like to be back home in Sevlievo this weekend for the MX2 Grand Prix…
What age were you when people started saying, “Wow this kid has got some serious skills he should take this sport seriously”?
Petar: Actually I think I was always fast. Sometimes crazy fast, like I mean I was a little bit stupid. But just really fast and then at age 8 I started racing some more races over Europe and then people started to realize that maybe I have a future in it.
How old were you when you moved to Belgium to live?
Petar: I first went to Belgium when I was 7.
Wow, 7 years old. How hard was it for you?
Petar: Yeah, you know it was pretty hard; I was seven when I left, and my parents and everyone were still here. So in the beginning we were going there like one month at a time, and then going back to Bulgaria and then the next time a couple of months and then back, and now I go there for a full year. I mean in the beginning it was hard. But now, it is ok.
Why did you choose to go to Belgium?
Petar: I guess because it’s the motocross capital of the world. Everything in motocross happens there. In Belgium motocross is life.
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
Petar: When I won the European nations here in 2011, I won both the heats and that was pretty fun. There was so many people watching, and supporting me. Later in that same year I finished fifth in the GP of Lommel, and that was a big surprise for me because at the time I wasn’t really sure I could achieve that. I mean last year I was really close to the podium in Lierop, I finished fourth and that was a nice moment also, although it was also a little bit disappointing.
So you were fifth at the MX2 Grand Prix in Lommel in 2011 and fourth at the Grand Prix of Lierop in 2013, were you always good in the sand?
Petar: No, I am actually a hard-pack rider! But I left home really young and then I went to Belgium where as you know it’s sand, so I guess I prefer sand… no actually I can’t say I prefer sand or hardpack. I just prefer difficult tracks because when the track is too easy everyone is really close in the MX2 and it’s really hard to make a difference on the others, so that’s something I struggle with.
What has been the biggest thing you’ve learnt since leaving home?
Petar: I’ve learnt that sacrifice pays off in the end.
How often do you come back here to Bulgaria?
Petar: I come back for the GP and then also at the end of the season for a couple of weeks.
And Christmas?
Petar: Last year, I spent Christmas with my girlfriend in Belgium, but I did come back here for New Year’s and the year before that I spent Christmas here and New Year’s there.
Do you look forward to coming back here to Sevlievo to race?
Petar: Yeah it makes me a little bit nervous to come here and race, but it’s nice. It’s really nice to be home and to ride for the Bulgarian fans.
What are you goals?
Petar: My goal this year was to be between fourth and eighth in the championship but I had a couple of issues with the bike and now I am pretty far down the list in the standings. But when the bike breaks, it’s OK, it’s no one’s fault, it’s a completely new model of Yamaha this year so I understand. But the goal is to be on the podium, I want to be at least once on the podium but I also hope I can be up there more too and for the future; when so many guys move up to MXGP, I hope I can be a genuine threat for the top three.
It seems like you have been in MX2 forever, I didn’t realize you had another year…
Petar: Actually I have another four years in MX2 because I’m only 19! But I know a lot of people think I’m older because I started racing GP’s when I was fifteen. It was me, Roczen and Herlings around the same time, so yeah that’s why many people think I am like twenty-two or twenty-three already.
Well you’re pretty set, four years before you have to go up to the MXGP class…
Petar: Yeah that’s true, although I’m pretty happy with the age rule situation. I like the 450, and I think I am pretty fast on the 450 but I just don’t feel ready mentally and physically maybe also.
You grew up here in Sevlievo and you live literally 2 minutes from this track. Does your family own it or is there some kind of connection?
Petar: Yeah my house is really close, but my family has no connection at all. My family doesn’t really have anything to do with motocross.
How awesome would it be to be on the podium here this weekend! Do you think you can do it or at least get top five?
Petar: Yeah! I will do my best; I mean… it is definitely possible. Actually I feel like I have been fast enough all season I’ve just had some bad luck and haven’t pieced it together.
Yeah that would be amazing! Good luck and we look forward to seeing you out there tearing it up!