Antti Pyrhönen the team-manager ICE1Racing Team has enjoyed some success in the 2013 season with his two riders Rui Gonçalves and Xavier Boog. We caught up with the Finnish team manager and asked him about his teams performances and progress in 2013. Q: Antti, you must be more than happy with how the team are doing at the moment?
Pyrhönen: The team is really going in a good direction and we are also seeing good results from the boys. After the first five rounds the KTM and Suzuki factory teams and ICE1Racing were the only teams with two riders in the top ten in the FIM World MX1 Championship points.
Q: Losing Xavier has no doubt slowed your progress as a team a little.
Pyrhönen: Of course, since then we have lost Xavier with injury. We did have some setbacks with Rui with his thumb and Xavier has ligament damage to his ankle, but I hope to have them both 100% fit soon.
Q: Rider injury seems to be a main problem for Motocross riders. So many riders get injured in a season. Why do you think this is?
Pyrhönen: Injury is unfortunate and I think it has been like this for a long time. The past 10 years we have seen a lot of injuries. The bikes are so fast now; even when you don’t crash at these high speeds you have problems. The bikes are developing so fast and the riders are pushing the bikes to the limit.
Q: As the team manager you must be proud of how the team is developing?
Pyrhönen: For sure I am proud, we made big changes for 2013 and we have a great partnership with KTM and a whole new technical crew. I am more than happy, but this is the first step and we need to reach the next step and try and get higher with the team.
Q: What is good about your riders, and what can they improve in?
Pyrhönen: I think both our riders are very professional and they want to push the limits and they work hard day in and day out and this is great. Both are really good guys and nice people, so also nice to work with. They also help us get the team to the next level. I think they just need to stay injury free and maybe believe in themselves a little more. I think both guys can reach higher places.
Q: How do you feel as a team manager, it is also a new roll for you?
Pyrhönen: I am basically happy with what I can do and it is a great opportunity for me and I don’t want to lose this job, I try and push the team to get better and we keep our feet on the ground and always try and get better in all areas.
By Geoff Meyer