More than a week before the opening round of the 2015 Maxxis FIM Enduro World Championship, we had a chat with E3 contender Matti SEISTOLA (SF – Sherco). After a very serious and discreet off-season, the Finn is finally ready to fight for the title…
Matti SEISTOLA, last year you finished 3rd in E3. What do you think about your past season and your career in Enduro since you beginning in 2009?
Matti SEISTOLA: “Last year was pretty much up and down whole year long. I had good days with many podium finishes and on the other hand I had few bad days with poor results. Competition was really high last year and with few mistakes you drop down many positions. I was looking more consistency whole year. At the end I was really happy for my 3rd place finish in final standing. Since 2009 when I started WEC the competition has become tougher every year, that’s for sure. In every class top guys are really fast and the differences are smaller year after year.”
You had a nice first season on the handlebar of the Sherco… Did you expect to be so good with this new bike?
M.S: “When I first time tested the 300 2 strokes Sherco, I knew that it is a really competitive bike. So it wasn´t a big surprise. It just took me some time to get used to 2 strokes after many years. But I was all the time confident that I can do good results because I really enjoyed ride the bike.”
Was it difficult to adapt your riding style to the 300 SE after some seasons in E1?
M.S: “Like I said, it took me some time to find good setup and get used to new bike. But I wouldn´t say it was difficult. It was more like exciting new learning progress for all of us in the team. And my mechanic Mauro´s experience helped me a lot also.”
What’s your goal for this new season?
M.S: “I want to be consistent every race, do my thing and try to stay away from troubles. My goal is to be on the podium every race, no matter the conditions or what so ever.”
“It’s great to be back to Chile!”
Was it your most serious off-season in your entire EWC career?
M.S: “I took some time off after the season, to heal old injuries. November and December we did some testing with the team, so we were quite ready on January when I came over to Spain for pre season training. I have had really good off season and things are going great. So yeah, it has been serious with the smile!”
Did you made some changes on your bike during the off-season?
M.S: “Yeah, like I said we did few good test sessions in Italy and France during the winter. Guys in the factory has done great job and we found few good things on the bike. I feel really comfortable with the bike.”
Do you like to be back in Chile and in South America?
M.S: “For sure it´s great to be back to Chile! It has been really nice race both times we were there and I looking forward to go back there. There is always big and loud crowd on the tests”
Who will be the most difficult rival to beat this year?
M.S: “(He laugh) There is quite a many difficult rivals. E3 is really stacked with fast guys. For sure PHILLIPS, CERVANTES, BELLINO, LEOK, MONNI will be there. I don’t know who is the most difficult rival but there is many fast guys.”
Let’s talk about your relationship with your team manager. It’s seems that you are more than just two workers with Fabrizio AZZALIN…
M.S: “Yeah, we have really good relationship with AZZA. This is my 7th year with him and the team. We have had ups and downs but he has always been there to push me forward. On my side, I try not to annoy him too much because he can still raving easily! All in all, I feel really lucky to be in such a great team for so long time.”
In three words…
What do you think of:
Juha SALMINEN: Mr. Motorsport
Antoine MEO: Fastest farmer I know
Christophe NAMBOTIN: Luckily he is not in E3
Pela RENET: Technic, smooth, effortless
Eero REMES: Training buddy, 2015 E1 Champ
Matthew PHILLIPS: Incredible Hulk
Ivan CERVANTES: Respect, example, positive