22 year old Russian Timur Muratov is one of the up and coming rookies in the MX3 class this year. After winning multiple Russian motocross championships, the youngster was looking to be a serious contender on the world stage.
Question: Timur you came as a rookie to Valkenswaard and did ok, in the following races you scored a third place in Bulgaria and another third in Ukraine; what do you consider your best MX3 round?
Muratov: “No doubt my best round was in Ukraine. Everything was looking promising because I was the fastest in free practice and also in pre-qualifying. I made good starts when it was important and passed Walkner on the first lap to lead a MX3 race for the first time. Halfway through the race I made a mistake and stalled the engine throwing away a possible victory. It was the first time I was leading a race at this high level, could I make it to the end? I was nervous or whatever you want to call it. I dropped back to fourth place, then I started going crazy to gain back what I had lost. Near the end I passed Krestinov again so that was another third place finish”
“Ukraine was also only my third World Championship race in a class that was totally new with riders I did not know and tracks I had never seen.”
Question: And have you had a so-called “worst race”?
Muratov: “To specify my worst MX3 round, that is a bit difficult to answer as I don’t think that there was one. In Valkenswaard there were a lot of strong riders; I had a good start in moto one but I got arm pump. I think my results being 8th and 6th were ok in that first appearance; when you compare it to the two following MX3 races then Valkenswaard was not that good.”
Question: When you look at the six MX3 races of this year you are always stronger in race one (apart from in Valkenswaard). Do you have an explanation for that?
Muratov: “I keep asking myself the same question. Maybe it is emotions, worries and pressure. When you finish the first race in the top three you try to adjust yourself to win the second one. May it be bad luck? Still I don’t know what causes it, I am gaining experience race by race.”
Question: Things were turned upside down with a strange accident back home, we heard you decided to use someone else’s bike to train which saw you crash and get this serious injury.
Muratov: “In the two week break between Ukraine and Slovenia I decided to fly home to Izhevsk to support my father who was in hospital with heart problems. I didn’t want to be a week without training because I wanted to be in good shape for the next MX3 round in Slovenia. I am normally based in Berlin with Sergey Garin my manager and coach. My own KTM GST Garin bikes stay also in Germany but I had to train so I went to the local track with someone else’s bike. The track was good and the bike was good as well, it was a new one. Everything was ok until one moment in the whoops the bike stepped out and threw me off. My left hand was pretty messed up and my wrist as well.”
Question: So not long after the crash you flew back to Berlin to get it operated on, and now you have had a second operation last week?
Muratov: “Yes that is correct. The first operation took around 1 to 1,5 hours, the second was 2 to 2,5 hours. I will need a third operation 8 weeks from now so my MX3 season is pretty much in pieces.”
Question: Before Valkenswaard we sat down and discussed your target which was third in the championship, pretty bold or not?
Muratov: “Yeah, right! And although all was new, joining the GST Berlin Team and racing in the MX3 class, I was targeting a top three finish or at least top 5. I was fifth in the championship when I got my injury.”
Question: You sure showed potential to be fighting for a top 3 overall result, how about the future, say next year?
Muratov: “Well it’s a pity that next year there will be no more MX3. I wanted to get back into MX3 action and show better results. I think I will ride ADAC Masters and if I find sponsors I will try to ride MXGP. It’s really complicated financially and you are better to ask my manager Sergey what my options are.”
Question: I hope your father is improving and I understand you are now back in Russia for a holiday and to rest?
Muratov: “My father is ok, on Monday he had an operation and was in reanimation but today he will be in a normal ward at the hospital.”
Question: That is good to hear. What about yourself? You cannot do much with a wrist and scaphoid injury. How long will it take to heal and what can you do to stay in shape?
Muratov: “I have been told recovery will take approximately two and a half to three months and then I will be back to training on the bike. Meanwhile I will continue my physical training (running and cycling).”