His competitors might have thought of an opportunity to snatch the world title away from Matthias Walkner after his weak performance at the opening race in Valkenswaard, but the defending MX3 world champion Walkner hit back with an impressive double win at round two in Troyan, Bulgaria.
Walkner proved to be the stronger or smarter rider on the bone-hard Bulgaria race track. In moto one he had to beat the fast youngster Klemen Gercar but Matthias took over control in great style. Moto two looked an easy victory when Walkner built an impressive lead from the opening lap.
Question: Matthias the victory in Bulgaria looked a pretty simple job?
Walkner: “I would not say that. On tracks like this you need a good start followed by full concentration all the way to the finish in order to avoid making mistakes and throw away a good result.
Troyan is a fast track and our lap times are so close. In a perfect lap you may win one second on your competitor, if you make a mistake you lose 2-3 seconds.”
“In the first moto Gercar was really fast but I managed to answer his speed and get a bit closer to put the pressure on him sort of half way into the race. Then I saw he made some small mistakes so I placed my attack and managed to get by him. I think that broke him mentally and now the guys who think they can beat me they know where I stand.”
“In the second race I had a good start and stayed in control. Michek was fast when he came to second place but I settled my pace to never get over my own limit. It was important not to lose concentration. My bike is perfect and I am getting there as well when I improve a few small details in my riding, which will come with more races. When these two are in balance then I am a happy man. I am in better shape than during round two of last year’s MX3, and even it might look easy, it is not.”
Q: One year ago you stood on the Valkenswaard podium with 37 points in the pocket; now you went home from that place with just 21 points – what was the reason?
Walkner:“In February I spent some time in California again for my preparation, this time for 3 weeks to test the new KTM and do all my training. When I came back to Austria it took me longer than expected to get over the jet-lag, so I could hardly sleep back home. Then I got a virus so could not do any training at all during 2 weeks; I went to Holland for a short training in sand before the first MX3 instead of having 4-5 races under my belt. I was not fit or prepared to repeat my Valkenswaard result from 2012.”
Q: MX3 round one behind you and 26 points down on new MX3 leader Krestinov, were there reasons to get worried?
Walkner: “Sure not! A lot can happen in one race, a bad day or a crash or a technical problem … anyone can lose big points, so 26 does not mean a lot. My strong side is a constant performance, the season is long and consistency is half the work to win a title. In Bulgaria the fast guys like Gercar and Michek join me at the podium, there is a hand full of guys who can stop me from keeping my title. Krestinov could be one of them; his victory in Valkenswaard must have tasted him so good that he has now decided to do the full MX3 season.
It is good news for our class if he stays, we need competition so the winner is the true champion. The combined events where we race with the MX1 and MX2 guys will bring more riders to the MX3, as we saw last year and again in Valkenswaard.”
Q: After your performance in Valkenswaard, what was in your mind?
Walkner: “I knew my speed would be good and I could really push in the races. I never got concerned about not being able to repeat my 2012 season. That was my perfect year and a dream came true. My goal is training hard, making good starts and staying away from making mistakes. Of course my team and I work really hard to deliver good races and try to win because that is why we race. If I lead from the start and I do not win then I can be really angry. ”
“I was the best last year and I am proud to carry the number 1 plate on my bike. When I visit the KTM R&D guys who are supporting me so well, they are always excited to be part of my good results.”
Text: Harry van Hemmen