Kay de Wolf delivered a statement ride at the weekend with two very different motos showing the full range of his skills. A dominant performance in race one was followed by a gutsy charge through the field in moto two, showcasing his fitness, determination and racecraft in a stacked MX2 field. We caught up with the Dutchman to discuss his impressive GP win, how much effort goes into the final 10 minutes, riding the 450cc, and what the future might hold when it comes to moving up to MXGP or heading stateside.
GateDrop: Kay, we had two very very different motos for you and the first moto was domination really, the second moto though you showed that you were able to come through a pack so that probably pleased you more than the first moto actually because it’s not easy to pass in this class and especially at the track like that…
De Wolf: Yeah the second moto was a tough one. I just watched it and with eight minutes to go I just passed Rick so still to finish fourth, it’s pretty crazy. I was P7 with eight minutes to go and more than 13 seconds down on Simon where I ended up on his rear wheel in the last lap so yeah it was a crazy last 10 minutes. I knew I had it in my pocket so it was pretty good.
GateDrop: In the last 10 minutes the thing that struck me was you looked fitter than the rest, I guess you work hard you put the work in but races like that prove it…
De Wolf: Yeah that’s why we’re working hard for every single day to get those last 10 minutes in and it paid off once again. It brought me to another GP victory and I think it’s really paying off now.
GateDrop: Are you enjoying the battles this year, there’s been quite a lot of winners in MX2 already this year… Are you enjoying it, battling with all these guys?
De Wolf: I’d rather not battle and just win every single moto (laughs) but that’s not what it is at the moment. Everybody’s doing really well so no it’s always fun battling. I think it’s more fun battling than winning every single moto if you’re just on your own and you’re on a different level. Of course it’s nice but yeah at least it makes it interesting.
GateDrop: We saw you ride a 450cc at Horst, a home track the other week, do you do that much or was that a one-off and do you enjoy the 450?
De Wolf: I think I’ll be on the 450cc again this week, just something nice. I can kind of ride it easier… it’s more calm let’s say, because on the 250cc you have to work so much with your body to make the bike go fast as fast as a 450cc. Once you take a 450cc it also brings back some calmness in my riding. I really enjoy that.
GateDrop: There’s a rule that if a rider wins an MX2 title twice you have to move up, what’s your thoughts on that rule because obviously if you win you’ll have to move up, you don’t get an option or maybe go to America… but there’s already an age rule, it kind of feels like it’s another rule that forces riders out of the class, what’s your thoughts on the rule?
De Wolf: It’s a rule which has already been going for years. Tom (Vialle) had the same problem, that’s why he went to the US. Now he backed up his second title again last night so now he has the same problem, He has to go to the 450 but it’s the same for everyone. I think it will suit me the 450cc, so it will be an easy decision if I would get the title and I have to move up.
GateDrop: So, you think you’ll be MXGP next year then and there’s no option of America?
De Wolf: Yeah, it all depends on what’s the result this year but yeah let’s just first see what we’re doing this year. Then let’s see for next year.
