Last year, Oriol Oliver made his MXoN debut at Ernee and after another solid season contesting the MX2 World Championship, he got the nod to race the event for Spain yet again at Matterley Basin. It wasn’t an easy weekend for him with bad starts but he was able to battle through the field and impressed. In the second moto he even battled with Tom Vialle.
We caught up with Oliver to discuss his weekend and the future…
GateDrop: I think you were pretty close to a podium, but it just wasn’t meant to be. But in terms of your riding, I thought you rode really, really well. Especially that second moto, hanging on to some fast guys and Vialle as well…
Oliver: Yeah, really happy with that second moto. I mean, the start was really bad. Also, in the first corner, some chaos there and I went outside. So, first lap I think I was 30 or something like that. And I passed, passed, finally good rhythm moto. And finished 13th, passing some good riders like you said. I am happy with my riding. That first moto, I had a little bit of bad luck. A lot of crashes in front of me so I losing time, but yeah. Happy and a little bit bad luck. But it’s okay.
GateDrop: I think this is your second Motocross des Nations. Did last year help? You know, you knew what to expect. Did you think that helped you for this year? Maybe not as nervous?
Oliver: Yeah, not as nervous. Still nervous, I mean maybe the same, but yeah. No, it’s okay. Before we get better at the races. Last year we were 7th or 6th. So, yeah, happy to improve and finish fourth with Spain.
GateDrop: What’s it like riding with the 450’s? Obviously, you guys don’t really get to do that through a regular season. It must be pretty tough, you know, with the wee bike and you’re not even a factory rider… It must be pretty difficult.
Oliver: Yeah, it’s difficult. Especially this track that, yeah, a lot of straights, you know you need power here. But anyway, it was quite technical. So, yeah, I think it was okay and easy to pass compared to, for sure, other tracks this year like last weekend. But it was okay.
GateDrop: Just on the level. The level was really high out there. Did it feel like that out on the track?
Oliver: Yeah, the level is really high. I mean, yeah, MXGP, first moto, was a lot of level. But, yeah, happy with the riding and happy with the race.
GateDrop: Just on your MX2 World Championship season… I think overall a solid season. I do still think you have maybe a little bit of potential to show more. But the problem with you is it’s hard to get a good start. You know, and if you’re starting 12th, 13th. It’s hard to pass these guys to get 5th.
Oliver: Yeah, especially like we said with the tracks, it’s difficult to pass. But, yeah, this year was okay. Like, I was doing good in the first races but then I keep momentum and then in the middle of the season, really we struggled, you know. Some ups and downs. But we finished strong. I’m happy with the last race, second moto in Cozar. Also this second moto here. So, yeah, I’m happy with how we ended up.
GateDrop: What was the track like yesterday compared to today? Yesterday there were ruts everywhere. You were landing into them. But today, a little bit more open with the rain. Maybe a little bit more slippery and less grip…
Oliver: Yeah, yesterday was amazing. Like, it was so sketchy especially the landings. Today also… the track was really technical compared to other tracks this year. But, yeah, today was better. They could fix some downhills. So, yeah, it was okay.
GateDrop: You’ve been working with Ken de Dycker now for a few years. A Belgian, he was a fast Belgian. What’s it like working with him?
Oliver: Yeah, it’s good to work with Ken. He has a lot of experience and, yeah, he’s a really good guy. I like to work with him. Hopefully next year we can, we can meet him a lot of places.
GateDrop: You’re Spanish, but you live in Germany. What’s that like? Is that quite difficult? Because you know what they say, there’s no place like home…
Oliver: It’s difficult. I mean, it’s different. It’s different compared to Spain. But, yeah, I’m used to it already. Now it’s three or four years that I’m there. So, yeah, I’m happy with the team and how it’s working.
GateDrop: What can you tell me about next year? It sounds like you won’t be with the same team. What can you tell me about that?
Oliver: Yeah, we will see now in the next week. So, yeah, we need to wait a little bit still.
GateDrop: Is it likely you’re going to be racing MX2 next year? Is it looking good?
Oliver: I want the MX2, so let’s see what it is.
GateDrop: Fingers crossed. Thank you for your time and good luck next year. Thank you.
