Stefan Everts MXGP Comments

Stefan Everts interview – MXGP

The greatest rider of all time, Stefan Everts. He has ridden with the best of his era and beaten them. He has also suffered injuries that nearly ended his career. We sat down with Stefan and asked him about the toughness of the MXGP class and also what he thinks of the big four (Gajser, Herlings, Febvre and Cairoli).

MXLarge: Stefan, we talk about this MXGP class every year, how strong it is. This year so many GP winners and world champions. Pretty similar to 2005 when you and Ben (Townley) and Mickael (Pichon), and Joel (Smets), Steve (Ramon), and Josh (Coppins) all raced against each other. So many GP winners and world titles back then, and also this year.

Everts: You mean 2003? The year they combined the classes?

MXlarge: No, 2005, that to me was a really good year. You think 2003 was better?

Everts: No, 2005 was good, but I remember them combining the classes in 2002, 2003 and then again in maybe 2005 when Ben and Steve came to the MX1 class. This year looks interesting with a lot of potential GP winners. Of course we will only have a few potential champions. The question is who will it be.

MXlarge: Who do you think?

Everts: I think Tony showed some things in the pre-season, I am not sure I have seen him that good in the pre-season. I think for Romain, it was a bit of a disaster, that first year of defending your championship is very difficult, and I think that is what he faced. For Tim we will see if he can do it right. For Herlings there is a lot of pressure, we know he can only be satisfied with winning, and with an injury it isn’t going to be an easy start. It’s a stacked class and it is going to be interesting.

MXlarge: When I think of a stacked class I think of the 1980s with guys like Geboers, Thorpe, Jobe, Malherbe. Can you compare now to then?

Everts: It is very difficult to compare times. I think we should just look back into the past with great memories and not start to compare things. I mean it’s apples and pears. The rider’s attitude has changed, the bikes have changed, the tracks are different. It’s a new generation and I think every generation, in every sport, they all have great moments. People say now it’s not as interesting as it was 20 years ago or 10 years ago, but they said the same thing 10 years ago, so it’s hard to judge.

MXLarge: You obviously want to keep your record of 101 GP wins and 10 world titles. Antonio has shown this winter that he might be back. Do you get a little nervous for your record, or you don’t care?

Everts: You know, it’s very early, and I don’t get nervous. Of course I want to keep my record, I worked hard for that. Tony came close a few years ago, then he struggled, but he would need to win this year and then again next year to equal it. Then he needs to do more than that, but if it’s like that, it’s like that, and I will not die from it, and whatever happens, happens, records are there to be broken.

MXlarge: Have you had an injury like Jeffrey has?

Everts: I had some injuries my hand, and a broken bone is six weeks, so if you want to ride before, it’s going to be with a lot of pain, that is for sure.

MXlarge: What does Jeffrey have to do to stop making these mistakes?

Everts: Pfffff, he is definitely the fastest, but it isn’t always the fastest who wins or who is the best. You need to bring it to the line in one piece and I don’t think it’s his rivals who are the big danger, but himself. He is his biggest rival.