Former World MX2 Champion Christophe Pourcel earned the red plate early in the 2009 AMA 250cc season and hasn’t given it back since. At Millville he battled with Ryan Dungey, but Dungey used home track advantage to chop away at Pourcel’s points lead (dropping it down to three points).

We caught up with Pourcel following the race to discuss his thoughts on the series thus far, and he filled us in on his thoughts of the AMA

MXA: Christophe, you’re already over halfway through the National series andyou’ve had the points lead since Millville. Are you satisfied with your standing?

Christophe: I am happy about having the points lead, but I’m not really happy about theAMA and what they are doing with me. There was the gate issue and also the flag problem.I’m happy about leading the championship, but I’m not happy about things that the AMA has done.

MXA: Did you have any problems over in Europe like you are having in the U.S. withthe AMA?

Christophe: No, and I think things are better handled over in Europe. At least over there they talk to the riders and explain everything in detail, and then if there are any problems they are willing to talk. Over here they [the AMA] will not listen to anything that I have said or discuss any problems.

MXA: What has been your favorite track to race on so far?

Christophe: So far I have really liked High Point. I like the uphill start and all of the jumps.That’s a pretty cool track.

MXA: Are you surprised by any riders with their speed?

Christophe: I was kind of surprised by Justin Barcia, because he was just about able to hang the entire moto with Ryan Dungey and me. Other than that I’m not really surprised. Dungey is riding really good. I do think that on a track like High Point it came down to a battle between me and Dungey, but no one else. When he and I are on certain tracks where we go really fast I don’t think anyone can really hang with us, although I will say that there are a lot of guys in the class who are riding well.

MXA: It has to make you feel good that you set the fastest qualifying lap time at Millville, even going faster than the 450s.

Christophe: Yeah, I felt like I was riding really fast, and it’s always good to get the first qualifying position. When you do that then you get the best gate pick and have a good chance to holeshot and win the race.

MXA: You had to be upset about being slapped with a $250 fine for showing up lateto the riders meeting.

Christophe: Yeah, there we go again with the AMA. Yes, it was my fault for being a few minutes late. I didn’t know that the track was like 45 minutes away from my hotel, becauseI had never been to Millville before. It’s kind of cool to have the AMA on me so much, because it pushes me and fires me up [sarcastic laughter].