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Ken De Dycker - Something To Prove

Ken De Dycker takes victory - Geoff Meyer image

Interview Tuesday 01st September 2009 By Geoff Meyer

Teka Suzuki rider Ken De Dycker put on one of those moments when you feel he is the fastest rider in the World (yes even faster than a Stewart or a Reed). On his day the tall Belgian is without question a level above his rivals and last weekend in Lierop, Holland at the site of the Grand Prix of Netherlands he proved it once again.

A motivated De Dycker is dangerous and despite having a poor season he can still finish third in the world if he can pick up a handful of points on David Philippaerts and Clement Desalle in Brazil in two weeks time.

Motivated from being left out of the Belgian Motocross of Nations team and also being dropped by the Teka Suzuki team the GP winner was keen to show everyone just how fast he is.

Q: Ken, you rode one of those races where you are just on fire. Why was that?

De Dycker: I felt really good, I was really motivated and no pressure. It was easy really, I didn't have to do anything for it really. The last weeks my form has been going better and better and I am happy to be two times first. I wanted it so bad the whole year already.

Q: Was this win easier or harder than your 1-1 win in Valkenswaard last season?

De Dycker: It wasn't easier than Valkenswaard last year. Valkenswaard was slower and easier, in Lierop it was fast and many ruts, many lapped riders, so it was more of a challenge to get around Lierop.

Q: Why are you so fast on those occasions. In both Valkenswaard and Lierop you were untouchable.

De Dycker: I think if you see the tracks, it's the tracks which are really difficult, where you have to look for lines and make good decisions. I wish all the tracks were like Lierop, I love rough circuits.

Q: You had a lot of Belgian flags waving around the circuit.

De Dycker: I could hear them all over the circuit, when I was coming out of the woods I could hear them and I just wanted to have some fun and it came out like that.

Q: You were obviously motivated to do well here, with you not being picked in the Belgian MXoN team and I guess you are still looking for a ride for 2010. Did you send a message to anyone?

De Dycker: I think they got the message loud and clear now, it’s just a shame they treat you with no respect, just like you are a number, really a shame I think.

Q: What problems did you have, from what I understand it had something to do with what Eric said about you in Sweden?

De Dycker: For sure it is on my mind. I had problems with Eric (Geboers). I talked to Sylvain about it. Eric did the announcing on the Grand Prix of Sweden and he said I wasn't interested and didn't train enough, but he didn't speak to me first about it, and then afterwards he didn't speak to me about it. I said to Sylvain he is the team manager and he should speak to me about it, but not to the public.

Q: Then you said some things on the television also?

De Dycker: I got frustrated at one point and then they came to me on television and I said what I thought about it and now Suzuki are saying I won't stay in the team, and before they told me they will try and keep me, but now it isn't possible to stay in the team. I don't like it, it shows no respect.

Q: Missing out on the Belgian team for the Motocross of Nations, that is also a disappointment for you.

De Dycker: Of course I am disappointed. I was picked over Desalle and for sure that isn't a problem, he is 100% and really the guy to be there, but the other ones, they are good riders, and I don't blame them, but if you count the points from the whole season, then I have more than both of them put together. If you don't count the whole season and just judge on other things, that isn't fare and they (Belgian selectors) didn't even talk to me afterwards.

Q: Why do you think you were not selected?

De Dycker: I have had words with him (Joel Smets) before, but you have to give your own opinion, you don't have to suck up to people, somebody has to say what is wrong and right, rather than just see it his way.

Q: You still want to go to the MXoN don't you?

De Dycker: I might go to the MXoN, I maybe go with Team Holland if that is possible, or some other team. I would do anything to go there, just to go and let them see what they are doing really. It isn't nice what they did. Steve (Ramon) was ready to ride the MX2 class and he is good on the MX2 bike. I like to go for Holland now and maybe go every year for Holland. For me if somebody screws me you don't have to come back when you need me.

Q: What about 2010?

De Dycker: Plans for next year I don't know yet, I just rode a CCM and a Honda until now, but I want to ride as many things as possible and then I want to ride the bike I like the most that is what will decide my 2010 team. I want to look at the teams how they work, and it's got to be fun, because if you are having fun, then it works out better for me. I am not thinking about the money, I want to prove to myself, I had a shit year this year, and for me it's been not good. I didn't have one moto like I wanted to, like I felt in the winter. I just want the best bike.

Q: Having fun is important for you isn't it?

De Dycker: It's good for me and the people around me, the people I have fun with that is what is important. I don't really look at the money, even with Suzuki I am not busy with how much I have in my account, my manager does everything for me in that. For sure I want the money in advance, because I had problems in the past getting money from teams. I think if you have a good team then everything will go well.

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