Ciao everyone

So this is my final column to close the 2009 racing season and I have to start by saying how frustrated and disappointed I was in Brazil.

I wanted to get a top three position in the championship at the very least, and I liked the track at Canelinha for the final Grand Prix but I made a mistake in the second moto and there was little I could do to make up the time I had lost. I did not feel like speaking to anyone after the race.

I just wanted to get back home, forget about the result and get myself ready and pumped for the Nations, which is going to be a huge race for us and Italian motocross.

At the beginning of the month, or rather right at the end of August, we had the GP of Holland at Lierop; one of my favourite sandy tracks and I had good memories of a decent result there in 2008 that made the celebrations in Faenza slightly easier to begin!

Alice and I were in Italy during the break before Lierop. I then came back to my apartment in Lommel two weeks before the race to really step-up the sand riding. In Italy we made a test on the bike to prepare for the final two meetings and I enjoyed being at home and the comforts it brings.

It had not been long since we had the GP at Lommel but I suspected that Lierop would be a better event for me. As soon as I got back to Belgium my life took on the usual routine of training, riding and relaxing and not much else!

Sometimes the days fly by even though you don’t vary the hours and the timetable. My times during the practice days were good and I was feeling confident as the GP came around and we drove the camper into the busy living area; the girls were having their final round of 2009 on the same weekend.

Actually, speaking about the girls, it was great to see Chiara Fontanesi ride so well. With my decent result and Cairoli winning the championship I think all the stories of Italians not being able to ride sand can truly go out the window.

I was really pleased with my first moto and second position at Lierop. De Dycker was far ahead of everyone but my pace was good and with Desalle crashing a lot it was a good race for championship points.

I punched the air when I crossed the line and I really enjoy the buzz of riding well at a fast and technical track like that. Unfortunately the second race was a little of the opposite. I started third but had an amateurish crash on the second corner.

There was no line on the turn and the back wheel slid out. I tried too much and it cost me. I was near the back when I restarted. I was angry and pushed as hard as I could in the first 20 minutes to catch up and take positions. I had a bit of a lull then and struggled for lap-times but by the end I was back on it.

Eighth position was not fantastic but I was quietly happy with the race. Looking back I had made a lot of ground and it was not a bad ride, considering.

As everyone knows Cairoli won the championship at Lierop and I was happy for him. He had worked very hard this year and in the last few races he was a worthy winner. As the title-holder for 2009 he confirms that he is currently the best and had the kind of season that we need to work towards.

In the days after Lierop the official announcement about my contract renewal with Yamaha came out and also that I will be the only MX1 rider in the team for 2010. Gautier Paulin will be my team-mate but in MX2.

 I don’t know Gautier personally but I hear good things about him and I think that having an MX2 bike prepared by the Rinaldis is the best way for him to win the championship; he has a very good opportunity for next year.

The fact that we are in different classes will not be too much of a problem. I always have my own plan for my preparation and I am sure he has his way. It will be a change for the team because not only will we be split between categories but we also have a brand new 450 to work with.

I am re-assured because when Yamaha come along with new technology then it represents a progression, and normally means an excellent product. They may be late to take fuel injection and release a new model but the evolution of the 450 is very big.

The bike has arrived now because Yamaha have made it the best it can be, and that is exciting for me. It also means that it is down to the team and I to get the results on the track to prove its capabilities. At the time of writing I have still to try it, and I am impatient!

We will be busy over the winter and need to do more testing that usual. It will probably mean more time in Italy and I will review my plans for the winter after the Nations.

It is possible that I will not go to Lommel anymore but this is not decided yet. We did not have long after Lierop before heading to Brazil. I had heard many people saying how nice the country was but my first experience was not that great!

The main problem was the weather. I arrived on Wednesday and it did not stop raining until Sunday when thankfully the sun came and dried a really nice track. We also made a mistake with the hotels and it took one hour to drive to the circuit which was too much.

The paddock was not organised well enough. We were trapped in a small area with the bikes, with just a thin fence to separate us from the many fans on both sides. There was no privacy, not even a place to change.

I felt like I was in a zoo, only I, or we as the riders, were the ones being watched! It was the first year for the track and the event so there are bound to be first problems and I hope they will be sorted for next year because the track and the jumps were great and it was very encouraging to see such a big and passionate crowd.

The first moto was pretty good. I was fast and scored another top three finish. The second is best not talked about! I just made a mistake and the bike looped out to the side on the uphill waves.

I made a few positions but then there was a big gap and with Desalle winning the GP, third place for 2009 was lost. Overall the season has not been easy. I felt quite a bit of pressure as the 2008 champion and the need to repeat the success.

I knew how hard it was to win the title in 2008 so to do it again was a tough task. I had some physical problems, like the broken finger, and there were times when luck deserted me. I just want to put the cap on 2009 and think ahead already.

There is one more job left; I want to do as well as I can for the Nations. I am really motivated for this race. In 2008 at Donington Park I was exhausted because there was a lot to do after winning the championship. I did not train like I could and just needed to rest.

Now I focussed on winning, and then I will go on holiday! Thanks for the support and for reading these columns this year. I hope to give some news updates about my activities over the winter. DP19