Since the time De Reuver knew he had a ride he has been putting everything in place to take what could be his last crack at the big time. His body is now 100%, his mind is also back to where it was in 2004 when he battled Ben Townley for the MX2 World Championship and most importantly he is back in a Dutch based team, something that De Reuver feels will put the fun back into racing.

He has also started working with the same trainer who took Joel Smets, and Ben Townley to World titles and is confident he has the right mind set to be a force in the super competitive MX1 class.

Q: Marc, ok, first question, what did you do on New Year’s Eve?

De Reuver: I was home at 2am man; I didn't drink, the next day I went running man. Don't mention that I will look like a nerd man. 

Q: How do you feel now, have you recovered from your hip and back problems?

De Reuver: Everyone feels good in January. In October I thought it was not going to be good, I felt so bad, but now it's better again. I train hard, I go to bed on time, I eat well, and my back problem is over. I work with Yves Demeulemeester, just one on one. I need special training for my back and hip. I also do a lot of physical training. I am in Spain with my team mate, just the two of us. It is in the south of Spain, I've been here two weeks. I am doing my own thing. I am sensitive for that. I need room to do my own thing. Sunday I fly home to Holland before leaving again to Italy shortly.

Q: It’s been a while since you were a privateer, how long is that?

De Reuver: In 2002 I started the half season with factory bikes, but even in 2001 I had factory parts from Rinaldi, but that didn't work out, not because of Rinaldi but because of other things. I was in 2001 with the Eggens team and then in 2002 I went middle of the season to factory KTM, with Kees Van Der Ven. So it’s nearly 10 years ago.

Q: Not having fun doesn’t seem to make Marc De Reuver a happy racer. What are your opinions on that?

De Reuver: When I was in the CHAMP KTM team there was also no pressure, it's a Dutch team, just as it is now and I like that I guess. It's also Dutch, we have the same attitude. I have my schedule, tomorrow two times 30 minutes and then two times 10 minutes wide open. I am looking forward to that. Normally I don't look forward to it. I want to prove something, but I know I can train hard and win races, but every year it's some type of problem, me or something else. 

Q: Other people’s expectations can also cause a lot of pressure I guess?

De Reuver: Look at Desalle, he was finishing 5th, 8th, winning, but everything was good for him and everyone was happy. When you ride for a factory team fifth place isn't good, otherwise you are out of the team, next!!!!

Q: Was the pressure of racing in a factory team sometimes difficult, I mean in some teams they are really strict on what they want you to do?

De Reuver: You can look at it that way, I mean I feel really good I have to say, I am so happy, I am always happy, when I talk to John from Netherlands Suzuki, he says what you want, I say I want Pirelli tires, I want Renthal handlebars, he then says where do you want to train, I say I want to go to Spain; it's all up to me. We go two week to Maddi, then we go to races in Mantova, Valence, we do Lommel, then we go two weeks testing, it's my entire plan. 

Q: To win races you also need a bike good enough to run with the factory bikes. How good is your bike?

De Reuver: The bike is good enough, I was 10 years a factory rider, and I was going back to a privateer bike, and I didn't know what to expect, I was nervous a little, I saw the dark clouds above me, but it's a good bike. When you have MX2 you need a good bike that is a different story, but MX1, the bikes are all good and we have a good enough budget. We have a good tuner and it doesn't matter what it costs. John just wants good stuff, if it costs 1000 or 10,00euro he doesn't care.

Q: You won’t be considered a force this year, do you know that?

De Reuver: Nobody mentions me anymore; I don’t see my name anywhere maybe that is good. But I go to Mantova to win, 100%. I like Mantova man, it’s a little bit sandy and I often feel good there.

Q: How is training with your team-mate Jose Antonio Butron?

De Reuver: He is from the new generation, I can’t scrub and watch him a little and learn from him and it really helps. It’s been good for both of us being here in Spain together.

Q: What is the next step for you Marc, after this week?

De Reuver: Our big truck goes to Maddi in Italy, and I fly there two weeks before Mantova, the new bikes are there and everything is like I want.

Q: Last question how about Jeffrey Herlings. Man, you look like an old man now with him around. Does that create any pressure, being that he is the new Dutch kid?

De Reuver: No man, none at all, the Dutch team will have a great chance at the MXoN in future years, we can win in Lommel next year man. Jeffrey can ride the 350cc, so he will be fast on that. We have some good young riders coming through. I know Jeffrey and he’s a good kid. I like him, we have no problems.