MXlarge: Marc, how was your race in last weekend’s Dutch Motocross Championship in Gemert?

De Reuver: Not so bad. In the first moto I didn’t have a good start, I was 6^th or 7^th and it took me a while to get to second place and Guarneri was gone, but I came back to him and really close and I made a mistake and it was too late. Second heat I had a good start behind Strijbos, he had a good start and I was second and we pulled away, Strijbos and me, but I made a little crash, the front washed out in a corner. The bike kept running and only Guarneri and Leok passed me and I settled for fourth.

MXlarge: So you were happy with your results then?

De Reuver: I made a lot of points on my main competition in the Dutch Championship; he finished behind me in both races. It is important for Suzuki to win the title. I could have maybe caught those guys, but I was a little scared to crash and loss points. I am now 30 points ahead so it is looking good.

MXlarge: When was the last time you won a Dutch Championship?

De Reuver: I won the Dutch championship in 2002. I mean the team is supported by Suzuki Holland, they want us to win the Dutch Championship of course, but the team owner, he would also like better results in the Grand Prix. He is happier if I am fast in the Grand Prix’s.

MXlarge: How have you felt about your season so far? It hasn’t been that great has it?

De Reuver: You know people only remember only the bad races. I mean I have only had two bad races this year and those were in the two Grand Prix’s, even the first heat in Mantova was not so bad. Bulgaria and second heat in Mantova was disappointing, but the rest were good enough.

De Reuver: I don’t think I will win this weekend. I don’t feel confident about it, to win I am not confident. Maybe that is a good thing, but it’s strange for me to be in the front, I am not used to it. Maybe it is good, but the pace is so fast this year, the first five are always fast, but now the riders from five to 15 are fast. There are many MX2 riders who still think they are on the MX2 bike and a place like Valkenswaard will catch them out, they will know soon enough that they are on a 450cc machine. Man you have to be so careful in Valkenswaard.

MXlarge: What about the MX2 class. I’ve never seen GP riders ride at that pace, ever!!

De Reuver: Me also not, ever!! I am thinking this is incredible. I think Paulin can run with these guys, Paulin in Mill at the Dutch Championship beat Herlings straight up. Paulin caught Herlings and passed him, then pulled away. Paulin is quick enough to run with those guys for sure.

MXlarge: What about MX1 in Holland, who is going to win? Cairoli maybe, Nagl, De Dycker. How about Kevin Strijbos he won there before?

De Reuver: I want Cairoli to win, he is a good guy, I like him. Everyone deserves to win and everyone works hard, but I hope he wins. Ken is struggling with the bike. He is missing something this year. I want him also to ride up front, but something is missing, but maybe this weekend he comes back. With Kevin you never know, he can win this weekend, but you never know with him, same with me.

MXlarge: A Dutch rider hasn’t won a Grand Prix in Valkenswaard since Erik Eggens in 2001, man that is 10 years ago. Only two Dutch guys have won in Valkenswaard, Belgians win everything in Valkenswaard.

De Reuver: For sure it was 2001 man, nearly ten years, I was third, James Dobb was second. Ramon won in 2002 and 2003. Maybe the Dutch guys are too confident.