Rider Q&A - Evgeny Bobryshev

Q: How did you think your first season went in MX1?
A: I think I did more than I expected. I think that I had good equipment, well prepared, and having an MX1 bike suits me and my size better than MX2 did. I was too big for the MX2 bike and I was much more comfortable on the bigger bike. It is important to be a strong rider in MX1.

Q: You are carrying on with Honda in 2011, so how much to you feel that staying on a CRF machine, and in the same MX1 class, will allow you to start the season at a high pace?
A: The Honda is my bike. I feel good with it and can get results with it, so I am happy to work with Honda again. I have a different team but with full official support. I know some of the guys of the team already and they are very nice guys; good people. I am happy to be in a good Honda team for 2011.

Q: Your career is obviously moving up fast, but what must you do as a rider to make sure this upward trend remains consistent?
A: I need to concentrate to be strong, and strong in my head. If your mind is not so focused it can let you down. I have seen some riders having distractions before the start of races and then they will not make the result. It is very hard in GPs, so different from other forms of racing I have done. You must do everything properly in your approach and preparations.

Q:  Rui Gonçalves is your new team-mate, so how do you feel about teaming up with him?
A: I do not know him not so well right now but he seems a good guy and I think we will work well together. I think in racing you always do your own thing most of the time, each rider has to concentrate on his own bike and set-up, but I am sure we will work well together.

Rider Q&A – Rui Goncalves

Q: What are your thoughts about joining the Honda World Motocross Team?
A: This is a completely new challenge for me after five years riding with another manufacturer, and this is a great opportunity with this team. It is going to be a challenge for me, but it is also a new motivation to succeed.

Q: What do you expect from your new machine in 2011?
A: Everything so far has been good. We went to Japan and did good tests over there. The Japanese were really excited, me too, and working together with everybody is something I am looking forward to. The 450 CRF Honda is a complete change from last season but the first feeling with the bike was really positive. It is really light and sharp. I was happy with what I had in my hand. We will all be working hard to find the best settings for my riding style.

Q: ‘Bobby’ is your team-mate in 2011. How well do you know him, and how do you think you will work inside the same team?
A: The most contact I have had with him was when we went to Japan. He seems to be a good guy and everyone in the team is great, Bobby too. He and I get along good and we will work to get everybody on our side to bring those Hondas up to the front.

Q: How competitive is the MX1 class now?
A: For sure the MX1 class is very strong. There are lots of people who can win a Moto and a GP, so I am just going to go out there with an open mind and give my best, and bring the best results home. In MX1 the speed is very high at the moment.

Q: What are your overall hopes and expectations for 2011?
A: I know exactly what my goal and my target is, and my target is always to ride up front. My goal for now is to feel good on the bike and get the best out of myself by training hard. Also to get the set-up of the bike working in the best way we can. If all those conditions come together, for sure I do not see any problems riding with the guys out front.